China Glaze Fang-Tastic

     Today I have Fang-Tastic from China Glaze's Monsters Ball collection to show you guys. Fang-Tastic is a pink, purple, blue, and teal glitter topper in a clear base. now I know this one was supposed to be a Halloween color...but the colors just seem more spring to me so I waited to swatch it until spring. Can we just take a moment and talk about the name please: Fang-Tastic. I love it! It's the perfect descriptor for what all vamps should be (But seriously, fang-less vampires need to GTFO of my favorite genre, they are faeries with oral fetishes not vampires!). The name also sounds straight out of a Kresley Cole book, or Buffy. The name of this polish is both sarcastic, and paranormal (both things I adore beyond measure) so of course I had to have it. Also it doesn't hurt that it's glitter. I love glitter, and I know all my Valkyrie's love glitter too. So without further ado here's Fang-Tastic:

Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Closeup:

Indoor no flash. 

     In these pictures I used two coats of Fang-Tastic over two coats of OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons followed by a heavy layer of top coat. This polish did have to be dabbed on and had an average dry time. But the glitter/sparkle/Valkyrie payoff was HUGE. I just love it. This one's a keeper. Anyway that's all I have for you guys today. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO

China Glaze Sand Dolla Make You Holla

     Today, I have a swatch of Sand Dolla Make You Holla (SDMYH) from China Glaze's Sea Goddess collection. SDMYH is a pale (read this as uber pale) pink texture polish with silver, medium pink, and blue glitter in it. But free warning I have nubs again. And usually I would hide the nubs and photo the right hand for a while but my right index finger was broken at work when I kept a client from running into a busy street...So short nails are a badge of honor for me right now (until they grow out) since my index nails untimely demise meant saving someone from calamity. Anyway here's my nubs SDMYH.

No Top Coat:

Indoor no flash.

Indoor with flash

Closeup:

With Top Coat:

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

     I used three coats of SDMYH for these pictures and for the top coat pictures I used two heavy layers of Seche Vite. The formula is kind of thin (hence the three coats) and the texture is less bumpy that other textures I've tried, but it dries fairly quickly. I think I actually prefer this polish with topcoat, though. I'm kind of over the whole texture thing. That said with all the top coat it just looks like a girly creme with glitter and I got tons of compliments on it. I think it would have been better sans texture but that could be just me. Any way that's all I have for you guys today. Until next time. Stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

China Glaze Be Merry Be Bright

     Today, I have Be Merry Be Bright (BMBB) from China Glaze's Happy Holiglaze collection. BMBB is a pink and purple glitter mix in a clear base. I saved this one for closer to Valentines day because it really seems more V-day than Christmas IMO. Anyway, I used OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons as Undies on this one.

Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Closeup:

Indoor no flash. 

     For these pictures I used one coat of BMBB over two coats of Don't Pretzel My Buttons. The glitter pay off is pretty huge on this one. I really ended up liking it a lot. Very girly, very Valentines (at least to me). Also your inner Valkyrie will be in a trance from all the sparklyness. Application was really easy I didn't have to dab it on or anything, I just applied it like a normal polish. It also dries pretty quickly so that's pretty awesome too. Anyway that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO

China Glaze Party Hearty

     Today, I have a swatch for you guys of Party Hearty from China Glaze Let it Snow 2010 collection. As you know I received this polish on Christmas Eve last year and never got to swatch it for you guys. Mostly because I just can't bring myself to wear Christmas polish after Christmas. So now that Christmas has come around again here it is with no further ado.

Pictures:

Indoor no flash tilted.

Indoor no flash.

*No outdoor pictures because it's 4 degrees outside and frostbite is not on my To Do list.

*No flash pictures because this polish is a glitter bomb that gives my camera seizures. 

Closeup:

Indoor no flash. 

     For this picture I used two coats of OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons as underwear, two coats of Party Hearty on top, and a heavy layer of topcoat to finish it off. Over all, I really like this polish. It applies like regular polish (no dabbing needed), dies quickly, and has a huge sparkle pay off. I'm so glad this polish is no longer a lemming for me, it's now a treasured part or my collection. If you can still get a hold of this polish I highly recommend it because is gorgeous. It kind of makes me wish China Glaze would go back to traditional Christmas colors for their Christmas polish collection glitters, instead of the pink, purple mixtures of the last two years. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy this swatch as much as I enjoy wearing it. That's all I have for you today, so until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

China Glaze vs Orly vs Zoya

     Today, I have another comparison post for you guys. It occurred to me when I bought China Glaze Strike Up A Cosmo that it looked a lot like Zoya Faye and Orly Ingenue. So I'm going to do a comparison post between the three. And here's what I found out:

Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Note the hue differences. 

Outdoor in sunlight.

Note how they kind of look the same and sunlight.

Outdoor and shade.

     And also this is just my little thing (I minored in English so it's not totally weird). But I have heard so many people mispronounce the name of Orly's Ingenue that I figured I'd do a public service and post the video below of how to pronounce it (here's what it means too). Sorry, but my inner English nerd has a seizure when people pronounce words wrong.

     In these pictures I used two coats of China Glaze and three coats of Zoya and Orly with a heavy coat of topcoat for everyone. So you can see they are not dupes, not by a long-shot. While Faye and Ingenue are dupes of each other. They are not dupes for China Glaze Strike Up A Cosmo. Both Faye and Ingenue have more of a copper sheen to them Strike Up A Cosmo has an almost silver or pale gold sheen to it. It's also worth noting that the formula is better on China Glaze, then on Orly and Zoya, because it's opaque in two coats. I would like to note however that in the sunlight, there's really not all that much color difference. And to be honest, if you have one of these polishes then you probably don't need the others. And if you don't have any of them (and you only want one), I recommend China Glaze, because two coats are just more convenient than three. Plus China Glaze is way cheaper than Zoya. Well that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO

China Glaze Howl You Doin' vs Orly Fowl Play Comparison Swatches

     Today, I have a comparison swatch to show you guys. I noticed when I got my bottle of Howl You Doin' that it looked suspiciously like Orly's Fowl Play. So I decided that I would do a swatch comparison for you guys. Because in the bottle they looked like dead on dupes. Here some pictures:

Pictures:

Indoor no flash.

Note the texture difference.

Outdoor in sunlight.

Note the hue difference.

Outdoor in shade.

Closeups:

China Glaze - Howl You Doin'. Indoor no flash. 

Note the smaller red torn shards and blue micro hexagons (which China Glaze has more of). Seems like everyone's having a hard time getting pics of this polish to show the detail. Not me. My camera may be old but it does macro shots like no other (Yay Nikon!). 

Orly - Fowl Play. Indoor no flash. 

Note the larger red glitter is a torn/flakie glitter (which is larger than that in China Glaze), and the presence of tiny slivers of silver glitter (absent from China Glaze).

     For these pictures I used two coats of China Glaze Howl You Doin' and three coats of Orly Fowl Play. Both polishes are in a jelly base with red and blue glitter in them. As far as formula goes, China Glaze is a better formula because it only needs two coats, and it dries faster. That said, with China Glaze there's more glitter, so it is a bit bumpier in texture. When it comes to color, Orly is a little bit more of a dusky indigo color, where China Glaze is more of a grapey color (it reminds me a little bit of grape juice). Also, Fowl Play seems to have teeny tiny silver micro glitter shreds in it, and Howl You Doin' does not. It's also worth mentioning that the red glitter in Fowl Play is more of a flakie glitter and I would classify the red glitter in Howl You Doin' as more of a shard glitter. So as you can see from the pictures they are not really dupes (The bottles lied! *insert mock horror here*). However they are close enough that if you have one, you probably don't need the other. And if you don't have either I would say get the China Glaze, because it has more glitter, dries faster, and it is a prettier color (IMO). Well that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

Fall Water Marble

     Today, I have a fall water marble to show you guys. Now I know everyone is posting Halloween manicures already...and as much as I love Halloween (And that's a lot) I refuse to do Halloween manicures until October 1st. I won't do it. I'm tired of this rush into and out of holidays. I won't do Thanksgiving mani's till November, and I won't do Christmas ones until December. If that makes me old fashioned then so be it, it's the only way I'm old fashioned. I just refuse to give into the man that says Halloween starts in September, Christmas starts in November and Valentines Day starts in January. I officially thumb my nose at the man and say "No! I will celebrate them during the month of and no sooner." Okay, sorry about the rant but seriously it kinda makes me crazy. Without further ado here's my fall water marble:

Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Outdoor in sunlight. 

Outdoor in shade. 

What I Used: 

China Glaze - Cross Iron 360

China Glaze - Goin My Way?

China Glaze - Riveting

OPI - Oy-Another Polish Joke!

     So I used a basic leaf like water marble over a base coat of Oy-Another Polish Joke and I'm pretty happy with how this marble turned out. It's very Autumn and harvesty (I'm making that a word). Anyway that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

Can It Be Fall Now? Manicure

     Today, I have a a stamping/sponging manicure to show you guys. I wanted a fall theme mani because  I love fall. And I am beyond ready for it to get here. Don't get me wrong I don't hate summer...I just really like when the air is crisp and I have an excuse to wear a fluffy sweater, curl up in a blanket with a cup of cocoa and read a good book. But I digress, you're here to see the mani so here it is:

Pictures:

Indoor no flash

Indoor no flash at an angle (to better show the design). 

Indoor with flash. 

Outdoor...the sun is not working with me today. 

What  I Used:

China Glaze - Harvest Moon

China Glaze - Mahogany Magic

China Glaze - Goin' My Way

Stamping plates:

Mash - Mash-49 & Mash-43

     I sponged on the gradient with Harvest Moon and Goin' My Way. Then stamped Mahogany Magic over top. I actually really like how this one turned out. Very festive and Autumn-ish (Is that a word? Oh well, it is now). Now if the weather would cooperate with me and give me some proper cocoa, sweater and book reading weather to match my nails. Then I would be a happy little camper. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this manicure as much as I do. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

Kick-Ass 2 Manicure

   Today, I have some nail art based on Kick-Ass 2. I absolutely love Kick-Ass 1 and I'm going to the squeal tonight. So, I thought how about some nail art. If you haven't seen Kick-Ass you so should. It's awesome. Hit-Girl is a freaking awesome little bad ass super hero. Anyway here's my nail art.

Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Right Hand Hit Girl:

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Left Hand Kick-Ass: 

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

What I Used:

China Glaze - Solar Power

China Glaze - Turned Up Turquoise

China Glaze - Gothic Lolita

China Glaze - Pink-ie Promise

China Glaze - Liquid Leather

China Glaze - Avalanche

Finger Paints - Be A Pal-Ette

OPI - Don't Pretzel My Buttons

Konad - Black

Ceramcoat - Black

Americana - Mustard Seed

Shany Stamping Plate - SH212

Striping Tape

Kick-Ass 2 Trailor:

And a song from the Kick-Ass 1 (in a Hit Girl kicking ass sequence) that I just love and that every woman should have on their iPod.

Bad Reputation by Joan Jett

     I used several different forms of nail art on this manicure. I used taping, stamping, self made decals, and free hand nail art. This one took forever but had a pretty good payoff I think. I didn't attempt faces because all my faces look just awful. That aside I think it turned out pretty well. Are you guys going to see Kick-Ass 2? Or have you already? As excited as I was for this movie to come out I waited for Tuesdays because my local theater does cheap popcorn on Tuesdays. I can't wait I'm so excited. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this manicure. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO

Flame Nail Art

      Today, I have some Flame Nail Art to show you guys. To be fair it was a practice run at small part of a nail art I won't be showing you guys until November. Sorry for the tease, but I have never attempted this type of nail art before. Hence the test run. And how better to learn a specific type of nail art than to practice, practice, practice. Ten practice nails and I am pretty happy with my ability to create flame nails. Anyway, here are my flame nails.

Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Outdoor in sunlight. 

Outdoor in shade. 

What I Used:

China Glaze - Smoke & Ashes

China Glaze - Dandy Lyin' Around

China Glaze - Solar Power

China Glaze - Riveting

OPI - Danke-Shiny Red

and a regular old pin (like you would use for sewing)

And the song that's stuck in my head so I thought I would share:

Wonderland by Natalia Killls 

     Okay, so I used the pin drag method to create this nail art. I am actually pretty happy with the outcome. For a flame manicure virgin I think I did pretty well. What do you guys think? Do you like it? Ten bonus points to whomever can guess what the theme for manicure in November I'm working on. And Marcie this excludes you because you already know (Sorry, but that's cheating). Actually I think you guys will like November as far as nail art goes. I have two pretty big nail art posts planned for then. But you will have to wait. Don't worry there will be plenty of nail art coming up before that. It's almost fall (my favorite season). Two of my favorite shows start new seasons so I may do something for them...and lets face it the whole month of October is going to be a Halloween nail art spree. It is my favorite holiday after all. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this manicure. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

Blue Jelly Sandwich Manicure

     Today, I have a Jelly Sandwich to show you guys. I bought China Glaze Isle See You Later even thought I had heard (from multiple bloggers) that it was really low in opacity and boy they weren't kidding. This may be the least opaque nail polish I own. It's on par with french manicure jellies. Luckily, I didn't buy it to wear alone, I wanted it for Jelly Sandwiches. But I quickly realized that even for use in a Jelly Sandwich it was going to need some underwear. But enough blathering, here are the pictures of my blue Jelly Sandwich manicure.

Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Outdoor in sunlight.

Outdoor in shade. 

Closeup:

Indoor no flash.

What I Used:

China Glaze - Sunday Funday

China Glaze - Isle See You Later

Finger Paints - Colorful Collage

     I used two coats of Sunday Funday as under wear, one coat of Colorful Collage, and three coats of Isle See You Later. Over all I like how it turned out but I wish Isle See You Later had a bit more pigment in it. It's kind of meh. I'll experiment with it a little more but as of now I can't really see myself using it for anything else but French Manicures and Jelly Sandwiches. Because it really doesn't give you much to work with, pigment wise. That's all I have for you guys today until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

July Stash Additions

     It's that time of the month again. Time to show you my new stash additions. I was kind of naught (bot not overly naught) this month and got several new polishes I blame Sally Beauty Supply's but one get one sale at the beginning of the month. But seriously they are like crack dealers. And I had to get my fix.  Plus there are the only two polishes I bought last month grouped in with them. Anyway here are my new babies.

Last Months Stragglers:

Sally Beauty Supply: Finger Paints - Colorful Collage & Ulta: OPI - Cuckoo For This Color

Sally Beauty Supply:

China Glaze: Love's A Beach, Turned Up Turquoise, Toe-Tally Textured, & Orange Knockout. 

Sally Girl: Butta & Brainy (seriously why are these not in bigger bottles?!?!?)

Amazon.com:

China Glaze: Isle See You Later, Flip Flop Fantasy, Pool Party, & Happy Go Lucky. 

And a song...for no other reason than it's stuck in my head and I thought I would share it with you guys

Lana Del Rey - 'This is What Makes Us Girls'

      So there you have it. All the lovely new ladies that have joined my stash this past month. As you can see I'm on a neon kick. Turns out I can wear them as long as they have red or pink undertones in them (in fact I have Pool Party on my toes as I type). And the yellow...becuase it occurred to me that I didn't have a true yellow creme (that didn't have a shimmer to it) so I got one, for nail art. Anyway, I hope you guys are having a great day. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO