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Essie Cashmere Matte Collection 2015

Posted on 28 January, 201528 January, 2015 by Cynthia

Hey chickadees! How is your week going so far? I can’t believe that we are almost through the last week of January. Holy frijoles! Where does time go? I’ve been chugging along…working, swatching, buying a million polishes…new year, same old same old. I am pretty excited about all of the Spring collections that are about to drop so that’s definitely keeping my swatching schedule busy. I should have the Zoya Satins up on the blog next week (since quite a few of you have asked me), the KBShimmer Spring Collection will be on my blog on 2/1 and you are going to DIE–it’s amazing. I will also have the Essie Resort Collection up next week and the Zoya Spring Collection as well. After that I am expecting my shipment of OPI Hawaii and some of the Infinite Shine polishes that I’m super excited to try out. So yes…lot’s of fun stuff coming to ye olde blog. Today I have a collection that I had been lusting over ince I first saw swatches. I stalked my beauty supply until they came in and of course I grabbed them all. Since I’m the one person on the planet that adored Belugaria, I was thinking I would enjoy these “different” polishes. Before I get into my thoughts (and oh boy do I have thoughts), let me show you my swatches. Here is the Essie Cashmere Matte Collection for your perusal.

Essie Coat Couture

Essie Spun in Luxe

Essie Wrap Me Up

Essie Just Stitched

Essie Comfy In Cashmere

Essie All Eyes on Nudes

When I first saw swatches of these, I was like chomping at the bit: Essie. Check! Shimmer. Check! Luxurious mattes. Check! Beautiful transitional colors. Check! Then I tried them. Uncheck errrything. I think that these look absolutely horrendous on me. In the words of a friend who shall remain nameless: “these essie cashmere mattes or whatever make your fingers look shitty.” I seriously cracked up reading that because it’s so true. These look kind of foul on me. Not only do they look gross on me, but I had the hardest time working with them. You can see how uneven my application looks in my pictures. Part of it might be that I have a really damaged and uneven nail surface right now, but I also found them kind of goopy and just hard to deal with–like most mattes. I think that top coating them might have helped to make them look more smooth, but I was just not in the mood to even deal with them any longer. In their defense, the idea of what these could have been is freaking spectacular. The shimmer in these polishes elevates them–makes them infinitely more interesting. The shimmer doesn’t disappear on the nail so of course that excited me to no end. Now, if you want to see swatches of how gorgeous they can look, you can check out Eugenia’s post or Karen’s post about this collection. They made me want them bad…and then I wanted to drop an a-bomb on the whole collection. I’ve started to call them the Cash-smears Collection just cause I don’t like them and cause I’m terribly sad about it. Look, I wouldn’t be this sad about it if I didn’t love Essie so much. I feel like I write this in 80% of my Essie reviews–not a good trend. haha Anyway, considering how torturous this collection was, I leave you with Shakira’s La Tortura cause they were pure torture to apply…and because this video features my #1 hot lava Alejandro Sanz. Yep, enjoy…and I’ll talk to you later.

China Glaze Road Trip Collection – Spring 2015

Posted on 27 January, 201527 January, 2015 by Cynthia

Hello! This is kind of a late night post for me since I usually like to post in the morning, but I’ve been kind of out of it lately so I figured that since I got a burst of energy now, I might as well write this up right now before I go to bed. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that I love China Glaze. You also know that I never miss out on a collection because…well…I am a freak and have no self control. When I first saw the promo shots for the China Glaze Road Trip Collection for Spring 2015, I just about pissed myself just because I love spring collections, I love China Glaze and I love anything that remotely hints at travel. As soon as my beauty supply got these in, I got the whole lot so I could try them all out. Well, how do you think it went? Let me show you the colors before I get into the dirty details.

China Glaze My Way or the Highway

China Glaze License & Registration Pls

China Glaze Boho Blues

China Glaze Dashboard Dreamer

China Glaze Sun’s Up Top Down

China Glaze Trip of a Lime Time

China Glaze Pop The Trunk

China Glaze I Break for Colour

China Glaze Pack Lightly

China Glaze More To Explore

China Glaze Pinking Out The Window

China Glaze Wanderlust

While some of you may think that these colors are kind of boring and that you’ve seen them all before, let me tell you that even for a nail polish freak like me that really has one of EVERYTHING, I really REALLY loved these colors. Maybe it’s because it’s one of the first Spring collections that I have gotten my hands on after a bunch of Fall and Winter colors, but I really fell hard for this collection. It just seems so cohesive and just plain pretty. The blue shades are gorgeous, the pink/peach colors are a gradient selection made in heaven. Hell, I even loved the yellow…and the green…the green! Ahhh…seriously, I really loved these colors. But. BUT! I hate using the word but because I always feel that everything that comes after the word but basically negates everything that came before it. However (a fancy but), I found the formula on these–not ideal. I don’t know if all of a sudden I suck at applying polish, but all of these felt kind of streaky. The only ones that didn’t really give me any trouble were My Way or the Highway, Boho Blues and License & Registration Pls which only required 2 thin coats. The rest of the polishes required 3 coats…some of them thickish. That definitely did not make me happy. If you’re a person that uses base coat and top coat, that’s like 5 coats of polish on each nail!!! 5 coats of polish make me a sad panda. I haven’t seen too many reviews of these polishes out yet so I don’t know if I just suck at doing my nails now or if others will also find them a bit streaky. Most of these polishes have a really lovely microshimmer that doesn’t show up too much in my pictures but man they look pretty when the light hits them just right. I don’t know about you, but when a polish is really pretty like some of these, I tend to be more forgiving for some formula issues. Ultimately, I would highly recommend the three blues that I mentioned above and a few others if you’re ok with some formula issues. This collection officially comes out in February, but I know that you can get them at a few places already. What do you think of this collection? Will you be getting any of these? Let me know! Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I will talk to you soon!

Stamping Saturdays #53

Posted on 24 January, 201524 January, 2015 by Cynthia

Aren’t you guys happy that the weekend is here? Last night I found Masked Affair at my local Rite-Aid and I am still wondering why the display only has two of each polish…is that ridiculous or what? Anyway, I had a pretty big polish week because I bought a ton of new stuff that I’m already regretting but hey–that always happens to me. As usual, I had no idea what I wanted to do for today’s Stamping Saturdays so I just went with the flow. Let me show you the gorgeous polish that I used as my base.

This gorgeous polish is OPI Taylor Blue (press sample). If you don’t know the story behind this polish, make sure that you read it here. This gorgeous polish is so incredibly shiny and has a beautiful crelly consistency.

I then used Mentality White Opaque to stamp an image from plate MoYou London Sailor Collection Plate 07 (press sample). While the Mentality polish stamps beautifully, it has more of a pearl off white finish and I was really looking forward to an opaque white creme. I got so excited with my mani, that I top coated it with OPI I Can Teal You Like Me (press sample) before taking pictures of it. Womp womp. I really love how this looks but dang those bubbles kill it. I’m getting irrationally upset with the bubbles so I may have to take Emma’s suggestion and try the Dance Legend Top Aquarelles.

Minus the bubbles, I love this!!! What do you think? I’m starting to feel really gross because of the Santa Ana winds which make my allergies go bonkers…i’m not looking forward to that so I’m loading up on Benadryl. I have an eye exam later this morning which I’m not looking forward to. Lately I’ve been having tons of issues with my vision which is a huge concern since I’m diabetic. However, I’ve had all the check ups with my doctor and she said my eyes are perfectly healthy. I’ve noticed that I have a lot of trouble seeing up close now with my glasses, and by the end of the day, my eyes are so painfully dry that I can barely see. I bought some eye drops last night and when I got home I realized it said they were for dry “aging eyes.” Yep, I’m old. Well, I hope you’re having a nice Saturday so far and don’t forget to join us for Stamping Saturdays by adding your link below and tagging your posts on IG with #stampingsaturdays so I can find you. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I will talk to you soon.

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Cirque Colors Doyers

Posted on 21 January, 201520 January, 2015 by Cynthia

Today is my first day back to work after a 4 day weekend…oh the horror! Actually, I kinda miss work–it’s the waking up part that I have a problem with. I was talking to a couple of friends about how exhausted I am all the time no matter how much I sleep. I think that a big thing contributing to my exhaustion is that I still don’t have total control of my diabetes so my body is still flipping out. How many time have I said that working out will probably make me feel a lot better? Probably more than I can count but I’m stil dragging my feet. Sweet baby Jesus, help me get back on the right path. I’m so sick of feeling so shitty yet I continue to make bad choices. It’s a neverending cycle! Anyway, despite the exhaustion, I still seem to find plenty of time to play with nail polish. Who needs naps when you can have fabulous nails?! Yesterday I got a package from Cirque Colors that contained the February release for their Metropolis Collection: Cirque Colors Doyers. Before I show you the polish, let me show you the state of my nails in the ongoing overbuffing saga.

I decided to round off my little dagger nails a bit, because they were just a little too pointy. The damage is growing out slowly but I think that this shape is helping me avoid more nasty breaks. To be honest, I’m really liking this shape–it has a retro vibe to it. I know a lot of you prefer my square nails, but let me show you what they look like with polish.

Let me tell you that I have a love/hate relationship with red nail polish. It’s like I really want to love red nails, but then I just find them too in your face. Does that even make sense considering the crazy nails I post regularly on here? Well, I can tell you that Doyers does not disappoint. It’s such a bright and luscious red with a flawless formula. You can get away with one coat if you apply it carefully and it is so shiny!!!!

Well, what do you think of my new (temporary?) nail shape? And most importantly, what do you think of the polish? It’s such a classic red that I was singing The Police’s Roxanne while I was doing my nails. This new addition to the Metropolis collection becomes available on February 1st and you can buy it here where it will retail for $13. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I will talk to you soon!

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Stamping Saturdays #52

Posted on 17 January, 2015 by Cynthia

Saturday is my favorite day of the week, and not just because of Stamping Saturdays–ha! I have a 4 day weekend to enjoy so I’m kind of in lazy heaven right now. I’ve been so dang tired this week so I’m hoping that this break with recharge me. I don’t have too much planned for this weekend, so I’m going to try to get some swatching done. I am still dealing with my damaged right hand nails so you’re continuing to see my left hand. In fact, I changed the shape of my nails to more of an almond shape on my right hand because they were tearing at the corners due to how weak they are. The last time I changed the shape of my nails, people didn’t seem too happy with the shape but I’m going to keep it until the damage grows out. Last night I could not figure out what to do for today’s Stamping Saturdays so I went with a color that I love: OPI In The Cable Car-pool Lane.

In The Cable Car-pool Lane (press sample) is one of my favorite colors from the San Francisco Collection. Just look how glossy and delicious it is.

For my stamping, I used my favorite stamping gold, Essie Good As Gold, and an image from Born Pretty plate BP-21. I really like the combination of the base color and the gold even if the actual design is just ok.

So what do you think of this mani? If you are in the US, do you also have a nice long weekend? Well, I hope that you’re doing well today and are enjoying your Saturday. Check out the other Stamping Saturdays designs below and join us on Instagram by tagging your posts #stampingsaturdays so I can find you. Also, if you haven’t entered my flash giveaway which is running for one week, make sure to click here to enter. Thanks for stopping by today, and I will talk to you soon.

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Delush Polish Murder House

Posted on 13 January, 201512 January, 2015 by Cynthia

Yesterday I woke up with the worst headache. In fact, the headache woke me up a few times during the night so of course I was grumpy mcgrumperson all day long. I didn’t even comb my hair or put up on any make up before going to work so I looked like a frazzled mess but it’s ok…I felt worse on the inside. I’m hoping it was just part of the Monday blues and that my week goes by much more smoothly. I’m actually really looking forward to the weekend because I have a 4 day weekend. YEAH!!! Well, I hope your Monday was better than mine, but we can only go up from here. So the polish I have for you today is a fun glitter from the Delush Polish Scream Supreme Collection which was a gift from Amanda. Let me show you Delush Polish Murder House.

Delush Polish Murder House is a deep black jelly with red and white glitter in different sizes and shapes. Like most jellies, it will take 2-3 coats for a fully opaque look. I found the formula very easy to work with and I applied 2 thin coats and one thicker 3rd coat. Maybe I’m biased because season 1 of AHS is my favorite of all of them, but I totally love this polish!

Delush Polish is fast becoming one of my top favorite indie brands and I can’t wait to see what they come out with in 2015. What do you think of this polish? Have you been following AHS? I haven’t been watching Freakshow so I’ll have to pull a AHS marathon soon. Well, I hope you’re enjoying your day/morning so far. Thanks so much for the visit today, and I will catch you later!

SpaRitual Starry Night

Posted on 12 January, 201511 January, 2015 by Cynthia

I have some sad news today: the great drugstore foundation search has been a bust. I bought the Revlon Colorstay foundation a couple of weeks ago and I had high hopes after all the great feedback I was getting, but I think I’m having some weird allergic reaction to it so I guess I’m just going to stop using it. I picked out the color warm golden and it looked kind of pink on me…ugh…so hard to get the right foundation! Now I’m just going to suck it up and go back to my MUFE HD which I know will work for me. I really wanted to find a more budget friendly alternative but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. DAMN YOU MUFE FOR BEING SO AWESOME! On this dreary Monday morning, I have yet another beauty from the Wander Collection: SpaRitual Starry Night.

Isn’t this polish just absolutely gorgeous? The formula is perfect–very smooth and opaque. You can almost get away with one coat if you’re careful. I think that the satin finish makes this polish look even more amazing. Let me just say that the SpaRitual Wander Collection is maybe my favorite Fall Collection of 2014.

So how is your Monday going? I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for the new week. Let me know what you think of this polish below in the comments. Thanks for stopping by today, and I will talk to you later!

Stamping Saturdays #51

Posted on 10 January, 2015 by Cynthia

It’s so nice and sunny today, and I’m soooo enjoying it. I don’t know what it is, but I have such high hopes for 2015. I’m determined to make the best of out of this year after being so down on myself for so long. Today I’m catching up with a lot of the shows I missed out on during the week, namely Empire. Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson are hot lava together in one show. So last night I was trying to figure out what to do for Stamping Saturdays and I decided to use a polish I hadn’t used in a long time: Dior Frimas.

Dior Frimas is one of those beautiful holiday polishes that Dior puts out each year. I picked this up a couple of year ago and had completely forgotten about it. Sometimes I hate myself for buying some of this expensive stuff and then never using it. I know part of it is that these are collectors items, but isn’t t just wasteful? Anyway, I think I don’t like this polish as much as I initially did. The color is just a little off on me and the formula is so grainy. Still, it’s pretty and I don’t exactly regret getting it.

For my stamping, I used and image from plate Born Pretty 02 (press sample) which i found a little difficult to do since I was stamping with my non-dominant hand. I didn’t initially like this mani at all, but it grew on me a bit.

So what are you up to today? Well, whatever you’re doing, I hope you are enjoying your day. Thanks for stopping by today, and I will talk to you soon.

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The Lacquer Ring – Cobalt

Posted on 9 January, 20158 January, 2015 by Cynthia

I am sooooooo glad that it’s Friday. This week has felt really long so I’m looking forward to being lazy all weekend. I feel like I say that every Friday and then I end up feeling guilty when I do spend some totally lazy time. Major props to moms out there who NEVER get a day off–I don’t know how you do it. I had some drama with this post because I accidentally completely deleted it off my drafts and then it wasn’t in my deleted items either so it fell into the blog Bermuda Triangle. It seems pretty par for the course for me as of late, but I’m still pretty darn happy even if I have been kind of emotional lately. I could blame PMS, but I think I’m just weird overall. Today, The Lacquer Ring is featuring Cobalt. Can we all scream every time we see or hear the word cobalt they way they did in Peewee’s Playhouse? How rando was that show? I tried watching it with my brother a bit ago and it almost seemed creepy. Maybe it was the whole masturbating in public thing….Anyway, let me show you the polish I used.

This is Inglot 992 which I haven’t worn in a really long time. Initially it looked cobalt to me, but it’s actually more of a blurple. This polish has a beautiful purple sheen in the bottle that pretty much disappears on the nail. Still, I think it’s lose enough to cobalt where I don’t feel too bad for messing up.

Since I wanted to keep things simple, I just applied a coat of Shimmer Liana (press sample) over my base color to jazz it up. I really love all of the Shimmer Polish glitters that I have ever used because they are so pretty and interesting. I can always count on them to bling out my manicures.

So what do you think? Is cobalt a color that you like to wear on your nails? What is your favorite cobalt polish? To be honest, I think mine is Nails Inc. Baker Street which I probably should have used today but I’ve used it so many times that I just wanted to mix it up a little. Anywho, don’t forget to check out the other cobalt manis below. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and don’t forget to joins us tomorrow for Stamping Saturdays. Talk to you soon!

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Dollish Polish Wicked Wario

Posted on 7 January, 20154 January, 2015 by Cynthia

Did I tell you that I now have the full Dollish Polish Super Mario Bros. Collection due to the generosity and awesomeness of Amy and Amanda? They are so thoughtful and knew how much I wanted to get my hands on this collection so they sent these to me slowly building up the collection for me. I love you girls so much for being so sweet–these polishes mean a lot to me! I’ve been on a very limited polish budget for a few months now mostly owing to the fact that my rent went up quite a bit, so I just hadn’t picked these up on my own. Polish v. housing…it shouldn’t be such a hard decision, right? Only polish hoarders understand the struggle. Today I’m going to show you Dollish Polish Wicked Wario, but first let me show you what I used as my base color.

KBShimmer Hugs & Wishes (press sample) is just gorgeous. There is nothing else I can say about this polish that you haven’t heard yet: beautiful creme and opaque with two easy coats.

Dollish Polish Wicked Wario is such a unique glitter topper. It has purple micro glitters with small green hexes as well as gold and white glitter. I have no idea how this glitter combination works, but it totally does. I don’t think it would be a full coverage glitter on its own, so you definitely need a solid color underneath.

What do you think of this combination? Are you a huge Super Mario Bros. fan like me? What collection have you been lusting over but haven’t bitten the bullet yet? Is there a discontinued collection that you missed out on that you’d like to get your hands on? Well, I hope your week is going well so far, and I will talk to you soon!