Tough As Nails lacquer review

Today I have a quick review of Tough As Nails lacquer in the shade It's All Over Now.

I bought this nail polish on Etsy after admiring it for several weeks. It reminds me of Lynnderella's Gotta Love Brains but I think I like the glitters used in this one a little bit better.

This is a sheer gray containing purple, lavender, blue, iridescent and white glitters in varying sizes.

I prefer wearing just two coats of it if I'm not using any underwear. I love seeing a hint of the natural nail showing through and think it gives it an ethereal, otherworldly effect when worn alone. The closet Fae goth in me, I guess.

I also like wearing it over a gray cream, like China Glaze Recycle as well as over mint, teal and sky blue creams as well.

It's All Over Now

The color is gorgeous and the formula is top-notch. It has a nice squishy-jelly finish with two coats and is opaque in three, giving it a nice layered effect.

I'm really digging this polish and am so glad I finally purchased it! I definitely have more on my wishlist. Rebellious Bridesmaid, to name names.

Until next time,
xoxo
Mrs. J

Lush Lacquer Party Hearty review

Hi there! Today, I have a review of another indie polish, this time from Lush Lacquer.

My indie obsession seems to be unending - there are just so many unique colors out there and I'm the kind of person who finds great joy in staring at her fingernails for hours on end. Not such a good thing when you're driving, so I try to keep my adoration limited to stoplights whenever I'm in my car.

The ladies from Lush Lacquer have a fantastic eye for glitter combos and their formula is spot-on. I own several Lushies and Party Hearty is swiftly becoming one of my faves!

Party Hearty has a coral/pink/salmon-colored base with a stunning iridescent gold shimmer. It contains small coral glitter, medium purple, blue and teal square glitter, large purple square glitter and best of all, matte blue hearts. I adore the glitters combined with the base color - the contrast of warm and cool tones balance each other out beautifully.

Party Hearty

It covers opaque in two coats and like most glitter polishes, it's slightly gritty feeling to the touch once dried - nothing a few swipes of top-coat won't fix. The hearts, being larger than the other glitters, will tend to settle a bit but this is to be expected of just about any glitter polish. I was able to get the ones you see in this photo on to my nails with little to no fishing. If you want them on every nail, you might need to dip the brush a few times. Personally, I think the variation of having them on some nails and not others just adds to the uniqueness of this color.

I'm generally able to get a good 3-5 days of wear before any chipping occurs. I've noticed that glitters tend to chip more on me than creams no matter what brand of top coat I use. I think it's because I use my nails for all kinds of things you probably shouldn't (opening soda cans, peeling off price tags), never mind the fact that I use a keyboard at work all day, then add household chores on TOP of all that.

Lush Lacquer is definitely one of my favorite indie polish brands. Karin and Lexi are sweet, super-creative and sincerely value their customers. Give their shop a visit and treat yo self. You know you deserve it, gurrrrr!

Until next time,
xoxo
Mrs. J

Lime Crime lipstick in Centrifuchsia

Today I have a review of Lime Crime cosmetics lipstick in Centrifuchsia. Lime Crime is a cruelty-free brand that offers unique shades for eyes, lips and most recently, nails. I've had this lipstick for over a year now; I bought it at IMATS LA 2011 from the Lime Crime booth. I think I was scared to use it because the packaging is just so goddamn cute.

Centrifuchsia is one of their somewhat tamer offerings but it's definitely not short on color. This opaque magenta cream applies smoothly and is densely pigmented. I love to pair this with pink blush, neutral eye shadow and simple black winged liner.

Centrifuchsia

The wear time is an average 3-4 hours (w/o eating or drinking from a glass) which is better than I'd expected, just based on the creamy nature of the formula. It also leaves a bit of a stain behind after wearing away, which is a wonderful bonus if you're on the go all day.

Despite the controversy surrounding the brand, I've been happy with the items I've purchased from the line. The color palette is out of this world. And again, look at that packaging! Look! If you don't like it, there's something wrong with you. It's a sparkly, holographic unicorn, for cryin' out loud.

If you've never had any experience with the brand, g'head and pick something up from them - you won't be disappointed!

Until next time,
xoxo
Mrs. J

Pretty & Polished

Today I have some more indie polish to show you! I made my second purchase from Pretty & Polished a month or so ago and was finally able to swatch them recently.

First up is Hello Dolly. This color has matte white glitter, pink and light purple hex glitter and pink prism micro glitter in a clear base.

I'm wearing two coats in this photo and had no issues with getting the glitters out of the bottle. I love the mix of white, pink and purple glitters - so ULTRA girly! I'm excited to try this over a pale pink, mint green or black or layered between something sheer for a jelly sandwich effect.

Gem 'n I is a shimmery yellow with orange, aqua, and light blue glitters. This color is a part of the Horoscope collection.

I'm not typically a fan of yellow but this color just drew me in. It's making me re-think my whole stance on the issue! I don't know if it's the way the cool blue glitters pop against the warm base but whatever it is, I'm in love. I'm wearing two coats in these pics and you can see just the slightest hint of VNL in the swatch photo. I think I might try layering it with Sally Hansen's Yellow Kitty to give it a little more depth.

These mini-size bottles retail for $4.75 and contain 7 ML of polish. Her Etsy shop is empty right now, but she was recently picked up by Llarowe so if you've got a hankering, I would recommend checking there, too.

Until next time,
xoxo
Mrs. J

Pretty and Polished

I have been getting more and more into handmade/indie nail polish as of late and today, I'll be reviewing the colors from my first indie polish purchase. I bought these from Chelsea of Pretty and Polished fame back in February.

When using Seche Vite (my usual topcoat), I get an average of 3-4 days of wear before any chipping will occur. I pound a keyboard all day at work, then add to that wear and tear from household chores like washing dishes - having a mani last a few days with no chipping is a pretty good run as far as I'm concerned!

I love all of the colors on their own but since some are sheer, I also like to play around by coupling them with underwear, usually an opaque pastel shade. It really brings out the layers of glitter and gives a more dimensional effect.

Now, on to the colors!

Candy Coated is a sheer baby pink with a mix of pink and purple prismatic hexies, purple glitter and prismatic purple micro glitter.

Candy Coated
I looooooooove this color. LOVE. IT. It applies like a dream and is absolutely beautiful. It reminds me of cupcake sprinkles, it's such a pretty color. In this photo I'm wearing two candy coats.

Elvis' Pink Cadillac is a sheer, muted pink cream with black micro glitter and large black hexagonal glitter. This is a great color and I love the name - I feel like I should be at a malt shop or sock hop when I wear this! In this photo I have on two coats.

Elvis' Pink Cadillac
The larger glitter pieces do tend to migrate to the bottom of the bottle but can be incorporated more evenly by turning the bottle upside down for 30 minutes prior to use, and then rolling between your palms for a few minutes before applying.

I *did* read that this color was recently reformulated with new glitter and is more of a bright pink jelly shade as opposed to a pale pink cream. I haven't purchased the new formula yet but will post a review if and when I do. I'm not sure if I can justify purchasing two slightly different versions of the same color but being that one is new and improved, it shouldn't be too hard to convince myself. Trust me, I know me.

See Tart and Chelsea Chelsea Bling Bling after the cut!