Ulta Little Black Dress

Do you know that polish that you have in your Helmer (or on your shelf, in your drawer, whatever) that is the polish that you always reach for, that polish that makes the birds sing a little sweeter and chocolate taste even better? Oh, Little Black Dress, that is what you are to me.



I cannot BELIEVE that I have neglected to post Ulta Little Black Dress until now! LBD is one of my favorites of all time, and I do not say that lightly. It's a two-coat black with a smattering of silver glimmer that gives it that WOW factor when it hits the light. It's edgy yet elegant and a dream to apply. I seriously cannot say enough about this incredible polish.

Do you own LBD? Are you as in love with it as I am?

Happy day, all!

read more "Ulta Little Black Dress"

An Apology and a Wild Night

First of all, I would like to deliver my sincerest apology to all of you lovely readers of PoP.

I've been really absent of late when it comes to posting, specifically when it comes to responding to comments, and for that I am incredibly sorry. Time has been of the essence lately (isn't it always? I petition for four more hours a day, is anyone with me?) and though I value all of you so much, I really have had a hard time posting let alone responding to all of your comments. I faithfully read all of your statements at the end of my posts, I just don't seem to be able to devote the time to responding all of the time. I promise to attempt to be better about this in the future and if I fail at this, please know that I do value everything you say and I love reading your responses!

That being said, please allow me the pleasure of taking you all for a run with a Wild Night -



Ulta's Wild Night, of course! (I'd love to also take you out for a wild night filled with nachos and margaritas, but I don't think we are geographically blessed enough for that to happen!)

Wild Night is a deep, moody navy blue with an incredibly lovely blue shimmer throughout. It's definitely a cool-toned blue vamp, and I loved every stroke of this one. The application was flawless - two coats and not a stroke to be seen. This one also works as a lovely layering polish, which you'll see in my next post (hint, hint).

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Ulta has seriously won my heart with their polishes. My only complaint is that I've purchased all of their funky colors. Let's work on this, Ulta! Throw me some crazies!

Happy day, all!

read more "An Apology and a Wild Night"

Ulta For Bitten

Ulta, we need to talk. I think I might be falling in love with you.

I know, I know; you're young, you don't want to get involved, you need your space. I respect that. I think you need to know, though - my feelings are strong.

For Bitten from Ulta's Glam Goth collection is one of the many reasons why I think I can't continue to live apart so much.



I mean LOOK AT YOU. You're a dark, vampy polish with lovely shimmer that changes from burgundy to gold.


You're seriously an amazing polish; two coats and I couldn't look away.

Don't ignore your feelings, Ulta.

Happy day, all!

read more "Ulta For Bitten"

Ulta Smoke Screen

As we all know, I am not a neutrals girl, but be still my beating heart! Allow me to introduce Ulta Smoke Screen -


This little creme number was an afterthought during an online Ulta binge, and thank goodness it was. It's a cool-based deep gray, and it is SUBLIME. It applied like butter, wore incredibly well and was unlike everything else in my arsenal... it's love.

And did I mention it's the same color as my angry-yet-lovable rabbit?


Oh Ulta... you make me love you in so many ways.

read more "Ulta Smoke Screen"

Sally Hansen Thinking of Blue vs. Ulta Moody Blues - Dupes, ladies!

Ladies, I feel like I just found Waldo, a fat free peanut butter that I enjoy and perfect fitting jeans all at the same time... because I just found my first dupe!

Might I present to you this lovely polish, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Thinking of Blue:
This was a loaner from a friend, and I have to say that I was surprised by this one! I thought I would like it, but it really surpassed all my expectations - it applied like butter, was a great opacity in two coats and I just LOVE the indigo shade of this one. After it was dry and I was inspecting some of my untrieds, I came upon THIS:



Ulta Moody Blues, and it's a dupe-dupe-dupe! Wooot! I don't have to go out and buy this one, because I basically already own it. Win! Shown above is Sally Hansen on all of my nails except for my ring finger, and that's all Moody Blues.

This is seriously a lovely color, and I don't think I can imagine a skin tone that it wouldn't flatter. Who else owns one of these indigo beauties?

Happy day, all!

read more "Sally Hansen Thinking of Blue vs. Ulta Moody Blues - Dupes, ladies!"

Ulta Ultra Violet - A Car Accident Color

I thought I would like this color. I thought it would be bright and vivacious, lovely and girly.

Little did I know that I would LOVE it!

Not only is this a neon purple/pinkish color, but it goes on like a dream in three coats and it has a blue shimmer to it! The shimmer was evident in the bottle, but I figured that it would probably disappear on the nail like some other polishes I know (I'm looking at you, Sally Hansen). I'm proud to say that it did NOT. It was so incredible to look at that I've informally designated it A Car Accident Color - you know, a color so awesome that you tend to look at it more than, say, the street while you are driving. Did I say that? I mean... never mind.

And since we know how I feel about layering, here she is with Nfu Oh 54 and OPI's Catch Me In Your Net -


The Nfu Oh just added to the shimmer and the OPI took on a slightly purplish tinge that was lovely, adding to the Car Accident-ness of this mani.

Anybody else have any Car Accident Colors?

Happy day, all!

read more "Ulta Ultra Violet - A Car Accident Color"

Sinful Colors - Velvet Diamond

Well hellllo, layering polish! How long have you been hiding in my little Helmer? THAT LONG? Oh. Ummm. Errrrr. Sorry.

Sinful Colors Velvet Diamond over Ulta Envy

When you've had a polish so long that you need to thin it down before you use it for the first time... well, it's sort of embarrassing. I'm sorry, Velvet Diamond. You are lovely, I promise I will not ignore you again.

I've been on a layering kick lately, so I've been yanking some polishes out of my stash that I think will either enhance my manicure, or, let's be honest, make it look a little different for ONE MORE DAY so that I can convince myself that I don't have to remove my polish every fifteen minutes because I am bored. This lacquer looks fairly blah in the bottle, but on the nail it transforms the base color into an almost holo-like finish. Shown above is Ulta Envy with only one coat of Velvet Diamond which really changes the entire look, if you ask me.

One question, though... what's with the name? Hey, I'm in the Arts, I know that titles can get a little crazy, but Velvet Diamond? What the hell is a Velvet Diamond?

(for the record, this comes up when you google "velvet diamond" - a coffin-shaped drum stick holder. no thank you.)

On another note, have you found any layering polishes that you love?

Happy day, all!

read more "Sinful Colors - Velvet Diamond"

Ulta Envy

Ulta, why do you toy with me so with your amazing polishes and fabulous sales?

Ulta Envy

As I am geographically-challenged when it comes to an Ulta, I tend to get a little *ahem* excited when I eventually get the chance to run amongst the lovely cosmetics and hair care products. Although I am able to refrain myself from singing "The Hills are Alive (with the sound of music)" while skipping up and down the aisles and running my hands over all of the bottles, I have been known to get so excited that I dance a little in the parking lot. Ask The Husband.

Anyway, here's a lovely polish from Ulta's main polish line called "Envy." A deep forest green with a lovely shimmer, I can imagine that this will be a great shade for the fall or the holidays. I have to admit, I wasn't really feeling it while I was wearing it, but I think it was because I kind of guilted myself into wearing it after realizing that it had gone untouched for so long.

Have any of you every guilted yourself into a polish? It's so unfortunate. It's not you, Ulta Envy... it's me.

(Imagine Julie Andrews a little chubbier and with curly hair
and replace the mountains with bottles of OPI.)

Happy day, all!

read more "Ulta Envy"

Ulta Glam Goth

I know this collection came out MONTHS ago, but better late than never, right? I've already shown you Tainted Love in a comparison post (here), now here are the other polishes from Ulta.

Here's what they look like most of the time not in bright light or sunlight.


L-R: Black Lace, Underground, For Bitten, After Hours

And in sunlight, the shimmer lights up!


L-R: Black Lace, Underground, For Bitten, After Hours

Black Lace, the only creme in this collection is a beautiful charcoal grey. I'm sure this can be easily frankened, but here it is for you!

Here are some close ups to show you the shimmers:


Underground has blue and teal shimmer particles in a black base that makes this otherwise boring polish a little more interesting.


For Bitten is also a black base polish w/ pink shimmer and copper micro flakes. I think the use of the micro flakes makes this one glow.



And lastly, here is After Hours. To me, it's a dusty eggplant base w/ purple and pink shimmer that you can only see up close or in bright lights. The purple shimmer photographed blue... sorry!

All these swatches have top coat except Black Lace. The shimmers looked kinda dull without it, the top coat definitely makes them shine a bit more. All the shades from this collection only required two coats for me to be opaque -- perfect to me! :) This collection is definitely worth checking out at your local Ulta! Unfortunately, I don't see these available at Ulta.com, but I did see a pack or two left at my local Ulta.

read more "Ulta Glam Goth"

Ulta Sun-sational

For the past two weeks, I was up to my neck in the East Coast while visiting family. For those of you who are geographically challenged when it comes to some of your loved ones, you know how "vacations" to see them are - namely, they are far from vacations. The Husband and I had a great but exhausting time, and thankfully we were able to squeeze in some *ahem* polish shopping as well. Okay, I was the one buying the polish, he was the one kind enough to follow me around and pretend that he was interested. If you are reading this, Husband, it was much appreciated.

As far as the shopping itself, what can I say... Ulta, you treat me well. $5 polishes on sale for $2? Well, don't mind if I do!

I love the color yellow; bananas, butter, poundcake, twinkies... I mean, come on, it's the color of some of the greatest things in life! Okay, some of them aren't even food items, and one of them is this polish - Ulta Sun-sational. I have to say, I like this! The first coat was a bit streaky and uneven and it eventually took three coats ( probably two if you are willing to gob it on, but alas I am not) for full, lush coverage, but it was totally worth it. It wore very well, too - two days of Full Beach Activities (shell collecting and kayaking included!) and only minor tip wear. Score!

Ulta - Sun-sational (lamp)

Bonus pic: Here's a photo I took while kayaking with my nephews. WARNING: Foot photo! I love me some multi-polished same-hued toesies. On a side note, we were even able to kayak with some dolphins while they played around us, how great is that?










Okay, back to business... how do you guys feel about yellow polishes? Fans or Foes?

read more "Ulta Sun-sational"

Ulta Celebutante layered with Wet n Wild Barbados

I spiffied up the Ulta Celebutante mani I showed off a couple of days ago with Wet n Wild Barbados.

Ulta Celebutante with Wet n Wild Craze Barbados

I really like this combination. It looks almost glass-flecky. I'm not sure the Wet n Wild can be opaque on its own: it seems like it may be pigmented enough to reach opacity with four or five coats but I suspect the shimmery polishes in that particular collection were meant for layering.

In the meanwhile, I'm freaking out about the talk I'm giving in three weeks. THREE WEEKS. EEP! And my data is all (excuse my language) fucked up. I've been unable to sleep well in the last week worrying about it all. Summer is just moving too fast.

read more "Ulta Celebutante layered with Wet n Wild Barbados"

Mini vacation/Ulta Haul

A couple of months ago, just before I headed to the US for an academic conference, one of our lovely readers suggested an Ulta polish when she heard of my desire to find "the perfect green".  Unfortunately, my conference happened to be nowhere near an Ulta (pity since they don't exist in Canada) so I didn't have an opportunity to grab it when I last visited the States.

Last week however, I returned to the States to enjoy sunny (very sunny!) Chicago. It was a whirlwind trip - I really went just to see the Shedd Aquarium - and was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had.  If you are from Chicago, your city is amazing.  I feel privileged just being able to visit.  (And if you don't already love Shedd and everything it has to offer, go now and enjoy it!)  I also had an opportunity to check out some of the other museums in the city and I know I've gotta repeat this trip because there are just so many things to see and do.

Oh! And the bonus? An Ulta was within a stone's throw of my hotel.  Imagine my luck that Ulta was also  having a polish sale!  $2 a bottle... I hope it is as good as you guys say!  :) (Sorry for the crappy photos... I took them while at the hotel... the bf was sleeping, it was dark...the lighting sucked... but I was excited.) :P

Wicked

Plum Perfect

Tutu True

Celebutante

Devious

Moody Blues

Blue Streak

Limelight

Sun-sational

Little Black Dress

Wild Night

Alter Ego

Jaded

Femme Fatale

Material Girl

read more "Mini vacation/Ulta Haul"

Ulta Celebutante and Truth or Dare

I hauled a bunch of ULTA polishes when they were having a B2G2 sale. So far, mixed feelings but these two (the second especially) turned out alright.

Ulta Celebutante

Jellyish dark purple. Two coats, not quite totally opaque but adding a third one threatened to take the rest of the polish off if I didn't wait for the first two coats to dry first.

Ulta Truth or Dare

I don't know why I love greiges and light sandy taupes so much! This one was an especially nice one. Two coats here and so very glossy. :D

read more "Ulta Celebutante and Truth or Dare"

Ulta Tainted Love vs Sally Hansen Project Runway

Ulta has been coming out with collections and packaging them in mini sets. Tainted Love is apart of a five piece nail polish set called, Glam Goth. The moment I saw this polish I had a hunch that it was going to be a dupe of Canadian exclusive, Project Runway from Sally Hansen. What do you think? I'll let you be the judge:

L-R (2 coats each): Project Runway, Tainted Love, Project Runway, Tainted Love

To me, these are dupes. I prefer Tainted Love more though only for the brush. The Sally Hansen brush is too thin and long for me while the mini brush from Ulta was a good length and reminded me of OPI's Pro-wide brush. I'm very happy that Ulta made this shade so that people who couldn't get ahold Project Runway can enjoy this too!

Check out our previous swatches of Project Runway: by Flinty and by me!

read more "Ulta Tainted Love vs Sally Hansen Project Runway"

Ulta polishes

Recently stopped into Ulta to check our their revamped polishes. They're now in different shape bottles and have a black removable cap! They also put out numerous new shades in their new packaging. I only picked up two that I didn't think I had any dupes of. Definitely click on these to enlarge them so you can see the silver shimmer in them!


Alter Ego


Chic Peek
They both went on opaque in two coats. The brush and formula on these are easy to control. Chic Peek was more brush strokey than Alter Ego, but not so obvious that it would drive my crazy. Chic Peek is a not too red brown, I personally don't like browns that appear too red. All in all, very happy with my small purchase!

Ulta is definitely holding their own releasing new shades and revamping their bottles. I'm excited to see what else they come out with next! And they often have sales on their own cosmetics line so it also makes my wallet happy! Which Ulta products are you loving??

read more "Ulta polishes"

Happy New Year!!

I'm so sorry I haven't been actively posting! My job has been taking up a lot of my life, I barely have time to swatch or paint my nails as often as I like. During the week I wear boring work appropriate colors and on the weekends I do paint my nails, but really don't get a chance to snap a picture of it while the sun is still up. I only managed to take pics of two of my holiday manis this month.

First up is Sally Hansen Project Runway. Project Runway unfortunately is a Canadian exclusive, it is such a gorgeous color I wish this was more readily available. It is a green loaded with bits of gold shimmer/mini flecks. Absolutely stunning, perfect in two coats! I feel bad for posting it because many of our visitors won't be able to get it unless you live in Canada or have a friend in Canada.

Sally Hansen Project Runway


close up of Sally Hansen Project Runway

After a couple days of wear, I topped it with Ulta's After Party which is a red, silver, and multi color glitter in a clear base. I put one coat of After Party and then one coat of Nubar Diamont to make it smooth. A perfect glitter top coat for a holiday mani! I haven't tried it by itself, but this is so fun layered over everything. I'm sorry i think the week I wore this it rained all week and could only capture indoor pictures of it, but you get the idea.


Sally Hansen Project Runway topped w/ Ulta After Party flash


Sally Hansen Project Runway topped w/ Ulta After Party without flash under artifical light

My other holiday mani was Essie Jelly Apple topped with Ulta After Party of course. No picture of Jelly Apple though since it's your standard red creme. Although it is my only red creme and I am quite happy with it, that's why it is my only red creme. It's actually a jelly and goes on perfectly in two coats. I couldn't get a picture of this until after a few days of wear so there is some tipwear, but it held up very well! After Party was really hard to capture in the sun for some reason, my camera just didn't want to capture all of its glittery goodness!

Essie Jelly Apple w/ Ulta After Party

These pictures seriously do no justice to how amazing After Party is!! If you have an Ulta nearby, you should def pick this one up if you like glitter and enjoy layering it over polishes!

I hope everyone is having a safe holiday and see you all next year (hopefully with more nail polishes)!! :)

read more "Happy New Year!!"