Sunday, November 6, 2011

Sally Hansen Nail Effects Ghoulie Girl

Sally Hansen Nail Effects Ghoulie Girl
I just loved this manicure. I find SH Nail Effects to be relatively easy to apply (and because my nails are so small and short, I can get at least 3 manis out of one pack!) and they have such a great payoff. I had this manicure on for over a week without any of the stickers coming off. I got tons of compliments on it... including one from a woman who worked at my local independent fabric store who thought it was "crackle". (She realized it was ghosts when she looked closer.) 

Close up of Ghoulie Girl

I feel so guilty for not posting as much as I did (or, umm, more than once a month?) in the last year or so. Truth is, I had kind of hit a nail polish low point in my life -- I had on so many NOTDs for awhile that I just didn't care for and nothing seemed to make me smile. But I think I'm getting back on track. I haven't been swatching all that much but I have been photographing my NOTDs and several of them have made me very happy (including this one). 

In the meanwhile, school is in full swing, both my eyes have been LASIK'ed (and OMG, I CAN SEE), and I'm currently in Seattle for a conference. If nothing goes wrong, I MAY have an article accepted for publication (really crossing my fingers!)... but I'm not sure because who knows what side the editor may come down on with that decision. I've been feeling pretty down about various things in the last few months and the approach of winter does not help. :(
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Friday, November 4, 2011

China Glaze Devotion



(2 coats)

I prefer Sci-Fi. Devotion is more purple (a preference) but the brushstrokes are unacceptable.
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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Gold, part II: Boots 17 Black Glitter Crackle




Okay, I know everyone is sick of crackles. But this might be worth a second look. It's a black shatter topcoat, with little gold glitter particles. I found that you have to give the bottle a good shake, but otherwise it's very easy to apply, the glitter doesn't pool, and it shatters well (albeit in small 'chunks').





I love the finish over Midnight Kiss from yesterday. It makes me think of tapestry. Very textural and pretty. I had a lot of compliments on it today, and it meant I got to crack out my gold glitter pumps, so everyone's a winner.
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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Gold, part I: CG Midnight Kiss



I wore this once on my toes last winter with Party Hearty over the top and wasn't that wowed. Looking at it on my nails, I can only ask: HOW?! This polish is a total knock out! It's a slightly silvery, cool gold foil. SO sparkly. SO reflective. Just gorgeous!





It kind of changes colour with the light. Indoors, the creamy, silvery tones come out and it looks like a subtle, pale gold with high shine. I find the pastel tones of very reflective polishes often come out in low light, the same is true for the chromes I've reviewed. In the sun though, it turns into a total bling fest. Kapow!


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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Smoky & Sultry Blue - OPI Midnight Blue Glitter

Usually I'm not one for glitter polishes, but this one isn't exactly the glitterbomb that its name promises. Instead it's a sexy, understated, but very special polish that my pictures fail to capture.

OPI Midnight Blue Glitter...



Here I've layered it over Essie Midnight Cami, as on it's own its rather sheer. Even has I hold the bottle in my hand, the colour is very difficult to describe. It seems to be fine round blue glitter (or is it shimmer? ah yes...shitter) as well as even smaller silver glitter in a dark grey-blue jelly base.

Smoky, sultry, and gorgeous. Makes me want to find a reason to break out my long navy blue evening gown...

kittytokaren
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