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Archive for August, 2007

Polished Pups

By on August 31, 2007
in Uncategorized with 7 Comments

Fellow BBN member Elke pointed me in the direction of this article from American Salon Magazine. In it, they use a selection of fall shades from OPI, Essie and CND to color a dozen doggie figurines. I have to say that the Cavalier is my favorite but I’m biased. My parents have an adorable Cavvy named Roxy.

CND Rock Royalty on the Dachshund

CND Crowned on the Golden Retriever

OPI Cosmo Not Tonight Honey on the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Essie Decadent Diva on the Briard

Essie Material Girl on the Beagle

Essie Bags To Riches on the Labrador Retriever (a great use for a blah color)

CND House of Rebels on the Toy Pomeranian

OPI Suzi Says Da on the Shiba Inu

OPI Midnight In Moscow on the English Bulldog

OPI An Affair In Red Square on the Boxer

Essie Handle With Care on the Fox Terrier

CND Hyde In The Dark on the Standard Poodle


photos: American Salon Magazine

Talk about a fun use of lacquer. It’s like that woman that painted her car with polish and tried to sell it on eBay.

China Glaze X Collection

By on August 31, 2007
in Big 3 Free, China Glaze, Fall 2007 with 14 Comments

I know what you’re saying. It’s about time! I agree. I’ve been dying to show you the X Collection from China Glaze but I’ve been so swamped that I come home at night and pass out dead. But finally, here it is.

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, China Glaze introduced the X collection. Ten shades named with roman numerals that climb the color scale from light to dark with two platinum edition reds added to the mix to make it an even twelve shades for fall. Since this post is so picture heavy, I will try to keep my reviews short and to the point.

First, lets talk about the formula. The X collection is the first full collection released with the new Big 3 Free formula. For Audrey was the first official polish release with the formula. I have to say I’m on the fence about this change. The creme formulas are more viscous and difficult to work with while the shimmers flow as smooth as ever in spite of their thickness. And not all of the brushes were the same, they varied in thickness and length. It made application very tricky. I had to play with each polish to figure out the best application technique.

The first three shades in the X collection are also being packaged as Minerals. They are not mineral polishes (like mineral makeup) but considered foundations to intensify and bring out the true color of darker polishes layered over top. They can also be worn alone as YNBB (your nails but better) shades. With three tones to choose from there should be a shade for most people.

I chose to show both options for these three polishes, one coat as a base and two coats as a sheer. All three of these nudes have shimmer, I containing silver shimmer for fair skin tones and II & III with gold/peachy shimmer for warmer/darker skin tones.


IV is a carnation pink creme. All the cremes are high gloss without the aid of a top coat. It’s slight warmth lends itself to being a distant relative of the coral family.

V looks different depending on the lighting. In direct sunlight (pictured) is looks very fall harvest orange but it’s much softer in indirect lighting.

VI is my pick for best shade in this collection. The shimmer is stunning, the shade is an extremely flattering deep coral and it just mesmerizes me. Warm toned folks should definitely add this to their collection.

VII is an eggplant creme. It didn’t really wow me with all the deep berries that have been introduced over the past couple years.

VIII is a deep black based blue creme. It’s more blue in person but looks black in low lighting.

IX is a cool espresso brown creme. There isn’t any reddish tones and it’s much darker than any brown I own. This one also can look black in improper lighting.

X is a charmer. The gorgeous red shimmer in this black based red is sophisticated and sexy. This sultry shade falls in as a close second right behind VI for my favorite.

China Rouge is a basic red creme. I don’t really have much else to say beyond that.

Red Pearl’s shimmer is what makes this shade different but it’s not a must have. It has a lot of depth and shine.
I know there will be a lot of questions of comparisons. Please feel free to post them. I will be doing a seperate piece on twinny fall shades.

So what do you all think of China Glaze’s new formula? Which shades made your top picks, which ones missed?

Top Coat Challenge – Poshe

By on August 31, 2007
in Top Coat Challenge with 3 Comments

And now another chapter in the never ending journey that is the Top Coat Challenge. At bat, Poshe Super-Fast Drying TopCoat. Poshe has been a favorite of mine for quite some time now. I consider it a holy grail item in the realm of quick drying top coats.

As with the last challenge I posted for Seche Vite I tried different polish/base coat combos with CND Stickey and Zoya Anchor bases and Nocti and China Glaze (old formula) polishes. Here is how it fared…

In terms of application, Poshe has a thinner consistency than Seche Vite making it easier to work with. It gives me more brush time to make sure I’ve covered my entire nail. It dries just as quick and leaves the same glossy finish. There’s a reason it’s been named an Allure Editor’s Pick five times now.

Right off the bat I could see that I got less pullback or tip shrinkage with Stickey as a base coat, regardless of the polish formula, the Nocti holding up the best. Oh and ignore that unsightly dent in the first picture, that’s just a UBI (Unidentified Beer Injury). Overall Poshe reduced chipping and tip wear when paired with Stickey.


Using Zoya Anchor (misprint in first pic) with Poshe didn’t work out as well but I’d say it’s on par if not better than the Anchor/Seche Vite combo I tested. My nails were still glossy after 5 days and tip wear was typical not extreme. It’s not my top choice of base coat to use with Poshe but it’s certainly adequate.


Now this review was not intended to knock Seche Vite but simply to compare the two. For me personally, Poshe is the clear winner but everyone has different experiences. It seems there are two camps, Poshe fans and Seche Vite fans. Use what works for you and rock your gorgeous nails.

I pick up Poshe top coat at Sally Beauty Supply (get a discount with a Sally card) and online retailers but it’s also been spotted at Big Lots from time to time. The top coat does tend to thicken with use but they do make a thinner as does Seche. Poshe top coat is toluene and formaldehyde free.

Out of Town

By on August 23, 2007
in Uncategorized with 12 Comments

I’ll be away for the weekend with my family to celebrate the significant other’s birthday. I’m actually writing this from the living room of my folks’ sailboat. I will be back posting regularly Monday morning. I have the China Glaze X & Ski collections, the holiday CNDs and Carolyn New York lacquers to show you. Plus another chapter in the never ending saga that is the Top Coat Challenge.

Oh and for those of you that sent good wishes my way, thank you! Our offer was accepted on a fantastic house and we’ll be moving at the end of September. It has the most perfect den for me to use as a polish room. I plan to decorate it with vintage polish ads so if you find any cool ones on the net, please email me or comment with a link. MWAH! I love you all. Have a fabulously colorful weekend.

I’m wearing a gorgeous shade of blue that I’ll share with you next week. What’s on your tips at the moment?

CND Holiday 2007 Preview

By on August 22, 2007
in CND, Holiday 2007 with 5 Comments

Wow, the polish brands are really throwing a lot at us, huh? No sooner does the CND Imperial Anarchy collection debut do we get to see what’s in store for the holiday season. I’m still wearing sandals, I’m certainly not ready to start thinking about gift shopping.

CND is hitting us with three holiday party themed lacquer sets and a new Creative Scentsations fragrance. Each polish set includes a freebie and a nail art how-to guide.

The Glamour set includes:
Rich Ruby – a metallic burgundy, Deep Velvet – a metallic purple and a free baggie of clear rhinestones to bling out your manicure.


Festive includes:
Hollywood – a red with gold shimmer, Black Platinum – a charcoal silver metallic and a free bottle of Mother Of Pearl – a clear glitter.

Count Down includes:
Smooch – a new shimmery white, Pucker Up – a sheer pink and a free bottle of Air Dry top coat.

Finally scrub and moisturize your skin with Creative Scentsations newest fragrance Black Currant and Fig.

I still have to officially test everything but just from looking at the bottles Deep Velvet and Smooch look like shades I’ll love and Pucker Up looks like it’s a jelly finish. I’m hoping to have swatches up soon.

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