Archive for the 'Fall 2007' Category
For Fall 2007 Dashing Diva has put together a palette of warm comforting shades that reflect the colors of the season. Instead of bombarding us with an overload of new polishes they chose to remain focused and deliver three distinct lacquers.
As with all the Dashing Diva shades I’ve worn in the past, the formula is smooth and free flowing; it doesn’t pool or streak. And I really must commend the pigmentation of their darker colors. The ones I’ve tested are one coat colors and, for a red, that’s a major feat without sacrificing formula consistency.
Champagne Nude is a hard shade to describe. Is it a dusty pink with peach and gold shimmer? Is it a metallic champagne that leans toward pink? Is it a shimmery nude? I really can’t decide. One thing’s for sure, it’s a unique shade with chameleon-like properties and a must have for my light tip lovers.
Bronze Bombshell flashes both cool and warm depending on the lighting due to it’s champagne and silver shimmer. It’s a warm mocha hued metallic that doesn’t leave brush marks. Any metallic that can accomplish that is a winner in my books but the shade itself doesn’t do much for me personally.
Black Raspberry lives up to it’s name. A deep berry based red creme, it dries to a high gloss shine without a top coat.
Dashing Diva polishes are available on the Dashing Diva website and at Dashing Diva salons.
Since navy is such a big color this fall and with OPI putting out three great blues this year, I thought you all might appreciate a little side by side comparison. While I love these dark colors, capturing their true beauty on screen is REALLY difficult but I did my best.
To me, the major differences are:
Russian Navy – has a blue green base, like Glacier Bay Blues, subtle shimmer on the nail and is the closest to an actual navy shade
Who Are You Wearing? – has more purple in it’s base, multi-colored blue and red shimmer, looks blue/purple depending on the light and has an overall darker hue
OPI Ink – is the most burple (bluish purple), has the most sparkle and glitz due to the silvery micro-glitter, is the least “blackish-blue”
Which one do you prefer? Or did you just give in and buy all three?
I finally got a chance to test out a couple of the shades from the Chanel Fall campaign. They’ve been sitting in my “to review” bin for way too long. The collection includes four nail lacquers (three are limited edition):
Lotus Rouge (pink plum)
Lily Beige (soft beige) – limited edition
Magnolia Rose (soft rose) – limited edition
Tulipe Noire (deep plum) – limited edition
When I first took Magnolia Rose out of the box, my eyes were attracted to the silver bits of glitter sparkling back at me. The baby pink shade is highly pigmented and I found the formula to be on the thicker side, similar to a Zoya creme or the new OPI formula.
One thing I learned is that I need to wait longer in between coats with this color because the drying time is a bit slower. I ended up with drag marks near my cuticles when I applied a second coat. Overall it’s a pretty shade and the glitz factor is subdued on the nail, it’s just not very me. Though I’m sure there are a few pink lovers I know that would be more than willing to take it off my hands.
I’ve been hearing so much hype about Tulipe Noire that I just had to see what the fuss was about. Like Black Satin, this one sold out fast and I can see why. It’s the epitome of fall color; rich rusty burgundy with flecks of gold shimmer. And as I was told before seeing it in person, it’s beauty really doesn’t translate to photos. It’s a knockout. To top it off, the formula is so smooth and easy to apply. Though I couldn’t expect anything less than flawless from Chanel.
When Tulipe Noire released, there was also a fall polish collection by FingerPaints that showed up at Sally Beauty Supply. Included in the collection is a shade called Cranberry Beauty. The ever so brilliant MUA Nail Board quickly discovered it’s similarity to Tulipe Noire. So ladies, even if you didn’t get your hands on the Chanel, there’s a chance you can still find it’s less expensive cousin. In my opinion Cranberry Beauty is bit more browned than Tulipe Noire but the difference is slight.
The new fall shades from Deborah Lippmann’s Lippmann Collection, I Want Candy and Rehab, are a departure from what you would normally expect to see for the fall season. They’re sheer with a jelly finish and very unique. The most versatile fall polishes I’ve seen in a while. The formula makes these bold shades something that a sheer fan can wear comfortably but buildable enough to please opaque wearers. If you want to learn more about jelly finish polishes, check out this fab article my pal Melanie wrote for Blogdorf Goodman.
I have to admit that when I saw Rehab in promotional photos I got all excited about finding a great navy creme. There are a lot of beautiful navy polishes out there but very few cremes. And then I heard about Rehab’s sheer quality and my heart sank. I wasn’t looking forward to testing it because I didn’t want to give a bad review of a blue. I love blue polish. So you can imagine my joy and surprise when I gave it a test run and discovered the exceptional glossy finish and pigmentation.
Here is my Rehab mani with 2 coats of lacquer. It’s more subtle, I’d call it a cornflower blue.
And here is 4 coats. Beautious navy goodness.
I Want Candy, as a sheer, reminds me of the Revlon Glimmer Gloss Strawberry Sizzle but without the glitter and a much prettier finish. With four coats, it reaches bottle color which is a great candy apple red. Both I Want Candy and Rehab apply smoothly without streaking so it’s easy to achieve a sheer or opaque look that is clean and even.
Here is I Want Candy with 2 coats of polish.
And with 4 coats.
Ok so the question I’m sure a lot of you are asking is, are they worth it? You know that I’m frugal, that spending $15 on polish is not my M.O. However, I do feel that for blue lovers Rehab is worth every penny. I can honestly say I don’t have another color like it and I own a LOT of blue polish. If I could find a less expensive alternative, I’d tell you. Now I Want Candy is one I’d personally pass on at retail price. But for people that love red as much as I love blue, go for it! If you have the means and love the finish, it’s a great shade but not one I’d consider a “must have” for my collection.
Alright lovelies, now it’s your turn to chime in. Share your thoughts on these shades.
Fall has officially started people. So why am I roasting and wanting to turn on my A/C? It just doesn’t seem right that I packed away my capris and t-shirts while the thermometer reads 73 degrees. Regardless, I am thrilled to pull out my fall polish shades and get a little vampy. Now that I’ve tested and reviewed the majority of the fall collections (fall not holiday), I’m going to break down what I see as the big trends for fall and give my top polish picks for each one.
All of the lacquers I will show you are currently available for purchase. Either as part of a fall or classic collection. When possible, I’ve included links to my past posts with swatches.
Like I said last summer during my interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, I’m seeing three big trends emerge as we head towards cooler weather; Red, Jewel Tones and Gunmetal Gray.
Red isn’t exactly a groundbreaking color. It will always be popular and the shade women turn to for instant glamour. Red makes you feel sexy, bold and classy. This season mid-tone true red cremes are at the forefront. Already seen on the tips of some Hollywood’s most stalked after starlets, glossy red nails aren’t just for evening. It’s a shade you can wear day or night.
(l-to-r) Zoya Andi, China Glaze Masai Red, China Glaze China Rouge, OPI Vodka & Caviar, OPI Quarter of A Cent-Cherry, Creative House of Rebels
Of all the jewel tones (navy, emerald, plum, ruby) navy seems to be the prominent shade this fall. It’s one of the those colors that suits most skin tones. For me personally, blue comes in a close second to green as my favorite nail color to wear so, seeing navy become so popular tickles me.
Maybelline Acoustic Azure, OPI Russian Navy, China Glaze Up All Night, N.Y.C. Skin Tight Denim, Zoya Indigo, NYX Sapphire
The fun thing about purple/plum is that, like navy, there is a shade for most skin tones, depending on which way it leans on the color chart. The warm red based plums and cool toned purples below were originally my prediction for the big color for fall but I don’t think it will hit like navy. It’s still a gorgeous tone to wear.
Zoya Lael, Orly Plum Noir, Creative Rock Royalty, OPI Lincoln Park At Midnight, China Glaze VII, Carolyn New York Mugged On The Six Train
Deep burgundy and garnet shades make me think of the holidays, leaves changing and sipping on a glass heart warming red wine. Their berry toned bases really do suit the cool gals best but when there is a bit of gold shimmer running through, they become pretty universally flattering.
Sally Hanson Wine Not?, China Glaze Cranberry Flame, China Glaze Vertical Rush, Creative Crimson Uprising, Misa Wine Burgundy
I can’t help but bounce up and down with glee over all these pretty new greens on the market. For the gun shy, I suggest trying it on your toes. I promise it won’t look like you have a disease. Green might just surprise you. When I have a great emerald shade on my tips to wear with my all time favorite eBay purchase, an emerald cut emerald and diamond ring, I never feel more myself.
Zoya Suvi, Rimmel Play Fast Camouflage, China Glaze Outta Bounds, Sinful Colors San Francisco, NYX Las Vegas.
Gunmetal Gray is this year’s black. Less shocking and in your face than black, this season’s deep metallic grays are just as chic but more muted and wearable. The main problem I have with wearing black creme is keeping it looking fresh and glossy. These shimmery grays take care of that issue.
Zoya Freja, Carolyn New York Subway Surfin, CND Hyde In The Dark, China Glaze Beatnik, China Glaze Black Diamond, Lippmann Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Not ready to jump onto the dark polish bandwagon? Are you a pink or sheer wearer that wants to be trendy but isn’t ready to take the plunge? For a sheer alternative, check out these new shades from Lippmann Collection. They’re the perfect way to wear the red and navy trend without making the commitment to full on opaque color. An added bonus; the glossy, jelly finish is to die for.
Lippmann I Want Candy & Rehab
Now it’s your turn, what trends are you seeing? What do you love, what do you hate?
For Fall 2007 Dashing Diva has put together a palette of warm comforting shades that reflect the colors of the season. Instead of bombarding us with an overload of new polishes they chose to remain focused and deliver three distinct lacquers.
Bronze Bombshell flashes both cool and warm depending on the lighting due to it’s champagne and silver shimmer. It’s a warm mocha hued metallic that doesn’t leave brush marks. Any metallic that can accomplish that is a winner in my books but the shade itself doesn’t do much for me personally.
Black Raspberry lives up to it’s name. A deep berry based red creme, it dries to a high gloss shine without a top coat.
Dashing Diva polishes are available on the Dashing Diva website and at Dashing Diva salons.
