POW! BANG! SPLAT!
Operation Colour from China Glaze will certainly make an impact when it hits shelves this month. Inspired by the bold splashes of color found in graphic novels and comic books, this is not your typical Fall look. You won't find any burnt, vampy or dreary shades here. Instead, China Glaze is taking on Fall in technicolor.
With the Costume Institute's Superheroes exhibit coming to a close this weekend, it seems appropriate for this collection to come along as a way to keep a little superhero fashion alive in everyday life. It's almost as if these shades were ripped right from the exhibit and red carpet. Just look at the Emilio Pucci dress Joy Bryant donned for the exhibit's gala in May or the Thierry Mugler graphic novel inspired bodysuit on display at The Met and you'll see what I mean.
Overall, I think this collection is a fun change of pace. A nice twist on what we'd normally expect for the colder months. Though I must admit that I'm more in love with the concept and palette as a whole than I am with the colors individually. But I am impressed with the pigmentation. It makes the formula a bit thicker than I would prefer but even the lighter shades only take two coats. The first will be a bit streaky but the second smooths it out. The only one I had any major issue with was Agent Lavender, it didn't spread out on its own. It required a bit of coaxing.
Secret Peri-Winkle is by far my favorite color in the collection. A gorg mid-toned combo of violet and sky blue, this creme is perfect for cool and neutral tones. I just love it!
Code Orange, like the other shimmers in the lineup, isn't at all sparkly. The shimmer just adds a little glint of sheen to this tangerine hue.
As I mentioned above, Agent Lavender was my problem child. There's one in every bunch, isn't there? But what I love is that unlike most light purples I wear, this one doesn't make me look like an alien. I find it quite flattering.
Golden Opportunity reminds me of the yellow brick road from the Wizard of Oz. Gleaming goldenrod at it's best.
Revolution is a tomato ketchup red creme. Not utterly unique but a nice warm red.
Pink Underground is a shade with a twinkle in its eye. The fine bright pink shimmer gives this polish a slight blue/berry cast in the sun. This isn't your average pink.
The Operation Colour collection is on sale NOW at 8ty8Beauty.com and I'm sure Head2ToeBeauty.com will have it up soon. What I really love... is that they're releasing the set in minis (pictured right). I first saw them with the Immaterial Gurl collection and they're just adorable.
So what do you think girls? Comic book colors for Fall. Is it genius or not for you?
Images: All Lacquered Up, China Glaze, Style.com & Flickr.com
China Glaze Operation Colour for Fall 2008
China Glaze Rodeo Diva - Flannel Fixation
Looking at the Flannel Fixation shades from China Glaze's Rodeo Diva collection takes me back to my college days in the mid 90s when grunge was all the rage and I owned a seemingly endless supply of flannel. Which makes this palette of six cool toned shades so perfectly named.
Ahh how I miss the days of uber-comfy baggy clothing. Not that wrapping a flannel around your waist hid a big butt or looked flattering in the least but we all did it. Except maybe my pal Amber from Beauty Blogging Junkie who abhors the 90s fashion trends with every fiber of her being. BTW, if you share Ambular's hate of the 90s but love yourself some 80s you MUST check out her 80s Ladies Week. In Amber speak, it's TO DIE!
But I digress, let's get back to the polish. The colors may be western flannel inspired but the look is way more chic. Gorg jewel tones with tonal shimmer, they are so hot for Fall. I'm telling you, China Glaze so got it right. And they sent us yet another green! Can life get any better?
All swatches are shown with two coats of lacquer and no top coat but they're so pigmented I hardly needed the second. With the exception of Red Stallion they all flowed smoothly on the nail. For some reason my bottle was thick and goopy and took some play to get it right. I hope it's just mine but buyer beware. It's still workable just a PITA, ya know?
Cowgirl Up is berry based red-violet. It looks more burgundy or wine in the bottle but on the nail its purple side comes out.
Red Stallion was my problem child during application but this warm orangey red has a great Fall feel. In the sunlight the undercurrent of gold shimmer peeks out.
Branding Iron is rich and vampy yet not so dark you can't tell it's a burgundy. The shimmer gives this luscious shade its depth and character. Without it, it would be a very boring creme.
The buzz on the MUA nail board has been over Rodeo Fanatic and the possibility of it being a twin to the highly coveted MAC Whirlwind (see comparison below). Well kids, Rodeo Fanatic is not an exact dupe but its certainly the closest living relative. Whirlwind is more of a sea-green (heavier on the green) while I'd call Rodeo Fanatic a deep peacock blue. Either way, it's a total winner and necessity if you love blues.
How much gushing over Gussied Up Green can you all take? Leaving my love of all things emerald aside, the intensity of this shade is unparalleled. Its luster does not dull. It is the epitome of forest green. I thought Zoya Suvi and OPI Jasper Jade were IT but in comparison (see below), Gussied Up Green has a richness the others don't. LOVE, pure love.
Midnight Ride's pure eggplant goodness really only stands out in bright light. Indoors the "almost black" thing takes over and it becomes difficult for anyone but the wearer to know its true identity. Though I'm a sucker for a purple vamp so stick a fork in me, I'm done. They got me!
The China Glaze Rodeo Diva collections, Flannel Fixation and Hay Ride are both available online at 8ty8Beauty.com and Head2ToeBeauty.com. China Glaze nail polishes can also be found at ULTA and Sally Beauty Supply but seasonal collection availability may vary.
China Glaze Fall 2008 - Rodeo Diva Hay Ride
Giddy up little cowgirls for the Rodeo Diva collection from China Glaze is here. Twelve nail polishes divided into two sets, warm and cool, these shimmering beauties will be causing a frenzy. And even though I tend to go the cool route (blues, greens) the gold shimmer in the Hay Ride polishes is incredible.
I would describe the shimmer as micro glitter yet it doesn't affect the finish or cause that skin crawling glitter scratching as you remove it. All in all, the polishes applied well. Though I did notice the formula getting thicker as I went from lighter to darker shades. The lacquers dry glossy and the pigmentation is excellent, I only needed two coats to achieve bottle color.
Now you'll notice that my skin tone looks a bit funky in the swatch pics below. That's only because I altered the images to best show the polish color, which resulted in my skin looking a bit jaundiced in some and flushed in others. You'll just have to excuse that.
Yee Haw! is a golden peachy orange that just radiates in the sunlight. I don't think it necessarily works on me but the shimmer really gives it a punch to take it from being just another peach.
Golden Spurs is actually one of my favorite shades in this group and I'm not a big fan of tans. There's something about how the shimmer really adds dimension to what could be a totally boring color that draws me in. It's a sexy evening neutral.
Prize Winning Mare is a hard shade to capture. It's golden brown but not chocolaty and very chameleon-like. In every light, it looked different. Very unique
Lasso My Heart's golden shimmer makes it look more rosy in person. In fact, in the bottle, I thought it was a duo-chrome because of the way the shimmer affects the color.
Wagon Trail was the one color I most look forward to testing and it didn't disappoint. You know me, any mention of green perks my ears up. This golden green is dirty, funky and totally fun. Like nothing else I own. I know there are fans of the discontinued China Glaze shade, Cat's Eye (I don't own it). Well I'd say that Wagon Trail is its blackened, trampy cousin.
Side-Saddle is for all you vamps. A browned plum peppered with gold, this shade represents the "diva" in Rodeo Diva the best. The minute I saw it, I thought of my pal Sara from Bit By The Beauty Bug. Even though I've helped encourage her to explore the lighter, brighter side of polish this summer, she's a vampy girl at heart. I just know she'll love this!
And since I knew there would questions of how Side-Saddle compares to NYC Cognac Sparkle, I beat you to the punch. Cognac Sparkle is more berry/wine based and a tinge lighter. Sorry gals, no twin here.
The Rodeo Diva collection can be found online at Head2ToeBeauty and is coming soon to 8ty8Beauty. China Glaze can also be purchased at ULTA and Sally Beauty Supply, call for seasonal collection availability.
Brunch with China Glaze & A Holiday Teaser
One of the highlights of my trip to L.A. in May was getting the opportunity to finally have a face-to-face with the fab team representing China Glaze. Living in the Cleveburg, I don't run across too many people in my everyday life that really get what I do or my passion for polish. And considering my love for China Glaze lacquers, you can only imagine how jazzed I was for brunch.
Those of you on MySpace or MUA will know Amy as the woman behind the China Glaze IDs. She is the Associate Brand Manager and color genius that dreams up the incredible collections we all freak for. And can I just say that if you're already drooling over Fall, you're gonna faint over what's coming next Spring and Summer. Anne & Irene are the PR & Advertising whizzes that put out all the fun collection images and keep us in the loop on China Glaze news.
Brunch was so much fun and totally delish! Apple stuffed pancakes, need I say more? And lots of time to gab about polish, China Glaze and All Lacquered Up. Though I may have monopolized the convo with my babbling and gushing. Those of you who've met me know I can chatter on. But, it was great getting to meet the ladies, share my love of polish with them and learn more about China Glaze and their parent company, AII Beauty.
And then there was my total freak out moment. The second I spotted the most gorgeous green I've ever seen and had to resist grabbing Amy's hands to get a closer look. Green lovers, you are gonna DIE! How many times have we said on the nail board that there needs to be an emerald Ruby Pumps? How many times??? Well it's here. OMG is it here! Emerald Sparkle will be out this Fall as part of a special two color Holiday collection and it's oh so gorg!
Can you even handle it? I can't! There will be a full review and swatch images of Emerald Sparkle and its silver counterpart, Tinsel, soon but I couldn't resist giving you a little peek. Are you like totally in love or what?
I'm In The UK Nail Magazine - Scratch
Wow kids, check me out! UK Nail Magazine, Scratch, wrote about my meet-up with the gals from China Glaze. How very fun is that? I know I've been doing this whole blogging thing for a while now but I can't help but be amazed when media or brands take notice of what I do. Heck, I'm shocked as all get-out over how many of you keep coming back for my pics and ramblings. So thanks for your loyalty and HI to the Scratch readers just discovering me!
China Glaze Immaterial Gurl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl
A material, a material, a material, a material world
Material Girl lyrics by Peter Brown & Robert Rans
Even though Madonna's song was about materialism and not fabric, it's hard for me not to look at the imMaterial Gurl collection from China Glaze without hearing those lyrics in my head. I can't sing to save my life but in the comfort of my polish room, I was belting it out like a champ while testing these shades.
A collection of six textile themed cremes, the imMaterial Gurl nail polishes are a girly change of pace compared to their bolder Spring/Summer offerings, Ink and Ecollection. With a diverse range of hues to flatter most skin tones, rich pigmentation and a high gloss shine, these are not what I'd call "must have" colors but they're definitely good staple shades to round out your collection.
For the most part the formula was spot on. Two coats for perfect, even coverage. The only notable exceptions are Second-hand Silk and Heirloom Organza. The consistency was a bit thicker and not as flowy so, I had to use three coats. All shades are shown without a top coat, just their natural glossiness.
The imMaterial Colleciton is available now and can be purchased online from 8ty8Beauty.com and Head2ToeBeauty.com. China Glaze is also carried in ULTA and Sally Beauty Supply stores but call for seasonal collection availability.
China Glaze Fall 2008 Preview
Talk about your polar opposites. For Fall 2008 China Glaze is going geek chic and country wild with two new polish collections that will appeal to your inner cowgirl or fangirl. In total 18 new shades are coming our way in a range so varied, there's a little something for everyone.
Saddle up your horses with China Glaze® Rodeo Diva, a new collection of western-inspired polishes that gives nails a reason to ride. Rodeo Diva features twelve Old West hues to hit the trail or the treadmill. Do it Western style.
Can I get a Yee Haw?? A little, "I got spurs that jingle jangle jingle?" OK maybe not but you don't have to be able to wield a lasso or ride a bucking bronco to enjoy these colors. And can you guess which ones I'm most excited about? Hello! Just check out the descriptions; plum, forest green, purple, blue/green. I'm in!
The Rodeo Diva Collection comes in two palettes, Hay Ride & Flannel Fixation
Hay Ride includes:
Wagon Trail – Dark Brown/Gold Shimmer
Side Saddle – Deep Plum/Gold Shimmer
Lasso My Heart – Rose/Gold Shimmer
Yee-Ha! – Peach/Gold Shimmer
Prize Winning Mare – Neutral Brown/Gold Shimmer
Golden Spurs – Light Brown/Gold Shimmer
Flannel Fixation includes:
Branding Iron – Deep Maroon Shimmer
Cowgirl Up – Burgundy Shimmer
Red Stallion – Tomato Red Shimmer
Midnight Ride – Dark Purple Shimmer
Gussied Up Green – Deep Forest Green Shimmer
Rodeo Fanatic – Blue/Green Shimmer
The Story of the Quest for Color
Violet Glaze is the color-championing heroine of Operation Colour, a new collection from China Glaze. Entering the world from her Pink Underground, Violet (code name Agent Lavender) plans to launch a Revolution, one bottle of polish at a time against hue-hating villains, The Removers. They want to draw the shades on …shades, while Violet struggles to set things bright. She sees a Golden Opportunity when a Secret Peri-Winkle is passed to her: The Removers are on the move and Violet is right behind them, leaving color in her wake. Code Orange! Color is coming!
Doesn't that make you want to slip on a catsuit and kick ass? I want to join the revolution against The Removers. Ha! I'm not bona-fide comic book fan or anything but I had Wonder Woman Underroos as a girl and consider that horrifying monstrosity, Supergirl, with Helen Slater a guilty pleasure. Crazy-eyed Faye Dunaway, come on you have to secretly love it! So I'm totally down with the graphic art vibe of the Operation Colour Palette.
Operation Colour includes:
Revolution – Red Crème
Code Orange – Orange Shimmer
Golden Opportunity – Gold Shimmer
Pink Underground – Pink Shimmer
Secret Peri-Winkle – Purple/Blue Crème
Agent Lavender – Lavender Crème
Rodeo Diva will hit the retail trail in late August with Operation Colour flying on shelves in October.
China Glaze Summer 2008 - INK
Tattoos are a controversial topic. You either love or hate them. They're regarded as both beautiful and tacky, depending on who you ask. But no matter what your opinion is, tattoos are extremely personal; a memorial, an artistic expression, a memento of a wild escapade, a drunken regret, a terrible reminder of past events or loves. Inspired by this colorful body art, China Glaze has put together a collection of neons that you can use to create your own tattoo-like nail designs.
Tattoo art has moved out of back alley parlors onto the couture collections of fashion's top designers. INK™ by China Glaze is a collection of neons for brilliant self expression. Customize and personalize
...Ink My Nail™.
INK includes six bold new shades, a set of nail decals and rhinestones, a black nail art lacquer with fine tipped brush, a limited edition bottle of their yummy smelling Orange Cuticle Oil AND the six existing neons from the WOW collection. Now that's a lot of neon.
A quick word about the finish. As with other neons I've used, these all dry to a semi-matte finish. It must have something to do with the type of pigment used to create neon shades. So if you're looking for high gloss you'll have to add a shiny top coat. Therefore I've shown all the lacquers with two coats of color on the nail and no top coat; exceptions are noted.
Blue Sparrow is a royal blue peppered with light blue glitter. The glitter leaves a gritty feel to the dried polish so between that and the matte finish you really need to use a coat of a thick glossy top coat to bring out the lacquer's true brilliance. I'm showing you the color without top coat but I included an up close swatch with a coat of Seche Vite.
Celtic Sun is a neon yellow with a hint of green undertones. The polish is shown with three coats on the nail yet the smile line still shows through. I personally prefer a more lemony yellow. This color has a very 80s retro feel to me. It's a shade right out of the Wham! Wake Me Up Before You Go Go video.
Japanese Koi is the shade of a perfectly ripe tangerine. It's got a slightly pink base that keeps it from being day-glo orange.
With it's hot pink base Rose Among Thorns is no average rose. I found this image of the beautiful Cerise Rose and thought this could have been the inspiration for the shade. 
Sacred Heart is a dusty red that is unlike any red I own. There's something about the satin finish on this one that reminds me of the skin on cherries. Odd reference I know, but it keeps popping in my mind. 
Flying Dragon is my personal favorite from the collection. It is a deep purple that has a reddish tone to it in person. The red and blue glitter really makes this polish unique. Like I mentioned above, the finish is my only real issue with both glitters. For some reason this seems to be a bigger problem with Flying Dragon. According to a rep for China Glaze it is the unfortunate downside of blending neon with glitter. Their suggestion, two coats of Seche Vite to avoid a rough finish. 
The INK collection is available now in salons and online at 8ty8Beauty and coming soon to Head2ToeBeauty.
So who's going to be sporting bold, bright neons this summer? Which colors are standouts?
China Glaze Spring 2008 - Ecollection
It seems like "going green" and focusing on the environment is on everyone's minds and it is affecting every aspect of our daily lives. And if it's not everyone, it certainly should be. Now more and more beauty companies are starting to get on the "green" train and China Glaze is no exception. This Spring they introduce the ecollection a set of polishes with an earth conscious theme that comes in recycled paper packaging.
To preserve the beauty of our world's colors, tread lightly and leave only footprints. In Blahniks or Birkenstocks, going green is always fashionable.
Overall I'm a fan of this collection. I'll admit the grouping is odd in terms of shade until you read the names and reflect on the theme. So let's talk formula. As you may already know this new Big 3 Free formula that was introduced last summer is thicker than the old formula and therefore requires a bit of getting used to. I've found that it applies best in two medium coats. Too thin and it pulls/drags on the nail, too thick and you get bubbles. All the manicures pictured below were done with two medium coats of lacquer.
Tree Hugger reminds me of a green apple but with multi-tonal green shimmer. It's like the perfect spring shade for me. Just looking at it makes me happy. I could go on and on about how gorgeous this polish is but it really speaks for itself.
Solar Power can only be described as "taxi cab yellow." It is a loud and proud shade and with the yellow trend popping back up for spring/summer Solar Power, with it's golden shimmer, fits right in. I have to admit that I prefer the jelly finish of last year's Yell-O-Neil from the Surf collection. Simply because its glass like look is so completely unique.
Shower Together is a slightly lighter version of the oh so popular Aqua Baby from the Patent Leather collection. It's like Aqua Baby and For Audrey had a baby which makes this blue green stunner is a color I could just swim in. Doesn't it look like pool water?
Unplugged isn't a shade I normally think of when I look towards Spring but it adds a nice balance to the collection. A red based brown with ribbons of gold shimmer running throughout, the overall color is that of a deep bronze with flecks of gold.
Hybrid is a pinky beige with silver shimmer. In other lighting it's a dusty nude rose. So hard to describe which is what makes it stand out. Does anyone else think it's similar to Chiaroscuro but without the green shimmer? I'm just not sure I love this on me. What do you think?
Recycle is a shade a lot of us have been longing for. A mid-tone gray creme that reminds me of rubber wire coating. Even though some of the MUA nail girls have franken'd their own gorgeous grays, I love being able to get it without the muss and fuss. Gray is going to be the next big shade in polish, especially in fall so, I'd get this one now before gray becomes a scarce commodity.
The China Glaze ecollection is available now in salons and online at 8ty8Beauty and Head2ToeBeauty
Thoughts? Questions? Comments? Weigh in lovelies!
China Glaze Spring 2008 - OMG! 2BHOT
And now for you warm toned gals, the China Glaze OMG! 2BHOT Collection. I keep trying to convince myself that I'm neutral because I love warm and cool colors equally but I think it's clear that the 2BKEWL colors work better on me. What do you all think?
Since the formulas are the same for both sets in this collection, you can check out the 2BKEWL for my review.
The 2BHOT set includes:
Comparison images are in the works. I just have to find my bottle of OPI Day At The Peach.In the meantime, which set is your favorite? Will you cave on just one or both?
China Glaze OMG 2BKEWL Comparisons
I don't own every holographic polish out there but I did sift through the ones I have to give you some 2BKEWL comparisons. I hope these are helpful in your purchase decisions.
China Glaze Spring 2008 - OMG! 2BKEWL
It's rare that a nail polish collection comes out with so much pre-sale buzz as this OMG! Collection from China Glaze. Now I don't know if it was part of their marketing scheme but a few lucky MUA members were able to find these beauties prior to release and it certainly drummed up a lot of excitement.
Just as I'm not a sheer girl, I know not everyone is a holo lover. It's a lot of sparkle and shimmer to pull off and not necessarily appropriate for all occasions. Not that it stops me from wearing them. I can't help but be mesmerized by my rainbow nails when ever the light hits them. So when I laid my eyes on these colors, I swooned a bit.
The OMG! collection lacquers are all very pigmented and opaque with two coats. They dry to a smooth matte finish so you really need a top coat to make them glossy. Though considering how many people are looking for a matte top coat, you might like these on their own. The images below are without a top coat and to be honest, they are a good but not great color representation. The shades are a bit bolder in person but I think the finish prevented me from capturing that.
Normally I would do individual reviews but I feel the pics speak for themselves. The formula and application is consistent through all the colors; a bit on the thick side but still even. I did end up with a bit of cuticle dragging from OMG but that issue could have been due to rushing between coats.
The OMG! collection has just started shipping out so look for them at your favorite China Glaze retailer. Stay tuned for 2BHOT Collection swatches tomorrow.
China Glaze Spring 2008 Preview
After a reading about how few lucky MUA nail boarders stumbled across some never before seen China Glaze polishes at a local beauty supply, the board went into a frenzy. With holographic polishes given techno savvy names like DV8, IDK, QT and LOL and brights named Flying Dragon, Sacred Heart and Blue Sparrow how could they not. Of course, I had to investigate further.
Hide your wallets now ladies because China Glaze is hitting us with three, THREE, new color collections this spring. Something for the chat-addicted sparkle fanatics, the eco-conscious lacquer lover and the bold artists in all of us.
OMG! - Fingers are the focus when flying across the keypad. For today’s texters, having beautifully manicured digits is so important. New OMG!-- 12 micro particle holographic lacquers--gives the stylish and tech-savvy women of today something to get their hands on. Two palettes—one hot, one cool-- plus Wireless Holographic Top Coat. Text in colour.
ECOllection - In Blahniks or Birkenstocks, going green is always fashionable. Reminding everyone to tread lightly, ECOllection shades represent sun, clouds, trees, water, sand and earth. Printed on recycled paper. Conserve in colour.
INK - Tattoo art has moved out of back alley parlors onto the couture collections of fashion’s top designers. INK is a collection of neons for brilliant self expression. China Glaze wants every woman to get inked. Comes with nail art decals.
I don't have an official release date but I'll update you when I do.
Images & Info: Courtesy of China Glaze
Customization: Frankenpolish & The Art Of Layering
Ask any beauty junkie and we'll admit, no matter how many shades, fragrances or formulations are thrown our way we are still restless for more. Even if we find that perfect product, after a while we'll wish it was a bit more "something". Deeper in color, smoother in feel, slightly more floral, etc. Let's face, it we're just never satisfied.
As we've learned from magazines, makeup artists and our fellow product junkies, beauty is like Burger King; we can have it our way. All it takes is a little customizing. Whether it's layering your favorite perfumes to create a signature scent, mixing your moisturizer in with your foundation to make it sheer and dewy or blending eight different shadows to achieve that perfect smokey eye we love to alter and combine our favorite products.
In the world of lacquer it's no different. When we can't find the color we want we become kids again, mixing lacquer like we used to mix our finger paints. It's all about experimenting, letting your imagination go and relying on our childhood art lessons about the color wheel. Say it with me folks, yellow and blue make green. Now I'm having Ziploc commercial flashbacks.
There are two methods of customizing polish:
- Layering - Using multiple layers of different colors to create the desired shade
- Mixing - Combining two or more lacquers in a bottle (aka Frankenpolish)
First let's discuss the easiest way to customize your color, layering. It's very no muss, no fuss. The only real trick is making sure the edges of each layer line up. If you have a shade that is too light or dark, layer it over white or black. Is your polish to sheer? Layer it over a similar hued opaque formula or black. Everything looks more intense over black. Love the shade of your chrome or metallic finish polish but hate the brush strokes? Add a sheer on top to achieve a smoother finish. Here are some examples from my own experiments.
I was so excited when I got China Glaze Kaleidoscope Him Out and He's Going In Circles because not only are they holographic but they're blue and green holos. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that the green and blue made enough of an impact.
So I layered them over opaque creme lacquers and pow! Instant intensity.
Here's an example of how I combated brush strokes in a metallic finish. I love the color of China Glaze Open Sky but the finish left something to be desired. So I turned to a holo for help. Adding a layer of OPI Blue Moon Lagoon didn't alter the beauty of Open Sky, it just added a little bling and a smoother look.
These two were just for fun. I love my greens but a girl can never have enough options.
Now on to the science project that is the Frankenpolish.
My first try at making my own polish was to mix MAC pigment with clear lacquer. Mixing pigments can be a lot of work but if you have a gorgeous shade that would look great on your nails, it's worth it. I buy Milani clear polish but others like using Sally Hansen Insta Dri. I add 1/4 tsp. of pigment at a time and mix, mix, mix before I test it on the nail. Just keep adding pigment until you've reached the desired opacity. If you can, add a couple mixing balls because the pigment will settle out when not in use.
Here are the results of my first ever pigment mix. This is MAC Entremauve in Milani Crystal Clear lacquer. The pink sparkles in Entremauve really pop as a polish.
The other method for mixing your own polish is to combine different lacquers to create a new shade. The true Frankenpolish.
Disclaimer: Due to the volatile nature of nail lacquer ingredients I do not condone or promote mixing formulas from different manufacturers. There is no way to know if they will safely combine. So franken at your own risk.
For great tips on the supplies, process and recipes, check out the Frankenpolish Notepad on Makeup Alley. Bravo to Christine from 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic for creating it and to all the lovely MUA members that contribute to it.
These lovely frankens are the creation of MUA member jennyferr.
45% OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, 10% Black
Camouflage, 1/3 Zoya Tangy
Now it's your turn. Share your favorite layering combos and recipes.
photos: All Lacquered Up and jennyferr on MUA
China Glaze Ski Collection Swatches
I'm not a skier by any means but the Ski Collection from China Glaze makes me wish I was. Following up this summer's Surf line with it's hot vibrant beachwear inspired colors the Ski collection is filled with frosty bold shades reflecting not only the icy slopes and green forests associated with the sport but the colorful ski wear as well.
I have to say I am loving all the greens and blues the brands are throwing our way. Even though I predicted purple to be the prominent jewel tone this fall, blue is going to usurp it and I couldn't be happier. As much as I love my greens, blue comes in a close second.
At first when I read that these shades were "high lustre pearl" I was expecting frosts. But the finishes are much more wearable than the icy pearl I had imagined. It's more of a metallic shimmer with the exception of Avalanche (metallic chrome). As the pictures show, the majority of the shades have a nice and glossy finish even without a top coat.
Cross Iron 360 is obviously a shade for the warm tones. With it's soft gold shimmer and bold copper shade, it reminds me of Halloween and Jack O' Lanterns.
Frostbite is a stunner. It's vivid and eye catching. This is a blue for a true blue lover. I know it's more chic to sport navy or almost black blues but sometimes you just have to kick it up a notch. Well, Frostbite certainly fits the bill.
Vertical Rush isn't the most unique berry/wine shade I've seen but it's pretty and makes my tips look like little shimmery cranberries. I think this will look great on my toes during the holiday season. I see it peeking out of a pair of black peep toes paired with a little black dress.
Outta Bounds is a no brainer. Hello, it's green. There's no way I wouldn't love it. The slight tinge of blue in shade reminds me of a magnificent blue spruce.
Xtreme Thrash is described as bronze but it doesn't have enough brown in it for me to see it that way. In my opinion it's just a deeper shade of copper than Cross Iron 360. Again, this is suited for warmer tones but the depth of color and less prominent gold shimmer may help this work on the neu