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.
Dashing Diva Fall Collection 2007
OPI Blue Comparisons
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?
Chanel Fall 2007
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.
Lippmann Collection Fall 2007
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.
Let's Talk Trends - Fall 2007
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?
SpaRitual Fall 2007 - Intuitive
The intuitive woman doesn't need a reason—she just knows
Introducing Intuitive, a collection of subdued metals with a sophisticated edge from SpaRitual; new for Fall 2007. Guided by a sensibility far more wise than mere whimsy, she may leave more literal minds looking for answers.
I have to give SpaRitual props for being one of the few nail polish brands to provide realistic and helpful product images for consumers. I'll admit that when I first saw that one of the shades was named Sage I got a little giddy in hopes that they'd be another fun mossy green on the market. No such luck. In this instance, sage refers to wisdom, not the herb or color. I'm sure all my fellow vampy lovers will be adding Shrewd to their wish lists. All in all, this collection stays true to their earthy, eco-friendly concept.
Sage – Sure proof of intelligent life on earth, this mocha creme grounds the wearer in deep, rich reality
Sharp – In a flash of pure illumination, this silvery champagne with iridescent glitter cuts through illusion to the essence
Savant – No shadows of doubt or shades of gray obscure this gilded, pristinely winter-white lacquer
Street Smart – Jet, onyx, ebony, obsidian – this crystal black is anything but basic
Savoire Faire РNeutrality requires knowledge and grace, keep polished with a gentle rose cr̬me
Shrewd – Deliciously clever yet always thoughtful, warm chocolate with silver shimmer sweetens all negotiation
Beauty is the spontaneous expression of a harmonious mind, body and spirit. SpaRitual – one letter away from “spiritual” – combines luxury with a spirit-conscious philosophy. Dedicated to the environment, the line uses eco-friendly packaging and printing processes. The bottles are made from reusable glass and natural elements and are fully recyclable. The printing processes include soy-based inks, recycled and FSC certified papers. Each exquisite SpaRitual product has been perfectly crafted to enhance your daily life. Enlighten yourself. Be a Sparitualist. Because we all deserve to live the good life.
From conception, SpaRitual has been committed to creating eco-friendly products crafted to raise environmental awareness and cater to the conscious consumer. The use of vegan ingredients and eco-conscious packaging has always been a central concept for SpaRitual.
“As a brand, we are passionate about safeguarding the environment, reducing waste and limiting the use of non-renewable resources,” says Shel Pink, creator of the SpaRitual brand. "I am concerned about the health of our planet and the health of the people that inhabit it", says Shel Pink, creator of SpaRitual. “The beauty industry is poised to transform the weakened state of both by making responsible choices at the product development level and by offering holistic treatments that heal the mind, body and spirit at the service level."
SpaRitual polishes can be found at Fred Segal Beauty both in stores and online.
info and images: courtesy of SpaRitual
China Glaze X Collection
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?
MAC Smoke Signals & Blue Storm
Coming soon to a MAC counter near you the Blue Storm and Smoke Signals collections. Included with both are new nail lacquer shades.I was supposed to go to the preview party at my local freestanding MAC store but I ended up working late. So I'll have to wait until Thursday to see these beauties in person. Being the blue lover that I am, I think the Blue Storm polishes may have to come home with me.
Rainy Day - Metallic gunmetal grey with lilac pearl
Whirlwind - Metallic royal blue with green, blue and purple pearl
From Smoke Signals:
Wildfire - black with red pearl
Nocturnelle - black creme (repromote)
China Glaze Metallics Collection
Dear China Glaze,
You know I love your polishes and all the amazing colors you create. I am a loyal and faithful customer but I am so not in love with this Metallics collection. Please don't hate me.
Love, Me
Ok, so I'm sure the rest of you know what's coming but I have to put it out there. This collection did nothing for me. With rich metal shades coming out for fall, this lineup could have been huge. Hey, it still might be. I'm just one little polish lover and there are tons of people out there that could love these.
Let's start with the good. For one, my mom is wearing Platinum Pearl right now and she has received so many compliments on the shade. Believe me, the colors are not the problem. All three polishes are well pigmented, filled with glitz and very fun. For example, Platinum Gold is extremely unique and my favorite of the bunch. It's very wearable and makes me think of fall leaves, hot cider and cozy sweaters. And Platinum Silver would be a great shade for New Year's Eve.
It's just that the formula isn't right in my opinion. Even my nail tech commented on it when she applied Platinum Pearl to my mom's nails. The consistency is thick and goopy, making it difficult to apply which makes brush strokes imminent. As you can tell below, I had major issues with it pooling at my tips and looking uneven. I even redid the manis below and still couldn't make it work.
I'm not telling anyone not to buy these, I'm just sharing my experience. I never claimed to be a nail tech so if you have no problem with these polishes, kudos to you. I'd love for you to comment and share with the group.
Orly Neue Neutrals
Unlike all the other brands that are giving us bold and unusual colors for fall, Orly went down a different path. The Neue Neutrals collection will definitely appeal to the general buying public with it's range of "neutral" pinks, berries and plums.
Let's face it, while it seems like there are a ton of us who LOVE greens, blues, holo shimmer and glitter, we are seriously in the minority. Orly realizes this and addresses the need for color basics with this collection. That's not to say all the colors are boring or unoriginal but they probably won't be the next Chanel Black Satin.
One thing I've always loved about Orly polishes is the rubberized black cap. It's so comfortable and easy to grip. I feel that it really helps with application. Now maybe I just got an odd bottle but for some reason the brush in Plum Noir was thinner than the rest. I hope it was just a fluke. Ok, on to the colors.
Too Much Bubbly is a hard one to describe. It's a champagne but with silver shimmer and can look a bit pink in the right light. It's not a color I'd choose but it's unique. My mother will undoubtedly love this. She loves gold, silver and metallics. This is two coats and as you can see, it's still a bit sheer. Due to it's metallic nature I expected brush strokes to be an issue but they weren't.
Not So Dusty Rose is a pretty silvery pink. The subtle silver shimmer keeps this one from falling flat. I'll have to do a side by side comparison but this may be similar to OPI Rosey Posey. The application on this one was flawless. I was extremely impressed.
Quite Contrary Berry did nothing for my skin tone. It looks like a browned raspberry creme, applied well, only needed two coats and left a high gloss shine but just isn't my color.
Not Your Mama's Mauve is deeper than the typical "pukey mauve" as coined on the nail board. In my opinion this shade is best suited to darker skin tones. Like the cremes in this collection, Not Your Mama's Mauve applied extremely well. Now as much as I expected to hate it, when I saw this color on my hands, I couldn't stop staring. It's not like this is some mesmerizing shade but for me it's completely out of my comfort zone. Tell me in the comments if Not Your Mama's Mauve is a "keeper or crap" on me.
Vanguard Violet looks more berry than purple to me but hey, I'm not in charge of the names. It has a pretty metallic shimmer, similar to the finish on Too Much Bubbly and just as nice to apply. The shade definitely leans to the purple side of berry but I'm still not calling it a purple.
Plum Noir is a glossy vampy plum and is sure to be a favorite of dark polish lovers. I've seen a few comments saying this is a twin to Zoya Lael or a as Shammy so eloquently put it, "sisters from another mister." I still need to investigate for myself.
The Neue Neutrals collection is in stores and online now. I recently saw it at Sally Beauty Supply but supplies are limited.
Anyone bought these yet? Thoughts?
Creative Imperial Anarchy
I know you all have been dying to know what this collection was going to look like. While the color blobs give you a clue, they don't do much else.
Well let's just say that Creative got it right. The Imperial Anarchy collection is filled with bold, rich, highly pigmented lacquers. I don't care if Creative polishes take longer to dry than other brands, there are some shades here that are must haves.
Due to popular demand, I am going to attempt to give you full mani swatches as often as possible. It's a killer on my nails and cuticles but sometimes you have to suffer for beauty and art. Also, in attempt to deter the picture thieves I've FINALLY learned how to watermark with Photoshop. So I apologize if it detracts from the pictures but it's a necessary evil.
First up, Crowned. Described as a "vintage copper metallic", Crowned applied very well for a metallic. I saw some slight brush stroke marks but they were nowhere near as bad as others I've used. The shade is a muted, softer version of OPI's Burning Love which to me is the color of copper wire and hard to pull off.
With all the swatches below, I only needed 2 coats because these lacquers are so pigmented. Most of them didn't even need a second coat, I was just hiding my own application errors. I planned to use a top coat to make sure each shade looked it's best but it wasn't needed.
Regal Revenge a "dark fuchsia creme", went on so smoothly that I regretted not buffing my nails before swatching. An imperfection on my index finger caused a bump that should not reflect on the Regal Revenge's quality. The slightly dusty quality of the shade keeps this from being a summer bright and will go well with the pop art inspired fashions that rocked the fall runways or as a nice punch of color with a smoky gray ensemble.
House of Rebels isn't browned or orange enough for me to consider it a "brick red creme" but it's definitely deeper than your traditional true red (i.e. OPI Got The Blues For Red) and extremely glossy. It's not quite a one coat red but it's very close. There's no pink undertones like Burn from the Flash Point collection had. Look out for this color or ones similar on the young Hollywood set this fall.
Crimson Uprising is a "shimmery crimson" that leans towards berry due to a slight pinkish undertone. I would consider it more frosty than shimmery but definitely not metallic. The application was too good for it to be called a metallic. The sliver and red shimmer give the shade depth and warmth. I wouldn't say it's entirely unique but it's definitely pretty.
Rock Royalty is the first of my two "must have" polishes from this collection. It was described in Creative's press release as a "dark purple creme" but from the close-up shot you can clearly see it's not. The shimmer is comprised of very fine flecks of purple and pink that really only show up in direct sunlight but they're there. The color itself is simply stunning. It's what I had hoped the way too sheer OPI You Ottaware Purple would be. It's not so dark that you can't tell it's purple yet it's dark enough to be vampy.
The piece de resistance is Hyde In The Dark. A "metallic anthracite" or as I like to call it, sparkly gray goodness, it's not a metallic in the traditional sense, it's a thousand times better. Loaded with shimmer and glitz, this is what gunmetal gray should look like. Now I don't know what makes this formula different but it applied the best of all the polishes. I took pics of this one in both shade and sunlight to show off it's glory.
So everyone, what do you think? Are any of these tickling your fancy?
*edited to add: Imperial Anarchy will release in September. I don't have an exact date.*
New OPI Designer Series
Just released, the new Designer Series polishes from OPI. Being a holographic glitter junkie isn't easy. As much fun as it is having a prismatic rainbow on your nails, it's not always appropriate or safe. There's been times that I've found myself distracted by the sun catching my holo mani while driving. Shh, don't tell the police.
So now to add to my already large collection of "shiny object" distractions comes Fantasy and Diamond. I don't have these little beauties in my hands yet but I will give proper reviews as soon as I do.
From what I can tell, Fantasy looks like a navy blue holo. I'd imagine it's what we originally anticipated DS Glamour being. Don't get me wrong I LOVE Glamour, it's one of my holy grail pedicure shades but I know that in addition to the clamoring for a black holo (OPI My Private Jet) a navy holo was on many a wish list. Let's cross our fingers and toes that this is it.
Now I don't want to pass judgement without seeing Diamond in person but I'm guessing it won't be a very "me" shade. It looks pewter and I don't don't do silvers very well. If I do a metallic, it's usually gold. I'm keeping and open mind though.
These new Designer Series polishes are now available on Head2Toe Beauty's website. Don't crash their server!
photos: Head2Toe Beauty
The Lubu Manicure
Originally created by Zoe Pocock of the Charles Worthington salon in London, the Louboutin Manicure received a lot of press and attention from the fashionistas and nail lovers alike.
Inspired by this sensation, China Glaze has come up with their own take on this fashion forward look. Using the uber sparkly Ruby Pumps as the "sole" and their newest creation, Lubu Heels, for the "upper", the Lubu Manicure is a glitzy, more Hollywood version of Ms. Pocock's design.
Lubu Heels is a shade I know a lot of you have been waiting for. For anyone with Rescue Beauty Lounge Revamp or Revlon Black Strobe on your wish list, you can cross it off. Lubu Heels is the black polish with red glitter that you've been dreaming of. As is typical of most glitter polishes, Lubu Heels has that familiar bumpy texture and I'm sure it will be a pain to remove but that's the price we pay for glittery glam.
Essie Fall 2007 - Glamour Girl
Glamour Girl is the fall collection from Essie. Hitting stores on September 1st, it's a rich collection of shades that stays true to the Essie reputation of playing it safe and delivering pretty, traditional colors.
Looking at the shades, I'm feeling a 40s retro vibe. It makes me think of tailored suits, pencil skirts, peep-toe heels and patent leather handbags. I could see using Material Girl for a half moon mani or having Alligator Purse peeking out of a pair of chocolate brown open-toe pumps. The colors are:
Alligator Purse - a creamy burnt orange
Bags to Riches - light caramel taupe
Decadent Diva - rich shimmering cocoa
Handle With Flair - dark merlot
Material Girl - blackest purple
Turning Heads Red - striking red
Turning Heads Red is a true red creme. It took 2 coats to get the bottle shade but it applied evenly and has a nice glossy finish.
Alligator Purse is one of my favorite shades of this collection. I'd describe it as more of a brick red creme than a burnt orange. It's highly pigmented and was true to the bottle color with one coat. Warmer tones should run and grab this as soon as it hits shelves.
Bags to Riches is so not my color it's not even funny. It looks like a really light cup of coffee. In fact it reminds me of those Aroma Cafe shades that China Glaze put out a long time ago. I honestly can't think of anyone this color would look good on. Not only that but it was extremely streaky. The swatch above is after 3 coats and it still wasn't even. If you can make it work, more power to you.
Decadent Diva is my hands down winner for best polish of the collection. It has depth, incredible sparkle and shimmer and applies extremely smooth. A rich cocoa shade, Decadent Diva could fill all those Essie Martini Cocoa lemmings out there. It's deeper and slightly redder and nothing short of stunning. Pictures truly can't do this one justice. You have to see it on the nail to appreciate it.
Material Girl is a blackened plum creme, along the lines of OPI Lincoln Park After Dark. It's hard for me to properly evaluate this one because the bottle arrived to me with some damage. The lacquer had leaked and caused some thickening of the formula so it applied streaky and too thick. I don't believe my issue is indicative of the polish in general.
Handle with Flair is a wine red creme. It went on a bit uneven and took 3 coats to get the color you see above. It's a pretty color but nothing I'd call unique.
Even though sunlight has been somewhat rare the past few days, I did manage to grab a quick shot to show off the shimmer in Decadent Diva.
I also did a quick comparison with Martini Cocoa.
I know the fall collections are going to drain a lot of bank accounts. Which shades of Glamour Girl are going to make you open your wallet?
China Glaze Fall Preview
The elves at China Glaze have been very busy for they have a lot in the works for Fall 2007. Under the direction of Brand Manager, Susan McCready , the brand is being defined, shaped and refreshed.The main collection for fall is called X and it's in honor of China Glaze's 10th Anniversary. It consists of ten shades named with roman numerals and two Signature Series reds. In conjunction with the polishes a promotional teacup and saucer emblazoned with the China Glaze logo has been created as a way to educate people about the origin of the China Glaze name. “The name China Glaze refers to the high-luster glazes applied to dishware,” explains McCready. “It was the shining final touch.” Thus the tag line, "Celebrating a Decade of Fine Colourware."
I - Foundation Series in Light Creme
II - Foundation Series in Medium Creme
III - Foundation Series in Dark Creme
IV - Carnation Pink Creme
V - Coral Creme
VI - Deep Coral Shimmer
VII - Plum Creme
VIII - Eggplant Creme
IX - Black Brown Creme
X - Bronze Shimmer
Signature Series - China Rouge (Red Creme)
Signature Series - Red Pearl (Red Pearl)
The first three shades in the X collection (I, II, III) will also be packaged as the Minerals Foundation Series. These flawless neutral lacquers elegantly compliment all skin tones and are called Minerals because they are essential color for every nail lacquer wardrobe. They brighten your Neons, Intensify your Darks and Perfect your French Manicures. All great creations are built on a perfect foundation.
Next up, the Metallics Platinum Series. A limited edition promotion featuring three new lacquer shades to enhance the futuristic fall fashion trends and to add shine to your winter wardrobe. The high luster, pearlescent pigments in these precious colors add “bling” to any nail. The new formulation contains China Clay as a nail hardener.
(l-r) Platinum Pearl, Platinum Silver and Platinum Gold
Finally, inspired by the famous Louboutin Manicure created by Zoe Pocock, China Glaze is introducing The Perfect Pair. Paired with best seller Ruby Pumps, the pack includes a new shade called Lubu Heels a black with red glitter. China Glaze celebrity manicurist Marsha Bialo has been doing the Lubu Manicure in her Los Angeles Salon using Ruby Pumps on the underside and Lubu Heels on top.
Lancome Le Magnetique
Hold on to your hats everyone, this has got to be one of the most unique concepts I've seen in nail lacquer. New from Lancome as part of their fall limited edition collection comes Le Magnetique. It's not just a rich reddish brown shimmery lacquer. The bottle comes with a magnetic sleeve that, when held up to the polish, creates a gold starburst pattern on your nail. I'm heading to Nordstrom ASAP to check this ingenious new polish out for myself.
A huge thank you to TobyWoo for allowing me to share her fabulous pictures with you all.
With a retail price of $17, is this something you'd want to try or is it too gimmicky?
Zoya Suvi Comparison
A pal on the Makeup Alley Nail Board asked me if Zoya Suvi is a dupe for OPI Jasper Jade. In fact she hopes, for her wallet's sake, that it is. Well Deni, I'm both happy (for me) and sad (for you) to say they are different.
As the pictures below will show, Jasper Jade is more blackened than Suvi. While Suvi is the shade of a flawless deep green emerald, Jasper Jade is the color of an emerald with some carbon deposits.
Oddly enough Suvi and Jasper Jade both have sheerness as an obstacle but it's easily defeated with 3 coats of color. So while I will continue to covet and lovingly hoard my bottle of Jasper Jade as I do with any and all green polishes I find, I do love Zoya Suvi more for it's vibrancy.
Zoya Uptown Collection
OK, now that you've all had time to salivate over the Zoya Downtown collection, here's your peek at Uptown. I'm predicting red to be a big trend this fall. That it will be gracing the tips of all the Hollywood starlets. I've already seen it popping up on some. The Uptown collection has a red for everyone, even those afraid of being too bold.
Quinn, Andi, Chelsea
Tess has the same foil like finish as Kotori and Rea from the Downtown line. The color reminds me a bit of Kat from Zoya except it's more of a cool pinky red than a warm orangey red. Tess is highly pigmented and because of the metallic quality I was being careful to avoid brush strokes but the polish evened out perfectly on its own.
Paige is a plummy red creme. Smooth to apply and opaque in one coat. It doesn't have a high gloss finish but it's not matte either. I think you could achieve either finish depending on your top coat.
As the name suggests, Coco