The Stash: OPI Edition

It's finally snowing over here!  After a downpour of rain.  Not a great combo, so if you're in the Chicagoland area, stay safe!  Now on to the nail polish. :)

I think OPI is hands down one of the most innovative polish brands available in the States.  I believe it was OPI who started the Shatter trend, and it took off for over a year.  It was overly done by every brand and we became sick of it.  Then there's the Spotted polish, which is basically like a spotted version of the shatter.  So sad that one never made it over to the US.  And now...Liquid Sand.  Not to mention all their great duochromes, suedes, and DS holographics from the past - which I sadly missed out on.  Not everyone may have liked all the trends they put out, but I think they still get points for creativity.

My first OPIs were Teenage Dream and Black Shatter from the Katy Perry collection.  I remember seeing the ads in a fashion magazine and I rushed right over to Ulta to look for it.  I thought the shatter was the coolest thing ever.  Turns out I was a little too excited because the collection hadn't even been released yet!  Later on I got it as a gift, and they became my first OPIs.

As for favorites, right now I'm really loving the Bond collection, especially Tomorrow Never Dies (ultraviolet) and Live and Let Die (green).  The Spy Who Loved Me (red) is pretty great too.  Otherwise, I reach for the OPI NYC Ballet collection a lot and the nudes from the Germany collection as well.  I really wish I had the DS holos though or The Show Must Go On.  Or any of those HTF (hard to find) glitters from Alice and Burlesque. T__T  I really could go on and on...

Oh, and let's not forget the brush.  I'm definitely in camp OPI when it comes to the brush.  I like that they're flat and wide.  Oddly enough, I don't favor flat and wide brushes from any other brand - just OPI's.

Okay, enough rambling!  Now I want to know what your favorite OPI polishes are, and what your first OPI was.  Let me know in the comments!  I love reading them. :)


Liz

The Stash: Essie

I admittedly don't own a lot of Essies.  I used to be quite enthusiastic about them, but their collections haven't been catching my eye as much lately.  I did really want Camera from their Summer 2012 Poppy-Razzi collection, but it was sold out everywhere. :/  Otherwise, I tend to gravitate toward other brands because I don't like Essie's small round brushes.  I think their bottles are really cute though, and I love how the drugstore ones have color coded labels at the top.

My first Essie was Coat Azure from the Spring 2011 French Affair collection.  But my oldest bottle is probably the darkest one called Night Cap.  Not sure when that one came out, but it's a watery dark blue/teal tint.  It's discontinued, but I was able to get it because I won it from Body & Soul. :)  Since I have so little Essies, I can definitely pick a favorite: School of Hard Rocks.  (PS. It looks amazing with Essie Shine of Times - my favorite combo.)

I think my group of Essies need some more friends...like Leading Lady from the new winter collection. :P

(*edit: I replaced the original picture with a better one. ^^)

What are your favorite Essies?  And which shade was your first?  


Liz

The Stash: China Glaze

China Glaze was my first non drugstore brand.  My first purchases were Ahoy, Starboard, and First Mate from the Spring 2011 collection: Anchors Away.  I can't remember which one I used first, but I've been a fan of China Glaze since.  I also think China Glaze has the most diverse selection of finishes including holos, flakies, and duochromes.  I'm looking forward to their new Hologlam collection!

I honestly can't pick any favorites from my stash.  I love them all, but I do fuss over my OMG holos a bit more. ^^

Do you remember your first CG?  Which shades are your favorites?  Let me know in the comments!  I'd love to hear. :)


Liz

The Stash: Zoya Edition

Hi all!  I'm currently holding a Zoya giveaway, and for one of the entries I asked a few question about people's Zoya preferences.  I thought it would be fun to answer those questions myself, starting with Zoya.

Why I love Zoya:  I love the variety of colors and finishes Zoya comes out with, particularly the shimmer flecked ones (think Sunshine collection).  Plus they have cute bottles that line up so neatly in my Helmer.  On top of that, I love how connected Zoya is with their customers.

First Zoya:  My first Zoya purchases were Rica and Faye.  Of the two, I wore Rica first. :)

Favorite Zoya:  This is such a tough question, so I'll go with my current favorite for this season, Valerie.  It's gorgeous and perfect for fall and winter.


If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, you can find it here (US only, ends 11/23).  If you haven't commented in the giveaway or won't be entering, definitely comment with your answers to the three questions below!  Also, let me know if you like these posts and which brands you'd like for me to cover next. :)


Liz