OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!

3 coats.  I Don't Give a Rotterdam! is a dusty perwinkle with silver shimmer flecks and subtle gold sparkle.  The grey is pretty prominent, so it tends to lean more grey or blue depending on the lighting.  Even though IDGAR came out in the spring, I think it makes a nice winter shade as well because of the grey in it.  What do you think?

Do you like the macro shot above?  I might start adding this to my swatches if I can.  My camera's not the best, so sometimes I don't get clear macro shots.  But this is a feature I'll try to add in the future. ^^


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

Julep Nora

Hi all!  Today I have the other suede matte from my November Julep Maven box.  Nora is a suede purple with silver metallic shimmer.  It can look a bit dirty and muddy in some lightings, so I prefer it glossy more than matte.  The formula was the same easy two coat formula that Julep Hailee had.  I would recommend applying this in medium coats and working quickly if you're finding application tricky.  However, it's the easiest matte formula I've come across so far.

Isn't it prettier with top coat?

If you're interested in joining Julep Maven, you can do so by signing up via my affiliate link.  Be sure to use code PENNY at checkout to get your first box for only penny. ^^

What do you think of Nora?  Do you like it matte or with top coat?


Liz

China Glaze Deviantly Daring

I dropped by Sally Beauty Supply a few days ago for non nail related reasons, and of course, I came out with a few polishes.  I finally found the sale rack at my Sally's!  I can't believe I never saw it. -_-  I seriously just had to turn around.  Anyway, I noticed a few China Glaze polishes I wanted in the racks for $3.29 each and came away with two.

Lately, I've been curving my impulsive polish buys.  I must admit, the crazies have transferred over to makeup instead.  But makeup costs more, so I've been doing more planned purchases than impulsive ones.  I'm also saving up for the China Glaze Hologlam collection, so I kind of do an either or thing: this or Hologlam?  Hologlam usually wins.

So here's the first polish I got!

Deviantly Daring, 2 coats: a green-teal-blue duochrome.  Even though there's three colors, the green is a bit elusive, so I wouldn't call this a multichrome.  It's also a more subtle duochrome.  Rather than seeing two colors simultaneously on the nail, I noticed that the polish as a whole shifts from teal to deep blue depending on how the light hits it.

I got this polish knowing the duochrome wouldn't be super strong, so I was actually more impressed than disappointed.  I think the color is gorgeous, and it's more duochrome than I expected it to be.  The formula was excellent as well: good consistency and two-coat pigmentation.  The only downside is brushstroke visibility, but that doesn't bother me much.  The above picture is in direct sunlight, and the rest below are in indirect sunlight.

Do you own Deviantly Daring or any of the other polishes from the Bohemian Luster Chrome collection?  What did you think of them?


Liz

piCture pOlish Ruby Blou

I'm currently wearing this over Milani Black Swift!  Ruby Blou is a clear based polish with red, silver, and sky blue glitter in medium and fine sizes.  It was easy to use and applied evenly across the nail.  Doesn't it look great paired over black like this?  I'm wearing two coats here.

China Glaze Trendsetter

Look what I found!  These swatches are from over a year ago.  I guess I forgot to post them.  This is Trendsetter from last year's Fall 2011 Metro collection.  Trendsetter is a green leaning mustard yellow with gold shimmer.  It's an unusual color, one I've affectionately nicknamed...er...baby poop.  It's definitely one of those hate it or love it colors.  I personally think it's a great color for fall.  It looks perfect against brown leather. :P

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