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New Indie Alert – Moonflower Polish Review!

Apr11

Provided for Honest Review

Hello all my dearest readers.  I have a really exciting post for you today!  As many of you may know I really enjoy stamping nail art.  The problem I run into though is that finding fun colored stamping polish is a bit difficult.  A lot of good cremes will work but they tend to be mainstream.  But today I have four of the inaugural Rainbow Cremes collection from a new Indie stamping polish brand, Moonflower Polish to show you!

Moonflower Polish is specially formulated to stamping and nail art.  These are not run of the mill creme polishes.  You could use them as creme polishes but you may not get the ease of application that you would get with a polish that is formulated to be used as a nail polish and not a nail art polish.  These are much thicker, super pigmented, may stain (only the Anaranjado has been reported to stain but I recommend using a latex barrier and a good base coat anyway because holy pigment batman!), and may dry with a matte finish.

I am going to save my review for the end because honestly except for one of the polishes my experience was the same for all of them.  You’ll see which one had a different experience.

Moonflower Polish – Gris

Moonflower Polish – Gris

Moonflower Polish – Rosa

Moonflower Polish – Rosa

Moonflower – Violeta

Moonflower Polish – Violeta

Moonflower Polish – Turquesa

Moonflower Polish – Turquesa

Alrighty for my review.  I really like these for stamping.  A little goes a long way on the image so there’s no need to flood your image with a whole ton of this polish.  I suspect that’s because it’s so thick and pigmented.  The opacity is really excellent, much better than I get with other polishes I’ve used in the past.

Only the Turquesa really shows up fantastic over black, the others do show up to varying degrees of vibrancy with the Rosa faring the worst against black.

All of these dried matte and transferred well from the stamper to the nail.  It does dry pretty fast (which I actually found surprising for such a thick polish) so you will want to not let the image sit on the stamper or it won’t transfer.

Also, I was playing around with different plates and stampers.  I think you can see on the Rosa pic a very little of the image didn’t seem to transfer, it simply did not come up off the plate.  I figured it was my choice of plate, plate/stamper combo, or my own stamping skills that caused the issue.

So I started with my clear jelly stamper, I got if off Amazon, it’s a no-name squishy clear stamper.  I got only mediocre transfer from that no matter which plate I used.

Next I tried the same plates with my Creative Shop stamper which worked much better but still without careful attention didn’t get a perfect transfer.  All of the pictures above were done using my Creative Shop Stamper.

Then I dug out of the depths of my stamping drawer my old neglected original Konad stamper.  Lo and behold no matter which plate or how fine the lines on the stamp the konad stamper picked up and transferred -perfectly-.  I do not have any other firm stampers to compare but my conclusion is that you may have easier results if you use a firm stamper particularly with detailed or finely etched designs.

I cannot wait to get some more of these polishes.  I feel like I need to broaden my range of stamping polishes now!  In addition to the Rainbow Cremes she also has the Day & Night duo (Dia and Noche) which are white and black stamping polishes respectively.  I will include all of the stalker links below and as usually you can find me on social media by clicking on the giant buttons to the right!  Until next time my amazing readers may your days be filled with glitter, flakies, and perfectly stamped images!

Moonflower Polish

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New Indie Brand Alert! Mystic Muse Nail Lacquer – Autumn Reflections Collection

Nov8

Provided for Honest Review

Hello readers!  I have a new indie brand to show you!  Mystic Muse is a new brand that recently debuted.  They are really focused on offering sophisticated, classic style polishes that will become staples in collections everywhere.  Mystic Muse is also gearing up to become the brand for luxury indies.  I received the Autumn Reflections Collection and their Crystal Clear Topcoat to try out and I’m going to share them with you naturally!

First up is Autumn Reflection:

Mystic Muse - Autumn Reflection

Mystic Muse – Autumn Reflection

Autumn Reflection is a shimmery orange jelly packed with red metallic and holographic microglitter.  I love that this isn’t just a jelly with microglitter but it’s also shimmery.  Gives it more interest and depth.  It is a perfect fall shade too!

Mystic Muse - Autumn Reflection

Mystic Muse – Autumn Reflection

This is a jelly polish so it goes on very sheer but it does built up to opacity.  The application was very nice, no dragging or balding.  These pictures show three coats plus Mystic Muse Crystal Clear Topcoat.

Polishes used:  Glisten & Glow – Stuck on Blu; Mystic Muse – Autumn Reflection; Mystic Muse – Crystal Clear Topcoat

Next up is probably the most perfect dark red creme polish I have ever used in my entire life, Cranberry:

Mystic Muse - Cranberry

Mystic Muse – Cranberry

Now I called this a creme but it might be closer to call it a crelly.  It’s a bit squishier than a standard creme.  This one is a stunner.  I have never been a fan of dark red cremes because they can sometimes be a nightmare to apply and clean up after so I steer clear normally but this one really has me digging on the color and finish!

Mystic Muse - Cranberry

Mystic Muse – Cranberry

The other reason that I think that this might be better classified as a jelly is the application.  It applies a bit sheer in the first coat but second coat is fully opaque.  It was beautifully self-leveling and is really bar none one of the best creme/crelly polishes I’ve ever applied.  Seriously, this is the dream creme and I find myself wishing I had like 20 other colors in this same formula!  This is two coats plus topcoat.

Polishes used:  Glisten & Glow – Stuck on Blu; Mystic Muse – Cranberry; Mystic Muse – Crystal Clear Topcoat

Next up is Fall Foliage:

Mystic Muse - Fall Foliage

Mystic Muse – Fall Foliage

Fall Foliage is a perfect copper metallic foil polish with a golden microshimmer.  It catches the light beautifully.  The golden shimmer gives it some added depth!

Fall Foliage

Fall Foliage

The application of this was perfection.  I usually dislike straight foil polishes because they can be too brushstrokey but this one had a perfect foil finish.  Also of note, this polish stamps pretty well too!  Pictures show two coats plus topcoat.

Polishes used:  Glisten & Glow – Stuck on Blu; Mystic Muse – Fall Foliage; Mystic Muse – Crystal Clear Topcoat

Next I’m going to show you Bonfire:

Mystic Muse - Bonfire

Mystic Muse – Bonfire

This one is going to be the hardest to describe!  It’s a grayish purpley (grurple?  Can we make that a thing?) antique silvery base with a strong red shimmer.  It’s absolutely lovely.

Mystic Muse - Bonfire

Mystic Muse – Bonfire

I blurred this picture a bit to show you the shifty quality it has.  It just seems to glow from within which I love.  The application of this one does require a little bit of patience as the strong shimmer tries to show brushstrokes.  It can be minimized and I haven’t used any other tricks than a patient hand to apply this.  Otherwise the formula was just as delightful as the others, smooth application without any major issues.  Pictures show two coats plus topcoat.

Polishes used:  Glisten & Glow – Stuck on Blu; Mystic Muse – Bonfire; Mystic Muse – Crystal Clear Topcoat

Next up is Chestnut:

Mystic Muse - Chestnut

Mystic Muse – Chestnut

Chestnut is the deeper darker sister to Fall Foliage.  It’s a deep brown metallic polish with red/orange undertones and a golden microshimmer.  Again where there was a danger of falling flat the shimmer gives it added depth.

Mystic Muse - Chestnut

Mystic Muse – Chestnut

This one had flawless formula and application.  It looks truly gorgeous on.  Another fun fact, this one stamps like a dream!  I used it in a mani this week that I got so many compliments on!

Polishes used:  Glisten & Glow – Stuck on Blu; Mystic Muse – Chestnut; Mystic Muse – Crystal Clear Topcoat

Last but not least, Night:

Mystic Muse - Night

Mystic Muse – Night

And then the heavens opened and I could hear choirs of angels singing in exultation.  This is my holy grail super dark gray almost black polish!  I have been searching for the perfect ALMOST black polish since black polishes are usually pretty harsh on me and don’t flatter my skin tone at all.  I want black polish for bases or for super chic manis but I have never found one that I loved until I met Night.  Oh yes I’m going to reach for this one again and again and again!  It’s a dark dark charcoal gray with silver, green, and purple microshimmers.  You can’t really see anything but the effect of the shimmers unless you’re looking super close up but the shimmers just give it a sheen and richness.

Mystic Muse - Night

Mystic Muse – Night

Love.everything.about.this.polish.  ‘Nuff said.  Seriously though, formula was awesome.  Application was amazing.  Two coats have perfect opacity and while it dries shiny on its own when you add the Crystal Clear Topcoat it’s like freshly polished glass!

Polishes used:  Glisten & Glow – Stuck on Blu; Mystic Muse – Night; Mystic Muse – Crystal Clear Topcoat

So since this is a new indie I’ll give my overall thoughts!  I really thought that the collection was well coordinated, the names and colors fit the theme quite well.  There are several different types of finishes which I found to be very pleasing as well.  I will say that these are more traditional colors but the formula is fantastic.  Absolutely none of these caused me any problem and I would definitely recommend them.

The topcoat dries super fast and super shiny and it didn’t smear nail art or shrink when I used it.  It doesn’t really smooth glitters very well (I used it on a couple of different polishes to get an idea) but as a finishing high shine topcoat I’ll definitely grab it for holos or cremes because it really did dry lightning fast.

There is huge potential in this brand and they are aiming to fill a niche in luxury, high-end, indie polishes that have a sophisticated air.  I find that the price point is a wee bit high but the formula alone makes me overlook that.  Plus, in professional situations where I might not want your run of the mill polish but I can’t be over the top these will fit the bill perfectly.  Also, they have the benefit of being vegan and cruelty free as well.

You can get Mystic Muse at their website.  Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with all of the promotions and pretty pictures as well!

 

New Indie Brand Alert!! Hint: You’ll be Fighting to Get These!

Jun5

Provided for Honest Review

So Readers, I know you’re shocked – two posts TWO days in a row!  But, I just HAD to let you know about these lovely polishes.  This is a BRAND NEW Indie and I think that she is on the right track!  The Brand is Knockout Lacquers and they are all Mixed Martial Arts fighting themed!  I don’t pretend to know anything about fighting but I do know about nail polish!  She very kindly sent me a couple of polishes to review and that means I am going to share them with you!

The first of these two lovely polishes is V.I.  I’m not sure what that stands for, perhaps you fight enthusiasts will know.  All I know is that this is a stuntastic polish!  Holo that will knock you out!  (See what I did there?  Hehehe)  Anyway pictures!  I apologize in advance that the lighting does not do the holo justice but I tried to capture some of it so that you have some idea of how amazing it is!

Knockout Lacquers - V.I. (Over Scofflaw - Love Letter from Scofflaw)

Knockout Lacquers – V.I. (Over Scofflaw – Love Letter from Scofflaw)

I love this as a topper.  The maker says that it can be built up to full coverage and I did start that however because the fine holographic bits are in a clear base my natural nail color showed through and it was sort of yellowy (#nailbloggerproblems am I right?) from some staining I am growing out and I didn’t like the effect.  But the maker said she hadn’t used it as a topper so I decided to give it a go.  I really like the effect it had over a dark base!  As I mentioned it is fine holographic pigment/glitter in a clear base and it gives a tightly scattered (ALMOST linear) holographic effect that just explodes in sunlight.

Knockout Lacquers - V.I. - Intentionally blurred (over Scofflaw - Love letter from Scofflaw)

Knockout Lacquers – V.I. – Intentionally blurred (over Scofflaw – Love letter from Scofflaw)

This is one coat and you can see how heavily glittered (if that is what the holo sparkles are, they seem far finer than glitter to me but coarser than pigment, all in all they are just awesome) it is with one thin coat so it will easily build to opacity!  Sparkletastic I’m telling you!

Polishes used:  Glisten & Glow – Stuck on Blu; Scofflaw – Love Letter From Scofflaw; Knockout Lacquers – V.I.; Digital Nails – Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That

Next up we have my surprise favorite.  It hits the mark for me and I am unquestionably in love with it!  Gogoplata!

Knockout Lacquers - Gogoplata

Knockout Lacquers – Gogoplata

You can see that this is a lovely pink leaning lavender shimmer just filled with the same holo sparkle that is in V.I.  These pictures showed off the holo a lot better as well which I’m pleased about.  This is just a flattering color and is so elegant and feminine while being a blinding sparkletastic holo polish!

Knockout Lacquers - Gogoplata

Knockout Lacquers – Gogoplata

This shows two coats, but honestly, I probably could have gotten away with one coat but I wanted to make sure that it was fully opaque for pictures.   The formula on this and V.I. were really stellar and I’m so impressed by the quality.  I ended up wearing this color as my mani for the first part of the week and I only sustained a small amount of chipping after some heavy housework after 5 days.  So it wears fantastic as well!

Polishes used:  Glisten & Glow – Stuck on Blu; Knockout Lacquers – Gogoplata; Digital Nails – Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That

Overall I’m thrilled to add a new indie to my roster of brands that I would purchase from personally and I look forward to snagging Gogoplata in a full-size as soon as my no-buy is over not to mention the red one that is also in this collection.  Definitely some stunners.  Oh what’s that you want to know how to get them?  Well they are on Pre-Order TODAY!  That means you can use the stalker links below to go find out about and order your own pretties and then you too can be a KNOCKOUT!

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