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Gorgeous Fall Holos from Indigo Bananas

Dec28

Nothing to Disclose

I know, I know it’s Winter!  But I have some of the gorgeous fall holos from Indigo Bananas to show you and they will transition beautifully into the Holiday and Winter season so if you haven’t snagged them yet – you’ll want to get on that!

Ok, ok, ok!  I’m moving onto the holo’est holos I own right now.  Now, we all know that holo polishes are not my “go-to” but sometimes even I can’t resist a mega-holo of epic proportions which is why I *had* to pick up a couple of the Indigo Bananas fall holos (in actuality I ordered one and the amazingly awesome Indigo Bananas’ maker included two others as a special treat, and boy, am I glad she did.  My polish collection wouldn’t have been the same without them!)

First up is the amazing Rhythm and Booze:

Indigo Bananas - Rhythm and Booze

Indigo Bananas – Rhythm and Booze

Rhythm and Blues is a royal purple linear holographic polish.  It’s got a rich fantastic color and the holographic flame even if artificial lighting is spectacular!

Indigo Bananas - Rhythm and Booze

Indigo Bananas – Rhythm and Booze

This polish was really good formula wise.  I used two thin coats and they didn’t drag or pull.  I could have gone for another coat and it would have deepened the color even further but I was really happy at this level of awesome.  This is shown with topcoat.

Indigo Bananas - Rhythm and Booze

Indigo Bananas – Rhythm and Booze

Next up is Polish of Unusual Quality (or POUQ for short):

Indigo Bananas - Polish of Unusual Quality

Indigo Bananas – Polish of Unusual Quality

Ok I admit I drooled a little when I saw this one.  This deep dark magenta is truly breathtaking.  By far and away the strongest holographic flame in my entire collection.

Indigo Bananas - Polish of Unusual Quality

Indigo Bananas – Polish of Unusual Quality

Seriously, I love this color so much and I can’t wait to use it in a nail art look.  The application was perfection.  None of the issues that I typically find with holographic polishes.   Indigo Bananas does have a possible stain warning on this polish however I did not have a problem with staining.  Pictures show two coats plus topcoat.

Indigo Bananas - Polish of Unusual Quality

Indigo Bananas – Polish of Unusual Quality

Last up is my favorite.  Synonym Bun!

Indigo Bananas - Synonym Bun (no topcoat)

Indigo Bananas – Synonym Bun (no topcoat)

Indigo Bananas - Synonym Bun (with topcoat)

Indigo Bananas – Synonym Bun (with topcoat)

Synonym Bun is a gorgeous rich cinnamon holographic polish.  The cool thing about this one though is that it has two different looks depending on whether you use topcoat or not.  If you want a traditional holographic flame then the no-topcoat look is for you.  If you like those deep velvety-looking holographic polishes then definitely add topcoat!  I like both looks and can see using both in the future.

Indigo Bananas - Synonym Bun (no topcoat)

Indigo Bananas – Synonym Bun (no topcoat)

Indigo Bananas - Synonym Bun (with topcoat)

Indigo Bananas – Synonym Bun (with topcoat)

This polish applied perfectly as the other two.  I didn’t have streaks or drags or anything like that.  Also, just like POUQ Indigo Bananas does have a stain warning on this listing but I did not experience any staining for the time that I wore it.  I would recommend a good basecoat, however, if you are prone to staining.  Because it is a rich deep color with a lot of red in it clean up around the cuticle is a bit of a challenge, but moisturizing ahead of time and/or using a barrier may assist.

Indigo Bananas - Synonym Bun (no topcoat)

Indigo Bananas – Synonym Bun (no topcoat)

Indigo Bananas - Synonym Bun (with topcoat)

Indigo Bananas – Synonym Bun (with topcoat)

I highly recommend picking up these and a bunch more Indigo Bananas polishes.  I have been completely happy with everyone that I have ever received.  I’ll include all the pertinent links below!

 

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Northern Star Polish – Harry Potter Gift Set

Nov10

Provided for Honest Review

Oh.Em.Gee.  Two of my favorite things!  Harry Potter and Nail Polish!  Really could it get any better?  Plus I get to bring you a new brand that I haven’t featured before.  Oh happy day!  Hold onto your seats, darling readers, because this is going to be awesome!

Northern Star Polish - Harry Potter Gift Set

Northern Star Polish – Harry Potter Gift Set

Yes this is exactly how it comes!  How stinking adorable is that?  In this beautiful well composed gift set you will receive the following items:

Northern Star Polish – Protego Totalum

Northern Star Cuticle Oil – Butter Brew

(2) Reuseable Owl Charms

Gold Holographic Lightning Glitter

Vial of Red and Gold Glitter Mix with a Deathly Hallows Charm

First and foremost let’s talk about the cuticle oil.  I was so excited to try this.  The oil soaked in very well and left my cuticles looking supple and healthy!  The scent is just heavenly.  I wanted to nibble on my fingernails.  Please folks, do not nibble on your fingernails or try to eat the cuticle oil I’m sure that it won’t taste as delicious as it smells!  It’s a rich butterscotch scent and I can’t get enough!

Now up to the polish.  This is a perfect polish for the holidays in my opinion and I’m sure you’ll be seeing it on me again in future nail art posts!

Northern Star Polish - Protego Totalum

Northern Star Polish – Protego Totalum

‘Tis the season for red polish!  Also look at that owl charm!  I heart owls so much I literally squealed when I saw them.  Protego Totalum is a regal cranberry red linear holographic polish with a golden shimmer (You know red and gold are Gryffindor colors…).  It’s absolutely beautiful.  The holographic effect is hiding here due to weather but I do have a flash photo to give you an idea a bit later on!

Northern Star Polish - Protego Totalum

Northern Star Polish – Protego Totalum

The application and formula on this is absolutely lovely.  I had no problems applying this and it went on very smoothly without any issue.  I think that this is almost a one coat polish.  I tend to use somewhat generous coats but even still these pictures show two coats plus topcoat.  Just like with ALL red or dark polishes this will cling to dry cuticles.  However, I didn’t find the clean up to be all that bad.  I recommend using a heavy duty moisturizer (Or, you know, the Butter Brew cuticle oil like I did!) before polishing and wiping JUST the nail plate with acetone to help keep the polish from grabbing onto your skin.  It did make the clean up easier.  This is not a polish problem it’s just the way deep beautiful pigments are!

Northern Star Polish - Protego Totalum (Flash)

Northern Star Polish – Protego Totalum (Flash)

I tried to get some of the holo to come out and play.  Even with flash it was very camera-shy.  Silly fall dreary weather!

You want one of these adorable gift sets for yourself or a loved one?  Well you’re in luck they will be available on Friday November 30, 2015 at Noon CST.  The cost of the set is a ridiculously low (in my opinion) $17.50.  Seriously, these will make awesome stocking stuffers, Holiday gift swap presents, or personal indulgence!  You can order yours at Northern Star Polish’s Store.  Be sure to follow Northern Star on Facebook and Instagram!

 

P.S. Don’t forget that Boom Shaka Lacquer’s Two-Year Blogiversary Giveaway is going on until December 1, 2015 and there are some FANTASTIC prizes.  You definitely don’t want to miss out.  Click Here to find out more!

40 Great Nail Art Ideas – Halloween

Oct30

Some products may have been provided for earlier review

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Twas the night before Halloween and all through lands

Crumpet’s Nail Tarts came together to show off the art on their hands…

Hello my most fabulous readers!  Ok, ok so I’m not really a poet of any merit, but, it IS the night before Halloween and yes Crumpet’s Nail Tarts are celebrating this holiday in force!  I’m going to show you my Halloween-themed nail art and guess what it wasn’t that hard!  Anyone can do it!

 

40 Great Nail Art Ideas - Halloween

40 Great Nail Art Ideas – Halloween

 

Ooooh yeah!  I’m actually having a lot of fun with freehand nail art these days.  This is a combination of freehand art and stamped art and I thought it turned out pretty cute!  And yes (except for the black and white) it’s all indies!

I started with a base of Pretty & Polished Thyme and Time Again.  On my two middle fingers I hand-painted Frankenstein and his bride (I was inspired by a nail art video I saw but it was randomly on my facebook feed and I couldn’t find it again to credit where my inspiration came from).  My Frank is a little weird but I’m still fantastically happy with this considering my novice-level skill!  I used Octopus Party Nail Lacquer – Universal Loner for the touches of red.

40 Great Nail Art Ideas - Halloween

40 Great Nail Art Ideas – Halloween

On the other fingers I added a gradient to the Thyme and Time again base using Pretty & Polished – Amethyst or Am I That? and Bohemian Polish – Long Gone.  I then stamped over the gradient nails with an image from Vivid Lacquer – VL041.

All in all I’m calling this a win!  Do you like this too?  Do you think you might give something like this a shot?  I definitely suggest that everyone branch out of their comfort zone now and then, which is why I joined this nail art challenge.  I hope ya’ll are enjoying it as much as I have been.  Sound off in the comments I love to hear from you.

P.S. Don’t forget that Boom Shaka Lacquer’s Two-Year Blogiversary Giveaway is going on until December 1, 2015 and there are some FANTASTIC prizes.  You definitely don’t want to miss out.  Click Here to find out more!

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Wednesdays We Wear Pink featuring Alchemy Lacquers – Swatches and Review

Sep30

Provided for Honest Review

Well it’s been awhile since I had a Wednesday We Wear Pink post.  However, thanks to Alchemy Lacquers and some end of summer clinging on my part I have some perfect polishes to showcase today!  No suspense…just pretty polish.  And, GO!

First up Pink Peppercorn:

Alchemy Lacquers - Pink Peppercorn

Alchemy Lacquers – Pink Peppercorn

Yes yes yes yes!  I am a huge fan of AL shimmer crelly polishes.  So when I saw this delightful bright pink one I was almost beside myself with happiness.  This is a baby pink shimmer crelly with neon orange, purple, and pink glitters interspersed throughout.  Love everything about it!  I love the small gauge glitters, I love the shimmer, I love crelly-based glitter.  I swear it’s like Rebecca makes these just for me, at least I like to pretend she does, but probably not…just stop why do you have to burst my bubble??!!

Alchemy Lacquers - Pink Peppercorn

Alchemy Lacquers – Pink Peppercorn

All the love.  The formula on this is fantastic.  Opaque in two coats, maintains the squishy feel of a crelly polish, and the glitter is interspersed perfectly.  I did not have to fish, swish, or dab a bit for this polish.  How you see it is how it applied through normal polish application steps.

Alchemy Lacquers - Pink Peppercorn

Alchemy Lacquers – Pink Peppercorn

You can see the shimmer here!  Loving it!  Pictures show two coats plus topcoat.

Next up is Gilded Hibiscus:

Alchemy Lacquers - Gilded Hibiscus

Alchemy Lacquers – Gilded Hibiscus

Another perfect addition to the Gilded line of polishes.  This is a gilded neon pink with neon pink and orange glitters.  SO.MUCH.SPARKLE!  Seriously this is like a beacon of sparklacity (not a word, totally don’t care).

Alchemy Lacquers - Gilded Hibiscus

Alchemy Lacquers – Gilded Hibiscus

The Gilded polishes have a lot going on in them…glitter and sparkle and flakies and all the good wonderful stuff that we love in polish.  That does mean that at times it may be a bit thicker than some other polishes.  This doesn’t affect their ease of use in my opinion.  I still find them highly manageable and easy to work with.  I never have to fish for goodies either.  This polish was opaque in two coats.

Alchemy Lacquers - Gilded Hibiscus

Alchemy Lacquers – Gilded Hibiscus

Pictures show two coats plus topcoat.

There you have it a quick and breezy pink post for Wednesday!  As usual I will include all the necessary links below!  I’m just gonna put this out there…Alchemy Lacquers’ Two Year Anniversary is coming up and she is planning something EPIC so you will definitely want to follow her.  Go do it!  Go do it now!

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