Author: Adventures in Polishland

Broadway Review | Operation Mincemeat

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Operation Mincemeat

Playing at Golden Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? $49.00 In Person Rush, $59.00 Digital Rush, and $49.00 Digital Lottery

What I Paid: $79.00

My Rating: ★★★★ 1/2

Official Website: https://operationbroadway.com/

Operation Mincemeat is the 2024 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical , and 2025 Tony Award® Winner for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Jak Malone)! 

The year is 1943 and right now we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse. Bursting at the seams with the kind of chaos you couldn’t invent, the question is: how did a dead body, a fake love letter, and-of all people-Ian Fleming come together to wrong-foot Hitler?

REVIEW

Despite the high praise I kept hearing for Operation Mincemeat, I honestly wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this British musical about a real-life World War II secret mission. Luckily, the good word-of-mouth and the cast’s performance at this year’s Tony Awards convinced me to head to the Golden Theatre during my recent trip to New York City, and I ended up having an incredible night at the theatre.

In addition to the daily rush and lottery options available for discounted tickets, there is a monthly draw on the Operation Mincemeat website. You can enter your email and receive a coupon code to buy tickets for $79.00. I purchased a seat in Orchestra Center in Row C at this price, which was amazing because the face value of the ticket is $199.00. I absolutely loved sitting up close to the stage, as the actors have a powerful stage presence that is instantly captivating.

Speaking of which, don’t let this cast of five actors fool you – they are each playing several characters! Not only do they all have amazing vocals, but their acting ability is incredible. You can see the physical transformation take place when they switch characters. It’s really quite impressive! I especially loved when David Cumming would go from the shy and awkward Charles Cholmondeley to one of his other roles. The switch was immediate and noticeable, allowing the audience to follow the story even if the action is constantly on-the-go.

Moreover, what I love most about Operation Mincemeat is the energy. The show is replete with upbeat and fun songs that are downright goofy (All the Ladies is a personal favorite!). Yet the show leaves room for truly heartfelt moments, such as Dear Bill sung by Jak Malone, which brought me to tears. Operation Mincemeat doesn’t take itself seriously, but it still leaves room to tell this story respectfully. For instance, I connected with the character of Jean Leslie (Claire-Marie Hall), who just wants her intelligence to be useful in a male-dominated workplace. Plus, I have to be honest, I love anything that has a boy band parody moment!

The set itself is functional yet not over-the-top. I see the set as more of a tool for the actors to tell the story to the audience, rather than just being decorative. There are cleverly placed doors, maps, and phones, for example, that allow for smooth transitions between scenes. Yet an elaborate set is not needed for Operation Mincemeat with the focus of the musical being the actors themselves.

At the end of the day, I left the theatre with a big smile on my face wanting to immediately go down a Google rabbit hole to learn about the real Operation Mincemeat. There are few experiences that make me think “this is theatre” when the curtain falls, and this show accomplishes that easily. Do I think this show is for everyone? No, I think more traditional theatergoers may not understand nor appreciate the comedy of the show, especially considering the topic. Yet if you are looking for a fresh take on a historical story that is told in a unique way, I highly recommend this show. This is certainly one that I would not hesitate to repeat attend.

STAGE DOOR

The Stage Door at the Golden Theatre is directly to your left when you exit. There were barricades set up, and the cast quickly began trickling out to sign Playbills and take selfies with those who asked. All five actors came out to sign (FYI – I saw understudy Amanda Jill Robinson go on for the roles typically played by Zoë Roberts) , and they were all so nice and down to earth. The audience members were also very respectful, and it was fun to hear that many of the fans have seen the show multiple times to try to catch all the understudies! We also got to say hi to some of the actors from The Outsiders, who walked by from the Jacobs Theatre next door.

See my vlog from Operation Mincemeat on Instagram HERE.

Broadway Review | Mamma Mia!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Mamma Mia!

Playing at Winter Garden Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? $45.00 In Person Rush Tickets and $49.00 Digital Lottery Tickets

What I Paid: $99.50

My Rating: ★★★ 1/2

Official Website: https://mammamiabway.com/

A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Mamma Mia!, the worldwide musical phenomenon, comes home to Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre for a special limited return engagement beginning August 2nd.

The international musical sensation that has kept audiences dancing in the aisles for 25 years. Mamma Mia! is the Broadway getaway that audiences can’t wait to escape to, and this August it returns to the Winter Garden Theatre for a special limited engagement. You already know you’re gonna love it – get your tickets today.

REVIEW

When I found out that Mamma Mia! was returning to Broadway for a strictly limited engagement, I knew I had to be there. Regrettably, I missed this show during its original run, as I figured it would run long enough for me to catch it when I was ready. I have since learned not to put off shows you want to see, as you never know when they will close. Thankfully, the North American tour is making a 6-month stop at the Winter Garden through February 1, 2026, and I was able to catch it during my most recent trip to New York City.

I purchased a Center Orchestra ticket in Row H at TKTS for 50% off at $99.50. This is a full view seat, and I am very happy I got such a great deal on what was otherwise a hefty ticket price. That being said, this show has not been on TKTS consistently, so I do recommend purchasing tickets in advance if Mamma Mia! is a must see for you. I will say that I have sat in the very last row of the orchestra at the Winter Garden before without a bad view.

If you are familiar with the Mamma Mia! movie adaptation, the storyline of the Broadway show is very similar with a few small differences here and there. The music is, of course, absolutely wonderful. The cast is all exceptionally talented, but I especially loved Donna (Christine Sherrill), Tanya (Jalynn Steele), and Rosie (Carly Sakolove). These women are killing it with their powerful vocals, stage presence, and comedic timing. Sophie, played by Amy Weaver, is also a highlight with her beautiful voice. Similarly, the Mamma Mia! band is incredible. I will warn you, though: the opening to Act 2 after intermission starts so loudly and abruptly that the entire audience jumped, and many people screamed from being startled!

While I had heard a fair amount of negativity online about the set, as someone who never saw the original production of Mamma Mia!, I did not find the set to be lacking at all, especially when considering this revival run is part of the tour. Though simple, the set is bright and functions well for the show. In fact, it allows for the choreography with the large ensemble cast to really shine. If you enjoy shows with big dance numbers, Mamma Mia! has some really fun ones, such as Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Probably the only thing that detracted from my enjoyment of the show was not the show itself, but the audience. Since Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical, I was afraid that people would be singing along. While that did happen a bit, what was worse was the talking! The family to my left was from Europe, and the father translated nearly the entirety of the show to his teenager. Similarly, the couple to my right also spoke at many points. This unfortunately was quite distracting, but at a big touristy musical like Mamma Mia!, it is to be expected.

That being said, I overall thoroughly enjoyed seeing Mamma Mia! on Broadway. This show is a great mix of upbeat, show-stopping numbers that are full of fun, all with tenderhearted moments between a mother and her daughter mixed into the plot. In a day in age where the real world can feel overwhelmingly bleak, Mamma Mia! is the perfect way to spend a few hours of your day having the time of your life!

STAGE DOOR

The Stage Door at the Winter Garden is directly opposite the theatre’s main entrance. You will find barricades set up on 7th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. Although I attended a Wednesday matinee performance, Mamma Mia! did not have an evening show, and to my delight and surprise nearly the entire cast came out to sign Playbills and take selfies with audience members. This was a wonderful Stage Door experience, as the fans were all polite and respectful, and the performers were all super friendly. While I don’t know if the cast comes out for matinees on two-show days, I would recommend stopping by the Stage Door if you have time.

See my vlog from Mamma Mia! on Instagram HERE and learn more about my experience buying tickets on TKTS HERE!

Broadway Review | Just in Time

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Just in Time

Playing at Circle in the Square Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? $40.00 In Person Rush Tickets

What I Paid: $199.00

My Rating: ★★★★

Official Website: https://justintimebroadway.com/

Tony Award® winner Jonathan Groff (Merrily We Roll Along, Hamilton) is back on Broadway and is “onstage perfection” (Chicago Tribune) as Bobby Darin, the legendary singer whose short but remarkable life took him from teen idol to global sensation. Developed and directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Beetlejuice), with a book by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver, Just In Time is an “utterly electrifying” (Entertainment Weekly) new musical that immerses audiences into an intimate nightclub “so seductive in ambiance that you find yourself not wanting to go back outside” (Chicago Tribune). Complete with iconic Bobby Darin hits including “Beyond the Sea,” “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash,” and “Dream Lover,” Just In Time is “a helluva good time at the theater” (Time Out).

REVIEW

If not for Jonathan Groff starring in this bio-jukebox musical chronicling the life and career of Bobby Darin, I would not have spent a Tuesday night in the basement of Wicked. Thankfully, Groff was enough to lure me to the Circle in the Square for a one-of-a-kind Broadway experience that will always have a special place in my heart.

I purchased a full price ticket in advance directly from the box office online, as Just in Time has been selling over capacity consistently since its run began. Since this theatre is set up primarily in the round, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. I was in Row F on the left side of the main stage, and had a fully, unobstructed view. The cast also moves around the entire floor section quite a bit throughout the show, so many audience members have the opportunity to be in the Groff “splash zone” at one point or another. If you do choose to splurge on table seats, the actors will likely interact with you, and you will essentially be part of the show.

Similarly, the set and theatre really create a unique experience for Broadway-goers. From the moment you walk into the nightclub-like set-up, you feel as if you have entered a different dimension. This is amplified by the show itself, as Groff breaks the fourth wall right from the start of the show by introducing himself as the actor who will be playing your Bobby Darin, and by sharing his personal connection to the music. Not only does this interaction create a special bond with the audience, but Groff goes so far as to outright mention how the magic of live theatre is encompassed in what happens inside the room at that specific moment, as it can never again be recreated in the same way. As someone who shares this sentiment, I found it quite emotional to hear these words out loud.

Moreover, the plot of Just in Time is similar to other musicals of the same vein, following the life of Bobby Darin while featuring his music throughout the show. While I did learn a lot about Darin, and found myself very touched at certain moments, I also felt myself thinking that this style of musical is overdone. Similar to The Neil Diamond Musical A Beautiful Noise, which I saw in 2023, the best moments of Just in Time are the big musical numbers. I’m not sure how I feel about these biographical shows focusing on people who yearn to be famous all while making questionable decisions, such as Darin essentially stealing from other artists in an attempt to gain popularity. Perhaps Just in Time is a good reminder that those musicians who seem larger than life are mere humans after all.

In the end, I left Just in Time grateful to have experienced a few hours in the presence of Jonathan Groff. He is in his element in this show, and it is clear he is born to be a performer. That being said, it will be interesting to see if Just in Time has a life outside of Groff. The show is, in many ways, built around him as a person, and likely requires some rewrites if another star steps into the leading role. Thus, if you have the opportunity (and the funds!) to see Just in Time, I do think Groff is worth the price of admission, and he is very well supported by a talented cast and band.

STAGE DOOR

The Stage Door at the Circle in the Square is directly to your left when you exit. There will be barricades set up around the perimeter, and security will keep you well informed along the way. We were told that some of the performers do sign Playbills, but that Jonathan has never come out at Stage Door. We were very fortunate to have four cast members sign our Playbills: Lance Roberts, Emily Bergl, Gracie Lawrence, and Ericka Henningsen. This Stage Door experience was not only well organized, but all of the audience members were polite and respectful. It was a great way to end the night.

See my vlog from Just in Time on Instagram HERE.

Musical Manicures | The Addams Family Inspired Nails

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Today I have the seventh installment of my Musical Manicures series, where I create a nail polish look inspired by a Broadway show that I’ve seen in the past. I began by picking a random musical out of a jar, and this time I got The Addams Family, which I saw in March of 2011. This was the first show that I saw during the semester I lived in New York City for an internship during my junior year in college, and it definitely kicked off a bit of a Broadway binge. I got a student rush ticket to The Addams Family, and paid $37.00 for a seat in the mid mezzanine. I also bought the souvenir program book, before I realized that it wasn’t sustainable to keep purchasing them on my college budget!

When I think back to my experience at The Addams Family, I remember really loving Jackie Hoffman’s comedic performance as Grandma. Otherwise, a lot of the show was forgettable to me. I recently listened to the Original Broadway Cast Recording, and I do enjoy the songs One Normal Night and Pulled. That being said, I looked back at my old blog from 2011, and I was surprised at how much I loved this show at the time. I completely forgot that this version of The Addams Family is set in current times, and featured a lot of pop culture references. All that to say, I think if you have the opportunity to see this show on tour or at a local theatre, it’s fun for the whole family, but not necessarily the best musical out there.

The products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Some links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

For my nails, I decided to create a look inspired by Morticia’s purple dress with black lace overlay. I began with a base of Zoya Lidia, which is a dark purple cream polish. To replicate the black lace, I used the Zoya Leopard Spots Topper, which is a special effects nail polish with a crackle design. I then used Holo Taco Glossy Taco to give the manicure a shiny finish and even out the layers. While you can definitely see the crackle effect in direct sunlight, the purple and black kind of blend in as one dark shade in natural lighting. While I am a bit disappointed that you can’t see a strong differentiation between the shades of polish, I still think I captured the essence of Morticia’s gown.

Moreover, it is also a lot of fun that I got to create a nail polish look based on more of a Halloween coded musical as we head into the fall season. I think dark purple is a great shade for this time of year, so I’m glad to wear it this week. Plus, I don’t think I’ve ever used the Zoya Leopard Spots Topper before, so it was fun to put that to use. My dark and vampy nails certainly match the theming of The Addams Family, too!

See more #MusicalManicures content on Instagram by viewing this week’s Reel video HERE!

Musical Manicures | Let It Be Inspired Nails

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Today I’m back with the sixth installment of Musical Manicures, the series where I combine my love of musical theatre with my love of nail polish by creating a nail polish look inspired by a Broadway show I’ve seen in the past. This week I picked out Let It Be from the jar of shows. Let It Be was a tribute show for The Beatles that played at the St. James Theatre. I saw it back in 2013 through a papering service I used to see Broadway shows on a budget. Essentially, in exchange for a $5.00 processing fee, I would get a comp ticket to the show. I remember the first time I used this service I thought it was a scam because I had to pick up my ticket from a man waiting outside the Starbucks at the Marriott Marquis. Luckily, this service was completely legitimate, and I ended up seeing a handful of shows for just $5.00, which was perfect for a student! Unfortunately, the service no longer exists in this format today, but it was great for me at the time.

As for the show itself, Let It Be essentially felt like a Beatles concert. As a lifelong Beatles fan, the show was a lot of fun for me, especially seeing all of the famous costumes and eras recreated throughout the show. That being said, I’ve seen many Beatles tribute shows in my life, and this one does tend to blend in with the others in my mind. In fact, I saw another Beatles tribute on Broadway around this same time, and I have difficulty differentiating between the two in my head. Nonetheless, I’m glad I got the opportunity to experience Let It Be, but I’m not sure it would have been worth the price of admission if I paid full price for my ticket.

The products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Some links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

For my manicure this week, my intention was to recreate the British flag on the cover of the Playbill. I grabbed Zoya Isley for the blue base, LVX Fantom for the white shade, and KBShimmer Chilly Pepper for the red. I was disappointed in my choice of blue nail polish right away, as Isley dried down to a deep navy blue that was darker than expected. I would recommend a brighter blue shade like Zoya Sia. I then decided to free hand the flag design on my ring finger for an accent nail. I should have used Scotch tape or nail art striping tape to create clean lines. Thus, the flag result is not as good as I would have liked, but I had to Let It Be!

While my manicure may not emulate the Playbill perfectly, I think it does fit the vision I had in mind. Plus, I will have another chance at Beatles nails at some point in this series when I get to Rain, the other Beatles tribute show I saw on Broadway. It’s times like these I wish I had better nail art skills, but it’s more about having fun than a perfect result… right?!

See more #MusicalManicures content on my Instagram with this week’s corresponding Reel!

Musical Manicures | La Cage aux Folles Inspired Nails

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Today I’m back with the fifth installment of my Musical Manicures series, where I create a nail polish look inspired by a Broadway show I’ve seen in the past. I love how this series not only lets me be creative in using my nail polish collection, but I get to revisit amazing musicals both old and new. This time I picked La Cage aux Folles out of the jar, a show I saw back in March 2011. I specifically wanted to see this musical because the movie The Birdcage is one of my favorites, and it is based on this storyline. I also really wanted to see the cast playing at the time, because I loved Christopher Sieber from the TV show Two of a Kind, and Wilson Jermaine Heredia who played Angel in the Original Broadway Cast of RENT.

La Cage aux Folles is one of those shows that I don’t remember in detail, but I do remember that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I refreshed my recollection by reading an old blog post I wrote, and the highlights to me were definitely the pre-show audience interaction with drag queen Lili Whiteass, as well as the fabulous dancing. Because I saw this show in college, I was able to buy a Student Rush ticket for only $36.50. This was my first experience in a box seat, which I quickly learned was a go-to area for rush seats since they are often some of the worst in the house. Luckily, this view wasn’t too obscured for me at the Longacre Theatre, and I loved being close to the actors!

The products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Some links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

For the manicure itself, I decided to recreate the pink neon lettering on the Playbill cover. I began by applying two coats of Zoya Chelsea, a light pink cream polish. This acted as the border of the neon letters. Then, I did a reverse French manicure by using Zoya Brinkley, a pink fuchsia polish. Although this nail polish technique looks really impressive, it’s actually quite easy to achieve because you paint your nails as you would normally, but you don’t go all the way to the edge so the color underneath shows on the sides. I made sure to let my manicure dry completely before adding Holo Taco Glossy Taco so the pink shades did not smudge.

I am really happy with how my La Cage aux Folles inspired manicure came out in the end! It’s a bit simple, but it captures the essence of the Playbill. The only thing I would have liked to add are feather details, as the show features feather boas, feather headpieces, and feather fans as well. I found these nail stickers online that would work perfectly, but you could also freehand the feathers if you are good with nail art painting. Now that I am dabbling in nail art a bit more, I may have to restock my supplies!

Want an inside look into the La Cage aux Folles Playbill? Watch this week’s corresponding Instagram Reel HERE.

Regional Theatre Review | Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

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Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Played at American Repertory Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? Digital Lottery was available on TodayTix

What I Paid: $93.00

My Rating: ★★★★

Official Website: https://twostrangersmusical.com/

An original, new musical comedy about timing, connections, and unexpected detours.

Meet Dougal, an impossibly upbeat Brit who has just landed in New York City for the first time to attend the wedding of the father he’s never met. Meet Robin, the sister of the bride and a no-nonsense New Yorker with a lot of errands to do for the bride—including picking up the groom’s estranged son from the airport.

These two strangers begin their journey together navigating New York City, secrets, and second chances. The Boston Globe raves Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is “IRRESISTIBLE! Clever, funny, and delightfully surprising!”

REVIEW

After concluding its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theatre (“A.R.T.”) in Cambridge, MA earlier this summer, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) has announced that it is opening on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre with previews beginning on November 1, 2025. Seeing this show during its first run on this side of the Atlantic was a priority for me, as I heard rave reviews not only from online theatre creators, but from people I know in real life as well. I was able to catch this romantic comedy during its closing weekend at A.R.T., and am excited to share my thoughts on this show with all of you.

Two Strangers follows Dougal, a young British man who visits New York City for the first time to attend his estranged father’s wedding, and Robin, the sister of Dougal’s soon-to-be stepmother who picks him up from the airport. While Dougal is energetic and excited, Robin is beat up by life and doesn’t have the time (or desire!) to play tour guide. What follows is a whirlwind adventure where this unlikely duo discovers they may be more compatible than they initially realized.

Our two-person cast consists of Sam Tutty as Dougal and Christiani Pitts as Robin. Tutty is an endearing and lovable cinnamon role as soon as he enters the stage. You can’t help but be enamored with his romanticized view of New York City. Pitts, on the other hand, is the perfect counterbalance. She feels authentically New York with her matter-of-fact demeanor. What is truly magnificent, however, is this duo’s chemistry. Tutty and Pitts play off one another seamlessly, both in the comedic scenes and the serious ones.

Moreover, the show itself is, overall, a joy to watch. The first act is filled with fun and excitement, with the closer “American Express” leaving me with a giant smile on my face. Things do take a bit of a turn in the second act, and my only real critique of the show is that some dark topics are introduced, but quickly glazed over. While those scenes do give the show a touch of reality, they also left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I almost wish Two Strangers leaned full on into its “rom-com” status, even if that means the story is a little too good to be true. Nonetheless, the musical wraps up beautifully, and I left with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face.

Finally, the set design at A.R.T. consisted of a turntable with larger-than-life luggage that easily transformed throughout the show to reveal different pieces of furniture and props. This was a clever set-up that functioned flawlessly as scenes transitioned from one to another. It will be interesting to see if this same design will be used on the Broadway stage. What is sure to be quite magical as Two Strangers heads to its namesake city is the setting. The show, set during the Christmas season, will open at the same time, and will play perfectly to both local New York City audiences and tourists alike. If you are looking for a cozy and celebratory musical to see this season, I highly recommend Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).

Watch my vlog of seeing Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) on Instagram HERE.

Musical Manicures | The Great Gatsby Inspired Nails

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Today I am back with the forth installment of my series Musical Manicures, where I create a nail polish look inspired by a random Broadway show I’ve seen. I was excited to pick The Great Gatsby out of the jar, as I knew immediately that I would get to incorporate glitter into this week’s look. I saw this show in November 2024, and was lucky enough to see the majority of the Original Broadway Cast, including Jeremy Jordan, Eva Noblezada, and Samantha Pauly. I think this show is perfect if you are looking for a big and dazzling Broadway experience. The costumes are beautiful, there is tap dancing, and you get to see an adaptation of a classic novel. There are some really cool technical elements as well!

This show is very tourist friendly, and I appreciate that they offer a Thursday matinee performance so you can fit even more musicals into your trips to New York City. I purchased my ticket from TKTS, and got a seat in the Left Orchestra for under $100.00. While it was great being up close, beware that the seats in the Broadway Theatre are very cramped. I will say that most of the big and exciting moments I had already seen online, since The Great Gatsby had several viral posts around the time the show opened. Nonetheless, seeing Samantha Pauly perform New Money live was a highlight for me. As such, I drew inspiration from her teal green costume in that song to create my manicure.

Some of the products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Some of the links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I decided to go with a skittle manicure this week featuring gold, black, and teal green polishes. I combined seven different nail polishes in this look, so I will list them out for you here and link them when still available for purchase:

  • Zoya Nail Polish Moki, a gold metallic polish
  • Zoya Nail Polish Willa, a black cream polish
  • Zoya Nail Polish Giovanna, an emerald green metallic polish
  • Milani Nail Lacquer Sprinkles, a black and white glitter topper
  • Zoya Nail Polish Vienna, a gold metallic polish with holo glitters
  • Amy’s Nail Boutique Oh Teally?, a teal glitter topper
  • Holo Taco Gold Flake Taco, a gold glitter topper

I began my manicure by alternating amongst Moki, Willa, and Giovanni as a base shade, and then I alternated glitters on top. I completed the look with two layers of Holo Taco Glossy Taco for a high shine finish.

Overall, I am really happy with how my manicure looks. I think it matches the vibe of the Playbill cover, and the color scheme works really well together. It’s funny how just adding a glitter topper to your nails can really elevate your manicure and make it look fancy! Plus, I got to reach for so many polishes in my collection that I haven’t used in a while. Even if you do not have the same shades I do, you can certainly create something similar with your own stash. No nail art expertise is required for this look either! I will definitely enjoy my sparkly nails this week.

Join me on Instagram to see the behind the scenes of this manicure HERE!

Musical Manicures | Hamilton Inspired Nails

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It’s time for the third installment of Musical Manicures, the series where I create a nail polish look inspired by a Broadway show I’ve seen in the past. This week I was surprised to pick Hamilton out of the jar, as the musical is celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary in just a few days! I saw the show on Broadway in January 2024 for free by using my credit card rewards points. I got a sketchy link in my email to access my ticket and was worried it would be fake, but luckily it was from a group ticket sales platform and I had an amazing seat in the front mezzanine! It was so exciting to be in the room where it happens after so many years.

While I may be late to the party when it comes to Hamilton, I’m so glad I finally saw the show. I was honestly shocked to find tears streaming down my face as the show came to a close. The cast does an amazing job of performing such a difficult show. I still cannot get over how talented they are to rap and sing the score! If you haven’t experienced Hamilton yet, I highly recommend it whether you can see it on Broadway, on tour, or via the proshot on Disney+. I think this show will remain a powerful force on Broadway for years to come!

Some of the products in this post were originally sent for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Now it’s time to show you the Hamilton inspired manicure I created. I wanted to match the gold and bronze background of the Playbill cover, so I began with Zoya Nail Polish Moki and Amara, which are metallic nail polishes. The cover goes from light and fades to dark on the bottom, so I created the same affect by using the saran wrap nail art technique to adjust the shade of polish on each nail, as well as give the nails a textured effect. I attempted to recreate the Hamilton star logo on my ring finger, but pivoted after two failed attempts. Instead, I used a black nail polish and a dotting tool to write “10” to celebrate the anniversary, and did dots around the perimeter to mimic the stars on the current Hamilton logo. I unfortunately smudged my top coat right at the end, but I still think the look came together well!

Overall, while I struggled to achieve my desired manicure result this week, I think I was still successful in capturing the essence of the Hamilton Playbill. In fact, I think the metallic polishes are quite a close match in terms of color! How fun to randomly choose this show out of the jar when it has such a big celebration this week, too! You’ll have to let me know in the comments if you are also a Hamilton fan, as I would love to know.

Join me on Instagram to see this week’s corresponding Reel with an inside look of the Playbill HERE.

Holo Taco Missed-Shift Nail Polish Review

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Last fall it was announced that the nail polish brand Holo Taco, created by Cristine of Simply Nailogical, would be offering some of its polishes at Ulta. I was so excited because I shop at Ulta regularly, both in store and online. I immediately placed an order for a Holo Taco polish that had been on my wish list for a while. As expected, I fell in love with it immediately. This post will share my review of Missed-Shift with all of you, and also mention why I will be buying Holo Taco from Ulta whenever I can.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Missed-Shift is a multichrome polish that shifts from green to purple on the nails. It has an excellent formula that is opaque in two coats. You can see some visible brush strokes, but that is common with this type of formula. That being said, I absolutely love this nail polish! Missed-Shift looks so cool on the nails, and I enjoy admiring the color shift based on different angles and lighting. I always appreciate when a nail polish can look very elevated without the need for any special application or removal process.

Another thing I noticed with Missed-Shift is the wear time. The above photo was after a few days of wear, and there was barely any noticable tip wear. I also wanted to share this photo because you can really see the multichrome effect in the lighting. I had a lot of fun with this manicure, and I think I need to reach for this polish again soon.

As you can see, not only am I happy with the performance of Missed-Shift, which can be purchased on Ulta’s website for $16.00, but I am so glad I can shop for select Holo Taco products at Ulta now. Although this polish is $2.00 more when purchased from Ulta, I almost always have a coupon. Additionally, shipping is free with any Ulta order over $35.00, but the free shipping threshold on Holo Taco’s website is $59.00. Finally, I also like that I can earn Ulta rewards points on these purchases, since I don’t shop enough from Holo Taco’s website to earn many rewards points from them. For all these reasons, I plan to buy Holo Taco products from Ulta whenever the item I’m purchasing is available there.

You can see what products are available for sale on Ulta’s website HERE.