Nail Polish Reviews – Page 15 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Nail Polish Reviews

Manicure Monday | Urban Outfitters Bright Lights

Posted on June 29, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! The alphabet challenge continues with the letter U today, and I decided to go for one of my beloved Urban Outfitters polishes. Urban Outfitters has quite an extensive nail polish line, and they keep up with trends in the polish world quite well. Plus, they often go on clearance, and I’ve snagged plenty for under a dollar! I shared some of my favorite Urban Outfitters polishes on Possibly Polished a couple years back in a guest post (see that post HERE), but I thought I would share Bright Lights with all of you here, too.

Bright Lights is a jelly polish that has an off-white base filled with multicolored hexagonal glitters and a slight blue shimmer. It is on the sheer side, but I love the look I get in three coats. Plus, Bright Lights is very versatile, and can be worn layered over regular polishes as well. It also reminds me of cake frosting with sprinkles!

All in all, Bright Lights is an all-around great polish. Wearing it again definitely makes me want to visit Urban Outfitters and check out what’s in stock right now. The best part is, Urban Outfitters’s polishes are fabulous and affordable at just 2 for $8! I think that’s quite the bargain, especially considering how often they release new collections. You can shop in store or online HERE. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your favorite Urban Outfitters polishes are!

July 4th Nail Art featuring Sally Hansen Insta-Dri

Posted on June 25, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! July 4th is just around the corner, and today I have some red, white, and blue polishes from Sally Hansen Insta-Dri to share with you. These polishes are part of a new, limited edition collection that is hitting drugstores this July. I decided that in addition to my usual review I would try my hand at some tie dye nail art. Let me go ahead and share these patriotic polishes with you!

First up is Tag, Ur It! a white creme polish. Tag, Ur It! has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. This is an amazingly glossy polish, and I’m impressed with the formula! I’ve already worn this twice – once for nail art and once alone. It’s perfect for summer.

Next up is Vandal Eyes, a sky blue polish. Vandal Eyes has a great formula as well, and is opaque in two coats. It is difficult to catch on camera, but there is a slight holographic shimmer in this one. I didn’t even notice the shimmer until the polish had dried on my nails. It is stunning!

Last but not least is Quick Brick, a true red creme polish. Quick Brick is my favorite of the bunch! It has an incredible formula, and is nearly a one coat polish. I think this is my new favorite red! It is a must have in your collection.

I wanted to use these colors for some July 4th nail art, so I went to Pinterest for inspiration. I found THIS tie dye pin and decided to go for it! It was a bit harder than I expected, but I think it turned out pretty cool! I love how the red and blue mixed together. I’ll definitely ned to test out this nail art technique some more!

All in all, Sally Hansen does it again with another great limited edition polish line. These polishes hit drugstores in July, so keep an eye on the displays. Whether you are looking for some July 4th colors, or simply some fast-drying polishes, these are a win! Be sure to let me know in the comments what you’ll be wearing on your nails for July 4th!

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

Manicure Monday | Sally Hansen XtremeWear in Blue Me Away!

Posted on June 15, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! I can’t believe we’re nearing the end of the Alphabet Challenge! This week the letter S is up, and of course I had to reach for one of my favorite brands, Sally Hansen. I’ve been a huge Sally Hansen fan for years and years, way before I ever started blogging. I decided to feature one of the oldest polishes in my collection this week. Let me go ahead and show you Blue Me Away!

Blue Me Away! is a beautiful blue creme polish that is bright yet subdued at the same time. It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, and is super shiny without top coat. I am so impressed with how this nail polish has stood up to time! My bottle is about half empty at this point, but Blue Me Away! is still going strong. The best part is the XtremeWear line is really affordable, usually around $3.00 at the drugstore. It’s one of my favorite nail polish lines of all time.

All in all, I’m loving Blue Me Away! just as much as I did years ago when it first became part of my nail polish collection. Sally Hansen was one of the inspirations for my blog’s tagline – “Your Guide to Fabulous and Affordable Nails.” I’ve always loved finding a great bargain, and no matter how many nail polishes I get to test, Sally Hansen will be a staple in my collection. You can find Blue Me Away! at your local drugstore or department store. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your favorite XtremeWear polish is!

NYC New York Color Strip Me Off Base Coat Review

Posted on June 13, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I have a review of the new Strip Me Off Base Coat from NYC New York Color. I got the opportunity to test this base coat out for all of you, and I have to say I was very intrigued with the product. It is designed to peel off of your nails so you can remove your manicure without using nail polish remover. I did some testing, and let me show you how it works!

STEP BY STEP PROCESS

Here is what the base coat looks like upon application. It goes on as a thick white color, and then begins to separate and dry. At first I thought I got a wonky bottle, but that’s how the product works! Don’t be alarmed if it looks strange when you put it on. You can see how my pinky and ring fingers have more transparent patches than my pointer finger, and that’s because the base coat changes as it dries. I have to say it reminds me of school glue!

Here is what the base coat looks like when fully dry. Unfortunately, the dry time is about 5-7 minutes, which is a very long time for base coat. As you can see, there were a few patches that didn’t fully dry. This happened to me every time I tested the base coat. Luckily, it doesn’t affect your overall manicure. I simply patted these bits down to make sure they were flat and dry, then added my nail color.

I tested Strip Me Off with both glitter polishes and regular nail colors. I found that glitters work the best, as they peel off in one big sheet. Regular nail polishes will peel off as well, but it does break up in smaller pieces. Nonetheless, it’s so cool that you can use this base coat with any polish you have. I decided to feature Shimmer Polish in Karen in this post!

Finally, here are my nails after I peeled off the base coat! I’m so impressed with how clean my nails look. They aren’t damaged at all – no scratches or residue are left on my nails. It was definitely refreshing to just peel off my polish and not have to get out the acetone. No smell and no fuss!

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

All in all, the NYC New York Color Strip Me Off Base Coat is a great product. It works properly, and with a price tag of just $1.99 I’m amazed with the results. I will say that I do not like how long it takes for this base coat to dry, but on the flipside, it saved me 10-15 minutes when I went to remove my glitter manicure. I don’t think I would use this base coat regularly, but I am going to use it whenever I have on a glitter manicure. It’s just so convenient! You can find Strip Me Off at your local drugstore or department store. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be picking this up!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Madam Glam Nail Polish Review | 4 Shades

Posted on June 4, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I am excited to share with you four nail polishes from the online store Madam Glam. This online boutique reached out to me and asked if I would like to review some of its products for all of you. When I took a look at what the store had to offer, I had to say yes! Madam Glam sells nail polish in addition to other makeup products. All nail polishes are 5-free and vegan, which is really awesome. Let me go ahead and show you the four shades I tested!

First up is So Nude, a peach-based nude with orange and gold shimmer. So Nude has a watery formula, so I recommend three thin coats for the best results. I thought So Nude was going to be a creme based off the Madam Glam website, but I’m pleasantly surprised with the shimmer. It adds a little something extra to an otherwise neutral polish.

Next up is Lucky Bamboo, a bright pistachio green polish. I unfortunately had a lot of trouble with Lucky Bamboo. It was thick, streaky, and on the goopy side. I layered about 2-3 coats on each nail until I got a clean look. I absolutely love the color of this polish, but I’m disappointed with the formula. I wouldn’t recommend this one unless you really, really wanted this color of nail polish.

Ibiza is the next polish I tried, and it is a blue-green polish with a holographic shimmer. Ibiza has a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m absolutely loving this one! It’s so beautiful for summer, and is just a stunning color. I can’t wait to put this on again!

Last but not least is Midnight, a deep purple creme polish. Midnight also has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. It is richly pigmented, and I’m loving this tone of purple. I think this is a perfect fall color, but can of course be worn any time of year. Midnight is also super shiny without a top coat!

All in all, I’m so glad I got the chance to test out some Madam Glam polishes! While one wasn’t so great, three were awesome! I would definitely try out more in the future, and I’d like to try out some of the other products they offer in the future as well. Madam Glam is a higher end brand, with each polish retailing for $10.95 each on its website HERE. If you purchase 4 or more products, use the code 40OFF at checkout to receive 40% off your order! Talk about great savings!

Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried anything from Madam Glam! If not, what is at the top of your wish list?!

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

Zoya Nail Polish Paradise Sun Collection for Summer 2015

Posted on June 1, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! It’s time for the second review of Zoya Nail Polish’s summer collections! The Paradise Sun Collection contains six shimmer polishes that are jam-packed with lots of sparkle that is sure to glimmer in the sunlight. The shades correspond beautifully with the Island Fun creams (see that review HERE), or go well alone, too. Let me go ahead and share the glittery goodness with you!

First up is Genesis, a beautiful pearlescent white polish. Genesis has a good formula, and I recommend three thin coats for the perfect, opaque finish. I love how beautiful the shimmer is in this one – it’s subtle at first, but powerful when the light hits it perfectly!

Next up is Selene, a teal polish with aqua shimmer. This one reminds me of a mermaid! It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, too. Selene is typically darker than I usually go in the summer, but I like that Zoya went for an edgier feel this year!

Oceane is next, and it’s a turquoise polish with a pearlized shimmer. Oceane has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It is truly a beautiful ocean blue!

If you’re a purple fan, you need Isa in your collection! Isa is a blue-based purple with an aqua shimmer. It is beyond stunning, and has the perfect formula that is opaque in two coats. I love how multi-dimensional Isa is. It’s nearly a holographic polish!

My favorite in the collection is Mae, a magenta pink. Mae is a sheer polish, so I recommend three thin coats. My nail line was still a bit visible in three coats, but I like the coverage I got. Mae is so fun and girly!

Last but not least is Aphrodite, a red-orange polish with red shimmer. Aphrodite also has a sheer formula, but I achieved opacity in three thin coats. I’m not a big fan of red nail polishes, but this one sure is nice. If you love reds, you should check out Aphrodite for sure!

All in all, Zoya delivers once again with the Paradise Sun Collection! I’m definitely a cream formula girl, but I have to say these shimmers are just beautiful for summer. I highly recommend Mae and Isa, though all of these polishes are top notch. You can buy them directly from Zoya’s website HERE for $9 each. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be buying any of these polishes!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Review Policy for more information.

Zoya Nail Polish Island Fun Collection for Summer 2015

Posted on May 30, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! It’s one of my favorite times of the year! I love whenever Zoya Nail Polish releases a new collection, and this summer I have two collections to share with you. First up is the Island Fun Collection, which contains six cream formulas in highly pigmented shades. Let me show you these stunning polishes (and stay tuned for the shimmers in my next review)!

First up is Jace, what Zoya calls a tropical green. Jace has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m not sure what I make of this green shade! I think I am a bit too pale for it, but if you have dark skin this one will look stunning on you. Jace will definitely be great for nail art, too!

Next up is Cecilia, a gorgeous teal polish. Cecilia also has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m loving how rich this color is! Plus, it’s a shade that can be worn all year long from summer through next spring. Look at how shiny Cecilia is even without top coat, too!

Zoya Talia is up next, and is a beautiful turquoise shade that definitely leans towards blue. Talia does have a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats, but I recommend a healthy layer of base coat with this one because it is prone to staining. Nonetheless, I am truly impressed with the rich pigmentation in this polish! It’s so much fun!

Next is Serenity, a blue-toned purple polish. Serenity has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats, but this one had a bit of a skunk odor to it. I’m willing to forgive the strong scent because the color is just amazing. I’m obsessing over this unique purple!

My favorite in the Island Fun Collection is Nana, a fuchsia polish. I’m drooling over Nana’s perfect formula and beautiful coloration. Whether you’re going to work or hitting the beach, this polish is appropriate for every occasion. It’s definitely a must-have!

Last but not least is Demetria, a bright red-orange polish. While I’m not loving this color with my complexion, I am loving the formula! It’s a smooth application that is opaque in two coats. What more could you want?!

All in all, I’m loving the Zoya Island Fun Collection! Zoya always gets cream formulas right. I think it’s fun that Zoya went with such deeply pigmented shades for the summer, since it’s something different for our nail polish collections! My top recommendation is Nana, but you can’t go wrong with any of these shades. You can purchase the Island Fun Collection on Zoya’s website HERE for $9 each. Let me know which polishes you’ll be picking up in the comments!

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

Manicure Monday | OPI Louvre Me Louvre Me Not

Posted on May 18, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! I can’t believe we’re already on to the letter O in the Alphabet Challenge. Time flies when you’re having fun! This week I reached for an OPI classic that I’ve had in my collection for years now. My mom gave me Louvre Me Louvre Me Not as a gift years ago now, and it’s one that I used to use a lot. Let me show you this pretty purple!

Louvre Me Louvre Me Not is a beautiful purple polish with magenta shimmer. It has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats. I love the flat brush that OPI polishes have, and using this one made me want to expand my OPI collection. I definitely stay away from OPI because of its price tag, but I’ll have to make room for an OPI in my budget every now and then. I know I’ll always get a quality polish!

I’m so glad I got the change to use Louvre Me Louvre Me Not again. This polish was originally part of a limited edition collection, but is now available as part of the permanent line. You can purchase it on Amazon HERE for under $7.00! Make sure to let me know what your favorite OPI polishes are in the comments!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel | Limited Edition Poolside Paradise Collection

Posted on May 16, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am so excited to share with you new shades from the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel line. To celebrate summer, Sally Hansen created the Poolside Paradise Collection that contains seven polishes that are bright and colorful. I got the opportunity to test out five of the polishes from this collection, and I can’t wait to show them to you! They are so fun and vibrant!

I first tried out the Miracle Gel line when it was released last fall. You can find my thoughts on two fall shades HERE. Back then, I didn’t have the best of luck with the Miracle Gel top coat. That being said, each of the polishes have great formulas when worn alone, so in this blog post I am showcasing each polish without the Miracle Gel top coat. Please let me know in the comments if you would like a true wear test on any of these shades – I’d be happy to do so!

First up is Pink-a-Colada, a light pink that Sally Hansen describes as cotton candy! Pink-a-Colada has a sheer formula, but it builds up easily. I’m wearing two coats here, and I’m loving the shiny finish! I have a lot of light pinks in my collection, but nothing quite like this. I’m really impressed with Pink-a-Colada!

Next up is Life’s a Peach, a red-orange shade that is super bright to the point I’d label it neon! I have to say, Sally Hansen does peach nail polish right across its nail polish lines. Life’s a Peach has an incredible formula that is opaque in two coats, and it is just stunning. I’ve never met a peach I didn’t like from Sally Hansen!

If you’re looking for a yellow, check out Morning, Sunshine! This is a true yellow polish with a hint of green pigmentation as well. I layered on three coats with Morning, Sunshine!, as I found it to be a bit on the streaky side. Yellow polishes are difficult to get just right, but I’m happy with the end result of Morning, Sunshine!

Next is Dive Bar, a beautiful blue polish. Dive Bar has a perfect formula that applies well and is opaque in two coats. I love my blue polishes, and Dive Bar is no exception. This cool color will look great on anyone no matter the skin tone!

Last but not least is Rum Punch, a bright pink polish. Rum Punch is definitely my favorite of the collection! It has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats, and is just absolutely beautiful. I can see this being a staple in many nail polish collections, including my own!

All in all, I’m really loving the Poolside Paradise collection from Sally Hansen Miracle Gel. I’m so glad I got to test out these fun polishes for the summer and share them with you. I’d recommend any of the shades I’ve tried, but my top pick is definitely Rum Punch. You can find the limited edition Poolside Paradise collection at your local drugstore or department store for $9.99 each. What shades will you be getting?! Let me know in the comments!

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

Manicure Monday | ncLA As If + Miss Sunset Strip

Posted on May 11, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I’m all caught up with the Alphabet Challenge now, and I’m moving on to the letter N. I really had to dig in my collection to find an N brand, but then I found two purple polishes from ncLA that I thought would go perfectly together. ncLA is a boutique brand that makes 5-free polishes in the USA. I’ve never purchased directly from ncLA’s website, but over the years I’ve received a few bottles in subscription boxes. It’s been quite a while since I’ve put them to use!

I began today’s manicure with a base of As If, a pastel purple polish with a creme formula. As If is a bit on the streaky side, but because I was using it in a glitter manicure, it worked out just fine in two coats. If I was wearing it alone, I would layer on three very thin coats. To top of As If, I added one coat of Miss Sunset Strip, a clear base filled purple and silver hexagonal glitters. I love the formula of Miss Sunset Strip, as tons of glitters come out with one coat, and it applies really smoothly. These polishes go so well together!

All in all, I’m glad I reached for these ncLA polishes in my collection. I would not buy them regularly, as they retail for $16 each, but if you are looking for a splurge polish I think this is such a fun brand. If you sign up for the brand’s email list, you’ll be sent a 15% off coupon, so definitely snag that extra savings. You can shop online directly from ncLA HERE.

Have you tried ncLA? Let me know in the comments!