Nail Polish Reviews – Page 16 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Nail Polish Reviews

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!

OMGNailStrips Nail Polish Strips Review | In the Navy & Jelly Beans

Posted on April 8, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of two sets of nail polish strips from the brand OMGNailStrips. I recently heard about this brand of more affordable nail strips, and was excited when I got the opportunity to review them for all of you. I think nail strips are a great option for travel, or for those of us (like me!) who aren’t nail art masters but still want a fun nail design. Let me go ahead and show you the two designs I got to test out.

First up is In the Navy, a set containing a mix of blue, white, and black themed strips with a nautical theme. I followed the application instructions to apply the strips (you can read them HERE). Unfortunately, I did not have a good experience. First, these strips have a very strong skunk-like smell as soon as I opened the package, and it lingered even after I took a shower. I do not want to go around with smelly nails! I also had found that these strips did not fit my nails well, with the smallest strip being too big for my pinky. In addition, I also experienced substantial tip wear and chipping after one day of wear.

Next, I tried Jelly Beans. I hoped to wear these strips for Easter, since I loved the fun design. Alas, I had even more issues with this set. Thankfully, there was no smell to these strips, but there was a stickiness problem. The strips broke upon application, and they did not want to stick to my nails. I thought that they would stay put after I applied top coat, but a few hours after application I washed a few dishes and the strips literally slid right off my nails when I dried my hands. You read that correctly – the strips slid off hours after application. I couldn’t believe it!

I also want to mention that with both sets of nail strips I experienced an odd issue after applying a top coat as suggested by OMGNailStrips. When I would apply top coat, the edges of the nail strips would stick up right off my nail! You can see it pretty clearly in the photos, especially with the In the Navy set.

It’s always difficult for me to write a less than positive review, but of course I want to share my honest feelings and experiences with all of you. I did reach out to OMGNailStrips last week with my issues before posting this review, but have not heard back. I’m very disappointed in both the quality of the nail strips and the lack of customer service I received after contacting them with questions about the problems I had. If I do hear back, I will be sure to update you both in this blog post and on social media. OMGNailStrips retail for $7.99 each, but have specials for 5 packs for $25 or 10 packs for $45. They can be purchased with free shipping on the brand’s website HERE. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this brand from my experience.

Have you tried OMGNailStrips?! Please share your thoughts 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 | Illamasqua Rampage

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

Happy Manicure Monday! This week the Alphabet Challenge continues with the letter I, and I dug through my nail polish stash for a brand that qualifies. I totally forgot about the two Illamasqua nail polishes that I own! I purchased them in the summer of 2012 when I first began this blog. I decided to grab Rampage today, and share this lovely polish with all of you.

Rampage is a dark green polish with a jelly formula. It is opaque in two coats, and can be used for layering in jelly sandwich manicures. The application is great, but I do recommend some extra time for drying due to the jelly finish – it is easily dinged! Rampage is a perfect fall color, but can of course be worn at any time of year. I love the deep pigmentation with this one.

All in all, I’m happy I splurged on Illamasqua Rampage back in my early blogging days! I’ve used it quite a bit over the years, but this is the first time I’ve posted a proper swatch for all of you. This polish is no longer sold at Sephora (where I purchased it), but is still available on Illamasqua’s website HERE for £14.50. If you are able to find this one, I highly recommend it! Please be sure to let me know your favorite Illamasqua shades in the comments!

Manicure Monday | SquareHue High School Crush

Posted on March 23, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! It’s time for me to show you the next polish in the Alphabet Challenge. We are on H this week, and I decided to pick up High School Crush from the brand SquareHue. I purchased this polish in a Facebook nail polish group right after its release in February 2013. I absolutely loved the color when I saw it online, but heard bad things about the formula after purchasing it and was scared to try it for myself. I decided it was time to put it to the test!

High School Crush is a beautiful pale pink creme polish. The formula was unfortunately horrible for me – I needed three coats to achieve opacity, and I experienced a lot of streaking and patchiness. When I added a top coat, the polish did look much better, but I still don’t want to work with it again. This will definitely be a destash for sure.

Before I wrap up this post, I do want to mention that I first tried SquareHue back in December of 2012 when the brand launched. You can read all about that experience HERE. I did enjoy those polishes, so even though High School Crush is a flop for me, I don’t want to claim the entire brand is bad quality. In fact, it’s definitely a fabulous and affordable polish line – you get three polishes a month in this subscription service for just $14.99! You can learn everything you need to know about SquareHue on the company’s website HERE. Please let me know in the comments if you are a SquareHue subscriber and what you think of it!

Manicure Monday | Julep Florence

Posted on March 9, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! Last week all of you were so helpful when I asked if you knew of any nail polish brands that began with the letter F. Unfortunately, I didn’t own any of those brands (which I know is hard to believe)! I searched through my collection and finally found a polish whose name begins with an F, so I decided that would have to suffice for this week’s entry into the Alphabet Challenge! Let me show you Julep Florence!

Florence is a beige nude polish with a creme formula. It applies well in two coats, but is a bit on the streaky side. I received Florence in my Julep Maven box way back in September 2013 (see that post HERE) and haven’t used it since then! I do really like this shade with my skin tone, but the formula definitely wasn’t the best. Nonetheless, I’m glad I was able to use it again for the Alphabet Challenge!

I have decided to destash Florence, as I have plenty of other nude polishes in my collection with better formulas. As I sit here looking at how gorgeous Florence is in the photos, though, I’m almost rethinking my decision! If I wasn’t so desperate to shrink my polish collection before I move in a few months, I’d definitely hang onto this one. What do you think – is Florence a keeper for you?!

This post contains an affiliate banner. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.