Category: Nail Polish Reviews

NYC New York Color Limited Edition Fashion Queen Collection | In a New York Minute Polishes

Happy Thursday! This fall the brand NYC New York Color released an amazing, limited edition line called the Fashion Queen Collection to bring runway style to the street. I got the opportunity to review the polishes, and can’t wait to share them with all of you. Today’s post will feature the three In a New York Minute shades that are designed to be quick-dry formulas. Let me show you these fall polishes!

NYC New York Color – Royal Chic NYC New York Color – Royal ChicFirst up is Royal Chic, a deep brown creme shade that reminds me of chocolate! Royal Chic has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I think this is quite a daring polish, but great if you want a deep polish that isn’t as harsh as a black. I also am impressed with the high-gloss finish Royal Chic has even without top coat!

NYC New York Color – Queen of the City NYC New York Color – Queen of the CityNext up is Queen of the City, a stunning burgundy polish with undertones of black. I am obsessed with Queen of the City! Not only is the formula amazing, but there is almost a duochrome effect in this polish. Queen of the City is the perfect polish for fall, and I feel super fabulous when wearing it!

NYC New York – Crown Gold NYC New York – Crown GoldLast but not least is Crown Gold, a yellow gold, metallic polish. Crown Gold also has an amazing formula and is opaque in two coats. This is one of my favorite gold polishes of all time. It looks so rich, and the pigmentation is great!

All in all, I’m really impressed with the three In a New York Minute polishes from the new Fashion Queen Collection. Of course, NYC New York Color is the perfect brand for those of us who are fabulous and affordable, since these polishes retail for just $1.99 each! You can purchase this line at your local drugstore or department store, so be sure to look for the limited edition display. Find a retailer near you by visiting the NYC New York Color website HERE. Stay tuned to see the six glitter polishes in this line – you don’t want to miss it!

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

Jordana Cosmetics Limited Edition Playful Pastels Collection

Happy Saturday! I received a surprise package from Jordana Cosmetics that contained a beautiful nail polish collection. I’ve only used one Jordana polish before, so I was really excited to test out some more. These polishes are extremely fabulous and affordable, and because the Playful Pastels is a limited edition line, I knew I had to share them with you as soon as possible. Let’s get started! Jordana – Baby Blue

Jordana – Baby BlueFirst up is Baby Blue, a polish that stays quite true to its name color wise! Baby Blue has a very sheer formula, and I needed four coats to achieve opacity. It was also very streaky, so this formula was a bit disappointing for me. The finished product is beautiful, though.

IMG_7549 Jordana – Pink Petunia Next up is Pink Petunia, a gorgeous true pink polish. Pink Petunia has a good formula that is opaque in three coats. I’m loving this shade of polish, and think it makes me look a bit tan for some reason. I think it’s due to it being a bit coral!

Jordana – Lively Lilac Jordana – Lively LilacThe next Playful Pastel is Lively Lilac, a nice purple shade. Lively Lilac has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m a big fan of lilac shades in the spring, so I’ll be sure to pull this one out again during that time of year. Of course, you can wear pastels all year long if you like!

Jordana – Whimsical White IMG_7567Whimsical White is definitely a must have in this line. It’s the perfect white that is opaque in two coats. I’m super impressed with Whimsical White, since white polishes are difficult to get just right. If you’re looking for an affordable white, go grab this one!

Jordana – Merry Mint Jordana – Merry MintOne of my favorites in this collection is Merry Mint, a pastel green that leans towards seafoam. Merry Mint has an awesome formula that is opaque in two coats. I love the flawless finish with this one! Plus, this color is great for fall.

Jordana – Sunsational Jordana – Sunsational Last but not least is Sunsational, a bright canary yellow polish. Sunsational is an awesome yellow that is opaque in two coats. I was really impressed with the formula, and loved the bright color right away. I don’t wear yellow polishes often, but I’ll remember this next time I want one!

All in all, the Jordana Cosmetics Playful Pastels Collection is a fun line, and a bit unexpected for fall. I definitely recommend this collection, though wish the formula on Baby Blue was better. My favorites are definitely Pink Petunia and Merry Mint. You can purchase the Playful Pastels Collection on Jordana’s website HERE for just $1.99 each! Will you be grabbing any of these limited edition shades? 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. 

Zoya Ignite Collection for Fall 2014

Happy Thursday! Earlier this week I reviewed the Zoya Entice Collection (full review HERE), which contains six creme polishes for fall. In addition to Entice, Zoya released a collection called Ignite. The Ignite Collection has six liquid metal polishes that are packed with shimmer and sparkle. If you love to rock a bit of glitz on your fingertips, the Ignite Collection is for you! Let me show you the six fiery polishes!

Zoya – Autumn Zoya – AutumnFirst up is Autumn, a copper shade with undertones of orange and gold. Autumn’s formula is great, and is opaque in two coats. I found that all of the Ignite polishes show a beautiful color payoff in one coat, but two coats were needed for opacity. Staying true to its name, I think Autumn is just perfect for this time of year!

Zoya – India Zoya – India Next up is India, a deep red with golden shimmer mixed throughout the base. India also has a great formula, and I found that it’s super pigmented. I think this polish is a great transitional shade from fall to winter as well.

Zoya – Teigan Zoya – TeiganTeigen is a beautiful cranberry shade with a copper shimmer, and is such a feminine polish. It looks flawless in two coats, too. I’d love to see this in a geometric manicure with it’s complimenting shade Veronica. Maybe I’ll do that in the future!

Zoya – Sansa Zoya – SansaSansa is the purple in this collection, and is what Zoya dubs “eggplant” with a gold shimmer. Sansa appears almost black, but the purple shade certainly shines through in the light. I think this polish would look great with one coat layered over a white base!

Zoya – Remy Zoya – RemyNext up is Remy, my favorite in the Ignite Collection! Remy is an indigo polish with gold and copper shimmer, but I love how blue-toned it is! The formula is flawless, and in two coats the finish is just stunning. I’m a bit obsessed with this one!

Zoya – Yuna Zoya – YunaLast but not least is Yuna, a grey polish copper and gold shimmer. Yuna is so sparkly that my camera had trouble focusing on it! Nonetheless, it’s a very rockstar polish, and is perfect to pair with your leather jacket this fall.

All in all, the Zoya Ignite Collection has six sparkly shades for fall! While cremes are much more my style, you can’t go wrong with any of these polishes! I’ll definitely be testing these out as accent nails and in nail art this fall. I can’t wait to put Remy back on very soon, in fact! You can purchase these polishes on the Zoya website HERE for $9 each. Which shades will you be purchasing?! 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. 

Zoya Entice Collection for Fall 2014

Happy Tuesday! I am super excited to share the first of the Zoya Nail Polish Fall collections with you today! I absolutely love creme nail polishes, and the Entice Collection contains six beautiful fall shades. Whether you prefer neutrals or darks, the Entice Collection has a shade that is perfect for you. Let me show you these stunning polishes!

Zoya – Nyssa Zoya – NyssaFirst up is Nyssa, a brown polish that reminds me of a cappuccino! Nyssa has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. In fact, I’m super impressed with all of the formulas in this collection! Nyssa in particular is perfect for a fall day, and can work great in nail art as well. If you’re not comfortable wearing brown alone, try it in an ombré with purple or red!

Zoya – Claire Zoya – ClaireNext up is Claire, a deep burgundy polish that has brown undertones in it. Claire is quite vampy, but applies easily with it’s awesome formula. It reminds me of the oxblood shade that is always popular in the fall, but even darker. For some reason Claire screams “high fashion” to me!

Zoya – Veronica Zoya – VeronicaVeronica is a lighter burgundy shade that Zoya describes as “red wine.” Veronica’s formula is spot on and opaque in two coats as well. I can definitely see this is an every day shade, and is appropriate for the office. Veronica is great for those of us who don’t rock deep and dark polishes, but still want a burgundy!

Zoya – Margo Zoya – MargoIf you love purple, check out Margo! This is a beautiful plum shade with a wonderful formula. Margo is unlike any other purple polish in my collection. I love the rich pigmentation, and I think it works well for any skin tone!

Zoya – Ryan Zoya – RyanNext up is Ryan, a stunning indigo polish and my favorite in the collection! I reached for Ryan as soon as I opened my box from Zoya. The formula is a dream, and I’m truly obsessed with any deep blue shades. I know Ryan will be on my fingers a lot this season!

Zoya – Genevieve Zoya – GenevieveLast but not least is Genevieve, a titanium grey polish. Genevieve looks like I dipped my nails in liquid metal! There is just the slightest shimmer in this polish that makes the finished look multidimensional. Genevieve is my second favorite in this line, and I put it right back on as soon as I was finished swatching! In fact, I’m wearing it as I type up this blog post!

All in all, I am loving everything about the Zoya Entice Collection! This is definitely one of my favorite nail polish collections of all time! I can see myself wearing each and every shade, and the creme formulas are just perfection. I highly recommend each and every polish! You can purchase the Entice Collection directly from the Zoya website HERE for $9 each. It’s worth the price tag 100%! Let me know in the comments which of the Entice Collection is your personal favorite!

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

Dare to Compare | Neon Yellow Nail Polish

Happy Wednesday! After tackling the orange nail polish in my collection, I moved onto the yellows and decided which ones I should keep. It turns out I owned three polishes in the neon yellow shade, so I tested each one to see if I could get rid of any as part of The Great Polish Destash. Let me show you the three neon yellows I had, and which I decided to keep.

Spoiled – Did I Dye It Too Blonde?First up is Spoiled in Did I Dye It Too Blonde? This is the first neon yellow I’ve ever purchased, and is also the most affordable. Spoiled sells for just $1.99 retail price at CVS stores, and even goes on sale for  $0.99! Did I Dye It Too Blonde? is a good polish, but very sheer. I’m wearing three coats in the photo above, and as you can see it is not opaque. I always wear a white base under a neon yellow to brighten the shade anyway, so a sheer formula isn’t a big factor in this round of Dare to Compare.

Milani Neon – Totally 80'sNext up is Milani Neon in Totally 80’s. I purchased this polish at the Street Fair Cosmetics booth here in NYC for just $1.00, but never wore it. I was happily surprised to find that Totally 80’s has a great formula, and decent coverage in two coats. This polish is actually retired now, so it would be difficult to find it in stores.

Julep – NikkiLast up is Julep in Nikki. I remember disliking Nikki when I first tested it out, but for some reason I liked it much better this time around! Nikki is definitely a more green-toned yellow, but the formula is great and nearly opaque in two coats. So far all of the polishes are seemingly great, so it’s going to come down to the side-by-side comparison!

Dare to Compare | Neon Yellow Polishes Dare to Compare | Neon Yellow Polishes

Once I tested out all three polishes it was clear that each shade is a little bit different. From left to right, I’m wearing the Spoiled, the Milani, and the Julep. I first decided to keep Spoiled Did I Dye It Too Blonde? because I’ve used up a significant part of that bottle, and I’ve had it since I started this blog. Then, I decided which of the two remaining polishes to destash. Because I’ve made a dent in the Julep polish, I decided to keep it as well. Milani’s Totally 80’s is a great polish to rehome, and because it is a retired shade, people might be looking for it. Thus, I decided to keep two out of three. Not too shabby!

All in all, I was surprised to have three neon yellow polishes in my collection, and even more shocked when each shade turned out to be a bit different. I’m glad I was able to get rid of one polish, and make my collection at least a little more manageable. Make sure to stay tuned for more Dare to Compare posts as The Great Polish Destash continues, and let me know what your favorite neon yellow polish is in the comments!

Dare to Compare | Julep Nina vs Zoya Arizona

Happy Thursday! If you’ve Liked my Facebook Page, you’ll know that I’ve begun a new project dubbed The Great Polish Destash. I will be moving at some point this year, so I want to go through my entire nail polish collection and get rid of polishes that I no longer want or need. My first step was to roughly organize my polishes by color, and now I’m going through those color families to find any dupes (aka duplicates). I decided to start with the organges, since I only had 20 orange polishes before I started my destash. Julep Nina and Zoya Arizona looked nearly identical in the bottle, so I had to test them out side by side to see how they compare.Dare to Compare | Julep Nina vs Zoya Arizona

Julep – NinaFirst up is Julep Nina, a bright orange creme that dries to a satin finish. Nina is opaque in three coats, and has a tacky formula. I do love the color and the finish, but the formula is a bit difficult.

Zoya – Arizona Next up is Zoya Arizona. This is also a bright orange creme, but it dries to a glossy finish. The formula is good, but a bit thin so I needed three coats for opacity. I got this cute mini size in a promotion Zoya did a while back. In fact, my friend Princess Polish made a bulk order and included this in it for me.

Julep Nina vs Zoya Arizona Julep Nina vs Zoya Arizona Here are side-by-side swatches of Julep Nina and Zoya Arizona. Nina is on my pinky and ring fingers, with Arizona on my middle and pointer fingers. I can barely tell any difference at all between the two! Because these polishes are nearly identical, I knew it would be safe to destash one of them. I considered formula as the biggest deciding factor, and decided to keep…. Zoya Arizona! The glossy finish and smooth formula truly won me over!

All in all, while both Nina and Arizona are great, bright orange polishes, there is no need to have both in my collection. If you’re looking for an orange, I definitely recommend Zoya Arizona. Not only is it more affordable at $9 versus Julep’s $14 price tag, but it’s got a great formula. With Halloween around the corner, you’ll want this shade for your pumpkin nail art!

Do you have a favorite orange?! Let me know what it is in the comments!

 

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Favorites & Final Thoughts

The Sheers | Pinks & Purples | Greens & Blues | Earth Tones | Reds | Glitters | Quick Dry Top Coat

Happy Wednesday! Well, friends, over the past couple weeks I’ve shared with you 37, brand new Milani polishes. I’ve thrown a lot of information at you, and if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the new Milani collection, I completely understand. That’s why I wanted to create this post for you. Here I will be sharing my own personal favorites in the Milani Color Statement line. These are the polishes that I most recommend, and plan on wearing often. I also wanted to give some of my final thoughts on the collection at the end of this post. Feel free to use the toolbar at the top of this page to see the entire range, but let’s get into my favorites!

FAVORITES

Milani – Doll FaceDoll Face [REVIEW]


Milani – Bombshell Bombshell [REVIEW]

Milani – Hot Pink RageHot Pink Rage [REVIEW]

Milani – Mauving Forward Mauving Forward [REVIEW]

Milani – Tattle TealTattle Teal [REVIEW]

Milani – Peri-WinkPeri-Wink [REVIEW]

Milani – Blue PrintBlue Print [REVIEW]

Milani – Silhouette Silhouette [REVIEW]

Milani – Rainbow PrismsRainbow Prism [REVIEW]

Milani – Gold PlatedGold Plated [REVIEW]

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with the new Milani Color Statement line. Nearly every formula is spot on, and I had only a few minor issues as noted in my full reviews. I really appreciated that Milani added in some unique polishes, especially with the glitters and shimmers. I would love to see this line expand even further in the future, though. We are missing oranges, yellows, more greens, and a black polish. I would also like more glitters, too. Nonetheless, these 37 polishes are certainly fabulous and affordable. The $3.99 price tag is phenomenal, and I’m so honored that I got the chance to try these polishes out for all of you. I hope to see Milani expand this line in the near future!

What polishes in the Milani Color Statement line are your favorites? 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. 

Makeup by One Direction | Up All Night Review

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you one of the limited edition tins from the Makeup by One Direction line! A couple weeks ago, I told you all about the three Looks Collections HERE. Make sure to check out that post for detailed information about all of the tins, and for the US release dates. I was sent the Up All Night palette, which is definitely geared for concert-goers! If you’re headed to a One Direction concert anytime soon, you’ll want to snag this tin!

Makeup by One Direction | Up All Night Review Makeup by One Direction | Up All Night ReviewHere’s what the tin itself looks like. I really love the packaging! It’s very sturdy and organized. Plus, I think it’s a great idea to have some tips on how to use the products right on the inside of the tin. Now, let me show you each of the products!

Stand Up Eye and Body Crayon Stand Up Eye and Body CrayonFirst up is the Stand Out Eye and Body Crayon in a dark denim shade. This is basically a jumbo crayon that you can use as eyeliner, or for anything else. I tested it as an eyeshadow base, and it worked really well for that. The formula is smooth and creamy, and blends out easily. If you’re using this purely as a liner, I suggest setting it with a powder product to avoid smearing.

4+1 Eyeshadow Palette

4+1 Eyeshadow Palette

4+1 Eyeshadow PaletteNext up is the 4+1 Eyeshadow Palette. I really like how the names of the eyeshadows are right on the back of the palette. It’s so helpful! I swatched each of the shadows above over a primer so that my camera would capture them well. You can go with or without primer in real life, as I find these shadows are nicely pigmented and quite buttery. From left to right, the shades are: Up All Night, Another World, Save You Tonight, Gotta Be You, and More Than This. I do love that there are two neutral shades in this palette, as those are perfect for everyday looks. The blues are beautiful, but definitely more for “going out.” This is a great little palette to stick in your purse if you’re heading straight to the One Direction show after school or work!

Little Black Dress Volumizing MascaraTo complete your eye makeup, this kit includes the Little Black Dress Volumizing Mascara in Perfect Black. To be honest, this mascara left me a bit underwhelmed. It gives much more of a natural look, which is nice, but it’s not too volumizing as the name suggests.

I Should Have Kissed You Lipstick

I Should Have Kissed You Lipstick

The Up All Night collection also includes two lip products, with the first being the I Should Have Kissed You lipstick. This is a super bright pink lipstick with a matte finish. The formula is extremely opaque in one coat, and will stay on all night. In fact, I Should Have Kissed You will stain your lips, so you may want to wear a lip liner or primer. The color is so vibrant that I felt a bit silly wearing it, but if you love bright lips this one is perfect for you!

Taken Liquilights Lip Gloss

Taken Liquilights Lip Gloss

The other lip product is the Taken Liquilights Lip Gloss. This is a bright pink lip gloss that glows to orange under a UV light. Unfortunately I don’t have a UV light so I couldn’t test the color change, but I did give the lip gloss a try. Because it is packed with glitter, it is a little uncomfortable to wear – I can feel the glitter granules on my lips as I wear it. Other than that, the formula is nice, and applies very easily. You can either wear Taken alone, or layered over I Should Have Kissed You to enhance your pink pucker!

Makeup by One Direction – Na Na Na Makeup by One Direction – Na Na NaMy favorite product in the Up All Night tin is, of course, the Na Na Na nail polish! Na Na Na is a gorgeous metallic blue shade with hints of green and gold. The formula is amazing, and is opaque in two coats. I am really impressed with this polish! In fact, I would love to see more polishes come out from this line!

Decorator Stencil SetLast but not least we have the Decorator Stencil Set. These stencils are included as a little bonus, and can be used to decorate your limited edition tin, or for whatever your heart desires! There are a bunch of different designs, but I thought I’d share the cute diamonds.

All in all, the Up All Night tin from the new Makeup by One Direction line is a fun collection for any One Direction fan. The quality of the products is pretty good overall, with the nail polish being the stand out product for me. Whether you’re heading out for the night, or simply looking for some bright makeup shades, the Up All Night tin might be perfect for you! Make sure to like the Makeup by One Direction Facebook Page HERE for updates, and let me know what product you would most like to try from the Up All Night tin in the comments!

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

 

 

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Quick Dry Top Coat Review

The Sheers | Pinks & Purples | Greens & Blues | Earth Tones | Reds | Glitters | Quick Dry Top Coat

Happy Monday! You’ve now seen all of the new nail polish shades in the Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer line, but I saved the Quick Dry Top Coat for last. I’m always on the hunt for the perfect top coat, especially one that is fabulous and affordable. I made sure to thoroughly test out the Quick Dry Top Coat so I could let you know if it’s worth the buy, even at just $3.99. Let’s go ahead and take a look at the top coat!

Milani – Quick Dry Top Coat Milani – Quick Dry Top CoatThe Quick Dry Top Coat stays true to its name – the formula is amazing, glides on with ease, and dries really quickly! I really love the high gloss finish, and appreciate how fast this top coat dries. I’m wearing it over Hot Pink Rage in the photos above, and I think it looks like I got a professional manicure done! You can also see the sizable dent I’ve made in this bottle already. I’ve been testing it a lot for all of you!

I wore this top coat for two manicures, one with a Milani polish and one with another brand, to see how it lasted. Unfortunately, with both manicures I got tip wear on the second day of wear, and chipping on the third day of wear. Once the polish starts chipping, it doesn’t stop either! So while the Quick Dry Top Coat is perfect if you’re rushing out the door and need your nails dry, it’s not a long-lasting top coat. In that sense, I would only recommend it if you are looking for that high gloss finish.

All in all, I’m a bit disappointed that the Quick Dry Top Coat does not preserve my manicure for longer than a few days. I do love how fast it dries and how the finish looks on my nails, though. In that way, it’s definitely up to you to decide if the Quick Dry Top Coat fits your needs. If you change your nail polish as often as I do, this might be a great option for you! You can purchase this top coat at your local CVS store, or directly from Milani’s website HERE. In the comments, let me know if you’d buy this top coat!

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Glitters

The Sheers | Pinks & Purples | Greens & Blues | Earth Tones | Reds | Glitters | Quick Dry Top Coat

Happy Saturday! Today I have the last of the polishes in the new Milani Color Statement line to share with all of you. I will be doing a complete review of the top coat as well, but the glitters are the last of the swatches. I can’t believe it! Anyway, I’m so glad that Milani included some glitters in this collection, as every girl needs some sparkle in her life. Let’s go ahead and get glittery!

Milani – Rainbow Prisms Milani – Rainbow PrismsFirst up is Rainbow Prisms, a glitter top coat filled with silver and holographic glitters. I layered one coat over Tattle Teal, and I’m loving the result! There is absolutely no need to fish for glitters with this polish, as a ton comes out with each coat. Plus, it applies easily and smoothly. I am loving the rainbow effect with this glitter! It would look great over nearly any base color.

Milani – Gilded Rocks Milani – Gilded RocksNext up is Gilded Rocks, a glitter polish with a yellow gold base and pink, rose gold glitters. I am wearing two coats of Gilded Rocks in the photos above, and it looks opaque to me! I love how fun and fancy this polish is, and anything with rose gold is a win in my book.

Milani – Club Lights Milani – Club Lights Club Lights is the pink version of Rainbow Prism. I’ve layered one coat over Modern Rouge, and as you can see one coat provides a ton of glitters! I tested this to see if it could be worn without a base color, and I couldn’t get it opaque in 2-3 coats. Nevertheless, Club Lights is great for layering!

Milani – Gold Plated Milani – Gold PlatedGold Plated is my favorite of the glitters! It is a liquid metal gold, that is super sparkly and opaque in two coats. The formula is phenomenal as well. Gold Plated is my new favorite gold polish of all time!

Milani – Crimson Jewel Milani – Crimson JewelLast but not least is Crimson Jewel, a stunning red glitter polish that is opaque in two coats. I feel like I’m wearing the ruby slippers on my nails with this polish! The formula is fantastic, and it looks so beautiful. Crimson Jewel is certainly a gem (pun intended)!

All in all, Milani included some lovely glitter polishes in the new Color Statement line. I’m obsessed with Gold Plated, and Rainbow Prism is super fun as well. As always, you can purchase this line at your local CVS store or on Milani’s website HERE for the fabulous and affordable price of $3.99 each.

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