glitter – Page 2 – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: glitter

DIY Travel Nail Kit

Posted on November 18, 2015November 18, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Now that we are headed into the holiday season, I thought it was the perfect time to put together a DIY Travel Nail Kit! Whether you need a touch up on a weekend getaway, or some manicure options during a longer trip, I’ve got you (and your nails!) covered. I never used to travel with nail polish until college. During my winter break I was away from my nail polish collection for a few weeks, so I wanted to make sure I had a few options on hand. Let me show you everything I pack with me to keep my manicure in shape!

First things first, I highly recommend dedicating a small makeup bag to your nail kit. That way if things go wrong and your nail polish bottles break or spill, nothing else will get ruined. That being said, I always keep a spare piece of bubble wrap in my nail kit so I can keep everything secure. Don’t forget that if you are flying, you’ll need to put your nail polish in your checked luggage, or abide by the 3-1-1 rule (more on that HERE).

As for the items inside my kit, I make sure to have at least five things with me, four of which are pictured above for you:

Sally Hansen Double Duty – This is a base coat and a top coat in one! I’ve used it for years, and while it’s not my favorite top coat option, it’s a great one both for the price and the convenience. I often use it at home as a base coat, and it’s the logical choice for travel. Find it at your local drugstore, or online HERE.
Neutral or Pink Nail Polish – When traveling, it is best to find a nail polish that will work for any occasion and any outfit. I recommend a neutral shade, such as a beige or tan, or my go to polish color – pink! I love Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Peachy Breeze because it can work for a professional event, but is also fun for your beach vacation. Plus, a fast-dry formula is perfect for on the go.
Glitter Top Coat – Your manicure options will double with a glitter top coat! Keep one on hand for a night out, holiday party, or simply a change of pace. This can layer right over your other nail polish so you don’t need to worry about remover or touch ups. I grabbed Milani Color Statement in Club Lights, but choose any glitter you love for your kit!
Mini Emery Boards – I always keep an emery board in my purse, and I, of course, keep at least two in my travel nail kit. You never know when your nails will break, especially with the drying atmosphere of an airplane! I’ve used some of the tiny emery boards before, and those just don’t cut it. I received these black ones for review, and am in love! They are the perfect size at 3.5 inches long – they fit easily in my makeup bag, but are still big enough to hold easily. Plus, you can get a 50 pack for just $10 on Amazon HERE. I highly recommend grabbing a pack to keep you stocked up. They even make a great stocking stuffer!
Nail Polish Remover Pads – I don’t have any on hand to show you, but nail polish remover pads are perfect for travel! Who wants to carry a bottle of nail polish remover?! I’ve had great luck with the butterLONDON Scrubbers, which I think is worth splurging on for special occasions. I usually wait to take off my nail polish once I’m back at home, but these are a great option for those of you who want to switch it up on the road!

All in all, taking care of your nails while traveling can be super easy and non-stressful with a DIY Travel Nail Kit! This kit makes the perfect holiday gift for your friends and family, but don’t forget to create one for yourself! You can also feel free to add in hand cream for some added moisture during the winter months. It all depends on your personal needs! I hope this post brought you some inspiration, and I’m wishing you safe travels!

What’s in your Travel Nail Kit? Let me know in the comments!

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

Madam Glam Fall 2015 Collection | Swatches & Review

Posted on October 9, 2015October 3, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to bring you swatches and a review of even more fall nail polishes! The boutique brand Madam Glam recently released a bunch of new nail polish shades for the fall season, and provided me with five to review for all of you. I decided to choose some dark polishes and some glitters. Now that fall is in full swing and the weather is getting much cooler, I’m all about darks! Let me show you the polishes I picked out!

First up is High Standards, a deep oxblood polish with a creme finish. High Standards has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. The polish is a bit on the goopy side, so I recommend thin layers that you let dry completely. High Standards is so chic! As I’m writing this post I’m looking at the swatches above and thinking I need to put this polish on again as soon as possible!

Next up is Another Glass, a deep berry wine polish packed with shimmer. This is by far my favorite polish of the bunch. The formula is perfection, and I applied two coats for opacity. I really love the dimension with Another Glass. It’s great for fall and for the holidays as well.

Endless Night is up next, and it is a deep indigo creme polish. Endless Night has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, but it is a stainer! I had on base coat and a few of my nails were blue upon removal. I recommend applying two healthy layers of base coat before using Endless Night, and make sure your base is completely dry. This polish is gorgeous, so I’m going to brave the stains for it!

Next is Holo Fever, a purple based polish packed with holographic microglitter. Holo Fever has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. It is on the thick side, so I recommend thin coats that you allow to dry completely before adding another layer. I added a glossy top coat to the manicure to even out the glitter, and I think it is super fun! Purple and holo glitter make a great combination.

Last but not least is More Diamonds Please, a silver polish with holographic microglitter. More Diamonds Please has a tricky formula that is very thick and goopy, but also sheer. I layered on two coats and did not achieve opacity, but because of the thickness of the polish, I couldn’t add a third coat. More Diamonds Please is beautiful, but I’d recommend using one thin coat as a topper on another manicure.

All in all, Madam Glam has a lot of fall nail polish options in a variety of shades and finishes. I’m really loving Another Glass, and High Standards is gorgeous, too. You can purchase these polishes directly from the Madam Glam website HERE. Polishes are $10.95 each, but if you buy 6 products you can get 50% off with the code GET3FREE, which is an amazing deal! The five polishes I’ve shared with you are just a few of the polishes Madam Glam has to offer, so be sure to check out the website for the full range.

Have you tried Madam Glam nail polish?! What shade is your favorite?

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

KBShimmer Fall 2015 Collection | Breaking Blues & I Feel Gourd-geous

Posted on October 5, 2015September 25, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to review two of the polishes from the KBShimmer Fall 2015 Collection. This collection contains 12 nail polishes in rich, jewel tones. There are a variety of formulas, finishes, and shades available, and I have one cream and one full-coverage glitter to share. Let me go ahead and review Breaking Blues and I Feel Gourd-geous for you!

First up is Breaking Blues, a periwinkle blue with a cream finish. Breaking Blues has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. I absolutely love this polish! The color is so stunning, and not what I would traditionally think of for fall. I think Breaking Blues will look good with any skin tone, and I’m definitely going to be wearing this polish a lot in the coming months.

I Feel Gourd-geous is the other polish I tried, and it is a copper shade of holographic glitter polish. I Feel Gourd-geous is a full-coverage glitter that can be worn alone (as I’ve done) in three coats. Of course, you can use this polish to layer over other shades, but I’m amazed with how stunning I Feel Gourd-geous is alone! I layered a glossy top coat over the manicure to smooth out the glitter, and I think it’s beautiful. If you’re a glitter lover, you need this one!

All in all, I’m really impressed with these two polishes from KBShimmer. Each has an excellent formula, and I can see myself reaching for these countless times. KBShimmer is an indie brand and retails from $7.50-8.75 each. What I love about KBShimmer is that it can be purchased direct from the brand’s website HERE or on Amazon HERE. That way you can use an Amazon gift card, or if you have an Amazon credit card like I do you earn 3x the points! No matter where you shop, I highly recommend these polishes! Let me know in the comments if you’ll be purchasing either of these!

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

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel | Tribal Vibe & Boho Chic Collections

Posted on August 10, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am so excited to share a review of four nail polishes from the new Sally Hansen Miracle Gel line. Around this time last year, Sally Hansen first launched the Miracle Gel line (see my first review HERE). I was a bit underwhelmed, but a few months back the brand updated its formula and I was obsessed with the Poolisde Paradise Collection (full review HERE). Now, Sally Hansen has upped the ante again! The Miracle Gel Top Coat has a new formula designed to deliver 2x the volume and shine. To coincide with the relaunch of the top coat, Sally Hansen is also releasing the Tribal Vibe and Boho Chic Collections. Let me show you the polishes topped with the new Miracle Gel Top Coat!

First up is Totem-ly Yours, a beautiful beige nude with pink undertones from the Tribal Vibe Collection. Totem-ly Yours has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. The shade nearly matches my skin tone perfectly! This nude polish is to die for, and absolutely perfect for the fall. It looks professional, yet not boring, and the high-shine top coat really makes it look great. If you work in a corporate environment, you need Totem-ly Yours for sure!

Rhythm & Blue is the other polish I tried from the Tribal Vibe Collection. It is a sky blue polish that has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I am once again beyond impressed with how awesome this polish looks! Not only is Rhythm & Blue a gorgeous color, but the Miracle Gel Top Coat applied with ease and added a lot of depth and shine to this manicure.

Beatnik is the first polish from the Boho Chic line that I reviewed, and it is a stunning cobalt blue. I am obsessed with Beatnik! The color is beautiful, and the formula is perfection. I will be wearing Beatnik again as the colder months approach.

Last but not least is Miss Wanderlust, a coral jelly polish with a mix of glitters. I was happily surprised with how well Miss Wanderlust applies – it goes on smoothly with a lot of glitter going onto the nail without digging. Of course, the Miracle Gel Top Coat adds a glossy finish to this already stunning polish. I’d love to see more glitters like this from Sally Hansen in the future!

All in all, the new Sally Hansen Miracle Gel collections are beyond fabulous and affordable! The polishes retail for $9.99 each, which is on the higher side for a drugstore line. However, the brand often goes on sale and I’ve seen coupons in the Sunday paper as well. I highly recommend investing in the new Miracle Gel Top Coat at the very least! The Tribal Vibe and Boho Chic Collections are now available at drugstores.

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 | 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!

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.

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.

Guest Post | Indie Manicure with Born for a Storm featuring Elevation Polish + Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer

Posted on May 28, 2015May 5, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Today’s guest post comes from Born for a Storm! Thank you for sharing!

I wanted to take a minute to post a really gorgeous manicure today! Elevation Polish El Cap 2 and Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer You’re Def My Bra.

Julie of Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer knows how to pick ’em. And make ’em. She picked out this beautiful Elevation to start with. She’s an Elevation connoisseur so I trust her judgement for sure. Then, she MADE this glitter just to go with this polish! That’s incredible. This combination is truly stunning, as you’re about to see…

I MEAN REALLY. The Elevation is a stunning periwinkle with a strong flash. The BEGL is a periwinkle microglitter, which is just so exciting to me… mostly because I’ve been pestering Julie for periwinkle everything lately. I’m wearing one coat of the BEGL over two coats of the Elevation with base and top coat on everything. (With microglitters I add a coat of Gelous before my topcoat to make it extra smooth!)

The macro doesn’t disappoint.

This beautiful BEGL was a gift (and cannot be purchased at this time)! You should definitely check out her shop for other gorgeous polishes, though! If you are interested in Elevation, I highly recommend the brand.

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Manicure Monday | Pahlish Typewriter Keys + Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Peachy Breeze

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

Happy Manicure Monday! It’s time for the letter P in the Alphabet Challenge, and I grabbed both a brand that begins with P and a polish name that begins with P. Might as well go all out, right?! Anyway, I received this Pahlish as a gift a while back and rediscovered it in my collection a couple weeks ago. I decided to pair it with a bright pink, and I think it’s a match made in heaven. Let me go ahead and show it to you!

For this week’s manicure I began with a base of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Peachy Breeze. This is one of my all-time favorite polishes. It really does dry quickly, and the formula is perfection. I’ve used it time and time again! When it was dry, I added one coat of Pahlish Typewriter Keys. This is a glitter polish with black, white, and holographic glitters. I’m obsessed with this combo! I can’t believe I never thought to pair these together before! I think these polishes were made for each other, don’t you?!

All in all, I think this is one of my favorite Manicure Monday posts yet! Unfortunately, Typewriter Keys is no longer available, but you can shop other Pahlish polishes on this indie brand’s website HERE. Sally Hansen Peachy Breeze is available on Amazon for the low price of $3.99 HERE. I highly recommend snagging that one up for your collection!

Some of 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!