Tag: green

RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer in Hedge Fund from The Crowdsourced Collection

Happy Tuesday! I will have a full unboxing of my September Birchbox up on the blog this Sunday, but I just had to show you the nail polish I received in my box. This month Birchbox teamed up with the new brand RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer to bring each subscriber a nail polish in her monthly box. I wasn’t sure how great the polish would be, but the bottle shape was cool, and I got an on-trend color. Imagine my surprise when I loved the polish! Let me stop talking and show you the polish in all its glory!

IMG_3084 IMG_3086This green beauty is Hedge Fund from The Crowdsourced Collection. Hedge Fund is an army green metallic polish with a gorgeous gold shimmer. This polish has the perfect, one coat formula that dries quickly and doesn’t require top coat. And if this polish couldn’t get any more perfect, it does! The brush is so nice, and the cap is actually designed to give users a good grip for application. While that may sound silly, it works! I haven’t enjoyed a nail-painting experience this much in a while!

All in all, Hedge Fund is everything I could ask for in a polish! It’s perfect for fall, and I have a feeling it will be on my nails a lot this season. You may even see it in another blog post soon (hint hint). RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer is available exclusively on the Birchbox website for $10 per bottle, or $24 for the 3-piece collection. While this is a bit more than I usually spend for polish, I am definitely considering buying more! I’m saving up my money for this amazing brand!

I also entered this manicure in Birchbox’s #RuffianManicure contest! I would really love it if you voted for me. Just click HERE and then hit the “vote” button. Thank you!

Zoya Cashmeres Collection for Fall 2013

Happy Monday! Today I have the second fall collection from Zoya Nail Polish to share with all of you (check out my PixieDust review HERE). Fall is the perfect opportunity to don your cashmere sweaters, and Zoya has transformed our favorite autumn hues into gorgeous, creamy nail polishes. Let me show you these warm-toned polishes!

IMG_2432 IMG_2434First up is Livingston, a true red polish. Livingston is the perfect red! It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, and is a classic color to wear all year long. Not only is Livingston work appropriate, but it is fierce! With black and white trends in fall fashion, Livingston will be the perfect accessory to your outfits.

IMG_2438 IMG_2443Up next is Pepper, a dark, brick red polish. Pepper is also opaque in two coats, and has the same great formula as Livingston. Last fall we saw oxblood nails were all the rage, and it looks like they will be again this season! If you didn’t grab this haute hue last year, I definitely suggest Pepper.

IMG_2446 IMG_2449Sailor is next, and is a stunning navy polish. Sailor is definitely my favorite in the Cashmeres collection! It is the perfect navy polish that is opaque in two coats. It’s the perfect alternative to a black nail, since it’s not as harsh, yet it’s still edgy. I’m not usually partial to dark nail polishes, but Sailor is so nice!

IMG_2455 IMG_2460The next Cashmere is Hunter, a dark green polish. Hunter screams fall to me — the shade is one of the classic colors of the season! Just as with the other polishes in this collection, Hunter is opaque in two coats and has a flawless formula. If you’ve been hunting for a great green, look no further!

IMG_2461 IMG_2463Next up is Louise, a chocolate brown polish. Louise is an amazing one coat formula! I love when that happens! Plus, the color is so rich and pigmented. Louise is really the perfect brown, which I didn’t have in my collection yet. I can see this being great for nail art as well!

IMG_2470 IMG_2472Last but not least is Flynn, a camel brown polish. Unfortunately for me, Flynn just looks awful with my skin tone. I feel like I am so close to the dreaded mannequin hands with this one! Despite that personal issue, Flynn still has a great formula and is opaque in two coats. This polish would look beautiful with a darker complexion!

All in all, I am loving the Zoya Cashmeres collection! The formulas are so wonderful, and the colors are just perfect for the fall months. I definitely recommend each polish in the collection, but my favorites are Sailor and Hunter! You can purchase the Cashmeres collection on Zoya’s website HERE for $8 each or $48 for the whole set. Stay tuned for the last fall collection from Zoya Nail Polish soon!

 

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

Subscription Sunday | Top 10 Julep Polishes for Summer

21ae9d76-7e51-4fae-b1ae-80c80f2767adwallpaper

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you my favorite Julep nail polishes for summer. Julep was the first monthly subscription service that I ever signed up for, and I’ve been a member for over a year now. I currently have forty Julep nail polishes in my collection, so I went through and picked ten polishes that are perfect for the summer sun. Some of these polishes have been reviewed on my blog in the past, but I hope you enjoy and discover a new shade that you love!

IMG_2184

First up is Blake, a pastel yellow creme. Blake does not have the perfect formula — as with many yellow nail polishes it can be a bit streaky. Luckily I usually get it even in two to three coats, and the result is gorgeous! I love yellow nails in the summer, and Blake is a beautiful shade. While I love neon yellow, a pastel creme is very dainty and works well with many skin tones.

IMG_2196

Next is Charlotte, a dusty light purple creme. Charlotte is a one coat formula, which I absolutely love. It applies perfectly, and the finish is very glossy. I think Charlotte is the perfect choice for those who don’t like ultra-bright nails, and it is also a great transitional polish from summer to fall. If you love purple nails, Charlotte is a must for your collection!

IMG_2198

Harper is the next polish on my Top 10 list! It is an aquamarine glitter with hints of blue and an opalescent shine. Harper reminds me of a mermaid, and thus it is a must for summer! It is opaque in three coats, or you can layer it over a blue polish for an oceanic look. Harper is great for laying by the pool, and it surely sparkles in the sunlight. Be sure to let each coat dry completely between layers so you don’t smudge the glitter!

IMG_2203

Up next is Lynn, a peachy nude polish with a hint of peach and silver shimmer. Lynn is one of the first Julep polishes I ever got, and I still love it! It is opaque in two coats and has a great formula. Some brushstrokes are visible with Lynn since it is a shimmer, but I personally like the finished look. If you’re stuck in the office all summer, Lynn is definitely work appropriate!

IMG_2208

If you’re looking for a classic pink polish, Niecy is for you! It is the perfect bright pink, and has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. Niecy goes well with any outfit, and will look great no matter what the occasion. I love pink nail polish, and Niecy is one of my all-time favorites!

IMG_2218

Up next is Nina, a bright orange polish with a satin finish. Nina is a bit on the thick side, so be sure to limit the amount of polish you have on the brush when applying it. Nina is also opaque in two coats, and dries to look just like orange sherbet! Summer is the perfect time for orange nails, and Nina is a fun option from Julep. While the formula may not be perfect, the color payoff is worth it!

IMG_2221

Next on the countdown is Payton, a bright green creme. Payton has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. Make sure you use a healthy layer of base coat with this one, as it can be staining to your nails. I just love green nails, and Payton is the perfect option for summer. I wore it for about a week in June!

IMG_2225

Keeping with the green theme is Susie, a mint green creme. Susie has just a hint of mint pigmentation, and looks almost white in direct sunlight. It has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats, and dries very quickly. Susie is wearable any time of the year, but mint is right on trend for this summer. Everyone needs at least one mint in her collection, and Susie is a great option!

IMG_2232

Following Susie is Teri, a bright coral creme polish. Teri has a good formula that is a bit on the thick side. It is opaque in two coats, and has a high-gloss finish. I find that Teri is very flattering for my skin tone, and I think it would look nice on everyone! Teri also isn’t too bright, so if you are looking to step into the bright nail polish world, this is a great option for you.

IMG_2240

Last but not least is my holy grail of the Julep world, Yumi. Yumi is a pink, silver, and holographic glitter polish. It can be worn alone in three coats, but I layered one coat over Teri in the photo above. I love Yumi so much that I will need a second bottle soon! It is perfect for nail art, and can be combined with many different shades for a beautiful look. Yumi is just stunning!

All in all, you can see how much I love Julep nail polish! I love getting a box in the mail every month, and the variety of colors is fantastic. You can join the Julep Maven program and get your first month for free using code FREEBOX at checkout HERE. What I love about the program is the ability to skip any month you don’t want to purchase, and the special discounts that Maven members get. Let me know if you join Julep, and what your favorite Julep polish for summer is!

 

Some of the above links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

SinfulColors SinfulShine Nail Polish in Amazonian

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m excited to review a nail polish that is super fabulous and very affordable! SinfulColors just released a new line of nail polishes at Walgreens stores called SinfulShine. These polishes are made with gel tech for a glossy finish, and come in 32 shades. I was lucky enough to receive the color Amazonian in the Sunkissed VoxBox from Influenster. (You can learn more about Influenster HERE). Let me show you this cool nail polish!

IMG_2115 IMG_2118

Amazonian is a dark green nail polish packed with green glitter and just a hint of bronze glitter. It is opaque in two coats, and I was very impressed with the formula! I suggest applying thick layers of this SinfulColors nail polish, as it will glide easier on the nail. I can definitely see the how the gel tech makes a huge difference in the polish. I didn’t apply any top coat to get the look in the photos! At first I was a bit disappointed that I got such a dark color during the summer months, but once I put on Amazonian I was pleasantly surprised with how much I love it! It’s very different from any nail polish in my collection!

All in all, I’m loving Amazonian from the SinfulColors SinfulShine collection! At just $2.99, I might have to stop by Walgreens and see the other colors. Be sure to let me know in the comments if you have tried any of the polishes from this line, and what you thought of them. Many thanks to Influenster for sending me Amazonian to review!

 

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

Zoya Stunning Collection for Summer 2013

Happy Tuesday! Today I have a review of the full Stunning Collection from Zoya that is available for purchase now. I will be quite honest with you up front — I am disappointed with this collection. The polishes look so beautiful in the bottle, but I experienced a great deal of formula issues. After speaking with other bloggers, it seems as if the formula problems are not consistent with everyone. Some people haven’t experienced any issues at all! I’m hoping that I just got a bad batch of the collection. Nonetheless, let me show you the Stunning Collection!

 

IMG_1529 IMG_1532

First up is Darcy, a banana yellow polish. Darcy is the worst of the collection formula wise, so I figured I would get it out of the way! While opaque in two coats, I added a third to attempt to even out the streaky and patchy formula. Even the photos show the unevenness of this polish. I am very disappointed with Darcy, and would not recommend it.

 

IMG_1534 IMG_1537

Next up is Thandie, a bright, tangerine orange. Thandie’s formula is just okay — opaque in two coats and still a bit streaky and patchy. I do love Thandie’s color, as it is perfect for summer and not an overwhelming orange. If the formula was a bit easier to work with this would be a go to orange for me!

 

IMG_1542 IMG_1543

Zoya Micky is the first of two pinks in the Stunning Collection. Micky is a gorgeous bright pink color that is very flattering with my skin tone. It’s formula was sheer, and required three coats to achieve opacity. Otherwise, I think this is a work appropriate polish that would look good on almost anyone!

 

IMG_1548 IMG_1550

Zoya Yana is the next pink in the collection, and is more on the darker side than Micky. Yana has a good formula, but it still wasn’t that great formula that Zoya typically has. It is opaque in two coats, and is perfect for every day. The color is really pretty!

 

IMG_1554 IMG_1556

Next is Rocky, a sky blue polish and my favorite from the collection! Rocky has a great formula (finally!) that is opaque in two coats. I love how Rocky can look both bright and dusty at the same time. It is definitely more of a subdued blue polish. If you are looking to purchase from the Stunning Collection, Rocky would be my pick!

 

IMG_1561 IMG_1565

Last but not least is Josie, a grassy green. Josie has a good formula that is a little streaky. This polish is opaque in two coats, and is just the perfect shade of green. I personally love this color so much that I would put up with the mediocre formula just to wear this one.

All in all, the Stunning Collection from Zoya is a bit of a flop for me. I am very happy with Rocky, and Yana and Josie I could probably make do with. Otherwise, I would never purchase these polishes for myself. As I mentioned from the start, it seems as if these formula issues are not widespread for everyone. Unfortunately, there really is no way to know if you will receive a good batch or not. I usually find that Zoya polishes have fabulous formulas, so I’m not sure what happened with this collection! I hope that this was just a fluke that won’t happen again! The Zoya Stunning Collection can be purchased HERE.

 

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 Week! Day Three – Mint Green

Happy Wednesday! Dare to Compare Week here at Adventures in Polishland continues with one of my nail polish obsessions, mint green. Mint is such a trendy color for spring that I made sure to include it in this week’s comparison extravaganza. I’ll let you know up front that I didn’t find any dupes, but I did discover some beautiful options! Let’s see what is up in the mint green color family.

 

IMG_1376 IMG_1377

From left to right, the polishes are Julep in Susie, China Glaze in Keep Calm, Paint On, and Zoya in Neely. These polishes do look similar in the bottle, but I could tell they wouldn’t be exactly the same on the nail. I still wanted to see the comparison, though. First I’ll show each polish alone, and then I’ll show them side by side.

IMG_1361

Polish Name: China Glaze in Keep Calm, Paint On

Price: $6.99 at beauty stores, or $3.32 on Amazon [Buy HERE]

Coats Needed for Opacity: 2

Formula: Good, but on the thick side.

Color Description: Mint green with green and pink shimmer.

Bonus: I love the name of this polish!

IMG_1359

Polish Name: Zoya in Neely

Price: $8 [Buy HERE]

Coats Needed for Opacity: 2

Formula: Good, but a bit patchy.

Color Description: Dusty mint green.

Bonus: Zoya is a vegan friendly, and long-lasting brand!

IMG_1369

Polish Name: Julep in Susie

Price: $14 [Buy HERE]

Coats Needed for Opacity: 3

Formula: Okay — formula a bit streaky and patchy, but evens in three coats.

Color Description: Pale mint green

Bonus: I got this in my first Julep Maven Box! It’s an all-time favorite.

 

IMG_1372 IMG_1375

Now we have all three side by side! From left to right is the Zoya, the China Glaze, and the Julep. Susie from Julep stands out as the lightest shade of the bunch right away. Zoya Neely and China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On are very close, but the shimmer in Keep Calm really makes it stand out. I personally prefer the light shade of the Julep, but would choose Zoya Neely over the shimmer in the China Glaze. I prefer a pure, creme finish! In the end, when it comes to mint green I don’t think you can go wrong no matter what shade you choose!

Which do you prefer, bright pastels or dusty greens?! Do you like polishes with an added shimmer?!

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

Sweet Color Nail Polish from Born Pretty Store!

Happy Saturday! Today I have a polish from the online retailer Born Pretty Store to show you! Born Pretty Store is one of the best places to find affordable nail polish, nail art tools, and much more online. Shipping is always free, and you can save an additional 10% with the coupon code at the end of this post. One of the nail polish lines the site offers is Sweet Color, an eco-friendly polish that comes in the cutest packaging! I knew I wanted to give it a try.

 

IMG_1024 IMG_1025 IMG_1026

Here is Sweet Color in number 337. The polish does not have a color name, but I would call it a dusty mint green with a creme finish. This polish has a tricky formula — it’s streaky and sheer, and takes three coats to be opaque. Luckily it has a gorgeous color payoff! This polish is perfect for spring. At first I thought that the result was worth the troublesome formula, but I got multiple chips and dents in my nails just hours after application. Needless to say I’m quite disappointed with this polish. The good news is this is only one polish in the Sweet Color line, so I’m hoping this is the one dud! I can’t be sure without trying more of them. Let me know if you have tried any polishes from this line!

All in all, I was disappointed with this nail polish from the Born Pretty Store. Stay tuned for another review in the coming week where I will have some nail art stickers to show you! Also, make sure to check out all of the great products Born Pretty Store has to offer. The prices are great, plus use code FZL91 for 10% off your purchase! Click the photo below for direct access to the store!

photo FZL91.jpeg

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

 

Glitter Gal 3D Holographic in Teal Green from Beautometry.com!

Happy Thursday! I apologize for being a bit off of my posting schedule this week. I’m back with a really cool polish from the brand Glitter Gal! This polish comes all the way from Australia, but is available to those of us from the USA through the retailer Beautometry. Glitter Gal is definitely a splurge nail polish, as it retails for $13.50. Make sure you read this entire entry to get a 10% off coupon code for your next purchase!

 

IMG_1042 IMG_1045 IMG_1046

Here is the beautiful Teal Green from Glitter Gal’s 3D Holographic line! Teal Green is opaque in two coats, and is a gorgeous linear holographic nail polish. The formula was great, and it had the perfect application. I would call this a true green holo, as it reminded me of a Christmas green instead of a teal. I was also impressed with how quickly this polish dried. My one complaint is that it has a funny smell on my nails, even once it is dry. I’m not sure why that is!

 

IMG_1048 IMG_1047

I wanted to include these two photographs so you could see the strong holographic effect this Glitter Gal polish truly has! With the flash from my camera, you can see how the light really transforms the look of the polish! I’m very impressed with the strong holo!

All in all, I loved trying this Glitter Gal polish! I probably wouldn’t buy myself any due to the high price, but if you are looking to try this international brand I definitely suggest going through the website Beautometry that sponsored this review because you will get 10% off when using the code “polishland” at checkout! You can also purchase A England and LynBDesigns from this retailer. Simply click HERE to shop!

Have you ever tried Glitter Gal before?! What do you think of this holographic nail polish?!

 

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

Zoya PixieDust Special Textured Collection for Spring 2013

Happy Friday! Today I have a review of one of the most talked about nail polish collections of the season. The Zoya PixieDust collection is right on trend with textured nail polishes, and offers an added sparkle with each polish. I love the look and feel of textured polishes, and these are no exception! Let me show you the full PixieDust collection!

IMG_0740 IMG_0742 IMG_0739First up is my favorite from the collection, Nyx! Nyx is a light, dusty blue that leans towards grey. The formula is great, but very sheer. It took three coats to achieve opacity. As with all of the polishes in the PixieDust collection, make sure you allow each coat of polish to dry completely before following up with another layer. This ensures you get the textured, matte finish! Nyx is so beautiful with its silver sparkle!

IMG_0748 IMG_0752 IMG_0745Next is Vespa, a mint green polish. Similar to Nyx, Vespa’s formula was quite sheer and required three coats to be opaque. I love the gorgeous color of this polish, but it was very pale in terms of pigmentation. It also smudges easily if it’s not completely dry. I found removal to be difficult with Vespa, especially because I wore it for a few days. Luckily the color is stunning!

IMG_0775 IMG_0777 IMG_0780Godiva is the next polish from the PixieDust collection, and is a light beige nude. Godiva was also opaque in three coats, and took a very long time to dry. I do love this polish, but unfortunately for me it blended right into my skin tone. This is the perfect nude color if you have darker skin, but I felt weird wearing it! I love that this is a nude with sparkle, though.

IMG_0793 IMG_0795 IMG_0797Next up is Dahlia, a dark grey that is almost black. Dahlia is opaque in two coats and has a great formula. I love the silver sparkle, as it is very prominent in this polish. Dahlia is very “rock star”. I love this polish! I was very happy that the formula was a standard two-coater as well.

IMG_0801 IMG_0804 IMG_0805Chyna is my second favorite polish from the PixieDust collection! A deep red with black and red sparkles, Chyna has an amazing formula and is opaque in two coats. Chyna dries very quickly, and looks so fun and edgy! I felt like I was wearing rubies on my nails with this polish. Just gorgeous!

IMG_0808 IMG_0812 IMG_0814Last but not least is London, a light grey polish with silver sparkles. London is also opaque in two coats and has a great, fast-drying formula. I love the nice sparkle in this polish. It is just like what I picture London fog to be like! London will go great with any outfit.

All in all, I really like the Zoya PixieDust collection. I had a few issus with application and removal, but the polishes are definitely beautiful. This collection is very unique, and you will be sure to impress your friends with your fancy nails! You can purchase the PixieDust collection on Zoya’s website HERE. Polishes are $9 each or $54 for the entire collection.

 

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

 

 

Milani Limited Edition Nail Collection: Textured Creams Specialty Nail Lacquer

Today I am extremely excited to share with you the full Textured Creams collection from Milani Cosmetics! This collection is Limited Edition, and features six gorgeous shades of textured nail polish. I was unsure of how I would like this collection when I saw the press release, but I was amazed with the quality and formula of the polishes when I gave them a try. Let me show you these fabulous and affordable nail polishes!

IMG_0646 IMG_0644

First up is Tainted in Red, a bright red orange polish. All of the Milani Textures apply like a regular cream finish, but then dry to this textured look. This makes the formula amazing! The application is just perfect with two coats. I am loving Tainted in Red. It looked great with my skin tone and is an edgy take on a classic red polish. I think pairing this with a black outfit would be perfect for a night out!

IMG_0650 IMG_0653

Next is Spoiled in Fuchsia, a beautiful pink polish that is a mix between a fuchsia and magenta color. As with all of these polishes, I applied two coats of Spoiled in Fuchsia. Make sure you let each coat dry before applying a second layer. You will be able to see the polish drying as the textured look appears! Spoiled in Fuchsia is a gorgeous polish for spring. It’s not too bright, and is great for an every day look!

IMG_0661 IMG_0664

Aqua Splash is the next polish in the Milani Texture collection. It is a gorgeous aqua color that leans toward seafoam green. The brush with this polish was a little wonky, but it thankfully didn’t affect application at all. Aqua Splash is such a beautiful color. It’s perfect for the transition from spring to summer! I’ve been loving greens lately, and this is another one that I find stunning.

IMG_0672 IMG_0673

Next up is Yellow Mark, a banana yellow polish! This has the same flawless formula as the other polishes in this collection. Yellow Mark is my least favorite polish from the bunch simply because the color is not for me. If you love yellows, this is the polish for you! It’s perfect for a warm, sunny day!

IMG_0677 IMG_0681

Purple Streak is a dark and true purple polish. This is the only polish in the collection that applied streaky with the first coat. Luckily it evened right up with the second! I love this color polish! It’s not too bright or dark, and it’s great for all seasons. I think dark purple is a great alternative to the classic red nail, and Purple Streak is even edgier!

IMG_0691 IMG_0694

Last but not least is Shady Gray, what I like to call a graphite color! Shady Gray is a great neutral polish with a smoky look. I love that this is not black, but still a darker shade. That makes it less harsh and dramatic, but it still goes with every outfit. Shady Gray is perfect for the end of the winter season!

All in all, I am super impressed with the Textured Creams Collection from Milani! I was just blown away with the amazing formula, and how great they looked on the nail. I highly recommend this collection! Be sure to stop by your local Walgreens, Fred Meyer, HEB, or Meijer to purchase this collection. You can also buy it online at Milani’s website HERE. Each polish is just $4.99! What an affordable way to stay on trend this season!

Let me know what you think of this collection and textured nail polishes! Plus, stay tuned to see how I used these nail polishes to create some simply nail art looks!

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