Tag: holographic

My First Manicure in 2015 featuring Maybelline Color Show Holographic in Blue Blaze!

Happy Friday! It’s now 2015 and that means another year of new manicures! Last year I posted about 2014’s first manicure (see that review HERE), so I figured it was fitting that I continue the tradition. I raided Momma Polishland’s nail polish stash again and discovered a lone Maybelline Color Show polish from the Holographic Collection. I decided to put it to the test to see if a drugstore brand can get that holographic formula right!

Maybelline Color Show Holographic – Blue Blaze Maybelline Color Show Holographic – Blue BlazeBlue Blaze is a silvery-blue polish with a metallic formula. It does have some holographic shimmer mixed throughout the base, but I would not call this a holographic polish at all. The formula felt just like a metallic – it was patchy and pulled easily. However, it did build up well. I applied three thin coats to get the look you see pictured. I am happy with the result, but I would definitely label this polish a metallic and not a holographic.

Maybelline Color Show Holographic – Blue Blaze

I took these pictures in direct sunlight to ensure that any holographic effects would be captured. As you can see, there is a bit of shine, but no strong rainbow prism effect. Thus, while this is a good polish with a unique color, it does not compare with the holographic formulas we know and love.

You can find Maybelline Color Show Holographic in Blue Blaze for sale on Amazon HERE for about $4.50. I’m quite interested to know your experience with this range of polishes if you’ve tried them. Did you get a strong holographic effect, or did they apply more like a metallic for you as well? Let me know in the comments!

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

 

Zoya Bubbly Collection for Summer 2014

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m bringing you another review of a brand new Zoya collection for this summer! You can read all about the Tickled Collection HERE, but today’s post is all about the Bubbly Collection. I am so intrigued with the Bubbly Collection! Each of the six polishes has what Zoya has coined a “liquid-metal, holographic jelly formula.” Confused? Understandable – these polishes are like nothing I’ve ever seen before, so let me go ahead and share them with you!

Zoya – Alma Zoya – AlmaFirst up is Alma, a tangerine orange polish with golden glitters. Alma is opaque in two coats, and applied quite easily. I was rather impressed with how smoothly the Bubbly polishes apply to the nail. Though they have a bit of a textured look, they actually dry to a smooth finish! I really like Alma, and think it can suit anyone.

Zoya – Harper Zoya – HarperNext up is Harper, a bubblegum pink polish with the same Bubbly finish. Harper is opaque in two coats, and is my favorite in the collection! I just love my pink polishes, and this is certainly a new pink for my collection. I can picture it in some awesome nail art looks now!

Zoya – Muse Zoya – MuseZoya Muse is definitely a surprise to me! I never would have expected a dark blue polish in a summer collection, but the gold and green undertones remind me of the ocean! I applied two coats in the photos above, and love the result. Muse gives a mystical and mermaid-like feel!

Zoya – Stassi Zoya – Stassi Stassi is next, and it’s a green polish that reminds me of dragon scales! Stassi is a bit sheer, so I applied three coats for opacity. Not only is Stassi fun for summer, but it can be worn again during St. Patrick’s Day!

Zoya – Binx Zoya – BinxBinx is a beautiful raspberry polish, and the name reminds me of one of my favorite movie characters despite its feminine look (if you know who I’m talking about, tell me in the comments!). Binx has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. I really like the strong pigmentation in this polish!

Zoya – Jesy Zoya – JesyLast but not least is Jesy, a vibrant orange polish. Jesy is my second favorite in this collection due to its great formula and very shiny finish. Just look at how the light reflects off Jesy in the photos! I applied two coats and was ready for the summer sun.

All in all, Zoya’s new Bubbly Collection is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before! The polishes have a jelly-like base that is filled with easy to apply glitters. Each contains a holographic sparkle, and I can definitely see the liquid metal look. I highly recommend this collection, especially if you’re looking to spice up your nail polish collection this summer! You can purchase the Bubbly Collection on Zoya’s website HERE for $9 per bottle. Let me know what your favorite is 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. 

Nubar in Kristal | Review & Swatches

Happy Thursday! A few weeks back, I received a Nubar polish in my Beauty Box 5 (see that post HERE). At first, I thought it was a flakie polish, but it turns out to be a glitter top coat! Let me go ahead and show you Nubar Kristal!

Nubar – Kristal Nubar – KristalKristal is a glitter top coat in a clear base filled with holographic, hexagonal glitters in small and large. I layered one coat over Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics in Tarred, a plain, black creme. Kristal has a great formula that applies smoothly. There is no need to fish for glitters, and a lot of glitters come out on the first coat. I sealed the manicure with Essie Good to Go! top coat.

Nubar – Kristal I love how Kristal looks over Tarred – it’s almost like twinkling stars in a dark night. The holographic glitters shift from green to gold with hints of blue over the black base. It’s just gorgeous!

All in all, I’m really loving Nubar Kristal. I can’t wait to try it over different polishes, since I’m sure it will look pretty in many combinations. You can purchase a full size bottle of Kristal on Amazon HERE. Be sure to let me know what your favorite Nubar polishes are 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. 

Zoya Magical Pixie Collection for Spring 2014!

Happy Tuesday! Today on the blog I have a review of the new Zoya Nail Polish trio for spring called the Magical Pixie Collection. These new polishes are a continuation of the textured PixieDust line, but they include larger glitters and a holographic sparkle.  It was very difficult for me to capture just how sparkly these polishes are on camera. Please know that the Magical Pixies will be much more glittery in person if you purchase them! Let me share these polishes with you!

Zoya Magical Pixie Collection

Zoya – Cosmo Zoya – CosmoFirst up is Cosmo, a silver textured polish. Cosmo is opaque in two coats, and has a surprisingly easy-to-work-with formula! This polish is literally like a disco ball on my nails! It would be so perfect for a night out on the town, or anyone who just loves glitter and sparkle. I think this is great for New Year’s Eve as well!

Zoya – Vega Zoya – VegaNext up is Vega, a light blue textured polish. Vega is quite full coverage, and I could almost get away with one coat, but added a second for opacity. I really like how the dusty blue color is mixed with the holographic sparkle. Vega is so unique!

Zoya – Lux Zoya – LuxLast but not least is Lux, a baby pink textured polish. Lux is my favorite polish in this trio! It reminds me of ballerinas and tutus. Just like the other polishes in this collection, Lux is opaque in two coats and quite easy to apply. It dries very quickly, and is oh-so-sparkly!

All in all, the Magical Pixie Collection is unlike anything else in my own personal stash! I know these won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think they are really fun, and perfect for fancy occasions. You can purchase these polishes on Zoya’s website HERE for $10 each. Let me know what you think of the Magical Pixies 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. 

Indie Spotlight | Daphine Polish’s Holiday Collection 2013

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you three beautiful polishes from the indie brand Daphine Polish. While I first tried this brand just a few months ago, it has quickly become one of my favorite indies! I was thrilled to review some of the holiday polishes for all of you. Let me show you these gorgeous polishes!

IMG_3717 IMG_3722First, I wanted to show you how nice the packaging from Daphine Polish is. I love when brands put in that extra effort. It really makes getting a package even more exciting!

IMG_3736 IMG_3743The first polish I have to show you is Poinsettia, a Christmas red polish with holographic shimmer throughout. Poinsettia is the perfect holiday polish! The formula is amazing, and is opaque in two coats. Plus, it dries quickly. I recommend sealing Poinsettia with a top coat shortly after application to ensure the holographic quality really stands out.

IMG_3751 IMG_3759Next up is Rudolph’s Nose, a glitter topcoat with a variety of red glitters and a sprinkling of green and gold granules. I layered one coat of Rudolph’s Nose over Poinsettia, and I’m loving the result! There is no fishing for glitters in this polish, and I love how beautiful these two look together. Of course, you can layer Rudolph’s Nose over many other polishes as well!

IMG_3854 IMG_3859Last but not least is Frosty, a glitter top coat with a mix of white and iridescent glitters. I layered one coat over Zoya Hunter (see review HERE), and I’m so amazed with the result! Not only does Frosty have an amazing formula, but the iridescent glitters transform on the nail. As you can see in the photos above, shades of blue and purple magically appeared on my nails! I bet you will get a different result depending on the layering combo. I will have to experiment with Frosty more in the future for sure.

All in all, these holiday polishes from Daphine Polish are wonderful! I highly recommend them! Make sure you check out the full holiday collection on Etsy HERE. Full size polishes are $10 each, but keep an eye out for holiday sales by liking Daphine Polish on Facebook HERE. Let me know which of these three is your favorite 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 Zenith Collection for Holiday 2013

Happy Friday! Today I have a review of the complete Zenith Collection from Zoya Nail Polish.The Zenith Collection will be released in just a few days on October 1, and contains six beautiful shades for the holiday season. Let me show you these gorgeous polishes!

IMG_3057 IMG_3060First up is Belinda, a dark purple polish with blue and magenta shimmer. Belinda has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It was difficult to capture the shimmer on camera, but in real life this polish shines so beautifully. Belinda is definitely one of my favorites in this collection.

IMG_3096 IMG_3100Next is Seraphina, a silver metallic polish. Seraphina has a good formula, but I found it very difficult to apply due to its color. The silver is very sheer, and was hard for me to see during application. I therefore had to be really careful to make sure I was staying inside the lines. Besides that, Seraphina is opaque in two coats, and is a nice silver for the holidays!

IMG_3103 IMG_3107Cassedy is up next, and it is a stunning pewter polish that shifts to blue and green depending on the light. Cassedy has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats, and I am loving how unique it is! I wouldn’t necessarily call this a duochrome, but it clearly has a color-changing quality. Cassedy is very edgy, and would look great for a rock star look. IMG_3110 IMG_3112Next is Payton, a cranberry jelly polish with scattered holographic glitter. Payton has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. Plus, application is amazing! Payton is such a beautiful polish, and it is a great alternative to the bright, Christmas red around the holiday season.

IMG_3115 IMG_3119Dream is up next, and is a blue jelly polish with scattered holographic glitter. Dream is literally a dream polish. It has the perfect formula, and is opaque in two coats. Dream is definitely my favorite polish in the collection, and I think it is so gorgeous. I love the dimension and sparkle!

IMG_3123 IMG_3126Last but not least is Mosheen, a glitter top coat mixed with holographic bars and grains. The base is just slightly blue, so I layered two coats over Zoya Blu to get the look in the photos. Mosheen does have a good formula, and I had no problems with application. Mosheen is a nice polish to add a bit of sparkle to any manicure!

All in all, I’m loving the Zoya Zenith Collection! I love that the polishes are unique, and different from typical holiday collections. I would also like to see more polishes like Dream and Payton in the future! You can purchase these polishes starting October 1 on Zoya’s website HERE for $8 each.

 

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

Indie Spotlight: Different Dimension’s You’ve Got a Friend in Me Set + Excelsior!

Happy Sunday! Today I have some more polishes to share with you from one of my favorite indie brands, Different Dimension. If you love Disney movies, you are in for a treat, because I’ve got a duo of polishes based off of your favorite characters from the Toy Story trilogy! As an added bonus, I’m also reviewing a stunning holographic polish that I’m sure you will love. Let me show you these beautiful polishes!

 

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First up is To Infinity and Beyond, a glitter top coat in a clear base named for Buzz Lightyear. The glitters in this polish fit Buzz to a T — a mix of green, purple, and white in different shapes and sizes is just the perfect representation. I layered one coat over Zoya Neely to act as a complimentary base color, and to really let the glitters stand out. I especially love the neon green circles in this polish. To Infinity and Beyond is just stunning, and it even glows in the dark!

 

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Next up is Reach for the Sky, a yellow-based polish with red and yellow glitters mixed throughout. The You’ve Got a Friend in Me Set would not be complete without a polish named for Woody, everyone’s favorite cowboy. I layered two coats of Reach for the Sky over Traffic Lights from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Not only was it the same exact base color, but it ensured opacity for my manicure. Reach for the Sky has a great formula that represents Woody well! This is a great polish color for the fall months, or for any yellow fan.

 

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As an added bonus, I also have the stunning Excelsior on the blog! Excelsior is a holographic nail polish that is somewhere between a silver and white base. It reflects the colors of the rainbow in the light just beautifully. Excelsior is opaque in two coats, and has a fabulous formula. Plus, it is one of the best holographic nail polishes I have ever tried! It has a strong holo effect, yet it is perfect for every day wear. I highly recommend it!

All in all, I love the You’ve Got a Friend in Me Set and Excelsior from Different Dimension. This is an indie brand that never disappoints! I love the amazing quality and unique polishes, and I definitely recommend it. You can shop for Different Dimension polishes on Etsy HERE and like the Facebook page HERE.

 

The polishes in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. 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!

 

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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!

 

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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. 

Indie Spotlight: The Divine Collection by Cameo Colours Lacquers

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the new Divine Collection by the indie brand Cameo Colours Lacquers. This collection features six holographic polishes in the perfect shades for spring. I apologize in advance, for the photos in this post do not capture the holographic effect as well as I would like. Rest assured that in real life the holo truly does shine! Let me show you the polishes from the Divine Collection.

IMG_0946 IMG_0950 IMG_0951First up is Athena, a light purple holo that can be classified as a lilac shade. It is opaque in three coats, as the formula is sheer but easy to work with. I love the more subdued of look of Athena. This polish is so pretty and feminine! I was impressed with how quickly Athena dried.

IMG_0956 IMG_0958 IMG_0959The next Divine polish is Brighid, a pastel yellow holo. It was not quite opaque in two coats, so I added a third to ensure it was full coverage. Brighid has a great formula that is a bit on the sheer side. This polish reminds me a bit of Zoya Piaf, but with more of a holographic look instead of a shimmer. Brighid is so light and dainty! I personally don’t think it goes well with my skin tone, but it sure is pretty.

IMG_0968 IMG_0966 IMG_0969Next up is Hathor, a gorgeous light blue holo. Hathor is opaque in two coats. The formula was a bit patchy with the first layer, but evened right up on the second. Hathor has a very strong holographic effect. I love this one so much! It reminds me of the coveted Color Club Halo Hues. I think Hathor is my favorite from the Divine Collection.

IMG_0975 IMG_0976 IMG_0978Ishtar is the mint green of the Divine Collection! Opaque in three coats, Ishtar has a green formula that is on the sheer side. The holographic effect is very strong with this polish, and is quite stunning. Ishtar is absolutely perfect for spring, and could be work for a Saint Patrick’s Day look for sure!

IMG_0981 IMG_0984 IMG_0987Next up is Pele, a pastel orange holo that I would call a tangerine shade. Pele is opaque in two coats. The color is very subtle, but the holo stands out strong. This is the perfect color for summer, or an alternative to a nude nail polish shade. The pastel look is great for those who don’t like “loud” nails.

IMG_0989 IMG_0991 IMG_0993Last but not least is Venus, a pale pink holo. The formula on this polish was a little patchy, and was opaque in three coats. Venus leans towards a purple shade, and is very feminine. This is a great holographic for an every day look!

All in all, the Divine Collection by Cameo Colours Lacquers provides a great holographic collection with beautiful spring shades! I love the pastel colors that still have a holographic effect. It’s the perfect combination in my book! The Divine Collection is being released on March 15, 2013 on the Cameo Colours Etsy site HERE. Let me know what you think of these polishes!

 

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

Valentine’s Day Skittle Manicure!

Happy Sunday! Today I have a fun post for all of you featuring a Valentine’s Day skittle manicure. What is a skittle manicure, you ask? It’s when each nail is painted differently from all the rest, whether it be all different colors or patterns. I thought a skittle would be a cute idea for Valentine’s Day, and it would help me practice some nail art techniques! Let me show you my Valentine’s manicure!

Valentine's Day Base

 

I used Sally Hansen Fuchsia Flare as the base color for my manicure, and an accent nail of Zoya Jacqueline. Fuchsia Flare is a beautiful bright pink nail polish that is opaque in two coats. The formula was easy to apply, and spread out evenly. I thought it would make the perfect base for some nail art, especially for Valentine’s Day! I also used a fast dry polish so that I could get to work on the nail art as soon as possible — I don’t like waiting for polish to dry!

Free Hand Heart

The next step was to begin the skittle! I first started out with Fuchsia Flare again, and ever so carefully did a free-hand heart on the accent nail of Zoya Jacqueline. To do so, I wiped off almost all the polish from the brush, and made two sweeps of the polish in a V shape. It was rather simple to do with a steady hand, and I’m thrilled the way it came out!

Valentine's Day Skittle Manicure | Adventures in Polishland Valentine's Day Skittle Manicure | Adventures in Polishland

Next, I completed my manicure using all of the other polishes. It’s very important to make sure your base color is dry before beginning these next steps, or you will experience smudging. Working from pinky to thumb, I first did a french tip with an unnamed red OPI. To do so I used scotch tape as a guideline. Next, I did a glitter gradient on my middle finger using Equinots from A Rhyming Dictionary. I put a dab of the glitter polish at the bottom of my nail near the cuticle, and slowly dragged up the glitters until about half of the nail was covered. On my pointer finger I used Milani Digital to do another scotch tape design, this time in a vertical stripe. The result here wasn’t very good — Digital was not opaque over Fuchsia Flare, and I didn’t get a clean line after removing the tape. Nonetheless, I completed the manicure with a thin coat of Elixir Lacquer A Cool Fool on my thumb nail. This gave that nail a beautiful, holographic shine.

Overall I am loving my Valentine’s Day manicure! There are some imperfections, but that is fine by me. Be sure to try out your own skittle manicure by wearing a different color or design on each nail. It’s a fun way to experiment with new styles and impress your friends. Be sure to share your Valentine’s Day manicures with me on my Facebook page HERE!

 

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.