milani color statement – Adventures in Polishland

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Dare to Compare | Comparing 4 Bright Pink Nail Polishes

Posted on July 20, 2016June 7, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I told you in my last Dare to Compare post that my love for pink polishes is strong, and bright pink is one of my favorite shades to wear. In fact, one of my first ever Dare to Compare posts back in 2013 featured three bright pink polishes (read it HERE). Today I have four more polishes to compare with all of you. I’ll be reviewing each polish individually, and swatching them side-by-side to see the colors together.

First up is Hot Pink Rage from Milani’s Color Statement line. Hot Pink Rage has a perfect formula that is opaque in one coat! I did apply two in the photos above to see if I could achieve a richer pigmentation, but one coat is definitely all you need. Hot Pink Rage is definitely a deeper pink in shade, while still being very bright.

Next up is Raspberry Delight from Milani’s older nail polish line that is now discontinued. Raspberry Delight has a good formula, but it did get a bit streaky during application. I applied two coats for opacity, and I can see some uneven texture in the finish. This is a gorgeous pink, and a bit lighter in shade than Hot Pink Rage. Raspberry Delight does have a very subtle shimmer in the bottle, but I can’t see it on my nails at all.

Tickled Pink from Covergirl is up next, another polish I’ve owned for several years now. Tickled Pink has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. It applies really smoothly, and just looks amazing on my nails. I’ve had great luck with Covergirl polishes, and Tickled Pink is one of my favorites!

Last but not least is Nice Gal Peony from Priti NYC. Nice Gal Peony also has an excellent formula. It applies well and is opaque in two coats, and just so pretty! I also like that this polish is made in the USA by a smaller brand. I do take those things into consideration when buying products, because it’s always nice to support companies in my own country.

Here is a look at all four polishes together. From left to right are: Milani Color Statement in Hot Pink Rage, Milani in Raspberry Delight, Covergirl in Tickled Pink, and Priti NYC in Nice Gal Peony. It is obvious from the comparison that these polishes are not exact duplicates for one another despite being very similar. Hot Pink Rage and Tickled Pink are almost dupes, but they are slightly different. It’s so difficult for me to declutter any of these polishes, because they all have such great formulas. However, there is no need for me to keep all four, so I’m letting go of Raspberry Delight and Tickled Pink.

All in all, I’m surprised that these bright pink polishes are more different in shade than I first anticipated! Sometimes the way a polish looks in the bottle is not exactly how it dries on the nails. That is certainly the case with some of these pink shades! As always, I would love to know what bright pink polishes are your favorites. Please share in the comments!

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.

Dare to Compare | Comparing 5 Coral Nail Polishes

Posted on July 15, 2016June 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today’s nail polish comparison is going to be the biggest yet. I own five coral nail polishes that all look extremely similar in the bottle, and I just had to test them out together to see if any were dupes. Coral is the perfect shade to wear in the summertime, so I hope you’ll find these swatches helpful if you’re on the lookout for a coral shade. Let’s jump right into the individual reviews and side-by-side comparison!

First up is Coral Reef from the Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear line. This is the most affordable polish of the bunch, and it also has one of the best formulas. Coral Reef is a bit on the watery side, but it applies smoothly and is opaque in two coats. If you’ve been following my blog since its beginning, you’ll know that I am a huge fan of the Xtreme Wear line. While some of the formulas are duds, most of them are excellent and can fit nearly any budget. Coral Reef is a great option!

Next up is Splendid Strawberry from Milani’s older nail polish collection that is now discontinued. Splendid Strawberry looks a bit more pink-toned in the bottle, but dries to a beautiful coral shade. This polish has a very good formula, but is again a bit on the watery side. I really like the flat brush that came in this Milani line, as it makes application easier than thicker brushes.

Another polish from Milani is Corrupted Coral from its newer Color Statement line. Corrupted Coral’s formula is okay, but quite thick. I found that it dragged upon application, so make sure to let each coat dry completely before adding another layer. I also recommend thin coats as this polish can be very tacky.

The next polish is Peachy Breeze from the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri line. Peachy Breeze is a go-to polish for me, and my most used coral polish for sure. The formula has gotten a bit tacky over time, but it is still easily workable. I applied two coats to achieve opacity, and as promised, this polish dried extremely quickly.

Last but not least is China Glaze Surreal Appeal. This polish has a wonky formula. It is very watery, and then when it dries it becomes very uneven. I applied two coats in the photos above, and you can definitely see the uneven texture. I just don’t have much luck with the China Glaze brand!

It’s time to look at all of these polishes together! I’m wearing a different polish on each finger in the photos above, and I think it is fair to say that these are all dupes for one another. I cannot tell a difference between these five shades! I can’t believe I own so many of the same polish color. That being said, I am going to declutter all but one of them. I will be keeping Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Peachy Breeze, because although the formula is not perfect, it is my favorite out of the bunch since it applies well and dries fast.

All in all, I can’t get over the fact that I had five coral nail polishes that are virtually identical in my collection! I hope you found this post helpful if you are looking to find a coral, or if you already own one of the above. Now you won’t be wondering if a polish is a dupe when nail polish shopping! Definitely let me know in the comments if you have a favorite coral shade. I would love to hear your polish picks!

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.

Dare to Compare | Milani Color Statement Cupcake Icing vs Milani Cupid’s Touch

Posted on July 13, 2016June 4, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today’s nail polish comparison features two nail polishes from the same brand. Milani Cosmetics relaunched its nail polish line a couple years back, and understandably many of the nail polishes are quite similar from the brand’s old line. I wanted to test out two polishes that appeared very similar in the bottle. That way if you own the original polish, there is no need for you to purchase the new version. Let me show you Cupcake Icing and Cupid’s Touch both individually and side-by-side.

First up is Cupcake Icing from the Color Statement line, the range currently in drugstores. Cupcake Icing is a blue-toned pink polish and has a great formula. It applies well and it opaque in two coats. I think this shade of polish looks good on everyone no matter the skin tone. It is also work appropriate as it is just a step away from a neutral polish.

Next up is Cupid’s Touch from Milani’s older nail polish line. Cupid’s Touch is also a blue-toned pink, and has the same great formula of Cupcake Icing. I never reach for this polish, but I really like how it looks on me as I’m typing up this blog post. I’m going to have to make an effort to wear it more often!

Here is a look at Cupcake Icing and Cupid’s Touch side-by-side. Can you tell a difference between the polishes? I can’t! It appears that Milani rebottled Cupid’s Touch for its newer nail polish line. That is completely understandable, as a relaunch will inevitably include some older polishes. I do find it interesting that the polish name was changed, but perhaps that was a marketing technique. Whatever the reason, it is not necessary to purchase Cupcake Icing if you already own Cupid’s Touch. I will be decluttering one of these polishes, and I think I’ll keep Cupid’s Touch since it can’t be purchased any longer.

All in all, I hope you found this post helpful whether you were looking for a dupe of Cupid’s Touch or you simply enjoy comparisons! Let me know in the comments how you feel about rebottled nail polishes. In this case the rebottling makes sense to me, because Milani revamped its entire nail polish line. I would also love to know if you own a blue-toned pink polish and if you wear it often.

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 | Milani Imperial Purple vs Essie Play Date vs Chrome Girl 2Gether Forevs

Posted on June 10, 2016May 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! My nail polish declutter project continues today with a comparison post of some purple nail polishes. I absolutely love a good lavender polish, especially in the spring. My go to shade is always Essie Play Date, but it turns out I own two polishes from Milani and Chrome Girl that look very similar in the bottle. I had to test them out together to see how both the shades and formulas compared. Let’s jump into another Dare to Compare!

First up is Milani Color Statement in the shade Imperial Purple. This polish has a good formula, but it is a bit on the watery side. I applied two thin coats to achieve opacity. Imperial Purple is a great option from the drugstore, but you do have to be prepared for cleanup because it can be messy.

Next up is Essie Play Date, the lavender polish I always grab! Play Date does not have a perfect formula, as it can be a bit streaky. I applied three coats for a smooth and opaque finish. Even though Play Date’s application isn’t the best, it wears really well. I have great luck with Essie formulas even though I only have a few in my collection.

Last but not least is Chrome Girl in 2Gether Forevs. I don’t think I’ve tried this polish since I first reviewed it over two years ago! 2Gether Forevs has an excellent formula. It applies smoothly and is opaque it two coats. I forgot how great this polish is!

Here is a look at these purples side-by-side. From left to right are: Milani Imperial Purple, Essie Play Date, and Chrome Girl 2Gether Forevs. As you can see, Essie Play Date is a different shade than the other two polishes. This surprised me a lot! However, Imperial Purple and 2Gether Forevs are virtually the same shade. I’ve decided to keep both Play Date and 2Gether Forevs, as I love both of these polishes!

All in all, I’m glad I tried all three polishes side-by-side! I highly recommend all of these, but my favorite has to be Essie Play Date. There is just something about it that I really love, even though it can be streaky upon application. You can purchase it at your local drugstore or on Amazon HERE. Make sure to let me know in the comments what your favorite lavender nail polish is!

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

Dare to Compare | Comparing 4 Midnight Blue Nail Polishes

Posted on June 6, 2016May 9, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today’s Dare to Compare post is going to be a big one. I own four nail polishes in my collection that are midnight blue shades, meaning they are almost black, but have a blue pigmentation. I knew I had to try them out side-by-side to see if they are exact duplicates of one another. The polishes range from the affordable price of $5 to the higher end price of $14, so I have a polish for every budget to share. Let me show you these polishes individually, and then side-by-side.

First up is Milani Color Statement in the shade Ink Spot. This is a highly pigmented polish that can be worn in just one coat. I added two coats for this blog post, just to ensure an opaque finish. Ink Spot is a great polish, and one that is super affordable. I recommend this polish if you are on a budget and looking for a solid one-coat formula.

Next up is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Night Flight. This polish has been my go to for a while when it comes to midnight blue polishes. The formula is excellent, and it is opaque in two coats. Plus, it does dry very quickly, which I really appreciate. I reach for Night Flight because it does dry so fast. This is one is also super affordable at around $5.00 at the drugstore.

The third midnight blue polish I own is Madam Glam’s Endless Night. In the bottle this looks much more blue than it is black, but once I apply two coats it takes on the same blue-black look. Endless Night also has a good formula, but it is a stainer! Make sure to wear a healthy base coat if you own this polish. Madam Glam polishes retail for around $8.00, but Endless Night is discontinued.

Last but not least is Julep Kristy. This polish has a good formula that is opaque in two coats, but it does have a tendency to stain as well. I’m not sure if I’ve ever worn Kristy before, but it is a nice polish. If you’re looking for a splurge polish this might be a good one for you!

Here is a look at all four polishes side-by-side. From left to right are: Milani Ink Spot, Sally Hansen Night Flight, Madam Glam Endless Night, and Julep Kristy. As you can see, these polishes are all nearly identical. In person both Endless Night and Kristy are a touch more blue than Ink Spot and Night Flight, but honestly there is no need for me to own all four of these polishes! I’m going to keep only Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Night Flight, just because I love the quick dry formula.

All in all, I hope you found this post helpful if you are looking for a midnight blue polish. I think all of the polishes mentioned here are great options, but I definitely recommend Night Flight. It is available at the drugstore or online HERE for a fabulous and affordable price! Please let me know in the comments if you own any of these polishes, or if you have a favorite midnight blue. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Some of 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.

Dare to Compare | Milani Blue Print vs Milani Blue Jay vs Essie Butler Please

Posted on May 23, 2016May 23, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have another nail polish comparison post featuring three blue polishes. This post is pretty exciting for me, because it contains my all-time favorite nail polish, Essie Butler Please. I just drool over bright blue polishes, and that is reflected in my collection. Nonetheless, it’s time to pare down my blues to the best of the best. I noticed that Butler Please looks very similar to two of my Milani polishes, so I had to test them out side-by-side. Let’s take a look at each blue individually, and then compare the shades.

First up is Milani Color Statement in Blue Print. This is a bright blue polish that dries to a glossy finish. Blue Print has an excellent formula that is opaque in two coats. This polish is part of Milani’s permanent collection, and available at the drug store for a fabulous and affordable price. I highly recommend this polish if you’re looking for something really budget-friendly.

Next up is Milani in Blue Jay. This was a limited edition nail polish from the Fantastical Plumage collection and no longer available. Blue Jay has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. I absolutely love this polish! In fact, I’m a big fan of that entire collection. I’ve held onto all the polishes, but unfortunately you cannot purchase them any longer. Nonetheless, I thought it would be helpful to include Blue Jay in this comparison if you do own it!

Last but not least is Essie Butler Please, my favorite polish! Butler Please has a unique formula that dries to a semi-matte finish. It applies rather smoothly, and it does take two coats to achieve opacity. There is just something about this polish that I am forever obsessing over, and I definitely compare other blue polishes to this one. The formula isn’t perfect, but the end result is worth it to me.

Here is a look at all three polishes side-by-side. From left to right are: Milani Color Statement Blue Print, Milani Blue Jay, and Essie Butler Please. It is clear that we don’t have any exact duplicates with any of these polishes, but they are very similar. Blue Jay is the deepest blue of the three for sure. Blue Print and Butler Please are nearly identical in shade, but of course vary in terms of finish. I’ve decided to destash Blue Print, because although I love it, I’m always going to reach for Butler Please over it. Plus, I know I’m keeping the other two, so one has to go.

All in all, while I didn’t find a dupe in this Dare to Compare, I was glad to test out these polishes together. If you are looking for the perfect blue, I highly recommend any of the polishes mentioned today. Essie Butler Please is available on Amazon HERE for $8.50, and check your local drugstore for Milani Blue Print. Please let me know in the comments what your favorite bright blue nail polish is, and if you prefer a glossy or matte finish.

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

Dare to Compare | Sally Hansen Blue Me Away vs Milani Water Front vs Sally Hansen Dive Bar

Posted on May 16, 2016May 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have another nail polish comparison post, this time looking at three different polishes. As I mentioned in my last Dare to Compare, I own a ton of blue polishes, and many of them are similar in color. I had to laugh when I found three polishes in a light blue shade, all from the drugstore. I knew I had to see if these polishes are dupes, so let me share them with you!

First up is Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Blue Me Away!, a light blue creme polish. Blue Me Away! is one of the oldest polishes in my collection, but the formula is still excellent. I applied two coats to achieve opacity, and the polish still applied smoothly to my nails. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear is one of my all-time favorite lines of nail polish, as it is super fabulous and affordable. Blue Me Away! is one I’ve gotten a lot of use out of over the years.

Next up is Milani Color Statement in Water Front, another blue creme polish. Water Front has a good formula, but it is a bit on the watery side so I found it a little messy during application. This is still a great choice of polish, though, so if you see it at the drugstore I do recommend it. Just be prepared to clean up the cuticles a bit!

Last but not least is Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Dive Bar. I’ve found that a lot of the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polishes have a match in one of the less expensive Xtreme Wear polishes. Dive Bar has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I absolutely love this polish! The Miracle Gel line comes with a large flat brush that makes application super easy, which I always appreciate.

Here is a look at all of the polishes side-by-side. From left to right are: Blue Me Away!, Water Front, and Dive Bar. Blue Me Away! is definitely the most pigmented of the three polishes, but Water Front and Dive Bar look exactly the same to me. I knew based on my swatches that I would destash Water Front, since it does have that watery formula and is a dupe of Dive Bar. I’ve decided to keep the other two polishes, since they are slightly different, and because Blue Me Away! is so used that I really can’t give it to anyone else.

All in all, I’m glad I tested all three of these polishes together. It’s always fun to find a dupe! Each of these polishes is worth purchasing, but my favorite is definitely Blue Me Away! due to its price and quality. You can find it at your local drugstore or online HERE for under $3.00. Definitely let me know in the comments what your favorite light blue nail polish is. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Some of 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.

Dare to Compare | Milani Color Statement Red Label vs KBShimmer Chilly Pepper

Posted on May 2, 2016March 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a nail polish comparison for you, and I’m excited to share the results. I’ve never been a big fan of the classic red nail polish, but every once in a while I find a shade of red that does work with my fair skin tone. In late 2015 I received KBShimmer’s Chilly Pepper for review and immediately knew this was a red made for me. As it turns out, I also own Milani Color Statement in Red Label, a shade that looks nearly identical to Chilly Pepper in the bottle. Now, I knew I would keep Chilly Pepper because it is one of my most used nail polishes, but I wanted to see if these polishes were dupes. Let me share the results with you!

First up is Milani Color Statement Red Label. This is a true red nail polish with a creme formula. Red Label has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. My only issue with the formula is that it is just a touch watery, but that is me nitpicking this polish. Red Label is an amazing red, and it’s a fabulous and affordable polish.

KBShimmer Chilly Pepper is also a bright red creme polish, but it does feel more like a ‘crelly,’ or creme and jelly formula. Chilly Pepper has a perfect formula. It applies with ease, looks beautiful in two opaque coats, and dries to a glossy finish with no top coat needed. I’ve used this polish so much since I received it, and you can tell by the messy state of the bottle. This is one loved polish!

Here is a look at Red Label and Chilly Pepper side-by-side. Red Label is on my pinky and ring fingers with Chilly Pepper on my middle and pointer fingers. Can you tell a difference between the two? It is very, very slight, but Red Label is a tad brighter. However, there is no reason for me to own both of these polishes. I knew I’d be keeping Chilly Pepper, so I’m saying goodbye to Red Label.

All in all, I’m glad I swatched these side-by-side so I could alert you to this dupe! I know KBShimmer is a higher end brand, and that Milani is more accessible for many of you at your local drugstore. If you can get your hands on Chilly Pepper, I highly recommend picking it up on Amazon HERE. That being said, I also recommend Red Label. It’s all up to how much you want to spend! Definitely let me know in the comments what your favorite red nail polish is. I would love to know!

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

Dare to Compare | Milani Scarlet Ibis vs Milani Color Statement Mango Tango

Posted on April 25, 2016March 22, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have another nail polish comparison post to share, and this time the polishes are from the same brand! I own two red-orange polishes from Milani that look extremely similar in the bottle, and I had to test them out to see if they are duplicates. I did want to mention that these polishes are from two different Milani collections, so it’s understandable that the shades are so similar. Let’s take a look at Scarlet Ibis and Mango Tango individually and side-by-side.

First up is Scarlet Ibis, a red orange polish with a very slight shimmer. This polish is from the limited edition Fantastical Plumage Collection, which is one of my all-time favorite Milani collections (review HERE). Scarlet Ibis has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It’s a tad bit watery, so I used thin coats and really liked the end result. The shimmer is just enough to add some dimension, but not make my manicure glittery. I really like Scarlet Ibis!

Next up is Mango Tango from the currently-in-stores Color Statement line. This is a red-orange creme polish with a rich pigmentation. Mango Tango has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. I really like the brush in this new Color Statement line from Milani, so that made the application process a bit better than it was with Scarlet Ibis. That’s definitely something I keep in mind when deciding whether or not to destash a polish.

Here are Scarlet Ibis and Mango Tango side-by-side. I have Scarlet Ibis on my pinky and ring fingers, and Mango Tango on my middle and pointer fingers. There is definitely a slight difference between these two polishes, so I wouldn’t call them exact dupes. That being said, there is no reason for me to keep both of these in my collection. While I like the brush and formula of Mango Tango a bit more, I’ve decided to keep Scarlet Ibis. I prefer the shade and slight shimmer, and I know I’ll never be able to buy it again. This was a tough decision!

All in all, I always find it interesting when brands release polishes that are so similar there is no need to own both. I absolutely love Milani nail polishes, and think it’s great the brand is constantly evolving. Definitely let me know in the comments if you prefer Milani’s older collections, or the new Color Statement line. I would also like to know your favorite red-orange nail polish!

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

Manicure March | Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer in Crimson Jewel

Posted on March 19, 2016February 29, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Manicure March continues with another Milani Color Statement polish. As I’ve mentioned earlier in this series, I own a lot of Milani nail polishes because I was sent the entire line for review a couple years ago. I think the line is really great quality, but not all of the colors are my cup of tea. One of those is Crimson Jewel, a red glitter polish. I don’t wear glitter very often, so I’m really trying to cut down on the glitters in my collection. Let me share my thoughts on Crimson Jewel with all of you!

Crimson Jewel is a red glitter polish with a red base. It has a great formula that applies easily and is opaque in two coats. I’m really impressed with how this polish can be worn alone without the need for another base color. I didn’t expect to really like Crimson Jewel, but when I was wearing it, I thought I had to have it! I can picture it for the holiday season for sure.

All in all, Crimson Jewel is one of the polishes I’m keeping in my collection, even though it’s not one I’m going to wear often. I’m going to be interested to see if this will make it past the next round of my declutter. My first declutter round is focusing on each polish individually – whether I like the color and whether the formula is good. My next will compare my polishes to see if any are so similar that I can get rid of them. I’ll explain more about that at the end of Manicure March, so make sure to stay tuned!

Join in #ManicureMarch by using the hashtag on social media and by tagging me in your photos on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter!