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Pinspiration | Neutral & Gold Manicure + Using Your Textured Polishes in a New Way!

Posted on January 13, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I’ve really been into Pinterest lately, and spotted THIS beautiful accent nail that I just had to recreate. Neutrals are really great in the winter months, but the pop of gold sparkle added a classy yet fabulous touch to the manicure. I searched through my nail polish collection to see which shades matched the Pin best, and to my surprise the best full coverage gold glitter I owned was a textured formula. I decided to make it work! Let me show you the results!

Step 1: Paint Your Nails with a Nude Beige Polish

I chose Milani Vanilla Almond (review HERE), but you can use whatever polish you own. Make sure you let this base dry completely before moving onto step two. I actually let my manicure dry overnight, but to be safe I think 1-2 hours will be satisfactory depending on the formula of the polish and the humidity of your location.

Step 2: Apply Tape to Nail and Paint an Off-White Diagonal

I’ve used the tape trick since my blog’s inception. Simply take a small piece of tape, press it on the back of your hand to remove some of the stickiness, then place on your nail. Paint over the tape and remove while the polish is still wet. I use Color Club Mod in Manhattan (review HERE) as my off-white polish. If you only own a white, that will work, too!

Step 3: Apply Tape on Opposite Side of Nail and Paint a Gold Glitter Diagonal

Finally, repeat the above step with the tape on the opposite side of your nail. Again, make sure to let step two dry completely before moving on. As you can see from my manicure, I didn’t wait for my polish to dry enough and had to touch up the lines. For my gold glitter I chose JulieG Gift of Gold. This is a textured polish, but it was the most full coverage of all my gold glitters. To achieve a glossy finish, I simply applied Essie Good to Go over the entire nail! I’m loving the finished product!

All in all, it is super easy to create this neutral and gold manicure so long as you have a bit of patience with the drying process. Of course, you can use any nail polish colors you wish to recreate this look, but I think this color palette is stunning. Even though textured polishes may not be on trend anymore, you can still find ways to use those that you purchased in nail art and by applying a glossy top coat. Please let me know in the comments if you’ll be recreating this look!

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.

5 Marsala Nail Polishes You Already Own | Pantone Color of the Year 2015

Posted on January 4, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Now that 2015 is in full swing, it’s time to embrace the new Color of the Year! Every year, Pantone deems one color shade to be the Color of the Year. This year is Marsala, an earthy wine red that looks to me like a deep, dusty mauve. You can read all about Marsala on the Pantone website HERE, but today I’ll be talking about Marsala nail polishes! I’ve raided my own nail polish stash to find the shades that match up best with 2015’s new color. Let me show you the five Marsala nail polishes that you might already own!

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer

Mauving Forward [REVIEW] [BUY]

Mauving Forward is an affordable polish that fits nicely within the Marsala family. It definitely has some purple undertones, but the pigmented formula is great. Plus, this new range from Milani can easily be found online or at your local CVS store.

Milani Limited Edition Textured Creams

Mystery Mauve [REVIEW]

If you purchased Mystery Mauve from the limited edition Textured Creams collection last fall you are in luck! It is a great Marsala shade, plus it has that fun textured feel. Time to dig out your bottle from last year!

Zoya Naturel Collection

Normani [REVIEW] [BUY]

If you prefer more muted nails, try Normani. It’s a bit lighter than Marsala, but still similar to that gorgeous hue. I highly recommend this shade for those with a fair skin tone!

Zoya Naturel Deux Collection

Aubrey [REVIEW] [BUY]

Another great pick is from the second Zoya Naturel line. Aubrey is a much more pigmented mauve, and is one of the closest matches I have to a true Marsala in my collection. Aubrey is also a polish that can be worn in any season.

Julep

Aisha [REVIEW] [BUY]

Finally, if you prefer more of a bold shade try Aisha. It’s definitely brighter than Marsala and has some berry tones to it, but it’s for sure in the Marsala family. Try adding a matte top coat to soften the look if you want.

All in all, as Pantone embraces a new Color of the Year we can reach into our nail polish collections to find our own Marsala polishes. There is no need to splurge on new releases (though you are more than welcome to do so if you wish!). Even if you don’t have a perfect Marsala match, any mauve shade will do. Leave your favorite Marsala polishes in the comments so I can know what you’ll be rocking in 2015!

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.

My Top 14 Nail Polishes of 2014!

Posted on December 31, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! As the year comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on all of the amazing nail polishes I got to try for all of you. I went through each and every blog post I wrote this year and found the nail polishes I loved the most. These are the polishes that I wore over and over, and the ones I highly recommend to you. Let me go ahead and share my Top 14 Nail Polishes of 2014!

Milani Gold Label Specialty Nail Lacquer

Splendid Strawberry [REVIEW] [BUY]

Milani had a great 2014 when it came to new nail polish lines. The year began with some beautiful shades in the Gold Label Specialty Nail Lacquer Collection. I’m a sucker for pinks, and Splendid Strawberry is a perfect one. Plus, it has a great retail price of just $4.19.

Milani High Speed Fast Dry Nail Lacquer

Blue Zoom [REVIEW] [BUY]

Milani really outdid themselves with the stunning bright blue that is Blue Zoom. This highly pigmented polish is another one of my favorite manicure hues. It is just so fabulous!

Milani Nail Lacquer

White [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve tested a lot of white polishes this year, and a good reliable one is from Milani. Just look at that smooth finish! Whether you are looking to use a white for nail art, a glitter base, or just on its own, you can’t go wrong with this one at $4.99.

Zoya Awaken Collection

Cole [REVIEW] [BUY]

The polish I got the most use out of throughout 2014 is definitely Cole. I wore this beautiful peach shade several times ever since it first arrived to me. It is work appropriate, yet still not your typical neutral. I have a sizable dent in my bottle!

Zoya Tickled Collection

Wendy [REVIEW] [BUY]

Zoya also came out with a great pink shade this year. Wendy is a melon shade that also has a coral feel to it. The brightness pops in the summer sun, and it is a great go to polish.

L’Oreal Paris Miss Denim Collection

Jean & Tonic [REVIEW]

Textured nail polishes fizzled out a bit in 2014, but I spotted the limited edition Miss Denim collection by L’Oreal at drugstores and had to grab a couple. I love this turquoise shade, and wore it many times this summer. It is long lasting, and very flattering on my fair skin tone.

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer

Hot Pink Rage [REVIEW] [BUY]

Milani continued to make 2014 a memorable nail polish year by releasing the new Color Statement line. Hot Pink Rage was a stand out for me because of its flawless formula and wearable color. If you are looking for the perfect pink, this is it! Plus, this range is an affordable $3.99 each.

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer

Blue Print [REVIEW] [BUY]

My last Milani favorite of the year is Blue Print, another beyond-amazing blue. This is a bit deeper in pigmentation than Blue Zoom. I’m sure you can tell I love this color family!

Julep

Katie [REVIEW] [BUY]

I didn’t end up using Julep much this year, but Katie was definitely a stand out for me. The shade is unique and very beautiful. The subtle shimmer is just gorgeous, and I know it would look good on every skin tone (not just mine!).

Zoya Entice Collection

Ryan [REVIEW] [BUY]

As we transitioned from summer to fall, I grabbed those dark polishes right away. I’ve really come to love dark nails, which is quite funny because when I began this blog I was all about the brights and pastels! Ryan is such a divine polish with its deep indigo shade.

NYC New York Color Fashion Queen Collection

Queen of the City [REVIEW]

I’m sure you are sick of me mentioning Queen of the City by now – I think I’ve featured it at least three times on my blog since I got it! But really, this polish is fantastic. The deep, almost duochrome shade is one-of-a-kind. It’s a shame it was limited edition!

NYC New York Color Fashion Queen Crystal Couture Collection

Queen’s Jewels [REVIEW]

I also don’t wear glitter as much as I used to, but this full coverage green is so awesome! I’ll be wearing this during the holidays for many years to come, even though this was a fall line. Did you snag one before it disappeared?!

Zoya Matte Velvet Collection

Savita [REVIEW] [BUY]

This year Zoya re-released the Matte Velvet line, and I got to try them for the first time. I absolutely love matte finishes, and these formulas are great options. Savita is a really nice purple. It’s my favorite in the line for sure.

NYC New York Color Midnight Beauty Collection

Black Elixir [REVIEW]

Not only did I discover a great white polish this year, but I found a stunning black as well! I can’t get over how this super affordable NYC New York Color polish is so flawless. It is a great reminder that lower priced items can sometimes be amazing quality.

All in all, I’ve discovered some great new nail polishes in 2014! I’m quite surprised that my top brands are Milani, Zoya, and NYC New York Color! I reach for them more than anything else it seems. What about you? Please share your favorite polishes of 2014 in the comments, and let me know which brands you wore most often this year.

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 | Neon Yellow Nail Polish

Posted on August 27, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Favorites & Final Thoughts

Posted on August 13, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

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

FAVORITES

Doll Face [REVIEW]

Bombshell [REVIEW]

Hot Pink Rage [REVIEW]

Mauving Forward [REVIEW]

Tattle Teal [REVIEW]

Peri-Wink [REVIEW]

Blue Print [REVIEW]

Silhouette [REVIEW]

Rainbow Prism [REVIEW]

Gold Plated [REVIEW]

FINAL THOUGHTS

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

What polishes in the Milani Color Statement line are your favorites? Let me know in the comments!

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Quick Dry Top Coat Review

Posted on August 11, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

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

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

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

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

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Glitters

Posted on August 9, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Reds

Posted on August 7, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I have a full review of all of the red polishes in the new Milani Color Statement line. The reds get their own post, because there are seven of them! I rarely wear red nails, but I know it’s the staple shade for many women. Let’s get right into the reds!

First up is Corrupted Coral, the most pink-toned of the reds! Corrupted Coral is the perfect coral creme, and has an amazing formula. This is one of those polishes that looks great on everyone no matter your skin tone. I think you need a polish like this one in your collection!

Next up is Mango Tango, a bright red-orange shade. Mango Tango has a super fun name, and an amazing formula. This polish just looks perfect on the nails!

Red Label is a true red creme, and such a classic shade. It reminds me of Louboutin bottoms for sure. Red Label has a great formula and is opaque in two coats. If you are in search of the perfect red polish, Red Label is the one to get.

Next up is Modern Rouge, a fuchsia red polish with a crelly (creme and jelly) formula. It is quite sheer, and I needed three coats to achieve opacity. Modern Rouge is a bit lighter than Red Label, and perfect if you don’t want a drastic red.

Iconic Red is next, and it is a deep cherry shade. It also has some plum undertones, which makes it a unique polish. Iconic Red has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. It reminds me of autumn leaves and football games for some reason. What do you think?

Next up is Ruby Stone, a shimmering deep red that is absolute perfect for the holidays. Whether you use it in nail art, or on its own, Ruby Stone is beautiful. The formula is great as well, and is opaque in two coats. I highly recommend this one!

Last but not least is Enchanting, a very dark bordeaux red. Enchanting is nearly black, and has a bit of a patchy formula. Luckily it evens out in two coats, and looks very vampy and mysterious. I feel like a daring woman would wear this shade, and I’m not sure that is me!

All in all, there is a great range of red polishes in the new Milani Color Statement line. If you’re in need of a new red, I guarantee you can find the perfect one for your collection here. At just $3.99 each, you can’t go wrong with these polishes. They are available for purchase at your local CVS store and on Milani’s website HERE. I’m almost done showing you the Milani polishes, so make sure to stay tuned for the final posts!

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Earth Tones

Posted on August 5, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I’m here to share the next installment in my Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer series with all of you. Today I’ve got what I’m calling the Earth Tones. They are all gorgeous neutrals, and perfect for the fall months. Without further ado, let’s get started!

First up is Spotlight White, the perfect white polish. Spotlight White has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It’s difficult to get the formula of a white polish just right, and Milani’s done it! If you’re looking for an affordable white for your collection, I highly recommend Spotlight White.

Next up is Bronze, a metallic bronze polish with hints of pink and purple undertones. Bronze’s formula isn’t perfect, and as with most metallic polishes it tends to bunch up a bit. I recommend thin coats, and definitely let each coat dry thoroughly before adding your next one. Bronze is a unique polish, and it looks different depending on the light!

My favorite of the Earth Tones is Pink Beige, a dusty rose that almost has a peachy tint to it. Pink Beige has a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats. It is great for an every day look, especially if you work in a professional setting. I think it’s just beautiful!

Next up is Silhouette, a grey-green polish with a subtle green and brown shimmer. Silhouette is the perfect army green, and I can see it being used in camouflage nail art looks for sure. The formula is perfect, and is opaque in two coats. I’m surprised that I love Silhouette, but it’s an awesome polish!

Last but not least is Charcoal Charm, a beautiful charcoal metallic polish with green and purple shimmer. Charcoal Charm has a good formula, and is opaque in two coats. It looks so cool on the nails – almost like I dipped my nails in liquid metal. It reminds of a high fashion manicure, and it is just perfect to match with your leather jackets and fall boots.

All in all, I think these Earth Tones are a great addition to the Milani Color Statement line. I’m quite impressed with Spotlight White, and really love Pink Beige. I do wish there was a black creme polish in the collection as well, but maybe that is to come in the future! You can, of course, purchase the Color Statement line at your local CVS store for just $3.99, or shop online from Milani’s website HERE. I’ve still got more Milani polishes to show you, so make sure to follow my blog to see them!

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Greens & Blues

Posted on August 3, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! It’s time for the third installment of my Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer series. Today I have all of the greens and blues in the new line to share with you. Unfortunately, there are only two green shades in the collection, which I find very disappointing because green nail polish is one of my favorites! Nonetheless, I have some beautiful polishes to show you today. Plus, don’t forget to use the toolbar at the top of this post to see the other polishes in this new line.

First up is Mint Crush, a pastel mint polish. Milani describes this as a mint green, but I’m seeing a lot of blue undertones in this polish. Let me know if you see this as green or blue in the comments! Mint Crush has a thin formula, and I needed three coats to get an even and opaque finish. The color is definitely beautiful.

The other green shade in the line is Tattle Teal, a beautiful teal creme that has an amazing formula. This polish glided on like butter, and looks stunning. I love how pigmented Tattle Teal is. I also think it’s perfect for the fall!

The first of the blues is Water Front, a highly pigmented sky blue creme. Water Front has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It does remind me of a few other polishes in my collection, but it’s definitely a beautiful polish.

Next up is Peri-Wink, a gorgeous periwinkle blue polish with undertones of purple. Peri-Wink has a slight, holographic shimmer running throughout the base, and is just a dainty polish. The formula is flawless, and opaque in two coats. Peri-Wink reminds me of twinkling snow!

Blue Print is next, and one of my favorites in the entire Color Statement line. It is a deep, royal blue with the perfect formula. Blue Print is opaque in two coats, and just looks amazing. I am a sucker for blue polishes like this one, and actually wear them quite often.

Last but not least is Ink Spot, a navy polish that appears nearly black. Ink Spot has a good formula, but I definitely needed two coats to even out the first, which was quite streaky. I personally like my navy polishes to have more blue pigmentation, but if you’re looking for an off-black type of shade, Ink Spot is for you!

All in all, I am really liking the blues and greens in the new Milani Color Statement line. Blue Print is beyond amazing, and Peri-Wink is just beautiful. I do wish there were more green shades, but perhaps Milani will expand the line in the future. You can purchase these polishes at your local CVS store for just $3.99 each, or on Milani’s website HERE. Stay tuned for even more Milani reviews!

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