nails – Page 16 – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: nails

Manicure Monday | Tillie Polish in Fierce and Fabulous

Posted on June 22, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! The Alphabet Challenge continues, and I really had to dig in my collection for a brand that begins with T. I found a Tillie Polish shade that I love, so I decided to put it on. I don’t remember the last time I wore it, but I do remember it being my spirit color! Let me show it to you!

Fierce and Fabulous is a hot pink polish with a matte finish and subtle silver shimmer. It is everything I could want in a nail polish! The formula is excellent and opaque in two coats, and the matte finish means I don’t need to grab a top coat. I absolutely love this polish, and feel fierce and fabulous whenever I wear it!

Unfortunately, Tillie Polish is not currently open for business. However, Zoya Lola is a very close match to Fierce and Fabulous. Check out my swatch of Lola HERE if you’re interested in getting a pink like this one. I certainly hope Tillie Polish will begin selling again soon! I love the shop’s creator Andrea and would love to see more polishes in the future. Let me know in the comments what favorite brand of yours is no longer open for business and you wish would come back!

Manicure Monday | Sally Hansen XtremeWear in Blue Me Away!

Posted on June 15, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! I can’t believe we’re nearing the end of the Alphabet Challenge! This week the letter S is up, and of course I had to reach for one of my favorite brands, Sally Hansen. I’ve been a huge Sally Hansen fan for years and years, way before I ever started blogging. I decided to feature one of the oldest polishes in my collection this week. Let me go ahead and show you Blue Me Away!

Blue Me Away! is a beautiful blue creme polish that is bright yet subdued at the same time. It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, and is super shiny without top coat. I am so impressed with how this nail polish has stood up to time! My bottle is about half empty at this point, but Blue Me Away! is still going strong. The best part is the XtremeWear line is really affordable, usually around $3.00 at the drugstore. It’s one of my favorite nail polish lines of all time.

All in all, I’m loving Blue Me Away! just as much as I did years ago when it first became part of my nail polish collection. Sally Hansen was one of the inspirations for my blog’s tagline – “Your Guide to Fabulous and Affordable Nails.” I’ve always loved finding a great bargain, and no matter how many nail polishes I get to test, Sally Hansen will be a staple in my collection. You can find Blue Me Away! at your local drugstore or department store. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your favorite XtremeWear polish is!

NYC New York Color Strip Me Off Base Coat Review

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

Happy Saturday! Today I have a review of the new Strip Me Off Base Coat from NYC New York Color. I got the opportunity to test this base coat out for all of you, and I have to say I was very intrigued with the product. It is designed to peel off of your nails so you can remove your manicure without using nail polish remover. I did some testing, and let me show you how it works!

STEP BY STEP PROCESS

Here is what the base coat looks like upon application. It goes on as a thick white color, and then begins to separate and dry. At first I thought I got a wonky bottle, but that’s how the product works! Don’t be alarmed if it looks strange when you put it on. You can see how my pinky and ring fingers have more transparent patches than my pointer finger, and that’s because the base coat changes as it dries. I have to say it reminds me of school glue!

Here is what the base coat looks like when fully dry. Unfortunately, the dry time is about 5-7 minutes, which is a very long time for base coat. As you can see, there were a few patches that didn’t fully dry. This happened to me every time I tested the base coat. Luckily, it doesn’t affect your overall manicure. I simply patted these bits down to make sure they were flat and dry, then added my nail color.

I tested Strip Me Off with both glitter polishes and regular nail colors. I found that glitters work the best, as they peel off in one big sheet. Regular nail polishes will peel off as well, but it does break up in smaller pieces. Nonetheless, it’s so cool that you can use this base coat with any polish you have. I decided to feature Shimmer Polish in Karen in this post!

Finally, here are my nails after I peeled off the base coat! I’m so impressed with how clean my nails look. They aren’t damaged at all – no scratches or residue are left on my nails. It was definitely refreshing to just peel off my polish and not have to get out the acetone. No smell and no fuss!

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

All in all, the NYC New York Color Strip Me Off Base Coat is a great product. It works properly, and with a price tag of just $1.99 I’m amazed with the results. I will say that I do not like how long it takes for this base coat to dry, but on the flipside, it saved me 10-15 minutes when I went to remove my glitter manicure. I don’t think I would use this base coat regularly, but I am going to use it whenever I have on a glitter manicure. It’s just so convenient! You can find Strip Me Off at your local drugstore or department store. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be picking this up!

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

Manicure Monday | Revlon Nail Art Expressionist in Pop Art

Posted on June 8, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! I skipped last week’s Alphabet Challenge because I couldn’t find a polish in my collection that began with the letter Q, but I’m back this week and am onto the letter R. I’ve had this Revlon Nail Art Expressionist in my collection for years now, but I almost never use it. I decided this was the perfect time to put it to the test!

The Revlon Nail Art Expressionist in Pop Art is a dual ended nail polish. On one side is a blue nail polish with a regular size brush, and on the other is a pink polish with a thin striping brush. I began with two coats of the blue, and was impressed with how great the formula is. Then, I used the pink to add some simple triangles. The pink formula was a bit thin and watery, so that made it difficult to have straight lines in my nail art. I still really like the way this look turned out, though!

All in all, I’m glad I took the time to test out this Revlon Nail Art Expressionist! I’ve seen these polishes on clearance at my local drugstore, so if you are looking to try this one out I definitely recommend seeing if you can get a deal. This polish is also just $3.04 on Amazon HERE, but as I type this there is only one left in stock! Definitely snag it if you’re interested! Have you ever tried a polish from Revlon’s Nail Art Expressionist line? Let me know in the comments!

The polish in this post was a gift. This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Madam Glam Nail Polish Review | 4 Shades

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

Happy Thursday! Today I am excited to share with you four nail polishes from the online store Madam Glam. This online boutique reached out to me and asked if I would like to review some of its products for all of you. When I took a look at what the store had to offer, I had to say yes! Madam Glam sells nail polish in addition to other makeup products. All nail polishes are 5-free and vegan, which is really awesome. Let me go ahead and show you the four shades I tested!

First up is So Nude, a peach-based nude with orange and gold shimmer. So Nude has a watery formula, so I recommend three thin coats for the best results. I thought So Nude was going to be a creme based off the Madam Glam website, but I’m pleasantly surprised with the shimmer. It adds a little something extra to an otherwise neutral polish.

Next up is Lucky Bamboo, a bright pistachio green polish. I unfortunately had a lot of trouble with Lucky Bamboo. It was thick, streaky, and on the goopy side. I layered about 2-3 coats on each nail until I got a clean look. I absolutely love the color of this polish, but I’m disappointed with the formula. I wouldn’t recommend this one unless you really, really wanted this color of nail polish.

Ibiza is the next polish I tried, and it is a blue-green polish with a holographic shimmer. Ibiza has a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m absolutely loving this one! It’s so beautiful for summer, and is just a stunning color. I can’t wait to put this on again!

Last but not least is Midnight, a deep purple creme polish. Midnight also has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. It is richly pigmented, and I’m loving this tone of purple. I think this is a perfect fall color, but can of course be worn any time of year. Midnight is also super shiny without a top coat!

All in all, I’m so glad I got the chance to test out some Madam Glam polishes! While one wasn’t so great, three were awesome! I would definitely try out more in the future, and I’d like to try out some of the other products they offer in the future as well. Madam Glam is a higher end brand, with each polish retailing for $10.95 each on its website HERE. If you purchase 4 or more products, use the code 40OFF at checkout to receive 40% off your order! Talk about great savings!

Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried anything from Madam Glam! If not, what is at the top of your wish list?!

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

Zoya Nail Polish Paradise Sun Collection for Summer 2015

Posted on June 1, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! It’s time for the second review of Zoya Nail Polish’s summer collections! The Paradise Sun Collection contains six shimmer polishes that are jam-packed with lots of sparkle that is sure to glimmer in the sunlight. The shades correspond beautifully with the Island Fun creams (see that review HERE), or go well alone, too. Let me go ahead and share the glittery goodness with you!

First up is Genesis, a beautiful pearlescent white polish. Genesis has a good formula, and I recommend three thin coats for the perfect, opaque finish. I love how beautiful the shimmer is in this one – it’s subtle at first, but powerful when the light hits it perfectly!

Next up is Selene, a teal polish with aqua shimmer. This one reminds me of a mermaid! It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, too. Selene is typically darker than I usually go in the summer, but I like that Zoya went for an edgier feel this year!

Oceane is next, and it’s a turquoise polish with a pearlized shimmer. Oceane has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It is truly a beautiful ocean blue!

If you’re a purple fan, you need Isa in your collection! Isa is a blue-based purple with an aqua shimmer. It is beyond stunning, and has the perfect formula that is opaque in two coats. I love how multi-dimensional Isa is. It’s nearly a holographic polish!

My favorite in the collection is Mae, a magenta pink. Mae is a sheer polish, so I recommend three thin coats. My nail line was still a bit visible in three coats, but I like the coverage I got. Mae is so fun and girly!

Last but not least is Aphrodite, a red-orange polish with red shimmer. Aphrodite also has a sheer formula, but I achieved opacity in three thin coats. I’m not a big fan of red nail polishes, but this one sure is nice. If you love reds, you should check out Aphrodite for sure!

All in all, Zoya delivers once again with the Paradise Sun Collection! I’m definitely a cream formula girl, but I have to say these shimmers are just beautiful for summer. I highly recommend Mae and Isa, though all of these polishes are top notch. You can buy them directly from Zoya’s website HERE for $9 each. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be buying any of these polishes!

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

Zoya Nail Polish Island Fun Collection for Summer 2015

Posted on May 30, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! It’s one of my favorite times of the year! I love whenever Zoya Nail Polish releases a new collection, and this summer I have two collections to share with you. First up is the Island Fun Collection, which contains six cream formulas in highly pigmented shades. Let me show you these stunning polishes (and stay tuned for the shimmers in my next review)!

First up is Jace, what Zoya calls a tropical green. Jace has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m not sure what I make of this green shade! I think I am a bit too pale for it, but if you have dark skin this one will look stunning on you. Jace will definitely be great for nail art, too!

Next up is Cecilia, a gorgeous teal polish. Cecilia also has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m loving how rich this color is! Plus, it’s a shade that can be worn all year long from summer through next spring. Look at how shiny Cecilia is even without top coat, too!

Zoya Talia is up next, and is a beautiful turquoise shade that definitely leans towards blue. Talia does have a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats, but I recommend a healthy layer of base coat with this one because it is prone to staining. Nonetheless, I am truly impressed with the rich pigmentation in this polish! It’s so much fun!

Next is Serenity, a blue-toned purple polish. Serenity has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats, but this one had a bit of a skunk odor to it. I’m willing to forgive the strong scent because the color is just amazing. I’m obsessing over this unique purple!

My favorite in the Island Fun Collection is Nana, a fuchsia polish. I’m drooling over Nana’s perfect formula and beautiful coloration. Whether you’re going to work or hitting the beach, this polish is appropriate for every occasion. It’s definitely a must-have!

Last but not least is Demetria, a bright red-orange polish. While I’m not loving this color with my complexion, I am loving the formula! It’s a smooth application that is opaque in two coats. What more could you want?!

All in all, I’m loving the Zoya Island Fun Collection! Zoya always gets cream formulas right. I think it’s fun that Zoya went with such deeply pigmented shades for the summer, since it’s something different for our nail polish collections! My top recommendation is Nana, but you can’t go wrong with any of these shades. You can purchase the Island Fun Collection on Zoya’s website HERE for $9 each. Let me know which polishes you’ll be picking up 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Manicure Monday | OPI Louvre Me Louvre Me Not

Posted on May 18, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! I can’t believe we’re already on to the letter O in the Alphabet Challenge. Time flies when you’re having fun! This week I reached for an OPI classic that I’ve had in my collection for years now. My mom gave me Louvre Me Louvre Me Not as a gift years ago now, and it’s one that I used to use a lot. Let me show you this pretty purple!

Louvre Me Louvre Me Not is a beautiful purple polish with magenta shimmer. It has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats. I love the flat brush that OPI polishes have, and using this one made me want to expand my OPI collection. I definitely stay away from OPI because of its price tag, but I’ll have to make room for an OPI in my budget every now and then. I know I’ll always get a quality polish!

I’m so glad I got the change to use Louvre Me Louvre Me Not again. This polish was originally part of a limited edition collection, but is now available as part of the permanent line. You can purchase it on Amazon HERE for under $7.00! Make sure to let me know what your favorite OPI polishes are in the comments!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel | Limited Edition Poolside Paradise Collection

Posted on May 16, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am so excited to share with you new shades from the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel line. To celebrate summer, Sally Hansen created the Poolside Paradise Collection that contains seven polishes that are bright and colorful. I got the opportunity to test out five of the polishes from this collection, and I can’t wait to show them to you! They are so fun and vibrant!

I first tried out the Miracle Gel line when it was released last fall. You can find my thoughts on two fall shades HERE. Back then, I didn’t have the best of luck with the Miracle Gel top coat. That being said, each of the polishes have great formulas when worn alone, so in this blog post I am showcasing each polish without the Miracle Gel top coat. Please let me know in the comments if you would like a true wear test on any of these shades – I’d be happy to do so!

First up is Pink-a-Colada, a light pink that Sally Hansen describes as cotton candy! Pink-a-Colada has a sheer formula, but it builds up easily. I’m wearing two coats here, and I’m loving the shiny finish! I have a lot of light pinks in my collection, but nothing quite like this. I’m really impressed with Pink-a-Colada!

Next up is Life’s a Peach, a red-orange shade that is super bright to the point I’d label it neon! I have to say, Sally Hansen does peach nail polish right across its nail polish lines. Life’s a Peach has an incredible formula that is opaque in two coats, and it is just stunning. I’ve never met a peach I didn’t like from Sally Hansen!

If you’re looking for a yellow, check out Morning, Sunshine! This is a true yellow polish with a hint of green pigmentation as well. I layered on three coats with Morning, Sunshine!, as I found it to be a bit on the streaky side. Yellow polishes are difficult to get just right, but I’m happy with the end result of Morning, Sunshine!

Next is Dive Bar, a beautiful blue polish. Dive Bar has a perfect formula that applies well and is opaque in two coats. I love my blue polishes, and Dive Bar is no exception. This cool color will look great on anyone no matter the skin tone!

Last but not least is Rum Punch, a bright pink polish. Rum Punch is definitely my favorite of the collection! It has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats, and is just absolutely beautiful. I can see this being a staple in many nail polish collections, including my own!

All in all, I’m really loving the Poolside Paradise collection from Sally Hansen Miracle Gel. I’m so glad I got to test out these fun polishes for the summer and share them with you. I’d recommend any of the shades I’ve tried, but my top pick is definitely Rum Punch. You can find the limited edition Poolside Paradise collection at your local drugstore or department store for $9.99 each. What shades will you be getting?! 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.