Cirque Colors Lonesome George Swatches and Review

Cirque Colors Lonesome George

Objet d'Art Collection

(press sample)

 Lonesome George is a beautiful green with subtle scattered holographic effect.  I love green holos (or any holo, really), but what I really love about this polish is the name.  Lonesome George was a Pinta Island tortoise, the last of his kind (a Galapagos tortoise sub-species).  He lived to be over one hundred years old.  I honestly get a little teary-eyed thinking about him, poor old guy.  

Cirque Colors Lonesome George is available here. 

(sent for review)

Milani Limited Edition Jewel FX Glitter Topcoat in Carnival Swatch and Review

This is a trend that I'm happy to see has caught on with drugstore brands- black and white glitter topcoats.  Not sparkly glitter, but matte, solid color glitter.  They're really cool and there's quite a few of them out right now, but here's one I picked up recently:

Milani Jewel FX Topcoat in Carnival

(one coat over hot pink creme)

Black bar glitter, medium black hex glitter and extra large pearl white hex glitter in a clear base.

It is one of those pain-in-the-butt-to-apply giant glitters, but it's not too bad because the clear base isn't gooey and it self-levels somewhat.  To apply this, I dipped my brush until I had a good amount of glitter, and then patted it on my nail until I liked how the glitter was distributed.  It dried quickly on its own and all the glitter seems to sit nice and flat (no taco glitter).  I used a coat of Seche Vite to eliminate any leftover texture.  Would make a good jelly sandwich polish.

This one is part of the Fantastical Plumage collection, but Milani also released a sister collection called Retro Glam with its own black and white spotted glitter topcoat.  Both collections are limited edition but still available online at milanicosmetics.com.  I got mine at Meijer and the displays are still hanging around, so it shouldn't be too hard to find yet.

 

Celebrity Wig Master Terrence Davidson Releases Fall Hair Campaign Featuring Transgender Models

Saw this press release come across my inbox; Terrence Davidson has transgender models in his fall campaign!  I dunno so much about the tagline (of course the model looks real, she's a real human, not a mannequin...??), but I'm certainly stoked to see these ladies in a major brand's ad campaign.

                                                                                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

                                                                                                            September 17, 2013

Celebrity Wig Master Terrence Davidson Releases Fall Hair Campaign Featuring Transgender Models

Sparks fly with the fall campaign for the all-new ‘Just My Color’ extension line  ‘Realness: Hair that looks as real as the model!’

LOS ANGELES – Television style expert and celebrity hairstylist Terrence Davidson releases the fall campaign ad for the Just My Color hair extension line featuring transgender models celebrating the unique diversity of the hair collection.  The Just My Color hair collection website launch is set for September 17.

“Just My Color is a unique hair line that offers a complete transformation for all women.” Notes Founder Terrence Davidson.  “Whether you want to wear it long, shoulder length and or a crop cut, Just My Color offers the texture and real human-hair quality that all women will embrace.”

The new hairline exclusively features virgin Indian Remy hair with a Eurasian blend, a blend of European and Asian hair that fits all ethnicities and hair textures.  With proper maintenance, the 100 percent human-hair last up to 2-3 years compared to other competitive brands with a 2-3 month life cycle.  As a virgin hair product, this means the hair has never been dyed, permed and or treated with any chemicals, offering a unique ability to blend into natural hair after a salon quality hair dye treatment.

Terrence Davidson is most known as the former wig creator and chief hairstylist for popstar Nicki Minaj.  Throughout his long hair career, Davidson has styled for stars like Jennifer Hudson, Patti Labelle, Tyra Banks and Mary J. Blige. Terrence Davidson has appeared on numerous style segments and talk-shows like E! News, the Ricki Lake Show and Access Hollywood.

For more information on Terrence Davidson, log onto www.Terrenceldavidson.com  and for more information on Just My Color, log into www.justmycolor.com

OPI Mariah Carey Holiday Winter/Holiday 2013 Collection Preview

OPI Joins Mariah Carey to Launch 18 New Limited Edition Holiday Nail Lacquers

OPI announces the launch of 18 new limited edition holiday nail lacquers inspired by recording artist and international superstar Mariah Carey. This seasonal promotion includes an assortment of red, burgundy, maroon and chocolate brown hues, along with glitter-packed gold, bronze and pearl shades. 

Mariah Carey Holiday also features six new Liquid Sand™ lacquers, ranging from icy blue to frosted pink to sparkling graphite. Each of the Liquid Sand shades showcases OPI’s groundbreaking technology for a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle.    

“Mariah Carey is truly synonomous with the holiday season,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “People around the world listen to her festive, iconic songs – ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ is a personal favorite – and these 18 lacquers evoke the warmth, beauty, energy and positive spirit that’s present in Mariah’s music.  

“This holiday season is all about red, glitter and texture for nails,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “With 18 shades, there’s a perfect hue for every occasion. The 12 crème and glitter lacquers include classic reds, champagne gold, and warm burgundies, while the six Liquid Sand shades should be worn without top coat for a matte finish in icy, frosted colors.”  

Mariah Carey Holiday includes the following (*Liquid Sand shade):

My Favorite Ornament  

Make this champagne glitter your new personal favorite.     

All I Want for Christmas (is OPI)  

This marvelous maroon is present-ly my top choice.

Cute Little Vixen  

This deep red violet has foxy written all over it. 

  

 

Underneath the Mistletoe  

Is my kiss as spicy-sweet as this candy-apple red?

In My Santa Suit  

This generously pigmented red is worth staying on the “nice” list.  

   

Visions of Love  

I see this rich burgundy in my immediate future.  

  

Warm Me Up  

This spiced coffee hits all the cold spots.    

Wonderous Star  

This gold-flecked shimmer has heavenly shine. 

   

All Sparkly and Gold  

What more can we say...the name says it all.  

  

Sleigh Ride for Two  

There’s only room left for this dark hot chocolate. 

  

 

Ski Slope Sweetie  

This golden pearl is everybunny’s favorite.

    

I Snow You Love Me  

Just like I snow you love this disco light confetti. 

Silent Stars Go By*  

This blush of textured pink has parades of sparkle. 

   

Baby Please Come Home*  

Can’t wait to see you...in this textured and sparkling lilac.

    

Make Him Mine*  

But make this textured glistening rose mine first!

   

It’s Frosty Outside*  

This frosted silver is so icy it’s hot.

   

 

Emotions*  

This dramatic sparkling coal has got me feeling fine.

    

Kiss Me at Midnight*  

It’s time to fall in love with this frosted ice blue.     

Mariah Carey Holiday nail lacquer shades each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Liquid Sand nail lacquers should always be worn without top coat.

Mariah Carey Holiday will be available October 2013, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.              

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

a england Briar Rose / Sleeping Beauty Swatches and Review

a england Briar Rose / Sleeping Beauty from the Burne-Jones Dream Collection.

(press sample)

 A cranbery-rose scattered holo.  Has a milky, dusty, faded sort of look to it.  The holographic effect is not strong, but it adds to the dusty-dreamy look of the polish.

The formula on this was great.  Not goopy and dragging, not thin and runny.  Applies like a dense creme polish.  Great coverage.  I used two coats and it was completely opaque.  Fast dry time.  Very, very durable, even without topcoat.

I feel like this is a perfect fit with the theme.  Not only is it a very fairytale type of color, but the color and finish, with that dusty, antique sort of haze to it, really goes well with the feeling that Edward Burne-Jones painting gives off.

The entire Burne-Jones Dream collection, including Briar Rose / Sleeping Beauty, can be purchased here. If you'd prefer to order from within the US, it's also carried at Ninja Polish.

(sample sent for review)

Enchanted Polish Beautiful Rule Breaking Moth Swatches and Review

 Enchanted Polish Beautiful Rule Breaking Moth.
(press sample)
This is a soft medium grey base with small flecks of gold-green duochrome glitter and a subtle holographic effect.  The polish has a speckled look from all the different shimmer particles in it, but it dries completely smooth.  The green duochrome glitter gives the grey base a slight green tinge and the added holo makes it look alive.

I have to say, indie polish has really won my heart.  The handmade indie brands make all the colors we want and that commercial/salon brands won't.  Enchanted Polish is one of those brands that I have been extraordinarily impressed with; every single color I've tried has completely blown me away. 

This color continues in that tradition of impressing the hell out of me.  Grey glittery duochrome holo?  SO GOOD. 

Beautiful Rule Breaking Moth is $15 at Enchanted Polish! 

(sent for review)

Deborah Lippmann Shake Your Money Maker Fall 2013 Swatches and Review

This one's from the brand new Jewel Heist fall collection.  It's another chunky multicolor glitter in a colored jelly base like Stronger, but this one's all shades of gold and green.

Deborah Lippmann Shake Your Money Maker.

This has a blue-toned green jelly base with multiple shapes and sizes of green and gold glitter.  Small, medium and large hex and round plus a bit of hologram for even more sparkle.  Looks like Christmas.

The formula on this was a little better than Stronger because it wasn't as thick.  I still needed to do the dabbing method to get an even coat of glitter, plus pressing down the pieces between coats to make it smooth.  It only needed two coats for complete coverage this way.  Long dry time and needs lots of topcoat.

The formula is no fun to apply, but, just like Stronger, I think the end result is worth it.  Look how  rich and shiny it is!  It's like a treasure chest full of emeralds or something.  Glitter everywhere.  Too pretty.

Deborah Lippmann Stronger (created with Kelly Clarkson) Fall 2013 Swatches and Review

 Deborah Lippmann Stronger (Created with Kelly Clarkson).

A strongly blue-toned purple jelly base with tons of multicolor, multi-size glitter.  There's round and hex, metallic and holo, rainbow, silver and gold.  Seriously, tons of glitter in here.  The base is nice and sheer so the glitter doesn't get buried, and the jelly texture of it provides a little bit of depth that enhances the sparkle.

The formula on this was chunk-city.  It's very thick, very goopy and there's a huge amount of glitter to complicate things even more.  This color requires the dabbing method of application to get an even layer of glitter.  One trick I use to apply these types of colors is to press down the glitter after each coat.  I wait about two minutes for the polish to set and become tacky, and then I gently pat down the glitter with my fingertip until it's all laying flat.  This polish only needed two coats for opacity, but due to the thickness of it, dry time was long.  Two plus coats of topcoat are required for a smooth, non-textured finish.

The formula is a pain, but the end result is gorgeous.  It is extremely sparkly, so much so that it actually looks like sequins on your nails.  It's thin enough to be used as a layering glitter topcoat (or glitter sandwich), but can also become opaque if you don't mind dabbing the glitter on to create coverage.

It's thick, it's lumpy, it takes a long time to dry, but damn.  It's crazy pretty.

By the way, if you haven't heard the news, Lippmann is back at Sephora (that's where I got mine).  That means you can get all the perks of ordering at Sephora (Beauty Insider points, free shipping, samples, promos) when ordering it now.  Woohoo!

Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Limited Edition Spectral Lacquer Collection Summer 2013 Swatches and Review

Speaking of Sephora clearance, these are currently knocked down to half price.  I've been liking the Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE releases as they seem to be pretty heavy on the duochromes.  Duocrome shadows, lipglosses and polishes?  Right up my alley.  So, how about these?

Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Antique Gold.

Green/yellow/blue chrome-finish multichrome.  Chanel Peridot clone.  Thinner, sheerer, and less duochrome effect than Peridot (and Sephora by OPI Sage is Just A Number).

Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Purple Wine.

Near-neon fuchsia-purple creme base with superfine silver, violet and blue duochrome shimmer.  Best one in the set, in my opinion.  Good balance of bright, flashy color and electric-looking duochrome shimmer.  Best formula of the three as well.  

Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Waterfall.

Dusty slate blue glass-fleck with blue, purple and pink multichrome flash.  It looks decent in the pictures, but I wasn't impressed with it on my nails.  It's faded and dusty-looking and extremely sheer.  This is five coats.  Unless you don't mind layering over an opaque base color (or doing five coats of polish), I'd say pass on this one.  

The formula on these was different for each color.  Purple Wine was perfect and flawless in regards to coverage and application.  Antique Gold was streaky and on the sheer side.  Waterfall was extremely sheer and kinda clumpy.  Dry time on all three was fast, and all but Antique Gold look better with topcoat.

The bottles are pretty cool and the colors are pretty, but one is a definite dupe and one is super sheer.  But, like I mentioned, they are on clearance right now for $5 each, so they're not too expensive even if the opacity level isn't perfect.  Purple Wine is great in both the color and formula departments at least!