Nail Polish Hodgepodge - LA Splash, Essence, China Glaze, OCC, Misa, Revlon

This past weekend I swatched random and oft-neglected members of my nail polish gang (I literally closed my eyes and pulled a series of bottles out of my lacquer drawer, the gang's headquarters) but, being the brilliant being that I am, I didn't label which polish was which; furthermore, I seem to have misplaced the swatched bottles after I set them aside in what I thought was a safe and easily accessible place for later reference... clearly that was a fail. Consequently, a couple of the following shade names I'm not completely sure of, though I gave it my best guess. (Sometimes I feel that parts of my brain go on vacation without telling me - this is one of those times! D: )

We'll start with an easy one. I know this shade well (we're practically family) as it is one of my tried-and-true favorites - Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' Tattoo!

Tattoo is a murky, sullied, dusty green, definitely reminiscent of the faded olde-timey monotone tattoos you sometimes see on former sailors now in their late 70s. If the color isn't enticing enough, I can tell you that the formula is very nearly perfect - what you see pictured is just one coat (!), and it is enough to give full opacity. Fabulous! You can purchase Tattoo from the OCC site for $12 (I think there's currently a sale as the company transitions to new a bottle design!).

Next I'm sure this is China Glaze's Bad Kitty, a candy pink with holographic glitter.

This was three coats and my nail line is visible (AKA this is best for layering). It's a nice little color. *crickets* Nothing else to say except that you can buy this CG shade from a number of e-tailers, including Head2ToeBeauty ($3.50).

Here's one from Misa. I think this is Wine Burgundy, a shimmery burgundy red, but I wouldn't bet my makeup stash on it.

The two coats pictured above are sufficient for full coverage. The formula is on the thin side but still quite workable. It's a pretty, glowy, classic staple, but chances are that if you've got even a modest collection you have something similar! Honestly? I'm not really sure why I have this color - I do wear red jellies, cremes, and glitters (in that exact order of frequency), but very rarely do I reach for metallics or shimmers. It's a mystery! Again, you can purchase Misa lacquers online for ~$3.75 apiece.

Next, I'm sosoSO excited to show you Essence's Irreplaceable, a beige shimmer that shifts to gold-green -

Can you believe this beauty sells for just $0.99? I can't comprehend how GORGEOUS and unique and irreplaceable (har har) Irreplaceable is! It's utter, utter love <3 This was two coats, though I now see I should have done three. The quality is exceptional for the price and I implore you to visit your local Ulta and get the lacquer AT ONCE. It's neutral and work-friendly but with a saucy little kick (and we all need a saucy kick now and again!).

And here is the mystery polish. I'm baffled as to what this could be though I know that it's Revlon and from one of the recent releases. For now I will refer to it simply as ???. Perhaps someone with a keen eye can help a girl out :)

??? is a slightly greyed-out pearl with silver microshimmer. This is two coats. While it's a pretty hue, you'll notice I had experienced significant bubbling. Boo. Does anyone have tips for avoiding the bubbles?

Here is a Marine Blue, a Glitter Gal holo that I must have taken a hundred pictures of and still failed to capture in its full splendidness -

Pretty sweet, no? I love holos, and Glitter Gal has some great ones. Us non-Aussies can find this brand online on sites such as Llarowe and Overall Beauty for a painful (but so worth it) $14 each.

Lastly this is LA Splash's Abyss, a black creme with silver glitter -

I dare say this isn't my most favorite shade. To me the density of the glitters make Abyss seem too costume-y and not chic enough for everyday wear; just a sprinkling would have done the job! I must admit, however, that looking at this polish is like looking to the paragon of the human conception of space: pure, pitch black riddled with bright pinprick stars. Existentially nihilistic (nihilistically existential?). "...if you gaze for long enough into the abyss..." :P

And that's all. Happy weekend and thanks for reading!

Attack of the Yellow Nail Polishes! Swatches Revlon Pineapple Fizz, WnW Wonder Yellows, Sinful Colors Pull Over & Let's Meet, CG Lighthouse, Misa Golden Tan, SOPI IM Beauty

Summer is the only time of year one can get away with wearing sizzling yellow and orange polishes, and I take full advantage! I've swatched some of my yellows:

1- Revlon Pineapple Fizz

I finally caved and bought Revlon's Pineapple Fizz to complete my collection, even though I can't stand the smell (reminiscent of sickly-sweet artificial coconut). However revolting the scent is to me, I can't deny the beauty of the color! It's a semi-sheer sunny yellow with flakes. (Check out swatches and a review of the rest of Revlon's "Fizz" collection here!)

2 - Wet n Wild The Wonder Yellows

(Silly name!) This is also a great medium yellow shade, but with shimmer. The formula is solid, opaque in three coats.

3 - Sinful Colors Pull Over

In terms of color, this is the PERFECT taxi-yellow creme for me and very complimentary to my skin tone (while shopping the other day a women came up to me to tell me how pretty Pull Over looked, and how it's the first time she saw a yellow look good on somebody. Totally made my day! :). I love it so much I'm even willing to overlook that the formula is a tad streaky and uneven. A nice, inexpensive little polish to satisfy nearly all of your yellow needs!

4 - China Glaze Lighthouse

Sooo sparkly, it nearly blew out my camera (hah!)! Lovely nonetheless, and the formula is exceptional (as China Glaze often is).

5 - Misa Golden Tan

Hm, this is an oddball! Reminds my of a light yellow-gold pearl. It's unique and unlike any other shade I own, though unfortunately it doesn't play well with my skin tone. Still, I can't bear to part with Misa's Golden Tan, due to its willingness to march to the beat of its own drum!

6 - Sinful Colors Let's Meet

A bright yellow with fine, fine glitter. The formula is pretty sheer (what you see below is three coats and the nail line is still visible) and somewhat streaky, but I do like the color and finish of this SC polish.

7 - Sephora by OPI IM Beauty

Finally we have Sephora by OPI's IM Beauty, a pastel-y banana creme. I confess I don't often reach for this buttercream as it reminds me a bit of Easter and spring, but some may like this soft yellow. The formula is decent albeit somewhat sheer, very few streaks in sight after three coats!

That concludes my "yellow" series! Do you like to wear yellow nail polish?

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PS - Have you ever stumbled across something you felt you should have already known? I recently learned that the largest Hindu temple (mandir) in the US is located just an hour or so outside the city in which I live and have lived all my life. We paid a visit today, and it was the wholly satisfying experience I hoped it would be; peaceful, beautiful, and intellectually enlightening. Not to mention, a staff enthusiastically willing to endure all my possibly ignorant questions :p There was also a little shop within the adjacent cultural center where I was able to purchase the most delicious kopra pak - yum!