NOTD - Illamasqua Scarab Photos, Swatches

I haven't posted a Nail of the Day in quite a while! Confession - this isn't a nail of today, but a nail of a day from a day a few weeks ago (got it? 8D). My nails are currently in polish rehab until I can get the cracks to grow out. It's a struggle not to reach for a cute, shiny color to swipe over my tips, but we do have a 'placebo' (aka nail strengthener) and are doing alright as it is ;)

In any case, here is Illamasqua's Scarab, a goooorgeous ruby red shimmer. It has that dark, rusty undertone of dried blood, if someone (rather psychotically) added a sprinkling of fine glitter and gloss to it -

The formula is excellent, as is on par for the brand. Pictured is day four after application, so you can see tip-wear, but the manicure lasted a good week before it warranted removal. Nothing else to say, really, other than that I whole-heartedly recommend Scarab if you are looking for a lusty, vampy red! It is available at Sephora for $14.

What do you think?

NOTD - Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Forget You - Photos, Swatches, Review

Super-quick nail of the day (technically, more like week)! This is Deborah Lippmann's nail polish in Forget You, a multi-colored, multi-sized glitter in a black jelly base. This is three coats. (Please excuse the tipwear - this was about five days after application.)

I have massive/crazy/obsessive love for this color! I don't think I've seen anything similar, ever, but please tell me if you have; A cheaper alternative is always appreciated! The black base is fairly smoky and sheer, but buildable; three coats gave nearly full coverage. The time-saving option is to paint one coat of the glitter over a black base, like CND's Blackjack! The consistency of Forget You was spot on, not chunky or goopey like some glitters tend to be. The one issue for me is that this formula, unlike most others by Deb Lippmann, started chipping on me around day 4-5, especially on the thumbs. I've generally had a good experience with this brand (about six-seven days of chip-free wear), but something about this one didn't jive with my nail chemistry. Hm. The shade is unique enough, however, for me to overlook this minor defect.

I'm not sure Forget You is available on its own - I couldn't find any info on the company's website. I purchased this as part of the Get This Party Started Set, which also includes Candy Shop (multi-colored glitter in pink base, new shade) and Happy Birthday (multi-colored glitter in clear base, part of the regular line).

Happy Friday! I'm so relieved it's the weekend finally!

NOTD - Orly Luxe Photos + Swatches

This has to be the shoddiest, quickest manicure ever! No base or top coat and I did it in about 2.3 seconds. It was necessary, though - I was heading to a party this weekend and I just needed gold nails to go with my outfit :P Despite the bad paint job, I'll share photos with you in case you're curious about Orly Luxe. It's a very pretty, shiny color!

NOTD - China Glaze Brownstone Photos + Swatches

For fellow Americans, hope you had a relaxing three-day weekend! I spent all of Tuesday, the start of the shortened work-week, toiling over a failed experiment that I invalidated through a silly mistake early on, wasting lots of $$ in the process. Yeeeeeah, it's definitely one of those weeks.

Onto greener pastures...

The weather here has abruptly taken a downward turn and the recent hot, humid days have been replaced by their chilly, windy counterparts. Where the other day I was sporting shorts and flip flops, blasting the AC to keep cool, I now have to break out the flannel pjs and thick, woolly socks.

I'm not complaining, though; I find fall to be quite a cozy time. Mountainous piles of raked leaves; the start of the dance and theatre season; Halloween (though I'm not a big celebrator/decorator/dresser-upper, I do quite enjoy the tingling, anticipatory atmosphere); wrapped in a warm blanket, curled up with a good book and a cup of chocolate chai; brisk walks with the pup; jazz (which is my nearly exclusive music of choice during autumn, for whatever reason); pumpkin-flavored treats -- all things I love about these transitory months!

Something else I love? China Glaze's Brownstone from the current Metro Chic collection. I'm not a big collector of reds or variations thereof, but this is such a warm, chocolaty red and it reminds me of falling leaves and a hearty snuggle with a loved one.

Gorgeous, and exactly the color I'm in the mood for. :)

What do you love about fall?