hotpinkaurora: 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

OPI I Eat Mainely Lobster

I have one grievance about this polish and it is the way the name is worded. It should be "I Mainely Eat Lobster" in my head, that's what I always call it. Suzi needs to fix that, it sounds unnatural the way it is. Anywhoodle, I got this for my birthday and I can't figure out why I've never posted it as I've worn it a few times already. Maybe I didn't tag it? I don't know, but here it is!

This is three coats of OPI over a coat of CND Stickey and sealed with Out the Door. There is a super subtle gold shimmer in this polish which I just love even though you can barely see it. I really love corals, I love this polish a whole bunch.

"Natural" Light

You can try clicking to enlarge to see the shimmer but it really is subtle. I like that it's hidden in there.

Flash

I'm not a fan of the OPI pro-wide brush. It works on all my nails pretty decently except my pinky. It ends up painting on square so I always have to fix it. I think if the brush was maybe 8 or so bristles thinner width wise it'd be alright. I have big hands and big(er) nails too, I can't imagine what you petite handed ladies have to do to get it to work with you!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Top 20 Polishes of 2011 Part One

Here are 10 of my favorite Top 20 polishes. Just a few things to note: they are in no particular order and these aren't necessarily from 2011 collections but my favorite polishes I've used THIS YEAR. Basically, colors I wore over and over and went back to often. Enjoy!

Deborah Lippmann Glitter in the Air

China Glaze Sugar High

Zoya Mira

Essie Turquoise & Caicos

China Glaze OMG

China Glaze Frosty

Brucci French Petal

Essie School of Hard Rocks

Revlon Royal Cloak

Funky Fingers Elephunk

The second group of 10 will be posted soon!

Gifts from a BFF & Essie Lapis of Luxury

My dear BFF Britty sent me a lovely package for Christmas full of nail polish and lots of other thoughtful goodies! I am so fortunate to have such generous friends who not only love me but support my bizarre obsession.

From Left to Right:
Frozen Solid
Profound Pink
The Real Teal
love & beauty coral with gold shimmer
love & beauty purple/silver glass fleck (I think?)

Not pictured is another Sally Hansen in Loyal Lavender. One of my kitties knocked it out of the package under the tree. I'm pretty sure it was Frank.

Britty also sent me popbeauty Aquatic Glitz, Essie Lapis of Luxury and two adorable little Bon Bons. They're so ittybitty! I while back I had mentioned that I liked that particular popbeauty but it was out of stock on Bloom.com - so what does she do? She stalks it until it comes back in stock. How thoughtful!

I couldn't wait to wear some of these so I have a mani incorportating two of them!

Three coats of each over CND Stickey and Gelous, sealed with more Gelous and a coat of OTD! I love it! Thanks so much Brittany :D !

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

China Glaze Electropop & For Audrey Comparisons

Two of the blues in the Electropop collection reminded me a bit of For Audrey. I don't mind having these "back ups" of FA because I really do love that color, but I wanted to share what I've observed.

For Audrey - Aquadelic - Kinetic Candy

What I noticed is Aquadelic has some more green in it than FA, but just a little. On the nail KC appears much more like a powdery blue in comparison to the bottle shots.

Aquadelic and FA come close but Aquadelic actually stains. When I swatched my whole hand and upon removing these comparison swatches, it's official. I'm not sure why it stains, its just a regular old creme. I like it colorwise the best out of the three, but the staining has me sad. It's the only one from the Electropop collection that stains, though.

Hope you found this informative (=

Monday, December 26, 2011

China Glaze Electropop Brights Swatch and Review

I have the second half of the Electropop Collection from China Glaze to show you today. These are the "Brights" and you guessed it, they're brighter, more bold hues.

Gaga for Green - 3 Coats
Surprisingly Sheer, built up nicely, though.

"Natural" Light

Flash

Wicked Style - 3 Coats
Appears really close to Fucshia Fanatic, I'll have to do a comparison.

"Natural" Light

Flash

Sunshine Pop - 3 Coats
Subtle shimmer, super bright, love this one!

"Natural" Light

Flash

Aquadelic - 2 Coats

"Natural" Light

Flash

Make Some Noise - 3 Coats

"Natural" Light

Flash

There's a ton of dupey colors in this collection, I'm going to try and figure out what comes close with polishes I already have and then swap them away most likely. The formula on these were better than the Lights in my opinion, the colors were more fun, too.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

China Glaze Electropop Lights Swatch and Review

This post is a swatch and review of the Electropop Lights Collection. I have the Brights and will get to them soon, I promise! These swatches were "quick and dirty"meaning they weren't worn as manicures, I was just painting, photographing, removing and repeat! So I apologize for the battered skin, jacked up cuticles and ginormous "gaps" on my nails. The colors are true to life which is all that matters..I hope.