Sally Hansen Pumpkin Spice

Oh my goodness. I love this polish! It caught my eye during one of my trips to Ride Aid. It was found on a fall display, and there was only 1 bottle. I am so glad I picked it up. It is perfect for fall and that pumpkin-spice mood on cool, crisp, cloudy days. It is a smokey, dark gray jelly base filled with coppery glitter. 

The formula is good and went on quickly. Being a glitter, it did take 4 coats to get the opacity you see in the photo. However, the coats each dried very fast, so this was not a problem. 

I will be wearing this a lot this season. 

Remover used: Glycerin/acetone mix.

Prep: Rubbing alcohol.

Base coat: Nail Tek II for peeling nails.

Color: Four coats of Sally Hansen in Pumpkin Spice.

Top coat: Seche Vite. 

Finish: Nail Life Aromatherapy Drying Drops.

Wear Report: TBA.

China Glaze Reggae to Riches

This time of year, the thistles pop out in vibrant deep pinkish purple hues. I wanted a color that resembled this, and I think I found it in China Glaze's Reggae to Riches. This is a medium pinkish purple shimmer with some tiny flecks of blue, making it nearly iridescent. 

Application was awesome. The formula is a bit on the thin side, but this is good, as it spreads evenly and well without brush marks. The pigmentation is also good, despite the thinness. That said, I probably could have used another coat on this, but I stopped at two. It is *mostly* opaque now with just a hint of where, when applying the second coat, I hit the first coat with the brush before it  was dry (my faulty application, most likely). 

The polish dried FAST and became rock hard quickly, so smudging was not a problem. It feels very durable, like it will hold up well. This polish makes me want to collect more China Glaze colors. I am quite certain that will happen in the near future. 

Remover used: Glycerin/water mix.

Prep: Rubbing alcohol.

Base coat used: Orly Bonder.

Color: Two coats of China Glaze Reggae to Riches.

Top coat used: Seche Vite. 

Finish: Nail Life Aromatherapy Drying Drops.

Wear report: AMAZING. Took this off after 5 days and only had minimal edge wear and 2 small chips. I am not sure if it was the base coat or what, but it wore well. 

L'Oreal Owl's Night

This polish is stunning. I found it at Walgreens while hitting up the Sinful Colors sale. It was on a fall L'Oreal display. There was only one bottle of this color, so I suppose I got lucky. It really stood out to me. It seems like a very dark charcoal or black base but is chock full of gold, green, and sometimes reddish-orange micro glitter. Mostly I tend to see the gold at first glance. It changes its appearance according to the light.

Application was fantastic. The formula is very good, and it only took 2 coats. Drying time was incredibly fast, and the polish already feels very strong. I bet this one will last.

I did my nails late last night, well after it was dark. I was so impressed, I did not want to wait for daylight to take a photo, so the above was captured with flash. How fitting for a color with a name such as Owl's Night. Dark, mysterious, and just fantastic. I would love to find a second bottle of this one since the bottle is so small, only 0.39 ounces. That said, it was worth ever penny I paid for it. One of my favorites for sure.

Remover used: Glycerin/acetone mix.
Prep: Rubbing alcohol.
Base: Seche Clear.
Color: Two coats of L'Oreal Owl's Night.
Top coat: Seche Vite.
Finish: Nail Life Aromatherapy drying drops.
Wear report: Took this off on day #3. Had some slight edge wear and a small chip. This could be due to the base coat, but I am not 100% sure. Wear seemed short to about average.

Sinful Colors Over Easy

This is LOVE. I love the color, I love the formula. It is a perfect, creamy, dusky rose. It went on smooth and streak-free. I really could have used only 1 coat, but I went with 2 for good measure. Not bad for applying polish in under 10 minutes, as I have an appointment I can't be late for. This is definitely one of the best colors I have tried yet. Way to go Sinful Colors! 

Remover used: Glycerin/acetone mix.

Prep: Rubbing alcohol.

Base coat: Seche Clear.

Color: Two coats of Sinful Colors Over Easy.

Top: Seche Vite.

Wear report: Very good. I ended up with a few tiny edge chips on day #3, but I had done some house work. I took it off to try another polish but was reluctant not to put this one right back on, I loved it so much.

Rimmel Hard Metal

I am really impressed with this polish on the first try. The color reminds me of my favorite pair of jeans, a worn denim. The tone is subdued just enough to be perfect against other fall-colored clothing I may be wearing.  

The brush is excellent and covers the nail evenly and quickly. The formula was perfect for even application. It only took 2 coats to get a great finish. The pigmentation is wonderful. I think I really like this brand and look forward to trying other colors. 

Remover used: Glycerin/acetone mix.

Prep: Rubbing alcohol.

Base coat: Seche Clear (trying something new due to peeling issues).

Color: Two coats of Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro in Hard Metal.

Top coat: Seche Vite.

Finish: Nail Life Aromatherapy Drying Drops.

Wear report: TBA. Updated: Had a chip on day #2 and edge wear, so it did not wear long. It could be the base coat, though. Not sure. I will be trying this one again. I definitely loved this polish, so it will be tried again with a different base coat.

L.A. Colors #567 Shock

This was a Dollar Tree (dollar store) find. I love the color for early fall because it reminds me of the tops of the goldenrod plants that are in full bloom this time of year. It is a bright orange-yellow that is sure to command attention.

This is about 4 coats of color. It was streaky and thin and rather hard to apply. It most likely would have been better with a white base coat, I am sure. For the $1 price tag, I guess I get what I get. So far, I think Sinful Colors, when they go on sale for 99 cents each, are still the best deal out there, as far as cheap polish goes. I have plenty of other bottles of L.A. Colors to try, though. 

Remover used: Glycerin/acetone mix.

Base coat: China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat. (Thinking of trying something else since I am experiencing some nail peeling and dryness.)

Color: About 4 coats of L.A. Colors #567 Shock.

Top coat: Seche Vite. 

Wear report: TBA. Updated: Had some edge wear on day #2. It may have been due to my cleaning the house plus all the coats of polish. Removed on day #2. Wear was just so-so for this trial.

Sinful Colors Sale

Walgreen's is currently having its 99-cent Sinful Colors sale, which is half the normal cost, so I took advantage and came home with this haul.  Sadly, one color has to be returned, as it is missing a brush. Looking at the polish around the cap edges, it likely happened in the store. That will teach me to check the polish for brushes before buying. As I understand it, this sale is happening all week, so it is a great time to buy.  

OPI Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ

Another great color for early fall. This color is a creamy deep berry red with purple undertones. I love it for this time of year, when I think of berry pies and apples falling from the trees. Of course, it also makes me think of the last few BBQs outdoors before the weather gets too chilly and the leaves are all gone.

My bottle may have had a thick formula, so I may add some thinner before wearing it again. The application was tricky for me.  I had to use 3 coats to cover up the streaks, and I still ended up with some brush marks and imperfections. Again, it could just be the particular bottle I bought. A little thinner should fix it right up.

Remover used: Acetone Glycerin mix.
Primer: Rubbing alcohol.
Base coat: China Glaze Strong Adhesion.
Color: OPI Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ, ,3 coats.
Top Coat: Seche Vite.
Wear Report: TBA. Updated: Took it off on day #5 with minimal edge wear. This stuff wore like steel. Excellent wear!

OPI Lucerne-Tainly Look Marvelous

I can't say enough about this color. I have already gotten compliments on it, and I have only had it on a few hours. This is a color people notice. Sometimes it looks gray and metal like, and sometimes I catch the greenish cast to it in the sunlight from the tiny, blue-green glitter specks. It is simply gorgeous. 

The formula was nice and thin, so application was easy and fast. I did put three coats on for good measure, but I think I could have gotten away with just two. 

Remover used: Acetone/glycerin mix.

Primer: Rubbing alcohol.

Base coat: China Glaze Strong Adhesion.

Color: Three coats of OPI Lucerne-Tainly Look Marvelous.

Top Coat: Seche Vite.

Wear report: Fabulous. I took this polish of on day #2 and barely had any edge wear going on. Using my acetone/glycerin mix, it still took some extra soaking to get it off. Love this polish!

Sinful Colors Serena and Chloe

This color is absolutely stunning. It is a bit shear, but it adds to the charm, in my opinion. The formula is fantastic. It does appear a bit more dark and gold in the bottle than it is on the nails. On the nails, it is more of a vibrant, deep reddish orange that really pops when outside in the daylight. This is yet another perfect fall color. Again, quite a deal for the price, especially since it seems to be wearing so well. 

Remover used: Acetone/glycerin mix.

Primer: Rubbing alcohol. 

Base coat: China Glaze Strong Adhesion.

Color: Sinful Colors Serena and Chloe, 3 thin coats.

Top Coat: Seche Vite

Wear Report: TBA, but I am on day #2 with no signs of wear yet. I am quite pleased with this one. Updated: I took it off on day #3 to try a different color, and there were no chips or signs of wear. The wear on this one seems very, very good. 

First Time

There is a first time for everything, and last Friday I had my first ever professional manicure. It was amazing. I wish I could have it done all the time. What she did to clean up my cuticles and make my nails look bigger and beautiful was nothing short of magic. Her filing and shaping was perfection. 

This is an OPI nail polish, but sadly, I cannot recall the name. It is a shimmery orange. 

I got my first chip 3 days after the manicure, which is normal for her manicures, per the manicurist herself.

Remover used: Unknown.

Primer: Rubbing alcohol.

Base coat used: Nail Tek (her recommended base coat for its moisturizing properties).

Color: Two coats of OPI color.

Top coat: Seche Vite (her recommended top coat).

Wear report: Normal wear, about 3 days before chipping.  

Making a List and Checking it Twice ;)

Five more Sinful Colors joined my growing collection this morning. I picked up a few jewel tones for fall. I will be collecting more China Glaze and OPI colors as soon as I solve my storage issues. 

I now have nearly 160 color polishes and 13 base/top coats along with 2 nail treatments. I keep lists and swatches to hopefully help stop me from buying something I already have. 

One can never have enough nail polish. Choice is a good thing, and color is grand. Besides, what could be better on a Friday morning than hot coffee and hot nail colors? :) 

Dollar Store Find

Sometimes I am kind of cheap. ;) These colors were found in a local Dollar Tree store. They were in blister cards, hanging up in the beauty section. They are vibrant, and the bottles are really nice. I can't wait to try them out.