When I first started getting big into polish, this was one of the first polishes I had to have. My boyfriend got it for me for my birthday along with China Glaze For Audrey and Essie Mademoiselle. I've used it in other posts and I have worn it on its own, I've just never given it its own blog post! I think it's about time :)
2 coats Essie Mint Candy Apple
1 coat Poshe
First and foremost, this polish is not "mint". I think the name is fairly deceptive in that manner. When frequently compared to For Audrey, For Audrey which is a "Tiffany blue" is actually more green than MCA because it's more turquoise. Don't let that be a deterrence from the color. It's still beautiful in its own right, just not what I would call "mint". All Lacquered Up has one of the most faulty photos trying to show the color. She's usually spot on (unfortunately I haven't seen her update her blog in quite a while), but her photo of MCA is definitely off. What I find is interesting is it seems like she got to try the polish before its release. I'm thinking this is what the original intent of the polish was to look like, but before it was released, they changed the color quite a bit making it not really mint at all. If you're wondering what the heck I'm talking about, click here for her blog post about MCA.
Anyway, onto the color. This is a beautiful bright light sky blue/robbin's egg blue creme. I kinda hate describing blues because they're SO various. But the important thing about this is the brightness and the lack of mint undertones.
The formula is eh. It's on the thicker side and is one of those that dries VERY quickly on the brush while you're mid-paint. I'd imagine it's far easier to use if you have shorter nails just because you'll be able to paint it down your nail before it starts to dry. It like seizes up. It's kinda annoying. It is also uneven. My recommendation for these types of polish is always to take it slow. The brush needs to rest in the bottle between nails and you can't do a ton of coats before re-dipping the brush. Take your time with it and it'll come out much better. If you try to rush, it's going to come out poorly and you'll just get frustrated. But this is such a beautiful color, and will especially make your hands look even tanner in the summertime because of the underlying brightness. It's definitely worth it despite the formula IMO.
Gargantuan Green Grape is probably one of my favorite spring colors ever. I'd probably wear it more if the formula (quite honestly) did't SUCK so badly. I've already posted about it before because it really is like the prettiest spring green, but you've gotta be prepared when you apply this color just because it's sheer, patchy, and not friendly. Anyway, I was wearing it and decided to spring it up even more! This is what I came up with
I really love the full hand shot
And I wasn't sure if I wanted to add the dots to the center of the flowers, so here is what it looked like with just the stamping before the dots
Stamping with Bundle Monster plate BM224 using China Glaze Heli-Yum
Blue dots with OPI Fly
Yellow dots with Revlon Electric
Dots made using dotting tools
This was pretty much what I had in mind back when I did my silver and purple dots. I wanted to redo it with these colors, and I intended to add more dots, but I love doing these mani's, so that just gives me an excuse to do it again!!
2 coats Orly Mirror Mirror
1 coat Best Top Coat
Dots are done with:
OPI Fly
Orly Frisky
Essie Mint Candy Apple
I actually did not top coat the dots because I loved the kind of raised effect they had. These photos were taken like 2-3 days after I initially did the mani. I'm sure you can tell due to my lack of posting that I've been very busy lately. I hadn't gotten around to photographing them until then. And even now, it's been a while since I actually had these nails.
This is a polish I love to use with nail art. It's a staple stamping polish for me. The only pain about stamping with it is it's nearly identical to the color of my Konad stamper, so it's pretty difficult to see where you're going to stamp it. So I figured it was about time to wear it on its own!
2 coats China Glaze Heli-Yum
1 coat Poshe
So beautiful! This was from China Glaze's Up & Away collection which was one of my favorite nail polish collections ever released. I'm still trying to collect all of the colors. It'll happen eventually! But Heli-Yum is a beautiful almost red dark pink creme. If you tell yourself it's pink, it looks pink. But at first glance, it may look a little more on the red side.
The formula was perfect. Because reds/pinks are such basic polish colors, I have very high expectations when it comes to formula on these shades. Thankfully, this one did not disappoint. It was beautifully opaque in one coat, but I always prefer to do a second just for added richness and I find it reduces tip wear.
In honor of my new blog look, I decided it was the perfect time to post these nails! (I'll be updating the header to something nicer soon). I apologize for not being around. My life has been CRAZY lately! More on that to come later. First, I'm going to be posting all my backlogged posts, then I'll get into the new stuff.
I love doing summer nails. I usually love spring nails, too, but I'm finding myself skipping spring nails and jumping right into summer. And I'm big on blue polishes in the summer especially because obviously blue=ocean and that's one of the best things about summer!
2 coats OPI Fly
1 coat Poshe
Gradient done with makeup sponge starting with China Glaze White On White and covered by OPI Gargantuan Green Grape
I loved my method for this the only thing I would have changed would be to not let the green go up so high. Looking at the full hand view, you can see GGG dominates more than I wanted on some nails (ring finger). So what I know GGG is too sheer to just stamp over Fly on its own. So I took my makeup sponge and painted some white on it and just dabbed it from the tip towards my cuticle so it gave somewhat of a gradient effect. I didn't want to to blend well or I would have used a different method to make it a smoother transition. So then I painted GGG onto the sponge and went over the white in the same fashion. The white was covered by GGG and it left it green.
The other thing was I opted to NOT top coat. I actually top coated my hand I didn't photograph and it made the colors blend too much for the look I was going for and it smoothed everything out. I love the texture it has without a top coat. Exactly what I pictured minus going too far down on a few nails.
Here in New England we don't have the best beaches with the most beautiful water, but it's pretty in its own right! I'm throwing this photo in because it's fitting to the post. I took this in early/mid May this year while some of my girlfriends and I were having dinner at a restaurant that is literally on the beach. (This was at Paddy's at Misquamicut Beach if you live in the area or are visiting Rhode Island).
I picked up Beach Cruiser and Skinny Dip from Orly's new summer neon collection Feel The Vibe at Sally's yesterday. I don't own a neon yellow or orange so I was tempted to get those, but I didn't and stuck with these two instead. Unfortunately, I'm a little disappointed in Beach Cruiser because it's really not what I expected.
2 coats Orly Beach Cruiser
1 coat Poshe
I know I said I'd try to cut back on photos since I tend to post so many, but I figured since at the time I'm posting this, this is a new polish, the extra photos might help since they're in slightly different lightings.
The color is where I'm disappointed. I was under the impression that these were true neons. I know Skinny Dip isn't going to be, but I really expected that Beach Cruiser was. It's a very bright hot pink/fuchsia-ish color that's a little darker than I expected. But I'm really not seeing neon. It kinda borders between a neon and bright, but unfortunately, I just don't think it's a true neon. The other thing that gives me a hunch that it's not a true neon is it doesn't have that satin, semi-matte finish that is a trademark of a neon. I did a swatch on my nail wheel because I always top coat my polish anyway, and it looks quite shiny even without a top coat. When I picture summer neons, I picture China Glaze's Poolside collection. And don't get me wrong, this is still a BRIGHT color. I'm just still not convinced it's a neon. And also don't think that I don't like this polish. I still think it's a beautiful color. I just really expected more of a real neon.
The formula was flawless (another reason why I think it might not be a neon! lol). Not streaky, patchy, or sheer. Completely easily opaque in 2 coats. It was a perfect consistency, and I don't think this needs to be layered over white at all as some neons do to reach their full potential.
Overall, it's an amazing quality polish, a beautiful summer bright hot pink, but it's not the neon I expected it to be.
Picked this up a while ago when it was on clearance at Target. I love these mint green/blue type of colors. I just really like how they look when I look down at my hands (moreso than looking at them in photos). I think they help my hands look tan :)
3 coats Revlon Jaded
1 coat Poshe
This is exactly what I picture for Essie Mint Candy Apple, but MCA isn't this color (it's far more blue). Jaded is somewhere between a light mint and light sea foam green creme. Definitely more green than MCA. Ironically, the application was extremely similar to MCA... not really a good thing =/
Working with this polish is extremely similar to how I have to work with Essie cremes. Not the first coat necessarily, but the way the polish started reacting. First coat started uneven and patchy which made me nervous. Second coat was that uncomfortable "do I do another coat and risk it looks too puffy and thick" or "do I leave it at two coats when it's a little patchy". I went with three. The polish didn't seem to like the third coat, it kinda dragged. A top coat did help to even it out to give it a smooth finish, but it's still kinda bumpy. When I look down at my nails, you can't really tell at all, though. How to solve this problem? I have found is to let the polish rest in between nails. I have to use this "technique" a LOT with Essie polishes. Be prepared that applying this polish is not going to be a quick process. Do a nail in as few strokes as possible, then let the brush rest in the polish. You can't quickly go from nail to nail. You may be able to get away with that for the first coat, but after that you really need to let the brush sit. I think had I been more patient, it would have had looked a little nicer.
Today is my one year bloggiversary! About a week ago I hit 200 followers, so I'm throwing that in there since I didn't do anything about 100 followers. So this is a GIVEAWAY to thank all of my followers for being so awesome! I want to show how much I appreciate that you guys write comments and take the time to read my posts and look at my photos. I never really intended to start blogging to this extent when I first started, so one year and 200 followers later is AMAZING. Which means you guys are amazing! And I want to say thanks!
Ok, the good part. Prizes. There are two and thus will be TWO WINNERS. And here they are:
Prize Package #1
Prize Package #2
I don't really consider one a "grand" prize and the other not, so how it's going to work is the first person picked as a winner will get to choose which one they want. The second person picked as a winner will get the other prize.
Details About The Prizes
Obviously this is not a sponsored giveaway. All of the items I purchased myself for the purpose of the giveaway. It was important to me to include items that I personally love and use frequently. I didn't just want to include things for the sake of including them. So here's my take on all of the items.
In Both Prize Packages You Will Find... Bubble White - I have used Bubble White since I became a polish addict. It's a staple product in my Helmer that I use about 2 times a month on average or more frequently if my nails start looking a little yellowed. I find that Bubble White works amazing at whitening your nails. Even if you have no staining or yellowing (it's rare that I do, but I will still use this), I suggest this product. It really whitens your tips and makes your entire nails look clean.
Essie Nail File - This is the file that I always use. I've switched from Swissco to Essie because of the case that comes with Essie's. I swear by glass files, and I love this one because the grit is very fine, so it glides very non-traumatically over my nails while still doing a great job filing them. I NEVER cut my nails, I always shorten them with this file.
In Prize Package #1 You Will Find... Orly Royal Navy - This polish is a polish that I use ALL the time when I'm looking for blues. Here it is posted on its own, here it is as an accent finger with China Glaze Dorothy Who? over it, here it is as one of my favorite nail designs, a peacock stamping mani, and here it is with snowflakes stamped over it this past winter.
Orly Rage - This foil polish is AWESOME. It's great because it dries super quick, and I think it's like the perfect bronze. This is such an easy color to wear from the color itself, to the finish, to the formula. I just love it! I wore it to a friend's wedding, with some fishnet stamping, and as a funky french tape mani with Enchanted Forest.
In Prize Package #2 You Will Find... Orly Bailamos - So I went through my blog to posts links to where I have worn Bailamos, and apparently I've only posted it once here! Realistically, I've worn Bailamos a bunch of times and it's one of my absolute favorites! I'll have to post more about it. But regardless, I've had and loved this polish since it came out in Summer 2010.
Orly Prelude To a Kiss - I haven't owned this long, as it's from Orly's newest collection, but I legit want to wear this polish nonstop. I haven't painted my toes in just about a year, and I HAD to paint my toes with this because I just want it on my nails all the time. It's such a beautiful color. I've only put it on my blog here, and it was fairly recently. I've actually already worn it several times in addition to it being on my toes. But I figured you all wouldn't like to see me posting the same polish over and over!!
Details About The Giveaway
1. This giveaway IS OPEN to International followers!
2. You MUST be a follower.
3. You must NOT enter just anything into the fields to get yourself an extra point. If you do, I will not count that point.
So for example, one question says "Tell me how you found my blog", please don't answer "janklnafierjf". That will not get you a point, and you will be disqualified.
For the question that asks who Paisley is, if you are wrong, the point does not count. (Don't worry! You will NOT be disqualified)
4. The only mandatory field is entering that you are a follower here. Because I do not use twitter, Bloglovin', or any of those (at this time), this blog is the only way to follow me. Also because of that, I have entered other things for you to answer to get other points since you cannot follow me elsewhere. You do not have to answer any of the other questions if you do not want to!
5. The first winner will be contacted and be able to chose Prize Package #1 or #2. The second winner will receive whichever the first winner did not choose.
6. Good luck!! It ends March 25th. EDIT 7. Let me be a little more specific about the points. If you have NEVER posted a comment on my blog prior to the start of this giveaway (3/15/2012), do NOT fill out the option. It clearly explains it. Your point will be deleted. Also, if you leave the fields blank, your points will be deleted.
The last time I wore this polish was over a year ago when it came out. It's from the Burlesque collection that way released last winter. I picked it up on clearance at Ulta. The reason I haven't worn it since was because I really did not like it when I first wore it and saw no reason to really wear it again (I'll go into that after the photos). But anyway, here it is. Giving it another shot.
Bottle Shot
2 coats OPI Tease-y Does It 1 coat Poshe
Tease-y Does It has a deep black/brown base with a deep pink/red shimmer with very minimal flashes of a golden shimmer. Disappointingly, this polish looks a lot more dynamic and lovely in the bottle. I should add a disclaimer. Vampy, deep colors are not my favorite. I'm sure that this is an amazing polish for those who like blackened colors. But the bottle shows significantly more shimmer with a dark pink to gold shift that doesn't translate as well on the nail. The shimmer is not very apparent. I tried to get the polish at a ton of different angles to show that there is a bit of shimmer. But I think the first photo is more accurate at how dark and... plain this polish really is. Nothing like the bottle. :(
The reason I didn't like this polish the first time was because I remember I had gone out with a bunch of coworkers and I had at LEAST 3 people comment on my "black" nails. I mentioned it's not black, but in the lighting we were in, you couldn't tell there was anything more to it. It just annoyed me because I spent money on what looks like a "black" polish to other people... and to me. That's why I didn't bother to wear it again.
If you've read my blog, you know I don't like OPIs brushes. Apart from that, the formula was perfect, opaque in 2 coats. It seemed to migrate a LITTLE towards my cuticles, but stopped before it got there. It was kind of funny, actually!
While I wasn't a fan of this polish, I just want to reiterate that if you like these nearly black colors, I'm sure you'd find this one beautiful!!
Be prepared to be bombarded by photos. No joke, I have like legit 8 pictures. I took these a while ago and this is quite a late post. I've been trying to cut down on the number of photos, but since I had already cropped and tagged all of these, I figured I'd just include them.
2 coats Orly Emberstone 1 coat Poshe
Emberstone... is amazing. I'm a HUGE fan of the Mineral FX collection, as I posted Stone Cold back in December. Emberstone is beautiful. It has almost a coral type of feel. This polish is definitely easily worn in the summertime, I thought it was going to be more of a cold red. Some photos show it as a cherry red, but there are a couple that show the orange-y coral feel, and you definitely see that quite a bit in real life. It also has this hot pink feel to it. I definitely see hot pink flakes in this polish, just a little less frequent than the orange. This isn't really a glitter, they're more particles of shimmer than anything IMO. It's a little different than Stone Cold in that the particles aren't as separate. They're much more fluent with the base of the polish where as they stood out far more in Stone Cold. This does not make the polish any less amazing. I still stand by what I said with Stone Cold and that is words and photos cannot describe this polish.
Seriously, you have to wear these polishes. When you wear them, they're so much more lively that photos show, than they look in the bottle, or even how they look as swatches in the store. Don't underestimate these. They're not a regular shimmer.
The formula was totally fine. It glided on great, not too thick. Polish went and stayed where I put it. Amazing to work with, great coverage. Beautiful all around.
