GG Couture Nail Lacquer

Good morning polish lovers. I hope you're all having a wonderful week! Today I have some indie polish to show you made by the lovely Gabrielle of GG Couture Nail Lacquer. Here's a little information about the company:

GGCouture Nail Lacquer, is a hand made, 5 free polish. There is no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, toluene, or DBP. The base is high quality and long lasting. They are colored with mineral colorants, and all glitter used are solvent resistant and not glass. GGCouture Nail Lacquer has the option to be scented with 1 of 2 essential oils: plumeria and crisp apple rose. After the formula is finished, the bottles are dressed up, complete with a bow and rhinestone. Made in California.

I ship worldwide, and package accordingly, to withstand normal abuse that shipping brings. (This entails nail polishes being wrapped in tissue paper, followed by bubble wrap, backed in a bubble mailer, and folded for added padding).

No sample or small bottles offered, as I feel it takes away from the charm of my polish. (Can't do rhinestones and bows on a mini bottle!)

Full size (15ml) is $8.

Store: ggcouturenaillacquer.etsy.comEmail: ggcouture@me.com.

IG, Vine, Tumblr: ggouture

Facebook: GG Couture Nail Lacquer. 

My polishes arrived packaged as described. I received two colors, I am Yours and Body Electric. Let's take a look at  I am Yours first:

I am Yours is an emerald/teal jelly.  Mine appears to have some flecks of black in it, and while I am not sure this is an intentional addition, I quite like the look of it that way. The formula  as mentioned above, is a jelly so it's very sheer but can be built up for a more opaque look. I used two coats for the photos.  Application was lovely on this. It was so smooth and just simply glided on the nail.  I am sure that has a lot to do with the mineral colorants. Removal was a piece of cake, no staining at all.

Next up is Body Electric which is a bronze-y brown with a silver micro-shimmer. This one is quite frosty and while I can see brush strokes I can't help but say I am in love with it. There's something about it, when you see it in person the micro-shimmer will win you over. It's stunning. This is a great fall/winter color. 

As I mentioned, I do see some minor brushstrokes but nothing atrocious and they don't bother me at all. In fact, this went on just as smoothly as I am Yours and I really enjoyed the application. These really do just glide right on. This was fully opaque with just two coats.

Both of these polishes were scented in the Apple Rose scent. I found the scent to be pleasant but not perfume-y  Just slightly more bearable than traditional nail polish. Don't go sniffing these, it's just designed to make application more pleasant, and it did. 

Overall these are great indie offerings available on Etsy for $8 each.  Go check them out! Have you tried anything from GG Couture? I would love to hear your thoughts? If you haven't tried the brand yet, which colors attract you the most?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Zoya: Vespa

Good morning everyone. I hope you're all doing well today. Today I have another Pixie Dust from Zoya to share with you. This one is called Vespa; it's mint green with a sugared sparkle.

Like the other Pixie Dust colors, this is a textured matte.  I used two coats for the results shown below and did not use a top coat. You don't want to use a top coat on these because you will lose the textured matte finish. If you're looking to change the look up a bit you can add the top coat, it certainly won't harm the polish, it will just look different. I have seen swatches that way and these polishes do look nice that way. Personally though, I think the matte textured finish makes these Pixie Dust polishes special.

I had no issues with application. This polish went on nicely and dried quickly, which was a concern with not using a top coat. I had no issues with streaking or balding and this was fully opaque in two coats. 

Like I mentioned yesterday, I am loving this new polish trend. What do you think of these polishes? 

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. Share the love affiliate links used.  All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Zoya: Godiva

Happy Monday! Let's prepare for a great week! What are you all up to this week?

Today I have one of the Zoya Pixie Dust colors to show you. I have been waiting for these for a while and am so excited they are finally here. Pixie Dust polishes are textured matte sparkles and come in six colors. Zoya is retailing these for $9.00 each, which is $1.00 more than their standard polishes.

This is Godiva is a nude with white sparkles. It reminds me of a sugar cookie topped  with that really pretty shimmery sugar! It's just stunning!

The formula is a textured matte, like the OPI Liquid Sand Polishes. I used two coats for full opacity and skipped the top coat on this one to keep that texture and flat look. It's super easy to apply and dries quickly. I sit for a minute before applying the second coat, to make sure it all dries in a reasonable time - you don't want to end up with wet layer upon wet layer because then it will never dry.  I really did not think I was going to like this finish but I really do. It's so interesting and beautiful! 

Isn't she lovely? I am really a fan of this new trend. I am usually not a fan of the trendy nail polish that comes out (crackle, caviar) but this is a movement I can get behind. I really love the complexity of the polishes in this finish. Stay tuned this week for the rest of the Pixie Dust polishes! I am currently wearing Dahlia and loving it!

Have you tried any of the Pixie Dust polishes? What do you think of this trend? Which is your favorite? What do you think of this one!?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. Share the Love Affiliate Links used. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Prettily Inspired Polish (Etsy Store) Review

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by the blog today. I have three polishes to show you from an Etsy seller named Chelsea. Chelsea's store is called Prettily Inspired Polish and she hand mixes all of her 3-Free polishes in small batches. She's got an every changing variety of unique and fun, mostly glitter polishes. 

Up first is Kiss me at Midnight. This polish is a gold and blue micro-glitter along with small gold hex glitter and larger gunmetal hex glitter suspended in a sheer dark blue/green base. Boy is that a tough one to describe! It's got a lot going on. 

The jelly base on this one is super sheer but tinted that dark green/blue, almost grey color. You won't be able to build it up to a truly opaque state but it's more of a topper glitter anyway. The jelly base provides a high shine so it will look good over most any color you can think of. I put it on my bare nails for the swatch and over black on my ring finger to show you some variety. 

Next up is Starlet which Chelsea describes as containing "micro gold hex, small matte pink square, matte pink stars, medium red hex, large iridescent clear hex, and ultra-fine iridescent white glitters" in a bight pink jelly base. 

This one is really interesting and has a lot going on. I love the little pink star glitter particles. This is something really fun to throw on for Valentine's Day. This is two coats:

Last, but certianly not least is my favorite of the bunch and to me, the most unique: Lettuce Leaf. Chelsea describes Lettuce Leaf as containing "micro purple, small matte neon yellow hex, matte white square, medium matte neon green hex, and holo green square glitters in a clear base." I actually don't think this base is clear though. It's ever so slightly tinted highlighter yellow/neon green. I think the photo clearly shows that.  This is two coats:

I had no issues applying any of the polishes. Formula was consistent across the board, not too thick, not too thin. I found the larger glitter particles in all three of the polsihes to go on abundantly and evenly. Sometimes larger glitter sinks to the bottom of polishes, that did not happen with any of these three.

Chelsea sells these, and more, in her Etsy shop and a 15ml bottle will run you $9.95 USD which is a pretty standard indie rate. Be sure to stop by her Facebook page for more photos and occasional special offers. I really like all three of these polishes. I can tell Chelsea puts a lot of thought into creating these polishes. It's nice to see something unique on the market and it's fun to support small businesses. 

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Shimmer Polish: Marilyn

Good morning nail polish addicts. Today I have an indie polish to share with you from Cindy at Shimmer Polish. Cindy has created 50+ shimmers and this is just one of the beauties she has to offer. More reviews to come on here so 

This is Marylin, which is a classic deep red glitter. This reminds me of Dorothy's ruby slippers. It's rich an sparkly and so chic! I love it! I can totally see Ms. Marilyn Monroe rocking this on her nails!

This polish is a completely opaque glitter polish. I used three coats but you may be able to get away with two if you're patient. There was no trouble with application and I love how this  was opaque and not just a top coat glitter. It's glitter so it will be textured but that's nothing a thick coat of Seche Vite can't tame. 

I got several days of wear out of this, which is more than I usually get with glitters so this one is a winner in my book.

Be sure to check out Cindy's Shimmers. They sell for $12 each or $15 for a custom blend. Click here for details on how to order. 

Random Thoughts:

• I am dying for summer to start. I am loving that the days are getting longer already and cannot wait for the warm air. 
• In April I am going to see Wicked on Broadway again with Steve and two of our friends. Wicked was my first Broadway show and I loved it so much! I've seen it once on Broadway but 5 times on tour (a little obsessed). We're going on my Birthday and I cannot wait because my friends have never been to a Broadway show and I know they are going to love it!
• I want to see Side Effects but haven't had time to go to the movies in a while. 
• Steve and I finished the second season of Homeland the other day OnDemand. We can't wait for it to come back.

Thanks for stopping in. Have a nice Wednesday! 

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

OPI: Can't Find My Czechbook

Happy Friday readers! I hope you all had a great week. The weather is finally looking a bit better but I am not sure we're in the clear snow wise yet. Ugh! But I have a three day weekend so I am excited!

Today I am featuring OPI: Can't Find My Czechbook from the OPI Euro Centrale collection. This is a really pretty baby blue/teal hybrid color. It's really the only way I can think to describe it. It's teal but it's got no green tone to it, so I don't know if I can really call it a teal but it's blue.

The formula on this is a super shiny creme. I love cremes, as you know by now. I used two coats but I think you can see from the photos that you'd be way better off with three on this one as I did get some balding in spots. 

I think this is a really pretty spring blue. What do you think?

__________________________

Random Thoughts:

• So glad The Walking Dead is back. #walkingdixons
• Currently wearing Gelish in the color Medieval madness. I am on day 6 and it's going strong but the growth is annoying me. 
• Can't wait to get the Zoya Fairy Dust colors in the mail. They should be on their way. Dying here!
• Happy belated Valentine's Day. My wonderful hubby made me steak and lobster. I couldn't ask for a better man. It was so yummy!!! What did you all do for Valentine's Day?
• I want to see the movie Side Effects. Maybe this weekend.

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Idalmi St. Barth

Hi everyone! Today I have some colors to show you from an Indie Brand called Idalmi St. Barth. Yup, these polishes came all the way from the beautiful island of St. Barth, and with the way the snow came down here in CT I'd give anything to be there basking in the sun right now... but I digress...

You can find the Idalmi colors here.

First up I have Coco, which is a pink with silver shimmer. It's a frost / metallic finish. I needed two coats for the opacity shown in the photos. I had to be careful with this one so as to avoid the inevitable streaking that comes with a finish like this. I think the end result was good.

  

Next up is Tortue which is a gorgeous dark teal green/blue color with a green shimmer. The shimmer on this one is absolutely gorgeous. I love this color!

I had no issues with application with this one. No streaking or balding and it only required two coats for full opacity. 

Next up is Chevreau which is a silver frost. This one was the troublesome one of the bunch. It's quite sheer and also applied really streaky for me. Color is nice but application was lacking here. I just can't get past the streaking.

The photos show two coats but I think you need to go for three or more for full opacity. 

Next up is one of my favorites of the bunch, Les Saintes.  This one is a really pretty royal blue jelly with tons of green microshimmer throughout.  Now this one is sheer, but I like it. It's a shiny jelly finish and the shimmer adds interest.

I used two coats for the opacity below. There is visible nail line which is sure to drive some of you nuts but I give it a pass because it's just such a pretty color combination. I love it! 

Last but not least is Fregate which is a standard shimmery maroon red. This is a classic color so it's not entirely unique but it's a staple for sure.

The formula on this is a cross between a frost and a shimmer. I didn't have any real issues with streaking and it was opaque in two coats.

Overall this is a nice Indie Brand. I don't think the colors are exceptionally unique but it's hard to be completely unique these days, we have seen it all, haven't we?  Everything except for the frosty one had a nice, cooperative formula.

If I ever am lucky enough to find myself in St. Barth I will be sure to seek out some more colors. 

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More