Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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Twinsie Tuesday: Regional Polish

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This week's challenge: regional polish.

A polish that is sold locally where we live. This one was pretty easy, sort of.

At first, I was like, what in the world? China Glaze, OPI, Essie, man. Then I went to my local nail supply and browsed through the isles to see what they had. And this what I came across.




Daisy Blackberry Wine, a brand that I have never heard of. I was a bit skeptical, but it was only for $1.50 or something close to that so I gave it a go. To my surprise, I actually really liked it. I mean, look at the depth of that polish! It's like a purply-olive golden'ish duochrome. And look at the color under the flash, it become a purple'ish wine kind of color. In some way, it reminds me of Zoya Yasmeen. It's a hidden gem.

Blackberry Wine applied very smoothly and covered perfectly in 2 coats.

For the price of the polish, I am really considering purchasing more. Unfortunately, I feel like the color selection isn't quite unique. Luckily for me, looks like I picked up the right one. I have seen this brand on eBay but not anywhere else so I'm sure where else you may be able to purchase this brand.

What do you think? Was the price worth the polish?
Anna

Have you checked out the other Twinsies' regional polishes?

Monday, July 30, 2012

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Born 2 Pansy

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I might have told you too many times that I love Jessica polishes. Sorry incase you're tired of hearing it, but I will say it again! I love me some Jessica's!

I have recently seen Jessica's at my local TJ Maxx, so you should check yours out incase they have them in. You can also purchase Jessica's here and Ninja Polish carries them as well. You can find them here.

But if you don't want to spend any money, check out my Jessica 200+ Followers Giveaway!




Soon as you apply these on your nails, you'll be wanting to own more!

Jessica Born 2 Pansy is a soft semi-sheer pale lilac color with many little glassfleck shimmers. The formula was perfect in 2 coats.

Born 2 Pansy was so hard to capture. The pictures here do no justice. The beauty of this polish in real life in amazing! You see all those little white speckles? Those little speckles are blue sort of glassfleck glitters which are almost duochrome. In some lighting, the shimmer turns into a purply-pink color. But just picture that. Gorgeous much? 

Have you been wanting to try some Jessica's?
Anna 

Saturday, July 28, 2012

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Kim Goes Rawr

24 comments  
Happy happy Saturday! Another week closer to school!

This isn't all that awesome but I thought it looked so cute!



I hope you can tell that's a dinosaur. Well, it's suppose to be a dinosaur.

The base is NOPI Kim Konfidential, as you can see my post here. All the colors besides the base color are acrylic paints - I didn't want anything to smear.

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this and have a lovely weekend! Oh and sorry for such a short post.

Do you think it looks like a dinosaur?
Anna

And don't forget to enter my giveaway! 


Friday, July 27, 2012

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Kim Konfidential

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Hi lovelies!

I have been posting very sporadically and I apologize for that as well as not commenting on your blogs and commenting back. I feel so horrible! I have been so busy! But now, I am back in it!

And I have finally found my most favorite nude!


I was in search for a nude for the longest time ever and I bought this one on a whim. Come to find out, strangely, it's my favorite and most loved nude ever!

This is NOPI Kim Konfidential. 2 awesome coats, I should've done 3, but I like the way it looks. I don't know if you would agree that it looks good on me. But there is something about this one that just draws me in.

KK is a honey'ish nude creme with yellow undertones and it is just lovely. It applied well and dried relatively quick.

What do you think of this one?
Anna

And stay tuned for tomorrows post as I decorated this, and showing you some love! Rawrrrrrrrrrrr!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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Twinsie Tuesday: "Best Deal" Polish

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This was hard.

First of all, I am honored to announce our newest Twinsie addition! Maribeth from Obsessive Cosmetic Hoarders Unite. Welcome lady! I hope you enjoy your permanent stay! I look forward to your future Twinsie Tuesday posts! So please give her a warm welcome!

So on to thhis weeks challenge, it was: "best deal" polish, one that we purchased on clearance or sale.

And yes, you know it! Sinful Colors.



Now this is color accurate ^

I purchased this lovely on sale at Walgreen's for only $.99 + tax. A full size .05 fl oz bottle for $1.07? Really it doesn't get any better!

Sinful Colors Fig is a plum-my color with a slight shimmer. Fig we perfectly opaque in 2 coats smooth coats. I was a little hesitant to pick this up because I was afraid that I might have something similar, but for only $.99, who could say no?

But yes, this was hard because I have had a few very good polishes on sale/clearance and no, not just the ugly ones. Sometimes I can catch some OPI's at $4, half price and China Glaze at $2. I couldn't decide so, I just choose Sinful Colors since it's most easily accessible to everyone, I hope.

So, what do you think of Sinful Colors? And what's your best sale/clearance polish?
Anna

I wonder what my Twinsies' best sale/clearance polish was! 
 Amanda at Amandalandish
Ashley at Art Evolve
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Cordia at Srsly Swatched
Katherine at Haul of Fame

Friday, July 20, 2012

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What? Zoya For A Penny?

6 comments  
Yes, you heard that alright!

Thanks to Brandi over at The Collegiate Nail for introducing me to this; Copious.com. What is this Copious that I speak of? "Copious.com is social marketplace for buying from and selling to people." Simple as that. It's like a better version of eBay!

After clicking on the invitation, I created an account and that wonderful $10.00 was mine to spend on anything, whatever I wanted! They have many brands varying from Zoya, OPI, Nubar and China Glaze. It really depends on what people are selling.

With that, this is what I purchased my $10.00 credit on.





Yes, the famous Zoya Ivanka. Such a lovely color. This beautiful green-gold almost blue glass flecked polish. No one does glass flecks better than Zoya, hands down! And on top of that, the formula was perfect!

Now onto what you are looking for, the $10.00.

Just click here for the personal invitation.

This is a personal invite and that is the only way that you are able to receive your free $10.00 credit. Once you checkout, Copious.com will charge you a single $.01 (penny) just to make sure you are human. How awesome is that?

Now what are you waiting for?! Go get that free $10.00 credit!

So what did you end up purchasing?
Anna 

*This  is my personal referral link above, and I receive a free $5.00 credit on Copious.com if  you use it
 and complete a transaction. After signing up, you can give others your referral link as well and get $5.00 for each invite.*

Thursday, July 19, 2012

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Dove Jazzed Up

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Are you ready for today's post? In my previous post, I said that I would be jazzing up Dove. So take a look!


What do you think?

I have yet to perfect the gradient look, but hey! I'm getting there. I'd say pretty ok for my first attempt.  Practice makes perfection! Oh and sorry about the messy cleanup. I didn't see it until after I already erased my nails and took these photos.

As you know, this is Zoya Dove with Sally Hansen Black out sponged and then a nice coat of Nubar Black Polka dot coated on top.

I'm so digging this! Hopefully I'll perfect this technique!

Have you done any gradient sponging?
Anna 

PS - Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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Dove

22 comments  
Is anyone doing anything awesome coming up this weekend? I think I'm gonna have a pretty chilled weekend. I feel like summer is already done. I am now beginning to dread the thought of school next month. Anybody with  me?

Have you ever wondered what was the difference between grey and gray? I did. Until I found it. Silly me. 

I'm not much of a person to polish my nails just a straight creme gray but this one was different. It's one of the most prettiest grays that I own. Who would think that a gray polish could ever look so stunning?


Sorry about the excess polish hanging around. I've decided to keep my nails short and sometimes I can't really get around to all the extra polish that shouldn't be where it is.

Zoya Dove is a light putty'ish gray. It's a soft and very flattering color. Dove was opaque in 2 coats. It applied super buttery and glossy. Simply lovely. This one is probably one of my favorite grays and it's hard to find one of those so I use this sparingly.

What do you think of gray cremes?

Oh and stay tuned for tomorrow's post as I jazz this baby up!

Anna

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

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July Glamour Birchbox

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Oh my goodness. I was so very excited when I opened up this month's box!

For those of you who don't know what a Birchbox is, it is monthly beauty box subscription for $10 a month and "every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.

I didn't mention last month's box because it was meh. Not all that awesome. But this July one, I'm pretty stoked!



  Beauty Blender
Makeup Sponge

 Harvey Prince Hello
Meyer lemon, white grapefruit, mandarin and pink plumeria infused
 Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
Luminizing tint that adds a dewy finish
 Stila Lip Glaze
Lip gloss with a sheer sparkly wash

  Tea Forte
Cocoa tea infused reboot energy mints

 Exclusive Earbuds
Headphones
Before even opening the box, I was so excited that it was Glamour inspired. I knew it was going to be a good box and I can honestly say that this is my favorite box by far. All of the items I know I am actually going to use.

I can't wait to use the Beauty Blender! I have heard so many raves about this pink squishy thing. Hopefully it will own up to it. I was so surprised when it came in my box. Seriously? It's an $19.95 makeup blender and I could never justify paying that much for it. Thanks Birchbox! 

The Harvey Prince perfume smells so lovely! Even my Hubby liked the way it smells. He's pretty pick-y when it comes down to scents I wear and I have a very sensitive nose. But this is a very light, sweet and refreshing smell.

I have yet to try the Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint but so far it seems like nice product. I probably won't buy the full product because the sample product is just too tiny and by the time it's done I won't really know if it works or not but I am hoping for the best. 

I'm not too excited about the lip glaze, it's a bit thick and sticky and I'm not a fan of that. Although the tiny sheer wash of color and sparkle on my lips is beautiful.

The tea cocoa infused mints are a pretty nice touch to my Birchbox. I actually kind of like it. I'm not sure if it gives me any energy but it's a nice mint!

I am definitely going to use the earbuds. Yeah! Especially when I hit the gym! And look at that pink and green. What a cute combo!

So what'd you get in your Birchbox?
Anna

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Twinsie Tuesday: Crackle Polish

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Yes, what I absolutely dread. This weeks Twinsie Tuesday was a real challenge: crackle polish.

I don't know what it is. But I absolutely dislike crackle polishes. They defeat the purpose of a polish. You know, the glossy, finished look. Man. It drives me nuts.


See that little pinky. Aha. That was the little accent, if you noticed.

Luckily, I won this polish set in a contest from Amandalandish. I don't know if I would be willing to go out and buy my very own crackle polish. As weird as it seems, I actually sort of like it. It's a bit different - because it's the vinyl remix!

The white and black polish came in a set Vinyl Remix. When the black crackles, it adds a color to it ^^ as you can see above. Both applied very smoothly. The white base was opaque in 2 coats and I just painted the black in the center for a different look instead of the traditional entire nail, and I'm sort of diggin' it.

All in all, I dislike crackle polishes. But this one is special to me. I won it!

What do you think of crackles?
Anna

Have you checked out the other Twinsie's crackle manis?
 Amanda at Amandalandish
Ashley at Art Evolve
Brandi at The Collegiate Nail
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
ChiChi at I''m just me...ChiChi
Cordia at Srsly Swatched
Katherine at Haul of Fame
Marisa at Polish Obsession
Meredith at Polish and Charms
Rachel at Top Coat It

Monday, July 16, 2012

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Blue Ranger

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This one is the fraternal brother to a previous green version franken that I made a while ago. Except this time, this one is blue.

I named (actually the Hubby) named the green one Green Ranger after I blogged about so in light of that one, I thought Blue Ranger was the perfect name!

If you have ever frankened before, you would know that it is time consuming and it takes a lot of effort. It's more than throwing different glitters and polish together but it's making a masterpiece! And I think this may be one.



It was so hard to capture the shimmer and glitter. In the second picture, the camera couldn't make up it's mind and resulted with this slightly blurry one. But hopefully you'll get the point.

I frankened this one in the new Wet n Wild bottles and I hate those brushes. I haven't been able to come across a decent one yet, unfortunately.

As with Green Ranger, Blue Ranger has a minimal amount of glitter and shimmer. I love glitter but I don't like to add too much - at least in my frankens. This was opaque in 2 coats. I think I could have added an extra top coat to gloss it up and smooth it out but I am pretty happy with this.

What do you think?
Anna

Sunday, July 15, 2012

I Love Nail Mail

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Oh I was so super uberly excited about this nail mail!


Meet one of the newest bloggers that I have recently come across! Victoria from Miss Vee's Nails. She just posted one of her very first tutorials instructing how to apply white nail polish. Check it out here if you have trouble (like me).

I swapped with her, obviously and this is what she sent to me. I'll be sending her a thank you card because I love these polish so much more than I originally thought I would. I mean, I was super excited. But when I saw them in real like, I screamed in my head and all my neighbors heard me!

Oh yeah, that might be helpful.
L-R: OPI At Your Quebec & Call, Color Club Rad Nomad, Zoya Bevin and Finger Paints Motley

I can't even tell you how excited I am to try these! So thank you so much Victoria! Like, a lot. Like, so so very much!

Have you been swapping at all lately?
Anna
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Tropicalia

10 comments  
Wow. I have nothing to say but just look:




This is was indoor natural sun light.

This polish was gifted from Brandi at The Collegiate Nail. Awh! She's such a sweetie! So please check her out.

For those of you who know that Wet n Wild Cady-licious is my favorite pink polish, that might have just changed. After swatching this one, I think this has got to be my new favorite. I love the soft muted look it has to it. The pink'ish coral in this is so sort of muted and elegant but it's such a nice pop of pink. In love. Look at how glossy and creme-y it is!

Wet n Wild Tropiclia, I believe is now packaged in the new'ish type bottles. Which I am sure you have seen around by now. The formula was perfect but those darn Wet n Wild brushes really suck. If the brush head wasn't so bad, this could've been opaque in 1 coat. But because it created bald spots, I had to go over it. Or maybe it was my poor application but how many of you are annoyed and irritated by their wonk-y brushes?
Wet n Wild, please change this! 

So what do you think of Tropicalia and WnW's brushes?
Anna

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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Polish Finishes

9 comments  
Are you new to nail blogging or just have a hard time describing nail polish finishes (like me) or have a hard time differentiating these terms and need some help? Well I have some answers (more like found) and want to share them with you!

Info Source

25 Different Polish Finishes
1. Creme: A creme is one of the most popular finishes we know. This is just a plain color without any glitter, shimmer, etc added to it. The finish is glossy and smooth.
2. Jelly: A jelly is just like a creme, but the main difference is the substance: more jelly-like. They tend to be sheer but they make up for it by being xtremely glossy.
3. Shimmer: The shimmer finish is a colored base with shimmer added to it, most of the times that color is silver but we're seeing contrasting colors more often.
4. Glass Flecked: Glass flecked polishes look like they contain small glass particles, often mixed in a jelly base. The finish is very smooth, yet sparkly.
5. Neon: You could say neon describes color, not finish. But most neons do have a particular finish, very bright colors that often dry semi-matte.
6. Frost: A frost is a very fine shimmery polish with obvious bruststrokes. These kind of finishes are losing popularity and mostly seen in older polishes.
7. Pearl: The pearl finish is quite similar to the frost finish, but it has a more pearly sheen to it.
8. Foil: Foil polishes often have a metallic base color with very fine glitter added to it. The finish is very smooth yet sparkly.
9. Metallic: Metallic finishes make your nails appear like metal. Metallic polishes are especially popular in copper, gold or silver.
10.Glitter: Glitter is one of most flashiest finishes. These glitters are often put in a jelly base. The amount of glitter can vary a lot. Sometimes you'll need top coat to smoothen the surface.
11 String Glitter: Mostly glitter in a clear base so they're often used as a top coat. String glitter consists out of glitters in rectangular shapes, often in silver or iridiscent colors.
12. Round Glitter: Just as string glitter, these are mostly used as a top coat. The glitters in this clear base are round shaped.
13. Square Glitter:  Another glitter top coat, but with glitter in the shape of squares.
14. Hex Glitter: A very popular glitter shape: hex or hexagonal. These are very popular and more common these days. Often used in regular glitter polish as well.
15. Shape Glitter: This is a very special glitter top coat, in this picture you see stars, but there are also glitter top coats containing hearts and diamonds (rhombus).
16. Matte: This finish dries completely matte, no shine whatsoever. These dry quickly and sometimes end up being streaky. Handlotion is to be avoided because it decreases the matte effect.
17. Satin: Satin finishes end up matte as well, but not entirely matte. There is still a slight shine, but not enough to classify it as glossy.
18. Suede: Just like mattes, suedes are completely matte. Suedes contain shimmer though, so that's what sets them apart from regular mattes.
19.Holographic: Holographic polishes contain rainbow colored glitter, which changes color on the reflection of light. This finish is very obvious in sun light.
20. Holo Glitter: Holographic glitter in a different color base. The glitter is often more sparse and while it does change color upon different light, there is no rainbow effect to be seen.
21. Flakies: Flakie polishes consist out of a jelly base with very fine opal (often duochrome) particles in it. They're mostly used for layering as the jelly base is often sheer.
22. Duochrome: Duochrome polishes change color on the reflection of light. True duochromes are very obvious and often show 2 colors, but sometimes even more.
23. Iridescent: This finish is often confused with duochrome or shimmer. An iridiscent finish is a color that flashes a different color. These are not obvious enough to be a duochrome.
24. Sheer: This is a half transparent finish, often used in French manicures to show off the white tips. A lot of sheers are salmon, nude or pink.
25. Water: This is a strange and not that well known finish. A water finish resembles the characteristics of a jelly, but is less opaque.

Be sure to check out her in depth description and detailed photos here. 

Thanks to Michèle from Lacquerized we have this awesome information! I don't think she blogs anymore but she has a ton of polish information. So take a look!

Hopefully that was helpful because it sure was for me!

Did you have hard time describing polish finishes before reading this?
Anna
 
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Velvet Rose

13 comments  
Yes, that's right. Yet another Jessica polish. I'm telling you, I can't get enough of these! I wish I heard about this brand years ago. If I had, I bet more than 75% of my collection would be of this brand. Slowly but surely I am definitely building my tiny collection of Jessica's. I can't wait to get my hands on some more!

As usual. I couldn't expect anything less than perfection with this one. Like the many others, this one went on smoothly in 2 coats.




As you can see, Velvet Rose is a bright sort of frosted pearl'ish pink with slight yellow undertones. It's so beautiful! In the bottle it looks exactly like this, except once I swatched this onto my nail, it was even more vibrant. Thankfully the pictures came out accurate.

I usually tend to stay away from these kinds of finishes, the frosty pearly ones because I truly hate seeing brush strokes but I am so glad that I picked this up (I'm a bit OCD about that). I have been having such great luck with all these Jessica polishes and I hope my luck doesn't run out!

So how do you feel about frosted finishes and obvious brush strokes?
Anna

Oh and if you can't get a hold of Jessica's be sure to check out my giveaway! 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

200+ Followers Fall For Jessica Giveaway

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Don't we all love giveaways?

In honor of my 200+ followers I am truly thrilled to host another giveaway! Thanks to all my followers, especially my readers and commenters, not to mention all the lovely bloggers here that I have befriended in the nail bizz community.

These 3 polishes were released in the 2009 Burlesque Beauty Fall collection. I choose these because Fall is right around the corner and this giveaway won't end until next month. Also, I have been really loving Jessica polishes and I wanted to share these lovelies with you! They are truly amazing! The price is right. The formula is always perfect and the longevity of these polishes do not disappoint! So I hope that 1 lucky winner will love these just as much as I love my own Jessica's.

With that said, here are the goodies I will be giving away!

Jessica For Your Eyes Only
Jessica Fishnets and Fringe
Jessica Sexy Siren


Here's how to enter:

Rules
- Open to US and international residents
- If your country is strict, please let me know
- If you are under 18, please have parental permission
- Must be a public follower via GFC
- Winner must respond with 24 hours, otherwise another winner will be chosen

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
Anna

PS - Did you catch the Fall for Jessica? This giveaway was for the Fall season. Cheesy much?

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Twinsie Tuesday: Non-ring Finger Accent

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It's Tuesday and you know what time of the week that means! Twinsie Tuesday! Woot woot!

So, this really didn't turn out as awesome as I wish it would but I guess it looks ok. Not too shabby might I say.



This is my first time attempting the "caviar" trend. I'm not entirely sure if I like it all that much but it's definitely out of my comfort zone and that's a good thing.

For the pink I used Essense Ultimate Pink, a lovely gift from Ash at Art Evolve (thanks so much Ash!).

Ultimate Pink is lovely pink. This was one coat. Buttery and smooth but just a bit runny. However, that wasn't a problem. For the silver I just used a random silver polish then added silver buillions.

I'm not really a caviar person but I do think this was sort of fun. They came off really quickly but it was good qhile it lasted. This trend certainly isn't one of my favorites but it's one I that I do enjoy.

What do you think of the caviar trend?
Anna

Take a look at the Twinsies' non-ring finger accent! 

 Amanda at Amandalandish
Ashley at Art Evolve
Brandi at The Collegiate Nail
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
ChiChi at I''m just me...ChiChi
Cordia at Srsly Swatched
Katherine at Haul of Fame
Marisa at Polish Obsession
Meredith at Polish and Charms
Rachel at Top Coat It

Monday, July 9, 2012

Blogger Love Week 2 - Day 1

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Hello lovelies! Welcome to the 2nd edition of Blogger Love Week. Basically what Blogger Love Week is, a whole week of questions and answers from some of the fellow bloggers. Every day a question will be asked to the blogger and they will answer with their take on the question and or personal preference. All the questions are nail polish and blog related. With that said, check it out over at here at Fierce Makeup and Nails!


Be sure to check it out!
Anna

Nail Mail!

4 comments  
Who doesn't love nail mail? Because I know I do!


My very first Joe Fresh polishes from one of my fellow Twinsies, Ash over at Art Evolve. Awhh! She is way too sweet!

Upper row, L-R: Joe Fresh Lime Juice, Twilight, Mango, Essense Ultimate Pink

Originally I emailed her to see if she could get a hold of Twilight. She responded and said that her place was out of Twilight, and whenever she could, she would send it to me. And VIOLA! Not only did she send me Twilight but 4 other extra goodies! Unfortunately one of them did make it, however I can't wait to try my very first Joe Fresh polishes!

Thanks Ash!

From another fellow Twinsie Brandi over at The Collegiate Nail.

Bottom row, L-R: WnW Tropicalia, Sinful Colors Citrine

Awhh, yes. Citrine the famous dupe for that whatever one Pantone Sephora. I couldn't find this baby anywhere since there are no Rite Aid's in my area and she was kind enough to send it to me! And an extra goodie. Oh how I love my Twinsies! Thanks so much Brandi! I love them!

Lastly, another one from my Twinsie. Yes, that's right! Sarah over at See Sarah Swatch.

Two Birds One Stone Vel-awesome-raptor

Just look at how lovely it is! I purchased this from her Etsy shop for $10. I can't wait to use this!

That's all for now!

Which of these would you like to see first?
Anna
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Ink

6 comments  
I hope all of you had a great weekend! I totally forgot to take a bottle shot and I suddenly remembered when I already removed the mani. That sucks. Ever done that before? But, this one won't disappoint because it's so pretty!


 

At first when I saw this bottle, I wasn't too fond of it but I picked it anyways because I had seen a few people in the blogger community write about it. 

As soon as I polished and pictured this. I could mot believe my eyes. I was truly mesmerized. Look at it! How the blue and purple ultra fine glitter just meshes into together. The blur-ple color is just amazing. I am so glad that I picked this up.

I love finding those polishes. Where you think you might not like it but buy it anyway, and when you do try it, it looks absolutely gorgeous. It's such a wonderful surprise.

OPI Ink was perfectly opaque after 2 smoother coats. The formula and brush was perfect as I would always expect. 

Now this polish, certainly did not disappoint.

Do you own any colors similar to this? 
Anna