My Absolute Fave Color: Bassins Bleu!

Well, I reported that I got my Hands of Hope BB Couture collection from Overall Beauty.

So, today was beautifully sunny if still a bit below freezing. Yay, swatching time! I put BB Couture Bassins Bleu on first and began snapping some pics. My camera battery died, as expected, so I reached for the additional battery. Um, it wasn't there. Oh. Uh. So, I went around searching for my battery charger.

Long story short, I couldn't find it, I was totally upset that I stood to miss the swatching time, and I was quite befuddled. I either need to stop travelling or get more organized! I finally accepted that I was not going to find anything at that moment and that I should just go organize existing pics. Peace. Zen. Clarity...I looked one more time and found the charger!

Well, while the charging started, I removed the Bassins Bleu and started working on something else. So, I have like, three pictures but I assure you I will be swatching this color during the next sunny swatch session. (ha ha, alliteration! Ssssss.)






This polish, as I reported, is thin and runny. It goes on pretty well, but the first coat can have some streaks, and you run the risk of the "bald spot" phenomenon...the polish is smooth but below the surface you have some holes in coverage.

I think, however, that two coats will do the trick as long as you take precautions for the above issues. The important thing to know is that this polish is my favorite of all time. I just decided that. It's the best. The BEST, Jerry, the BEST! (Seinfeld reference, I'm full of those.)

The color is not quite a pastel, but rather a light turquoise blue that has a very healthy dose of green....much like many gorgeous turquoise shades. It is just mesmerizingly beautiful, and holds the promise of spring and summer. Bassins Bleu is a site in Haiti consisting of a series of basins, or pools, that have waterfalls connecting the basins to one another...or something like that. Check it out: Bassin Bleu.

I've seen some posts saying this polish is green. Well, no, it's blue to me with a good dosage of green. It's a turquoise. I'll take some pics outside in the sunshine and see if I still believe that. Hee.

My Hands of Hope Collection Arrived!!

Yay! My Hands of Hope special collection BB Couture polishes came this Friday! These are my first BB Couture, and I was convinced to get this set when I saw them on Body and Soul. The colors are fresh and spring-like, great for spring and summer! The colors include a light turquoise blue that leans green (Bassins Bleu), a pale baby blue (Kyona Beach), a light purple (Cap Haitien), a milky pale lilac/off white (Paradise), a dark pink/fuchsia (Labadie Beach), and a pale green shimmer (Tortuga Island). They are all cremes except for the pale green.

Here are swatches I painted on over my Lincoln Park After Dark mani, and a less than stellar shot 0f my first nail swatches. I painted those stripes Friday night and took the picture Saturday night (yesterday).


The formula is super thin and runny. You have to be super careful to wipe all excess polish off the wand and brush, and if you make one false move you can have puddling (which happened with my purple nail).


The turquoise has a bald spots and needs a third coat. I had some streakiness with the milky lilac/off white.

For the most part, however, the application was very nice, as long as you took care to deal with the thin formula. I look forward to playing with these further and hopefully doing full-hand swatches!

25% of the proceeds of this set go to the Salvation Army's efforts in Haiti. I might have done better to contribute the whole amount to Haiti, but I know I am going to want pretty polish for spring so why not buy the ones that are making this donation??

Polish Bloggers Network: Lacquer Link Love 1/29/2010

A few fellow bloggers help Babbling Brooke come up with a Konad of the Day that's a dazzler.

Lavender lady bugs in silver spacesuits, Naive Nails shares her very cute, but accidental mani.

Bright Lights Big Color brings out the Vampy Varnish as she shows off the stunning OPI Blackberry Chutney

Blogger Euridice (that's me!) continues with her Rescue Beauty Lounge binge posts and shares a limited edition polish we lacquer fiends love.

To help those of you who might be taking advantage of Models Own's special 72 hour sale and in celebration of the fact they now ship internationally, Helen's Nice Things has decided to compile some of her personal Model Own Swatches, for reference and your polish viewing pleasure.

Polished Beauty Blog brings an old color back to life and shows a good thing can never go bad

Cucumpear shares with us her "applicious" mani that will surely leave you thinking about a Golden Delicious apple.

Polish Galore shows a shade I've deemed her new lucky polish and a few personal highlights as well.

Manicure Mommas has received her first Diamond Cosmetics package and shares with you the 8 new editions to her collection.

Polish Up breaks out a diamond dust polish and shows just how diamonds sparkle in the light.

and Chromatic Misadventures continues her "Week in Red" and shares with us different shades of this classic hue.

And now,

on to the Network Giveaways....

Tuli's Nails is having a fabulous V-Day giveaway for all her fabulous followers, so be sure to check her blog for the details.

Also, Babbling Brooke is having a contest to Thank all of her wonderful followers and has tons of goodies she plans to share as well.

There's No Place Like Home. You can't go home again. But go anyway.

Alternate title: China Glaze Good Witch? meets Chanel Ming

Last weekend I was working in Boston at a conference. I wasn't feeling so hot the Thursday night before I left. Friday I felt much better but knew that when I got to my hotel in Cambridge that I would need a) a nap, and b) a shower. Yikes! I ran out of time and it looked like I was going to have to go out with naked nails!! Ugly naked nails. Well, things got adjusted, with friends picking me up (instead of my meeting them in Boston and then traveling back to the same area as my hotel to eat dinner. Phew!)

I still had limited time. I planned to wear China Glaze "Good Witch?" but had noted its sheerness when trying it on one nail after I got it recently. Still was seeing some VNL (visible nail line) after three coats. What to do, what to do, I wanted it opaque but time threatened to run out...

Well, I had Chanel Ming with me as well. These polishes do not match by any means, but they are in the same general color family, a pink with a bit of salmon going on. Ming actually has much more of the salmon-y orange tone. I know that Ming goes on just fine. I would use it as an undercoat!!

What followed was a big chemical mix that fortunately didn't explode on my nails---just one bubble gurgling up on my right index finger that I managed to smooth out okay. The strategy did work, as I had two thin coats of Ming, which looked nice enough to stop there if I got the call that my friends would arrive soon. I was able to keep going with three more coats of the China Glaze topped by Seche Vite. The basecoat was the clear Seche.



Now, I know that the fans of the original China Glaze Wizard of Ooh-Ahz collection might be a little disappointed. Well, you can't go home again. It's different, apparently, and I actually like it a lot!! Yes, it's a metallic frosty pink with the glitter, and not the gel with glitter that Dorothy Who? is. I knew I had to get it when I saw the pink sparkles peeking at me. Pink on pink, it's just a lovely combination!

I found myself gazing at my fingertips during the evening when I had the chance. The glitter was subtle and very sparkly, and I just loved checking it out by turning my fingers in the light to try to see as much of the sparkle as possible. It's a winner!!


You can't go home again. It's not the same "Good Witch?" But go anyway. It's still a very fun and pretty polish to wear, and I thank China Glaze for at least trying.

Essie Spring 2010: Van d'Go

I love color. I love pretty much every color. Most of all, I love combinations of colors, which is why I have never had a favorite color. (If I had to choose, I would go with purple, but that's another story for another day).

One color I really don't like? Peach!

Gasp! I know, it's the color for spring, or at least one of them. I did manage to embrace coral last spring and summer, though, so I think I can make it through the peach trend. I do think that "Van d'Go" from Essie Spring 2010 is a pretty pale peach. It's kind of a salmon-y color; put a few drops of "Tart Deco" (also from this collection) in Van d'Go, and you might have an actual salmon color.

So, I gave it a go. Like Neo Whimsical, Van d'Go is milky pale, and I also had, as with Neo Whimsical, some issues with application. It was streaky and gloppy, and on my index finger it really ran all over the place.

Here is an indoor shot, like at the beginning of this post:


Again, in the direct sunlight, I felt the color was washed out some.

I don't know about these super pale colors. Neo Whimsical, with its pinky lavender-y tones, seems a better bet for me. I'll give it another try, though.

Essie Spring 2010: Neo Whimsical

ha ha, the obligatory astro turf shot...don't all nail blogs have those??

I really want to enjoy the moment and not spend the rest of winter obsessing over spring clothes or colors. It's time for the winter darks and the bright winter sparkles. With all the new pale spring polish colors coming out, however, I am finding that a little spring preview in my life is not such a bad thing. Yep, I gave into temptation.

Essie is an obvious brand to keep track of, since I have liked the fall 2009 and winter/holiday 2009 collections so much. My first reaction to pictures of spring 2010 was "gee, do we really need more super pale colors? Surely Essie has released those before?" The colors are a little different, though, with some peachy tones showing up. Overall, I was intrigued and needed to know more.

Well, more pictures of swatches followed, and I became more intrigued, if not convinced. Lucky for me that Essie has a collection of minis, which came in so handy for me for the holiday collection. This mini collection only has 4 items, though....in a square box that seems clearly to have had room to incorporate 6 bottles! What gives, Essie?

So, I grabbed the box o' minis, and then picked up the full size Van d'Go and Neo Whimsical. Let's start out with Neo Whimsical, a pale milky pink that has some lavender incorporated in it. Very pretty!



I was using the Seche ridge-filling basecoat (which I am not sure works all that great for me). The first coat of Neo Whimsical went on very sheer and rather streak-prone. I ended up putting four coats on. I thought that the third coat was starting to be more opaque and less streaky but still felt it needed the fourth coat. I also got some on my cuticles, ugh!

Now, shown in the late afternoon direct sunlight, below, this color seems a bit washed out. I think direct sun is not the best for showing these super pale colors.



Here is a less harsh shot in filtered sunlight.

I hope next time I try Neo Whimsical I'll be able to manipulate it a little better. It is a pretty color to have in my arsenal!

Kittehs!

It's been a few months since I posted pictures of my kittehs. They are such fun and are also a major comfort to me at times when I need that. Last June I went up to Boston to go to the Boston Early Music Festival and brought my cats with me. Here are some fun pictures I took of them hanging out and enjoying luxury hotel life!

Teddy hanging out on top of my turquoise half-trench (so fashionable!)

Miss Gabrielle, the youngest of the three kittehs and quite the little princess.

Flame, sitting up like a little lady.

Flame and Teddy spent much of the time on the wide window sill, a required hotel room feature for kitties. The gorgeous view out to the water helped, too!

Oh noes, where did my head go?

Whew, a little dizzy after losing my head like that!! Gabby enjoyed this cushion during her stay.

Gabby used the pet cushion the most, but Flame's markings and colors went beautifully with it!

Miss Flame on the bed.

Action shot with Mr. Teddy! He's a blur but look at that fluffy tail!

All three kittehs are British shorthairs. Cats prefer to stay home, but my cats are great sports (and it's cheaper to take them with rather than board them!)

Scrangie: Rescue Beauty Binge #4

I need to keep my Rescue Beauty Lounge Binge posts going, and the fourth binge post features Blogger polish "Scrangie." This polish is simply awesome. When I first put it on, I was mesmerized by the light green sparkles emerging from within the purple surface. I had to turn my hands to find the right lighting in order to see the exact shade of the purple base, in fact, and the purple is of a gorgeous medium tone.

These pictures were taken outside in late afternoon in December with partially overcast skies, and the light green is showing more as a true duochrome effect as opposed to individual sparkles.

I understand that there is at least one polish attempting to duplicate "Scrangie." I think the true polish addict will only want to settle for this original, lovely, and very creative version. It's a pleasure to wear!

Glitter Friday! China Glaze Luna

I am so proud of my invention: Glitter Fridays! See, if your workplace is already somewhat casual, then casual Fridays are not as fun, not nearly as liberating. So, what does one do? Something fun with the nails!! Maybe the environment is casual enough but a little conservative, in which case one of the China Glaze OMG holo polishes will introduce some color craziness. If you can, however, go for some sparkle to make the day go better. Glitter makes everything happier!

So, on a Friday a few weeks back, I chose a super festive glitter polish: China Glaze "Luna." I have to say, I think I went a little too far. Luna is a super shiny silver that without the glitter would be blingy enough. Then, encrust this shiny metal foil surface with some sparkly glitter, and there you go! It was just a little too much shininess during the daytime at work. It was not really a casual glitter, but perhaps too glitzy for the casual workplace!


Is that a criticism or rejection of this polish? Goodness, no!! It's gorgey! It's perfect for holiday parties, New Year's Eve, winter soirees....it adds sparkle and glitz to the evening. Luna is a beautiful polish. The finish on this lacquer is is the same as China Glaze Ginger---opaque, shiny metal with the glitter on the surface like salt baked onto the pretzel .



Ooh, a slightly blurry picture shows the sparkle, above! Forget casual Fridays! Forget Follow Fridays! Forget Freaky Fridays! It's GLITTER FRIDAY. I swear, it will get you through your day and help you get the weekend celebration started.

I'm Back! Uh, Yes, I Was Gone

Just got back EARLY this morning from being in Boston on business. I had a nice weekend, saw some old friends, and felt good about what was accomplished. I wore some nail polish to report back on, stayed in a cute hotel that I will review, and also ate at a few cute places to mention. So, more on that coming soon!

I joined the Polish Bloggers Network, which is allowing me to learn about a lot of cool blogs on nail polish. We had our first link roundup on Friday, which I posted late that evening. I am really excited to be part of a blogging community. My list of followers was starting to grow, and, last I looked, I had 21 followers! I knew people were reading, but I was hoping to get a few followers so I am pleased as punch.

I still have a backlog of pictures I've taken, so I will resume posting very soon.

Lacquer Link Love! 1/15/2010

ChromaticMisadventures brings you Victoria's Secret Rush Beauty with a Cherry on Top... while CucumPear swirls up some Green Agate on her beautifully water marbled tips.

NaildPolishd brings to you the highly coveted American Apparel polishes in Mousse and Hassid and Body Soul Beauty has managed to get her hands on some new Milani Holographic nail color.

You've Got Nail trials a Racing Green that will make your heart flutter... as Travels with Euridice tries out the dazzling China Glaze Ginger.

Now it's Time to Add Some Chic with Tuli Nails but don't forget to check out a few tools everyone needs over at Nails of the Day

There are also a few giveaways going on.

Be sure and check those out too!

PolishFreak is giving away a set of American Apparel's backordered nail polishes.

Polish Galore is giving away Cina Glaze's Up & Away Grape Pop, Seche Vite Top Coat, and a bottle of Matte Magic.

The Swatchaholic is giving away a host of different polishes along with some nail jewel accessories and Body Soul Beauty is hosting her weekly Friday Freebie giveaway.

Nina Ultra Pro "Velvet Seas"

After seeing some posts from Magic Maid on the Nina Ultra Pro "Velvet" polishes, I decided to grab one from Sally's and give it a try. I decided to take "the blue one" since that might be a color I don't have as much of.

"Velvet Seas" is a very pretty metallic silver blue...the kind of blue that shows greenish-blue in some lights. The "velvet"" aspect would probably refer to the effect of the white shimmer incorporated into its metallic formula. When examining the bottle under the light, one can see tons of tiny micro-fine white sparkles. Applied to the nail, the surface also shows this sparkliness indoors with overhead lights. Outdoors and and in my office during the day, the discrete sparkles do not show as much as an overall shimmery metallic.

I am reminded of the China Glaze Romantiques a bit, although they dry to a chrome finish, and Velvet Seas retains the sparkles. Magic Maid calls this polish a "foil" so I'll go with that.

I was very impressed with how easy it was to apply. After all, my whole theme here is my status as a major nail noob! The first coat was pretty much opaque. I applied a second coat just to even things out but I bet a real expert could get away with one coat! I was able to go back over with the brush while applying, and the surface just smoothed right out....it did what I wanted it to do! Too often, one extra brush stroke just ruins things. With metallics you can often see major ridge action, but I didn't with Velvet Seas.

These pictures were taken indoors during the evening.



Bottle shots:


When I wrote about the Fingerpaints Holiday Collection, I commented that I knew that Sally's had more brands than just China Glaze but had not really looked at them. Just as I now realize that Fingerpaints is really nice, I am now open to trying more of the Nina Ultra Pro. Maybe I'll get the green option in this series. Either way, while I don't see collecting either Fingerpaints or Nina like I do with China Glaze, Essie, OPI, and Zoya, I will definitely be open to getting colors and formulas from these two new-to-me brands that fill gaps in my overall collection!