Pahlish Combustible Lemon II: Swatch and Review

Pahlish Combustible Lemon II: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by me*

Happy Tuesday to you! I'm already mixed up in regards to what day it is; that's what one day off of work will do to you! 

Today, I'm sharing a polish from the indie brand named Pahlish with you. Pahlish is a brand based out of the south, and it is owned by a husband and wife team, Shannon and Josh. The color that I have for you today is Combustible Lemon II. Combustible Lemon II is described by the maker as "bright neon red/orange jelly with a mix of gold and copper flakes, copper ultrachrome flakes and scattered holographic microflakes."

You guys, this polish is seriously so beautiful and complex! It has everything: A jelly base, holo, shimmer, and flakes! 

 

The application of Combustible Lemon II was easy and smooth. It flowed perfectly onto my nails, and the dry time between coats was great, about 1-2 minutes. Even though it is a jelly, all of the elements that are included in it lend to great opacity; that being said,  still used three thin coats for full opacity. It dried smooth and glossy, but I still added glossy top coat, for maximum shine. Shown in my pictures are three thin coats plus glossy top coat, and they are taken under a daylight bulb. 

 

Isn't is stunning?? While Combustible Lemon II is not currently available in Pahlish's shop, they did just release a new collection, the Venetian Carnival Collection. It looks gorgeous, and I am seriously contemplating picking up a couple! There are also Mystery Pahlishes available, which remain a mystery until you receive them. I definitely suggest that you go check out the site! 

Please be sure to check out Pahlish on social media! 

Pahlish shop: http://www.pahlish.bigcartel.com/

Pahlish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pahlish/

Pahlish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pahlish

Pahlish Lovers (Facebook fan group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1427732764123394/

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

I Love Nail Polish (ILNP) Maiden Lane: Swatch and Review

I Love Nail Polish Maiden Lane: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by me*

Happy Monday! Before I start talking about my polish for the day, I just want to take a moment to remind you that it is Memorial Day, a day to set aside to remember all of the fallen soldiers who have fought and sacrificed themselves for our freedom. They are all such brave souls, and their lives will always be cherished ♥

Today, I am sharing a color from I Love Nail Polish, better known as ILNP; this color is named Maiden Lane. Maiden Lane is a charcoal gray linear holo with blue undertones. Like all of the ILNPs that I own, the holo on this is out of this world! 

The formula on Maiden Lane was a dream to work with, as I ave come to love from ILNP polishes. The first coat was a bit thin, but it built up nicely, and I used three thin coats for full opacity. Dry time was about 1-2 minutes between coats, and it dried semi-glossy. Shown in my pictures are three coats plus glossy top coat, under a daylight bulb. 

Just look at that holo! If Maiden Lane looks like a polish that you would be interested in, you can pick it up on ILNP's website for $10.00 for a full-size bottle, right here. ILNP is also available on Amazon, for the same price; you can find the listing for Maiden Lane right here. 

I recently had a good-sized haul from ILNP, so look forward to some more swatches and reviews in the near future! 

Please be sure to check out ILNP on social media!

ILNP store: http://www.ilnp.com/

ILNP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilnpbrand/

ILNP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilnpbrand

ILNP Lovers anonymous (Facebook fan group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILNPLovers/ 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

Baroness X Matte Swatcher's Balm Review (plus a bonus swatch!)

Baroness X Matte Swatcher's Balm

*Purchased by me*

Hey there! I have something a bit different to share today! I am going to be talking about one of my new cuticle care loves: Baroness X's Matte Swatcher Balm! I had heard continuous praises about this balm in the Baroness X Facebook group, and in other various groups; naturally, my curiosity got the best of me, and I ordered some to try out! 

The Matte Swatcher Balm is described on the site as "a hydrating, low sheen balm then this is the product you've been waiting for. Removing your polish with acetone can leave your fingers ashen and your cuticles dryer than ever. We all want to moisturize post mani but leave the oils and shiny things for repair and overnight wear. During the day and for photos you want something that looks and feels a little more natural. That's where this balm comes in! It absorbs quickly and leaves a powdery yet smooth feeling behind." As with numerous other indie products, this balm is cruelty free. 

There are numerous scent options available for this balm, and they include: Unscented, Pistachio Macaroon,  Peppermint, Viva La Juicy, Watermelon Lemonade, Carnival, Froot Loops, Berries and Cream, Yuzu, and Passion Fruit; there is also a "Surprise Me!" option. Size options for the balms are either 10 grams or 20 grams. Descriptions for all of the scent options are available on the site, right here! 

The two scents that I picked up to try were Pistachio Macaroon and Carnival. The balms are packaged in sturdy plastic containers, with the name clearly printed on the clear portion. The lid is a screw-top, and it is easily removable. 

 

 

The balm itself is smooth and non-greasy, as promised! I like to apply it in two different ways: Either with my finger, or with an angled brush. The brush that I use is made by eyes.lips.face (elf), and it is very inexpensive-- about $3.00. They can be found at Target, and at some drugstores! 

 

As for the performance of the balm, I have to say... I am IN LOVE! It applies non-slick and non-greasy, as promised, and is still moisturizing. My cuticles feel soft immediately after application! Here is a before shot of my cuticle:

And an after shot:

I definitely recommend picking up a container for yourself to try, if this sounds like a product that you would be interested in! A little goes a long way, and I think that I will have this around for a good while. The small container (10 g) costs $5.00, and the large container (20 g) costs $9.00. 

The ingredients in Baroness X's Matte Balm are: mango butter, jojoba oil, beeswax, coconut oil, aloe leaf extract, hemp seed oil, sweet almond oil, mineral oil, cyclomethicone, silica, arrowroot powder, tapioca powder, cetearyl alchohol, ceteareth-20, vitamin e, fragrance oil*, essential oil*

Oh, and what is this stunning creation on my nails, you ask? This is a polish also made by Baroness X, and it is named Dulcinea. Dulcinea is a violet jelly base with red-shifting-green shimmer and translucent flakies. 

Each polish from Baroness X comes with a cabochon on the top of the bottle, so that you are able to know what the polish looks like when applied. 

 

I was able to get Dulcinea opaque in four coats. Because it is a jelly, and because it has so many complex elements, it does require multiple coats, in order for the dimension to be evident. If you don't want to do this many coats, however, it can also be used as a topper with many other colors! That's the fun thing about these types of polishes: The possibilities are endless! Shown in my swatches are four coats plus glossy top coat, under a daylight bulb. 

 

Dulcinea is currently available in Baroness X's shop, and it is $13.00 for a full size (15 mL) bottle; you can find the listing for it right here! 

Please be sure to check out Baroness X on social media! 

Baroness X shop: http://baronessx.com/

Baroness X Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baronessx_polish/

Baroness X Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baronessx/

The X Army (Facebook fan group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/baronessXfans/

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan