Showing posts with label jelly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jelly. Show all posts

Friday, July 8, 2016

Different Dimension Nose So Bright: Swatch and Review

Different Dimension Nose So Bright: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Hellooooo, Friday! Today, I am sharing a polish from Different Dimension that I picked up from a destash a couple of weeks ago. This was originally from a winter collection, but as we all know, I will wear any polish at any time; plus, it was a great color for this time of year :) Let's take a look! 








Collection: Winter 2014 Collection
Color/Finish: A bright red jelly packed with silver flakies! 
Formula/Application: Nose So Bright was very smooth and easy to apply. Since it was a jelly, I was very surprised with how opaque it was, even on the first coat. I did have to manipulate the flakies on my nails a bit, as they tended to gather in clusters when applied; however, there were plenty on the brush, and I did not have to fish for any. It dried semi-glossy, and my swatches show two coats plus one layer of glossy topcoat.
Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 hearts! I loved the brightness and finish of this polish; the only thing preventing that last star was the fact that I had to manipulate the flakies a bit.
Availability: Different Dimension Nose So Bright is not currently available in their shop. 
Please be sure to check out Different Dimension on social media! 

Shop       Instagram       Facebook       Facebook Fan Page
Thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 
♥ Megan  

Sunday, May 29, 2016

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/
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

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Ever After Polish Lyra: Swatch and Review

Ever After Polish Lyra: Swatch and Review

*Received as a gift*

Hey, long time, no polish! Today, I am sharing a polish that I received as a gift from a super sweet friend, who I have met through the nail polish community. She is always complimenting this polish, and one day, we decided to do a mini swap, in which she included this baby! This is Ever After Polish's Lyra. 

Ever After Polish Lyra was from the Constellation duo that Rachel released back in December 2014. It is a light teal/turquoise jelly base, packed with square and hex microglitter and pink shimmer. 



The formula on Lyra was divine, as I have come to know and love from Ever After. As it is in a jelly base, I used three thin coats of Lyra for full opacity. Dry time between coats was great, and was about 1 minute, and it dried glossy. Shown in my swatch are those three coats, plus one layer of top coat, under a daylight bulb. You can see the pink shimmer a bit in my photos, but it is even more evident in person. And...it is SO SPARKLY!!




Thank you again to my nail bestie, Nicole, for this gift!! I will love it and cherish it, forever and always ♥

Please be sure to check out Ever After Polish on social media! 

Ever After Polished Princesses (Facebook fan group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/790115414369756/
Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time!
♥ Megan

Monday, May 9, 2016

Substance Abuse Awareness Box: Swatches and Review

Substance Abuse Awareness Box: Swatches and Review


*Provided by makers for review*

Did you know that over 20 million Americans suffer from addiction of some kind? Your age, race, gender, social status, and income are irrelevant; addiction can affect ANYONE. Addiction to substances is one of the most common and well-known addictions; yet, we are afraid to speak about it. But it is an important topic, and more attention needs to be brought to it. More attention means that more individuals will receive the help and support that they need, in order to begin healing. 

In order to help raise some awareness of substance abuse, four indie nail polish makers have come together to create a box of polishes related to the topic. I am sharing this box with you today! 

The Substance Awareness Box consists of four full-size polishes, a cuticle oil, and awareness ribbons, and awareness ribbon nail vinyls. The blue ribbon represents awareness of opiate addiction; the red ribbon represents awareness of Substance Abuse, and the purple ribbon represents awareness of drug abuse. 

Lifestyle Lacquer 'Break Free'

The first polish in the box was contributed by Lifestyle Lacquer, and it is named Break Free. Break Free is a white crelly with red, blue, and purple metallic flakes, as well as some microshimmer. 



The formula on Break Free was typical of a crelly polish. The first coat was pretty sheer, but I was able to get it built up in one thin coat and two subsequent medium coats. I didn't need to fish for the flakes, but I did wait a bit longer between coats, as I used medium layers, rather than thin. Shown in my swatch are three coats plus glossy top coat, under a daylight bulb. 





Hillary of Lifestyle Lacquer, who began her business as Nail Jewelry Bling, also contributed the nail vinyls that are involved in this box. The vinyls include small and large ribbon shapes.

Black Lace Cosmetics 'Through the Darkness Comes Light'

The second polish in the Substance Abuse Awareness Box is the contribution of Black Lace Cosmetics. Black Lace Cosmetics is a new brand to me, and I am always happy to spread the news about new indie polish brands! 

Through the Darkness Comes Light is an intense violet shimmer creme. My pictures may appear to be more on the blue side, but it is definitely purple in person! 



On the first coat, Through the Darkness Comes Light appeared a bit thin; it was not runny, though! However, with a second thicker coat, I was able to reach full opacity. Dry time was about 5 minutes, as I did use a second thicker coat. Shown in my swatches are two coats plus glossy top coat, and they are taken under a daylight bulb. 



 Pink Hibiscus Beauty 'We Are Not Broken'

This next polish is from Pink Hibiscus Beauty, another new-to-me indie brand! We Are Not Broken is a pink-toned red base packed with holographic shimmer and flakes; it is also a duochrome! This was one of the first colors that caught my eye when I opened the box, because of all of the properties that it has going on. 



We Are Not Broken had an impeccable formula! It was not too thick or thin, and I was able to get it opaque in three coats. Dry time was about 2 minutes between coats, and it dried smooth and shiny, but I still added one layer of top coat for my swatches. Shown are under a daylight bulb, and while you can't see the duochrome in my nail swatches, it is evident in the above bottle shots! 




Pink Hibiscus Beauty also contributed a small bottle of cuticle oil to the Substance Abuses Awareness Box! 

Heather's Hues 'One Day at a Time'

The final polish in the Substance Abuse Awareness Box is a contribution by Heather's Hues, and it is named One Day at a Time. One Day at a Time is a deep ocean blue jelly packed with glitter and silver flakes. 



The formula on One Day at a Time was not overly thick, and it was easy to control. Because of the large glitters, it did dry down to a bit of a textured finish; dry time between coats was about two minutes. Even though it dried slightly textured, it smoothed right out with top coat. I was able to reach full opacity in two coats; shown are those two coats, plus one layer of topcoat. 




The Substance Abuse Awareness Box will be available at Nail Jewelry Bling's shop. The box contains 4 full-size polishes, a mini cuticle oil, and awareness ribbon nail vinyls; the cost is $50.00 with free US shipping, with $5.00 from each box being donated to www.drugfree.org . The box will be available for pre-order from Sunday, May 15th at 4:00 pm Eastern time through Friday, May 27th, and there will be a maximum of 50 boxes sold. 

Please be sure to check out all of the makers on social media, and check out the group dedicated to this box! 

Lifestyle Lacquer (Nail Jewelry Bling) shop: https://nailjewelrybling.com/
Lifestyle Lacquer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailjewelrybling/
Lifestyle Lacquer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nailjewelrybling

Black Lace Cosmetics shop: https://www.blacklacecosmetics.com/
Black Lace Cosmetics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacklacecosmetics/
Black Lace Cosmetics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacklacecosmetics

Pink Hibiscus Beauty shop: http://pinkhibiscusbeauty.storenvy.com/
Pink Hibiscus Beauty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkhibiscusbeauty/
Pink Hibiscus Beauty Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkhibiscusbeauty

Heather's Hues Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathers_hues/

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