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

Essie Spring 2016 Lounge Lover Collection: Swatches and Review

*Purchased  by Me*

Essie Lounge Lover Collection for Spring 2016

Hey there! Today, I have swatches of the entire Spring 2016 Lounge Lover Collection to share with you! This is a 6-piece collection, and there is a mix of conventional and non-conventional spring colors. Every polish in this collection is a creme finish. Let's take a look! 

High Class Affair

The first color in the collection is named High Class Affair. High Class Affair is described on Essie's website as an "amorous blush nude." I would say that this description is pretty accurate! It is a pink-toned nude creme. 

Unfortunately, for me at least, the formula on High Class Affair left little to be desired. While I was able to get it opaque, it applied very streaky. The first coat was a bit thin, but buildable. After three coats, I had no visible nail line, but still some streaks. However, when I applied a layer of glossy top coat, I was able to minimize the visible streaks. Shown in my swatch are three coats, plus one layer of glossy top coat! 

Lounge Lover

Next up is Lounge Lover, the namesake polish of the collection. Lounge Lover is described on Essie's site as a "pretty pink peach." This is a pretty accurate description as well, and I love this type of shade in a creme finish! 

The formula on Lounge Lover was similar to that of High Class Affair. While there were fewer streaks, they were still present. I was able to minimize these streaks with top coat as well, and was able to get it opaque in three coats. Shown are these three coats, plus one layer of topcoat. 

Sunshine State of Mind

The third color that I have for you is called Sunshine State of Mind, described as a "blazing coral tangelo." To me, this is more on the bright/bordering neon orange creme side than coral. 

From this point forward, the formulas on the polishes started to look up for me! Sunshine State of Mind was almost a one-coater, but a did one thick coat and one thin coat for good measure. There were minimal streaks, but they all cleared up with top coat. Shown in my swatch are two coats, plus one layer of glossy top coat. 

Shades On

Still a conventional spring color, Shades On is described as a "mysterious deep violet." Not so much violet, I would describe Shades On as a medium lilac creme. 

The formula on Shades On was absolutely impeccable, and I was able to get it opaque in one thick coat, with no streaks. Shown in my swatch is one coat, plus one layer of glossy top coat. 

 

Pool Side Service

 The next-to-last polish in the collection, and one of the unconventional spring color, is named Pool Side Service. It is described as a "crisp cerulean blue." In my eyes, it is more of a blue-toned teal creme. 

(Sorry for the marks! I had sticker residue on the bottle, and couldn't get it to come off!)

The formula on Pool Side Service was also wonderful! It applied nice and smooth, and I was able to get it opaque and streak-free in one thick plus one thin coat. Shown is with one layer of glossy top coat! 

Off Tropic

Last but not least, and another unconventional spring color, is Off Tropic. Off Tropic is described as a "lush grove green." In my eyes, this is a glorious forest green creme! 

The formula on Off Tropic was wonderfully smooth and self-leveling, and I was able to get it opaque in two medium coats; you may be able to reach full opacity with one thick coat, though! Shown is with one layer of glossy top coat. 

 

And there you have it: The entire Essie Lounge Lover Collection for Spring 2016! I picked this collection up from Rite Aid (you can get them at a discounted price if you have their rewards card!), but they are also available at other drug stores, Target, beauty stores like Ulta, nail polish e-tailers, and directly from Essie's website. 

Have you already picked up this collection? If not, do you plan on picking any up? Let me know in the comments below! 

As always, thank you for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

Different Dimension Let Your Gourd Down: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Happy Tuesday!! I'm still working on pulling myself out of a funk from this weekend; the weather was so nasty around here, and it just made me...blah. How's the weather around you? I'm ready for spring and sunshine, not rain! 

Anywhoooo...I have another new-ish brand for you today (well, new to me at least)! I was perusing some indie shops last week, and saw that Missi of Different Dimension had some of her Fall colors on sale; well, sale, plus holo, equals a new purchase for me! So, I have one of my new purchases to show you today. This Fall beauty is named Let Your Gourd Down. 

Different Dimension Let Your Gourd Down is a spiced pumpkin, burnt orange, loaded with an intense linear holo. I have only used one Different Dimension in the past, and this formula was on par with the previous one- It applied like pure butter, and dried in about 2 minutes, between coats. The holo was amazing without top coat, but my mani shows two coats plus top coat, to increase longevity! 

 

 

And here's a shot using my camera's flash, to showcase the holo! (not color accurate)

If you want to pick up Let Your Gourd Down, it is still available in Missi's shop for $5.00 plus shipping. She also has some other discounted colors, as well as full-priced beauties in her shop! 

Be sure to check out Different Dimension on social media! 

Different Dimension shop: http://differentdimensionpolish.bigcartel.com/

Different Dimension Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DIFdimension/?fref=ts

Different Dimension Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/differentdimensionus/

Different Dimension Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DIFFERENTdimension/

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time!

♥ Megan