Daily Hues Nail Lacquer Holo-Maniacs Custom #7: Swatch and Review

Daily Hues Nail Lacquer Holo-Maniacs Custom #7: Swatch and Review

*Sent by maker for swatch and review*

Hello! Today, I'm back with another group custom for my Facebook group Holo-Maniacs, where we share our love for everything holographic! September's custom was created by Jenn Skinner of Daily Hues Nail Lacquer (DHNL), and it is currently available! 

As usual, I posted a color poll in the group, followed by a picture inspiration thread and voting on said submitted pictures. Here is the winning picture, as well as the final polish that Jenn created! 

 

This was my first polish from DHNL, and the formula was great! Holo-Maniacs Custom #7 is described as nude/sand-colored linear holo with gold highlights. It is exactly that! At first glance, it may look like a simply nude polish, but when you look closer, the gold highlights really pop!  I was almost able to get it opaque in one coat, but did two to cover some bare spots. It dries smooth and glossy. The formula was a bit thick, but was easily controllable and not at all difficult to work with. Shown are to coats plus glossy top coat. 

I also decided to add some stamping to DHNL Holo-Maniacs Custom #7. Once dry, I chose a thunder bolt image from a plate that I purchased off of ebay. I stamped this image in black (Konad black), as I love a black and neutral combo! For this, I used my semi-squishy stamper from Bundle Monster. Everything is sealed in with a thick layer of glossy top coat! 

Daily Hues Nail Lacquer Holo-Maniacs Custom #7 is currently available for the month of September. You do have to be a part of the Holo-Maniacs group, so be sure to come over, if you are interested! 

Please be sure to check out DHNL on social media! 

Shop       Instagram       Facebook       Facebook Fan Group

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

♥ Megan

*This polish was sent to me by the maker; all opinions are my own!*

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

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Beyond the Clouds: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Helloooo, there! Today, I'm going to share yet another color from Carpe Noctem Cosmetics with you! This neutral beauty is named Beyond the Clouds. 

 

Beyond the Clouds is a neutral/taupe crelly base, packed with pinky-nude shimmer, holographic sparkle, and lots and lots of flakies! This was created by Emily in order to celebrate her two-year shop anniversary. 

With the colors that I own from Emily so far, I have found that they are all complex and beautiful: There are multiple elements that add to the beauty, such as flakies, holo, and shimmer. I am so amazed at how well everything meshes together! 

I was able to get Beyond the Clouds opaque in three thin coats. Like the other CNCs that I own, this dried super glossy by itself; however, I will be showing it to you with one layer of topcoat. 

If you are interested in picking up this beauty, it is currently available in Emily's shop, right here! Beyond the Clouds is available in a mini (6 ML, $5), a medium (12 ML, $8), or a large (15 ML, $11). 

Also be sure to check out Carpe Noctem Cosmetics on social media! 

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics shop: https://carpe-noctem-cosmetics.myshopify.com/

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carpe_noctem_cosmetics/

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Carpenoctemcosmetics/?fref=ts

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarpeNoctemFans/ 

 

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

♥ Megan

Potion Polish Satin Panties: Swatch and Review

Happy Thursday! Today I have my very first color from a brand called Potion Polish. I received this polish as a gift from one of the nicest, sweetest girls that I have met through the nail community, and I am so thankful for it, and for her! The polish that I have for you is named Satin Panties (yes, I am in love with the name!).

 

 

Satin Panties is a nude linear holographic with silver flakes and red glitter. The formula was impeccable, and it basically applied itself! I was able to get this opaque in two coats, with a dry time of 2 minutes between coats. Shown are two coats plus one coat of NYC Grand Central Station. 

 

Isn't it gorgeous?? I love a good nude holo! Now, unfortunately, the maker of Potion Polish announced that she will no longer be making any new polish. However, there is still stock left in her shop, and the colors look absolutely stunning! If you want to check out Potion Polish, you can access the store right here, and if you want to pick up a bottle of Satin Panties, you can find it right here! 

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

♥ Megan

Ever After: Rainbow Connection Neutral Trio: Swatches and Nail Art

Ever After Polish released a trio of neutral polishes, exclusive to Rainbow Connection, a UK polish stockist. I was able to purchase these through a group buy, and let me tell you...they are stunning! I'm usually not one for neutral polishes, but Rachel (half of the Ever After team, who creates the polishes) has changed that for me!

While swatching these, I also thought that they would look beautiful as a base for some early Valentine's Day nail art. Each swatch will be accompanied by a stamped design. Keep reading for swatches, descriptions, and pictures!

Au Naturel

Au Naturel is a nude linear holographic with scattered flakies. Application was a breeze, and it was opaque in two coats! Shown are two coats, plus one coat of NYC Grand Central Station, my go-to top coat.

For my stamping, I chose an image from Cici & Sisi plate 08, from their pink set, and stamped using Hit the Bottle 'Rusty Nail.' This picture was taken without any additional top coat, under a daylight lamp.

Nudist

Nudist is a light, ballerina pink with silver flakies and a shy linear holographic. Just like Au Naturel, application was a breeze, and she was opaque in two coats! Shown are those two coats, plus one layer of NYC Grand Central Station.

For this nail art, I stamped an image from PUEEN29, from their Love Elements set, using Sally Hansen Insta-Dri 'Presto Pink.'  This picture is with no additional top coat.

50 Shades

The final shade of the trio is called '50 Shades,' and it is a light gray linear holographic with silver flakies. This was my favorite out of the three, and it was opaque in two coats! Shown are two coats, with one layer of NYC Grand Central Station.

For this final nail art, I decided to go for some black stamping; hey, I need an anti-Valentine's Day design in here somewhere, right? They are warped, as it is a crooked heart mani. The image is from PUEEN41 from the Love Elements set, and it is stamped using black Konad polish.

And there you have it! The Rainbow Connection exclusive trio from Ever After is still available in their shop. I believe that, unfortunately, polish from the UK can only be shipped within the UK; however, if you live where you can safely receive deliveries from there, you can go ahead and purchase these beauties!

Rainbow Connection: http://rainbow-connection.co.uk/
Ever After Polish: http://everafterpolish.bigcartel.com/

Thanks for reading, and I'll chat with you next time!
♥ Megan