Author Archives: Mary S.

OPI A Great Opera-tunity Swatches & Review

OPI A Great Opera-tunity Swatches & Review

OPI A Great Opera-tunity from the Venice Collection is a soft melon that has a smidgeon of pink that differentiates it from other peachy shades in my stash.

Although I’ve learned to love peach on my nails, this particular hue was never the kind that caught my attention. But, like I’m always harping on here, you sometimes need to give a shade a shot in order to find out if it works for you or not. And with a name like “A Great Opera-tunity,” it’s appropriately named!

If you’re like me and have a yellow undertone, colours like this can look a little “off” against your skin. However, I was delighted to discover that it balanced the seesaw so it didn’t clash, but it also didn’t blend into my skin like a Band-Aid.

There’s also another thing about this polish that I really enjoyed. Check out the rest of this review to find out what it was.

Continue reading

Share

OPI O Suzi Mio Swatches & Review

OPI O Suzi Mio Swatches & Review

OPI O Suzi Mio from the Venice Collection reminded me of a vampire’s cloak, which makes it very timely, as we’re approaching Hallowe’en! (Ahh – I haven’t done any ghoulish or spooky nail looks yet.)

This purple creme reminds me of when I first started collecting nail polish more seriously in 2008. Violets, lavenders, midnight orchids, eggplants, and plums were my jam, and even to this day, they represent the largest portion of my stash. (Yup – even more so than green, my new love!)

A rich purple like this looks mysteriously gothic on just about anyone, and when you’re not in the mood for brights, OPI O Suzi Mio is a great choice!

Continue reading

Share

Essie Frock ‘n Roll Swatches & Review

Essie Frock N Roll Swatches & Review

Several weeks ago when the weather started getting cooler and my cuticles got drier, I sported Essie Frock ‘n Roll from the Fall 2015 Collection.

Described in Essie’s official press release, Frock ‘n Roll is a shimmery espresso. That’s spot on because it’s a dark and brooding shade that has subtle sparkle.

In the bottle, it looks like a ‘frock star,’ but on the nails, it’s more like an edgy socialite.

Continue reading

Share

OPI Worth a Pretty Penne Swatches & Review

OPI Worth a Pretty Penne Swatches & Review

To all my fellow Canadians, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! (I’m thankful that I have so many incredible readers like you who are smart, creative, and supportive. My blogging journey wouldn’t be nearly as rewarding without you!)

Today’s in-depth review features OPI Worth a Pretty Penne, which is from the Venice Collection that I did a Quick Look post on.

While it was advertised as being a shimmery copper, I was surprised that it was far more complex upon closer inspection.

Allow me to tell you more!

Continue reading

Share

OPI It’s a Piazza Cake Swatches & Review

OPI It's a Piazza Cake Swatches & Review

In the bottle, OPI It’s a Piazza Cake from the Venice Collection isn’t a shade that tends to catch my eye, only because orange isn’t my first pick. However, this particular one was unlike the others in my collection, and I never shy away from exploring new colour territory.

I gave OPI It’s a Piazza Cake a spin, and maybe it’s because the muted orange reminded me of pumpkin puree and it totally fits in with autumn, but I surprisingly fell hard for this nail polish.

With a comforting and understated quality, it’s easier to pull off than a typical bright orange, and the whole time I wore this, I could picture stamping on some gold leaves.

Continue reading

Share

Pretty Serious Cuddle Bunny Swatches & Review

Pretty Serious Cuddle Bunny Swatches & Review

As the name would suggest, Pretty Serious Cuddle Bunny from the Well Meaning But Ultimately Quite Awkward Pet Names Collection is as cute as the Easter Bunny clucking in those Cadbury Creme Egg commercials. Gets me every single time!

Pretty Serious Cuddle Bunny is like Sweet Tarts for your nails, and for some strange reason, I can imagine it meowing in a squeaky, high-pitched voice like a newborn kitten! Yup – cuteness overload!

At some point or another, we are all “guilty” of giving our pets cutesy, over-the-top, ridiculous names, and somehow their sweet little faces compel us to speak in baby voices.

But it also extends to significant others. Haha, I remember my then-boyfriend and I had funny pet names for each other that we loved. Sometimes, I called him “Hun Bun,” but most times, I called him “Sugar Possum,” and he called me his “Armadillo Pillow.” To this day, they’re still my favourite pet names. 😉

Continue reading

Share

Essie at New York Fashion Week: Day 4

Jenny Packham Essie NYFW Butler Please

It’s time for another ‘nails during New York Fashion Week’ post! 🙂

For this instalment of Essie at New York Fashion Week: Day 4, we get a glimpse into the Diane Von Furstenberg and Jenny Packham shows.

The eye looks at the Diane Von Furstenberg show were mystical and mermaid-like with a youthful aura, so the nails didn’t compete and were kept looking clean and neutral. (When I was in my early twenties, I remember wearing bright turquoise and aquatic eye shadows. Still love the playful accent, and maybe I’ll give it a go again.)

For Jenny Packham’s show, cobalt made a statement on the nails, which made me smile. I love a bold manicure, and I appreciated how the blue contrasted against the clothing instead of blending in.

Check out the rest of this post to see more amazing photos courtesy of Essie. (At the end, there’s also a photo of Rita Remark, Essie’s Global Lead Educator, who I was honoured to meet at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto previously.)

Continue reading

Share