Category Archives: Nail Polish Swatches & Reviews

Nicole by OPI Iceberg Lotus Swatches & Review

Nicole by OPI Something About Spring Collection Iceberg Lotus Swatches Nicole by OPI Iceberg Lotus from the Something About Spring Collection is a blue-green intense shimmer that makes me think of a magical fish laced with fairy dust.

How else can I describe it? A leprechaun going to Mardi Gras. An emerald covered by a thin layer of winter’s frost. A pond in the forest enchanted by a witch’s spell.

There’s something magical about this color because I put it on and then obsessed over it….kept staring at my nails because it catches the light even in dim light!

Does it win you over, too? Continue reading →

Sinful Colors Show Me the Way Review & Swatches

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

I love green nail polishes as much as the next girl. No, more than the next girl. (Move over, Next Girl.) But honestly though, I can’t make up my mind about Sinful Colors Show Me the Way. The green is pretty…and it’s not.

Sometimes I look at it and think “Wow!” Then other times, I wonder, “Show me the way to where? The swamps?” Which then reminds me of ogres because my name is Fiona. You know, like Shrek and Fiona? Sad face.

After staring at my nails for quite some time, I still can’t decide. What do you think of this shade? Continue reading →

Nail Art Tutorial: Cupcake Nails

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Cupcake Nail Polish Nail Art Tutorial Hope you all enjoyed your Easter and your yummy chocolate bunnies!

Here’s the Cupcake Nail Art I wore over the holiday. Warning: it’ll probably give you cavities. Hands down the girliest manicure I’ve ever done.

When I saw missglamorazzi’s nail tutorial on YouTube last month, I wanted to try it. But it was only when a Swatch And Learn reader, Alaeis, posted pretty swatches on her blog that really made me want to try my hand at it.

I decided to put my own spin on cupcake nails by using hearts instead of the ‘cherry’. Also, I wanted my frosting to look like it was drippy and gooey.

This was my first time creating this look and my first time using a dotting tool or nail sequins. I had so much fun!

Keep reading – I’ll show you how to recreate the look – it’s easier than you think. I’ve included step-by-step written instructions and photo aids to help you follow along. (I’ve also included a link to missglamorazzi’s video and Alaeis’ swatches at the bottom of the post.) Continue reading →

Milani One Coat Glitter Purple Gleam Review & Swatches

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Is that a party on your nails, or are you just glad to see me? Milani One Coat Glitter Purple Gleam glitters brighter than a disco ball – an awesome purple disco ball, that is! It shines, it glimmers, and it glitters like mad crazy.

It’s one of those nail colors that’d stop you typing mid word just to look at it. (Oh, look. I just did that.) I previously reviewed Silver Dazzle and loved how it just gleams subtly for some effortless sexiness. Purple Gleam is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s pretty party purple that screams at the top of its lungs, “Look at me!”

While I really enjoy the shade, there is one aspect of Milani Purple Gleam that I really dislike. It’s the finish on my nails after the polish dries… but it’s not a deal breaker for me. I still like this hue!

Continue reading →

Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill Swatches & Review (Plus Comparison of OPI Who the Shrek Are You?)

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Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill Swatches When I heard about the Nicole by OPI Something About Spring Collection, there were a few colors that I was eager to try. Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill was one.

I’m always drawn to green nail polish, but this light pea green is different from most of the greens in my collection that either lean on the blue side, have shimmer or glitter, or are more of a forest green.

The only color I have that’s similar to Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill is OPI Who the Shrek Are You?, which I previously reviewed and lamented the terrible formula that was all bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble!

I was hoping that Daffy Dill would have a better formula and roughly the same color as Who the Shrek Are You?. And did it?

Let me show you some comparison swatches and tell you what I think. Continue reading →

China Glaze Broken Hearted Crackle Glaze Swatches & Review (Layered Over Orly Spark)

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China Glaze Broken Hearted Swatches I’m addicted to crack….polishes! But are they everything they’re cracked up to be? Is crack whack? Should I just get cracking on this review and stop making cheesy puns? Okay, fine, buzz kill!

Now, I’m sure everyone, their mother, and their cat, Rumpelstiltskin, has heard about the crackle trend.

OPI caused a frenzy with Black Shatter even though it was really CoverGirl who brought crackle nail polish into the mainstream years ago.

Since I’m always up for trying new colors and nail art, the China Glaze Crackle Glaze Collection was a must-have. Pre-ordered every single color…yet for some reason I’m only trying one of them now!

China Glaze Broken Hearted is the pink version. You can create a poop-load of funky color combinations!

I layered it over a fun yellow because I wanted something offbeat and in-your-face. Did I like it? How was China Glaze’s crackle formula? There’s only one way to find out.

Continue reading →

Best Drugstore Beauty Products & Finds

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

It’s gee-golly swell if you can afford to drop $30 on a lip gloss and $50 on a face primer. But really, a lot of us just don’t have the budget to do that – not even once in a while!

So when it comes to beauty products, I’ve learned not to discriminate. I’ve also learned that there are a lot of great drugstore products out there that do an awesome job, but for way less. You end up getting more makeup and products that you love for the money you’re willing to spend. And who doesn’t love that? 🙂

Today, I want to share with you the best drugstore beauty products & finds that I’ve come across. Let me know if you agree with any of these or if there are products you’d recommend! Continue reading →