Category Archives: Nail Polish Swatches & Reviews

Orly Spark Swatches & Review

“ Orly Spark Swatches I’m just mad about Saffron. She’s just mad about me. They call me Mellow Yellow!”

Although I don’t wear yellow nail polish often (and when I do, normally it’s a retina-burning neon), lately I’ve been really craving a demure yellow. Very uncharacteristic!

But while Orly Spark isn’t an ostentatious color nor does it have bells and whistles like holographic glitter or any duochrome, I was drawn to it like a bee to a flower.

Yellows can be quite a challenge to pull off. If you choose the wrong shade, you can look like you have a severe case of jaundice or anemia. But Orly Spark is very wearable – the perfect spring pick-me-up. Continue reading →

e.l.f. Essentials Burgundy Nail Polish Review & Swatches

6 Replies

** 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. **

Dear elf Cosmetics,

Thank you for creating quality nail polishes that are affordable and easy to wear, such as the e.l.f. Essentials Burgundy Nail Polish. Please do not be offended by this: I think the color-name giver of your company may need his or her eyes checked. (Or perhaps the burgundy taken away.)

This color is not burgundy. It does not have enough of a bruised-red or purplish undertone for it to be burgundy. It is a reddish brown with a dose of orange that reminds me of Thanksgiving. Albeit a nice color in its own right, it does not give me the intoxicating feel that burgundy does. I am sober and disappointed.

Yours truly,

Not Drunk on Burgundy Continue reading →

The Beauty Products I Can’t Live Without

4 Replies

Products I Use Every Day There were lots of products that I fell in love with. But sometimes things just weren’t meant to be. They started seeing other people. And they made up lame excuses for sneaking out in the middle of the night. Needless to say, the relationship was cut short.

Of course I was heartbroken, but new products entered my life. Some took me for dinner and a movie. Others serenaded me with a Spanish guitar. And one special product made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

Here are the products that I’ve been faithful to because they’ve never let me down when I needed them. We plan to grow old together and celebrate many happy anniversaries. Continue reading →

Nail Art Tutorial: Holographic Rainbow Leopard Konadicure

28 Replies

Rainbow Leopard Konadicure Swatch Rainbow Brite, eat your heart out! This Holographic Rainbow Leopard Konadicure is meant to steal the show. All Eyez on Me, 2Pac! (Yeah, that’s right. I just put Rainbow Brite and 2Pac in the same paragraph.)

I’ve always loved rainbows, but lately I’m obsessed with them. (It’s Clarins 230’s fault!)

From the second I saw SayAnythingBr00ke’s Lisa Frank inspired nail tutorial on YouTube, I knew I had to try it.

Check out more swatches, and see what I came up with following her directions.

While I’ll link to her video in my post, I’m also including my own tutorial with photos and step-by-step instructions in case it helps someone.

If you haven’t already tried this, now’s as good a time as any! Continue reading →

Necklace Made from Nfu-Oh 51 Flakie Nail Polish (Ginger Kitty Designs Review & Pictures)

12 Replies

Ginger Kitty Designs Nailpolish Necklace Review You may be asking yourself, “What’s a necklace doing on Swatch And Learn?”

This custom necklace is an original creation by Tracey from Ginger Kitty Designs (an Etsy store). Here’s the clincher – it’s made with actual nail polish…and the purple Nfu-Oh 51 flakie nail polish to be exact!

This nail lacquer has been on my wish list for a year. But I can’t find it on eBay, and it’s sold out at the one etailer that had it. *Sniff sniff*

Since I probably will never own a bottle of it and wear it as a manicure, at least I can wear it around my neck now!

Have you bought nail polish jewelry from Ginger Kitty Designs? Which colors would you pick for a ring, necklace, or bracelet?

I’d like to share my shopping experience with you and what I think about the finished product. I’ve taken photos of the necklace itself, but also the packaging so you know what to expect. Continue reading →

L.A. Girl Metal Millennium Review & Swatches

4 Replies

** 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 feel a little inadequate following a review on a $52+ polish with one on a $2.24 color. Wow. Just writing that makes me feel like a big cheapo! But you know what? L.A. Girl Metal Millennium definitely proves you shouldn’t judge a polish by its price tag.

The grape-juice purple looks pretty in the bottle. I didn’t expect that color to transfer onto my nails though. It totally proved me wrong! It’s not Unicorn Pee by any means, but I guess it can be Barney’s Blood? (Sounds a bit morbid!)

I’m not head-over-heels in love with the color though. However, I find the formula to be super impressive. So if you really like this color, don’t hesitate to get it! Continue reading →

Polish War: China Glaze Fairy Dust vs. Out The Door Northern Lights Silver Hologram Top Coat Swatches & Review

42 Replies

China Glaze Fairy Dust & Out The Door Northern Lights Silver Hologram Top Coat smaller After viewing my Haul of Shame post, a reader (Lois) asked me about 2 holographic top coats and how they compared.

Since I own both, I pitted them together in a nail-polish war.

Both competitors entered the ring pumped and looking like they meant business. The crowd cheered on their favorite and booed the other.

One polish, Essie Nude Beach, had to be escorted out of the building by The Polish Police for streaking during the event. And some other rowdy fans (including Color Club Pure Energy) were warned to maintain decorum lest they suffer the same fate.

But…back to the stars of the show!

Out The Door Northern Lights Hologram Top Coat (Silver) gave China Glaze Fairy Dust the stink eye as it shook its cap.

China Glaze Fairy Dust heckled, “There’s a reason why you’re called Out The Door – that’s where you’ll be heading with your tail between your legs!”

Nail-polish blood was shed! So who came out on top? Continue reading →