Category Archives: Nail Polish Swatches & Reviews

Zoya Paradise Sun Collection Swatches & Photos

Zoya Paradise Sun CollectionYesterday, I showed you quick swatches and bottle shots of the Zoya Island Fun Collection.

Today, here are quick swatches and bottle shots of the other half of the summer shades in the Zoya Paradise Sun Collection!

The six colours in this collection are: Aphrodite, Mae, Isa, Oceane, Selene, and Genesis.

(For detailed information on the whole collection, check out the official Zoya Paradise Sun Collection press release I posted earlier.)

All of them feature a gorgeous metallic sparkle that’s so vivid on the nails.

(I’ve already worn Zoya Isa, and I’ll be doing an in-depth review on that one soon.)

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Zoya Island Fun Collection Swatches & Photos

Zoya Island Fun CollectionThe Zoya Island Fun Collection I blogged about earlier that launched in May consists of six cremes: Demetria, Nana, Serenity, Talia, Cecilia, and Jace.

(You may remember that I wore Jace earlier, and absolutely loved that green!)

In this post, I share with you some photos and quick swatches of all six colours in the Zoya Island Fun Collection.

This collection really spells summer to me, and the cremes glide on easily with a wonderful formula!

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KBShimmer Sun & Games Swatches & Review

KBShimmer Sun & Games Swatches & ReviewKBShimmer Sun & Games from the Summer 2015 Collection is a bling lover’s dream, and it’ll make your heart sing that difficult high E above middle C.

In the sunshine, this holographic nail polish arrives like a diva to a red-carpet event.

Most mornings that I tried to snap this before heading to work were overcast, but one day, I managed to get a couple shots in the sunlight.

I feel like KBShimmer Sun & Games is a fun holographic nail polish that would look cool with a simple black stamping design on top. The base would shine through to give it that ‘something extra’.

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OPI Make Light of the Situation Swatches & Review (Layered Over Zoya Jace)

OPI Make Light of the Situation Swatches & ReviewOPI Make Light of the Situation from the SoftShades 2015 Collection is an iridescent glitter topper that layers over any colour to give it that ‘Ice Capades’ effect.

At the time, my existing manicure was Zoya Jace, so I experimented by putting one layer on top to see how it would transform the finish.

I like how it lights up a manicure and adds a touch of Snowflake Princess to your nails.

It would look very cute over pinks and icy over blues. And whites would look that much more snow-like. But I’d be curious how it plays with taupes, browns, greys, and oranges.

P.S. The name of the polish appeals to me because it’s part of my life philosophy. No matter how much you struggle with bad apples and no matter how many people you encounter who suffer from the Tall Poppy Syndrome who try to bring you down to their low, bitter level, you have to always find a way to rise above it and to ‘make light of the situation’, whether it’s staying positive or finding the humour in it all. Humour is a great coping mechanism, but it can also help you to thrive!

P.P.S. Anderson Cooper appears in this post!

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Zoya Jace Swatches & Review

Zoya Jace Swatches & ReviewZoya Jace from the Island Fun Collection is a tropical green, so you know that I was eager to give it a whirl.

(If fingers could do a twirl like I tend to do whenever I try on A-line skirts, this nailphile’s digits would be doing it.) 😉

Although I love letting my nails slide down the rainbow, there’s something about greens that puts me at peace. (Perhaps I was a frog or a leprechaun in a previous life. Well, my ethnic background includes some Irish, so maybe I’m onto something with that leprechaun comment.)

I feel that Zoya Jace is a calm green, but it’s not too muted or too bright. Baby Bear would come home and find Goldilocks painting her nails with this green nail polish. Just right!

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Essie Silk Watercolor Collection Swatches, Bottle Shots & Press Release

Essie Silk Watercolor CollectionIn July, the Essie Silk Watercolor Collection comes out, and it features a clean white intended to be used as a base and eight buildable, translucent colours that can be layered to create an original nail masterpiece!

This post contains a closer look at all the colours with bottle shots and swatches.

I included swatches with the white base and without the white base. Plus you’ll see how  the lacquers intensify with two coats.

For further information and the colour story behind the Essie Silk Watercolor Collection, you can read the official press release that contains all the details.

Since PR was kind enough to not only send me this collection (and in a cute gift bag), but also the press booklet, I snapped photos of the booklet and bag, so that we can share the experience together. (It’s more fun this way!)

While flipping through the Essie Silk Watercolor Collection press booklet, I saw some playful nail-art looks plus a step-by-step tutorial for one, so I took photos of them in case you’d like to try your hand at them. (I may try the Ombre Nouveau nail art because I’m a fan of wearing rainbows on my nails! If I end up doing it, I’ll be sure to share my manicure with you on here and/or on my social media.)

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Pretty Serious Iktsuarpok Swatches & Review

Pretty Serious Iktsuarpok Swatches & ReviewDesigned by Hannah of Polly PolishPretty Serious Iktusarpok is the last in the second trio of the Stop! Collaborate, And Listen Collection that I’ve reviewed on here. (But it’s certainly not least!)

It takes a lot for a grey nail polish to stand out to me because I don’t explore that colour territory as much as some others.

You know that my penchant for greens and bold shades tends to take over. However, I’m not afraid of venturing out of my comfort zone. Oftentimes that’s when magic happens.

Pretty Serious Iktsuarpok is definitely out of my comfort zone, but I like it because unlike many greys, this one seems to flatter my skin tone. Also, the glass-fleck flakes add that ‘something extra’ that breathe life into the polish.

Iktsuarpok is a word I just learned because of this nail polish! Iktsuarpok describes that feeling you get when you anticipate to see if someone is coming, and you keep looking outside.

As someone who is passionate about language and the written word, adding to my vocabulary made my day!

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