Category Archives: Nail Polish Swatches & Reviews

China Glaze Exotic Encounters Swatches & Review

China Glaze Exotic Encounters Swatches & ReviewIt should come as no surprise that the first colour I was drawn to in the China Glaze On Safari Collection was China Glaze Exotic Encounters.

As much as I appreciate alliteration, I can’t get over how the name ‘Exotic Encounters’ sounds more like a raunchy pay-per-view flick, a shady dating company that promotes adulterous affairs, or a motel that has a room with a revolving bed. Yes, my mind was in the gutter and is easily amused.

(Actually, my mind is very fond of traveling to all sorts of places. It has collected many frequent-flyer miles. What should I redeem them for?)

What would an exotic encounter be for a nail polish? Would it be hanky panky between a neutral shade and a neon? Or maybe it involves a creme canoodling with a multichrome? Oh, the scandal! πŸ˜‰

This polish was a total win in my book! The teal-leaning green is within my comfort zone, the application was wonderful, and this colour really does remind me of a safari (or at least going on an outdoor adventure with the sun beating down).

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China Glaze Jungle Queen Swatches & Review

China Glaze Jungle Queen Swatches & ReviewWhen I saw the China Glaze On Safari Collection, there were 2 shades in particular that answered the call of the wild for me. πŸ˜‰

China Glaze Jungle Queen was one.

Sure, there are tons of grayish purples on the market, so it’s not the most original, but I still love it and haven’t gotten sick of it.

Standard grays aren’t my favourite to wear, but when there’s a touch of purple like in this I’m a happy camper.

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Duri Venom Swatches & Review

Duri-Venom-Swatches-Review-PicturesHere I am wearing yet another neon pink. While I’m not crazy about pinks in general, I’m in lust with neon pinks! They’re cheerful and hyper, and when it comes to nail lacquer, that combination is very attractive!

Duri Venom is a fun one to wear, and when people ask what you’re wearing on your nails, you can look them straight in the eye and say, “Venom!” πŸ˜‰ (You’ll get such a kick out of it.)

Duri Venom is definitely a colour with some bite to it, and if you’re one who loves bright nail polishes that scream summer until their voice is hoarse, this is for you!

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Duri Summer Rain Swatches & Review

Duri-Summer-Rain-Swatches-ReviewDuri Summer RainΒ from the Strictly Summer Collection is a refreshing mint green polish.

Mint greens usually give me lobster hands (i.e. they make my skin look red), so I’m not usually attracted to them.

However, when I saw this one, it set something in motion, and I had to get it and give a mint green another go.

Was I happy with this purchase? Or did it leave me full of regret? You’re about to find out! πŸ™‚

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Max Factor Fantasy Fire Swatches & Review (Layered over China Glaze Liquid Leather)

Max Factor Fantasy Fire Swatches & ReviewMax Factor Fantasy Fire is a multichromatic nail polish that’s very hard to get hold of because word has spread that it’s similar to the very-hard-to-find lacquer, Clarins 230 (aka Unicorn Pee).

It’s a sheer, shimmery polish that’s a rainbow in a bottle. It’s meant to be layered over other polishes instead of worn solo.

Well, I never thought that I’d ever see this in person. But a very generous and thoughtful Swatch And Learn reader offered to send me her bottle.

It was my lucky day! I was squealing, jumping up and down, and acting like a complete and utter fool! πŸ˜€

If you’re reading this, Beth, thank you again for sending this to me as well as one of the cutest cards I’ve ever received. I fell in lust with it, and you made this dream a reality. Your random act of kindness is immensely appreciated! πŸ˜€

Warning: This post is verrrrrry picture heavy! (My polish reviews usually have lots of photos, but, haha, when you see how many are in this post, you’ll agree that it’s pretty ridiculous. I had to include so many to show off its many personalities.)

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SpaRitual Shooting Star Swatches & Review

SpaRitual-Shooting-Star-Swatches-Review-Pictures-PhotosToday’s focus is on SpaRitual Shooting Star. I’m not sure why it’s named that since when most people conjure up mental images of stars and the galaxy, blue springs to mind more than purple.

Nevertheless, Shooting Star is a colour that shoots for the moon and lands among the stars. It’s a looker! (My photos don’t do it any justice. In person, it’s prettier.)

If you have this one, I suggest wearing it on a sunny day because that’s when the amazing shimmer really shines through and works its magic like a nail-polish Houdini.

It’s vampy and seems like it’s lit from within, which makes this polish a pleasure to wear!

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Essie Shine of the Times Swatches & Review (Layered over OPI If You Moust You Moust)

Essie-Shine-of-the-Times-Swatches-Review-PicturesYou’ll remember seeing OPI If You Moust You Moust on here not long ago.

After wearing it (and surprisingly loving it) for a little while, I decided to slap on a flakie top coat to give it some bling.

What you see is Essie Shine of the Times layered over the pink. As you’ll notice, it gives it sweet peachy flakies.

I was going for a softer look, but if you layer it over black or a vampy hue, it’ll be much more in-your-face.

(Check out my swatches over various other colours later on in this post to see what I mean.)

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