New 31DC: Inspired by a blogger

This was a really tough challenge.  I have been reading nail blogs for a little more than a year now and there are so many wonderful, fun, talented ladies out there who inspire me.  Most of my posts are in someway inspired by what people like you do.  This was hard to narrow down, so I went to my Pinterest board.  Then, it became pretty easy.
Though she hasn't posted in a long time, Erika from Chloe's Nails is the first person I read regularly.  She has an amazing eye for patterns and colors.  She taked gorgeous photos.  She is unbelievably honest and open when it comes to her writing.  She is amazing and missed right now!  One look that she has a stellar eye for is the Funky French, and there is one of hers that I have been dying to wear.

*1 coat Yello-Out

*2 coats OPI DS Extravagance
*Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Black Out
*1 coat Out The Door

I loved how these looked, both in her photos and on my hands!  Extravagance is gorgeous, as always!  It was 2 easy, perfect coats to match the bottle.  This dark berry is packed with scattered micro holo pieces and just stunning.

I like the idea of mixing finishes, like a shimmer/glitter and cream.  The black tips are so crisp and smooth, a good contrast to the holo.  I just used some tape to make my lines and 1 coat of Black Out.

A Berry Big Problem

I realized, earlier this week, that I have a problem.  Perhaps it is excitement over fall and the upcoming holiday season.  Perhaps it is forgetfulness.  Perhaps these are excuses.  I have a new addiction to berry colored polish with holo sparkles.  I decided to compare the 4 that I could find (my Sinful Colors magnetic is missing...so tragic!).  In the bottle, they look very similar.  On the nail...only mostly similar...

Here's the line up!  These cover a pretty broad range of prices, from $1.99 for the Pure Ice to a retail of $12.50 for the OPI (but not with my Ulta coupons!) and different availabilities.

Left to right: OPI DS Extravagance, Zoya Blaze, Ulta Material Girl and Pure Ice Super Star.  For comparison, I used 2 coats of color over 1 coat Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hardener and under 1 coat of Out the Door.

Extravagance.  How gorgeous is that?!?  This one applies like a dream.  This is one of the darker shades, a deep berry or wine shade.  The silver holo particles are small and super-dense.  This dries with a smooth, shiny finish, but I always add a top coat.  Totally worth the cost (especially if you can get it discounted)!

Blaze.  This is one of my picks from the new Ornate collection and amazing!  Like Zoya polishes in general, this is also an amazing application, easy and smooth.  The color on this one is lighter and brighter than Extravagance, more cranberry.  Like Extravagance, the holo pieces in this are very fine, though not as dense.  Another nice, shiny finish, even without a top coat.

Material Girl.  This one is darker berry, like Extravagance.  There are a couple of key differences, aside from the price (regularly $6, unless you get it on sale, which is pretty easy to do).  The holo pieces in this one are larger, more like glitter than shimmer.  They are quite dense, and reflect a bit differently because of their size.  Also, because of the size of the glitter, the application is a big uglier with a little dragging.  This is the only one of the three that dried gritty and really needed a top coat for a glossy finish.  ALL of that being said, this is a gorgeous polish and a great alternative if you cannot find the OPI.

 

Super Star.  This was a lighter, brighter berry like Blaze, but not quite the same shade.  It's almost a little bit purple in tint.  When I saw this at Walmart with the new Pure Ices, I fell in love.  When I got home I realized that this same reaction had happened too many times before... This one has an easy application and good coverage for such an inexpensive polish.  The holo is much less visible on the nail than in the bottle and than the other three.  It's almost more of a golden-red glitter than a true holo.  Of the 5, I think that this is the only one I really regret nabbing, which is ironic since it's the cheapest of the bunch!

This out of focus shot helps show off the density and appearance of the holo for each.  You can see that the colors of Extravagance and Material Girl (index and ring) are really close in color.

So there they are.  What do you think?  Do these make you think of fall and winter coziness?  Do you own any?  Have you discovered any of your own little addictions like this--let me know because it could be contagious!

Sweet on Strawberry Fields

This past weekend I attended my dear friend's wedding.  The ceremony was beautiful, full of joy and life, goofy and accessible--just like her.  I am so excited and happy for her and her new husband, who's is a wonderful guy, and all that their future holds!
I could not go celebrate with naked nails, especially because there is still some yellow staining that I am working to clean off.  So, with a million things to do before I left, I had to find something simple to cover up with.  I was wearing a green dress, but did not want to match my nails, so I looked for something that would go well with a few outfits.  I settled on my Strawberry Fields, which I had not tried yet, and figured I'd splash on a little Luxe & Lush for an easy accent.  Man o man!

*1 coat Sally Hansen Hard as nails base
*3 thin coats China Glaze Strawberry Fields
*1 thick coat China Glaze Luxe & Lush
*2 coats Health Hoof Lacquer

I am in love with Strawberry Fields!  This is a richer pink than I usually wear, darker and more sedated.  The berry shade seemed like one that would be appropriate with a few different outfits.  I could see the golden shimmer in the bottle, but was not prepared for how clear and gorgeous it would translate on the nail.  In the sun, I cannot take my eyes off of this one!  I was going to stop at 2 thin coats, but there was a bit of nail line visible in the light, so I used a third.  Then, I put a coat of Luxe & Lush on my ring finger.  This flakey shard glitter is so pretty and unique.  I have only used it a couple of times, and always forget how much easier this is to apply than I expect.  There is a little work to get the flakes to fill in like I want, but it's not nearly enough work to turn me off.  I use Healthy Hoof to help even out the flakes and to amp up the shine. 
I am so sad that it has taken me so long to try out this polish!  Strawberry Fields is just amazing and will soon become a go-to for me.  The Luxe & Lush has enough of its own golden tones and reflects the pink well, letting the polish still show through.  I loved this mani and, while I have some extra time and am itching to try something new, I hate to think about taking this one off!

Before I go, I want to tell you about a very generous giveaway that Kaki is offering at Glitter Obsession!  There is a set of 5 China Glaze OMG polishes up for win!  They are amazing and she is being incredibly generous for her 1500 follower giveaway--CONGRATULATIONS!  The giveaway ends 8/15.  "May the odds be ever in your favor!"