ORLY – Space Cadet

Last night I was in the mood for something interesting- and as I went hrough my stash, Space Cadet practically jumped right into my hands. I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed it yet! Space Cadet is from ORLY’s Cosmic FX collection from the Fall of 2010.

Space Cadet is a fascinating multichrome – copper, pink, purple, hints of green and blue – all there. Probably the nicest thing about Space Cadet is that it translates well from the bottle to nail. It’s a stunner!

Application was fine, the polish went on smoothly – but I did need 4 coats . However, you could probably get away with just 3.

The CosmicFX line was a bit pricier than normal ORLY collections, each polish retailed for $10. Alli picked up Galaxy Girl on clearance, and I also reviewed Out of This World from this collection. Overall, I think Space Cadet is the star of the collection.

Essie – Pure Pearlfection

When I first saw Essie’s Luxeffects I have to admit I really wasn’t all that impressed, but after seeing swatches I decided I had to have two: Pure Pearlfection and As Gold as it Gets.

I decided to layer Pure Pearlfection over two coats of Splash of Grenadine (From the 2010 Resort Collection that also included Lapis of Luxury and Turquoise and Caicos). I think the result speaks for itself.  It gives the polish a completely new look – and I absolutely love it. I prefer shimmers to cremes and I can’t wait to try this over… pretty much everything I own.

I actually tried As Gold as it Gets over Turquoise and Caicos first but ended up with the worst bed nails imaginable – I can’t even post the picture. But I’m going to try that look again since it looked amazing… before I went to bed.

Did you pick up any other Luxeffects? Thoughts?Also, if you’d like to see this over another polish just let me know!

 

Late Summer Love: China Glaze Heli-Yum

The hot weather just won’t quit! I’ve gotten to that point in the summer where it’s just dragging and all I can think about is tights, boots, sweater dresses and coats. Therefore I’ve been trying to lift my spirits with some very summery nail polish. Heli-Yum is perfect for that purpose.

This is one of those polishes that plays tricks on you. Depending on the light, Heli-Yum is either a bright raspberry pink or a more bright red pink leaning creme. Under any light it is gorgeous!

As I said in my original post on this polish, the formula is a tad bit on the thick side, but not unworkable. The formula is very opaque.

Heli-Yum is originally from the Spring 2010 Up & Away collection, Heli-Yum now part of the permanent line. Thank you, China Glaze!

Hello Summer: OPI Wing It!

Here in Charlotte we’ve been having unseasonably warm weather. The entire last week was in the 90s so while the calendar may not say Summer has arrived, it certainly feels like it! I wanted a super summery nail polish to greet the warm weather and OPI Wing It! immediately came to mind.

Wing It! is from last Summer’s Summer Flutter collection. It is a magenta jelly with super sparkly duochrome micoglitter. In the sun this polish has a purple duochrome effect. I wore this quite a bit last Summer (and did a post on it). This polish is just perfect for the pool or beach.

Color Club She’s sooo Glam

Oh my. Sometimes I don’t know what I’m thinking when choosing polish colors. I used this polish as part of my Easter egg manicure and at the time, didn’t think it was so bad. After wearing this polish on all 10 nails I am singing a different tune.

She’s sooo Glam is from Color Club’s Spring 2010 Rebel Debutante collection; a collection I have had no luck with. So, to say the least, my expectations were low. And rightfully so. She’s sooo Glam is a cotton candy pink creme. Very, very pink. Aside from the fact that this kind of color really isn’t my thing, the formula was horrible. It was thin and streaky. I had to use 4 coats to get streak free, opaque coverage.

If you are looking for a light pink there are definitely better options. Wet n Wild Tickled Pink is a cheaper option and almost an exact dupe.

OPI Ali’s Big Break

I know they had to spell Ali with one L because in the movie Ali is short for Alice, but still! So close to my name! Anyway, Ali’s Big Break is from OPI’s Holiday 2010 Burlesque collection. I loved The Show Must Go On! and Show It and Glow It! from this collection, so I had high expectations for Ali’s Big Break. And it didn’t disappoint.

Ali’s Big Break is a candy apple red jelly with flaky glitter. It’s super pretty. And while I get why this was in a holiday collection, it doesn’t scream Winter. I can see myself wearing this in the Spring and Fall as well. And it did make a perfect Valentine’s Day manicure!

This is a jelly, so the formula was a tad on the sheer side. I had to use three coats to get opaque coverage. But otherwise, I have no complaints!

Essie Main Squeeze

Generally speaking, Essie’s Wedding Collections make me cringe. They are always sheer and pastel and terrible. But for some reason I was really drawn to Main Squeeze, so once it went on clearance I picked it up.

Essie describes this polish as a shimmering lilac cream. I find it odd to call a cream shimmering, but ok. Main Squeeze is really a super sheer lilac polish with microglitter as well as specs of dark purple. It’s really pretty, but I had to use 5 coats to get anything close to an opaque color on my nails. So I decided to give it a try over Essie Lilacism and love how it turned out.

There are pictures of Main Squeeze over Lilacism under the jump 🙂

 

 

Orly Galaxy Girl

When the Cosmic FX collection first came out I wasn’t overly excited about it. Duochrome really isn’t my thing and the $10 price tag seemed a little crazy (even with the ‘special’ mineral fx technology). But I spotted Galaxy Girl on clearance at Sally’s for $3.99 and decided to give it a try.

Galaxy girl is a brownish purple that flashes blue and green depending on the light/angle. The color kind of reminds me of a raisin! Anyway, it’s definitely a unique color. The formula isn’t the best. It’s not runny, but it lacks opacity. I used three coats on most nails (four on some).

I’m glad I picked this up, but I’m also glad I didn’t pay $10 for it. I don’t think it’s worth that price. If you’re still looking for polishes from this collection, the Ulta’s near me still have the entire collection and it is on clearance at Sally’s.

More pictures below the jump.

 

 

 

Alli’s Best of 2010

Barielle Wrap Me in Ribbon

This is part of Barielle’s Holiday 2010 Holiday Hustle collection. When this collection first came out I kept looking at this polish but for one reason or another kept talking myself out of buying it. Once I spotted it on clearance at Ulta, I had to get it (had is such a strong word….).

Barielle describes this color as a “metallic raspberry with violet and copper pearl undertones.” While I do agree that it can be described as a metallic raspberry, there is no copper. I have no idea where they got that from!

This polish does have red and purple microglitter. It actually reminds me alot of Essence Go Wild.

I have no complaints about the formula or application. I used my usual three coats and had no problems with streaking or bald spots.

Overall, this is a nice polish. I don’t LOVE the color. It feels a bit dated to me. And I certainly don’t think it belongs in a holiday collection.

If you’re still considering picking up a polish from this collection, I would definitely recommend Jess’ Champagne Toast or Snow Day over this one.

Alli