Mattése Elite Mon Amour

The other pretty glitter from the Mon Amour Collection by Mattése Elite that I was able to review is actually Mon Amour, a rose red glitter in a slightly red base.  I'm not sure if the base was supposed to be clear and the glitter has bled into the base or if the base was supposed to be slightly colored all along, but it works!  You saw yesterday that I layered this over a hot pink and that worked quite well - now let's see how well this color works on its own!


I used a base of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite to keep the nails smooth as this is a glitter that can dry slightly gritty.

Unfortunately, I did not have any sun, so here's a nice cloudy shot.  :|  Even with the clouds, you can see how nicely this polish wears - quite opaque in just 2 coats!

I especially love it in the shade, where the shine from the top coat really makes the glitter dance on the nail.  Yes, glitter dances.  (So let it be written, so let it be done!)

Finally indoors with the flash.  My camera did not want to focus for a long time, so I have a series of blurry shots but that's what happens with pure glitter sometimes!  You can still see how opaque the shade is, but also how gritty it can look.  Removal was torture, but some foil does go a long way.  (Read my post on how to remove glitter nail polish, in case you haven't seen it yet!)


And a totally random picture.  While browsing Facebook yesterday, I saw that Melissa Villasenor was going to be in my home town, at my alma mater college.  I nearly jumped out of my skin!  I had first seen Melissa on America's Got Talent last season and loved her comic bits and dead on impressions.  She had a great hour long set last night and I was actually sad to see her finish.  I wanted to include the picture that my friend was able to grab - she actually hugged me after her set!

Melissa is currently on a college tour, so check out her Facebook page and see if she's coming near you.  The show she played last night was free, but I'd gladly pay to see her again.  Don't miss it if she's coming to your town!


Back to the polish!


Mattése Elite Carnaval Nail Polish retails for $5.99 and is available for purchase exclusively at Ricky’s NYC store locations and at www.RickysNYC.com

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

deborah lippmann at Rodarte Fall 2012

I'm actually getting to the end of fashion week from deborah lippmann, and what better way to end than with No More Drama.  Please enjoy the following - all images are courtesy of TLCommunications.

Backstage at Rodarte Fall 2012

Rodarte envisioned an earthy, almost dusty nail to complement the collection this season. We saw bronze and golden shimmer in the makeup, so Deborah Lippmann came up with the perfect combination for the nails using two coats of No More Drama, a sultry golden caramel created with Mary J. Blige, topped with her Flat Top matte‐maker top coat. The result was a hue that captured the essence of the collection, and completed the overall look perfectly.

$16 and $18, available at www.deborahlippmann.com

NOTDs Posts

While I work on cranking out some awesome new polishes from brands like NCLA and Jesse's Girl Cosmetics, I wanted to share some of the recent "Nails of the Day" posts that I've been wearing to work.

7 March:  I wish I remembered what these color were.  I know that the white was a China Glaze older color and the pink was an OPI color.  I really don't care for French manicures but I was on my way to a job interview and needed something quick and classic.  It was cured with Seche Ultra V - UV Activated Top Coat and an older CND UV lamp.  I had this done by my manicurist locally who shapes my nails & cleans up my cuticles.

12 March:  I don't remember what hot pink I used here as a base (this is why I write things down normally!) but the glitter tips was from Mattése Elite Mon Amour.  You'll see a review of that later - promise!

18 March:  Here is butterLONDON Knackered which I had a hard time buying when I saw it on blogs.  No one seemed to show it in the best light - and honestly I don't feel like I am either.  I layered this over one coat of Sephora black (the general small bottles that they sell - I got mine for $1).  I really do love all that's going on here - the multichromed purple and green, the microglitter that almost seems holographic.  Love.

19 March:  From the Capitol Colours collection, China Glaze Fast Track was a great office nude with just a hint of shimmer from the microglitter particles.  You'll see a full review on this later.

20 March:  I bought a gram of SpectraFlair pigment from PaisleyPolish1 on Etsy.  Unfortunately, I apparently bought her last gram because the shop is currently closed.  I put about 4 small spoonfuls (using a nail stick) into a half bottle of Seche Vite, added some thinner (because my Seche was getting thick) and some BB ballz to be able to shake the mix up.  I'll have more of a post later but this is 1 coat of the SpectraFlair top coat over China Glaze Sea Spray.

23 March:  I'm really happy and excited about this manicure.  I used a base coat of Sephora black and then 2 coats of Shades of the Season "white" - a color that I picked up from cvs/Pharmacy over the winter break.  It was in a big tube of polishes and as you can see, the glitter shows up either as green or blue depending on the light.

26 March:  I can't believe I've never done a post on Cult Nails Iconic!  I've had it forever but just hadn't put it on.  The flakes get a bit lost in the red base, but it was still a great manicure.

29 March:  Finally I have the new JulieG Gelato in Venice, the new line of nail polish from Jesse's Girl Cosmetics.  This is a mint green creme that reminds me a lot of mint chocolate chip (minus the chocolate chips!).  Oddly enough I only had gelato once in Venice but it wasn't mint - I think it was strawberry.

1 April:  While opening the dryer to get my sheets out, I did this.  Granted this is my right hand but my nails have been getting in the way of my typing and other daily activities so super nubbins I go.

I haven't decided what color to put on my super nubbins but I'm almost thinking of neon.  Neon and nubbins work for me.  :]


Hope you've enjoyed my NOTD!  If you follow me on Instagram (PolishGalore), you've seen all these already, and sometimes I post them on Twitter as well!  :]

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

deborah lippmann at Ports 1961

I couldn't stop singing "Brick House" when I read this press release, even if the actual polish was only used very sparingly.  This is probably one reason why I'm not very fashion forward...  All images courtesy of TLCommunications.

Backstage at Ports 1961 Fall 2012

This season Ports 1961 envisioned a softer take on a classic rust‐colored nail for fall. Deborah Lippmann created a custom lacquer by mixing a few drops of Brick House, her shimmering rust shade, with clear polish for a sheer, modern take on her rich metallic shade. The subtle nail perfectly complemented the collection and flawlessly tied the look together.

$16 available at www.deborahlippmann.com

China Glaze Techno

China Glaze came out with a slew of glitters in their Specialty Collection (also called Glitters and Cremes) and I actually bought all 50 of the polishes.  One was Techno, a small round glitter that reflects rainbows, with reflective microglitter in a clear base.  They decided to repromote this color with their Spring 2012 ElectroPop collection but I'm happy to say that the bottle was the exact same.  Because this is a clear base, I decided to use my existing Sunshine Pop manicure.  This is 2 coats of Techno followed by a top coat of Seche Vite.

Here in the sun, the reflective glitter is all over the place - happy happy!  I also love how it bounces around in the bottle.

In the shade, the glitter still holds some reflective qualities, although not as much.

And finally indoors with the flash - it's funny, the bottle is all bling but the nails are a bit dull with the flash.  Regardless, it's a great happy manicure that helps tone down the stark yellow properties of Sunshine Pop.  I'm glad I picked this up when I did and I think you'll like it too!  In case you missed it, Techno is a good dupe for Lynderella Mercury's Rainbow, as I compared the two here.  Enjoy!

China Glaze [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty, Sally's Beauty Supply as well as TransDesign.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

deborah lippmann at Narciso Rodriguez

I have to say, I didn't know there were so many shows at Fashion Week!  Only three left from Deborah Lippmann - this one is very office friendly I think!  All images courtesy of TLCommunications.

Backstage at Narciso Rodriguez Fall 2012

Simply stated and well‐groomed was the vision for Narciso Rodriguez this season. The collection featured fashion‐forward gloves, close‐toed shoes, and perfectly‐groomed nails. Deborah Lippmann knows the importance of grooming, and even if your fingers and toes are in hibernation, you have to be prepared with primped nails. “Nothing is sexier than unveiling a hidden hand or foot with a fresh mani and pedi.”
The models flaunted a perfectly groomed, short, round and feminine nail with one coat of Fashion, a not‐so‐typical taupe. The look was simple, understated, and necessary – because no model should ever look undone.

$16, available at www.deborahlippmann.com

Twitter Handle: @DeborahLippmann

deborah lippmann at Marchesa Fall

We're running down to home with deborah lippmann's nails during Fashion Week - please enjoy the following!  All images are courtesy of TLCommunications.

Backstage at Marchesa Fall 2012

Marchesa, in a word, is magical this season. We saw looks that were complicated and glorious, but nothing short of pure genius. Deborah Lippmann was put to the test, given the challenge of finding the perfect nail looks to complement various looks in the collection. The result was models that flaunted various shades because Deborah wanted to capture the genius in each and every look.


You saw Single Ladies, a bordeaux red, on the nails and toes of some models, and Fade to Black, an opaque vinyl black, also made an appearance on the “dark angel” looks. Most of the models flaunted an angelic combination of Baby Love, a baby doll pink, topped with two layers of an iridescent glitter called Stairway to Heaven.


Deborah also used Stardust, a platinum frost metallic, and Nefertiti, a modern micro fine golden shimmer. Regardless of the shade, the fingers matched the toes of each model, and the nail was short and round. Of course, each look was finished with Addicted to Speed ultra quick‐dry top coat.

$16 & $18 each, available at www.deborahlippmann.com

Twitter Handle: @DeborahLippmann

China Glaze Sunshine Pop

:| I need a dose of color, how about you?  China Glaze Sunshine Pop is a super bright yellow creme with just the tiniest hint of shimmer in it.  I used a base coat of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  Despite yellow's normal tendency to streak, this wasn't too bad!  This is from the 2012 ElectroPop collection.

I think that's a piece of lint that got stuck under the polish on my pinkie.  I have a really bad habit of doing that because of the cotton rounds I use to remove my polish.

Despite my lobster red hands, I do really like how this color pops against my skin tone.  It's very summer!

Finally indoors with the flash.  Also, giggle with me about the "chine" instead of "shine".  


Also I told my coworkers yesterday at lunch that I have some ~1500 bottles of nail polish.  One spit across the table in surprise... I'm sure someone's going to be nominating me for either Hoarders or My Crazy Obsession by year's end.  :]  I can stop anytime...

China Glaze [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty, Sally's Beauty Supply as well as TransDesign.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nail Files "Let's Do the Oscars!" Breakdown

Image courtesy of TVGuide

While cleaning of my desk (long overdue), I found my breakdown of the episode "Let's Do The Oscars" originally airing on July 26, 2011.  You'll read it, right?  :]


Deam McDermott is supposed to drop by.  I don't know who that is right now (edit: I googled.  Hello hottie).


So Sundance didn't go well for Katie, but now she's going to try for the Oscars!  While I understand branding, I also want to side with Walter that sometimes spending a lot for the potential of a big turnout, may not be worth it.


Oh poor Nichole - you're doing too much!  I hope she works out - I love her hair too much.


I know Katie sounds bad at this point, but again BRANDING!  Speaking of, this blogger needs to write about her bottle of Painted Nail -cough-.


Omg - Foreshadowing the Spring collection?!  I don't know if the collection that is coming out is the one she is talking about since I don't know when this episode was taped.  (Edit: No, it's her 2011 Collection.)


Walter loves to clean?  This man is amazing.  So is that Shark vacuum.  I use Rainbow, personally.


Dang, so Katie wants to hire a receptionist, but not demote Nichole which makes everyone happy.


After commercial break, Katie finally is able to break up with her publicist.  She writes her final check and is done.  (Girl, you need someone like Y!)  Katie calls Walter and pulls up her contract and she was OVERpaying... Walter demands a stop payment for the check, which she does.


OH!  You're Tori Spelling's husband!  And uh, he also had some Girl Scout cookies - nom.


A bit more drama with this PR company.  Again, it's hard to discern exactly what happened over the many days (months) but bottom line: follow your contract and make your client happy!


The next breakdown will be the finale which has been sitting on my DVR this whole time.  I didn't want to watch it in case there wasn't a season 2, but there will be so I can watch now!  :]  (Don't try to understand my logic - I don't half the time.)

Pure Ice Black Crackle

The companion to Pure Ice Golden Ticket is this black crackle.  As far as black crackles go, this one was pretty neat.  It was still relatively thin and well, as for the crackling... let me show you.  This is one coat of crackle over my existing manicure.  This crackle does dry matte, so I added Seche Vite to make it shine.

See how lovely it cracks?  This is how a lot of European crackles seem to work (versus OPI here in the States).  I'm happy!

Here in the shade , you can see that the glitter shows up super nicely under the crackle.

And finally indoors with the flash - well... not much else to say here.  Crackle - good deal.


You can purchase this duo for $6 straight from Bari Cosmetics here.  Read more about Bari's Cosmetics including Pure Ice on their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.