Sally Hansen - Hidden Treasure vs Gosh - Rainbow

Sally Hansen - Hidden Treasure and Gosh - Rainbow

When I first started seeing swatches of the new hot drugstore release, Sally Hansen - Hidden Treasure, I started thinking that it looked just like a little gem I got from a friend overseas. It's by a brand called "Gosh" which is sold in Europe and Canada, and not to us US girls. I have showed you a little of what Gosh - Rainbow can do, and if you like what you saw and couldn't get it, I have good news. There are dupes!

In sunlight, one coat layered over black:
Sally Hansen - Hidden Treasure (HT) on index and ring
Gosh - Rainbow (GR) on middle and pinky

In shade, one coat layered over black:
Sally Hansen - Hidden Treasure (HT) on index and ring
Gosh - Rainbow (GR) on middle and pinky

still one coat, just at an angle

still one coat, just close-up

At first looking at the bottles they look much different, don't they? HT looks like it is more white and cloudy, while GR is crystal clear. HT looks like it flashes some more pastel shades, and GR look like a prism. But on the nail... they look the same. The photo directly above makes it look like HT may have a more dense coverage, but it is just based on those two nails. I had a lot on brush when I painted my ring finger, but you can see it is not as dense on the index. It was just a fluke. To me they flash the same colors, at the same angles, and have the same intensity and density.

So if you are not in the US and can't find HT, then you can get yourself Rainbow. If you can't get Rainbow in the US, you can get Hidden Treasure (maybe. It seems as though it's hard to spot!) and if you can't get either, it looks like a new release from Nubar is a twin too: Nubar - 2010

What do you think?
HAPPY FRIDAY!
:c)
-Elaine

Preview: Orly Cosmic FX - Fall 2010

I am sure you guys have seen this, but I can't believe my eyes! I am super excited about this collection!

As ORLY continues to pioneer the nail category with distinct and trend setting finishes and color, the brand introduces its latest addition to its portfolio of textured finishes with Cosmic FX. The new, limited-edition collection delivers multi-dimensional flashes of intense shimmering shine that is so electrifying your nails will explode with color! This lighting phenomenon is achieved by ORLY’s exclusive MINERAL FX technology.

The innovation infuses natural rock minerals, crystals, and glass to give nails a special optical effect with extreme luster, rich pearlescence, and a smooth, sparkling spectrum of concentrated color.

The MINERALFX technology includes specialty mica, that allows for a clearer, vibrantly bright lustrous shimmer. Crystals allow for a multi-dimensional color transformation. Glass particles carefully controlled in shape and size create a luminous phenomenon. This combination infused with the Silica and specific colors selected create this exclusive technology that gives nails a unique optical effect that’s magnified as the lighting source intensifies or viewing angle changes.

Cosmic FX perfectly accentuates the looks seen in the Fall 2010 runway collections – from the futuristic Audrey Hepburn at Miu Miu to Ann Demeulemeester’s feathered and metal cuffs and Issey Miyake’s colorful leggings.

The six Lacquers in the Cosmic FX Collection include:

Lunar Eclipse: Blue with Pink Purple Fx

Galaxy Girl: Purple with Blue Green Fx

It’s Not Rocket Science: Green with Gold Blue Fx

Space Cadet: Green with Purple Gold FX

Halleys Comet: Turquoise with Green Yellow Fx

Out of this world: Purple with Pink Silver Fx

AGH! Why are these not available until September! The wait is going to kill me!

Marilyn Dragonfly

Hi! I am so excited about my manicure today. First off, I was very excited about the base color I chose. I got my Zoya exchange package yesterday with 16 new Zoyas! WOO HOO! And the first one I put on is one I actually had to throw in at the last minute by swapping out one other one I had on my list to get it once I saw Scrangie's swatch of it: Marilyn. It is a soft pink, with a hint of peach, and a pearl finish. Super pretty. Super unlike me... but super pretty!

Then I had to snaz it up. So did some Konad stamping. I used plate M5 and Revlon - Punch Chrome and China Glaze - Adore.

Close-Up

Thumb

What do you think?!
:cD
Elaine

Cool Hidden Kiwi Treasure

Hi! This is a quickie NOTD post. This is China Glaze - Kiwi Cool-Ada with a new release from Sally Hansen layered on top: Hidden Treasure, a rainbow flakie polish in a clear base:

Have a good one! Be back soon with more!
-Elaine
:c)

NOTD: Milani - Hi-Tech

It was such a sunny day I just had to do a holo shade. That is the best NP for a sunny day! I chose Milani - Hi-Tech and oh baby this is amazing!!!

This is an outrageously bright, lime green that is impressive right there but then add the amazing holographic particles and whoa baby! This even very prismatic in low light, not just sunlight.

If you have seen the Milani 3D Holographic line in store and thought they didn't look that impressive don't trust it. In the bottle they look sort of holo. On the nail they really shine. And they are well pigmented. I have tried 3 of these shades and all of them got on in two coats.

Here is the blue one, Cyberspace I snapped a while back:

I loved this on me too. I also tried the purple one, Hi-Res, and loved that too! I may have to give in to the other three now too. :c)

Melons and Mangoes

Woo hoo! Sunshine! How about a bright summery mani? :c)

I did a little something with a couple of my brightest, nearly neon, orange shades. I used Kleancolor - Mango and Santee - Neon Orange.

I put on Mango, the lighter of the two, first. Then I painted half the nail diagonally with Neon Orange. If you want to try this and can't get it on neatly, don't worry. I just slapped in on all over to get it where I wanted and cleaned it up later.

Once I had my base colors on I used a dotting tool to get the contrasting dots on either side of the diagonal.

I didn't really consider these neons at first, but now that I have them on they sure look rather neon. They photographed like neons too. They gave me a hard time. The pictures make them look all radioactive and more yellow than it looks in real life. The Kleancolor looks more peach in real life and the Santee looks more red/pink/coral in real life. They look more like the bottle shot above than the on-the-nail pics. I like them in real life more than the pictures. But this was the best I could do. Here is a swatch I did of Santee - Neon Orange a while back:

What do you think?
-Elaine
:c)

On Ogre of a Polish

I recently had a wonderful swap with a lady in Israel and she sent me an awesome, unique and wild bottle of polish. This this is so cool for so many reasons. First off, the color is a murky, lime, Shrek green. In fact, if it met the new release from OPI it would say "Whoa, whoa... Who the Shrek are you?"

Besides for the color being reminiscent of an ogre, the bottle totally is too. It has to be the ugliest bottle in my whole collection. It is not attractive in the least... and yet that is what makes me attracted to it! It is bizarrely tall, and big, and looks like a big oaf next to my other bottles. Observe:

It towers above my OPI and China Glaze bottles and even Orly which I find to be rather large.

Here it is in two coats. Nice, smooth, even formula. And I love the slime, pea green on. But there is more...

I added some Konad stamping with plate M70 and China Glaze - Awaken, a black chrome. LOVE IT!!

What do you think?
-Elaine
:c)

Pure Ice Swatches

I just love Wal Mart. Or hate it? Every time I am there I spend more than I would have normally assumed I would because I can get anything and everything there. Last week I went to get my fishing license and I needed a tube for by bike tire, so I waltz in there with my tire in hand to ensure I got the right tube. Then at the sporting goods counter I saw an ipod armband in the sale flyer that would be perfect for the BF so I went over to electronics to find it. Now I have an armband, a bike lock, a bike tire tube and MY BIKE TIRE... all in my hands. For some reason I didn't think I was going to need a shopping cart. This is getting ridiculous. And it doesn't stop there. I then go get a padded mailing envelope, a mother's day card and a pack of T-shirts. All still in my hands. NOW I go over to cosmetics. I get TWO bottles of NP remover, feminine products, and of course... I have to look at NP. My arms were filled to capacity and more, but I still somehow, someway, found room for two new Pure Ice shades: In The Mood, and one I have been wanting for a while, Purple Reign. And yes, I got this all to the register, without a shopping cart. *Whew*

This is Purple Reign. This is a medium, mauve-ish purple with a bronzy-gold shimmer. I love this shade and the formula was nice and smooth and pigmented. I got this on in two coats.

In The Mood - This one had to come along too. I love the soft, cornflower blue color. It is full of this white shimmer that is real light and airy looking, like Zoya - Ginessa. It looked like it'd be sheer. It is. This is 4 coats :c( but it looked interesting enough to deal with it. The look once you get it on is nice. I 'm thinking next time I will layer it over Orly - Snowcone in order to get it on in less coats.

These retail for $2 at Wal Mart. They have LOTS of different shades. I had to restrict myself to these two though... obviously...

What do you think?
-Elaine
:c)

Halfmoon on Fire

Hello again! I have a awesome mani for you today I have been dying to do for a while. I thought of it one day months ago. Don't know what took me so long but it's alright. It's here now. I just wish I had some sunlight to take some nice pics. It's really cloudy outside.

I started with an orange base. I had that on for a few days actually. Then I did my cut-in-half-re-enforcer trick to hide the bottom portion and painted the nail with China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky.

I was planning on stamping immediately so I put on a coat of Seche Vite to set that so I could stamp without smudging and used Konad plate M63 to stamp the "flames" if that is what they are, and aligned them with the curve of the halfmoon.

Photo Courtesy of Konad USA

I was very concerned about my alignment. I really didn't think that I would get it right because I am not the best at getting my stamps exactly where I want them, but this didn't turn out too bad! I really like it.

What do you think?
Elaine
:c)

China Glaze Fall Collection Preview

Hello! I am so excited to share the latest press release from China Glaze: Their Fall Collection, Vintage Vixen. This is why I just love China Glaze! I haven't even gotten through my summer shades and I am already ansty for the fall! They always keep us on our toes. I have been looking forward to this collection for some time after seeing the "rumor" promo pics. It looks like this is going to have some stunning shades. And how about the name, "Emerald Fitzgerald"?? That is just too cute! Here are the details from China Glaze and American International Industries:

CHINA GLAZE GOES RETRO GLAM FOR FALL 2010 COLLECTION

Sultry Fall Colors Entice The Fashionable Palette

Los Angeles, CA – (April 2010): For Fall 2010, the China Glaze Vintage Vixen Collection captures the vivid and saturated hues of the 1940’s with this seductively complex palette. These classic shades of the season recreate the timeless tableau of movie land mystique, perfect red pouts and steamy nights where swing was the scene!

Step out with these multi-faceted jewel tones, rich reds, titillating taupes and smoldering sands. This collection deliverers a high octane 40’s era glamour with a sophisticated edge! The 12 colors in this collection include:

• Riveter Rouge – Deep red shimmer
• Foxy – Burgundy frost with shimmer
• Goin’ My Way – Brown frost with copper shimmer
• Classic Camel – Khaki crème with gold micro glitter
• Swing Baby – Taupe frost with silver micro glitter
• Ingrid – “Greige” crème with copper micro glitter
• Hey Doll – Rose frost with shimmer
• Bogie – Plum frost with shimmer
• First Class Ticket – Deep purple frost with shimmer
• Midnight Mission – Navy blue frost with silver micro glitter
• Emerald Fitzgerald – Turquoise green frost with shimmer
• Jitterbug – Grey chrome with silver micro glitter

The China Glaze Vintage Vixen collection starts shipping June 6^th internationally and July 6^th, 2010 domestically. All 12 colors will be available as open stock, in 6 piece box collections, a 12 piece counter display and a 36 piece rack. China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze colors may change from season to season, but our longwearing formula continues to provide consumers with the highest quality nail lacquers. Designed with the professional in mind, our 220-strand brush is great for ease of application. Best of all, our non-thickening formula provides perfectly even coverage. China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com and follow China Glaze on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

Lainey's Pad

That doesn't work that great, huh?!! XD
I was thinking about "Lily's Pad", the green shade from Piggy Polish. Once I get one name stuck in my head for a franken or mani it is hard to change it so that is what I am going with!

I wanted to play with the lily pad and flower stamp on Konad plate M66. I decided to go with a blue base for the water and then wanted the pads randomly strewn across my nails with one nail having the water lily on it. Everything went according to plan, except for the fact that I streaked the lily pads when I put on top coat! Argh! **No more Konad for you Diamont!!**

I used Diamond Cosmetics - Tranquility for the base. This mani is ONE COAT of Tranquility, by the way. Amazing formula. Then I stamped the pads and flower with Konad special polish in green and white.

And I took my "pond" on a trip fishing with my dad. Here they are on the creek.

And here they are with my catch! My first catch of the year! A 10 inch brown trout! Yay! Sorry if you are not a fan but I am a fisherwoman. I would never hunt animals, however. EVER. But fishing is awesome. Oooh. That just made me think of a awesome pic I have from a couple years ago:

This is a different kind of "striper" than I usually show you. This is a striped bass I caught on the Hudson. It was 25 pounds! Krazee!!!!

So, what do you think of my pond?!
-Elaine
:c)

Pretty Mint Mani

Hello! Here's a little something cute I did. This is Essie - Mint Candy Apple and I decided to "cute-ify" it. I added the bursts with Konad plate M5 and white polish, then added the bright blue rhinestone over one of them and then a little silver glitter with LA Colors Art Deco - Silver Glitter. I wanted to do it to all the nails, but decided to do it to just the ring finger first and see how it looked before doing anymore because I was afraid if I did it to all of them then it would be too much. I think this looks just right!

What do you think?
:c)
-Elaine

I Made It!

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your patience while I am adjusting to my new home. Actually, it is my old home. My family is in New York, and I am back! It was a long drive from Chicago, but I made it with boyfriend and puppy safe and sound, and surprisingly, I didn't break even one bottle of nail polish! Whew. I have however destroyed my nails, but I am trying not to dwell. How about some of my recent manicures to get us back in the swing?

This one I had on last weekend. It is Sally Hansen - Pacific Blue with CND - Jade Sparkle on top from their Effects line. It 's a duochrome gold/green shimmer. I liked this so much but it chipped almost instantly. Too bad. I never find things so chippy. I wonder if it was the Sally Hansen or the CND...

This is the amazing China Glaze - Four Leaf Clover + Hard Candy - Sugar Daddy + Sinful Colors - Call You Later painted as a gradient. This was on for the whole packing and drive portion of my move and I couldn't wait to change it. It was pretty and all but after so long and after all the moving chipped it up real good, it had to get it the heck off!

And this is what I did when I got here. I needed to relax after all the madness so I put on Rescue Beauty Lounge - Dead Calm. So fitting. Then to spice it up I add NYX - Sapphire, a awesome holo, silver glitter top coat.

Hard Candy - Lava. Needs no introduction. And no need to layer anything over it either. Hott.