Takko Lacquer Fall 2015 Collection

Hey y'all! So I have a big swatch post for you guys today! Takko Lacquer is restocking the fall collection this week as well as a few new colors. When the fall collection released, my package was stuck at a USPS processioning facility and I wasn't able to get them swatched before hand.

Since they are being restocked, I figured now would be a great time to share them and we can all ogle over them together!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

Takko Lacquer Paper Cuts, Filthy Rich, Coquettish, Matcha Latte, Pony, Rise & Grind, Rhinestone Eyes

Madam Glam Swatch Spam (pt. 2)

Hi everyone! Despite my lack of posting, November is flying by for me. I am on the last two weeks of NaNoWriMo (the reason for my sporadic posting this month) and will hopefully have a completed first draft of a novel by the end of it.

It took a little longer than I originally planned, but I have the second part of my massive swatch/review of Madam Glam polishes.

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

Madam Glam Beyond Gorgeous, Text Me Later, Endless Night, So Nude

Madam Glam Swatch Spam (pt.1)

Hi guys and gals! Hope you all are having a great Friday! I am so glad it's the weekend, I need a break from running all over the place! Plus the weather is rainy and chilly, and I loooove to curl up and read on days like this.

Today I have part one of a two part post filled with swatches of polish from Madam Glam. I received a total of eight polishes to review and to save my cuticles and my sanity, I split them into two posts. And because I can't wait, I started with my favorite colors first!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

(Madam Glam I Love Winter, Vintage Girl, Pastel Sky, Look At The Stars)

Fair Maiden Polish High Priestess

Hey y'all! Hope you guys are having a great week! I have hit the end of my polish splurge and am sorting through so much polish right now, it's a little overwhelming. When you have been on a super tight no-buy for a few months, it can be super easy to go reckless when you get a chance to go shopping again.

Anyway, one of the several lovelies I snagged recently is a gorgeous shade from the Fair Maiden fall collection called High Priestess. The collection, called "Swords & Lace", consists of quite a few holos and a few other interesting shades all inspired by fairy tales and fierce lady characters. Right up my alley, folks. 

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Fair Maiden Polish High Priestess

KBShimmer Fall 2015 Collection (Partial)

Hey y'all! The weather is finally starting to cool down a little here and I LOVE IT. Omg, I know everybody and their dog is talking about fall weather, sweater weather, pumpkin spice latte weather (tho I'm more of a salted caramel kinda gal), but fall is awesome because Texas becomes bearable for a few months and I can go outside and enjoy the gorgeous landscapes without melting into a puddle.

And it means Fall collections! In the past, I wasn't one for vampy fall colors, but I've learned to appreciate a few shades that are fall appropriate. It also helps that Indies put out some incredible collections each season! That's what I have for you all today! I'm sure you have seen the KBShimmer Fall release that came out several weeks ago, but if not, I have a few select polishes from that bunch to share with you all!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

KBShimmer Dark & Twisty, Breaking Blues, Be Scareful (glow in the dark)

LOOK Nail Color

Hi all! So today I have a new drugstore polish brand to share with you all! You may have seen a few displays popping up at your local Walgreens already. The brand is called Look Nail Color and it is geared towards nail art! Fun, right? I was sent three polishes from the first promo set called "Look Proud" and was released on May 1st.

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

Look Nail Color in Broad Stripes Bright Stars, Oh Say Can You See, and Rockets Red Glare

Hare Polish Rosa Meditativa Gold Label

Hey guys and gals! Hope you all are having a very happy Monday! As I mentioned a few posts back, I have built up a few untrieds over the last couple of months, and I am on a mission to swatch them all! There's not really a whole lot, I think I have just a few more posts after today. But I like having a swatch resource on the blog, so I am making my way through and doing just that.

Today's polish is from one of my fav Indie brands - Hare Polish. Nikole consistently creates beautiful and unique polish. Rosa Meditativa from the Surreal New Year collection (three gorgeous polishes inspired by Salvador Dali) is no exception. I was lucky enough to snag a gold label from the initial NY launch, yay!

Oh, by the way, I am back to rounded nails. I have come to the realization that squares aren't for me. I prefer the way they look when rounded and have a lot less trouble with breaks and things. So yay for round nubbins! I cannot wait for them to grow out a bit more so I can properly shape them. Ahhh...the life of a nail blogger, lol!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Hare Polish Rosa Meditativa (A Surreal New Year collection)

Takko Lacquer Fall Collection Part 1

Hey everyone! Sorry for the lack of posting last week. I hope it was better than mine, lol! My poor pooch was sick at the beginning of the week, and then it was my turn. She had an upset tummy and decided her leash was good to eat, so we spent most of Monday at the vet and Tuesday making sure she passed it all okay. The rest of the week, I had a bad head cold, drank lost of tea, and used up a lot of tissue! I have a nasty cough that is sticking around, but am feeling loads better.

Today I have the first part of the new Takko Lacquer fall collection - which includes 4 colors in all. The first two were originally released as a Gloss48 special, but they will be re-released this Wednesday. So if you missed out, you have another chance to snag them, yay!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

Takko Lacquer Jabberwocky & Physical Graffiti

Pahlish Swatch Spam

Hey y'all, happy Monday! So I have a big ass post full of pictures today! Over the last four weeks, I have managed to order from Pahlish three separate times. So now it is Pahlish swatch spam day!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Pipedream Polish Memory Loss

Hey everyone! After a whirlwind of a weekend, including a last minute trip to San Antonio, I am back with some awesome Indie polish today! Pipedream Polish is among one of my favorites and the newest collection, "A Night In Vegas," is beyond amazing. Eleven new polishes, four glitters and seven neons, make up this fun summer collection. April did a pre-sale a few weeks ago, and naturally I grabbed a bottle. It has taken me for ever to get it watched and photographed, but this is one seriously stunning polish!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Pipe Dream Polish Memory Loss

Memory Loss is a bright almost neon teal crelly with green and teal hex glitters. I loooove this polish so damn much. The color is perfect, as well as the slight transparency of the crelly base that makes the glitter look like it is floating. The formula was a little thick but not problematic. This is two medium thick coats topped off with two coats of KB Shimmer Clearly On Top. It is top coat hungry, so that extra coat is needed to help smooth it out.

(Macro)

This is the only one I picked up from the Night In Vegas collection, but after seeing all the ahhhhmazing swatches, I am determined to grab a few more!! I definitely see a neon rainbow gradient in my future!

As of right now, the entire collection is in stock on the Pipedream Polish website and April is really great about keeping things in stock as well. On occasion, a popular polish will sell out very fast, tho! So If Memory Loss or any of the other fantastic polishes from this collection strike your fancy, get it quick!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

Pipedream Polish is available on line. Products retail for $8.00 a piece.

Rainbow Honey Summer Mix Tape Collection

Hey guys and gals! Another late post I am afraid. I'm still feeling sick from the stomach bug I had yesterday and have managed to do little to nothing productive today. Thankfully I had everything put together for this post and just needed to add the finishing touches before publishing it! 

This weekend, much to my surprise, I received some goodies from Rainbow Honey to review on the blog. The Summer Mixtape collection is being released in two days and I have three polishes to share with you guys. Plus a little bonus from Dee at the end of the post!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

Rainbow Honey Control

Control is a neon fuchsia with pink and purple fleck shimmer. It is the most ridiculously obnoxious bright pink ever and I frickin love it. So. Much. I am gonna wear this on my toes all summer long! The formula was slightly thicker and had some leveling issues, but smoothed out perfectly with a top coat. It does dry to a satiny finish as well, due to the neon pigment.

(Macro)

Rainbow Honey Work It Out

Work It Out is a dusty red toned coral crelly. This is such a unique shade, the dustyness just really puts it over the top. A certain mainstream brand that releases a ton of nearly identical reds every year should take note. While I don't have many reds in my stash (a grand total of four, I believe!) this polish is definitely a stand out. The formula is good, a little thin. I needed three coats for full coverage. It dries super glossy, but I finished it off with a top coat to seal it.

Rainbow Honey Elevate over Work It Out

Elevate is a glitter topper in a clear base full of various colors and shapes of glitter with a purple shimmer. The primary color is aqua with pink, green, yellow and white mixed in. It also has circle and triangle glitter shapes. There is a whole lot of stuff going on in this bottle! I really like the triangle glitters, I think they add a funky and unusual look to the glitter! The formula was good and easy to work with. I used the dab & spread method to apply because of the amount of glitter. I used one coat to get the amount of glitter coverage I desired. 

(Macro)

There are nine more polishes in the collection and from what I have seen on IG, they look very cool. And as a super nice gift for the release of the collection, you can take 20% off your purchase! Use the code MIXTAPE20 on your next purchase (expires 8/31/14). The Summer Mixtape collection goes on sale July 18th!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

The Summer Mixtape collection is available on line. Products retail for $10 a piece.

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Emerald & Ash Life In Color Collection

Hello friends! It's Monday and things are finally getting back to normal. After a crazy three day weekend, filled with fireworks, a birthday party and colds (we all got sick late Saturday night, it was so not fun), I am back with a newer Indie polish to share!

Please Note: Products were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

The 14 polishes in Life in Color were created because we absolutely love color and sometimes the colors we wanted to make just didn't fit into a collection. This was our chance to play and make things we've been thinking of for the past year, as well as allowing us to to play with different finishes we haven’t used before. Seeing as this was our chance to play with color, we decided to take this opportunity to give names to the polish that make us laugh while mixing in some that have personal meaning to us - Emerald & Ash

Emerald & Ash Magic Bananas

Who doesn’t like magic bananas!? We sure love them around here, especially when used as an exclamation! It’s a phrase used so much around here that we had to make this yellow and green all flakie polish that has a hint of gun metal flakies - you know...for those bruises that pop up on your bananas, no matter how magical they are. This can easily be a full coverage flakie in 2-3 coats, but you can always uses it as a topper if that tickles your fancy.

Magic Bananas is a chartreuse foil finish polish loaded with green, yellow and golden micro flakies and a smattering of gunmetal grey micro flakies. This is one of my favorite shades of green! The foil-like finish makes this incredibly sparkly and so pretty! The addition of the gunmetal flakies gives the polish an interesting, almost textured, look. Because it is comprised of micro flakies, the formula is thicker than a normal polish. It is not unmanageable, but some patience is required. I added a a couple of drops of thinner to mine and it applied much more smooth afterwards. I used 2 coats for full coverage and topped it off with KB Shimmer Clearly On Top.

(Macro)

Emerald & Ash Sunshower

Based in the idea of rainstorms when it’s still sunny out. Crazy little storms. A cloudy grey crelly that shows off a beautiful blue shimmer when in the sun. An added touch of rainbow flakies mimics the rain as the sun is hitting it. Perfect for a rainy mood that needs a little pick me up! Full coverage in two to three coats depending on application. 

Sunshower is a cool toned grey crelly with a subtle blue shimmer and iridescent micro flakies scattered through out. I love grey polish, but more often than not, it gives me horrid lobster hands. I'm not sure if it is the shimmer or the flakies, but Sunshower is very wearable on me! I am a happy polish addict to have found a grey polish than I can wear!! I love the addition of the flakies. They peak out and sparkle adding just the right amount color. It is such a unique polish and I think it captures the idea of a sun shower just perfectly. Formula was really good, no dragging or streaking. 2 medium coats for full coverage.

(Macro)

Emerald & Ash Confushion With A K over O.P.I. Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

Once upon a time we found an ottoman that had beautiful bright colors and it needed to come home with us. It also needed to be made into a polish. After many trials and errors it decided to be a fun, festive glitter topper. Because it said so. And so, Confusion with a K was born. A glitter topper full of neon pink, neon green, metallic navy blue, grey and white glitters of all sizes. It wants to go on top of ALL of your polishes and maybe even be sandwiched between them as well. You’re good to go with one to two coats, depending on how glitter-hungry you are.

Confusion With A K is a glitter topper filled with neon pink, neon green, dark blue, grey, black and white glitters in various shapes and sizes in a clear base. This is seriously a fun glitter mix! I love the unusual combination of glitters and the inspiration behind it just awesome. You can see a pic here posted to the Emerald & Ash instagram. The amount of glitter was perfect. This is one coat using the dab and spread method. No glitter fishing required.

(Macro)

This being my first experience with Emerald & Ash, I was very pleased with not only the creativity behind the polishes, but the products themselves. This is definitely not a boring polish brand! I really love the concept behind the Life In Color collection, and all 14 colors look fantastic! I'm excited to see the rest of the collection swatched. Out of the three I received, Sunshower is an unexpected favorite, but all of them are so great that I don't think I could choose just one.

Emerald & Ash also carries a line of scented cuticle oils loaded with lots of skin friendly ingredients: Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, fractionated coconut oil, tea tree oil, vitamin A oil and vitamin E oil. The oil blend was created specifically to be very moisturizing, while absorbing quickly and not feeling greasy. Scents are blended into the cuticle oil upon order, which means they do not sit for prolonged periods of time before getting to the customer. The scent of the month for July is "Fresh Cut Grass" and it smells fantastic! I haven't tried the oil myself since I am particularly sensitive to most oils, but I gave it to my hubby for his "man Hands" and he really likes it.

The Life In Color collection pre-sale begins July 10, 9am MDT.

Please Note: Products were provided by the company/creator for review purposes. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

Emerald & Ash products are available on line. Polishes retail for $7.50 (11ml) & $9.50 (16ml). Cuticle Oils retail for $3.25 (7ml) & $4.25 (10ml).

KB Shimmer Radiant Orchid

Hey all! I have more KB Shimmer polish today! This time, it is one of the new creams that have been popping up in recent collections. The idea of indie creams is very appealing to me and I am really excited to see what other makers do with this.

I was actually gifted this polish by one of the TT girls, Anna from Going To The Showing, as part of our group birthday swap (my birthday is in a couple of weeks!). Thanks Anna, I love it!

Please Note: Products shown were gifted to me for my personal use.

KB Shimmer Radiant Orchid

Radiant Orchid is a red toned orchid purple cream/crelly, and spot on for Pantone's color of the year of the same name. I have a deep fondness for red toned purples and this color is just so dreamy! Formula was fantastic. Buttery smooth and opaque in two coats. And super shiny with out a top coat, tho I did use the KB Shimmer Clearly On Top for my swatch photos.

So what do you all think of creams coming to the indie market? Is this the next big thing of the polish world?

Please Note: Products shown were gifted to me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

KB Shimmer nail polish is available on line. Products retail from $7.50 to $8.75 a piece.

Delush Polish Spring Collection Fleur De Peche

Hi wonderful friends! Today I have a new-to-me Indie polish to share! I am steadily branching out into the indie world and finding more and more awesome polish that I wan to acquire, I just need time and a ton of money to try out all the amazing brands I find on IG. Delush Polish is one that I have on my wish list of brands to try, and with the release of the spring collection, I finally caved and ordered two beauties. The first is Fleur De Peche, and I think you will know why I chose it once you see the pics!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Delush Polish Fleur De Peche

Fleur De Peche is a milky peach crelly loaded with tiny copper, green and hot pink hex glitters and medium fuchsia hex glitters and a subtle golden shimmer. Like I have mentioned, I am all over peach this years so yeah, this is right up my alley! Gorgeous soft base color and super fun glitter mix makes this just perfect. Smooth application and no glitter issues. I used three coats, but was able to get the polish opaque in two. The third was merely dabbed on to get the amount of glitter I wanted on the nail.

(Macro)

I am kind of in love with this polish! It is so fresh and springy and super cute. Delush has won me over with one bottle, and that is a good thing. I am looking forward to enjoying more lovelies from this awesome Indie. And the next one will be up on the blog soon, and it is just as wonderful!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

Fleur De Pache and the rest of the Delush Polish Spring Awakening collection is available on line. Products retails for $4.50 (for minis) and $8.95 (for full size) a piece.

Cult Nails It's A New Day Trio

Hi friends! Hope you all had a great weekend! And all of you fabulous mamas had an equally fabulous Mother's Day! I was treated to a delicious breakfast by my husband and girlie, and had a relaxing day, myself.

Today, I have the spring trio from Cult Nails, who collaborated with one of my blogging idols, Marta of Chit Chat Nails for the colors. The release of this set also marks the first stamping plate added to the Cult Nails line up. But first the polishes!

Cult Nails Evolution (It's A New Day trio)

Evolution is a sheer but buildable peach crelly. The color is flat out stunning. It is soft and subtle, but still remaining very trendy - my ideal peach. The formula was more difficult than I was expecting. The first coat was very streaky, almost like the pigment was separating from the base in a bad way. Either it had settled quite a bit (& needed a good shake) before it came to me or I got a bad bottle, because every other one coat pic I have seen looked impeccable. I used three coats for full opacity, giving ample dry time between coats. It did threaten to bubble on me a couple of times.

Cult Nails New Day (It's A New Day trio)

New Day is a soft pastel yellow cream. It falls perfectly into that bright yet pastel category that I am ever so found of. The formula was a little watery and was streaky on the first two coats. The third coat covered nicely.

Cult Nails Falling Hard (It's A New Day trio)

Falling Hard is a cool toned pink cream. It's a pretty, but standard pink. It's a great shade if you are lacking a classic pink in your collection. Formula was good, a little on the thin side - which is standard for Cult polishes. Two coats for full coverage.

I was kind of let down by this collection, sure they are all beautiful colors, but I think it was hyped up a little too much, in the end. I did order it through pre-sale and managed a good deal, plus the stamp plate (which is awesome, full review on Sunday!), so it's not a total loss.

These have been added to the core line and sold individually. And right now it a great time to browse the Cult Nails catalog, there is a store wide 20% sale throughout the month of May! Just use the code "CELEBRATE" at check out.

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

The Cult Nails It's A New Day Trio polishes are available on line. Products retail between $14-$12 a piece.

Essie Truth Or Flare - Spring/Summer Color Trend

Hi guys and a happy Friday! I have the next installment of the Fashion Friday Color Trend series, so sorry about skipping last week. Life kinda got away from me and I didn't get a chance to write up the post. But all is well in APN land, and I have a gorgeous color to share!

Pastel blue is the quintessential spring color, in my opinion, and naturally it has a spot on the color line up this year as well. Instead of the more traditional hue, Pantone gave us "Placid Blue," a more vintage shade. Essie's spring collection, Hide & Go Chic, has the perfect polish counterpart - Truth Or Flare.

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Essie Truth Or Flare (Hide & Go Chic Collection Spring 2014)

Truth Or Flare is a dusty light blue crelly (cream/jelly hybrid). The crelly threw me off a bit at first, I got all excited because I thought it was a true jelly after the first coat. But not in a bad way. I think the slight squishyness gives this polish a nice interesting look, as opposed to a basic cream. The color isn't my favorite, mostly because blues like this tend to give me lobster hands. Other than my personal preference, it is a fantastic polish. After a very sheer first coat, a thicker second coat covered beautifully. It dries to a delightful shine as well.

I love the vintage, yet modern, look of this polish. It is oh so hipster in that way. But I do think it captures that springy blue pastel in a fascinating way, and if you are a fan of that, then you will love this shade. Surprisingly, Essie is the only mainstream brand to offer a version of Placid Blue. But at least it is a great version!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

Essie is available in various locations. Products retail for $8 a piece. Prices may vary by location.

Julep Maven March BoHo Glam Box

Hello all! Hope you weekend is going well. SXSW starts this weekend, but I am lame and not partaking in the festivities. Oh well, at least I have nail polish, right?!

Today I have the March Maven box from Julep. I stuck with my original selection "BoHo Glam" this time around.

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use

Julep March Maven Riviera Collection - BoHo Glam

Julep - Elisa

Elisa is a pastel blue toned purple crelly with a delicate silver shimmer. The shimmer is very subtle but adds a nice amount of depth to the overall look. For a pastel, this is an incredible polish. It is bright and rich, without being chalky. Formula was good, and I like the idea of making pastels as a crelly. The first coat was a little patchy, but a good medium thick second coat covered the nail nicely. I don't usually go for colors like this, but I actually like it a lot. It is very springy, and a nice shade of purple, not something you see very often.

Julep - Harriet

Harriet is a bright red/orange coral crelly. It is slightly more transparent than Elisa, and has a more squishy look to it. As many coral polishes as I have gotten last year, I am a little burnt out on the color, but this is so vibrant and juicy and screams summer that I can't help but love it! 2 coats for full oppacity, and no issues with application.

Julep Lip Gloss - Enchanting

Enchanting is a sheer, but build-able, watermelon pink lip gloss. This is probably my favorite add on in a while. I love this color for spring and summer, and I love the lip gloss! It is nice and smooth, but not sticky. The color pay off good, and I like that you can add more color and more depth with an extra coat. It also has a subtle vanilla scent that is really nice. I am definitely going to be wearing this a lot this season, and it has already made it's way into my make up bag in my purse!

This month's box was win for me, which is a good and bad thing. The last box I got was December's and I was so underwhelmed that I didn't even bother posting it. Not to mention the next two months were pretty boring as well. But this set is fantastic! And while I was considering cancelling my subscription, I'm now torn. I'm hoping next month will be just as good!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

 If you are interested in signing up for your own Maven box, click here. Don't forget to use the code "FREEBOX" to get your first box for free