2012 Wrap Up

Hey all! Happy New Year's Eve! Hope everyone had a fantastic year and got lots of polish. I know I did! This is my first end of year post, and I'm kinda excited! I really got in to polish collecting & completely obsessed with nail care and (since August) my little blog! I have had a lot of fun getting to know other bloggers and drooling over lots and lots of gorgeous swatches! I can't wait to do it all again next year!

For my Wrap Up, I picked my top 10 polishes released this year, as well as,  best collection, favorite brand, biggest disappointment, and honorable mentions; all from my own stash.

My Top 10 polishes (in no particular order, cause it's too hard to pick a favorite!)

 

Zoya Aurora, Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Lava, Nails Inc. Baker St., A England Holy Grail, Takko Lacquer We're All Mad Here

 

 

 Pomegranate Lacquer Blue Screen of Death, Rescue Beauty Lounge Ghost, Layla Hologram Effect Coral Glam, Takko Lacquer Kiss the Sky, Zoya Fei Fei

 

 

Favorite Brand: Takko Lacquer

 

Favorite Collection: Pretty Serious They Came From Beyond Space

 

Biggest Disappointment: Sephora + Pantone Parachute Purple

 

Honorable Mentions: Pomegranate Lacquer Midnight Satellite, KBShimmer No Whine Left, I Love Nail Polish Up To Snow Good

Favorite Mani/Nail of the Day: Starfish & Snowflakes

Readers Choice: Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Lava
 

 

 

I am already looking forward to 2013 collections (hello China Glaze Hologlam!) and a lot more fun (a.k.a. spending $) collecting polish!

 

 

Sunday Stamped #2

Happy Sunday! I, sadly, only have two stamped manicures to show today. I actually did two more, this week, but totally flaked & forgot to take pictures! >_< Bad nail blogger! Anyway, the two I have are really nice! I have gotten loads better & I think I have figured out the problems I was having. That is the biggest hurdle of stamping, I think. Trying to figure out what works best for you and your nails. 

 

 

 

Essie Good as Gold over Essie Merino Cool

Stamp Plate: Bundle Monster BM 221

 

 

Spoiled by Wet n Wild Visibly Slimming over A England (new) Holy Grail

Stamp Plate: Bundle Monster BM 225

 

The first one is my favorite. I love how the two colors go so well together! I know I will be using that combo again. And I am really pleased how well it turned out, too! It was the first one that I managed to cover my whole nail with out any bald spots. I also need to find a good black to stamp with. The last one would have turned out so much better if I had a better color. Oh well, learning experience right?

 

Thanks for reading! I will have more next week, I promise!

A England Holy Grail (revamped) & Dragon

Hello everyone, hope you are all having a great day! I have the wonderful A England to share on the blog. A England is an independent brand from England created by the incredibly talented Adina & inspired by the rich history of the nation. I have been dying to try out A England polishes for quite a while now (I blame Kimber of Kimber's Lacquer Korner and all her gorgeous swatches) and finally broke down when Adina re-released Holy Grail.

 

A England - Holy Grail (revamped)

 

The new Holy Grail is an amazing antique gold foil. There is no picture out there that can do this polish justice. I have seen some stunning swatches, but the real thing is breathtaking. It is a cool toned gold with olive green undertones, and flecks of green and copper mixed through out. A England polishes are known for they're outstanding formulas & this did not disappoint! Perfection with every stroke. The only thing I have to compare is the Rescue Beauty formula, very similar in quality. 2 coats for full coverage, average dry time for a foil, which is on the longer side. I have quite a few gold foils & I think this one may be my favorite.

 

 

 

A England - Dragon

 

Dragon is a deep sage green with a subtle linear holo effect. Before I saw the new Holy Grail, this and Order of the Blue Garter were at the top of my A England wish list. I love how Dragon is so unique. a good green polish is hard to come by, but a dark green holo is even harder. Sadly, I think this one brings out the yellow tones in my skin. But that's not gonna stop me from wearing it! Formula was identical to Holy Grail, except I only needed one coat with Dragon & it dried lightning quick.

 

 

 

Natural Daylight

 

I am dying over these two, and will definitely be back for more. I think I just need to sell my soul to pay for polish!

 

A England is available on line.