OPI The One That Got Away

Good morning, Dear Reader!

This morning I was happy to see that the sun had peeked out a bit (not blazing clear-sky sun, but much better than it's been), so I looked for a polish that I thought needed decent sunlight for a good picture, and OPI The One That Got Away was first on the list.

The One That Got Away seems to be the least-loved of OPI's Katy Perry Collection, but I think it's fantastic. It's a deep red-berry shade that's full of the sparkly pigment we saw so much of in the last half of 2010 (OPI Holiday, Nubar Venetian, Zoya Fire & Ice).  The polish is thin but still easy to control, and after two coats the coverage was adequate but didn't have as much sparkle as the polish in bottle, so I added a third and it now it does.  This is The One That Got Away completely dry in moderate sunlight.

OPI The One That Got Away Nail Polish, Three Coats

I know it's not as out of the ordinary as Black Shatter or Teenage Dream, but it's an infinitely more wearable shade with a great finish, and I think there's something to be said for that.  Since I didn't see as much hype around The One That Got Away, right after I placed the order including it I was kind of kicking myself, but I was quite pleasantly surprised at just how pretty it is when it arrived.  It's probably my favorite of the OPI Katy Perry Collection.

I'm off to start a busy day that will be lightened by peeking at a pretty sparkly nail polish in the sun, so until next time, Dear Reader, love and nail polish to you! 

Zoya Wonderful Collection for Fall 2010

Good evening, Dear Reader!

This week I received samples of Zoya's Wicked and Wonderful Collections, and I have swatches of the Wonderful Collection for you tonight.  Zoya's Wonderful Collection consists of six cremes, all two coaters.  I photographed them in indirect natural light.

Shawn is a slightly yellow green creme, kind of an army green shade.

Zoya Shawn Nail Polish, Two Coats

Kristi is a vivid, slightly blue based red.

Zoya Kristi Nail Polish, Two Coats

Burke is a classic berry shade.

Zoya Burke Nail Polish, Two Coats

Cola is a very pretty reddish brown.

Zoya Cola Nail Polish, Two Coats

Stacy is a rich mulberry.

Zoya Stacy Nail Polish, Two Coats

The one I decided to wear is Kelly, a slightly purple medium grey creme.  This is before top coat.

Zoya Kelly Nail Polish, Two Coats

All six shades of the Wonderful Collection applied very well, and were easy to keep smooth and even.  I like the variety this collection has, and each color is a really good one for Fall.  These were released on the first, so they're on Zoya's site now.

Tomorrow, I hope to have good sunlight to swatch the Wicked Collection for you.  Until then, Dear Reader, love and nail polish to you!  

So what says "neutral" to you?

You'll recall that a while back I started a new job and posted about sticking to neutrals and other non-attention-getting shades until I got the lay of the land.



I wore Rescue Beauty Lounge Grunge for one of my interviews and for my first couple days on the job and I really liked it. This picture is from back then, but it reminds me of something I wore more recently, Savvy French Cafe.



I loved this, too. It really does remind me of a cup of coffee with extra extra cream (the way I like it) and possibly a bit of caramel syrup? I actually got some comments on this because I had been wearing so much blue! Teal! Hot yellow! lately that paradoxically, everyone noticed the neutral. Go figure.

It didn't take long for me to figure out that pretty much anything goes (nail color wise) at my workplace, which has been great in terms of making my way through my collection and trying stuff pretty much whenever I want. Sometimes though there's an occasion where day-glo orange or green jelly isn't really entirely right. For instance a few weekends ago I attended a bridal shower at an art museum and I liked the sound of dark red nails with my black and camel dress.



Malaga Wine has long been a favorite of mine, and I was happy to pull it out after a long hiatus. To me, a chic red nail is its own kind of neutral. I went through a long stretch of wearing either Malaga Wine or OPI's Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ exclusively, and while I'm more a fan of variety these days, I still have a special place in my heart for these colors.

Bright tomato reds can also fall into the category of alternative neutrals. This is one that I can see Joan Holloway on Mad Men wearing.





I put this on recently after chopping my nails down in anticipation of my upcoming move. Shortly after doing this I potato-peelered one of my nails to such an extent that even Orly Nail Rescue, which I normally love, was no help. Boo hoo.

In my opinion a good red "neutral" is free of shimmer or glitter, but that's just me. Berry shades can also fit this neutral bill and some people may find them a bit fresher or just a better match with their skin tone.





Enjoy!

Can't a berry have some fun?

OPI Can't a berry have some fun, and oldie but a goodie!This one is discontinued but I've still seen it around so not hard to find really.It's a nice deep berry with pink micro shimmer.I'm feeling a bit under the weather today so I'll keep this one short on words and long on pictures.
Outside in overcast sunlight

Lightbox
I added a little Konad from image plate m40This image reminds me of an

A little Moxie for Arie

Arie said she'd like to see a swatch of Zoya Moxie so here you go Lovie!

Sorry for the yuck of my hands, my supplies that I ordered before xmas finally showed up so I had a shit ton of mixing and orders to fill. Rubber gloves are great but oxide dust always creeps through somehow.


I have iron oxide, pigment and mica stains. Gah!
I'll soak tomorow and be all good as new!

Black Phoenix Alchemy labs Claw polish review part II

Here is part II of VI

Today I am wearing,and loving, Sed Non satiata. (which means Never satisfied)

I applied 2 coats of color, one coat of Seche Vite and then I stamped it with one Of Hot topics fauxnad plates(thanks to a swap with a fabulous MUAer Kerriberry) using Sally Girl poser (black)


This is a gorgeous dark berry creme



See my little guns...aren't they cute!


Stamped guns =