Zoya August

One more for November..

I think I've always been into polishing my nails, but it didn't really became more of a hobby until I bought my first color from butter LONDON.  It was a deep red called "Saucy Jack".  Soon after that I tried my first color from Zoya, and that's when I really became obsessed!  Even though most of my polish purchases are now indie brands, I still really love the Zoya formulas and the range of colors.  I don't buy every new collection, but I definitely do keep updated on the newest releases.  This Fall Zoya released an amazing collection called Urban Grunge.  Of course I looked for reviews and watched my favorite live swatch lady on YouTube-- jessFACE90.  oooh.. I was so excited!  I decided to wait a little while, convincing myself that the shades would be around for some time. Not long after, though, I found someone on IG who was selling her extra bottle of "August" for a great price!  I had to get it.

Zoya August is described as a full coverage gray, like a fine expensive leather with mid-range, balanced tone.  It should flatter all skin colors.  This is promoted as a one-coat cream, but my photos show 2 coats.  I ALMOST got it in one coat, but it wasn't quite there for me.  Maybe it will the next time I use it.

 I *really* love this color!  It's so moody!  That is exactly my personality.. it may as well be called "Vanessa" instead of August.  Although.. fun fact.. my birthday is in August, so....  I guess it's perfectly named anyway.  Incidentally, Zoya does have a polish named Vanessa!  It's a bright berry red color.  I will feature it in a future post.

Even though I like the look of plain glossy grey, I wanted to add a little something.  This is August with one coat of Bliss Polish Holo Bliss, a subtle holographic topper in a clear base.  It doesn't really stand out much more in regular lighting, but in the sun you'll notice a little holo rainbow on your nails.

..and because why not?  Here is another photo of August with one coat of Bliss Polish Holo Bling, which is an amped up version of Holo Bliss.  Holo Bling also contains tiny holographic micro glitters and I prefer the look of this.  It works well over so many different colors, so of course I think it's a must-have in any polish collection. 

That's it for today!  Zoya had an AMAZING sale on Black Friday and I couldn't pass it up.  I picked up 4 shades and the naked manicure starter system.  I can hardly wait to try that out, as well as the new colors!  Two are from the Urban Grunge collection (Merida & Troy) and two are from older collections (Dahlia- a black pixie dust, and Tove--a slate gray satin finish).  So. Excited!

Thanks for stopping by! 
XO,
Vanessa

Polish My Life Girls and Boys NYC edition

Organization is not my forte

Are we still here?!

Hey, everyone!  Wow, it's been so long since I've put together an entry.  It got a little crazy both at work and home for me.  While I still polished my nails often (check my IG @ace_vanessa), I didn't write about anything.  It's been about 3 weeks since I published anything!  I have a lot of things on my mind, but I'm sure I won't remember it all.

So, now it's after Thanksgiving.  I hope, if you celebrate, that it was nice!  For several years now, my family and I have made a very short trip to spend time with a cousin of mine (dad's first cousin).  It's so low-key and low-stress... we really love going there, especially my son! 

Another thing keeping my mind occupied is my training for a half-marathon.  This'll be the sixth year for our local event.  I have been a participant from the beginning and I intend, as long as I am able, to be a part of it every year!  Our event is held on the second Sunday of December.  The first 4 years I completed the full marathon, but last year and this year I am only working on the half-marathon.  It's still quite a bit of training, but requires much less time.  Maybe some day I'll be up for a marathon again.  Until then, I'll just focus on being healthy!  Any ideas on how I should paint my nails for race day?  I'm thinking a simple swatch of a favorite polish.. oh, but what color?

Speaking of POLISH.. I have some pictures to share with you today!!  These polishes are all from the Polish My Life NYC girls & boys edition.  I'm a member of Shaneka's facebook group and one of the perks is being able to order polishes a little bit early.  I am so glad I picked these up!  The glitter bomb in my later photos is a polish I won as part of a contest in her group!  I was super excited and it just seemed like it would work well with the polishes.  Let me know what you think!  I'll start you off with the swatches and then a little nail art.

9 to 5 Hustle
Swatch shows 2 coats plus top coat, but this one is a definite one-coater.  I found the formula to be so smooth and silky.  I am super impressed, and the color is so fantastic!  Perfect for anywhere---office environment or otherwise. So classy.. love it!

Concrete Jungle
Swatch shows 2 coats plus top coat.  This one has a thinner consistency, but not too thin.  It was very easy to work with, just like 9 to 5 Hustle.  I struggle to find greens that work with my olive based light skin tone.  I think this one looks great, and I bet it looks great on other tones as well.  It's not so bright to call too much attention, but still makes a statement. 

Skyscraper
Perfect polish!  Swatch shows 1 coat and no top coat.  Holy smokes.. it's amazing!  I hardly EVER get a polish completely opaque in 1 effortless coat, but that's exactly how this one was.  WOW.  It's my favorite from the group for sure.  It practically applied itself!

Easy nail art?
I wouldn't call a water marble EASY, by any stretch.  I struggle to get a proper bullseye, and if I happen to accomplish that, then I usually mess up the dragging.  I think this one is semi-successful.  I decided to pair the polishes with the December 2016 polish, a glitter bomb called Holiday Gemstones.  It works well as a mid-coverage glitter topper over various bases, or on its own.  My photo shows 1 coat plus one sponged coat.

There you have it!  Shop link for Polish my Life will be below if you are interested (if you read this before Cyber Monday, November 28, they are 40% off.. a total steal, so go now!).

Thanks for reading!  Let me know in the comments what you think, or if anything else is on your mind!

XO,
Vanessa

Shop:
Polish My Life

Bliss Polish - Bliss Basix

Bliss Basix cremes

Just about everyone loves a good creme polish!  When I first found Bliss Polish I was mesmerized by all the pretty holographic polishes in the shop.  I did grab several and really love them.  Earlier this year Bliss Polish released a new collection called Bliss Basix.  These are gorgeous staple shades for any polish collection in a classic creme finish.  I waited a little while before purchasing any since I have gobs of Zoya and butter London cremes, but I gave in after reading so many great reviews.  I had to see for myself!

Today I'm going to show you a few of the shades.  The formula on each one was pretty much the same and was really, really smooth and effortless.  Now I am regretting just a tiny bit that I didn't grab the first full collection, but I am happy to have the ones I managed to snag!  Let's get to it!

Waves
periwinkle blue creme.

Application: I applied super thin coats, so shown here is 3 plus glossy top coat (though these are super shiny on their own), but you can definitely get this one in 2 coats.  Next time that is probably what I will do.  I was just being overly (and unnecessarily) cautious! 

(Indirect natural light)

(Indirect natural light-slight shade)

(ottlite)

I'm hoping this will be restocked soon, because I think you NEED this topper.  It's called Holo Bling and is a holographic top coat with a small sprinkle of holographic micro glitter.  It's so amazing and will dress up any creme!  I always apply a regular top coat over Holo Bling just to keep things lasting longer.  Trust me.. this is so pretty.  I love the little twinkles from the micro glitters.

Here are a few more of the shades. 

Asphalt (2 coats plus t.c. under ottlite)

 Eggplant (2 coats plus t.c. under ottlite). 

 Port (2 coats plus t.c. under ottlite)

I have a handful of other shades.  Even though many are no longer available, I'll probably still share with you because I believe there will be other collections.  It's my understanding these polishes stamp and water marble well.  I have not tried either, but if I do I'll post about it!

Bliss Polish links:
Instagram: @blisspolish
shop: Bliss Polish

Thanks for stopping by!  Let me know what you think of these cremes in the comments.  :)

XO,
Vanessa 

Pipe Dream Polish -- first impression

Pipe Dream Polish: Don't Scream!

Hey, y'all!  Last month I purchased my first Pipe Down This Love is Bliss collaboration box.  The makers from Pipe Dream Polish, Love, Angeline, and Bliss Polish put together a themed box and feature a special guest.  In October 2016 the theme was Goosebumps and the special guest was none other than Polish 'M!  I was hoping I'd be fast enough to grab a box (and I was!) since it was limited to 55.  Today I am going to show you a few photos of the Pipe Dream Polish release.  I'll write about the other polishes in future posts!

Don't Scream!
This is a burgundy/maroon creme with subtle holo.  It dries to a semi-matte/satin finish which I found SO beautiful.

Application:  I applied 2 thin coats, but this can certainly be a one-coater if you've got the hand and the skill!  I am sure I would get it everywhere if I tried to do that, so 2 safe coats it is for me.  Even without top coat the subtle holo will show up when the sun hits your nails.  Of course, a glossy top coat will make it more apparent, but really.. this polish is so pretty with or without. 

Regular indoor lighting, no top coat.  

Ottlite

This is my first Pipe Dream Polish and I am super impressed.  The formula was so silky and smooth, and EASY to apply.  I did wear this over a base coat (Polish My Life Saved by the Base), and no top coat.  No staining and no chips over 3 days.  Since this polish turned out so well, I will definitely try to get my hands on more!

Be sure to follow the group on Instagram @pipedownthisloveisbliss for future collaborations! 

XO,
Vanessa

Polish for Pit Bulls - 2016 Halloween edition

Polishes for a cause

How's everyone doing today? I've got a quick post today with two Halloween-themed polishes from Polish 'M (my hands-down favorite indie brand) and Cameo Colours Lacquers.  They get together regularly to offer a "polish for pit bulls" duo.  The cost is usually $20 and $12 of that goes directly to the animal rescue of their choice.  That's quite a big chunk from the duo, and I love that they support a local charity.  I meant to share this BEFORE Halloween, but life got a little crazy!  Anyway, let's take a look at the polishes!

Cameo Colours Lacquers Pawple People Licker
dusty purple base with shimmer and lots of flakies
application notes: 2 easy coats! I painted the first coat very thinly and the second a little more than a normal coat to even it all out.  It dried down just a tiny bit textured; I applied a regular coat of Rica Glossy Glam to smooth it all out.

Polish 'M 4 Legged Shadow
black base with purple shimmer and oodles of shreds and holo glitters
application notes: 3 thin (easy) coats.  You can do 2 regular coats and it'll be fine.  At 2 coats it was mostly there, but I wanted it to be even darker, so I went for the third coat.  Dried ever so slightly textured from the shreds and glitters, but nothing a regular layer of top coat couldn't take care of.

There were 30 duos available this time around and they sold all of them in a day!  Even though these are no longer available, I'm pretty sure the ladies will offer a Holiday version!  You can get more information if you are on Facebook and join one or both of their groups, or on Instagram!  I'll link their shops and IG information below.

What did you think of these polishes?  Which one do you like the most?  I think they are both really pretty!  My favorite is 4 Legged Shadow because I love love love black-based and deep dark polishes.

Thanks for reading!
XO,
Vanessa

Shop Polish 'M
Shop Cameo Colours Lacquers
IG Polish 'M: @creativenailchick
IG Cameo Colours Lacquers: @cameocolourslacquers