OPI Wooden Shoe Like to Know?

After a whirlwind romance with color for the past couple months I'm hitting the darker shades for April, it seems. Last week I wore Lubu Heels for FIVE days! Holy Cow! I didn't get any photos of it do to a busy schedule, but I am in love with that shade. It's soo gorgeous.

Last night when I was debating on colors I thought I was going to go colorful again. But wouldn't you know when I opened my OPI drawer there was Wooden Shoe Like to Know staring up at me. I really adore the OPI Holland Collection, as I had gravitated towards Pedal Faster Suzi before making this my ultimate choice.

This could easily be a two-coater,  but I did three just to smooth out any imperfections in my nail painting skill. It's super-glossy even without topcoat on, and it has this gorgeous shimmer to it.

As for the color itself I have no idea what to call it. Is it a dirty purple? It for sure has delicious purple undertones.

I call it hot chocolate.

To make a pun on the name, Yes, I "wood" like to know how to describe this color.

Pictures!

Shimmer in the bottle

Shimmer on the Nail

What do you lovlies think of this color? What would you call it?

Julep Mystery Box : St. Patrick's Day!

I'm quite happy with this month's mystery box. I think I got a good one, though I didn't go and calculate the price range. I think that ruins the excitement of it a bit.

It was supposed to be here March 21st, but it arrived yesterday (March 19th). I'd have loved to have gotten it before St. Patrick's day, but I'm not going to complain too much about the date I received it.

Julep Taylor

Another quick Julep swatch while I'm at it.


Remember Taylor from my V-day box?

Deep, sky blue crème.  Somewhere between periwinkle and denim funky, but not too flashy

This is what she looks like swatched. She's gorrrgeous.

Julep Taylor

Julep Melissa and Brooke

In my last post I mentioned Julep Melissa. I'm still on the fence about it. Then Brooke arrived (from the Classic with a Twist box). Since they are similar in application (used with dark undies) I decided to make this post about both of them.

From Julep.com

Melissa is a sheer opalescent shimmer adds a soft glow when used alone and a high-fashion holographic effect when used over another color.

In the bottle and on camera Melissa looks like a white milky color, but in person she has quite a bit of a pearly green shine too it. I was intrigued enough that I couldn't wait to swatch it.

I painted one of my wheel nails half black and half naked to see how it would look.

This is how it turned out. Over black it almost has a foil finish to it.

Julep Melissa over black

 I think I like it better over a lighter color than dark, though both are very interesting looking.


Next is Brooke which I absolutely adore. 

Brooke is a sheer shimmery purple. Use alone or over another shade to add a modern twist.

Look at Brooke sparkle!

I'll let the swatch speak for me. It's a lovely amethyst topper. I did the same half/half on the nail wheel. Excuse the streaking I was anxious and didn't let the nail try completely.

Julep Brooke over black

All told I would love to try Portia and Emma. Emma is a seashell pink that would go on like Melissa. Portia is a gorgeous tropical blue with a shine like Brooke.

Essie In Stitches

I think I'm getting the hang of this swatching thing! This is Essie "In Stitches" a beautiful brick-colored creme that went on like a dream (hey that rhymed!). I saw a swatch of this color awhile ago and just had to have it. It's gorgeous. I really love this color. This is my first Essie (if you don't count Shine of the Times). I see many more in my future.

All these photos were taken in artificial light without flash.

Essie In Stitches

Now the question that remains is: Do I leave it alone or add something to it?

Reverse Purple Glitter Gradient

 I had planned on wearing my Nfu Oh 66 for a few days, but it chipped quickly much to my dismay. So I used it as an opportunity to do a manicure I'd been wanting to for awhile. The ombre aka gradient. Since I was swatching Zoya Megan I decided to go all purple. While I like the normal gradient that has light->dark. I decided to go dark->light.

To do this manicure you will need:

1. a sponge of some sort. I used Maybelline makeup sponges.
2. at least 3 complimentary colors: one base color, and two sponging colors.  
3. scotch tape to make clean up easier. Just tape around the cuticle and sides of your nail.

The actual process of sponging I found really easy. Just daub some nail polish on the edge of the sponge and lightly tap it on. 

Zoya Megan

OPI: Grape Set Match, Lincoln Park at Midnight, Serving up Sparkle

I daubed this one on first covering about 3/4 of the nail.

I sponging this one on second covering 1/2 of the previous color.

This was last to add some sparkle to the darkest area of the gradient. I'm still on the fence if I like the glittery addition.

 

 Lastly finish with top coat. I used Seche Vite.

My results!

My orphaned thumb. She never gets in the photos anymore.

Zoya Color Lock System review

Zoya. Zoya. What can I say? You move me.

I finally got around to using the Zoya Color Lock System.

From the Zoya.com website.

Put perfect nail color on lock down. The Zoya Color Lock System surrounds polish with a protective barrier against moisture, bubbling, chipping and UV damage. This kit, which comes in a super-cute, zip-lock handle bag, has everything you need to perfect your polish and make it look better longer.

Zoya Color Lock System Kit Contains:

1 - 1oz Zoya Remove Plus
1 - 0.25oz Zoya Anchor Base Coat
1 - 0.25oz Zoya Zoya Armor Top Coat
1 - 0.25oz Zoya Fast Drops Polish Drying Drops

The idea of the system is one I'm sure everyone is familiar with if you've ever used any type of skin care/make up system. Use it in order for the best results, etc, etc. But in my opinion all the products in the system weren't created equal.

The Remove Plus smelled quite pleasant, though I didn't use it to remove my polish, just to prepare my nail. I didn't notice this step improving the application of the polish.

Next came the Anchor Base Coat. I'm of two-minds with this. One part of me really liked it. It really "anchored" the polish. I could tell while painting my nails that it seemed to "grip" the polish better. The thing I didn't like about it is that it didn't dry "smooth". When I ran my finger pad over my nail it created a different tactile sensation then what I was used to with my base coat. It wasn't unpleasent, just different.

Color was next. I was going to use a different brand, but I decided to follow the rules exactly and use a Zoya brand color. I used Megan which I got for free with the Color Lock System.

Finally Armor TC and the Fast Drops Polish Drying Drops.

I am used to Seche Vite which drys fast. What I found with the Armor top coat and Drying Drops was this: the Armor TC does not dry quickly. At all. The Drops have an oily feeling to it. Now if you can cover your entire nail with one drop of the oil, good for you! I was unable to and it ran down and missed my tips. Which later came back to bite me in the ass. My tips took FOREVER to dry and I wound up smudging the hell out of them and getting bubbles where the drops hadn't covered.

But despite all of the issues I had, the proof is in the swatches. They're unbelievable. Can you see how shiny that turned out? It's almost perfect.

My verdict is this: If you have the time to add a few more steps to your manicure, use the system. It really seemed to make a difference.

Now let's see how well it wears.

Oohhhh Nfu Oh!

Many months ago I saw a photo of Nfu Oh 61 and I fell in love. It was beautiful lineal holographic yumminess. Then I saw OPI DS Original and fell even harder. I love the look. It is so sparkly and shiny. I couldn't wait to get my hands on them.

Alas, everything I read said you needed an Aquamix base, and everywhere I looked they couldn't be found. The Nfu Oh Aqua Base was constantly out of stock. For months I anguished. There was Make-Up Store aqua base, but no place to order online (You have to call the store and they charge $10 flat rate. Expensive if you only want one bottle of polish).

So I waited and I stalked Fabulousstreet.com. I despaired for months that I'll never get my hands on them. Ebay was charging over $50 a bottle.

I refused.

And then glory of glory last week I saw fabulousstreet's facebook.

AQUA BASE WAS IN STOCK.

Oh. My. God.

So I went. I saw. I bought.

And then...

...this arrived on my doorstep.

There is no photo of the box because I demolished it trying to get to the goodies inside. Oh Fabulousstreet how you tormented me. So much tape. It took me 10 minutes to get inside, and another 5 to peel the bubble wrap off.

Finally! A bottle!

I had just did my nails, and I couldn't convince myself to waste the weekend mani. So I swatched instead. So pretty.

Nfu Oh Victorian polish Number 066

Nfu Oh Victorian polish Number 065

Nfu Oh Victorian polish Number 064

Nfu Oh Victorian polish Number 063

 

 

 

Finally, today it was time to change my manicure. The Aqua Base is amazing. This was a dream to use and only took two coats. I also have a coat of Seche Vite on. Some say it dampens the holo strength, but I am too dazzled by my nails to notice. I also stamped with BM21 because this polish is a star.

Sunlight

Indoor light

Indoor light

Indoor lighting

Indoor

Look how gorgeous this bottle is. The detail is like a work of art.