Wait...It's Still Winter Right??

Just checking, because in the polish world Spring is certainly in the air with the launch of collections like Essie's The Art of Spring and China Glaze's Up & Away...But it's not spring quite yet, so dark, vampy colors are still in, YES!! So I was digging through my collection when I noticed that Essie's Wicked and OPI's We'll Always Have Paris are very similar, so I decided to do a comparison....

Essie Wicked

OPI We'll Always Have Paris

So as you can see, two very similar colors. Both a dark, rich shade of red. "Wicked" is a very dark, almost black, red while "We'll Always Have Paris" is a dark red (slightly lighter than "Wicked"), that has visible undertones of pink. Both colors were easy to apply and opaque in two coats. Wicked was a little streaky at two coats, most likely my error, so I applied a third coat to even it out a bit. So when you do vampy do you go for reds, purples, browns??

Essie Steeling the Scene

This was one of the very first Essie polishes I bought and I still wear it often...actually I have been wearing it the last few days so I thought I should take some pics before I started doing my swatching today....

A molten silver-pewter polish that goes on like a dream. One of my favorite things about this polish is the way it goes on! I love polishes that just glide on the nail, it makes me want to keep painting. Because of that fact, I think this was three or four coats, but it really only needs two, I just love watching it go on...weird I know!! Oh well, *shrugs* 

Another CHI polish...friday night boredom

My Knight in Shining Armor

A beautiful metallic purple. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the formula of these, they just glide right on the nail and they are almost opaque in one coat. The best thing about polishes with great formulas, is that if you are in a rush you can do a quick coat and you're out the door! The CHI polishes retail for about $8 and can be found at Ulta Beauty Supply.

Polish Bloggers Network: Lacquer Link Love 1/22/10

Chromatic Misadventures has put together a wonderful array of swatches that include nail colors from Nails Inc., Zoya, Butter London, Essie, and so many more.

Polish Up brings you the sparkled beauty OPI Blues in the Night.

Can you appreciate a good haul? Well if so, let Black Nail Polish and Lipgloss show off the awesome goodies that she received from Lisa of Glammed Up.

The Nail Nerd has a polish sweet tooth caused by Orly's Sweet Collection.

Happy Vamp Valentines Day! The Swatchaholic shares a wonderful Konad sweet... I mean treat with all of you.

Raz from Manicure Mommas swatches her CND survey goodies and gives you an up close and personal preview.

Are you quite unfond of the scent of polish remover and feel you could live without the smell?! Well if so, Polish Galore gives a wonderful review of the lavendar scented polish removers Seche Erase & Zoya Remove.

Kellie from "Also Known As" dazzles us with the gorgeous new shades of OPI's Designer Series featuring polishes infused with diamond dust.

Probably one of the most popular colors in the China Glaze Up & Away Collection, Prim and Polished brings you gorgeous swatches of Four Leaf Clover.

Naive Nails gives us a little Absolutely Alice from OPI's Alice in Wonderland

Green is the hottest color of the season... and polishSWATCHES brings you a shade you'll adore.

and now for the goodies....

Bring on the Network Giveaways!!!

How would you like to add 3 bottles of China Glaze polish to your collection? Well, let Polish Galore show you how!

You'll definitely want to be sure and check out the Nail Nerd Giveaway... she's giving away some gorgeous Viva la Diva Nail Lacquers.

Black Nail Polish and Lipgloss is having a fun and creative contest that you just have to see for yourself. I just can't spill the beans on this one!

And lastly, have you been dying to get your hands on polishes from the China Glaze Up & Away Collection?! Well, if your answer is yes... check out the Polish Freak and she'll be glad to give some to you.

China Glaze Up & Away Pt. 2 AND GIVEAWAY!!

****Update to GIVEAWAY, see below****

So as I promised here is the second half of what I bought from the China Glaze Up & Way Collection....

Peachykeen

And peachykeen it is!! The perfect name for this gorgeous color. Don't you love it?! The perfect mix of peach and coral.

Grape Pop

This was the first color I put on out of this collection. I am a purple girl so I instantly fell in love with this color...The name fits it well because it definitely "pops" in the sunlight.

Something Sweet

The softest baby pink...I can't wait to wear this on my toes this summer!!  **Sidenote:I only have one pic of this color because while swatching it a gust of wind knocked the bottle off of the little table that I work on. It broke :( and made a complete mess all over my patio. But my replacement bottle is on the way!!! 

Light As Air

My absolute favorite from this collection...the most airy, soft, pale lavender...I'm wearing this on my toes now and can't wait to wear it this summer as well.

So overall, what do you think of my selection from the Up & Away collection?



GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY

Are you ready to win three of these gorgeous polishes!!?? When I get to 200 followers, I will pick one lucky winner...the same rules apply...Send your name and email address to polishfreak1@gmail.com; Subject Line: China Glaze Polishes. Spread the word! The faster I get to 200, the faster these polishes can become yours!!


***Update: Of course you have to become a follower of this blog to enter the giveaway, sorry forgot to mention that above.***

CHINA GLAZE Up & Away Pt. 1

I had a ball swatching my faves from the China Glaze Up & Away Collection. While the American Apparel polishes will be my go to colors for the spring, I think Up & Away will be my go to colors for the summer (even though it's technically their spring collection). The colors are just so bold and amazing...they're just so fun and pretty that they remind me more of summer! *Squeals*  So I chose my faves from the collection, which ended up being 8 out of the total 12 that make up the collection. The other four I didn't get because I feel like I already have similar colors. So here are the first four...the next four I will post tomorrow along with a GIVEAWAY ;-)

Four Leaf Clover

 I swear this is the turquoise of my dreams!! I had been searching for this color and I almost died when I first saw this in the collection. Thanks China Glaze, love it!!

Heli-YUM!

 

I'm normally terrified of hot pinks, but not this one. I fell in love instantly when I saw it on. I think it's bold and definitely makes a statement. The red undertones, however, give it a subtlety that makes it more refined than your normal hot pink. Bright but not trashy looking. Totally fun.

Lemon Fizz

The softest, pale yellow. It reminds me of "IM Beauty" by Sephora by OPI. The same pale yellow...it's actually not as bright as it looks in the picture. The sun was high in the sky when I did this swatch, so it really captures the depth of the color. In normal light, or indoors, it just looks like a very soft, pale yellow.


Flyin High

A very unique blue, almost turquoise but not quite. Not sky blue because it's not that light. But a very pretty blue...kinda like the oceans in the Caribbean and other tropical places. A fun blue, a summer blue...what more can I say.


So that's the first part of my China Glaze Up & Away collection. The formula on these was great! I'm really loving the formula of all China Glaze polishes. Very creamy and thick; goes on opaque in two coats. The only one I added three coats to was Lemon Fizz and that's because it was a little streaky at two. But overall, I am in love with these colors. I normally shy away from brights because I felt like they wouldn't look right against my brown skin, but China Glaze has made me a believer...Stay tuned for the second part of the Up & Away collection post, which will also include details on how you can win three of these gorgeous colors!

Guess What Swatches Are Coming......

SUNDAY RANDOMNESS

When I went to Ulta a few days ago their polishes were on sale for $2 so I grabbed a couple. You can't beat "salon formula" polishes for $2!! 

Ulta "Casual Mauve"

Ulta "Vintage Violet"

 

The formula on these is great! Both are thick cremes and went on opaque in two coats...Two great colors that I didn't already have in the collection!

And the Winner is.....

Congratulations to Kelsea Hoover and Jessi McKinney...you are both the winner of three fabulous American Apparel polishes!! Thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway and becoming a follower of PolishFreak. Stay tuned, there will be more giveaways to come!!

American Apparel Spring Colors

The American Apparel collection that was recently released has 18 lovely shades. So I kind of created my own American Apparel Spring Collection. I chose what I thought would be best to coordinate with the colors that have been seen on the runway for the season. These colors will definitely be able to transition in to the summer months...

Office

 


As I mentioned in a previous post....Thanks to Chanel's Jade this mint green shade has become the most popular color of the winter and spring seasons. It is definitely edgy and super chic! It coordinates well with the florals and pastels that have been seen on the runway for spring.

Mouse 

 A lovely shade of taupey-grey. If you're a makeup gal, wear this color with a vampy dark lip (dark chocolate, purple or berry) and a LIGHT smoky eye. Don't do a dark smoky eye, since the lips will be so dark.

Dynasty

A beautiful dark lavender...but yet still soft enough for spring!

Manila

This color can stand on its own. It will definitely transition into the summer...Make this the hit of the outfit!!

Rose Bowl

The perfect pink-coral mix. A very feminine, sophisticated color that will transition from office to happy hour and shift from spring to summer.

Factory Grey

The most perfect slate grey with undertones of blue, LOVE it! Reminds me of RBL's Stormy. Pair this color with a soft pink top or bottom. There is something totally sophisticated about this color grey and a soft pastel pink paired together.

Palm Springs

The alternative to the soft pastel pink, go with this soft pastel coral shade. It's totally South Beach!



The formula on these was superb! Especially for a clothing retailer, they exceeded my expectations. They are thick cremes, that go on opaque in two coats. I know I LOVE every color swatch I do, lol, but I am seriously in LOVE with this collection. I can't stop staring at it and I really love the bottles too. So who's ready to win three of these awesome polishes? I'll be announcing a winner at 8pmET...stay tuned!!

:)

GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY

When I went to sleep last night I was at about 80 followers and when I woke up this morning I had 107!! If you entered the contest after I broke 100, that's fine, your entries will be eligible too. The contest is now over and I will be announcing a winner at 8pm ET. Thanks to all who entered. Stay tuned for more opportunities to win!

Illamasqua Spring 2010

And continuing with the soft pastels for Spring, Illamasqua has announced their collection for Spring 2010...

 

BLOW

WINK

NUDGE

CARESS

Soft pastels are really popular this season and as you can see mint green is too. That shade seems to keep popping up in different collections...So which one(s) do you have your eye on?? I personally LOVE Blow and Caress. I feel like I already have colors very similar to the other two. These are not yet available but as soon as they are I will be sure to let you guys know!

Essie The Art of Spring Collection 2010

Some of you may have already seen this, but in case you haven't...Essie has launched their spring collection entitled The Art of Spring...

From L-R, Lilacism, Neo Whimsical, Pop Art Pink, Red Nouveau, Tart Deco, Van D'Go

A beautiful palette of soft pastel cremes with one bright red creme. Available now at Essie.com...So, what colors are you eyeing???

OPI ALICE in WONDERLAND

I almost held out on getting this collection, but I gave in and got the Minis set. The two stars of this collection are Absolutely Alice and Mad as a Hatter. I was surprised that OPI decided to do two more reds, especially after all the reds that they did for the holiday collection. Don't get me wrong they are pretty reds, but do we really need two more? However, after viewing the trailer for the movie, I know why they decided to do reds, but I think one red would have sufficed. In my opinion, they should have done a shimmer green or pink. But enough of my rambling here is the collection...

First the Reds....this is "Off with Her Red"

A pretty creme red. Enough said.

Next is "Thanks So Muchness"

 

A pretty red shimmer. 

If you're a glitter gal, the next two are definitely for you. The first star of the collection is "Absolutely Alice".

 

An amazing blue glitter with micro silver flecks. The base is clear but the glitter manages to cover the entire nail in three coats.

And last but not least, my fav from the collection, "Mad as a Hatter".

 

A gorgeous multi-glitter with sparkles of silver, gold, pink, green, purple...confetti for your nails!! Reminds me a little of RBL's Frugalista. This one also has a clear base, but becomes opaque in three coats.

So that's OPI Alice in Wonderland...what do you think about the collection?

As a matter of fact, I'm feeling generous today! SO if you're the first person to leave a comment on this post, the Mini set is yours! Just leave your email address in the comment and I'll contact you for additional info!