Happy Samhain! Happy Halloween!
*Birthday Giveaway – Week 5 ‘The Kardashian Kolors’ Collection! Details on how to enter here!
Samhain… All Souls’ Day… Halloween; however one refers to this day, one thing stays the same: it is a day of celebration! In Celtic Brittania, long ago when druids still walked the land, October 31st was the day when the harvest ended and the New Year was about to begin. To honour the Gods for providing the people with such rich bounty, festivals that lasted several days were held across the land, and huge bonfires were lit, as people took turns walking through the flames in order to be ritualistically “cleansed”. These celebrations also had elements of the “Festivals the Dead” , as it was further believed that the veil between the world of the living and the world of those who had passed before, was at its thinnest on this day, thereby allowing access between the two: on this day, the living welcomed the dead, and paid them homage.
The Celtic god, Samhain , and his autumnal countenance.
Mystery…
Revelation…
To commemorate the day, I opted to create a combination that encompassed the ancient and pagan “spirit” of this day, and to that end, it was only fitting that a-england’s ‘Camelot’ (previously reviewed here) be the anchor of this look. To enhance the lustrous onyx beauty of this incredible lacquer, the tips were lightly brushed with Sally Hansen’s Complete Salon Manicure in ‘Hidden Treasure’, a “flakie” iridescent top coat. Tying in all the elements of this celebration, the fiery glow of ‘Hidden Treasure’ represents the bonfire to ‘Camelot’s’ ebony backdrop of night. All swatches are with a-england’s ‘The Knight’ Base Coat, two coats of ‘Camelot’, Sally Hansen’s ‘Hidden Treasure’ on the tips, finished with a layer of a-england’s ‘The Shield’ Top Coat.
Ahhhh….sunlight paints a portrait of the rising flames of the bonfire against the deep mystery of the night.
A closeup photo reveals the delicate play of colours, as they swirl and merge one with the other in a playful dance.
At this angle, your eye is drawn to the golden green tones that light up the nail tips.
Looking like the scales of a dragon as he basks by the light of the sun, all the fiery hues are brilliantly highlighted.
Seen in indirect light, the black background is intensified in hue, while the licking flames are thrown into sharp relief.
I love how this shaded view makes these colours so incredibly vivid…like living flames!
A final view taken with flash takes pulls this look back into the obscure depths from which it came…to return again another time…
Final thoughts: As I am a “colour purist” at heart and not one for intricate nail art, somehow this combination just called to me; I wanted to portray the autumnal colours representative of the harvest as well as the god Samhain, the myriad hues of the festival bonfire, and the darkling night wherein the souls of the departed reside and to that end, I believe that I succeeded in capturing the meaning of the day! Interestingly enough, even the names of the lacquers used, recall that era in time, with ‘Camelot’ representing that legendary castle of early Brittania and ‘Hidden Treasure’ with its implied and elusive mystique.
However you celebrate the day, enjoy and be safe!
*Disclaimer: Some product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
*Image credit
O. M. G. This. Is. GORG!!!! And so easily achievable! I am kicking myself now for never using HT, I managed to snag it in a swap early in the year and since then it’s sat in my drawer, waiting…waiting… I didn’t want to give it away because it’s so HTF, but I just never liked the way it looked on some polishes I’ve tried. Consider my mind CHANGED!! Ah, I could kiss you, this is so great! LOL
Fantastic work my friend….I wish I had thought of it myself
*blushing madly* Thanks, Toya! I’m so, so happy that you liked it and that I helped you see Hidden Treasure in a new light! Go wild, girlfriend….I’d love to see what combos you come up with using this little gem!
Wow I love this combination! I actually though you had fake nails on until I scrolled down and read the post lol! I have a bottle of Hidden Treasure, which I need to use, so I might need to copy this look! I would have rocked this look for Halloween had I thought of using Hidden Treasure like you did !!
Thanks, Tasha! I’m really glad that you liked it! I can’t believe you thought I had fake nails on, lol!! Let me know if you recreate this look…would love to see your swatches!
I am usually far too lackadaisical about my polish that I never consider layering but this is truly inspirational. GORGE!
Hahaha! I like the way you put it ! I’m a bit on the lazy side too when it comes to nail art, not to mention that it’s not really my cup of tea (but I can sure admire it on others, especially when it’s done well), but I really enjoyed this look! Thanks *blushes* !!
very pretty mani!
Thank you so much!
That is amazing and gorgeous and wonderful!
So glad you liked it!
That is amazing!!!! Love it and can’t wait to copy you!!!
Thanks so much, Leah Ann! Feel free to let your creativity out!!
This is very, very lovely! And appropriately spooky
Thank you so much, Larie! Hope you had a “spirited” holiday! Lol!!
OMG I love this, but I think you knew I would. I definitely need this Sally Hansen flaky beauty which goes by the name of “Hidden Treasure”.
I love the learning part of your posts. I think it’s funny that many cultures have days to honor the dead. The Japanese have the Odon Festival and the Chinese have their Ghost Festivals. It’s about paying respects to ancestors and such. Mmm…I’m full of fun facts…
I love your fun facts…..maybe because I love learning, especially when it’s not something I HAVE to do (ie: school!). As they say: knowledge is power! When I was creating this look, I actually thought of you and I was pretty sure it would be something you would go for (there’s that ESP thing again!)
Tee hee, I love that you thought of me, I’m thinking of running to target right now!!! That and I am checking out Face Stockholm. I’ve been curious about the brand and they’re offering free shipping so I may dip my toes, so to speak.
Yeah, there is something about school and forced learning, I used to dislike going to school as a kid, as an adult I enjoy it. I’ve been thinking about taking work in education but it can be a challenge to teach, the person has to want to learn and a lot of times it’s not there. Then you have to think about making it interesting, but at the same time education is a privilege and people forget that and look at it in a negative way.
As always, D, your keen intellect and big heart come shining through! PS: if you do go to Target, let me know what you end up with! Thanks for the heads up on Face Stockholm…think I’ll check it out as well!
very nice look, I have to try it myself to.
Glad you liked it, Melanie! You should totally try it out….it’s easy and fun!
I am oohing and aahing! WOW!
Oh, so that was you I heard? LOL!!! Thanks, Olivia!!
I ADORE these Samhain nails!!! Great thinking, Eugenia!
Btw, I’ve been meaning to ask which is the blackest of black and the most glossiest out of all the black nail polish you’ve tried? I’ve come around to it at last.
Thanks, Liz mon amie! The blackest and glossiest of blacks? Hmmmmm……off the top of my head, I would have to say a-england’s ‘Camelot’. It seems to be the truest ebony I’ve seen, and the consistency is neither too thick nor too thin…can almost be a 1-coater if you apply it thickly enough!
I had a feeling you’d say that! I’m definitely putting it in my cart the next time Adina runs free shipping. Chanel Black Satin is also tempting me a little but I think a-england is the way to go. Thanks, Eugenia! xx
One of these days, I’ll get around to actually swatching and comparing the blacks that I have (not that many, actually!), and Chanel’s Black Satin is one of them. From quickie swatches I did, I still say that Camelot takes top honours, but that’s not to say that Black Satin isn’t a beauty as well! You’re more than welcome for the info! Hugs!!!!
OMG!!! This made me more obsessed with darker colored polish even more! Where can I get these? ‘ve never seen the brand in store…
I meant, the England polishes. I obviously know where to find Sally….Haha
Lol….I figured as much!
Have you visited a-england’s site yet? If not, you should check it out at http://www.a-england.co.uk or you can also check out http://www.shop.llarowe.com, who happens to be an authorized distributor of the brand in the US. Let me know what you go for!!
Oh ok I see. Do you recommend any dups for Camelot? It looks like just a black creme polish in the pictures.
From the other black shades I own, OPI’s Onyx is one contender, or you can try Chanel’s Black Satin. Other than that, I know that there are a few drugstore alternatives at a better price point, but as I don’t own them, I can’t recommend any. Hope this helps!
Ah ok. I was just wondering if it’s any different from a regular black nail polish. But thanks for the replies!
Oh btw, I purchased China Glaze’s Midtown Magic.
Now I’m just sitting here and waiting for it come in the mail hahaha.
You’re more than welcome, Eileen (just hope I helped and didn’t add to the confusion, lol!) Midtown Magic? Ooooooh….I LOVE that one! It’s got everything going on: sophistication, glam, edginess and funk…not to mention an awesome formula! Arrrrggghh….don’t you just hate the wait? Let me know what you think of it when it arrives!
Genius!! This is such a perfect look for today! I need to try it!
Thanks, my friend…I’m so glad that the “combo queen” approves, lol!!!
Amazing post and pictures, I may have to try this with Camelot and Nubar 2010 <3 Thanks for the inspiration and Happy Halloween to you <3 xxx
You’re so welcome, Rebecca! Would love to see your version as well!
I absolutely adore this combination. And as always, the photographs and included information is fabulous. Love!
Thanks, Betony….you’re making me blush, lol! So glad you liked it!
This post was so interesting, thanks for sharing this history! I’m also a color “purist” (great term, btw), but really like what you with the black. Looking forward to the next holiday-based post!
Hahaha! Thanks, Amanda! This is as close to nail art as I’ll willingly put myself through…and thank God it wasn’t a big fail, lol!
Amazing! Love the colors!
Thanks, Melissa! These colours are actually quite mesmerizing!!
Gorgeous!! I yawned at SH HT when I first saw it in the store. A year later it was gone and it was all I yearned for. All is not lost, I got lucky recently and won Nubar 2010 in a giveaway. It’s fantastic and I slather it often on random mani’s to see how the flakes change over different base colors. SH HT looks amazing over Camelot and is just perfect for tonight!!
I’m so glad you got the Nubar version (which I don’t have, lol!)…I’ve heard that they are “dead” on identical (some Halloween humour!!) Believe it or not, since I purchased it last year, this is the very first time I’ve actually worn it! I knew I was saving it for something special and I totally see myself wanting to try it over EVERYTHING just to see the effect it gives…so cool! Glad you liked the combo….now I still have my other hand to do, to be ready for tonight, lol!
This is a very enjoyable and educational post. Swatch and pics are extraordinary and so original! Happy Halloween xx
Thank you, Adina! Camelot has got to be one of my favourite lacquers of all time….and just look at how versatile it is? The perfect canvas!!
Love Love love it….I would wear it yr round
Thanks, JoJo! I can’t stop looking at my nails, lol!
Wow i like it !
Thank you! I had such fun in creating this look!