Filed In: shimmer polish

OPI – Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection ‘the sparklers’

November 19, 2013

Dividing this fairly extensive collection into three groups was the easy part; ‘the reds’ (reviewed here), the Liquid Sands (coming soon), and this group here that I’ve named ‘the sparklers’, although it should technically be ‘the 5 sparklers & a metallic’, but that just looks weird in a title, no? These six lacquers all have something unique and totally eye-catching to offer – brilliant, sparkling and festively extravagant.

OPI – Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection

Ski Slope Sweetie – a sheer milky base hue filled with finely ground iridescent/pearlized shimmer that flashes predominantly gold, with pink and green glints seen as well. While the formula leans a bit on the thick side, it still applies ridiculously easy, staying exactly where placed, brush stroke-free and self-levelling (this can also be layered over a similar colour for more depth). Gleaming at the finish, I swear that there’s a magical look to this shade – makes me think of unicorns. Love unicorns. Note that there could be some shimmer migration upon removal. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

OPI – Ski Slope Sweetie

My Favorite Ornament – a clear base loaded with ultra fine platinum and silver micro glitter (doesn’t it look like teeny-tiny crinkled up pieces of foil?), that’s almost opaque by the first coat — it’s THAT densely packed. With its antiqued/tarnished effect, this shade is insanely brilliant and absolutely spot-on as the perfect festive lacquer. You will probably need a couple of layers of top coat to smooth out the slightly gritty finish – totally worth it, however. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat (2 layers)

OPI – My Favorite Ornament

Wondrous Star – a clear base filled with the same platinum & silver ultra fine micro glitter of My Favorite ornament, but slightly sparser and in a thinner flowing formula, as well as the addition of tiny black hexagonal glitter pieces in the mix. Definitely best if layered to bring out its full effect, this shade is ridiculously brilliant as well. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

OPI – Wondrous Star

All Sparkly and Gold – a smokey semi-sheer taupe base hue filled with bronze ultra fine glitter (the warmer and more golden version of My Favorite Ornament). The gritty feel at the finish seems more Liquid Sand to me, but not as dense, and really benefits from top coat to enhance every brilliant facet. I absolutely LOVE how the glitter seems suspended at the surface level. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat (2 layers)

OPI – All Sparkly and Gold

Warm Me Up – the odd man out of the group shown here, but still part of the same overall colour family, this is a metallic taupe/mink brown hue bearing a silvery/pearlized shimmer throughout. A totally unique colour (at least in my fairly vast collection), this shade is a chameleon – looking pewter in some lights, bronzey-grey in others. Self-levelling, no visible brush strokes and shiny at the finish, it’s also non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

OPI – Warm Me Up

I Snow You Love Me – the “pièce de résistance” of the collection (and you HAVE to love the name!), this is a slightly milky (and relatively thick) base, filled with large round holographic glitter. As this shade is best when layered, I’ve shown it (1 coat only) over 3 distinct finished: over a crème (Visions of Love previously reviewed here), a shimmer (Ski Slope Sweetie), and a metallic (Warm Me Up). Some tips for application:

start by keeping this bottle stored upside down, as the glitter is heavy and tends to sink to the bottom
don’t try applying this the usual way – you’ll only wind up with the base and no glitter
instead, use the “drop, dab, & swoosh” method and work quickly to avoid an uneven surface
Bonus: glitter placement is quite easy to do, although you may need to fish some pieces out of the bottle in the first place

OPI – I Snow You Love Me (over Visions of Love)

OPI – I Snow You Love Me (over Ski Slope Sweetie)

OPI – I Snow You Love Me (over Warm Me Up)

I’m not even a glitter person, and yet I am so totally drawn to (most of) these shades. My favourites here are I Snow You Love Me (portable disco balls!), Warm Me Up (you already know how I love these moodier-type shades), All Sparkly and Gold (sophisticated bling, in my eyes), and My Favorite Ornament. I can see Ski Slope Sweetie as a pedi shade, a colour that will translate well even for the warmer season, but Wondrous Star didn’t do it for me – something about the darker bits looked too much like debris for my liking – maybe it just needs to grow on me *shrugs*.

The six Liquid Sand polishes of this collection will be shown in an upcoming post.

The OPI Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection is limited and available now. For all updates, feel free to follow via: website/twitter/facebook

*Disclosure: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

OPI – Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection ‘the reds’

November 18, 2013

OPI’s Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection, consist of not 12, but rather 18 limited edition lacquers – with 6 of them coming in the brand’s Liquid Sand formula (which I personally love!). I’ve broken it down to three separate groups, in order that they can be appreciated that much better, starting with ‘The Reds’ of part 1 shown here today.

OPI – Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection

All I Want for Christmas (is OPI) – a rich red crème (the perfect Christmas red!) with blueish undertones in the base making it slightly cooler hued, in a formula with excellent flow & coverage. Highly flattering against all skin tones, the application was completely self-levelling and with a high-gloss shine at the finish. Note that it could be lightly staining, so do not skip base coat. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

OPI – All I want for Christmas (is OPI)

OPI – All I Want for Christmas (is OPI)

Visions of Love – a cooler-toned deep burgundy/dark chocolate crème hue with dark berry undertones, in a formula that was simply spectacular – super easy flow and perfect opacity. Self levelling and über-glossy at the finish, this shade is nothing short of luxurious vampiness. Seriously. May be lightly staining, so do not skip base coat. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

OPI – Visions of Love

In my Santa Suit – a cool-toned red hue with magenta undertones in the base and pearlized shimmer throughout, giving the center of the nail that “glowing” effect. Another excellent and easy application – self-levelling & with no visible brush strokes, leaving a shiny finish (not glossy) behind. Such a festive shade – I love how it totally resembles moiré satin ribbon! Non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat (top coat necessary here to really bring out the depth)

OPI – In my Santa Suit

Sleigh Ride for Two – a unique mix of deep raisin/plum base hue with an inner ultra-fine pearlized shimmer, that comes off as simultaneously filtered (as though seen through fogged glass) and glowing (like the shimmer is trapped just beneath the surface layer). Self-levelling and brush stroke-free, there’s a velvety look to this shade and while it’s not as glossy as the crèmes, there’s a nice shine just the same. Top coat totally brings out all its depths, and another plus is that it’s non-staining. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

OPI – Sleigh Ride for Two

Cute Little Vixen – a cool leaning magenta base hue with purple undertones in the base, filled with pink & silver finely ground glitter and pearlized shimmer throughout that gives this shade a gleaming look. Self-levelling and with a brush stroke-free application, once again top coat is necessary to bring out all its depths. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

OPI – Cute Little Vixen

Underneath the Mistletoe – a deep ruby base with some brownish tints, filled with pink & silver glass-flecked glitter particles in a jelly-like formula. Gorgeously glowing & kind of squishy-looking (in a good way), the flecks look like they’re floating at the surface level — this also reminds me of raspberry jam! Self-levelling in application, this was the least glossy of the 6 – definitely needs top coat to really bring it out. Could be lightly staining, so do not skip your base. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

OPI – Underneath the Mistletoe

OPI certainly knows how to do “red”, and of the six shown here, the stand-outs for me were the 2 crèmes (although Visions of Love is my hands-down favourite), Sleigh Ride for Two (because I’m a total sucker for anything “dusty-looking”), and Underneath the Mistletoe (it’s squishy…need I say more? It’s also the pedi shade I wore when I met Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, post found here), and even though I wasn’t too partial to In my Santa Suit or Cute Little Vixen, I can’t deny how pretty the finish looks – just not for me.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this collection, to be shown in an upcoming post.

The OPI Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection is limited and available now. For all updates, feel free to follow via website/twitter/facebook

*Disclosure: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Illamasqua – Facet Nail Varnish (Sacred Hour Collection)

November 3, 2013

Some things are just meant to be; when I happened to step into the Illamasqua boutique at the downtown Montréal Hudson’s Bay store a few weeks ago, I was checking out the brand’s latest collection – Sacred Hour – and I naturally gravitated towards this one particular shade: Facet. Gorgeous, unique, like nothing I own in my vast collection of lacquers, limited edition … and so totally sold out. Insert major sad face here. But happily, I was able to order it online through The Bay’s website – free shipping too!

Illamasqua – Facet Nail Varnish

Facet (CAD $17.00/15 ml) – a muted grey base with mauve undertones in a mid-sheer formula, filled with irregularly shaped bronze shards as well as sparser pink & green flecks. As with every other Illamasqua lacquer I own, the flow and density was spot-on perfect, applying in a self-levelling way and becoming fully opaque by the second coat. This odd combination of colours (grey with antiqued gold) in theory shouldn’t work at all — but for some reason here, it just DOES. Depending on the light and your angle, this shade might pull deeper grey then morph into a bronzite hue, but no matter which colour it appears, there’s this eerie murky effect that’s prevalent – almost as though it’s being viewed through a veil. With a gorgeously glossy shine at the finish and bearing an easy removal, this shade is pure LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Illamasqua – Facet Nail Varnish

Illamasqua – Facet Nail Varnish (detail)

Illamasqua – Facet Nail Varnish

I couldn’t be happier that I was able to add ‘Facet’ to my collection – not because this shade is a limited edition item, but because of how incredibly unique it is in terms of colour — something that’s becoming harder and harder to accomplish in the already overcrowded world of nail polish. That the formula is perfection, is just the icing on this cake. Oh yeah … us Canadians don’t have to be gouged by Sephora’s inflated prices on this brand anymore, since one can now purchase Illamasqua products through The Bay (in-store Illamasqua boutiques at select stores, or online). Sweet, very sweet.

I ordered Facet through The Bay online.

Giorgio Armani – #705 Black Petrol Lacquer

October 29, 2013

Upon spotting the new Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquers a few weeks ago, I think I may have stood rooted to the spot for a few moments, simply taking it all in. Then the dilemma: which shade to pick up first? After going back & forth between the 18 shades, I decided on #705 Petrol – as much for name, as the colour – an inky, swirling, mysterious & chameleon-like shade.

This new range of lacquers is reported to boast a new shiner & longer-lasting formula than conventional polish, with no need for either a base or a top coat, although I personally would not recommend skipping the base.

Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquer – #705 Black Petrol

Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquer – #705 Black Petrol (ingredients list)

GA Black Petrol cap

Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquer – #705 Black Petrol

#705 Black Petrol (CAD $32.00/6 ml USD 20.00/ 0.2 fl.oz) – A blackened teal base bearing an ultra finely ground emerald and sapphire shimmer, in a formula with AMAZING viscosity & flow: this beauty stays exactly where placed, with no cuticle pooling, or dragging. The wide & flat paddle-style brush has an excellent density to the bristles, although my brush here did have a couple of wonky hairs (easily remedied by trimming, although at this price, I shouldn’t have to, right?) and I found the length of the wand very easy to use. Totally self-levelling and with a natural high-gloss shine at the finish, there’s almost an ombré effect seen in some lighting – with this shade looking darker around the edges of the nail, and a glowing center. BONUS: completely non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquer – #705 Black Petrol

Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquer – #705 Black Petrol (detail)

Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquer – #705 Black Petrol

Somehow, I’m not surprised at the exceptional quality of this lacquer; everything Mr. Armani touches, seems to be very carefully thought out, with no detail spared. The range, while not huge, does have the basics: nudes, paler pinks, reds, corals, wine, and a few unique colours, as well as varying finishes – from crème, pearly/opalescent, shimmer and even duo chrome. My biggest complaint? The Canadian price. I cannot even begin to comprehend how these polishes are $12.00 more here, and while I am impressed with the line, that alone is almost enough to keep me away. Except for the fact that I’ve already caved and picked up one more. But that’s it. I swear. Maybe…

I bought this item at Holt Renfrew, Montréal.

Illamasqua – Limited Edition Nail Varnish in Gothiqua, 3rd Blog-Aversary special

September 27, 2013

(source)

Three years ago today, I began this blog – little realizing at the time what that undertaking really meant, or what direction this adventure would take me. You might think that the best part of being a beauty blogger, would be the perks (product samples) and invites (press/media launches), and while those are definitely totally amazing, I feel that the best part is actually the connections I’ve made with like-minded souls from all over the world, and the opportunity to have a constant & ongoing discussion about this passion we all share: beauty products.

So, here’s to going where no other beauty blogger has gone before! (*shameless & cheesy Star Trek rip-off)

I raise a ~~glass~~ makeup brush to you all & send giant panda hugs your way – thanks for sticking it out with me! ♥

Everything happens for a reason – or at least, that’s a theory I’ve always subscribed to. Take for example, the polish featured in today’s post; I had sort of forgotten that Illamasqua products had finally become available at The Bay here in Canada, and last Saturday when I was at the Montréal downtown store for an exclusive interview with Rebecca Restrepo, Global Makeup Artist for Elizabeth Arden (full post coming soon!), I passed the newly opened Illamasqua boutique there, and stopped to take a quick look.

The varnish that I initially wanted from the new collection (Facet from Sacred Hour) was sold out, and as I turned to leave the store, the SA pointed out something even better: a limited edition colour – a shade made specifically for and exclusive to the brand’s launch at The Bay – AND part of the new Sacred Hour Collection, no less. I didn’t even blink — just forked over the cash and raced out of the store like a mad woman.

Moral of the story: never look a gift opportunity in the mouth (seriously weird expression) – had I not been invited to THAT particular store for THAT particular interview, I probably wouldn’t have even known this shade existed, let alone how unique it was — and absolutely perfect to celebrate my blog’s 3rd birthday with!

See? Everything happens for a reason …

Gothiqua (CAD $17.00 15 ml/0.5 gl. oz) – a deep eggplant shade with a grape/purple base and blueish undertones in a medium opaque formula and filled with fairy dust. No, not really … but it might as well be; the inner shimmer flashes a luminous green, blue, silver, pink and some random red specks, but it is so finely ground that it only makes a sly appearance in direct sunlight or under bright light. Otherwise, it stays pretty much in the background, although it does lend this colour a beautiful depth of tone just the same.

True to Illamasqua form, the flow is ultra-creamy and self-levelling, making application ridiculously easy, while the finish at the end is nothing short of glass-like. As this beauty quite pigmented, I wouldn’t skip base coat – but I didn’t find it to be staining. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Illamasqua – Gothiqua

That this shade is drop-dead gorgeous, is undisputed, but the sad part is that it’s not only limited edition (boo) but available ONLY in Canada and ONLY at The Bay stores with an Illamasqua boutique (double boo). On the plus side AND for Canadians, this shade is available online through The Bay’s website – useful if you don’t have a flagship store nearby. Truthfully, as far as uniqueness factor goes, I’m fairly certain that I have a few bottles in my stash that could probably come close, but as I’m in the middle of re-organizing my personal collection, a comparison will have to wait. Still, it’s good to know that while those of you outside of Canada may not be able to get your hands on this baby, you just might already own something similar. That’s something positive, right?

Filed In: shimmer polish

OPI – Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection ‘the sparklers’

OPI – Mariah Carey Holiday 2013 Collection ‘the reds’

Illamasqua – Facet Nail Varnish (Sacred Hour Collection)

Giorgio Armani – #705 Black Petrol Lacquer

Illamasqua – Limited Edition Nail Varnish in Gothiqua, 3rd Blog-Aversary special

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