Tag Archives: crème polish

OPI · Malibu Summer 2021 Collection

Fall is a couple of days away and while I’m all for transitioning into autumnal shades, I’m still not ready to let summer go … and so I’ll cap off the season with OPI’s Malibu Summer 2021 Collection and these 12 shades which totally took me by surprise. And I mean that in the best way, of course.

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Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour

February 14, 2016

Several weeks ago I was invited to attend a very special event: an advance look at the latest Spring launches from one of my favourite brands, Guerlain. Having heard the rumours for months about a new makeup range, I absolutely could not wait to set eyes on the new La Petite Robe Noire nail lacquers and lipsticks (review forthcoming on the latter), and trust me when I say that this collection is everything I hoped for … and more.

After the incredible success of Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire fragrance launch, several more iterations of this unique scent were to follow with the next logical step being to create a colour cosmetics range that embodies the many facets of the Guerlain ‘La Petite Robe Noire‘ woman. First out of the gate, are the Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour (CAN $27.00), and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with these stunning heart-adorned little beauties.

Guerlain nail polish ranks as one of my absolute favourite formulations and in my opinion, also has one of the best brushes out there (the other being Dior, hands down) and so when I learned that this new collection would be replacing the existing range, my heart literally stopped for a second; thankfully, the powers that be at Guerlain definitely understand not to mess with a good thing, unless it’s to make it better. Which they most definitely managed to do.

The new range comes in black boxes with silver as opposed to gold lettering, and while the price has remained the same, the quantity has dropped somewhat (from 10 ml to 8.8 ml), not significant but still worth mentioning. The shape of the bottle has gone from rectangular to more square, and comes dressed with a removable upside-down heart cap echoing that of its namesake fragrance bottle. The wand is commensurate to the bottle size (and therefore shorter than before) although the brush remains similar in dimension to its predecessor but without the bevelled and chiseled shape of before, being somewhat more splayed out instead – but application is effortless just the same. The biggest change, however, is that this formula is now scented; when the solvents evaporate after application the ‘sweet gourmand fragrance with accents of red berries and petals‘ is in line with La Petite Robe Noire’s original accord, and can linger for about 24 hours but can be refreshed anew with a layer of top coat. The specific resin in the formula provides a suppleness and elasticity to the film, delivering a gloriously shiny and long-lasting, chip-free finish.

La Petite Robe Noire, illustration by Florence Deygas for Guerlain

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour (brush comparisons)

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour (heart caps)

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #001 My First Nail Polish

#001 My First Nail Polish | A ballerina pink sheer base filled with pink and iridescent micro-glitter in a formula that is the thickest of the four shown with an absolutely perfect density and flow. Self levelling, naturally glossy & never opaque, this shade gives a dainty sheer wash of colour to nails, but in a totally sophisticated way. Can also be layered over any other shade for a touch of subtle sparkle.

Swatch above: 2 coats (no top coat)

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #001 My First Nail Polish swatch (3 coats + top coat)

#002 Pink Tie | A colour drenched hot cerise pink crème hue in a formula that is somewhat thinner than My First Nail Polish, but which defines perfection: falling in a self-levelling way, can almost be a one-coater, and comes to a super glossy finish. The vivid colour straddles neon territory in its intensity, but manages to stay adultly wearable just the same. Bonus: non-staining upon removal

Swatch above: 2 coats, plus top coat

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #002 Pink Tie & #001 My First Nail Polish swatch

#003 Red Heels | A saturated red hue with an excellent combination of both cool and warm tones (and thus wearable by basically all skin tones across the board), in yet another STELLAR formula: buttery smooth application, über-glossy finish, and so pigment rich that you can basically get away with one coat for full opacity. Bonus: non-staining upon removal (for a red? consider me IMPRESSED).

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #003 Red Heels swatch

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #007 Black Perfecto

#007 Black Perfecto | Definitely the most complex and unique of the group, this shade is going to disappear off the shelves, believe me. A charcoal semi-sheer base filled with ultra fine burgundy shimmer in a perfectly balanced formula. Self-levelling like the rest and with a brilliant shine at the finish, perfect opacity is reached by the second coat. Appearing near-black in low light (or rather, more like a blackened cherry hue), this shade really comes into its own once sunlight hits it and picks up all the shimmery bits. Drop. Dead. GORGEOUS.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #007 Black Perfecto swatch (detail)

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #007 Black Perfecto swatch (alternate light)

Guerlain is a brand that takes pride in every single aspect of their products and formulations, and it shows. With the release of the La Petite Robe Noire collection of nail colour, they have set the bar incredibly high for other brands to follow, and after having played with these shades for several weeks now, I can sum it up in one word: WOW. The shorter wand of the brush takes a bit of getting used to and even with the bristles differently shaped than before, application is still ridiculously effortless. With eight available shades (there are 2 that are exclusives to Asia and/or International), I sincerely hope that more are already in the planning. Verdict: you will so need to dress up your nails with La Petite Robe Noire.

Not shown in the post, is the new base and top coats (which are now verging on Holy Grail status for me).

Available April 1st at Guerlain counters and select boutiques across Canada. Find more information via guerlain.com

Press samples kindly provided by the Guerlain team for my unbiased consideration

essie – Resort 2014 Collection

February 3, 2014

Back in October when I was attending the World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto (previously reviewed here), I was given Essie’s Resort 2014 Collection for review (but I couldn’t reveal it until now, obviously). While none of these shades initially made me think of a steamy getaway, I have since revised that opinion; they are all absolutely and perfectly curated to represent luxury and vacationing at its finest. Think: a lavish spa in Bali, or a yoga retreat in Costa Rica … maybe even a jaunt to St. Tropez. All of the afore-mentioned would suit me just fine, especially since that damn groundhog just predicted another 6 weeks of Winter. Sigh …

Essie Resort 2014

essie Resort 2014

Essie Resort 2014 B

essie Resort 2014

Find me an Oasis – Before I get into the description, let me say that last year I was obsessed with white, but that was then; 2014 is going to be all about this ‘cloud blue’ shade for me. Icy and utterly clean looking, the first coat applies a touch patchy, but that’s totally resolved by the second layer. Super glossy and the most modern way to wear white, it takes 3 thin coats to achieve a perfect finish – but the end result is so. darn.worth.it. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

Essie Find me an Oasis swatch

essie – Find me an Oasis

Resort Fling – A semi-sheer, soft cantaloupe hue in a hybrid crème-jelly formula, that also holds a pink/peachy tint in the base to warm it up. Self-levelling and über-glossy at the finish, I love the slight translucency it gives my nails at 2 coats, although there was still some visible nail line showing (will not show on those with shorter nails). Application could not have been more perfect and buttery smooth – something I’ve never experienced with a lacquer before. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

essie – Resort Fling

Cocktails & Coco – A sandy nude hue that holds mauve/pink tints in its base, with a finely ground silver & pink shimmer throughout. Semi-sheer but also totally self levelling and with a ridiculously high glossy shine at the finish, I love how this isn’t the ‘invisible’ type of shimmer, but the type that can be seen even away from direct sunlight – but definitely not over the top either. Very ‘café au lait’ in tone, I may have just found my absolutely perfect nude. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

essie – Cocktails & Coco

Under the Twilight – the deepest indigo crème in an INSANE formula: basically a true 1-coater, self-levelling, high-watt glassy shine and 100% non-staining upon removal. Yes, you read that correctly. There’s a hard to describe, almost dusty quality to this shade (it sounds like an oxymoron, I know, but it’s literally glossy & murky at the same time – at least, in my eyes) and the application almost has that jelly-like feel to it. Really stunning, sexy and a gorgeous alternative to black. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

essie – Under the Twilight

I can sum this collection up very easily: back up worthy, each and every shade. With its mix of pale, dark, crème, jelly and shimmer, this capsule collection of just 4 shades are all unique – perhaps not overtly, but take a second look: the ethereal blue tinge of Find me an Oasis, the cushiony tone of Resort Fling in the most wearable orange-y hue ever, the opalescent shimmer of Cocktails & Coco that adds an edge to an otherwise safe neutral, and the mysterious purple depths of Under the Twilight – they all have an understated sophistication to them without sacrifice any fun. Well done, Essie … well done.

Kindly provided by Essie 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

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Essie – Winter 2013 Collection

September 11, 2013

As I write this post, it happens to be one of those scorching hot & crazy humid September days – definitely NOT the time to bring up Winter … unless it happens to come in the form of a new nail lacquer collection. This season, Essie’s Winter 2013 Collection takes inspiration from the luxurious and cozy fabrics seen on the runways, with little glamorous touches here and there to catch the light and liven things up. While not exactly shades one imagines when thinking of the colder weather, the six hues here, all exude a certain wearable factor, interwoven with a modern yet sophisticated vibe.

*EDIT: I have been informed that this collection should become available in store by early October 2013 – although I’m hoping for earlier!

Essie Winter 2013 Collection

Warm & Toasty Turtleneck – a blue tinged lavender crème hue with jelly-esque characteristics, in a self levelling and well pigmented formula that gives good coverage even by the first coat. There’s a cushiony-looking density to the overall look, and the final finish is ultra glossy. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Essie – Warm & Toasty Turtleneck

Mind Your Mittens – a mid-sheer concrete grey hue with blue/green undertones, filled with ultra fine silver and prismatic ground shimmer – which is actually quite subtle, unless seen in direct sunlight. Looking more like a diffused sea foam shade and bearing an ultra-smooth finish, there’s a gorgeous uniqueness to this colour and while I searched through my Essies, I realized that I have nothing like it at all. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Essie – Mind Your Mittens

Sable Collar – Le Sigh….. Where do I start? I LOVE THIS SHADE (had to get that out of the way) – a totally unique mix of grey & raisin, and filled with a pale pink and burgundy ultra-fine shimmer throughout, but all as though seen through a dusty filter – hands down, the most original shade released this season by ANY brand. Ultra pigmented, self-levelling and with a nice shine (but not a natural high gloss) at the finish, this is a 100% must have. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Essie – Sable Collar

Shearling Darling – a rich and ultra saturated deep berry hue with wine/burgundy undertones in its base, in a hybrid crème/jelly formula. There’s an odd elasticity felt upon application – best to wait 2-3 minutes between coats, to avoid any dragging. Vampy, sexy, super glossy and 100% self-levelling, this is a universally flattering shade for all skin tones. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Essie – Shearling Darling

Parka Perfect – a somber dark teal hue that is paradoxically deep & bright at the same time, with definitive grey undertones in its base, all in a crème/jelly formula. With it’s über-glossy finish, smoothly laying application and excellent saturation fo colour, this is the perfect alternative to wearing black. Bonus: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Essie – Parka Perfect

Toggle To The Top – a deep ruby base hue loaded with embedded magenta glitter in varying shapes & sizes, in a glowing jelly-esque formula. With its stunning and totally eye-catching colour, there is a glass fleck-like look to the glitter, seemingly floating at the nail surface and looking lit from within – GORGE! While there is a nice shine at the finish, this shade definitely needs between 1-2 layers of a dense top coat to smooth the surface and enhance the entire look. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Essie – Toggle To The Top

Essie – Toggle To The Top (macro detail)

Essie – Toggle To The Top

Oh yes, Essie…you have definitely done it again. Initially, I was fairly certain that the colours were not all that unique, but 2 things happened: A) when I began searching through my Essie collection for duplicates, I was stunned to find that I had matches for only 2 of the 6 shades and B) the superb application of each lacquer was yet another reason to love them all. My favourites are without a doubt ‘Sable Collar’, ‘Parka Perfect’ and ‘Shearling Darling’, and surprisingly, ‘Toggle To The Top’ – considering I’m not really the glitter type. That being said, I also want to try ‘Mind Your Mittens’ as a pedi shade next … just to switch things up a bit from darker tones on the toes!