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China Glaze ‘On Safari Collection’ part 1 – Native
Technically, it’s still fall – at least until December 21st. And yes, I am a little behind in showing this collection but to their credit, these are all hues that can easily transition into the winter season … if not even beyond that (just a smidge of justification here). Part 1, the ‘Native’ grouping, are all richly pigmented colours that bring to mind the incredible vibrancy of the “cradle of civilization” – Africa. These six shades are comprised of a variety of finishes that include crème, jelly, and shimmer – yet all done in a fresh new way. Let the journey begin …
All swatches are with Seche Clear Base Coat and Seche Vite Top Coat
… because I love elephants … (source)
The Native group (natural light)
CG Elephant Walk – a soft & diffused grey shade bearing a distinctive greenish undertone, and filled with incredibly fine silver shimmer. The medium thick formula has an excellent flow & viscosity, being neither too thick nor overly watery, applying in a completely self-levelling way and ending with a nice gloss at the finish. More of a warm-leaning shade of grey, this unique colour totally reminds me of an elephant’s pebbled skin! Coats applied: 2
CG Elephant Walk
CG Elephant Walk
Jungle Queen – a complex mix made up of plum/prune/brown hues filled with an ultra finely ground pink shimmer that appears as a delicate purple flash in certain lighting, but disappears when seen indoors – although it does serve to add a deeper dimension. While the formula applies in a self-levelling way, the first coat fell a touch patchy but was quickly corrected by the second layer, ending in a lovely gloss. Coats applied: 2
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Jungle Queen
Jungle Queen
Naturally, I needed to compare ‘Jungle Queen’ to CHANEL’s ‘Paradoxal’, as the colour resemblance seems to be identical. How they compared:
- index and middle fingers: China Glaze Jungle Queen
- ring & pinkie fingers: CHANEL Paradoxal – this formula applies with utter perfection by the first coat, a degree lighter in tone bearing a slightly more complex shimmer, less purple in the base and perhaps a tinge greyer overall
Jungle Queen vs CHANEL Paradoxal
CG Purr-fect Plum – an ultra-creamy raisin/dusky plum hue with a slight brown/burgundy undertone. With a formula that bears excellent coverage and opacity, this shade applies in a totally self-levelling way and with a high gloss shine at the finish. BONUS: No staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2
CG Purr-fect Plum
CG Purr-fect Plum
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CG Exotic Encounters – an absolutely gorgeous mid-tone teal crème hue that bears a jelly-like consistency, with an excellent formula that shows amazing pigmentation even with the first coat. Self-levelling and with a high gloss finish at the end, I absolutely love its deep yet murky turquoise leanings – very chic! Coats applied: 2
CG Exotic Encounters
CG Exotic Encounters
CG Man Hunt – a paradoxically vivid yet muted ultra marine blue shade, in a slightly thick jelly-like formula that may show some bald patches upon initial application, but gives excellent coverage with the second layer. Self-levelling, ultra glossy, and with crazy intense cobalt leanings, there was no staining left behind upon removal. Coats applied: 2
CG Man Hunt
CG Man Hunt
CG Prey Tell – Intense vampy shade = pure love for me! A stunning combination of the deepest berry/burgundy wine/aubergine hues, this amazing formula applies in a hybrid crème/jelly-like manner, is totally self-levelling and leaves behind a mirror-like shine at the finish. Excellently pigmented, it may be a little patchy upon the first coat – soon rectified by the second layer. Bonus: No staining left behind upon removal. Coats applied: 2
CG Prey Tell
CG Prey Tell
Final thoughts: I’ve said it time and time again, but I truly believe that China Glaze puts out an amazing product – especially when you consider its budget-friendly price point. This first half of the ‘On Safari’ Collection (a theme which I absolutely LOVE), has completely and thoroughly impressed me on all points: colour, formula and wear. ‘Jungle Queen’ was a nice surprise and so incredibly similar to the much pricier ‘Paradoxal’ – sure to make many people quite happy. If I had to choose my favourites, I would have to say ‘Elephant Walk’ – because I love grey and ADORE elephants, ‘Man Hunt’ – for its totally eye-catching colour, ‘Prey Tell’ – for its sheer sexiness (and because I have a thing for vampy hues), and finally ‘Exotic Encounters’ – because I melt for anything aquatic. buy valtrex online noprescriptionbuyonlinerxx.com/valtrex.html no prescription
Stay tuned for part 2, the ‘Tourist’ grouping
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
China Glaze- Bohemian Luster Chrome Collection 2012 (swatches & review)
Even though I am a self-professed “colour purist” at heart and will always prefer my deep, luscious crème shades, there’s something so completely riveting about the 6 varnishes which make up China Glaze’s new ‘Lustre Chrome Collection’. Starting with the rich, jewel-like hues, to the brilliance of the shine, and finally add to that a complex mix of metallic colours all playing off each other, and well … you literally won’t be able to stop staring.
China Glaze’s new Lustre Chrome Collection, is 6 absolutely eye-catching shades, with several commonalities that tie them together:
- vivid, glowing hues
- easy-flowing formula, rather on the thin side and slightly sheer
- a complexity of colour, some dual chromes, others multi-chromed
- very quick-drying
The application of each was effortlessly executed, with the brush bearing just the right amount of flex & rigidity to make the job easy. With a formula this brilliant, you do need to have a steady hand so as to keep visible brush strokes to a minimum, although I found that the foil-like and rather metallic shine at the finish, go a long way in cancelling out any perceived flaws. All swatches are with Seche Clear Base Coat and Seche Vite Top Coat.
Swanky Silk – pale oxidized gold, with antiqued rose flashes, especially seen along the sides of the nails. One of the sheerest shades of the 6, being the lightest in tone, it still gave decent coverage at 2 coats and the very nature of its hue means it’s almost “goof-proof”. Coats applied: 3
in sunlight
angled
shaded light
with flash
No Plain Jane – grey-tinged lavender/lilac with bronze flashes (some lighting also reveal a few olive tints). The sheer-leaning formula lends itself well to being layered over a solid colour, but even 2 coats covered quite well. The flash effect may not be as vivid as some of the others in this collection, but you could still definitely see some amber gleams at certain angles, with deeper amethyst in others. Coats applied: 3
in sunlight
angled
shaded light
with flash
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Rare & Radiant – burnished gold base with emerald and blue flashes. While the formula here was the same consistency as the others, something about this colour combination gave it a fuller and deeper opacity by the second coat. Almost eerie in its effect, this shade is easy to wear during the day and has enough eye-catching power to hold its own in the evening. Coats applied: 3
in sunlight
angled
alternate angle
shaded light
with flash
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Unpredictable – aqua/turquoise with indigo flashes, and hints of golden green along the nail edges (similar glowy effect as with ‘Rare & Radiant’, above, but with the colour combination almost in reverse). Interestingly enough, the formula here was a touch thicker, requiring less product on the brush overall for full coverage. Very mermaid-ish, or like dragonfly wings — both hard to capture and so iridescent! Coats applied: 3 (thin)
in sunlight
in sunlight – alternate view
angled
angled – alternate view
shaded light
with flash
Deviantly Daring – vivid peacock blue with deep cobalt flashes. The formula surprised me by being paradoxically thinly-flowing and of a medium thick consistency (confusing, I know), but applied like silk. The deepened blue is the predominant shade seen here, with the dark purple making a rare appearance in some lights/angles, although it does serve to give this lacquer a beautiful dimension of tone — no staining upon removal. Absolutely STUNNING! Coats applied: 3 (thin)
in sunlight
angled
shaded light
with flash
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Want My Bawdy – iridescent blue-violet with slight amethyst and ultra-blue flashes. The duo chrome effect was the least visible with this lacquer, although I did catch a few subtle glimpses of it here and there. An excellently flowing formula, you barely need more than 2 coats for full opacity, with the final tone winding down to a rich, royal blue. Bonus: no staining upon removal. Coats applied: 3
in sunlight
angled
shaded light
with flash
Final thoughts: Yes, these are all absolutely gorgeous, and in my opinion, this finish makes them a great option if you’re looking to add some fire to your varnish, without resorting to glitter. My personal favourite is ‘Deviantly Daring’, as much for the colour as the name (very Mata Hari-ish), an almost hynotic colour combination. With ‘Rare & Radiant’ a near clone to CHANEL’s much pricier version, ‘Peridot’, this is an excellent opportunity to pick it up — and it won’t break the bank. Since you’ll be saving on that purchase, you may as well indulge in a few more from this collection, no?!
*I’ll be posting some comparison photos soon, as several of the lacquers featured here have much more expensive doppelgangers out there!
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
*Follow China glaze through their website, facebook or twitter for all their latest updates
China Glaze ‘Summer Neons’ Collection – part 2 (swatches & review)
Something about the seasons seems to dictate the colours we wear, and let’s face it; nothing says caliente like the vibrant hues of China Glaze’s new ‘Summer Neons’ Collection! In my review of part 1 (previously seen here), I should have specified that the pinks of that first grouping were the warm hues of the bunch, while the shades shown in this batch, all definitely lean more towards the cooler side. Any way you look at it, there’s something here for everyone – from the most reserved, to the obvious divas!
Part 2 of China Glaze’s new ‘Summer Neons’ Collection is made up of the last 6 shades – all bearing a mixed bag of finishes this time around. All these colours tend to run rather cool with definitive blue undertones, although there are a few that can almost swing either way as they will suit a wide variety of skin tones. The two crèmes of this grouping have a very fluid consistency and bear no shimmer at all, although their mirror-like shine certainly makes up for that. I also found that the amount of coats I needed to apply for each varied as well, as the individual formula consistency fluctuated more widely here than with the previous 6 – although the fabulous end results didn’t hurt! All swatches are with Poshé’s Fast Drying Base Coat and Super-Fast Drying Top Coat.
‘Love’s A Beach’ is a super fluorescent true pink shade with a unique crème/jelly-like formula that’s full of surprises; self-levelling with no visible brush strokes, it bears a beautiful pearly essence and dries to a satiny, semi-matte finish … an absolutely stellar formula! Coats applied: 2
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
‘Hang-Ten Toes’ is another cool-hued pink similar to ‘Love’s a Beach’, but several degrees lighter in tone and with more obviously visible blue undertones. The pearly shimmer seems a little finer here and definitely recedes more when viewed indoors, while the formula itself also applied more sheer; 2 coats gives decent but not fully opaque coverage with the finish once more ending satiny/semi-matte. Coats applied: 3
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
‘Beach Cruise-R’ is absolutely fabulous! An über-vibrant fuchsia with an intense violet side, the formula was unexpected as well, being slightly thicker than the others and in that odd crème/jelly consistency. Once more, the shimmer really only comes to life when seen in full sun or with flash, but the finish appeared to be somewhat more glossy than the others with the same pearly gleam – really brought out the blue/purple highlights in the base. Coats applied: 2
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
indoors/alternate
with flash
‘Under the Boardwalk’ is the first of the non-shimmers in this grouping, being a slightly deeper, more raspberry-hued version of ‘Beach Cruise-R’, and definitely a touch more toned down. With a truer crème/jelly consistency, the self-levelling formula was a cinch to apply, and the highly reflective glossy finish barely needed any top coat, although I wouldn’t skip it just the same. As this shade seems to have some reddish undercurrents, it tends to lean slightly warmer and more magenta-inclined. Coats applied: 2
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
‘Splish Splash’ is that perfect sky shade you see when summer is full-on … stunning! A bright azure blue shade filled with ultra-marine finely ground pearlized shimmer, this hue appears to emit a slightly metallic finish with even some hints of violet flashing back at you in certain lights, winding down to a satiny/semi-opaque finish. Bonus: no staining! Coats applied: 2
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in sunlight
backlit
indoors
indoors/alternate
with flash
‘Ride the Waves’ is the second non-shimmer of the bunch AND the sheerest of all 12 in this collection. Interestingly enough, the formula applies in a rather medium-thick format, but the jelly-like consistency is the most prevalent here. A truly vivid ultra-blue shade, this is not only 100% self-levelling, but the glassy shine at the finish is spectacular. When 2 coats are applied, you achieve a stunning translucency, and while 3 coats gives a deeper opacity, it does take slightly longer to dry (but so worth it!). I absolutely adore the “stained glass” effect of this ink blue shade — LOVE! Coats applied: 3
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in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
Final thoughts: As I wrap up China Glaze’s ‘Summer Neons’ Collection, I have to confess that my initial assumptions were so completely WRONG; I have never considered myself a fan of super-bright hues, let alone neons, but with every lacquer of this collection, I found myself not only shifting to the bright side, but totally loving it as well! Does it hurt that China Glaze products are at such an excellent price point & quality? I don’t think so! My favourites of this bunch are hands down ‘Beach Cruise-R’ and ‘Ride the Waves’, with ‘Love’s a Beach’ not far behind – but the truth is that I found something to love about every single one. Available now and absolutely perfect for showing off your summer style, get ’em while they’re hot!
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Feel free to check out China Glaze’s website for their full lineup, or follow them on facebook/twitter to receive the latest updates.
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
China Glaze ‘Summer Neons’ Collection – part 1 (swatches & review)
For a self-professed “neon-avoider”, it may seem a little odd that not only is this my second collection of these über-bright hues, but that I’m actually really enjoying the jolt of colour that they provide. What sets China Glaze’s new ‘Summer Neons’ Collection apart from everything else out there, is that these attention-grabbing colours come with a nice surprise: shimmer! It’s like a 2-for-1!
Part 1 of this 12-piece collection of lacquers, focuses primarily on the more obvious “neon” shades of the group along with the pinks, and some of the characteristics they all have in common, namely:
- a medium-thick formula
- a brushstroke-free and self-levelling application
- ultra-fine shimmer
- a semi-matte/satin finish
- 2 coats for each shade for opaque coverage
The following swatches are all with Poshé Fast Drying Basecoat and Super-Fast Drying Topcoat – as stated, the final look is rather satiny/semi-matte; unless you prefer that finish, I recommend ending with a nice glossy top coat, as that really brings out every ounce of visual interest of each shade.
‘Sun-Kissed’ is a retina-searing “highlighter” yellow hue, infused with an ultra-fine pearly shimmer that’s a nice way of modernizing such a vivid neon shade. The formula was the thickest of the 6 here, although it still applied easily enough.
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
‘I’m with the Lifeguard’ is almost radio-active; a neon green so vibrant that you’d swear it glows in the dark, there’s almost a cartoonish “toxic-waste” eerie look to this hue, but it’s surprisingly flattering to wear. Bearing a slightly similar formula to ‘Sun-Kissed’, this shade nonetheless applied very well just the same and I absolutely loved the ribbons of pearly shimmer visible in both the bottle and on the nail.
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
‘Surfin’ for Boys’ is a high-octane pink filled with that same crushed pearly luminosity, and bears an excellently-flowing formula. While the shimmer is not as clearly visible with this shade as with the previous two, the coral flash you see along the nail edges more than makes up for that. There also seems to be an inner blue flame that becomes apparent in certain lights, adding a beautiful depth and overall tone to this unique colour. LOVE!
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
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‘Orange You Hot?’, is a high-voltage orange which still manages to somehow appear rather dusty-looking. Like a sophisticated take on that well-known colour of our childhood, “school-bus orange”, the shimmery pearly strands in the base give this citrusy hue a nice depth and dimension. An interesting and lighter version of the colour of the year, ‘Tangerine Tango’.
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
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‘Flirty Tankini’ has a secret; a more toned-down version of ‘Surfin’ for Boys’, the formula on this hot pink shade seemed to be more of a hybrid as it felt almost jelly-like. With an excellent flow, the pearl shimmer appears much less apparent to the naked eye, although the pale violet flash that shows up at certain angles and which compliments the light peachy/coral undertones, makes for a nice touch.
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
‘Pink Plumeria’ (love that name!) is a highly vibrant & saturated doll-pink hue, filled with an ultra-fine golden shimmer. The formula was unexpected as well; flowing with the consistency of raw egg white (sorry – I call ’em as I see ’em!), I did not expect the ease with which it applied. While it can appear as a less intense version of ‘Flirty Tankini’, the gold shimmer takes this hue in a completely new direction and can make it look at times rather warm leaning (think: flamingo pink), or cooler-toned (as in pink lemonade). A grown-up, beautiful & unique summery pink hue!
in sunlight
backlit
indoors
with flash
Final thoughts: I’ve documented in my numerous China Glaze posts, what a total fan I am of this brand; the permanent colour range is vast, the seasonal collections that are released offer totally wearable shades, with colours that generally meet everyone’s tastes, the formula is for the most part absolutely stellar and the best part? The price point is almost ridiculously low in comparison to all that you’re getting. This first half of the ‘Summer Neons’ Collection took me by surprise; I may have groaned upon viewing the lacquers, but that quickly faded when I actually began swatching – then couldn’t stop staring and taking photos! Even if you don’t manage to squeeze in any beach time, something tells me that a quick swipe of one of these happy hues can almost transport you there … I said “almost” !
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Available now at all locations where China Glaze products are sold, feel free to visit the company’s website for further information and/or to view their entire lineup, and you could also follow them on twitter or their facebook page.
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
China Glaze – ‘Crackle Glitters’ new for 2012 (swatches & review)
Ok…before you start groaning and complaining, hear me out; I may not be the biggest champion of the whole crackle effects trend, but I can’t deny just how cool it is to watch it happen before one’s eyes. Another bonus is that whatever shade you layer underneath doesn’t have to be applied with surgical precision, which makes this a super-fast mani to achieve. Lastly, and needing only 1 coat of your crackle glitter of choice, uniformity is not required, so the more variety on each nail, the better – plus it’s relatively goof-proof. But what makes China Glaze’s new ‘Crackle Glitters’ so special for me, is actually the formula itself … read on to see what I mean. All swatches are with Poshé Fast Drying Base Coat and Super Fast Drying Top Coat, and layered over a-england’s ‘Camelot’ (previously reviewed here).
‘Luminous Lavender’ – ultra fine violet/lavender glitter suspended in a clear base. Out of the 4, this was the only shade that I layered over only 1 coat of ‘Camelot’ and I liked the slightly provocative look it gave, sort of like lacy lingerie!
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
‘Jade-d’ – ultra fine citron/lime glitter suspended in a clear base. When layered over 2 coats of ‘Camelot’, this shade seemed to take on an eerie glow, seeming to shine up through the ebony base coat — so cool!
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
‘Glam-More’ – ultra fine magenta/royal purple glitter suspended in a clear base. As soon as I layered this shade over 2 coats of ‘Camelot’, all I could think of was “disco queen” … loved the 80’s redux look of this combo!
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
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‘Gleam Me Up’ – ultra fine cerulean blue/aqua glitter suspended in a clear base. Layered over 2 coats of ‘Camelot’, it delivered the star-studded cosmos right onto my fingertips. One word: LOVE.
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
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Final thoughts: I must confess that I’m totally nuts about these new China Glaze ‘Crackle Glitters’. Yes, you heard correctly – love them. For anyone who’s either A) fed up with effects polishes or B) held off trying these for fear of gaudy-looking digits, then let me state that these don’t function the way traditional crackle polishes do. For one thing, the effect appears more diffused – almost giving off a lacy pattern, especially visible when layered over a dark base, and while they do form the usual cracks, they seem rather more dispersed with absolutely no shrinking away from the nail tips as other effects lacquers are prone to doing. The glitter also adds a different element, giving off enough brilliant sparkle but not overdone – hands down the most sophisticated way to wear crackle. Fun, edgy, modern and urban: that’s what China Glaze’s new ‘Crackle Glitters’ are … go ahead and give them a shot; I think you’ll be as pleasantly surprised as I was!
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*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
