Nothing Personail

Icing Frost Yourself on Boots 17 Midnight Sapphire

2012-02-22T01:04:00.000+08:00

Hi guys! I hope everyone is having a lovely week/day. Apparently it's Fat Tuesday? Well, not really Tuesday where I am anymore but what is Fat Tuesday? Am I allowed to eat anything and everything today? Because.. I do that everyday :D

Anyway, here's a nice glitter I got a long time ago from a swap with the lovely Kellie Gonzo. It's from Icing, and it's the only Icing polish I have. I wish I had their magnetic polishes though! I am currently wearing a mattified magnetic polish (try it!) and am still in that stage of awe.

I did 1 coat of Icing Frost Yourself over Boots 17 Midnight Sapphire (a blue shimmer). There are 2 or 3 (not sure) sizes of silver holo glitter. The glitter lies completely flat (yay!), but I added a top coat anyway.

I love the blurry shots!

I'll be pretty busy for the rest of the week, because I have a test on Friday. I hate tests. I've also been really lazy, I haven't removed my polish in a week! I did layer a magnetic over my initial manicure and then mattify it, so that counts right?

PS: Happy belated birthday to Elizabeth and Katy! <3

OPI I Lily Love You on Barry M Red Black

2012-02-14T23:59:00.000+08:00

Hi! Happy Valentine's Day/Singles Awareness Day! I hope you guys had a fun day with lots of chocolate! Mine wasn't exactly fun but at least chocolate was involved!

Okay over-enthusiastic paragraph aside, I didn't get to do a lovey heart shape-filled design because I was busy fighting Dementors. Which sounds way cooler than what I was actually doing, so I'll stick to that. Instead, here's something that at least has the word "love" in it.

I did 1 coat of OPI I Lily Love You over Barry M Red Black. And because I lily love all of you, I have a ton of photos.

Camera flash

Artificial lighting

I added China Glaze Matte Magic after a couple of days:

Artificial lighting

I lily love this polish! ;)

Wowwow #62

2012-02-08T02:11:00.002+08:00

Sorry for the crappy title. I swear, Asian polish brands need to hire someone to name their polishes. Maybe I should start a company and other polish companies can hire me to come up with names.

Anyway, today I'm posting glitter because it's Kirsten's birthday! Although it's past 12am where I am, I'm from the future so it's still her birthday in her timezone! Happy birthday! <333 Remind me to send you instructions for care of my nail beds when you take them on weekends! ;)

I bought this glitter while I was on holiday, and it was quite cheap so I wasn't expecting much. It did turn out to be really pretty though! I used 1 coat of Wowwow #62 over a black creme. There's holo glitter and purple glitter in it.

I used two different cameras to take these photos, because one showed the holo glitter more and the other showed the purple glitter more.

I love glitter! Probably not as much as Kirsten does ;)

I deleted a whole bunch of photos today because they featured my super long nails which looked incredibly ugly. I can't believe I actually thought they looked good because they were long. I definitely prefer my nails short. Even if it means filing more often, remind me never to grow my nails that long ever again.

Everyone now needs to go and spam Kirsten's blog with birthday wishes! (:

China Glaze Pool Party

2012-02-04T01:52:00.000+08:00

Hello! As promised, I dug through my giant backlog of photos to find some that were already edited/watermarked so I could write a post. I'm really sleepy so if anything I'm saying looks weird, don't mind me.

I did 3 coats of China Glaze Pool Party with top coat. It's my first neon, so I don't really know what the formula is supposed to be like but I felt like 2 coats weren't enough. It was fairly easy to put on and remove. No staining (phew!).

It's really pink in the bottle but dries a little more orange (you can see the difference in the last photo). Which is a shame, because I wanted something really neon pink, like a highlighter.

I need more neons! I'm afraid to try yellow and green but other than that I think I'd like it! I need a red neon.

Neon is a funny word.

I hope you enjoyed that. I'm going to go read blogs until I fall asleep now. (:

Guess This Red Contest Winner & Answer!

2012-02-01T00:50:00.000+08:00

Hi guys! I think you've been waiting a long, long time for this. I finally closed Day 10 of the contest and picked a winner!

I did this contest because I didn't want to have just any giveaway. There are tons of people who follow a blog just to get free stuff, and I'm not interested in having those people follow my blog. I also love puzzles/mystery-solving, so I thought maybe other people might enjoy that too.

I'm surprised at the different names of red polishes I got as answers. There were all sorts of brands, from China Glaze to Zoya and even Nails Inc! I only got one correct answer on Day 1, but as the days went on, more people seemed to get it. Surprisingly, I did get a wrong answer on Day 10, which was the easiest clue. Obviously that someone didn't do their research ;)

I'm glad to know that some of you had fun! I also loved reading all your suggestions and all the other stuff you wrote. Thanks for making me have as much fun sorting the entries as you guys did entering them! <3

Now comes the interesting part. The answer: Nubar Competition Red. Congratulations to everyone who got it right!

And the winner is.....

Congratulations Leona Carolina!

Once again, thanks for entering! I'll be back to posting as usual within the next few days (:

Happy Lunar New Year!

2012-01-23T23:00:00.001+08:00

Hi guys! This is just a quick post to wish all of you a happy, healthy, wealthy and prosperous (Chinese) new year! I'm typing from my phone, because I'm at my grandma's house and there is no Internet other than 3G.

I've been eating a lot of homemade food made by my grandma and lazing around, watching tv. It's been raining quite a bit, which some people believe is because it's the year of the Water Dragon. Or global warming.

Here are a couple of photos from my phone, which will hopefully put you in a CNY mood. One of them is of Toffee, I hope she misses me!

Guess This Red Contest Day 10 (Last Day!)

2012-01-17T00:41:00.000+08:00

Finally! It's the last day of the contest! Phew! It's taken me much longer than expected but better late than never, right? :D Today's clue is the easiest. I will be extremely disappointed if anyone doesn't do their research and gets this answer wrong!

This form will be open until I announce that it has been closed (or until it stops accepting responses, if I forget to announce it).

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The forms for Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

I would highly recommend that you read everything in the Day 1 post if you haven't already, before submitting an answer. Also, if you are a new follower, you might want to get all the previous clues by going to the post of that particular day (:

This photo was taken under artificial lighting.

Day 10 Clue: This polish has been described by a previously mentioned blogger as "supremely flattering".

Follow me on Twitter: @NthgPersonail
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Boots 17 Royal Indigo with CND Jade Sparkle Gradient

2012-01-10T00:39:00.000+08:00

Hi guys! I'm probably studying so hard that my brain is threatening to escape through my ears right now, but I scheduled this post in advance so I wouldn't leave you for too long :D

My friend said that this manicure reminded her of Christmas, but unfortunately I couldn't post it in time for that (oops) so here it is, a little bit festive for those who see it that way. I actually had to sponge twice because the first time, I'd done a horrible job. I just sponged over that again and it looked better.

I did 2 coats of Boots 17 Royal Indigo (purple creme) and sponged CND Jade Sparkle over my tips. Jade Sparkle appears to be a gold-blue duochrome, but you'll see that later.

Artificial lighting

I hope you enjoyed that! You're probably having way more fun than I am right now ):

Guest Post for Ivana

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000+08:00

Hello! This guest post I did was quite a few days ago but I completely forgot to tell you about it!

I was among other awesome bloggers who did a guest post for Ivana while she recovered from wrist surgery. You should definitely check out all the other guest posts! Ivana also has gorgeous nails so when she's back (I think she is already? I don't know. Haha) you can marvel at her nails!

Click here or on the photo above to go to my guest post! (:

Guess This Red Contest Day 9

2012-01-03T00:28:00.000+08:00

We are almost at the end! Only 2 days left! I hope you've been looking at all the clues and making sure they all tie in with your answer!

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The forms for Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

I would highly recommend that you read everything in the Day 1 post if you haven't already, before submitting an answer. Also, if you are a new follower, you might want to get all the previous clues by going to the post of that particular day (:

This photo was taken with the flash from a camera.

Day 9 Clue: This brand has the letter 'a' in its name.

Follow me on Twitter: @NthgPersonail
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Christmas nails: China Glaze Emerald Sparkle & Ruby Pumps

2011-12-25T23:15:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! I know I am!

I ninja-ed into getting this post done because I really wanted this to be posted on Christmas day itself. My house is filled with family members so it was pretty hard! I had to stay up late and make sure that everyone was either asleep or otherwise occupied.

I did 3 coats each of China Glaze Emerald Sparkled and Ruby Pumps. Ruby Pumps is my favourite polish! I hope RP doesn't suffer the same fate as ES. ES is pretty, but I'm not the hugest fan of green. Perfect for Christmas though, especially with RP!

Camera flash

With one of my new Christmas tree ornaments! I think you know why I chose it ;)

China Glaze Emerald Sparkle

China Glaze Ruby Pumps

I think the glitter is square. Either that or my eyes are playing tricks on me.

China Glaze should totally re-release Emerald Sparkle with Ruby Pumps as a Christmas set. Maybe make gold, silver, blue and mixed versions. Who wears cremes on Christmas anyway?

Merry Christmas again! I will be feasting tonight! (:

Blue & White Foil Christmas Gradient

2011-12-24T01:28:00.000+08:00

Hi guys! It's been awhile (try since Halloween) since I last wrote a post that wasn't another day in my contest. Let me see if I still remember how my posts are written!

I originally planned 12 days of Christmas nails but I haven't had as much time as I would've liked and life has been really hectic this week. I'll probably post a few Christmas themed nails after Christmas itself.

I've been trying out a different camera and some different lighting conditions. Let me know how they look and which ones stay/go :D

Anyway, here is 3 coats of Revlon Royal (gifted to me by an awesome friend) with a Skin Food Pedicure Sparkle #11 (white foil) gradient. I thought it would look nice and snowy. Not that I've ever experienced snow. I accidentally overdid the gradient on my index finger, so we'll call that a blizzard?

Camera flash

Artificial lighting

Sorry for the photo spam! A part of me thinks you need to see every manicure in EVERY type of lighting.

I hope you enjoyed that! I'll try to post more but I can't guarantee anything, especially since I'll be spending time with my family. I don't really know how Christmas week is going to go, but I will try my best to post stuff! (:

Guess This Red Contest Day 8

2011-12-19T00:34:00.001+08:00

Wow, if life and I were in any kind of martial arts competition, I would definitely get my ass handed to me. I thought of scheduling the remaining days' posts but I realised I needed the links to them, which don't exist until they're posted.

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The forms for Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

I would highly recommend that you read everything in the Day 1 post if you haven't already, before submitting an answer. Also, if you are a new follower, you might want to get all the previous clues by going to the post of that particular day (:

This photo was taken under artificial lighting.

Day 8 Clue: This polish is formaldehyde, phthalate and toluene free.

Follow me on Twitter: @NthgPersonail
'Like' my Facebook page: Nothing Personail

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Guess This Red Contest Day 7

2011-12-10T00:40:00.001+08:00

Only 4 more days! Real life has been kicking my ass HARD, I'm so sorry for making you guys wait!

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The forms for Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

I would highly recommend that you read everything in the Day 1 post if you haven't already, before submitting an answer. Also, if you are a new follower (HI!), you might want to get all the previous clues by going to the post of that particular day (:

This photo was taken under artificial lighting.

Day 7 Clue: This polish was given a lot of press in the year 2010.

Follow me on Twitter: @NthgPersonail
'Like' my Facebook page: Nothing Personail

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Guess This Red Contest Day 6

2011-11-19T00:31:00.001+08:00

Hi! I wonder if you've forgotten me by now! It feels like forever since I last wrote a post but I have been swamped lately (for real this time) and I've been really tired for some reason. So busy, that I considered canceling this contest, but I know that wouldn't be fair to you guys who've put in effort to find the answer!

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The forms for Days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

I would highly recommend that you read everything in the Day 1 post if you haven't already, before submitting an answer.

This photo was taken under artificial lighting.

Day 6 Clue: The name of the colour is in the name of the colour.

Follow me on Twitter: @NthgPersonail
'Like' my Facebook page: Nothing Personail

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Guess This Red Contest Day 5

2011-11-08T01:16:00.000+08:00

Hi! I know, it's been ages since Day 4. But I've been ~~lazy~~ busy. ;)

Anyway, I hope you haven't forgotten what guesses you've put in so far.

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The forms for Days 1, 2, 3, and 4 are now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

I would highly recommend that you read everything in the Day 1 post if you haven't already, before submitting an answer.

Here's Day 5's photo:

Day 5 Clue: This polish has been swatched by kittypolishnbags.

Follow me on Twitter: @NthgPersonail
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Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T02:39:00.000+08:00

Hi guys! I'm taking a break from the contest posts because I need to post this mani! It's past 12am where I am so it's already Halloween here.

People don't really celebrate Halloween here. No house decorating, no pumpkin carving, no trick-or-treating, none of that. As far as I know there are parties where people dress up but that's about it. This place is so lame haha.

Anyway, I know it's not exactly Halloween yet for a lot of you guys but I thought if I got this post out early maybe you might get some inspiration for the big day or something. Not that this mani is anything great but it requires almost no skill at all so it's easy :D

For the base I used 2 coats of Zoya Pia. It's the only orange polish I have (I think) so.. I didn't really have a choice. I like how the shimmer brings something more to this mani. The black I used is Models Own Black Magic.

On my thumbs I used 2 coats of China Glaze Wireless Holographic top coat and China Glaze Black Mesh. On my middle fingers I stuck on some loose black glitter and holographic black glitter.

Artificial lighting

Camera flash

Artificial lighting

Right hand

Artificial lighting

Left hand

I accidentally mixed up the photos of the thumb nail in my close-up photos. Oops. You can see the Wireless Holographic top coat in the close-up of my right hand.

I hope you guys had a good Halloween weekend with lots of candy!

Guess This Red Contest Day 4

2011-10-29T00:34:00.000+08:00

Hi! I hope you guys are ready to start another day!

First of all, I think I need to say this. In case I wasn't clear, all the photos are of the same red polish. I just have 10 different photos of the same red polish so I could have one for each day. They are NOT 10 different reds. They are THE SAME RED polish. If they were different polishes, I would have said so in the original contest post. I apologise to anyone who might have been confused, but you still have 7 entries left! (:

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The forms for Days 1, 2 and 3 are now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

Here is the photo for Day 4:

Day 4 Clue: This polish has been swatched by Lacquer Laine within the last year.

Guess This Red Contest Day 3

2011-10-24T00:34:00.000+08:00

Hi again! It's definitely taking me a lot longer than I'd expected to get each day's photo out. Sorry ):

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The forms for Days 1 and 2 are now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

Here is Day 3's photo:

Day 3 Clue: This polish has been swatched by The Hungry Asian within the last 12 months.

Guess This Red Contest Day 2

2011-10-18T00:43:00.000+08:00

Hi! Sorry it's taken me so long to get this photo up. I've been occupied with some puppy drama in the past few days. First, the obligatory contest photo.

For the details, the rules, the winner selection and the prize, go to the original/Day 1 contest post. The form for Day 1 is now closed, so please do not enter any answers there, as they will be disqualified anyway.

Without further ado, here's the photo for Day 2. It might look like Day 1's photo, but I swear none of the photos are the same.

Day 2 Clue: This polish has been swatched by Kellie Gonzo within the last 18 months.

Good luck!

Follow me on Twitter: @NthgPersonail
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Guess This Red Contest

2011-10-12T23:35:00.000+08:00

I promised you something special, and here it is. I've been thinking about giveaways and how they're just.. giveaways. Too easy. I'm not giving out freebies. Wouldn't it be way more worth it if you actually had to put effort into it?

If you didn't know by now, my favorite color is red. I love any polish that is red and I could collect all the red polishes in the world if I had the money. This, and the fact that pretty much every polish company has a red creme, is why I chose a red polish.

I will post 10 different photos in separate posts on different days. Each time I post a photo, I will include a form for you to fill in your details and answer. This means you have 10 chances. You can either give the same answer for all 10 chances, give a different answer each time, or spread your answers across the 10 chances. It's entirely up to you. I will also post one clue to go with each photo.

Ready? Here comes the photo for Day 1:

Day 1 Clue: This polish has been swatched by Scrangie within the last 2 years.

The details:

Shown is 2 coats with China Glaze Fast Forward top coat.
The photos have not been color-corrected or retouched.
The brand of this polish isn't some random unknown brand. It's a well-known brand which has produced pressed releases and PR samples that have been on a lot of nail blogs.
This polish appeared in a collection/set with another red.
This is not a super old, HTF polish.
This polish might or might not have previously appeared on my blog.

The rules:

You must be a public follower via GFC or Twitter or have "liked" my Facebook page.
This contest is open internationally. I will not be responsible for the prize being held back by the customs department in your country. If you know that your customs department is very strict and will not allow polish to be shipped in, I kindly ask for you to sit this one out. It would be rather inconsiderate to claim a prize you cannot receive.
ONE entry per photo only. Multiple entries will be disqualified. If you're unsure whether your entry went through, you may leave a comment, tweet at me or send me an email to ask. I don't check Facebook often so I wouldn't advise you to ask through there.
I will accept answers on each form as long as the next one has not been posted. For example, if it's Day 3 and the photo for Day 4 hasn't been posted, you may still submit an answer. Once the next photo is posted, any entries on previous photos will not be accepted. Each form will be open for at least 48 hours.
Any answers which are not of a red creme polish will be disqualified.

The winner:

The winner will be chosen randomly from all the correct answers.
If nobody gets the name of the polish right, the winner will be randomly chosen from all the eligible entries.

The prize:

I am buying the prize with my own money, you may choose any 5* bottles of polish from the following brands:

Elianto
Skin Food
Etude House
The Face Shop
Sasatinnie (or anything else I can find in Sasa)

*subject to availability and pricing (Not all colors from every line produced by the brand might be available. The cheaper the polish, the higher the quantity and vice versa)

To get you all excited, here is a closer look at some of the stuff you could choose from if you win! (click to enlarge!). I might even throw in some extras ;)

I might or might not give clues on Twitter, so you might want to follow me on there or check often to see if anything might be helpful. ;)

Sharing this contest won't give you any extra entries, but I would be very grateful if you spread the word (:

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, tweet at me or send me an e-mail (my email address is in the sidebar). Good luck!

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1st Anniversary!

2011-10-07T22:33:00.000+08:00

Hi! Today is so special for my blog because on this day, one year ago, I wrote my first post. I had my first follower, Ivana. And since then I've written 103 posts (not including this one), made Twitter and Facebook accounts, gained friends I never thought I would.

I remember all the things that happened before I finally got to make this blog. First I found Scrangie through Tumblr. And.. we all know what happens when you find Scrangie. I remember brainstorming names with my friend. I remember choosing a theme, background, color scheme and fonts for my blog.

It's been a long time, and I still get excited whenever I get a new follower. To everyone who has been following, reading, commenting, and to everyone who will do it in the future, you have my utmost gratitude. If I was talking to myself this whole time, I would be so unmotivated and I would've quit a long time ago.

Today I thought I would show you something I did a year ago, and what it looked like when I recreated it recently. I think I've made an improvement in terms of polishing/clean-up/photography skills. I also don't wear my nails as short as I used to.

This mani is what I called "Pink & Turquoise Sponge Gradient" back in the day. Haha. I would still call it by the same name today. Since I missed the bottle shots last time, here they are:

I used 2 coats of Skin Food PK213 (Rosebay) as a base and sponged with Elianto Turquoise. Brace yourselves, here comes the old photos:

Omg I am cringing. And.. here are the photos from the recent attempt (the top coat I used bubbled on my index finger and dragged the pink a little) :

The last photo was taken using a DSLR camera.

Once again, thank you so much for putting up with my crappy photos, my walls of text and inconsistent posting schedule. I promise I have something very special (which hopefully will be fun for you) coming within the next few days. (:

<3

Snowman Jeremy

2011-10-05T23:29:00.000+08:00

Hi! I should really be blogging more often but.. good things come in small packages?

Anyway, today is Wednesday, which means we have to wear pink, or sit with the art freaks at lunch. Or with Kirsten in the bathroom (only when she doesn't wear pink).

Snowman Jeremy (it doesn't have a name, it just says Snowman on the label, so I named it myself) is a pink shimmer polish. The bottle is one of those Snowman ones, I believe they're the Christmas version of the pumpkin ones at Halloween. I think they're made by Blue Cross and I've read that people find them at Meijer. I got this in a swap.

I did.. 2? coats. Maybe 3. But it wasn't more than that. With top coat. There seemed to be.. black microglitter, just one popping up occasionally. I don't know if it was my bottle or if it's part of the polish, but it was a bit odd, considering I only got one or two pieces per nail. And they are so tiny, they look like defects. This looks meh in the shade but really nice in direct light.

Can you see the black dot next to the 'g' on my watermark?

I don't really like this nail length. I feel like it doesn't suit me. I was looking at some swatches I did awhile ago and my long nails look monstrous. Crazy long nails scare me sometimes.

Hopefully no one has to sit alone today. Happy Pink Wednesday! (:

Catrice Apropos Apricot

2011-09-27T01:00:00.000+08:00

Hi. I'm sorry it's been almost a week since my last post. And even longer since a real polish post. But I'm busy, really. Seriously. Not kidding. Really busy. Really.

My dad found a puppy on the street and decided to adopt it. I decided to name her Toffee, because I kind of named all my recent pets (the rabbit I had 10 years ago is not recent) after candy. My hamster was Hershey and my previous dog was Toby (short for Toblerone).

On the bottle it says 2x coats which is a huge LIE. I had to do 4 coats, and after that I just refused to do any more. I'm not a fan of peachy colors, because they don't look good on me, plus with the less than satisfactory application, I don't think I'll wear this often. Or ever.

It's a peachy color with shimmer you wouldn't see unless you were in sunlight or under some bright light.

I'm not too happy with the swatch photos but I'm not about to go through it again. I wouldn't recommend this color unless you really liked it and are willing to endure 4 coats of hell.

I hope everyone had a good weekend. By the way, how good was that new episode of Desperate Housewives? :D

I'm on Facebook & the Cutex website!

2011-09-21T02:15:00.001+08:00

Hi. Today I'm pimping my blog being on other websites.. On my own blog. So that's cool right? (Note: This is NOT a cue for anyone to pimp their blog out on mine. I will cut you. Or delete the contents of your comment)

Anyway, I'm writing this post today only because I received news from Cutex that the nail art I did for them has been featured on their website. Which is awesome news. I'm up there with a few other great bloggers like The Nailasaurus and Kari (Once Bitten)!

I'll have pictures of this mani up eventually, but in the mean time, you can check out my photo (or rate it, tweet about it, "like" it on Facebook or Google) and a few others' on the Cutex website, and you can even submit your own!

Another thing I've been meaning to post about was my Facebook page. It is so lonely over there, I only have 3 likes. Haha. Only if you want to ;) It's not very active now, because I just set up Networked Blogs and hardly anyone visits it, but maybe I'll make it more happening in the future.

Thanks for reading! I'll write a proper post soon (:

P.S.: In case anyone was wondering, I have installed a mobile template for my blog so you can read it on your mobile devices. (:

100th Post: OPI Mad As A Hatter

2011-09-17T01:00:00.000+08:00

Hi! It's taken me a much longer time than others to get to 100 posts (because I'm so lazy haha) but I finally did it!

I always knew I'd save posting this polish for a special occasion (not that I'm wearing it right now), so I think this is appropriate!

I often wander alone in malls. And before I was really into polish (i.e. before I found Scrangie), I would go into the beauty supply store that sells OPI and I would just look at all the pretty colors. I always marveled at the new collections with awe.

I remember when the Alice In Wonderland collection was released. I really wanted to see the movie so the polishes made me really excited. I always picked up the glitters and stared at them for awhile, not knowing the kind of chaos they would one day create.

When I finally got to try on Mad As A Hatter, I knew I had to have it. It never really interested me until I saw swatches. Long story short, I got a bottle of MAAH (off Amazon, you might remember my initial paranoia about it) and also a back-up (from my mom's manicurist).

Sorry for the rambling. Haha. I did 2 (or 3? :S ) coats with top coat, and if you can see it, some of the pictures have extra top coat on. These pictures were taken awhile ago, so the angles and stuff might be a little weird. Nubbins too :D All the pictures are clickable so you can view them in all their full-sized glory.

Artificial lighting

I'll probably post pictures when I wear this the next time again (unless I don't have time for pictures). Thank you all for following/reading/commenting so far <3 I have something very special (and hopefully fun) coming soon :D

Zoya Dannii

2011-09-15T00:10:00.000+08:00

Hi. I know it's Pink Wednesday but I DON'T HAVE A PINK ): So I'm posting purple instead. *goes to sit with the art freaks*

I just used the Lush American Cream conditioner and it doesn't smell like vanilla! I feel conned. It has the scent of something I wouldn't buy. But so sweet and vanilla-y in the bottle ):

I did 2 coats (most probably) of Dannii. She was so pretty but such a pain to remove.

I thought Dannii would look good with some matte topcoat (and she does!) so here she is:

L-R: Shiny, Matte (sun), Matte (shade)

Now I'm going to go try to ignore the incredibly strong smell wafting from my hair. *shakes fist at American Cream*

Polish and Lush haul

2011-09-13T00:13:00.000+08:00

*pic heavy*

Hi! I've just come back from a short holiday to a (kind of) nearby country. I have tons of photos from the trip but those can wait until after my 100th post (not far away at all!). I hope you guys like looking at food and crooked photos of streets/scenery. Haha.

I bought quite a bit of polish either because they were cheap/cheaper, or not available where I live. I am extremely pleased with what I bought, though I'm disappointed I didn't get to buy a couple of the brands I was looking at.

All these photos were taken in artificial lighting.

Revlon Star and Slipper
I wanted to pick up Galaxy as well but it was only a free gift if you bought a Revlon foundation ):

Golden Rose 166 and Chameleon Effect 01 (duochrome!)

Wowwow #57, #62 and #71

La Jour 49

OPI DS Extravagance, I Lily Love You, OPI Ink, Yoga-ta Get This Blue and OPI Ink Suede

Gosh Rainbow and Holographic

Glitters for frankening (hopefully they don't melt!)

I got to visit my first Lush store, and it was so awkward because the lady working there didn't speak very good English, and it would've been really hard for me to catch anything in her language so some things were hard to explain. It was hilarious when she tried to explain how to use the bubble bar (crumble it under the running tap water when you're filling the bath).

Godmother soap

Miranda soap

American Cream conditioner

Jasmin and Henna Fluff-Eaze hair moisturizer
This kinda smells funky :/

Herbalism facial wash

Lemony Flutter cuticle butter
This doesn't really smell like lemons! But tons of people love it so I guess I'll see how it compares to my Burt's Bees.

American Cream conditioner and Cynthia Sylvia Stout shampoo

The lady at Lush told me these were free!

Ma Bar bubble bar

Sorry for the weird photo. I had to take a photo before I used it, in the hotel.

And a few other random shots of the stuff I bought:

Square glitter!

Doesn't Herbalism look so gross? It doesn't smell good either :/

You probably think I look like this now after seeing the stuff I chose from Lush:

Image source: www.fanpop.com

But I assure you, I have never had a zit on my nose that big.

Congratulations if you made it this far :D And believe me, all these things were bought with my self-restraint in full effect. If I hadn't held myself back, there would've been tons more stuff.

I hope everyone had a good weekend! I know I did ;)

Zoya Pia

2011-09-07T01:04:00.000+08:00

Hi! I can't believe it's September already!

Today I have for you Zoya Pia, which is an orange shimmer polish. It's a nice vivid orange, and the only orange I own. I'm not a huge fan of orange, whether it's the color or the flavor (in candy, etc. but I love fresh oranges). Pia has enough red in it for me to wear it.

I did 3 coats I think. Or 2. I wish I could remember.

Artificial lighting

I never really thought I'd own an orange polish for purposes other than Halloween. I doubt I'll be buying any more orange anytime soon. Pia is a good color if you're like me and don't like orange.

Before I end this post, I strongly urge you to watch this video. It's about the barbaric nature of shark finning. I will probably pass on the shark's fin soup next time. And Gordon Ramsay is in it, for whoever is a fan of his.

Zoya Tangy

2011-08-31T01:28:00.004+08:00

Hi! I've been slacking, as usual, but I have a duochrome from Zoya to make up for it!

I have been busy lazing around being completely bored and enjoying time with family for the past few days. I don't think I'll have much time to post until next week.

I received this in a swap from Rachel (I'm sure you know and are following her blog already. I want to live in her stash). I told her to choose whatever Zoyas she thought were good and she sent me this! At first I thought this was an okay color (since I don't wear green often) but when I put it on... I was wowed.

I did 3 (or was it 2? I REALLY need to write this down) coats with top coat. It's a light green shimmer with orange duochrome. Two colors I don't wear often by themselves, but together...

Artificial lighting

Artificial lighting

Isn't it gorgeous? I never thought orange and green would go together anywhere else besides a tangerine tree, but they do!

China Glaze Meteor Shower

2011-08-22T23:04:00.003+08:00

Hello! I hope you're having a good day (I know it's Monday) today. Technically, I am still on hiatus until Friday at least but today is a special day for me so I wanted to write a post today.

Today is my birthday! Why was it so hard to type that. I tried quite a few times before I could get it out. Today was all about "It's my birthday and I'll ___ if I want to."

Anyway, I was going to wear Chanel Peridot and post that (because it's my birthstone), but last week I filed my nails down because I had a couple of peels and it made my nails pretty thin. I am saving Peridot until my nails are 100% again.

China Glaze Meteor Shower is gorgeous and worthy of the birthday post. I got a few compliments while wearing it, which doesn't happen often, so I know I wasn't the only one who loved it.

I did 2-3 coats (can't remember) with about 2-3 layers of top coat. It's gritty, so if you have Gelous (which I need), you might want to use it. It looks better when it's completely smooth. The glitter ate the topcoat over a couple of days so you'd probably have to add more when it's noticeable.

Artificial lighting

Shiny & Matte
(with China Glaze Matte Magic)

If you don't have this, and you like glitter and/or blue, YOU NEED THIS. If only China Glaze would make a red one. I would be all over it in less than a Mississippi second.

I will be back in less than a week! Can't believe I'm finishing my first year already. When I'm back, I'll have a contest and some surprises, maybe ;)

Happy Monday, guys. I hope this blue kicks the hell out of your Monday blues (:

Hiatus

2011-08-10T00:01:00.003+08:00

Someone on Twitter said I should write this post. Considering I haven't posted anything since last month, I guess it's appropriate.

I have to study for exams so I won't be posting much (or at all, maybe) until the end of August. I'm hoping I'll get a post in on the 22nd *hint hint* but I can't guarantee anything.

So, to anyone who was wondering where I was (if anyone at all) or if anyone was thinking of unfollowing (not that I'd stop you) because I wasn't coming up with anything, I'm still alive and still bugging a whole bunch of people on Twitter. I will still be on Twitter but I just don't have time to write a blog post.

I promise I'll be back by September with a lot of posts hopefully and some themed weeks :D If you have any suggestions for themes that I could use for a week, leave them in the comments below!

I'll be dying to show you stuff until then. Have a good August!

Make Up Store Linnea on Color Club Black

2011-07-30T00:51:00.005+08:00

Hello! I hope everyone had a good week because it's the weekend! I will leave you with an awesome polish. I love flakies, and I know some of you do too from the Twitter responses I got. I know whoever didn't raise their hand did so in their minds and didn't tell me anyway. ;)

I would like to dedicate this post to Kirsten who loves flakies (again, who doesn't?) and for some reason I will probably never understand, loves my nubbins. Personally (or Personailly? HAHA), I prefer my nails longer, but she seems to think my nubbins look good. I cringe whenever I see my old photos with awkward angles and horrible posing.

Anyway, congrats on your new job! Now we can tell your old job to kiss its own ass! I hope you're reading this and you enjoy this awesomesauce polish <3

I was in the Make Up Store store (haha) awhile ago and saw their amazing rainbow of colors. The holos were out of stock (just my luck, eh?) but they had this! I knew I had to have it!

I did 1 coat of Make Up Store Linnea on 2 coats of Color Club Black (which is a plain black creme). With top coat.

Lobster hands! This photo (and the next one) was taken in the sun.

Sun & Shade

Artificial lighting

Shiny & Matte
Flakies always look good matte! This was no exception. I used China Glaze Matte Magic.

I am so so so in love with this polish. I will cherish it forever. Seeing the photos makes me want to wear it again! Argh.

I have a headache so I guess it's time for me to stop writing. Not that I have anything more to day.

Btw, Barcelona vs. Manchester United again this Saturday night (early Saturday morning for me)! Who is going to watch the match and tell me what happened?

Black Swan Mani

2011-07-25T23:38:00.003+08:00

It's Monday! Or should I say.. It's Monday ): For me it's the former because it's 11.40pm and Monday is almost over.

Anyway, I said I would show you something to brighten up your day, but if you've watched Black Swan, you'd know that the movie is anything but bright. Some of the scenes still haunt me. Like the one where she ripped her skin.. If my body could cringe so hard it'd enfold into itself, it would.

Image source: http://www.impawards.com/2010/black_swan.html

Something about the movie just struck me. And sorry about the huge movie poster. I felt the need to make all photos on my blog the same width.

I previously showed you Nature Republic RD501, a blood-ish red. I'd been thinking about this mani for awhile, and some (or all :S ) of you might not get it, but it's how I would interpret Black Swan.

I used China Glaze Lightning Bolt (white crackle) and Black Mesh (black crackle) over 2 coats of Nature Republic RD501. No tape was involved, hence the slightly messy mid-line. I guess that adds to the effect of the mani.

I added Icing Frost Yourself to my thumbs, for fun (:

Okay so in case you didn't get the mani (or didn't watch the movie for whatever reason), here it is.

The red represents blood, the core of all our beings. And that blood runs under. The white and black represent the good and evil/light and dark sides that is present in all of us, whether we show either side or not. I believe everyone has a good and bad side, one of which possibly needs awakening. Both sides come out in Nina, even though at first, she doesn't show her dark side.

And even though I don't really know the story of Odette and Odile, one is white and one is black - which is pretty much what this story is about. Nina has to dance both the white and black swan, and she is a perfect fit for the white swan but needed a huge push to bring out the black swan.

If you didn't watch the movie, that would've made probably little or no sense to you. If you did watch the movie, I hope it made sense. It's past midnight and I am slightly distracted. It's complex and hard to explain but I hope you get it.

So now I have to ask the vital question, do you get the mani?

Nature Republic RD501

2011-07-22T02:33:00.003+08:00

I hate these number/code names.

Anyway, it's almost 3am and I am really sleepy. I kind of just did my nails so I'm trying to stay awake for another half an hour or so at least.

I have to write this post now because I have to post this polish before I can post the next mani. I would do it tomorrow (or.. later today?) but I'm going to my grandma's house for the weekend so I won't be able to post there.

I also won't be able to change my polish (who knows what'll happen when I'm there, right?) so I'm going to bring some polishes to layer and hope it works well.

I got this polish from my aunt last Christmas. I did 2 coats with top coat. I know it looks kinda weird with lots of imperfections in the photos but it didn't really matter because I was going to do stuff with it.

I wish I didn't have to go to class tomorrow. I haven't even packed (and my mom would be horrified to know this).

Have a good weekend, maybe I'll be able to brighten up your Monday with the post I'll have ;)

Frankens: Party Potter & You're A Wizard, Harry Matte

2011-07-19T22:21:00.002+08:00

So, a few days ago, I posted my Harry Potter frankens, Party Potter and You're a Wizard, Harry.

Then Ivana commented and reminded me to try them matte. Which I had thought of but forgotten about. Good thing I read the comments before removing the mani!

I can't wait to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 again. And in 3D. I read that the 3D version isn't that good because the movie is quite dark throughout, but how often do you get to watch Harry Potter in 3D? This is the first and last time.

Anyway, here is You're A Wizard, Harry + Party Potter +You're A Wizard, Harry + China Glaze Matte Magic. I only mattified two of my nails. I don't know why. Hmm.

Shiny & matte

So, shiny or matte? I would say both but I think my opinion is biased ;)

Frankens: Party Potter & You're A Wizard, Harry

2011-07-16T02:12:00.003+08:00

*picture heavy!*

Hi! I have something super duper special today! Especially for all the Potterheads who are reading this.

I will admit that I am not as big a Potterhead as I would like to be. I read the books only once, years ago. I don't usually re-read books because there are a million books out there and I like reading new stories. I am planning to re-read Harry Potter though. Soon. Haha.

Anyway, in conjunction with the release of the eight and last installment of the Harry Potter movies, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, I decided to make a franken to wear because I hadn't thought of any nail art to do yet.

I knew what I wanted, which was something purple with gold glitter. Which was how it started. Then I started adding a whole bunch of other stuff and ended up with more polish than could fit into my tiny franken bottle so I had to pour out some of the polish into another bottle. I added more and more stuff, adding different things to each bottle.

In the end I had these two frankens. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to test one of the glitters in polish so the coating melted off and made the colors a bit dusty, leaving some silver glitter instead of the pretty stuff I put in. There's more of it in the purple one, which you'll see soon.

I used one layer of You're A Wizard, Harry (the purple) sandwiched in between two layers of Party Potter (the blue). So that's PP + YAWH + PP. I used two layers of China Glaze Fast Forward. It's still not completely smooth on some nails but that doesn't bug me much.

The color might not be 100% accurate because my camera insisted this was blue. It's really a bluish purple. All the pictures are clickable and lead to their full-sized version.

Artificial lighting

The irregularly shaped gold pieces are holographic (:

Natural & artificial lighting

Left: You're A Wizard, Harry
Right: Party Potter

Party Potter

You're A Wizard, Harry

Phew! That was a lot of photos.

What do you think? Have I done Harry Potter justice?

Have you watched the movie? What did you think? I thought it was indescribable! I almost cried (had tears welling up but didn't really fall) a few times. And that's saying a lot, because I rarely cry during movies. There couldn't have been a better ending to an amazing story. <3

Funky French & Half Moon Manis: OPI Stranger Tides (featuring Sparrow Me The Drama & Models Own Black Magic)

2011-07-13T23:19:00.004+08:00

Hi! It's Wednesday, and my post has some pink in it! This means I get to sit with you guys right?

Blogger's new post editor's font is kinda ugly. It might be the same font, I can't recall, but it looks odd. The entire editor is odd. Too wide. And they won't let me adjust the length of the editor either. Why? And what happened to that thing that inserts a jump break for me? Not that I would be using it often/at all, but it would be convenient for it to be there.

I forgot to tell the story of our visit to the cinema to catch Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides in my OPI Stranger Tides post. My two friends and I were lining up to buy tickets and on the screens that show the availability of each screening (available, selling fast, sold out), we saw that http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifPotC was sold out. But when we got to the counter, the dude told us that there were 3 seats available (excluding the single available seats). We couldn't believe our luck! What a coincidence huh?

Anyway, I decided to play around with Stranger Tides a little before removing it, and came up with these two manis.

Funky French with OPI Sparrow Me The Drama

I did a funky french mani with OPI Sparrow Me The Drama. I really like the color combination. The photos kind of suck, sorry ):

Half Moon with Models Own Black Magic

I'd never done a half moon mani before. I really like it. I will probably need to practise more to get the half moon the right shape/size and no, I did not free-hand this.

Seeing these makes me want to go do more cool manis. I am wearing a Harry Potter franken now, which I'll post in the next couple of days (hopefully!). Speaking of HP, I took a quiz, guess what house I was sorted into?

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

I am so excited for the movie tomorrow! What Hogwarts house are you in?

OPI Stranger Tides

2011-07-08T18:45:00.001+08:00

I realise I have pretty much been reduced to one post a week. There is a perfectly good reason for this. I am only posting when I feel like it. I don't want to force myself to write a post because then I'll feel like it's work and it's not supposed to be work. I have plenty of work to do and I don't need this blog adding to the work.

That said, I have a huge backlog now. I'll probably have to go through my entire bunch of photos in my computer and decide what to post.

I know I've swatched OPI Stranger Tides before together with the rest of the collection (Part 1 & Part 2) but I went to watch Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides in the cinema and what better polish to wear than this one? I am in love with the soundtrack from the movie. Hans Zimmer always does an amazing job.

I'm not really happy with the blue sky reflection in one of my previous Stranger Tides swatch photos. Unfortunately the blue sky shows up in at least one other mani in my backlog. Sky too blue, not enough sun, I can never complain too much about the weather.

I did 3 coats with top coat.

Excuse the fingerprint on my nail :/

I really love the whole Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. It's genius. I don't care much for Keira Knightley in the films. I like Penélope Cruz a lot more.

I have fantasized about being a pirate. Too bad I get seasick ):

Barry M Bright Purple

2011-06-29T01:42:00.000+08:00

Hi. I'm sorry I look like I've been abandoning my blog lately but I just haven't felt like blogging about anything recently. I have a couple of really awesome polish/manis in my backlog which I will definitely post when I feel like it.

I was going to write this post yesterday but I fell asleep (with the lights on, and my brother switched off the lights, leaving me to wake up in a daze and in the dark). I decided I can't leave this any longer because if I don't post this sooner, I probably won't do it later either.

My mood has been crushed, blended and fed to the Kraken by the news of the death of my cousin's 12 year old dog. I've known her for the longest time ever and she was such a darling. She was so well-trained and obedient. She was afraid of fireworks and would tremble whenever they were played. I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken that I didn't get to see her in the last few months of her life and that I will never get to run my hands through her fur or scratch behind her ears and on her neck, feed her crackers or even just see or hear her running to the gate when someone came home. I will miss the way she used to cross her front legs when she lay down and how she would move them if I touched them, the way her nails clicked on the floor, how she would stand up her two hind legs and bring her front paws together when she saw the people she loved most.

Rest in peace, Angel. If there was ever a dog worthy of that name, it would be you.

Sorry for the sob story. Back to the polish. I did 2 coats with China Glaze Fast Forward. I love the formula of Barry M polishes, the only exception being Mint Green. Not too thick and not too runny, and opaque in two coats. Gorgeous colors too.

That's all. I apologise for the lack of enthusiasm in this post but I really don't have an ounce of enthusiasm in my body right now.

These OPI Polishes - Fake or Real?

2011-06-21T02:42:00.000+08:00

The story: Last year, I missed Mad As A Hatter and was desperate to own it. My mom's manicurist didn't have any left so I went online to find it. I found one on Amazon (will not reveal the price because it's embarrassing). My mom very kindly bought it for me and also picked out Thanks So Muchness! (also from the Alice In Wonderland collection) for herself. I'd read about an Amazon etailer selling fake OPIs but it wasn't the same as the one I was ordering from. The polishes were supposed to be shipped to us here (outside the US) but they were prohibited items and had to be sent to my aunt's house in the US or be destroyed. Um, no destruction, please. Earlier this year, my mom's manicurist said she found a spare bottle of MAAH (wonder where that was hiding) and asked if we wanted it. YES! Here we are a year later, when my other aunt has come back from the US, helping me bring back some precious polishes.

You probably skipped all that didn't you.

Well now I have two bottles of MAAH (and one of TSM!) and I need you to help me decide if they're both real. I'm pretty sure the MAAH is real, but I still have doubts. I've never taken much interest in TSM! until now so I don't know what it's really supposed to look like but from swatches, it looks real I guess.

The 'original' bottle is the salon-bought one, and I didn't know how to label the other possibly fake bottle so I didn't. This is probably my paranoia speaking, seeing as there are so many fakes out there.

OPI Thanks So Muchness! and Mad As A Hatter

Does the print look crooked to you? It looks crooked to me :/

Both bottles have the code printed near the base, but the print on the bottle on the right looks funny.

You can't tell from this photo but the color and alignment of the label on the right is a little different.

Both have the dot in the middle of the 'P'.

OPI on both the brush stems.

Okay this is the part that worried me. The edge of the original bottle is sharper than the edge of the other one.

The one on the right is more curved. Maybe it's a bottle defect? I don't know ):

Swatched on cellophane tape. If it's a fake, it's extremely good. Click to enlarge!

Swatched on my bare nail, no top coat, no base coat. 1 coat of both MAAHs. Click to enlarge.

The printing seems crooked and is printed lower than usual (I checked a couple of my other OPIs)

This was printed lower than usual and was vertically squished.

OPI on the brush stem again. I didn't know about this until recently.

This was THE most suspicious thing to me. WHY is it in a plastic thingy? I don't know if it was sent like that by the etailer or if my aunt put it in there but since when are there plastic thingies to hang OPI polishes?

Am I being paranoid? After all the money that went into getting these two (mainly MAAH), I really don't want to one day be told out of the blue by some random person that these aren't real OPI. They both look genuine but who knows how good these counterfeit people are nowadays.

What do you think?

China Glaze Lightning Bolt on OPI You're A Doll

2011-06-13T22:12:00.001+08:00

I am such a bad blogger for taking so long to put this up. It wasn't because I wasn't free, but I was really feeling way too lazy to write an entire post.

I didn't want to take OPI You're A Doll off after a couple of days so I did what would be the easiest and most convenient solution: I added crackle. That seems to save my mani when I get sick of it but can't or don't want to take it off. And it never turns out the same twice.

This is China Glaze Lightning Bolt, a white crackle, over 2? 3? coats of You're A Doll. The first 3 photos are without top coat and the rest are with.

Crackles are awesome. But companies need to STOP making them! I admit I am probably all crackled out by now. Just a couple of days ago I was all "Hah" at people who said they were sick of crackles. Now I am one of them. China Glaze's Metallic crackle collection doesn't even excite me. I thought at first that I'd get all of them except the silver but I am trying to save money for swaps and suddenly the crackles don't excite me anymore.

Unless some really pretty and unique colors (not metallic) are released, I think these blue OPI crackles will be my last. For now anyway. Stop it guys. Move on to something else. Here are some things I wish polish companies would make more of:

1. Holographic (the Gosh/Nfu.Oh kind)
2. Color changing polish (heat or UV activated)
3. Multichromes (think Clarins 230)
4. Flakies
5. A Harry Potter collection. People would go crazy. I'd buy the entire set!

I wouldn't mind numbers 1-3 in crackle if it turned out good. What do you think polish companies should make more of?

OPI You're A Doll

2011-06-08T22:41:00.001+08:00

It's Pink Wednesday! :D

I went shopping for some polishes for a swap today and ended up getting a couple for myself. A couple for frankening and a couple because they look duo/multichrome-y. I tweeted the picture of the rip off of an Nfu.Oh bottle with a really pretty polish inside. The cap doesn't align with the body of the bottle. Haha.

I got OPI You're A Doll from Kellie in a swap. I don't usually wear pink polish, because some pinks don't agree with me. Thankfully, You're A Doll isn't one of those pinks. It's a sister to Sheer Your Toys from the same collection (Holiday in Toyland, 2009) which I have now bought thanks to Kirsten's swatches. I felt You're A Doll was lonely and needed her sister ;)

I did um... crap. I can't remember 2 or 3 coats. With top coat. I love this. It's pink with pearly shimmer and red (maybe copper) flecks.

Omg my nubbins. I am never filing my nails this short again.

I'll conclude this Pink Wednesday with one of the few quotes I remember from Mean Girls:

"I don't hate you because you're fat, you're fat because I hate you."

Make Up Store Victoria

2011-06-06T03:16:00.000+08:00

I am back! It's been awhile. I wanted to write this post yesterday but I was too tired. So, to make up for my lack of posting, I decided to post this.

I have no holidays or break between my last exam paper and the first day of my second semester, which is tomorrow. Or today, since it's 3am.

This color is so awesome I can't describe it. I will let the picture spam speak for itself. I did 3 coats with top coat. Make Up Store Victoria caught my eye in the store but I didn't want to buy it until the lady said that it sells fast and that it was the last bottle in store. SOLD!

As always with this kind of colors, there was a bit of VNL and wrapping the tips didn't look like the tips were wrapped. And as always, the pictures are clickable and lead to the full size version. Which is about twice as big. The close-ups are worth enlarging, trust me!

Shade

Sun

Shade

Artificial lighting

Shade

Artificial lighting

I want to wear this again! It is gorgeous.

I have to wake up in less than 4 hours to cook breakfast and drive to class. I wish someone would just fly me there in a Weasley flying car.

Catrice Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy!

2011-05-28T01:17:00.000+08:00

I really meant to write a post earlier but my cousin was here and he doesn't know about my blog. Or my obsession with nail polish. So I thought it would've been a bit awkward.

I quite like Catrice Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy! But the name.. This is NOT a lemon color. Unless they mean unripe lemon, which I still don't think is the color of this polish. Another lie: the bottle says 2 coats but I had to do 3. Apropos Apricot is even worse. But I'll save that for later.

I did 3 coats with top coat. The shimmer here is more visible than in Bye Bye Birdy which is good. I like subtle yet visible shimmer.

Sun

Shade

Artificial Lighting

Sun

Artificial Lighting

I do really like this color. I only wore it for a day as an attempt to worm my way through my untrieds. I will not reveal whether or not this untrieds pile is getting smaller or not ;)

I am so excited for the football match later! I hope Man U is ready to have their asses handed to them by Barcelona. I love both clubs but obviously I love one more ;)

Comparison: Catrice Bye Bye Birdy! vs. China Glaze Happy Go Lucky & Lemon Fizz

2011-05-23T00:09:00.001+08:00

I hope that title fits on Twitter.

I hope no one is disappointed by the lack of a very hot polish that was released by Chanel this year, Mimosa. I don't have it to compare, but if you want to see that comparison, Ivana showed me a link that compares Catrice Bye Bye Birdy and the Chanel. They're not dupes, Chanel Mimosa has a darker, more yellow base compared to the Catrice (this is what I can gather from looking at the pictures).

Anyway, I only have two yellows in my stash. I think. So I decided to compare for the sake of comparing. I knew there wouldn't be dupes because one has hidden shimmer and the other two are cremes.

I did 3 coats of everything. I prefer the brush and formula on the China Glaze polishes but again, not dupes and if you like yellow you might like (and feel the need to own) all of them.

L-R:
Catrice Bye Bye Birdy, China Glaze Lemon Fizz, Catrice Bye Bye Birdy, China Glaze Happy Go Lucky

I hope this gives you a clearer indication of what shade of yellow Catrice Bye Bye Birdy is.

I'm not a huge fan of yellows, so I don't have many. I could have 3 yellows and a million reds. I like red (:

Catrice Bye Bye Birdy!

2011-05-22T00:51:00.000+08:00

And that is the last time I will be putting the exclamation mark in this polish's name.

On the bottle it says 2x Coats/Auftragen (which I think means coats?). This is a LIE. It was still streaky at two coats. So I had to do 3. It was thick, and bubbled. The brush shape/size was okay but it was a bit hard.

Apart from that, it's a yellow with hidden shimmer. It's barely visible, but it's there. I did take pictures but they sucked the first time round so this is a reswatch. Not that it's important. I think.

If you click to enlarge the images you'll be able to see the shimmer. Or you could just put your face really close to the screen :D

While I was removing this, I found these. Weird, huh?

I was hoping the shimmer would be a little bit more visible, but hidden isn't so bad. I have a comparison post ready so that will be next.

Oh and in case it isn't past 6pm where you live yet, I have lived past 6pm and obviously, I am still alive. This post was not scheduled to make it look like I survived the rapture that didn't happen. So stop worrying, you are not going to die in an earthquake or zombie apocalypse. Yet.

Recent Haul & Swaps

2011-05-19T00:24:00.000+08:00

I've been waiting for a long time to do this post because I.. kinda forgot about it. But then I got my swap packages and decided to throw them all in together.

The haul is from when I went on a short holiday about a month ago. I want to go back on holiday ): The Catrice weren't bought at the place where I went from holiday, my mom got them from Germany. It was around the time we were on holiday so I just put it together.

Haul

6 polishes, and a pair of nail files and a manicure thingamajig which I thought looked interesting from Sephora.

Sephora 70: It's Time To Rock

Make Up Store Victoria and Linnea

Catrice Apropos Apricot, Bye Bye Birdy! and Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy!

Swaps

I did a couple of swaps on Twitter. The first is from T (amusedPolish) who was extremely kind and managed to get me some HTF China Glaze!! I think I almost died when I saw 2NITE. I am nowhere close to owning the whole Kaleidoscope or OMG collections but I am so happy to have these! Thank you so much!! <3

China Glaze OMG, 2NITE, Tickle My Triangle, TMI
Emily Purple Glitter

The second swap was with Rachel and Katrina. They wanted something I could get so we arranged a swap. I asked for the Milani holos and let Rachel pick out whatever she wanted. My first Zoyas! I only need 3 more of the Milani holos to have all 6 now (: There was also a small bottle of Avojuice (caramel, yum) and a sachet of Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation which I didn't take pictures of. Thank you for these, guys! <3

Zoya Pia, Tangy and Dannii
Milani Cyberspace and Digital
Snowman

I am so excited to try these. I have since peeled off the sticker on the blue Milani (part of my obsessive compulsiveness. I hate sticky price tag labels on my stuff!) and named the Snowman. His name is Jeremy.

Which of these (besides the holos, I want to save them :P ) would you like to see first? I have already worn all from my haul except the Sephora polish. The Make Up Store ones are to die for! (:

BeYu 384

2011-05-17T00:07:00.000+08:00

I can finally breathe (for a moment) now that my first paper is over. I think I'll pass. Haha.

I am so sleepy and I have been watching tv shows since I got home. Nothing like a good cup of tea (or coffee), a stroopwafel or two and a good show to watch. I finished the latest episodes of Desperate Housewives and am slowly working my way through Grey's Anatomy Season 6. I am so behind on GA ):

I wore this so long ago I don't even remember what it looks like. I think I liked it. Also, the pictures kind of suck, but again, this was more than an entire month ago, and I would re-do them if I had the time but I don't.

I did 2 or 3 coats (I can never remember nowadays, sorry ): ) with top coat. I thought it was really weird looking in the bottle but it is really pretty on the nail. Nails. And I don't think I ever want to go back to nubbins, looking at these pictures. They look pretty nubbin-y right?

There were gold flakes and lots of glitter in a few different colors, which you'll see if you click to enlarge one of the closeup photos (:

Can someone think of a re-name for this one?

And how bad are those orange scrubs from Mercy West? Ew!

Artdeco 280

2011-05-11T02:49:00.000+08:00

*picture heavy*

So much for my plan to post daily. Haha. I've been lazing around so much it's been hard to get back into a studying mood.

It's Wednesday! Or my calendar is broken. Either way, I am finally following the pink on Wednesdays thing, even though I'm not wearing pink right now, but I'm posting something pink, that counts, right?

I did 2, or was it 3?, coats with top coat. The weather has been really hot and sunny lately, and by that I mean not a cloud in the sky on most days. A friend said this weather could go on until September (by which time I might have melted into a puddle, but NOBODY is to touch my polish collection!), but I don't know how true that is.

Click to enlarge the photos, this one is a stunner (:

It looks a lot more gorgeous in the bottle, but sadly, the rainbow-y part doesn't translate well onto the nail. It is still a very pretty polish, though.

I didn't join the site because I don't wear pink EVERY Wednesday, and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to do that to join. I don't have enough pinks to do that. Haha. But here is the picture anyway:

Sinful Colors Hottie on Models Own Black Magic

2011-05-07T23:39:00.000+08:00

*picture heavy*

Did anyone notice the new font? I was afraid I wouldn't be able to configure a couple of other (simple) HTML stuff but I managed in the end. At least one good thing came out of my IT classes in high school. Okay actually I didn't learn ANYTHING in IT class. The most valuable thing I learned was from my friend, who taught me how to use the 'Shift' button instead of the 'Caps Lock' button to capitalize a single letter. Yup.

I got Sinful Colors Hottie from my swap with Kellie. I think it was the reason we had a swap. I was asking about OPI Last Friday Night and she suggested it as a dupe. And the rest is history.

I know I tend to go crazy and take loads of pictures thinking they'll show different qualities of a polish. I took over 130 pictures of Hottie. Imagine having to narrow that down. I put it off for a couple of weeks because I dreaded it so badly.

I layered one coat of Sinful Colors Hottie on 2 coats of Models Own Black Magic, a black creme, and added top coat.

Sun

Sun, decreased exposure.

Sun

Shade

Sun

Shade

Artificial lighting

Blurred

Sun

Shade

Artificial lighting

Sorry for the photo spam, but it was way too pretty to not show all of them. Narrowing it down from more than 100 pictures was hard enough.

Thank you so much, Kellie, for sending me this! <3 These pictures make me want to wear it again :D

Models Own Black Magic

2011-05-06T00:20:00.006+08:00

Okay, I'm pretty sure that's the name of the polish. Pretty sure.

After all that Silver Shatter, I thought I'd show you something more normal and simple. A plain black creme. Actually, I don't really need to post this, because we all know what a black creme looks like. Who doesn't have a black creme? Right?

Black is one of my favourite colors to wear. I deliberately nubbin-ised my nails for this because I didn't want to have long black nails. Black feels good on short nails to me for some reason. So, here are my nubbins. Be nice to them. Haha.

I did 2 coats with top coat. I don't know if this is blue or green based, but does anyone really care? It turns out black anyway. Nobody is going to say "Hey, that blue based black does NOT go with your skin tone". No.

Black and white were the first 2 colors I wore, many years ago.

Black polish, yes or no?

OPI Silver Shatter on Some Skittles

2011-05-05T00:52:00.001+08:00

Hi. Again. I hope you're not sick of me yet. Haha. After yesterday's post about Silver Shatter on the Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides collection, I hope you're ready to see more of Silver Shatter.

I didn't think Silver Shatter would look good on shimmers/glitters/etc. so the skittles are all cremes. I did this at the same time I did the PotC skittles with Silver Shatter so I didn't do many colors. I also didn't want to waste my Silver Shatter.

Here is my awkward left hand again. All of them are the base color + Silver Shatter + top coat.

Sun

Index: China Glaze Happy Go Lucky, 3 coats

Middle: Barry M Cobalt Blue, 2 coats

Ring: Barry M Red Black, 3 coats (or was it 2? hmm)

Pinky: Models Own Black Magic

Shade

Sun & Shade

Silver Shatter on China Glaze Happy Go Lucky

Sun & Shade

Silver Shatter on Barry M Cobalt Blue

Sun & Shade

Silver Shatter on Barry M Red Black

Sun & Shade

Silver Shatter on Models Own Black Magic

I have worn the others besides Red Black on their own but I only have pictures of Black Magic by itself, I just haven't posted it yet.

The match yesterday was awesome. Barcelona drew 1-1 with Real Madrid, but Barça wins 3-1 on aggregate which means they'll move on to the UEFA Champions League Finals with Manchester United! Assuming Man U doesn't lose by more than 0-2 to Schalke later, of course. Barça can totally take Man U on. ;)

I woke up at half past 3pm this afternoon, in case anyone's wondering. Haha. (:

OPI Silver Shatter on PotC On Stranger Tides Collection

2011-05-04T01:36:00.003+08:00

(PotC = Pirates of the Caribbean)

Hi. I finally finished all my tests for this semester. Now I have 3 final papers to go and I can (hopefully) go on to the second semester without worrying about resits. I am taking a short break from my notes (damn those things) and I finally get to watch a football match tonight! It's been months since I've been able to watch one.

Anyway, a quick, picture heavy one since I need to take a shower and decide what I want to do before the match starts. I did two parts for OPI Silver Shatter, the second part will be posted tomorrow. Today's post will be just Silver Shatter on all the colors from the Pirates of the Caribbean Stranger Tides collection, which I swatched here and here.

While waiting for the weather to be nice to me, I wore Planks A Lot and Steady As She Rose for a couple of days and decided to try Silver Shatter on both of them. The other 4 colors I did as skittles. I did 3 coats of everything without top coat under Silver Shatter.

I can't remember which ones were photographed before/after I added top coat on top of Silver Shatter. I'm pretty sure there's top coat on the skittles but not too sure about Planks A Lot and Steady As She Rose.

Sun

L-R: Silver Shatter on Mermaid's Tears, Stranger Tides, Skull & Glossbones, Sparrow Me The Drama

Shade

Sun

Silver Shatter on Planks A Lot

Shade

Sun

Silver Shatter on Steady As She Rose

Shade

Sun & Shade

Silver Shatter on Mermaid's Tears

Sun & Shade

Silver Shatter on Stranger Tides

Sun & Shade

Silver Shatter on Skull & Glossbones

Sun & Shade

Silver Shatter on Sparrow Me The Drama

L: Silver Shatter on Planks A Lot

R: Silver Shatter on Steady As She Rose

If I had a penny for every time I've said "Silver Shatter" in this post...

EDIT: I am such a doof. I forgot to mention that Silver Shatter crackles well and I absolutely love it. I want a million back ups and I want to layer it over everything!

I am way sleepy and it's shower time. Barcelona will win tonight! Sorry, Real Madrid/Ivana ;)

Uptown Visions Dream On & China Glaze Wireless Holographic Top Coat

2011-05-02T00:46:00.001+08:00

I am blogging so much this weekend. I have no mood to study at all. I have one test on Tuesday then a couple of weeks before my final exams (for this semester) start. Why won't this end? ):

After a couple of days, Uptown Visions Dream On by itself was really bugging me and I really wanted to change it but I was waiting for some polishes to arrive in the mail. So I turned to the one polish I knew would save the mani, just like it saved another before.

This is two coats of Dream On and one of China Glaze Wireless Holographic. I love me some holo (:

Sunlight

Sunlight + decreased exposure

Artificial lighting

I love Wireless Holographic so much. And I've kinda stopped buffing my nails, so you can see my ridges now but just ignore them. Or think of Ruffles. Yum! :D

I will be blogging again on Tuesday or Wednesday with a haul post or OPI Silver Shatter (:

Uptown Visions Dream On

2011-04-30T23:59:00.000+08:00

Hi! I am 10 minutes away from it being not April here anymore, but I will adjust the time on this blog post so that it appears to be April still. I know that's cheating but I was watching a movie and didn't think it would end that late.

I bought this polish really long ago. I was in a pharmacy and I was looking around and I saw a new display. I'd never heard of this brand before, and there's an explanation for that in the polish I bought. It was a buy one get one free thing, I think, so I just picked up the two colors that looked best to me: this one, and a red shimmer.

The first thing I noticed after I was done painting was that it didn't last long. Within a day I had tip wear, and usually that doesn't happen for me. So I ditched it and when I rearranged all my polishes, this one went into the little corner that rarely ever gets opened.

I did 2 coats with top coat. The photos are very deceiving because I added top coat before I took them. When dry, it's flat and has no depth. But I have to make it look good for the last day of April, right?

(artificial lighting)

Looks pretty in the bottle, huh? I would tell everyone to NOT buy this. I'm sorry, Uptown Visions, but I can't get the horrible first experience I had out of my head. If the dried result was pretty it wouldn't be so bad, but it's boring when completely dry.

It's 20 minutes past 12am but not according to the timestamp ;)

Blue Ombre Mani

2011-04-30T01:55:00.000+08:00

It has been a long and tiring week for me. I have been studying almost non-stop for the entire week. I took a break from studying today after my test and and will take another day off before I start studying again for another test next Tuesday. Then I have 2 weeks to study and then my final exams for this semester. I love life.

I had a huge scare earlier because I knew there was a rat in one of the rooms in my house, which is the tv room, which has two huge sliding doors. I had to use a broomstick to close the doors. I couldn't even bring myself to set up the rat trap my brother asked me to. I think the rat is still in there. But my post is delayed thanks to that little guy.

No royal themed mani today, because I didn't have time and I know some of you are sick to death of that.

I did this mani in honour of Autism Awareness month. I love my blues. I like every blue I've ever tried on me, which is why it's on my list of favourite polish colors after red. Red. I think red month doesn't come until October, which is AIDS Awareness month.

This was done before I went on holiday about 2 weeks ago. I didn't really have time to take pictures before, so if you see lots of tipwear, forgive me, because I probably took those after I returned. And I did edit the photos because some parts were too monstrous.

Pinky: Models Own In The Navy, 2 coats
Ring: Barry M Cobalt Blue, 2 coats
Middle: Barry M Pure Turquoise, 2 coats
Index: Elianto Alice Blue, 3 coats
Thumb: Wet 'N' Wild French White Creme, 3 coats

The Elianto polish was the hardest to work with. I think I had to redo it like 3 or 4 times.

I need to mention how much Twitter has entertained me recently. Even people who are in crisis manage to make others (me) feel better after my rat scare. Me and my two skins. Haha. It's hard enough to make me laugh out loud at stuff I read/watch, which is one of the reasons why I never type 'lol'. I do think with the word 'lol' but I rarely, if ever, type it or say it.

Which reminds me, I HATE when people say 'lol' or 'lmao' or 'rofl' in a real life conversation. If it really is funny, you'd be laughing out loud, not saying 'lol'. It's one of my hugest conversation pet peeves. My friends do it and I feel like slapping each of them each time.

My mom just got the iPad 2 so I'll be going into my room to play with that now! Haha. Have a good weekend, I'll have a new post tomorrow (or later today for me). (:

OPI Pirates of the Caribbean Part 2

2011-04-25T14:19:00.001+08:00

How excited are you to see this post? About damn time, right? I am so excited to publish this!

As you know (or not), I have been swamped with loads of work. But I still manage to prioritize. My nails are all done, and now I can do work!

I have a lot to study for tomorrow's test, so this shall be short and sweet (and promoted on my Twitter as many times as I feel is appropriate).

This time I have saved the best for last, so as you go down the photos will get better and it'll be in increasing favorite-ness (is this a word?). I feel a bit high today. I drove like an absolute nutcase this morning and probably pissed a lot of people off. I wasn't even late or anything.

Sparrow Me The Drama

Don't you just love this name? I did 3 coats with top coat (no base coat). I'm not really a fan of pinks, because a lot of them don't look good on me, but I'll wear this just because it's to do with Pirates :D

Sparrow Me The Drama

Planks A Lot

I love purples and I love this. I don't have one like this (but my stash is a lot smaller than most of yours). I did 3 coats with top coat and no base coat. Which is why my nails were stained blue when I took this off. I wore this for a couple of days. Wear a base coat, guys!

Planks A Lot

Mermaids Tears

I am in LOVE with this. 2 coats with top coat and base coat because I am wearing this as a full mani now. I did the second coat a bit thicker because I didn't want to do a third. Also, the sun came out for this one! That's how awesome it is!

Mermaids Tears

I might be a bit biased, being a huge Pirates fan, but I think this collection is AWESOME. Not exactly the kind of colors you'd think about for Spring but I don't have Spring so it doesn't really matter. I am glad I have the entire collection. I will cherish this until the day I die.

I hope you enjoyed that! If you missed Part 1 of the collection you can see it here!

In case you haven't noticed, my nails are much longer now, which I kind of like, but this is only because I haven't had time to file them down (really) and I have to pray that they survive being long until I get to file them to a safer length.

Okay that wasn't as short as I thought it would be. Have a good week! (:

OPI Pirates of the Caribbean Part 1

2011-04-22T19:40:00.001+08:00

Hi! I miss blogging so much. I have such a huge backlog now, if I used it to build a dam it could probably block the Niagara Falls.

I did a couple of blue manis, which I'll have to post within the next week or so because April is almost over! Anyway, for once I'd like to be the early one (didn't exactly happen with Teenage Dream) and post some pretty crappy swatches of OPI's Pirates of the Caribbean collection.

Pirates is one of my favourite movie series. How could you not love it? The moment I knew OPI was releasing a Pirates collection, I nearly shat myself (not really). I didn't really care what the colors were going to be like (unless they were really bad) but holy crap, it was PIRATES.

I wanted to swatch the entire collection at once but the weather, unsurprisingly, changed from super hot and sunny to gloomy followed by a huge thunderstorm. And I was racing against time, because I knew the weather was going to turn bad (the clouds were forming and all) and I had 700 words of a very boring essay to churn out.

So excuse the very shitty pictures (you'll know them when you see them). All swatches were without a base coat and with top coat. I initially wanted to only do them on my right hand, which is more photogenic, but again, that would've taken much longer. The photos will get worse as you scroll down :/

Skull & Glossbones.

I LOVE this. Not only was the application easy peasy, I loved the color too. I did 3 coats. The name is pretty cute too. Haha.

Skull & Glossbones, in the shade.

Stranger Tides.

This was a little harder because I was painting with my really shaky left hand. The formula was okay though. 3 coats. I smudged my pinky nail so I'm showing you only 3 nails. I liked this too.

Stranger Tides, in the shade.

Steady As She Rose.

Oh god. Told you the pictures would get worse. Just look at it. I actually tried this on my right hand first but it was so bad that I had to re-do it on my left hand. I suck so bad at painting. This was one coat and top coat over 3 coats with top coat. I wasn't happy with it for some reason and decided to add another layer. I make bad decisions huh :/ The formula on this was somehow the worst so far.

Steady As She Rose, in the shade.

This was before I added the extra coat. (this is 3 coats) Now I can't remember what was wrong with this :/

I'm really bad at describing colors, so I hope the pictures give you a general idea of what the colors look like. They are all cremes and all very murky/dusty/grungy-looking.

I hope that is enough to hold you over for a couple of days. I would've swatched the other 3 today but the weather was MAD. And I had a long night. I was finishing up my essay after a lot of procrastination and only got 2 hours of sleep last night.

I was so uninspired, I couldn't think of what I wanted to include in my essay. Then I had a mini panic attack thinking I wouldn't be able to finish on time and I'd get zero marks. I drank coffee at 1.30am, ate Pods and an ice cube, went to bed when I really couldn't continue and woke up 2 hours later to finish the essay. Then I had to run all over campus to find a stapler, my lecturer wasn't in his office and I was going to be late for my movie.

On the bright side, I watched Source Code with my friend today because my mom got a pair of free tickets to the cinema and she gave them to me. I liked the movie, although I think it's a little too paradoxical. It was pretty good though.

Anyway, I hope you guys are having a good week. Oh, and happy (?) Good Friday! (I am still extremely bummed that I don't get to go for my Good Friday ritual with my family because I need to study for some upcoming tests)

If this post has sounded/looked weird in any way, it's because I'm high.. on sleep debt.

EDIT:
If you're looking for Part 2, it's here. (:

OH and the trailers for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides!

Nina Ultra Pro In A Tiff

2011-04-16T22:34:00.020+08:00

Because it's April/Autism Awareness month, I've decided to keep wearing blue. It's not that hard, since I do have a few blues which need to be worn. I will probably pull out something completely not blue at all once April is over though.

At first I thought this would be a blue creme, but when I got it I was pleasantly surprised. In the bottle the shimmer is very obvious, there's bits of pink, blue and silver. It's also pretty obvious when it's still wet, but as it dries, the shimmer gets a little bit shy and decides to hide in the thick creamy base.

Also, it's not exactly blue. It kind of looks like it wants to be Tiffany blue, but isn't exactly. Tiffany blue has a bit more.. yellow (?) in it. I thought about the name for awhile, and 'In A Tiff'? Wordplay on the word Tiff? As in Tiffany?

Anyway, it's pretty thick and opaque, so I did 2 coats with top coat. I had no issues with it except for the thickness, which can be fixed with thinner anyway. The wear was good too. I wore this Sunday to Thursday with minimal tip wear. Imagine the pictures with a bit more green/yellow. They came out too blue. If you click to enlarge the pictures, you'll see the hidden shimmer.

Under fluorescent lighting: it's really not as blue as it appears here.

I'll probably update this post later with a bottle picture and maybe a wet/dry comparison.

Also, a lot of people have left some very lovely comments on my guest post on colorfulbottle's blog, which I am very grateful for. Thank you guys so much (if you're reading this)! If it's a tutorial you want, then it's a tutorial you'll get (I think I adapted this from a movie, was it Troy?). I hope you don't mind being a little bit patient because I barely have time to paint my nails let alone do a tutorial. After my exams things should slow down a little and I'll be able to do it then. (:

By the time you read this, I'll probably be on my weekend holiday. I'm on a family holiday despite my busy university schedule. I'm almost at the end of the first semester. And I have a law and ethics test on Monday, which is the day after I get back from my short vacation. :/

I hope you're all having a great weekend! (:

Skin Food Skin Tight Jeans

2011-04-11T23:33:00.000+08:00

Before anyone asks, I completely made up that name. It's not really called Skin Tight Jeans, I'm listening to Katy Perry's Teenage Dream on an iTunes radio station and this polish appears to not have a name, and it doesn't even have a code!

In light of Autism Awareness month, I've decided to do a whole bunch of blues, as many as I can. I'm wearing blue right now, so are my toenails and my iPhone. I've already got a few blue manis planned out :D

Anyway, I don't know what happened with this one, but there are sheet marks and I couldn't get any good photos. I was only wearing this as a 'transition' polish, for a day or so before I got my swap package.

In the bottle, this looks like a very promising polish but it lacks depth and doesn't dry shiny. Even with top coat I feel it's not as shiny as it should be. I really think it could've been so much better.

I did 2 or 3 coats. The quality isn't as good as I was hoping for it to be. In my previous experience, I had dragging with it and bald spots. That happens with another green Skin Food polish I have too. I used China Glaze Fast Forward top coat, but it still lacked shine.

Forgive me for the horrible photos. This was the only other blue I already had photos of. You do NOT want to see the blue creme I have. Those are BAD.

I forgot to describe it. It's a navy blue with lots of blue and little bit of pink shimmer. Pretty in concept, but again, no depth.

And then I got my swap package from Kellie and decided to try a couple of them out:

Icing Frost Yourself on Skin Tight Jeans

Sinful Hottie on Skin Tight Jeans

How was that for blue month? I know I haven't been all blue so far but it's not too late to start, right? I'm currently reading (or trying to read) a book by Jodi Picoult called 'House Rules'. It's about a teenager with Asperger's Syndrome (a type of high-functioning autism) who is accused of murder. It's been extremely good so far.

I hope you're all enjoying your month so far. I have a terrible week to go through: 2 lab reports, one 1500 word essay, another report due and a chemistry test (which got cancelled - yay!). Then I have to study for a law and ethics test which will happen on Monday in the week after next week, and I'm going on a family holiday over the weekend. Which means I have to try to get all my studying done before the holiday :/

By the way, I failed my test on Wednesday. But so did a whole bunch of my classmates so it's not that bad.. Right? ):

I really like the last picture. Can't stop staring at it (:

Guest post on colorfulbottle's blog

2011-04-10T00:05:00.000+08:00

For those of you who follow Dolores's blog, you'd know that she now has a guest post segment every week. She asked me to do one and I was extremely happy that she would have me on her blog.

So, if you'd like to find out what I did to cause this mess:

Click here to find out! (:

OPI Diva of Geneva

2011-04-03T22:33:00.000+08:00

I'm going to leave you with one last post before I go on another crazy week of studying. I have a test every week now. Any remnants of a life that I may have had previously are slowly slipping away. What has my life come to? I don't know, I'll let you know when I have one =.='

Anyway, before I go into my room to hide in the coolness of air conditioning (it was 36 degrees Celsius today!), I want to show you OPI Diva of Geneva from the Swiss collection. I didn't buy this for myself, I bought this for Kellie.

I have to admit, she has a very good eye (um.. two good eyes) because the polishes I got off her wishlist are awesome. One of them was this one. I didn't do full swatches because I felt bad just swatching something that I was giving away, plus I was lazy. But this'll be enough, right? Quality over quantity? ;)

I can't descibe this because I suck at describing, but the pictures turned out pretty good so you can see for yourself. I did 2 coats, with top coat I think.

I was wondering why this was on her wishlist at first but I completely understood once I saw it in person. I was almost tempted to keep this for myself. Haha.

I only have one polish from the Swiss collection, which is Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous, and that one certainly looks marvelous (what?). I hear the Swiss collection was a hit though, or did I hear wrongly? They're pretty for me but not pretty enough for me to go out and buy them.

Wish me luck for my probably-happening test on Wednesday! (:

China Glaze Below Deck

2011-04-02T03:04:00.000+08:00

I couldn't blog all week because I was busy studying for a test that ended up being postponed. I should be happy, except that I spent all week studying. Now I have to study again. ):

As you may (or not) have known, I won the second prize in Michelle's birthday giveaway. I won two nail polish rings! Nail polish. IOn a ring! I mean, I knew they existed but I didn't think I'd own any in the near future. I do love rings but can never find any that I like when my wallet permits it. Thank you so much for this, Michelle! <3

I don't know if you are sick of seeing the China Glaze Anchors Away collection yet but I'm not!

Below Deck is so pretty. I think it's kind of chic. It's probably the most 'chic' color I have. I couldn't stop staring at it. I probably look like a nut staring at my nails all the time but I just can't help it. This color makes me feel happy. (:

I did 2 coats with top coat. It looks a bit scratched up because I didn't take photos immediately after I finished. And I think I broke a corner off the nail on my right index finger.

Under my desk lamp.

And just for fun, a picture with a strawberry I bit. I like fresh strawberries (:

The smell of strawberry milk and ice cream makes me wanna barf. I only like them fresh and occassionally as flavors of certain foods.

I really wanna keep my nails a bit longer but they keep peeling and breaking. I like the length it is at now (longer than in these pictures) but I'm guessing that I'm not going to be very pleased with what I see when I remove what I have on now. Why can't I have naturally healthy nails? ):

Color Club Worth The Risque

2011-03-27T00:21:00.000+08:00

I just looked at my notebook to decide which color to post today and realised I am SO far behind! I guess it's good to have stuff that I can post ready, in case for some reason I don't have new manis. But at the same time it's hard deciding which one goes out first!

I've been feeling weird lately. I've lost my appetite, which I want to get back because I love to eat. My mind wants me to eat but my body doesn't. I keep imagining myself eating, but I still don't feel like eating. The only things I've eaten all day (It's almost 12am and I woke up at 8am) are some fried noodles, Snyders Cheddar Cheese Pretzel Pieces, some small bite-sized crackers with peanut butter and condensed milk, a bit of rice with a bit of fish and vegetables, soup, and some ice cream.

It looks like a long list but when you think about it, it wasn't substantial at all, considering I usually eat 3 meals a day with snacks in between if I get hungry.

Anyway, I wore this many weeks ago. I'm pretty sure it's not the holo version and is probably one of the duds because Lextard's swatch seems to be a billion times more holo. WHY, Color Club? Why do you even sell these duds? I have probably four of your duds. I demand an explanation and new non-dud versions!! I am so disappointed in this because.. Well you know why! >:(

Anyway I think I did 2 coats. Or 3. It's hard to remember. The formula was pretty good. Minimal clean-up. I've seen holos with worse formulas. But then again, those holos were.. HOLO. =.='

With base coat, no top coat. If I'm not mistaken, these were all taken under my desk lamp. I think I was unsatisfied with the sun photos. All photos are enlargeable, just click (:

This one was taken in daylight, in the shade.

Argh. You call this a holo, Color Club? I call this a ho-lotta FAIL. I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets frustrated when companies make new batches of polishes and they are completely different from the original. Especially when the new one is worse!

But I enjoyed having this on nonetheless. I am just really disappointed because I expected some better quality stuff.

I hope you had a good.. *whispers* Friday and Saturday. Can you believe I still haven't listened to that song? Frankly, I'm afraid to.

Swap with Kellie Gonzo

2011-03-26T00:45:00.000+08:00

I finally finished my Chemistry test. After an entire week (actually just about 4 days) of hardcore studying and listening to the same playlist (which is my Study playlist and has only instrumental songs like soundtracks etc.) daily, I can confidently say..

I am probably going to fail that test. I am probably going to fail so hard, they'll put my paper in the dictionary next to the word "fail" as a definition.

On the bright side, I have a whole bunch of stuff that is impossible to get here. All thanks to Kellie (whose blog is awesome by the way, I'm sure you've seen it) who kindly agreed to do a swap with me. I know I've said it before, but thank you so so so so (times infinity) much! <3

This was my first ever swap and it could not have been better (:

Also, my watermark has become increasingly obnoxious-looking to me, even though I haven't changed it since I made it. :/

Lippmann Wicked Game
Revlon Perplex
OPI You're A Doll
China Glaze Fortune Teller
Nina Ultra Pro In A Tiff

Wet N Wild French White Creme
Nubar Competition Red
Nox Twilight Red Velvet

Sinful Colors Hottie
Icing Frost Yourself
Milani Hi-Tech
Sally Hansen Nail Prisms Diamond

I've worn a couple of them already (too excited :P ) and am wearing the OPI now. I have a little formal-ish school related activity tomorrow so it's quite appropriate.

I would post pictures of what I sent her, but only after she's received it. I like giving surprises. Haha. I doubt mine can top hers, but.. hopefully she will like it (:

I love each and every single one of these polishes to death. I'll be holding on to them on my deathbed. They must be buried with me so that no one else can every own/use them. *serious face*

China Glaze Cracked Concrete on OPI Guy Meets Gal-veston

2011-03-19T00:55:00.000+08:00

How long did I not post for? I was so lazy to upload pictures from my camera and now I have a gazillion. I'm still trying to sort through 65 pictures of a certain polish. :/

Anyway, I have a test next Friday and the Friday after that too. I can't say TGIF anymore (not that I say it now). But yeah, can't really enjoy my Fridays. ):

I never knew how much it cost to send stuff anywhere. Not letters, not packages, not locally, not internationally. And I never knew how long it would take to send anything anywhere. Apparently it takes 2-3 MONTHS to send something to the other side of the world by surface/sea mail. Wow. That is insane. I was planning to send something by surface mail but there was no way I was going to let it take 2-3 MONTHS!

My wallet has officially become a fishing net :/ But this was really fun and I hope the person I swapped with likes newspaper and doesn't die laughing at the bubble wrap. Haha.

I got bored of but didn't want to take OPI Guy Meets Gal-veston off, so I decided that was what crackles are for. I used China Glaze Cracked Concrete from their recent crackle collection. I like the color contrast. (:

Right hand, in the shade.

Left hand, shade.

Under my desk lamp. Ew. Why does the base color look so gross here? :/

In the sun.

Then I added top coat:

I really like crackles. I love the way these crackled. I just wish a red crackle would hurry up and be released already. Why is OPI's crackle collection so late? :/

I went to watch Black Swan in the cinema a couple of days ago. I loved it. I had to think a little to figure the movie out (I still don't know what it really is about), but I guess that's part of the fun. I was scared out of my pants because I am a scaredy cat but I liked it. I don't know if I would dare to watch it again alone :/

The experience was ruined by KIDS (okay, maybe not kids but tweens?) on school holiday who were definitely underage, since the movie was rated 18. And they kept laughing at the parts that weren't remotely funny, and they giggled every time someone said the F word. One of their phones even rang during the movie. Why can't they watch an age-appropriate movie, or just shut up? I hate when people are being inconsiderate like that.

Have you watched Black Swan? How was it?

Models Own In The Navy + Elianto Olive

2011-03-14T23:25:00.000+08:00

I still haven't uploaded pictures from my camera. And I have a lot of pictures to upload from there :/

First and foremost, my heart goes out to everyone in Japan and everyone else who was affected by the earthquake and tsunami. I am fortunate enough to live in a country where big natural disasters don't happen (or haven't happened while I've been alive). Unfortunately, not all of us have this privilege so Japan deserves whatever help anyone can give, financial or not.

And nobody seems to be replying messages/e-mails I've sent which pisses me off as well as makes me feel sad. What happened to etiquette?

Anyway, there's a long story behind this post. I was doing my nails on both my hands and feet. I hate choosing a color for my toes because I don't want to use a nice color. I feel that it's "wasting" the polish, since my feet are so far away from my eyes and I don't get to stare at the color much.

I decided to use Elianto Olive, which is.. well, olive. I usually paint my toes before my fingers, so I'd used a top coat on my toenails first, then on my fingernails. I noticed that some of the shimmer from Olive had stayed on the top coat brush and happily put itself on top of what I had on my fingernails, Models Own In The Navy.

And it looked awesome. So I decided to mix a bit of Olive with polish thinner, and put it on top of the 2 coats of In The Navy I already had on. Please click to enlarge, you won't regret it! (:

In daylight:

Under my desk lamp:

I then wondered what it would be like to mix In The Navy and Olive in liquid form. And... I think I might have to make this one.

It looks very galaxy-like!

Olive is a hard color to describe, or maybe I haven't tried. But I'm sure you can see for yourself. I've been trying to find another bottle of Olive but I think it might be discontinued. :/ I've gotten compliments from my mom's manicurist and her daughter (who is also a manicurist) when I wore this on my toes.

Okay I think I am done. I seriously need to upload those photos.

Models Own In The Navy

2011-03-11T21:43:00.000+08:00

I wanted to post something with OPI in it (to continue my OPI streak) but apparently I haven't uploaded it from my camera yet and I'm too lazy to do that now.

I love the name 'In The Navy'. It's way better than some of the lame ass names we've been seeing around. I won't say where ;) Models Own is a pretty genius name itself.

Anyway, this is a navy blue (duh) creme. Nothing special but I didn't have a navy blue creme before this one. I did 2 coats with top coat, then I went to a family gathering at my aunt's house where all my little cousins were. I had to clean up the toys after they were done with them. Thank god the mani survived. It looked worn out so I added another layer of top coat.

My camera freaked out and overexposed some of the pictures. And it looks weird. I dunno. Maybe the stuff around me was reflecting weirdly :/

Under my table lamp. It's not as light as it appears here.

It's been raining/drizzling all day and I'm completely sick of it. It's cold. My toes are cold. The weather sucked today ):

I'm wearing a dark blue right now too. What a coincidence. (:

China Glaze Crackles on OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star

2011-03-07T00:39:00.000+08:00

Are you sick of seeing I Vant To Be A-Lone Star here yet? Haha. Don't worry, this its last appearance here for awhile.

The moment I got my Crackle Glazes, I HAD to try them on. I got China Glaze Sea Spray in the same package so I had to do the comparison with Lone Star. Good thing I have ten fingers huh (:

This is the first time I bought the entire collection of nail polishes, but I think the closest I ever got to owning an entire collection is having half the China Glaze Up and Away collection. I have both the greens, yellows and purples from that one. This makes me want to go get the other 6. I am so close!

I have never used crackle polishes before and was surprised at how easy they were to use. I am completely addicted to them. I did one coat of each crackle over 3 coats of OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star.

L-R: Fault Line, Cracked Concrete, Broken Hearted, Black Mesh

I might have painted it a little bit too thick on one side of my index finger, that's why it didn't crackle properly.

Lightning Bolt

Crushed Candy

Then I added top coat:

(in the shade)

I LOVE these. They are so fun to watch while they crackle. I'm wishing there was a red one in here, but overall I like the colors. If I got any of the names mixed up, it's because I'm writing them from memory and I'm too lazy to go check if I got them right.

If you've seen my Twitter lately, you'd know that my aunt just bought me the MAC Wonder Woman polishes. I'm so happy I have them! I'm going to treasure them forever. (:

AND.. I just saw Temptalia's swatches of Nubar's spring collection and.. I want them all! :'(

PS: I can't believe Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-1!

Comparison: OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star vs. China Glaze Sea Spray

2011-03-02T23:46:00.000+08:00

I completely forgot that I wanted to put a new post up today because I was catching up on some tv series. The episode of Glee where everyone gets drunk wasn't as funny to me as Rachel Marie said it would be (since I didn't die laughing), but it was alright. Maybe I'm missing a funny bone or something. It does take one hell of a joke to make me laugh out loud.

This.. might sound a little obsessive and stalker-ish, but I was looking at the "Stats" tab and saw that someone searched (my blog?) for this comparison using several different keywords. It so happened that I did this the moment I got my hands on Sea Spray a few days ago before I took I Vant To Be A-Lone Star off.

I did 3 coats of each with top coat. At least I think I did top coat for Sea Spray. I accidentally smudged Sea Spray on my index finger on the window frame ):

They're obviously not dupes but I would say they're sisters. Sea Spray is darker and more gray compared to Lone Star. The shimmer in both looks to be the same color, but I could be mistaken. The shimmer in the OPI is more brushstroke-y, more dense and more apparent than the China Glaze.

The pictures are clickable, if you want a better view. For all the pictures, it's OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star, China Glaze Sea Spray, OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star, China Glaze Sea Spray from left to right.

Personally, I prefer Sea Spray because of the base color and the absence of visible brushstrokes. I wouldn't say you need both but I love colors like these. I suppose it's worth owning both, since they're different. ;)

So, random person who was looking for this, I hope you see it. (:

OPI Guy Meets Gal-veston

2011-02-28T22:30:00.003+08:00

Galveston.. is a place in Texas, right?

I'm sorry for the quiet weekend here but I was waiting to put this on AND take pictures, which I couldn't do until my crackles arrived because I wanted to try the crackles on OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star. And crackles.. Crackles. Oh my god crackles. They are like drugs. Oh man.

Yeah, I might be a bit addicted :/

Anyway, this is one of those "sorbet-like" finishes that OPI claims to have created. I'm pretty bad at identifying finishes because I can never differentiate between metallics and foils, frosts and pearls, shimmers and flecks and sometimes jellies and cremes. This just looks like what I imagine a good jelly to be like.

It's supposedly a coral shade, but again, what is coral? I'm pretty sure the underwater corals aren't this color. Or are they? Someone should check my temperature. This just looks yummy. It looks like candy. It looks eatable. Yes, eatable is a word. Willy Wonka said so.

This is really really bright. It's sometimes really pink and sometimes orange-y looking. But it's bright. Almost neon. Almost like a.. neon jelly. My mom picked this one out online and was disappointed with it because it's too bright for her, especially to wear to work. It's growing on me though.

The formula was.. brilliant. Effortless. I did 3 coats with top coat (not that I needed it). Despite still being able to see my half moons and nail line at some angles and in some types of lighting, I love it. I'm often unable to paint evenly, but it's almost like this had a mind of its own. It just flowed into the right evenness. If only all polishes did this.

The only problem I had was.. capturing it. I just can't get the color right. Too red, too orange, but never the right amount of pink. Argh. I tried editing some of the photos to get the pink shade and um.. I got annoyed and gave up. So I apologize in advance. You'll see.

Unedited. Looks more orange than it is.

Unedited.

Edited. This is how pink it can look.

Unedited.

Edited.

The rest of the photos have been edited except the last one. I don't have lobster hands.

Comparing the coral against Eyeko Coral Polish. The OPI is more orange.

The Eyeko is not for myself, it's for a friend ;)

I'm not really happy with this post but I want it to be posted before I change my mind about posting it and end up keeping it hidden forever. Um.. I think I might have over-pinked the edits but they honestly looked like that to me when I was editing. Am I turning color blind? ):

Okay gonna close this and schedule it for publishing later. I keep going back to look at the pictures which reminds me of how unhappy I am with them! At least I'm finally relatively recent now. For now anyway.

PS: I hear there is a problem with the images. Let me know if they're not showing up and I will write an angry email to Imageshack. Maybe. Apparently I have to register my domain, which I did, after reading the comment.

OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star

2011-02-23T23:15:00.000+08:00

I honestly don't get the first half of the name. What is "I Vant"? I know it's supposed to mean "I want", but I don't get the pun :/

Reading the comments from the previous post almost gave me diabetes, you guys are so sweet! Haha. I've been wanting to say that for awhile.

For once I'm posting something that is actually on my nails at the time of posting. Usually I'm a mani or two ahead but because I wanted to show something current for once, I brought this one forward.

I Vant To Be A-Lone Star is a pale blue with bit of dustiness/gray in it, and it has very fine pearl shimmer. I want to call the shimmer silver but it appears slightly pinkish in the sun (or at least in my pictures). It's definitely not for everybody. I had doubts about whether or not I liked this myself, but I think it's growing on me.

I did 3 coats. The first coat was pretty good, the second was okay, but by the third coat it seemed pretty thick. I don't know, the application wasn't great but not impossible. The brushstrokes are slightly visible, especially since I can't seem to paint in a straight line :S

Excuse the bumps/nicks on my nails. I didn't use a fast drying top coat and.. you can guess what happened. On the second day I added another layer of top coat to make it glossier but after taking pictures I nicked a big one in my index finger nail and had to re-do it. All pictures taken in daylight.

I made the pictures clickable, they will go to their full sizes. I've started using smaller sizes on my camera when taking photos because who needs a photo that's almost 4000px wide?

This is really pretty but my mom questioned its beauty. Haha. She sticks to pinks, reds, coppers.. You know.

I think the whole Texas collection is a big win. My mom and I bought the Lil Shooters set and I love every color in there! I would wear every single color from this collection. Or maybe not the tan colored one. Those don't really seem to like my skin tone very much :/

Also, I just ordered my China Glaze Crackles and am so excited! If I were a bubble I'd have burst already. I still want Sea Spray and Below Deck though..

I am really sleepy and I have a long day tomorrow. Also, I have about 3 Chemistry lab reports to finish. I hate Chemistry. Why do I need to know about nucleophiles and electrophiles? Argh.

OPI Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous

2011-02-21T22:28:00.000+08:00

I felt like blogging today. Also I wanted to test a new photo-hosting site.

My mom's friend gave this to her for her birthday, since Black Shatter was already sold out then (this was in October) and said that even if my mom wouldn't wear it, I would. Damn straight. I like this one, but I'm not completely in love with it.

What sets it apart from the other gunmetal greys out there is the pink and green shimmer that are waiting to come out. You'll see it in incandescent lighting and in the sun. I don't have fluorescent lighting in my house (except in the store room and I hate going there). The only fluorescent lighting I get is at class, and the pink and green hide away in there.

I did 3 coats (although I only needed 2 when I painted this on my mom's nails) with top coat. The wear was so good.. you could've built a house and it would've held up (probably not). I don't know why it looks like there are bubbles.. I didn't feel any bubbles :/

Color inaccurate. I don't know why I didn't delete this one. :S

Blurred to show the sparkles, green and pink.

Tell me how the pictures are.. Are they good? Bad? Are they loading okay? Do they look funny?

Nature Republic BL505

2011-02-19T23:18:00.000+08:00

I went to the dentist this morning. I'm not one of those people who hates the dentist, but I don't love her either. I'm just kind of neutral. I used to get a free toothbrush or something like that when I went to the dentist as a kid, and she would let me choose the color of the toothbrush. No free toothbrush today ):

I have kind of completely lost track of when I wore what, but I remember wearing this polish before Chinese New Year, because I got a tear on my thumb nail while wearing it.

I don't remember how many coats I did, probably 2 or 3, with top coat. I can't be bothered to name this because I just had some rather devastating news.. But I'll get to that later. Anyway, nothing too interesting about this one. I only wore it because I wanted to show my aunt who gave it to me, since I was visiting her. It's a blue with fine green shimmer. The only difference between this and the others that I have is the blue base is brighter and more creme than the others.

About that news.. It appears that I am approaching the 200 photos limit on Flickr's free account (which I didn't know existed). After I exceed this limit, any photos older than the newest 200 uploads will be hidden from me and the public. They'll still appear on my blog and all but not on my Flickr account, which I think is the stupidest thing ever.

So, since I refuse to pay the $25 annual fee and I don't want the older photos to be hidden, I guess I'll just go back to uploading through Blogger. Maybe if I just do what everyone else is doing, the quality won't be too bad, right?

I really thought Flickr would be my solution. I wish this 200 photo thing didn't exist. From now on: less photos, smaller size. Stupid Flickr ):

Blackberry Bling: Models Own Sterling Silver & Juicy Jules

2011-02-16T22:56:00.000+08:00

Hi. Again. I thought it would be a good time to finally clear my backlog on flickr, since I'm in a mood for celebration!

The post title says it all. For some reason I only have like 3 photos of this, and not great ones, but I really like Juicy Jules. It's round silver holographic glitter in a clear base. Very gritty. I took these photos under my desk lamp, I don't know why I didn't wait for the sun to rise or something. This is 1 coat of Juicy Jules (on my thumbs) on 2 coats of Sterling Silver.

What was going on in my mind when I took these? Hmm. Once I get over Mad As A Hatter on my nails, I'll probably try Juicy Jules on her own. I wonder how many coats it'll take to reach opacity.

I wonder why I'd never tried China Glaze Wireless Holographic Top Coat on a black polish before. I've tried it on blue, purple, but never black. And it was a mistake to not have done that because it's AWESOME over black. I actually did this on my toes so just to give you an idea of just how awesome...

This was 2 coats of Color Club Black and one of Wireless Holographic. Color Club Black dried looking like a tar pit. Ugh. I needed to find something that would save it, so of course, China Glaze came to my rescue.

So much holo. I'm so tempted to gather all my holo polishes and put them all in one post. I love my holo (:

Models Own Sterling Silver

2011-02-16T17:42:00.001+08:00

First of all, I logged in yesterday/the day before and saw that I have 51 followers! That totally made my day! Thank you guys! I'm giving each and every one of you.. a virtual hug! Haha (:
I wanted to post yesterday but I had a short presentation to do today so I had to work on that. I did horribly, but luckily, it's not being assessed. I would probably have put in more effort if it was.

Anyway, I've wanted a silver polish for the longest time ever and bought myself China Glaze Cheers To You. Then my aunt bought me Models Own Sterling Silver, which is really close to the China Glaze. I love silver and will probably find something cool to do with all this silver. I did try doing a comparison but the photos turned out like poop so I'll just do it again.

Sterling Silver is a basic silver foil. I did 2 coats with top coat. I loved the brush and the formula. If you're observant enough, you might spot a couple of bald-looking spots but it was completely opaque in real life. The first 4 photos were taken in the shade, and the two after those were with sunlight.

I felt a bit Terminator-like having this on my nails. Like the Terminator melted and I painted the liquid metal part on my nails.

I tried putting on a second coat of top coat on a couple of nails, which seemed to make the polish look grittier (although it felt smoother to touch) and more sparkly. I used my index and ring finger for this. I can't recall why I didn't use my middle finger. Odd.

Left/Index: Models Own Sterling Silver with double top coat

Right/Ring: Models Own Sterling Silver with single top coat

Left/Ring: Models Own Sterling Silver with single top coat

Right/Index: Models Own Sterling Silver with double top coat

Taken under my desk lamp.

Blurred to show the difference in sparkle.

I knew adding more top coat to a gritty glitter would make a difference but I didn't apply that to foils too. I'm guessing, from this, that if you don't put any top coat on, the foil would look smoother and less sparkly. I guess if you're a little bored of the foil look you could add a top coat and then make this a little more party-like.

Speaking of gritty glitters, I have OPI Mad As A Hatter on now! *happy dance*

Comparison: OPI Merry Midnight vs. Sasatinnie FCGL002

2011-02-15T02:18:00.000+08:00

I don't have a Valentine's day mani to show you since I didn't do one (couldn't be bothered). My nails are blue with Models Own In The Navy, so.. definitely not Valentine's day themed.

I am so sleepy and I keep thinking that today is Friday (or Saturday, since it's past 12am) because tomorrow is a public holiday here. And I don't have to go for class! Yay! And my mom is going for her manicure and to get rid of OPI Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous on her nails. I usually tag along and have breakfast. Breakfast is so much more enjoyable nowadays, since I have things to eat besides bread and biscuits.

I really need to clear this backlog of posts. My stash and untrieds keep getting bigger and the amount of un-watermarked/un-uploaded photos keeps increasing too. Hmm :/

Anyway, the other day, my friend and I went into Sasa, probably because I wanted to. And I remembered seeing these flakie polishes there, so I looked for them and found them! This one, FCGL002, reminded me a lot of one of my all time favourites OPI Merry Midnight and I had to buy it to do a comparison. There was a discount if you bought two bottles, so I chose a blue based flakie polish. I love flakies (:

What is with the name of this one? What does FCGL even stand for? Why couldn't they have chosen a shorter code name? They should've just given it a name name, not a number/code name.

If I'm not mistaken, I did 3 coats of the OPI and 4 of the Sasatinnie

Bottle comparison. Rainbows!

Pinky and Middle: OPI Merry Midnight

Ring and Index: Sasatinnie FCGL002

The OPI is more red-based than the Sasatinnie which is more blue-based.

A lot more silver glitter in the Sasatinnie compared to the OPI. The flakies appear to be smaller and more sparse too, but that could just be from the random picking of the brush.

Although in my eyes, the Sasatinnie doesn't beat the OPI, I think if you really can't find Merry Midnight (and for some reason FCGL002 is available to you), it's quite worth getting. The price isn't too steep and the formula was manageable. The only thing I didn't like was how there was so much silver glitter, like they were trying to make up for the lack of flakies, and the sheerness.

I love both (the OPI more) nonetheless. Not dupes, but none of your non-polish friends will know the difference.

Also, did anyone see Rooney's bicycle kick during the ManU vs. ManC match? I wanted to make noise in awe but I'm generally a silent viewer. AND I missed the match where Casillas got sent off in the 2nd minute of the match against Espanyol! What happened? ):

Okay, the bed is calling me. Goodnight (:

Barry M Racing Green

2011-02-10T01:12:00.000+08:00

First of all, what the heck is racing green? Is it a green that's used specifically for racing? Is it a green that races?

I'm about to fall asleep right here in front of the computer. I ended up getting to this post later than I expected because I was watching Sherlock Holmes on tv. Love that movie. It's pure genius. Also, my dad was hogging the computer from the moment he finished dinner.

Racing Green is a blue-based green jelly (?) base with yellow-based green shimmer. You can't see the difference in color between the shimmer and the base in the photos, but it was more obvious in real life. I'm not a huge fan of greens but this one was lovely. At first I questioned (to myself) why my aunt bought this but then I realised.. this is awesome :D

I did a thin first coat followed by a thicker second. I almost forgot how many coats I did until I saw the number on my flickr. All pictures taken in daylight unless otherwise stated. If you see any bald spots or anything like that, they weren't visible in person.

Taken under my desk lamp.

Blogging seems to be a bit more time-consuming now that I have to wait for the opportunity for nobody to be there to watch me as I blog, since I'm using the desktop computer now because my laptop sucks and a couple of the keys are starting to need extra effort just to be pushed. I've also been taking a billion pictures because I want back-ups in case some didn't turn out so well when transferred to the computer, hence I spend a lot more time picking out photos.

I haven't watched an entire football match since last year. Yup. The ones I want to watch are never on when I turn on the tv. Portugal is set to face Argentina soon.. I really want to watch that!

Goodnight!

Layering Experiment: Barry M Red Black

2011-02-07T00:51:00.000+08:00

I'm so sorry for abandoning my blog. I really, honestly intended to blog over the week but for some reason my laptop wouldn't connect to the wireless network at the house I stayed in so I couldn't even read anyone else's blogs unless I did it on my phone and the screen's pretty small on that thing.

I had a great Chinese New Year, lots of food, as usual. I had a few headaches because of the really hot weather coupled with my refusal to drink more water. I went to my uncle's house which is in a different state, a 2 hour drive from my house. There were a billion mosquitoes, which is why I'll be going to class with a LOT of pink spots on my legs and arms. Argh. Hate mosquitoes.

Back when I had Barry M Red Black on (seems like forever ago!), I tried layering a whole bunch of stuff on it. Some didn't work out (didn't take pictures of those), to the extent that my friend questioned it. And finally I tell you what the third mystery polish I bought was (somehow I still remember this). Nobody managed to guess what it was from this post.

First: multicolored glitters. The BeYu (left) looks nothing like the other two but since it had the same type of glitter in it, I thought I'd throw it in. Elianto Glitter Mixed (middle) was more dense than Boots 17 Glitter Top Coat (right). Here is 1 coat of the Elianto and two of the 17.

The Elianto has more green and the 17 has more blue glitters in it.

I wanted to try something different, so I put China Glaze Matte Magic on half of each nail. I like it! I really want to call it schizo. But I think a more appropriate name would be dissociative identity disorder, am I right?

The polish nobody guessed was Nubar 2010. I saw this and HAD to have it. I love flakies! I should've bought that little jar of flakie glitter I saw in this shop I went to but I guess that can wait. I think this was 2 coats of Nubar 2010.

And with Matte Magic:

I found a random bottle of holographic string glitter in a Japanese shop and tried it. The bottle says fast drying but... it's a lie. It didn't even dry glossy. There's regular top coat on the shiny right side of my nail and Matte Magic on the left side.

This was a really.. weird post. I'll be posting regular, normal stuff after this. I don't want to go to class tomorrow! Or.. today, since it's past 12am already. Stupid class. Argh. I haven't even touched my homework. ):

I think I'm going to call it the schizo. It's just sticking with me, I don't know why. I know, psychology nerds, let me have it. :P

Barry M Red Black

2011-01-30T01:44:00.000+08:00

I am so tired and sleepy, and I was supposed to write this yesterday but after dinner I went to hide in my room because my dad was sick and I didn't want to fall sick as well. I played with some games on my phone while lying in bed and just fell asleep. While playing Doodle Fit (which is an awesome game btw). I kept waking up and falling asleep again before I could do anything and before I knew it, it was like.. 2am. I think I went into my room before 9.30pm.

I went for my little cousin's birthday party today. It was up in the hills and the temperature was about 21 degrees Celsius (not sure what that is in Fahrenheit). I felt like I was in Sydney again. We fed rabbits, donkeys and swans. The little ones got to ride the donkey but I didn't want to and I'm way too big for the guy anyway.

I am now on holidays as Chinese New Year is on.. Thursday and Friday. I think. I really don't know what to put on my nails, and I'm feeling way too lazy for nail art. :/

This is one of my favourite colors for polish of all time (say that last part like Kanye did when he interrupted Taylor Swift)! It's just so wearable. I don't know, I just really love this color.

Barry M Red Black is a jelly, or feels like one. Right? I have difficulty differentiating between jellies and cremes sometimes, so correct me if I'm wrong. It's so vampy. I did 3 coats with top coat. The application was just what you'd expect from a polish like this. All photos (yes, I did feel the need to post every one of these) were taken in natural light.

With China Glaze Matte Magic

Looking at these pictures makes me want to wear it again! Okay finally.. bedtime! I swear the bed is singing my name.

OPI Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees Suede with Top Coat

2011-01-26T00:05:00.000+08:00

Seriously, OPI couldn't come up with a shorter name? What if this doesn't fit in my tweet? :/

I feel weird, like I don't have the mood to write super long posts that you probably don't read anyway. I just don't know what to write anymore. My days are mundane. I guess I could tell you that a guy in my class had to drop out because his results from his previous exam didn't meet the requirements. He was supposed to be the class representative but... :/

Also, the weather today was great. It rained in the middle of the night/early morning and was sunny in the morning, then apparently it rained at my housing area while I was out and the sun was back out in full strength by the time I drove home. It was breezy, so it wasn't that hot, and I like it when the wind blows all the clouds away in the evening because it gets nice and cool. I didn't manage to swatch anything today because I was trying to figure out the difference between China Glaze Cheers To You and Models Own Sterling Silver. I'm sure there is something.

Anyway, I kind of showed you what this looks like here but here it is again, properly. Without top coat, it has a suede finish (duh), which I posted here. As I've said, with top coat, Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees Suede looks like one of those metal pipes, the name of which escapes me. But yeah, it looks like that metal pipe's material.

Excuse the tip wear and chipping. The suede finish doesn't wear well at all. I think this was my 2nd or 3rd day of wear. I like this with and without top coat. All photos were taken in natural light.And yes, I did feel it was necessary to post 3 very similar pictures. I assure you, they are not the same photo posted 3 times.

I am so behind on posting. I am on my third mani after this OPI, and usually when I post something, I'm only on the next mani. I'm also thinking of doing a acetone vs. non-acetone polish remover post (have I said this before?).

Has anyone tried Color Club's Black? The name of the polish is Black. I needed a black creme and thought one named Black would be it. It dried looking like a tar pit. It bubbled (could be due to my shower/base coat etc.) but I managed to press the bubbles down somewhat and put something over it to hide it a little. At least it's only on my toes, not my hands. Help?

P.S.: I still need help to my storage problem and Anchor's Away problem at the bottom of my UK Haul post. Please? ):

UK Haul

2011-01-23T01:31:00.000+08:00

I spent the longest time ever browsing random stuff and generally surfing the internet. Until I remembered I wanted to show you this before I post anything that I used already.

My aunt had to go to England for a month for work, and I put together a last minute insanely long list of polishes I wanted. Of course she couldn't bring all of them back. Although now that she's back and she's seeing me wearing them, she says she should've bought more. She initially bought only 13, but I told her that 20 would be a nice number. She managed to get another 5, so that's 18 altogether. My age! (for the next 7 months anyway)

I'm sorry for the terrible pictures, I can never take good pictures when it comes to bottles.

Models Own

Top row, L-R: Purple Mystique, In The Navy, Sterling Silver

Bottom row, L-R: Red Red Wine, Juicy Jules, Black Magic

L-R: Rimmel Black Cab, Boots 17 in Peacock, Glitter Top Coat, Double Gloss Top Coat

Boots No. 7
L-R: Poolside Blue, Milan, Salsa and Night Silver

Barry M
L-R: Mushroom, Raspberry, Racing Green and Red Black

Free Barry M Lip Gloss (smells like strawberry!)

I would've opened the lip gloss to swatch it on my hand or something but I saw that the neck of the gloss tube? was so nice and clean, I didn't want to mess it up until I have to use it.

Now, for the important part: now that my stash has grown by this much, it no longer fits in my drawer - not while the Antonius basket insert is holding all my other polishes.

Image source: ikea.com

I like how the Antonius basket insert has compartments so I can separate my bottles by brand, but it doesn't fit into my drawer perfectly (I am not using a Helmer). Also, the bottom of the Antonius is much smaller than the top of each compartment due to the slopedness of the wall. Does this make sense? This wastes quite a bit of space. Like what Alizarineclaws posted on her blog here.

So now, I'm looking for an alternative. I have two options. The first one is to use one of those sheets that are kind of rubbery, which prevents the bottles from moving around when I open and close the drawers. I like this because it doesn't waste any space at all. I don't like this because there's no physical separation of the brands.

The second option is to use smaller containers which fit my drawers quite well. I like this because I will be using about 3 of these, so I can separate the brands a little. I don't like this because the material is clear plastic, which in my experience, doesn't really like polish. Not that I expect any polish to get on the containers, but still. Also, it's more expensive. One container costs the same as the rubbery mat, and I need three containers.

A more tedious option would be to buy the mat, then make some boxes out of some sort of paper or cardboard. This way, I'll be able to make the boxes any size I want, but it's a very tedious thing to do and I'm a lazy person.

Another thing I need an opinion on: should I get stuff from the Anchors Away collection? I'm liking Sea Spray, Below Deck and First Mate. Maybe even that red creme which I can't remember the name of.

HELP!!

OPI Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees Suede

2011-01-22T01:16:00.001+08:00

My apologies for not blogging over the week. I have felt lazy like the dog that the quick brown fox jumped over.

Classes have been tiring, to say the least. I have a lecturer who looks like E.T. (I kept thinking about what would happen if little Drew Barrymore walked in) and another one who has a really thick Indian accent and sometimes mumbles. Not that I'm not used to accents, but the mumbling really makes it hard to catch what he's saying.

I had 3 hours of lab today. THREE HOURS. And our lab was a total fail. I hope that isn't an indication of the rest of the course.

I took Boots Poolside Blue off before taking my shower, but I was feeling bloated and a little bit nauseous so I still haven't done anything with my nails. I hope I don't have to go anywhere before getting the chance to do my nails tomorrow. I helped my mom get OPI DS Signature on her nails though. I have got to swatch that sometime. The holo is amazing!

Anyway, I can't type much because I think my body is about to just give up on me soon. Just typing all that up there has made my right wrist feel tired. All that pipette-ing just now really made me feel like I was in CSI :D

My friends gave this to me for my birthday last year, it was a late present, but still, better late than never. Haha. We took AGES trying to decide which one to buy. I knew my wishlist was way too long, and pretty much anything that I didn't have which I liked would've been great. We decided to not get something with a normal finish and went for a suede.

I think I've mentioned the story of the whole lady-giving-me-matte-instead-of-suede thing, but I'm too lazy to dig it up. We FINALLY decided on OPI Ink Suede but they didn't have it so we chose Russian Navy Suede. Happily, I left the shop and went home to just try it on one finger, because it was so damn tempting. I realised it was matte, not suede. I went back to the shop and told them what happened, and they made sure I hadn't opened the bottle yet (ssshh!) and they agreed to change it, only.. they didn't have Russian Navy Suede, so I settled for this one instead.

Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees Suede is.. gunmetal grey? I've never seen a gun, or the metal it's made of. I love the texture of this one. It's so smooth and nice to touch. The lady at Sasa even complimented me on it. She was so in awe, she even called her colleague over to have a look. She thought it was matte. See, this is what happens when Sasa doesn't carry OPI.

I did two coats, and it was a little bit tough for me because I like to paint slowly or I get polish all over the skin on the sides of my nails. But it all worked out, kind of. I did use a base coat even though the little paper thingy that came with it said not to use base coat or top coat. It just didn't feel right without a base coat.

First 4 photos taken under my desk lamp, last 3 in daylight.

I expected the wear to be really bad, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. Below is a picture of the tip wear I had after a day. Barely any. But once it starts chipping, then.. it really chips.

I've run out of things to type and I'm seriously about to fall asleep right now. I am so gonna sleep earlier for classes. One day. Eventually. Maybe.

OPI Teenage Dream

2011-01-16T23:35:00.000+08:00

Okay, remember a billion years ago (actually about 3 weeks ago) I showed you Teenage Dream on China Glaze White On White? And then after that, I didn't want to show you Teenage Dream by itself because I didn't like the swatches?

I decided to try again, this time using my right hand to paint and with the help of my good friend, the sun. So, forgive my awkward fingers. My left hand doesn't have as much coordination as my right. Extremely imbalanced.

Another thing that you must do, which is probably the most important one, ignore my stained nails. The bottom half of my nails are significantly more stained than the top half, for some reason. This makes the swatches look kinda weird, but I'm sure if you cover it with your finger or something...

If I'm not mistaken, I did 2 coats with top coat. And all of the pictures were taken in day/sunlight. They probably wouldn't have happened if there hadn't been any sun. There's still a little bit of VNL but I'm sure a third coat will fix it.

I wanted to post this while it was still kind of current. It looks like I have some gross gradient going on. The top half of my nail (just below the cuticle) is what it should look like, the bottom half is what it would look like if your nails are really stained like mine.

Really.. If you just use one hand to cover the bottom half of my nails on each pic, it'll look quite alright (: These pictures are much better than my previous ones (which I have deleted), but not that great. Maybe when I can see a decrease in the level of staining, I'll try again. I still think Kellie Gonzo has somehow worked magic with this one, which you can see here.

I didn't wear this as a mani, I only swatched it. I've read that it peeled off after a few days, which actually happened to my mom as well. I did also use this for a gradient mani on my mom but I didn't take any pictures. I'll probably try to re-do it on myself once I get the time.

But anyway, thank you, Katy Perry, for this awesome polish. Now why won't people do more awesome reds instead of pinks?!

I ate a rather rare piece of steak for lunch today, and I think that plus the wild berries tea made me feel sick. I couldn't even bring myself to go for my friend's birthday dinner. I am NEVER eating steak that rare again, EVER! In fact, I might just pass up on steak for the next few centuries or so. And when my aunt came out of her room smelling like berries, I felt a little sick again. Damn classical conditioning. And the Garcia effect. Or.. not? My Psychology is a little rusty already :/

Tomorrow will be my first day of classes at university! Luckily I have an awesome friend who'll be going through the next 4 years with me, but.. sometimes even friends can't save you from the horrors of university.

China Glaze Ruby Pumps & Lubu Heels

2011-01-14T18:43:00.001+08:00

I am extremely brain-fogged right now. I have so much sleep debt (this is an actual term), I think I'll have to sleep 'til I'm 80 to get rid of it.

I kind of miss Psychology. All the cool stuff I get to learn about why people turn out the way they are, why people do certain things, etc.. I didn't learn everything there is to learn but what I did was good enough (:

Also, I've been seeing bloggers posting about being pestered just because they haven't been updating at the same frequency as they used to, and it completely pisses me off. You may not have a life, but these bloggers do. They have jobs, family, friends, and they're not getting paid to blog. They still have to work to get bread (and polish) on the table.

It's the blogger's blog and the bloggers can do whatever they want with it. You chose to follow it, and if you're unsatisfied, then don't whine about it to the blogger, just unfollow. You're not the owner of the blog or the blogger. If you're so damn concerned about the frequency of posting, create your own damn blog. You can post every bloody hour if you want to. Just leave the bloggers alone. You may not have known this, but life exists outside the Internet!

Anyway, I can't believe I waited this long to try Ruby Pumps. I actually wanted to pair it with Emerald Sparkle for Christmas but my package arrived late (do NOT wanna go back to that again). So, finally, I paired it with Lubu Heels.

Ruby Pumps is a red base with what looks to me like red glitter. I have to say, I think this could be my new favouritest red polish EVER. It's sparkly, it's red, it's stunning in all types of lighting, and even looks great under a matte topcoat. It definitely has depth, I feel like I could jump into it and swim forever (even though I can't swim). I am just blown away by this one. If China Glaze ever discontinues it, I will march over to the China Glaze HQ and beat everyone to a pulp.

Lubu Heels is also gorgeous, but doesn't outshine Ruby Pumps. It's a black base with red glitter. I wish the glitter would be more apparent, but I love it nonetheless. I think before I even knew about it, that I wanted a black with red glitter and this one came along.

I know that there's a mani (can't remember what it's called) that has Lubu Heels on top of the nail, and Ruby Pumps on the bottom. It's supposed to resemble a Louboutin shoe. Obviously my nails aren't long enough for that.

I did 3 coats of each polish on alternating fingers with China Glaze Fast Forward top coat. You might see some scratches/sheet marks, because I painted this late at night. All photos were taken in daylight unless stated otherwise.

L-R: Lubu Heels, Ruby Pumps, Lubu Heels, Ruby Pumps

I had a little bit of sun! This completely put me in a swatching mood.

Under my desk lamp to see Lubu Heels better. The color of Ruby Pumps is completely inaccurate here. It's not pinkish, it's red.

A close-up look of Ruby Pumps. I just love this one so much (:

Taken under my desk lamp. Ruby Pumps with China Glaze Matte Magic top coat. Obviously I didn't really pay attention while putting on Matte Magic. I'll know to be more careful next time. Again, it's red, not pink.

Taken under my desk lamp. You can really see the red glitter in Lubu Heels here.

Taken under my desk lamp. Lubu Heels with Matte Magic.

Taken under my desk lamp. A blurry picture to show you the sparkles.

Edit: This totally reminded me of cards. Like a deck of cards. You know, red and black?

I did some swatching on that sunny-ish day. Which is why I have many posts waiting to be posted. But I won't be pulling them out until I have to. I have two weeks of classes and then a one week break for Chinese New Year, which is when I expect to be unable to post, since I'll be heading out of town for a few days.

My aunt just got back from Norwich and brought me 18 polishes. Unfortunately, she took the wrong luggage home yesterday and had to wait for the other guy who took hers to return it. It's sitting downstairs now. Both the luggage and I are waiting for her to come home and open it. I am beyond excited!

I hope the pesky buggers will leave the bloggers alone, and go out and smell the fresh air.

Etude House swatches

2011-01-14T03:30:00.001+08:00

I actually have a bunch of swatches lined up but it's 3am and it took me an hour to sift through and pick the good ones. I had 84 pictures of my Lubu Heels & Ruby Pumps combo mani, just to give you an idea of what I had to do. I think I need to go to photo rehab. None of the pictures have been watermarked and I don't have the time to do it now.

Speaking of rehab, I woke up super early today to go on a field trip to a drug rehab centre in the middle of nowhere. My classes start next week. I have two weeks of classes and then a week of holiday for Chinese New Year and then back to class.

After my university interview last Monday, my friend and I went to the mall and watched The Tourist. Which was one hell of a movie. I loved that they put Johnny Depp in white and blue striped pyjamas, but I was completely taken aback by the ending. I was like.. Mind. Blown. It's just too good.

We went around trying on polishes on her nails. We went into Etude House because.. I wanted to. And since I had Color Club Coastal Creme on, I couldn't try out any of the polishes. Luckily, my friend never does her nails. EVER. They're not in the best shape but if she doesn't care about it, I won't because they're not my nails. She likes her nails as short as they will go.

Before you go on, take note that these are not my hands or nails, I did Photoshop the skin around the nails a little and none of these are in my stash (yet, anyway). I assure you that I do not and have not Photoshopped my own nails.

The sun came out, so we had some good lighting. But two girls sitting outside the mall (still within the mall's compounds) taking pictures of their nails probably was a little funny. All swatches are in daylight, no base coat or top coat and are one coat each.

Etude House actually has some pretty cool polishes. I didn't know the names of any of these, and they probably are just labeled with a code, instead of a name.

This is a black base with blue/purple duochrome flake glitter. This was way too cool. I wish I had a top coat so I could see how it would look. I think it would still be pretty badass. The tester in the store had thickened up so this was one thick coat.

Large and small hexagonal glitter in a clear base with tiny silver flake glitter. This would be great for layering or gradients.

Purple holo. This was gorgeous. I didn't expect a brand like Etude House to have a holo, but they do! It's a beautiful scattered holo. Looks like a two-coater too.

I'm sorry the swatches are messy. I couldn't do clean up. Also, my friend has tiny nails and I think both our hands weren't that steady when I was painting. But thanks, friend, for being my 'model' for the day (:

I would buy these, if only I had more money. And if only I hadn't spent some money buying some flakie polishes from Sasa. I'm contemplating whether or not to buy Orly Space Cadet.. What do you think?

Nature Republic EPP401

2011-01-10T23:50:00.001+08:00

Again with the crappy name. At least name it something lame like Purple, rather than leave it as a code.

This was also gifted to me by my aunt for Christmas. This reminds me somewhat of China Glaze Flying Dragon. That's probably why I decided to re-name it Dragon's ~~Breath~~ Beard. I just realised why Dragon's Breath sounds so familiar. It's a BB Couture polish. Fine. Dragons have beards, right?

Anyway, it's right in that alley of polish named after dragons. Purple with pink and blue shimmer. I did 3 coats with top coat. No sun pictures because the sun didn't want to see me. All photos taken under my desk lamp. Excuse the tip wear and the below par photos. They were taken after a couple of days of wear and I don't know why I didn't go all quality control on those pictures.

The wear was good, no chipping, just tip wear. The only chips I got were because my nails were peeling and some parts are thinner than others and chip more easily.

You can see a bit of streakiness here, but it's hardly visible in person.

I'm absolutely exhausted from my lack of sleep and the university orientation I went for was torture. It was so cold, I was shivering like... like something that shivers! I think my brain cells are frozen from this morning. My teeth were chattering and I was shaking all over. It took some effort to not let my legs give way while I was walking down the stairs.

Well, only another 2 days to go of this thing. Plus the next 1.5 years, if I'm lucky.

My aunt will be returning a couple of days earlier than planned from the UK, I can't wait to see what she brought me :D