OPI Designer Series Magic

I think there's a conspiracy to make me out to be a liar.  I keep saying I don't "do blues", but here I go again with another one.  OPI released two new Designer Series colors for Fall 2010, Radiance (which I didn't get because it's a sparkly silver, and I already have Coronation plus a couple others) and Magic.  Magic is just too pretty for words.  It is not a holo like a lot of the other DS polishes.  Rather, it is a very sparkly, foil-like sapphire blue with a turquoise and fuchsia duochrome vaguely reminiscent of Rescue Beauty Lounge's Scrangie.  Magic is a much brighter blue than OPI Designer Series Fantasy, which leans more toward navy and has the holo glitter (swatch here).

Click the jump for a whole bunch more pictures.

100 Followers!!

When I started this blog, my goal wasn't to collect as many followers as possible.  I really just wanted to get swatches and inspiration out to the masses.  I am so thrilled, though, that I have so many people who care what I have to say about beauty, fashion, etc...


So, to celebrate, I'm going to do TWO giveaways!  First up, I have a set of Zoya Ultraglitters Astra, Luna and Nova.  Second, is a bottle of OPI My Private Jet (the deep brown with holo glitter).

Ways to enter:  1.  You must be a follower, so become a follower and leave me a comment!  If you're already a follower, just leave me a comment!  2.  Get an additional entry for featuring my giveaway on your blog (leave me a link to the post in a comment).  3.  Get an additional entry for referring a friend who becomes a follower - you'll each receive another entry (be sure to note, by username, who you've referred/who referred you in a comment so I can credit you both)!


I will pick the winners on December 15th.  This giveaway is open to everyone (U.S. and international).  I will use random.org to generate the winners.  All polishes are brand new from my personal collection.  Good luck and thank you for your support!

Deborah Lippmann Bitches' Brew Nail Lacquer

I thought about doing some bright, crazy color for Thanksgiving, but I decided to go with a more traditional fall color with a sassy name, Deborah Lippmann Bitches' Brew, a vampy burgundy shimmer.

More pictures after the jump!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for this year.  Wonderful family (who helped with all this food!), friends and a new job among many, many other things.  I'm also thankful for my readers who inspire me.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Leaf Killer

I'm sure that leaf was being insolent or gave him the stink-eye.  Otherwise, I can't imagine what would prompt the fat and über-lazy swatchcat D to lash out.

That leaf didn't stand a chance.

Chanel Riva Le Vernis

Chanel just keeps pumping them out.  This time it is Riva, part of the Chanel Côte d' Azur Cruise Collection.  It's a pretty pale blue cream with hidden shimmer.  I do really like the color, which, from me, is saying a lot, since I don't really do blues.  Butttt, as pretty as Riva is, I think it's passable, and if you're really itching for a pale blue, dupeable.


Still, I took pretty pictures...

More pictures after the jump!

OPI Black Cherry Chutney

OPI Black Cherry Chutney...sounds Thanksgiving-y doesn't it?  It's nothing I'd try because I find cherries yucky, but I'm sure Black Cherry Chutney would be delicious.  Being that I don't have to come in contact with actual cherries to wear the polish, I have no trouble sporting OPI Black Cherry Chutney.  It is a gorgeous burgundy with subtle red shimmer.  Very vampy and perfect to wear for Thanksgiving Dinner.

More pictures after the jump.

Dior Czarina Gold Vernis and China Glaze Wagon Trail Comparison

When I first reviewed Dior Czarina Gold, I said it was a blackened gold, and made a mental note to do a comparison to China Glaze Wagon Trail, since that is the only other blackened gold I have.  The two polishes are similar, but not dupes.  Czarina Gold is in more of a smokey base and has much more pronounced golden sparkles that give the polish an overall burnished bronze color.  Wagon Trail, on the other hand, has a black base with golden shimmers, and those shimmers give the polish an overall deep olive-y tone.


Pointer and Ring:  Wagon Trail;  Middle and Pinkie:  Czarina Gold

More pictures after the jump!

OPI Burlesque Collection

OPI's latest collection (I think...it's so hard to keep up sometimes) was inspired by the release of Burlesque starring Cher and Christina Aguilera.  I have no opinion in regards to the movie, as it's not my thang, so I won't be seeing it.  The polishes, on the other hand, I have not only opinions on, but pictures, too!


First up, Ali's Big Break, which is a beautiful blood red with fuschia and gold flakies.  The flakies really give ABB a lit-from-within glow.  Unique, not so much, although, I didn't have a color quite like it.  This is three coats, and pardon the tip-wear.  I'd been wearing it a couple of days before the sun finally came out so I could photograph it.

More after the jump!

Dior Black Ink Vernis

I'm going to be honest, because, well, that's the point of this blog.  This polish is let me down.  I was hoping for a deep navy with glowing blue shimmers.  Something along the lines of OPI Ink, but more navy and a bit less shimmery.  The bottle is deceiving, because in the bottle, that is exactly what Black Ink looks like.  On the nails, it's another story.  Instead, Black Ink is a nearly black base with subtle blue shimmers.  The base basically looks black and it pretty much obscures the shimmers unless you're in the sunlight.

Close ups after the jump.

Dior Aztec Chocolate Vernis

Again, I am not so much with the words today.  Work had drained most of them out of me, and what was left was banged out of my head with a fender-bender on my way home.  Nothing serious, and I wasn't hurt (and even better it wasn't my fault), but my car's rear bumper looks just that much more worse for the wear.


So, on to the pictures...

More pictures and color commentary after the jump.