Playing With The Queen of Hearts
It’s time for another frankenpolish inspired by the OPI Alice In Wonderland collection. I was so happy with how my Cheshire Cat franken turned out that I just had to try to make my idea of a white polish with red glitter come to life.
With the Queen of Hearts as my muse, I mixed up what I’m calling “Playing With The Queen of Hearts”. The song was running through my head while I was mixing/applying it so it seemed a perfect fit. Though I’m not sure I’m entirely in love with the color so I’d love your thoughts. Check it out after the jump! |
After realizing how much polish I used to mix up my last franken I hunted down some baby polish bottles to make the process less wasteful. I can’t be dumping half a bottle of my fave polishes out just for a mix, especially discontinued ones. I purchased my bottles from The Supply Source for $5/dozen.
I had hoped to find a red glitter polish with a clear base in my stash but my bottle of Color Club Art of Seduction has found a new home. So while I was ordering polish bottles, I picked up some red glitter from The Supply Source as well. I mixed their Red Micro Glitter with Orly Gogo, a sparkly white.
I wanted a shimmery/glittery white because I thought it would suspend the glitter better and I was right. Even after sitting a few days, the glitter is still pretty well dispersed.
This is my first attempt which I didn’t feel was glittery enough. I can’t really say how much I used because I don’t have a measuring tool that will fit in such a little opening.
After adding some more glitter, the red is definitely more apparent though I’m still not sure I love it. It reminds me of this white chocolate bar I had years back. It had red speckles throughout the chocolate that looked a lot like this.
In sunlight and artificial light, the glow of the glitter makes it a bit better but I’m still not thrilled.
What do you think? I’m wondering if chunkier glitter would have been better. Maybe I should hunt down some actual heart shaped glitter, like those Maybellines. What would you suggest to make this a better mix?
Lisa N.
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The first try reminds me of a candy cane or white chocolate-peppermint bark. I think I might actually like it better with less glitter. I like the shimmer in the base color, but maybe a truer white? Bright white might not be as flattering to your skin tone, but I think they gray-ish tone of the Orly polish makes it look a little muddy.
I agree. I should have used a brighter white. I didn’t expect the red glitter to contribute to a grayish cast but it totally does.
I share your hesitation Michelle. I’m also not sure if I like it. This color suffers something… But I cannot say what :o( Wait, perhaps I know – it’s not vivid somehow. Perhaps another base color would make it more interesting, but it wouldn’t suit your inspiration, right? I have one more idea: what do you think about adding silver glitter to your version?!
I don’t have any silver glitter but I like that idea. The base color was probably not the best choice. I wanted to use White Kwik Silver but couldn’t bear the thought of dumping any of it out for a franken
I wish I could send you a bottle of polish I had from the Gap – it was a clear polish with red heart glitter in it. Unfortunately it dried up many years ago and I had to throw it away. I think a red heart glitter or chunky glitter mix would look better.
I’ll definitely have to hunt down some larger glitter. That GAP polish sounds fun.
It was like this star polish, but with hearts – it was soooo cool!
http://cgi.ebay.com/2pc-5-OZ-EACH-GAP-STARS-NAIL-POLISH_W0QQitemZ380180287327QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item588482cf5f#ht_1492wt_754
Oh wow, that is so fab. Why did they have to discontinue it?
i agree about the red heart glitter. i also remember gap nail polish. i think that whole line was discontinued. i guess i did make a frankenpolish with gap colors, i used a bright electric blue “Lightning” with gap red stars & small silver glitter. It looked amazing, for about 2 hours. Then the stars started flaking off, even with couple coats of acrylic top coat over it. i did see some star polish tonight in Hot Topic, but no hearts. I looked because I read the post before i went to the mall to buy alice & mad hatter.
when i saw the first picture of your polish, i thought.. ‘i have never seen anything like that’ and i really like it! i’d wear it! it’s interesting and different. it would be cool if you added a little bit of bigger red glitter, but that’s it. it reminds me of cinnamon gum.
Oh it totally looks like cinnamon gum. Great comparison. I don’t hate the color but I’m not all head over heels for it. I’ll have to keep playing around. They can’t all be winners.
I agree with you, totally. Great call on the cinnamon gum!
This franken-polish looks just like my AHA-facial peeling in a bottle )) (“Biodroga” brand)
Honestly I own somewhat similar polish from Alessandro (German brand), but it is not so flattering on my nails nad glitter doesn’t show off enough.
Looks really good. I actually like the first test batch better. I think if you want more of a sparkly look – it would be better to use the first franken-mix swatch you did and then add a layer of clear/red sparkle on top. Personally for me, when sparkle is added to polish that has too much pigment, you end up losing the flash. And just my opinion – HATE big chunks of glitter – to me, looks cheap ie dollar store polish-even though I know many highend lines (lippmann) use chunky glitter. But I am a reserved kinda gal – polish-wise.
Thanks for the feedback. This was my first time adding glitter to an opaque polish so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. I’ve mixed MAC pigments in clear but never loose product into a color. I’m definitely learning a lot for next time.
Red flakes would be nice. Maybe flakes *and* glitter.
you know what… i like it. i don’t love it, but i definitely like it.
i do agree that putting some heart-shaped glitter would be amazing, and make it that much more obvious that this polish was inspired by the queen of hearts. i also think that using a red glitter polish that had various sizes of glitter would make this better as well. and also maybe if the white was a had a more of a jelly consistency. i love a glitter suspended in a jelly!
Amanda – you are soo right. A jelly consistancy seems to refract the light better and you don’t seem to get as much shadow bounced back into the polish. I think that is why it looked kinda grey-ish.
I was thinking this same thing looking at this Queen of Hearts Franken. You could jelly it out with some clear and then add in glitter to get the density you like. I’m inspired to play with some of my glitters now!
I also agree that this would look better if it were more jelly. Dump some clear in there! And I’m all for the hearts, they may seem childish but they are so fun.
I definately pictured more of a jelly consistancy. I think it would give it more depth and interest.
I was actually thinking of trying to make my own with black glitter and white polish so it’s good to know what might and might not work based on this.
Target had some gift packs of cheap nail polish for little girls around Christmas – and some included a bottle of clear with little pink and red hearts!
Ooh, just had another thought. What about adding black glitter to the mix? This is coming off a little too candy cane sweet for me, and we all know the queen of hearts has a serious mean streak. I think mixing red and black glitter would take the sweetness down a notch while really playing up the “deck of cards” theme.
Oh that’s sounds really fun and very apropos.
Wow, love all the suggestions. You all are the best!
I actually really like this franken! For a clear polish with actual red heart glitter in it, Love My Nails makes one, and its 97
Maybe your formula isn’t perfect yet, but I like this a lot. So different from *anything* on the market! It looks like sparkly white chocolate. Pretty!
I am underwhelmed by the result but I think you are on the right track. I agree with Grace about adding some black glitter and I also think that if you were able to find red glitter hearts that would make the polish pop. So all in all, a true white creme base with black and red glitter and red glitter hearts!
Or now that I think of it, conversely, a black glittery base with red glitter and red and silver hearts?
I actually love the color, but it doesn’t remind me of Queen of Hearts. Maybe a shimmery sheer red polish with black and white hearts.
I KNEW I saw a clear w/ red hearts at Wal-Mart…I was looking for the hard candy polishes but restrained myself at the last minute. But in my search I saw the clear w/ hearts, though I neglected to write down the name. That polish would be perfect to add to the franken!
Ever since you first mentioned your Queen of Hearts franken idea I’ve been thinking about it. I’d like to see the clear w/ red glitter (perhaps w/hearts) over a sparkly white like the one in the new urban decay assortment. Maybe that would show off the glitter more than mixing them together.
Hmm…I guess the white widow urban decay has a grayish cast, too…so I’m not sure what white would be right.
don’t bother with the hard candy polishes, i bought five bottles when I saw it, and they all chip within 1 day on my natural nails + base and top.
Oh, I like this..! Hearts or Stars would definitley give it a boost. Check out Hot Topic, they make loose heart and star nail gems perfect for frankens. I picked some up a few weeks ago. Have a wonderful weekend doll! http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Accessories/Cosmetics/FaceBody/Heart-N-Star-Nail-Gems-285139.jsp
What about doing the Red as the base with black and white glitter. Looking at her dress red seems to be the outstanding color and the white and black are backups to it.
I actually really like it and if I saw it on sale, I’d buy it. I think it looks like candy!
I prefer it with less glitter too, but don’t really have any suggestions. I like the layering idea though, just layering some more red glitter (or black glitter) on top
I made a franken like this after you first post your review of the Alice in Wonderland collection. I used ChG White Out and a bit of White Kwik Silver for the base (though I think it actually would have looked better w/o it). Then I added CC Art of Seduction and topped it with the Love My Nails red heart glitter. I liked it, but once I saw the pictures on my blog, I thought it needed bigger, chuckier glitter.
I like the first test better. The idea of adding some black glitter to the mix sounds very cool!
You could also try using the Nicole by OPI with hearts in a pinkish/clear base as a topcoat.
I know at Clairs they used to have pre cut out red heart glitters. Maybe adding that to it along with the red glitter? Although I don’t know how the hearts and the white polish would look together.
I love all of them but the first one with the least amount of glitter is my favorite!!
Claires had a hearts in clear polish last time i was there (about a month ago). I would say it needs to be a whiter white. Alpine white jelly with red glitter and hearts.
I thought I really liked the idea of throwing silver glitter in there to brighten it up a bit until I read that one about the black glitter. That would almost perfectly embody the queen of hearts! Then what if you add some red heart glitter on top of that?!?! Oh boy *eyes up the craft store accross the street from work*
Bigger, hexagonal red glitter! Like Lippmann’s Ruby Red Slippers only with a white base instead of black <3 <3 <3
I might be the only one who loves it! I really like that it has that white chocolate feel. Or cinnamon gum. I think im going to try this for myself. I think it would have popped if you used white. I love it either way!!
I love it. I want a bottle of that.
i think it looks like peppermint bark, too. it may work better for me if the red glitter was bigger or if maybe there was other glitter like white or silver. heart glitter would be cool, too.
I feel like something along the lines of the glitter in ruby red slippers would work out well in white
What about a black shimmer polish with silver and red glitter? Somehow a white polish doesn’t seem right for such an “evil” character. I think a dark base would really match the personality a lot better.
I personally love the first attempt. Am I a good public? I don’t know, but it’s cute and it’s a color I’d wear anytime. It remind me of red pepper in cream. I love it more than the second attempt because it’s more subtle. A more jelly texture for the white would help a bit. But I very love it. And more than the 2 glitters of the OPI serie!
This is really cute! And i LOVE your Cheshire Cat franken!
I like both of these frankens. But, for the purpose of “Playin’ With the Queen of Hearts”, I think that heart glitter would be THE thing. But as a non-lover of anything heart shaped (except anatomically heart shaped), I would opt for red flakes in addition to the glitter. I LOVE that red glitter. Thank you for posting your source. And the cinnamon gum comparison is perfect!
This made me crave peppermint bark!
hmm, maybe add the white into the red glitter?
How cool! I’ve never thought of mixing polishes to create new ones before…don’t know if I’ll be trying it just yet though. I agree that if the glitter had been a bit bigger it would have been more noticeable and affected the base colour less
I like the one with less glitter. I would wear that.
The glitter reminds me a bit of the upcoming Junebug by Barielle. I think bright glitter in pale shades is a worthwhile new trend.
I think heart-shaped red glitter mixed with a bit of the small red glitter would make it better. I think you should name it “Peppermint Bark” though, since that’s what it looks like LOL!
I like it but it doesn’t scream Off w/ her Head! It feels more like something for Valentine’s Day or Xmas-y. I think of candy canes & peppermints when i see it.
Queen of Hearts is b!t@hy, edgy – all about her. Maybe instead of just pretty fine glitter. It needs some chunks of ragged edgy glitter, red AND blank. Or Red chunky glitter on black base? almost like china glaze’s special halloween one that came in october.
I like the first one better. I may try one with a white jellyish base, black glitter and red hearts
I love the 2nd version! it looks great (and I totally know what chocolate you are talking about…now I want one of those). But, if you wanted to tweak your polish a little, I think adding a dark/hot pink glitter polish might add depth to the existing colors but not take away from the general idea you have achieved.
I kind of like it but I think I would have liked a shimmery white more than the opaque white… I also like someone’s idea of black with red glitter – that would be so neat!
It also reminds me of peppermint bark and now I have to go see if I still have some left!
OK I’m changing the name to “Peppermint Bark” since it seems much more fitting. I also dumped some clear into the bottle and it’s much prettier as a jelly. I’m still going to try adding some heart glitter and possibly some black (if I can find it) to make a Queen of Hearts suitable color.
Please post the results if you do! (and then offer it for sale!)
I don’t know what everyone’s talking about. I love it! It made me say ‘oooo’ when I saw it. It oculd use a brighter base maybe. I love it anyway and I think I’ll try my hand at it.
I love the look of the first one but I have to agree with a couple of other comments about heart glitter. A couple of ideas: Red base with silver holographic hearts or a black base with large holographic red hearts with small silver glitter and gold glitter. The last would definitely represent the “card” theme and the silvery shimmer would come across “white” on the black base but with more of a nice pop. All in all cool idea! :o)
I prefer the first one that has the least glitter. (reminds me of white chocolate with cookie crumbles…except that the crumbles are red
)But yes, it should look better with hexagonal glitter (like lippmann ruby red slippers) or a mixture of glitter and hearts. Black glitter mixed with red sounds good too, but with larger glitter particles. Michelle, I love your blog. You’re doing a gr8 job, and I love your posts and the beautiful pics.
I like where you’re going with this and I think you’re right about bigger glitter being the answer.
Also, that damn song is stuck in my head now, thanks for that. No, really thanks because it’s better than the theme song to Private Benjamin which was playing in my head all morning! O_o
Several have said this already, but I’ll add my two cents… I liked the first try the best, the one with the least glitter. It had the perfect amount of glitter, not too little and not too much. Adding more glitter killed the look for me. And I would absolutely name it Peppermint Bark! Now I want to go out and buy more bark before it’s gone from Trader Joe’s
I love the look of the first glitter-wise. How about using a sheerer white that shimmers gold, adding red glitter and then layering that to build opacity.I think maybe this polish should be a jelly!!
I think this is better. It also reminds me of peppermint white choc bark. Yum.
I don’t know if you’ve looked into it but Nyx Girls line has clear with red glitter and clear with red hearts if you want to try again
how about opi’s you’re a doll with nubar fire sparkles for example?
thanks for your great swatches!
I love this<3
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the first attempt. Just the right amount of red with the white! I also love the idea of adding metallic hearts to the first attempt as well. Good job! OPI would do themselves a HUGE service to get you involved with promotions like this one. I didn’t buy EITHER of the reds. They are just TOO SIMILAR to reds I already have. The glitters on the other hand… SOOOOO DIFFERENT!!
I think that this would make an absolutely wonderful christmas color. It reminds me of pepermint white chocolate.
I think if you really want to be wowed by it (and make it a true queen of hearts color)- you should try a white nailpolish that has a bit of a gold shimmer to it (ie Queen’s crown). for the glitter OPI makes a very, very promising color from their “NICOLE” line. iDK what it is called, however, it does have multicolored glitter and heart shaped glitter included in the bottle, suspended in a clear base. I think it would be worth a shot?
I love that you did this! I realize I’m about 2 or 3 years late here, but I, too, thought that 2 reds in the collection was a bit much. I love this mix, but actually liked the first version w/out as much glitter best. Another thought, would be white w/a brown or copper glitter, since much of the white queen and subjects seemed to have a “sepia tone” about them. That’s just a thought. I think the nicole glitter would be worth a try too. I am dying to find a mad as a hatter, but I am not rich enough to buy one nail polish for $40!