China Glaze
The Arsenal – China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
I get a lot of questions and comments regarding the tools and treatment products I use to keep my nails healthy and in tip top shape. Since my routine changes as I test new products, I’m launching a new series, The Arsenal, to share with you the items that are “must haves” in my nail kit.
Let’s kick off The Arsenal with China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier, a new addition to my list of staples. Being that I put my hands though hell and high water with all the polish swatching, my nails end up pretty wrecked looking on a highly productive day. We’re talking dry and prone to breaking/splitting. Since I’m already at a nail health disadvantage due to my DDS (Danny Devito Syndrome), I need a product that not only works in the long term but also provides a quick fix. Enter Calcium Gel Fortifier.
Its blend of Vitamin B and Wheat Protein totally rejuvenates my nail beds. I swear, it’s like a facial for the nails. Shall we call it a nail-cial? Even if it’s only overnight, I slap a couple coats of Fortifier on my nails and when I take it off in the a.m. for some early morning swatching, the surface of my tips feel smoother. And when I force myself to take a sanity (those polish fumes can make a girl wacky) and nail health break, I see a major difference in how quickly my tips grow using the Fortifier. Plus it makes my naked nails look incredibly shiny. I’m telling you, it’s like magic and stuff!
China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier retails for $3.99 online at e-tailers TransDesign.com and Head2ToeBeauty.com
The ALU Archives – China Glaze Drinkin’ My Blues Away
 The ALU Archives focuses on older, beloved shades from the All Lacquered Up stash.
Hey kids! I’m baaaack! And I’m continuing my “Rainy Day Blues” theme for April with one of my all time favorites. Even though my April started with some Cleveland snow (double boo to that!), when I think of rainy days, my mind immediately wanders towards royal hues. Something fluid and vibrant. Nothing fits the bill better than China Glaze Drinkin’ My Blues Away. It’s winner not only because it’s blue but because it’s a China Glaze glass flecked blue. Can it get much better than that?? For those of you that wished for a blue in the Summer Days collection, this one will hit the spot. |
Drinkin My Blues Away was released as part of the Tequila Toes collection in 2006, back when the Babes in Toeland series of glass flecked polishes were still being produced. What I love so much about this shade is that the finish makes it appear watery. The micro glitter trapped in the base look like flecks of sunlight bouncing off the sea. It’s truly stunning and unique. Like all ChG glass flecked polishes, this one has a thinner, jelly-ish feel and looks best with three coats.
Now this one is a discontinued shade but it can still be found. I know you’re probably dying to get your hands on it so I did a little hunting and tracked down these sellers. I can’t testify to their reputation or reliability so purchase at your own risk. Check out Hello Gorgeous and eBay to snag a bottle of your own.
What do you think kids? Who already owns DMBA? What’s your fave Rainy Day Blue?
China Glaze Kicks Collection – Part 2
 Does anyone else remember when Tretorn tennis shoes were all the rage? Better yet, do you remember Tretorns period or did I totally just date myself? Maybe it was just my school but for a second, it was all about what color Tretorns you had. I distinctly remember a green plaid pair I owned.
Anywho, the reason I bring this up is that the more I look at the China Glaze Kicks collection, the more it reminds me of Tretorns. Every single shade would make a perfect accent color on a pair of their white sneaks. BT-Dub, Zappos.com sells Tretorns and now I’m all nostalgic, wanting a white/green pair (pictured). Getting back to the polish, the 2nd half of the collection introduces four cremes and two shimmers to the Kicks party. See them all, after the jump. |
B-Girlz is a hot, Barbie (could that be the “B” in B-Girlz?) pink shimmer. It’s totally Barbie’s pink convertible bottled.
Laced Up is Hubba Bubba hued creme that applies extremely even for such a light color. Normally I get drag at the cuticles with lighter cremes but Laced Up applied beautifully.
Sneaker Head has this sunwashed look to it. It’s a deep, baked berry red. Rich and luscious.
Oh How Street It Is can best be described as a burnt red-orange creme. Like that dark hue of orange flavored jelly candy.
Style Wars is a deep mango creme. I know when I previewed these shades on nail art wheels, that Styel Wars and Oh How Street It Is looked very similar. As you can see, on the nail, Style Wars is less red based and lighter.
I hear Breakin‘ and I’m compelled to say “Electric Boogaloo” before I look to see if Turbo is breakdancing on my ceiling. Anyone? Bueller? Well this Breakin’ may not spawn a sequel but it certainly has a fan base, me! This shimmery baby is pure concentrated OJ. LOVE!
The Kicks collection hits shelves at the end of April. You can order them online at Head2ToeBeauty.com, 8ty8Beauty.com or TransDesign.com or look for them in stores at Sally Beauty or ULTA.
China Glaze Kicks Collection – Part 1
 China Glaze is killing it! Absolutely f’n killing it this summer. I could barely contain myself over the gorgeousness of Summer Days and then out of nowhere comes Kicks, a collection of twelve vivid shades inspired by the colorful footwear worn by Sneakerheads. Sneakerheads aquire colorful “kicks” the way us fanatics accumulate polish. Amassing an array of fashion foward, unique sneakers, the more rare and LE, the better. Sound familiar polish collectors?
All I can say is that Kicks is definitely a collector’s collection. One that you won’t want to swap or give away. I sound like a crushed out schoolgirl, don’t I? Just take a peek after the jump and you’ll be all swoony too! |
The first six shades in the Kicks collection all have some form of shimmer and, with one notable exception (Paper Chasing), it’s very subtle. Think TreeHugger; a creme feeling base with micro-shimmer finely dispersed throughout the pigment. It’s this style of shimmer that makes Kicks a great companion for Summer Days. While I go ga-ga for that glass fleck look, I know that kind of intense look isn’t for everyone. So for the girls that want color minus the uber-glitz factor, Kicks is your new BFF.
Application was a total breeze. Each shade flowed and spread out to give a perfect, even finish. Excluding Paper Chasing, each lacquer is monstrously pigmented and only required two coats. Paper Chasing is more of a semi-sheer, jelly-ish metallic so it required three coats.
Entourage looks like it was pigmented with under-ripened lime zest. It has that bold lime-y quality but it’s not as dark as a fully ripe lime rind. The glint of micro-shimmer is more apparent in Entourage than its sister shades below.
Paper Chasing is my kind of girl and she’s totally different than all the other Kicks polishes. This kelly green beauty has a Sinful San Francisco feel and a slightly metallic look making it a standout shade for me.
What makes Custom Kicks a total winner is the gold shimmer. You can see flecks of it in the bottle and OMG does it draw me in. I have a whole drawer filled with teal polishes but none that look quite like this. A little blackened but not dark or dingy with this frisky hint of sparkle.
Sky High-Top is a vibrant royal blue with tonal shimmer. It reminds me of those rainy spring days when the sun still shines even though it’s pouring. You know how the sky darkens ever so slightly? Bottle that and you have Sky High-Top.
Fly is a purpley raspberry peppered with pink flecks of micro-shimmer. It’s a shame that doesn’t truly show up in pictures because it really does add depth and personality to the polish.
It’s Poppin actually reminds me of a pink poppy flower. It’s a rosey take on fuchsia and makes me long for berry season for some odd reason. Riddle me that.
The Kicks collection will launch at the end of April and can be purchased online at Head2ToeBeauty.com, 8ty8Beauty.com or TransDesign.com or in stores at Sally Beauty Supply and ULTA.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the collection! What do we think so far?
“What’s On Your Nails?” with Amy from China Glaze
 What’s On Your Nails? is a series focusing on my fellow beauty bloggers and industry insiders, their favorite nail polish and other hot nail topics.One of the greatest gifts writing ALU has brought me is the amazing relationships I’ve formed, like my friendship with Amy MacGregor, Assistant Brand Manager for China Glaze. Amy doesn’t just work for a beauty brand, she has a core love for color and nails that totally reflects in her work. As one of the creative forces behind some of my all time favorite polish collections (Summer Days, Bahama Blues, Ecollection), Amy understands what true fanatics want and delivers over and over again.
After months and months of emails I finally had the chance to meet Amy over breakfast last summer in L.A. and she’s just an absolute doll. The fact that she surprised me with the BEST green glitter EV-AH (Emerald Sparkle) was just a bonus. So read on to get to know Amy better, find out what product made her acrylic to natural nail transition possible and see a perfect example of a natural french manicure. |
Lisa N.
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