Green
China Glaze ‘Loves You Snow Much’ Holiday Swatches & Review
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That seems to be the China Glaze adage for Holiday 2009 and I totally get it. I mean how much did we all freak out over Emerald Sparkle? It’s the ultimate in green glitter gorgeousness. And how many of you regretted not getting a backup?
Well China Glaze obviously “Loves You Snow Much” to bring it back with a brand new friend. They’ve expanded last year’s Sleigh Ride trio of Tinsel, Ruby Pumps and Emerald Sparkle to include the way apropos 5 Golden Rings. Check out the new kid on the block and refresh your memory as to why Emerald Sparkle is an utter must-have.
The ALU Archives – Shu Uemura P665
The ALU Archives focuses on older, beloved shades from the All Lacquered Up stash.
A sweet reader, Faye, emailed me quite some time ago about how she visited the L’oreal Company Store and spotted two GREEN Shu Uemura nail polishes that I just had to have. I was floored and flattered that she thought of me and was kind enough to send them my way. The generosity of strangers, I tell you!
One of the polishes is a dark green creme a la NARS Zulu and the other is such a unique hue, words fail me to describe it. Take a peek after the jump!
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Zoya MatteVelvet Winter Collection Swatches & Review
Keep On With The [Mattes] Don’t Stop
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
lyrics by Michael Jackson (altered by moi)
As long as you keep loving the Mattes, its seems Zoya will keep pumping them out. And if they’re as hot as the Winter MatteVelvets, sign me up.
You all know that I’m a fan of the matte top coat vs. matte polish but some colors are worth the short wear time. For me, that color is GREEN! Big surprise, I know. Throw in my other love, purple, and we’ve got ourselves one helluva matte party. Check out the Winter MatteVelvets after the jump!
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MAC Style Black Nail Lacquer Swatches & Review
 I’ve long said that in regards to polish MAC does dark and glittery colors best. Vin Goth, one of my all time fave shades, is a perfect example. The recently launched Style Black collection is the ideal vehicle to showcase their lacquer strong suit. With black makeup, including the hard-to-pull-off black lipstick, making a huge statement this season the dark polishes in this collection are an ideal compliment. Check them out after the jump! |
Essie Winter 2009 Sweet Time of The Year Swatches & Review
 In case you were wondering, the mint green train isn’t stopping anytime soon. I know some of you feel it’s too light for Fall/Winter but I’m so all over it, I can’t stand it! In fact, Essie is introducing her twist on the minty nail trend in her candy-themed Winter 2009 collection.
I had the privilege of meeting Essie backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. In fact, I saw her two days in a row. How crazy is that? A friend introduced me in the backstage area and we chatted for a few and then the next day she hosted a press event for the limited edition Capri Blue polish she created for MBFW. That’s when I first laid eyes on the Winter colors and you KNOW I fixated on that green. Get all the details and see the colors, after the jump! |
When asked what colors she loves to wear, Essie admitted that while she’s normally a Bordeaux girl when it comes to her toes, she wore Lacquered Up all summer. And because she spends a lot of her time in meetings, she prefers to keep her fingernails pretty and safe. She wears combinations of sheers and pales, changing her look each week. Some fave combos include Ballet Slippers with Mademoiselle and Fed Up with Blushing Bride though she’s currently loving Mademoiselle with Blushing Bride.
For Winter, Essie wanted something whimsical, fun and refreshing. She created these confections with that in mind. Rock Candy is your typical Essie pink sheer. It’s a bit milky and I ended up using three coats to get it even. You know I’m not one for sheers so it’s not really my style.
First of all, let me say that Essie is a doll to chat with. I was uber-intimidated to meet such a giant in the polish industry and her statuesque figure only adds to her presence. She’s one tall drink of water. But my butterflies were unwarranted because Essie is very down-to-earth, extremely inviting and so in love with color.
For Fashion Week she collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to create a polish to match their Capri Blue metallic paint. Essie Capri Blue was available exclusively in the Mercedes-Benz backstage lounge but you can get a similar look wearing Midnight Cami from the Fall Cuddle With Color collection.
Lollipop is unique in that it applied like a glaze. Not jelly-ish and not creamy more like a lip gloss. Though in spite of its texture the color is opaque in two coats. Very unusual and candy-like for such a traditional red hue.
Mint Candy Apple is the pièce de résistance. You know how I’ve swooned over the other mint greens to date and this one is in a class all its own. This really does look like pastel after dinner mints. Oh how I love those. So delicious and melty in your mouth. This beauty is creamy, slightly blue and unfortunately for your wallets, utterly unique. Even though it took three coats for a completely even, opaque finish, I. Don’t. Care. It’s gorgeous!
I swatched it next to every mint green I own and not a one comes close. Lined up against its predecessors it totally stands out.
The Essie Winter 2009 collection launches in November though I’ve heard rumors that it will go on sale on Essie.com tomorrow October 15th.
What do we think Fanatics? Who’s up for mint green-a-palooza this winter?
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
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