Green
Swatch Request Sunday – Blues and Greens and Berries, Oh My!
 I was a busy beaver yesterday, running errands and the like before heading to a Cinco De Mayo party so this week it’s Swatch Request Sunday.
Blues and greens are still on your radar but some purples and berries were added to the mix. To those of you that didn’t get your swatch requests fulfilled, I didn’t forget about you. I still have them on my list and will try to address them next weekend. |
When I reviewed the Misa Living On The Fast Lane collection, I mentioned that Push Upon It is a “long lost twin” of OPI Miami Beet. Reader Amanda wrote in asking for proof. Here you go Amanda, I hope this saves you some money. While Miami Beet is a tad brighter, I wouldn’t suggest spending money on both.
After posting about Milani Totally Cool, Lena asked to see it up against fan favorite Zoya Yasmeen. Yasmeen is a richer, warmer, deeper plum as compared to blue based glitter bomb Totally Cool.
Reader crotchfairy wants to see how Illamasqua’s Rampage compares to Rescue Beauty Lounge Recycle. While the shades are close, Rampage is a bit brighter and less pigmented requiring three coats to Recycle’s two.
I assume in the hopes of saving some $$$, MoonChaii requested a comparison between China Glaze Bahamian Escape and Essie Shelter Island. Unfortunately, they are not twins. B.E. is lighter and more pigmented compared to S.I.’s jelly like consistency.
And to finish out the week we have your top request, dusty greens Essie Greenport and Misa Dirty Sexy Money. DSM’s deep, slightly muddy hue may have caused the boyfriend to say “eww” but I’m all over it. And as you can see, it has no close relatives.
That’s it for this week kids. If you have a request, leave a comment or email me at [editor] at [alllacqueredup] dot [com]. The more specific the request, the better. Enjoy what’s left of your weekend.
Misa Living On The Fast Lane
 I’m falling in love againAint nothing I can do Falling in love again Girl this time its with you - Eagle Eye Cherry Dear Misa, I’ve officially fallen head over heels back in love with you! I was all “in like” after the Poisoned Passion collection but now we’re talking full on love. You see, when Misa intro’d their new formula with the Love Connections collection back in Spring ’07, I was less than thrilled. A brand that I was such a fan of, broke my heart with thick, hard to apply polish. Gone were the amazing colors and lovely chemical filled formula. Seriously, the formula was such a PITA it hurt my feelings! But now it’s all changed for the better. The Living On The Fast Lane collection has gone and flipped the script on me. Misa has given me (yes, I’m pretending that they made it just for me even though I know that’s not true) two fabulous blues, an on-trend muted blue-green and one sassy orange. Oh and there’s a berry and red to boot. Check out the loveliness after the jump! |
At some point in the past year, Misa has changed their formula yet again. It’s still massively pigmented but the toluene has been removed. And even though the polish is still thick I’ve found a way to work with it and make each shade look perfect.
Application tip: To avoid a lumpy, bumpy surface I’ve found it’s best to apply the 2nd coat right on top of the first, before it has a chance to dry. I’m telling you, it’s genius. There’s no evening out issues, no pulling at the cuticles and the color is completely opaque. Works like a charm, every time.
Dirty Sexy Money is a stunning dusty blue-green. The name really couldn’t be any more fitting. It’s a gorg, gritty, grayed out green. Though the name makes me a wee bit sad as I’m reminded of the frothy ABC series by the same name that was canceled this year. I love me some Peter Krause and I was beyond PO’d when ABC brought down the axe.
On The Edge oh how I love thee. Let me count the ways… 1. you’re blue (already makes it a winner in my book). 2. you look blue in sunlight, shade, natural light (you get the picture). 3. your application is flawless (trick or no trick). 4. you’re glossy and creamy and PERFECT. I could go on and on. Seriously, will I ever get sick of blues? I hope not.
Stop Rewinding, Just Fast Forward is a slightly muted cherry red. Like a car that’s been sitting in the sun too long, in need of a good wash and wax.
Push Upon It joins the other berry lacquers that are hitting the scene this season. Much like its long lost twin, OPI Miami Beet, Push Upon It is a deep, rich creme.
If it were up to me, Speed of Life would be renamed “Speed of ALU” because this is SO the type of orange I’m feeling for this summer. In contrast to last year’s more popular neon look, this version has a creamsicle softness with a hint of melon peachiness. Such a wearable hue.
Right Here Now, No More Later is like sky blue on crack. It’s so so vivid. If I could look up and see this shade every day, I’d cut a skylight in my office. This one’s definitely a keeper.
The Misa Living In The Fast Lane collection is avaialable NOW online at MisaCosmetics.com, Head2ToeBeauty.com and TransDesign.com.
What do we think kids? How do you feel about Misa’s formula? Share with the group!
Swatch Request Saturday – Summer Blues & Greens
 Like I said last week, every weekend that I have free I’ll be addressing as many of your comparison requests as I can get to. This week all of you seem to be focused on bright blues and soft aqua/teal greens which I’m SO all about right now. I LOVE when we’re on the same wavelength dolls.
So here I come with this week’s Swatch Request Saturday pics to help you avoid buying dupes and save money. Check ‘em out after the jump! |
After seeing my comparison between Sally Hansen Honeydew and Finger Paints Turquoise Tile, reader Mandy suggested that Honeydew looks like Barielle Decadence. Well Mandy, as you can see, Decadence is deeper and more ocean water-y.
My weekly Archives post featuring Essie Mesmerize prompted two requests. First up, OPI Dating A Royal from last summer’s Mod About Brights collection. DAR is a bit thinner, requiring an extra (3rd) coat. Also, DAR is a bit bolder but only slightly so.
Reader vbie3714 asked to see Mesmerize next to Zoya Tallulah from the Ooh-La-La collection. The hue and shimmer in Tallulah are really nothing like Mesmerize.
Lucky Candita was gifted a bottle of sold out gem, MAC Peppermint Patti and wanted to see it next to Essie Greenport. Greenport is deeper and more blue.
Reader Jenn’s bottle of Essie Greenport looks like China Glaze For Audrey on her nails. And I agree that they are close but Greenport is just a tad deeper and more muted on me. Anyone else see them as dupes?
That’s it for this week kids. If you have a request, leave a comment or email me at [editor] at [alllacqueredup] dot [com]. The more specific the request, the better. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Zoya Ooh-La-La for Summer 2009
 As I’m sure you know by now, metallic polishes and I aren’t friends. Why? Because for the most part, metallic = brush stroke madness. So you can imagine my disappointment when I heard that one of Zoya‘s two collections for summer, Ohh-La-La, consisted entirely of metallics.
I decided to reserve judgment until I got my mitts on them and I’m so glad I did. With the exception on one or two problem children, brush strokes are nowhere to be found. Overall, the colors are fun and bright, I just wish they were more pigmented. The majority required three coats though I’ll take that over a thick gloppy polish. Check them out after the jump! |
Midori is the shade I was most excited to see. This green lover can never get enough. A lovely grassy hue packed with golden metallic shimmer, Midori reminds me of a perfect green apple. Though it’s not entirely unique. It’s actually a dead on dupe for last summer’s Sally Hansen Lacquer Shine Glow. In person, you can’t tell the difference.
Katy is a stunning hot pink shade with just a subtle hint of shimmer. Unlike the rest of the shades in this collection, Katy looks like a creme away from the bright sun. What I love is that is has a touch of rosy-ness that keeps it from being neon. I think this will be a knockout pedi shade.
Goldie was one of my problem children due to brush strokes but it wasn’t horrifyingly bad. It has to be the most gold bar-like shade I’ve ever seen. It’s very vibrant. I predict that this one will be a shade you either LOVE or HATE. There’s no middle of the road here.
When I saw the promo pic of Ginessa I was hoping for a sparkly white instead of a foil-like light silver. I’m all over whites for summer. Though the lightness of Ginessa keeps it from being disco ball silver. I just wish it applied better. It went on streaky, pulling at my cuticles, requiring three coats. And when I removed it, it left little sparkles all over my cuticles that were such a bitch to get rid of.
Emme was my other problem child. Think of her as Bender from The Breakfast Club. Rebellious and a royal pain in the arse. Emme’s warm pink hue is very bubblegum, which I love however, the brush strokes were unbearable, which I DON’T love. I know some people can deal but my perfectionist side can’t. My mom, on the other hand, loves this type of finish and will give Emme a great home.
Tallulah is my “must have” of the collection. It has this gorgeous cornflower base that is electrified with bright blue shimmer. It’s yet another unqiue blue to add to my stash. What really pleased me was that it applies a bit darker than how it looks in the bottle because side by side, it looked like an identical twin to yet another Sally Hansen Lacquer Shine shade, Flash. But as you can see below, Flash doesn’t even come close.
The Zoya Ooh-La-La collection retails for $6/ea and is on sale now at Zoya.com and in salons across the country.
What do we think? Who’s already hauled from Ooh-La-La? What did you get?
More Illamasqua Fun with Fern, Milf and Rampage
 I’m back with some more amazing polishes from Illamasqua. You UK girls are sooooo lucky to have access to this brand. Not one has disappointed me yet.
Please please please Illamasqua… come to the US of A! We need an online petition begging them to start shipping to this side of the pond ASAP. Hearing of my love of greens the people at Illamasqua sent me a few goodies to test out including a fabulous blue, the perfect minty creme and a deep forest green jelly that puts NARS Zulu to shame! To SHAME I say. Get your drool on after the jump. |
What green lover hasn’t been looking for a Zulu dupe ever since NARS took it away? Well Rampage may not be an exact twin but it kicks the crap out of that streaky mess. Rampage is a bit lighter but that’s why I love it. Zulu was too “almost black” and such a bitch to apply. Don’t get me wrong, I love my darling Nikki for gifting it to me but one look at Rampage puts Zulu on the bench. Note: Due to Rampage’s jelly-like formula it did require three coats but seriously, who gives a shiz. It’s total hotness.
Yes Milf is an interesting name for this dusty mint shade but you gotta admit it’s memorable. Though I can’t hear that term without thinking of American Pie and all the lame sequel/spinoffs that poor Eugene Levy has appeared in just for the paycheck. Eugene, you’re better than that. Go watch Best In Show & A Mighty Wind again!
Sorry kids, I digress, back to the polish. Unlike DWS, Milf was much easier to apply. It’s still thick but it flowed well. And with such high pigmentation, I only needed two coats. There have been so many great mint cremes coming out recently and of all of them, this one comes closest to that fab shade shown on the Chanel runway.
My camera really can’t do Fern proper justice. You just have to see it in person to appreciate the silver micro-glitter floating in this vibrant blue hue. It’s a very unique blue. Not quite as dark as China Glaze Blue Sparrow but defintely in that family.
UK readers can purchase Illamasqua products at Selfridges and & EU residents can order online from Illamasqua.com.
Who’s ready to start that petition now? Aren’t these shades to DIE?
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
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