I Love My Sister! Windestine Sister's Day

Hey everybody!  Did you know that Sunday, August 4 is National Sister's Day?  Me neither...that is, I didn't have any idea until a couple of months ago.  And I have just the perfect polish for the occasion!   But first, indulge me a bit while I tell you about how great it is to have a sister. <3

I have mentioned my sister Melanie a few times before on my blog.  She is 3 years younger than me, 3 inches taller, and has red hair, but still a lot of people think we're twins.  We were always best buds growing up.  As a matter of fact, we didn't have many other friends because we were each other's best friend, and we had way more fun together than we could EVER have had with anybody else.  To quote Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind, "She's part of my blood, and we understand each other."  Scary! :P

Mel and I only live 3 and a half miles apart.  We have always had about 92% of the same interests.  We sing together and perform in dramas together.  We even say the same things at the same time!  Sound too perfectly Little House on the Prairie?  Well, it's the best to have a sister like that! :)

So in honor of Sister's Day, I wanted to show you a gorgeous Windestine creation of the same name!

Windestine Sister's Day

Lovely Freda of Windestine describes Sister's Day as " tiny pink hearts among periwinkle, pastel purple and pastel yellow hex glitter in various sizes. This polish was created to celebrate sisters everywhere!"

I layered 2 coats of Sister's Day over 2 coats of L'Oreal Pistachio Dream.  The result was a lovely and feminine look that brings to mind playing dolls and dress-up...things that remind me of growing up with my little sister.

Aren't the pink hearts cute?  I got at least one with every brush dip into the bottle!  :D

Sister's Day is a fun and sweet glitter that I really love.  I've never been a big fan of heart glitter, but in this instance, it seems lovingly appropriate. :)

So this National Sister's Day, if you have a sister, tell her how great she is!  My sister Melanie was one of the best presents God ever gave me. <3

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely day! :)

Texture, Italian Style: Layla Softouch Effect

Hey everybody!  I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.  Today I am featuring a brand of polish that I really love, Layla.  Layla is an Italian brand (I bet you figured that out from the post title) that, until recently, has been available in Ulta stores.  But alas, Layla has now gone the way of the dodo as far as Ulta's carrying it anymore.  When I discovered this, I picked up no less than a dozen at half price for my collection! :D

Layla introduced a line of textured polishes called Softouch Effect ALL the way back in 2012, before everybody else introduced theirs.  There are different types of finishes within the Softouch Effect line.  I've got four to show you today.  Molto bella!

First up is Layla Softouch Effect #5, also known as Cherry Diva.

#5 Cherry Diva is a deep rose with a hint of peach.  It has a fantastically serious gold shimmer and a suede finish.  This one has a wonderful application and is very easy to work with...quite the opposite of a diva. :)  The photos show 3 coats of #5 Cherry Diva and no top coat.  Can you tell it loves the camera? ;)  This is one gorgeous polish...and yep, I don't own anything else like it.

Next I have Layla Softouch Effect #3, also known as Stone.

How unusual is this one?  #3 Stone is a grey with a hint of taupe and a lavender shimmer.  It dries to a soft, velvety finish.  I used 2 coats for the photos and no top coat.  The formula on #3 Stone is a little thin, but it's still easy to work with and any cleanup required pretty much just flecks right off. 

Third on today's feature is the vampy side of Layla, #8 Fire It Up.

 

  

It's a four alarm fire!!  Look at that red!  #8 Fire It Up is BOLD and bright, and in real life it looks slightly more the color of tomato paste.  Bollente!!  This one dries to a matte satin finish...but *danger, Will Robinson!!*...you CAN make a mess with Fire It Up.  I used 3 coats and still had my trademark visible nail line, but I promise you won't. :)

My last Softouch Effect today is both textured and neon!  Feast your eyes on #4, also known as Neon Pink.

 

Such a beautiful pink!  Yes PINK!!  Seriously, this is so pretty.  #4 Neon Pink has an intense silver shimmer and an ever-so-slight blue undertone.  And sure enough, there's the VNL after 3 coats, but you all have pretty much stopped paying attention to that, right?  Good.  This one dries not as satin matte as Fire It Up but not as suede as Cherry Diva.  Uhhh...what would that be?  Polyester?  Heh heh...

If you hurry, and by that I mean get your purse right NOW and head to Ulta, you could still possibly find one of these beauties on the clearance shelf.  But if you prefer to point and click your way into nail polish heaven, Layla polishes can be found in limited quantities on Ebay and Amazon.  But Ninja Polish is your best bet for selection.  Layla is good stuff, and I'm really disappointed that my second home Ulta isn't going to carry the brand anymore. :(

Do you like any of these color/finishes?  Do you have many/any Layla Softouch Effect polishes?  And have you all figured out yet why I love pink??  GRRR!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a lovely day! :)

Because I'm Fancy: China Glaze Dress Me Up and Luxe and Lush

Hey everybody! :)  I don't get excited about movies very often.  But it seems like the ones I do get excited about are always the ones for which somebody makes a corresponding nail polish collection, like Alice in Wonderland and Oz the Great and Powerful.  Oh, and I was really excited about Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but I suppose "Orangutan Orange" would have been a bit much.  Anyway, I recently saw the new trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and OH yes...I can't wait for that one. :D  It made me want to revisit some of the polishes from China Glaze's Capitol Colours Collection that came out in conjunction with The Hunger Games.

In my opinion, China Glaze Dress Me Up was the real standout of that collection.

China Glaze Dress Me Up

Dress Me Up is what I call "my kind of neutral."  I can't wear cream-colored polish, and most neutrals look dreadful on me.  Since my hands are white, I need something with a neutral feel but a bit darker, and Dress Me Up fits the bill perfectly.  And it just so happens that I love to dress up. :) Heh heh...

China Glaze Luxe and Lush

For my accent and thumb nails, I used a coat of China Glaze Luxe and Lush, also from the Capitol Colours Collection.  It's a gorgeous, fiery flakie topcoat that I have worn numerous times in a little thing called a jelly sandwich.

China Glaze Dress Me Up and Luxe and Lush

The formula on Dress Me Up is so surprising...it's a creme, but oddly enough, I have no problems with it at all.  Cremes would have to be my least favorite polishes because I always make a hearty mess out of them.  Dress Me Up applies so well that I have no cleanup.  Amazing!!  

The color of Dress Me Up is very unusual too.  Are any of you familiar with rose-flavored foods?  I LOVE rose-flavored foods, especially rose Turkish Delight.  Well, I would describe the color of Dress Me Up as rose-flavored cocoa.  Oh my WORD that sounds delicious!!

The Capital Colours Collection was a good one.  I have 2 more polishes from it, and they're beautiful as well.  But Dress Me Up is still my favorite because I love, love, LOVE the rosy oddness of it. 

What's your favorite neutral? :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely Friday!

Jaws Likes Sugar: Julie G Shark's Cove and Rock Candy

Hey everybody! :)  I hope your week is going well so far.  I've been awfully tired this week...but there's no pick-me-up quite like a nice minty mani!  Right?  Hmmmm.  Okay, how about a minty mani that sparkles too??  I thought so!

To all my fellow bloggers, don't ever think that what you write about a polish falls on deaf monitors.  Your readers really do listen to you.  I've read a few reviews for Julie G Shark's Cove recently, and that polish just kept speaking to me...but it wasn't until Thuy at The Painted Ninja posted a review and then just point-blank told me I needed to go visit my local Rite Aid and pick one up for myself that I did.  See for yourself...it's right there in the comments.  I listened to her.  Ladies, you ARE being heard. ;)

Julie G Shark's Cove

Shark's Cove is a blue-leaning mint with a not-so-subtle silver shimmer.  This polish is so shimmery gorgeous that it almost looks metallic.  This is just a stunning color.

Julie G Shark's Cove

The formula on Shark's Cove was very good and smooth and the type that is practically klutz-proof (my favorite).  I did experience a long dry time, but like I have said in previous posts, I think that's due to the insane humidity we're having.  I used 3 thin coats.  And, per my usual, I had some visible nail line even after 3 coats!  Grrrr.  But no problem!  Enter Julie G Rock Candy, from the Frosted Gumdrops Collection.

Julie G Rock Candy

I made a French tip with arguably the prettiest of the Frosted Gumdrops, Rock Candy.  Rock Candy is an interesting light teal textured polish.  I would go so far as to say that Rock Candy is the most unusual color of all the textureds I've seen out there.

These two colors are very complimentary to each other, and I love Shark's Cove's shimmer combined with the metallic glittery texture of Rock Candy.

Have you done anything interesting lately with your textured polishes?  I mean, you know, besides wearing them and getting tons of compliments? ;)  Julie G polishes are available at Rite Aid or at Jesse's Girl Cosmetics.  They are a very affordable polish brand that wears well.

Thanks for stopping by...have a lovely Wednesday! :)

Nail of the Day: OPI Suzi Loves Sydney

Hey everybody!  I am up writing this post in the middle of the night because my sister and I have a big singing engagement today, and I'm nervous and can't sleep. :(  So I thought rather than toss and turn in the bed, I'd show you what was on my nails right now:  a true blast from the past...OPI Suzi Loves Sydney.

OPI Suzi Loves Sydney

Suzi Loves Sydney is from the 2007 Australia Collection, back when the Pro-wide brush was new and OPI's polishes retailed for $7.50 a bottle! :D

OPI Suzi Loves Sydney

Suzi Loves Sydney was described in the 2007 press release as "a sophisticated deep wine shade."  It also has a shimmer and the slightest bit of brown in it.  I LOVE this polish.  I've had it forever...I think I picked it up in 2008 in an Ebay lot with some assorted Russia and Hollywood polishes.  Wow...that was a really good purchase...

This bottle and I have been through thick and thin together...can you see where I once had to take the pliers to get it open?  But OOOH...closeup on the shimmer!!

An oldie but a goodie

You can actually still find Suzi Loves Sydney on Ebay in very limited supply.  It's a gorgeous polish, and I have loved it well. 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely Sunday! :)

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Comparison: Bubble Plum and Red Velvet

Hey everybody! :)  I hope you've been doing well.  I've had company for the past week, so I took a little blogging break.  But guess what?  I bought a few *cough* polishes over the last few days, so I thought today I'd feature my new Sally Hansen Sugar Coat purchases.  It's a textured kinda day here at Lacquer Reverie! :D

First up is Bubble Plum, a creme.  I found this one at Wal-Mart.
  

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Bubble Plum

I know what you're thinking.  "Oh look.  Pink.  Didn't she say she didn't wear pink?"  Hey, I am coming to terms with suddenly loving pink.  But this is the best kind of pink:  the kind with a lot of lavender! :)

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Bubble Plum

There's something about the creme Sugar Coat polishes that looks like a plastic coating.  They're not rubbery.  They're gritty.  I think it may be the shine factor that makes them look a bit on the strange side.  I'll be honest...the green one, Sour Apple, looks like the Easter Bunny had a run-in with a bowl of cottage cheese.  Kinda creepy.

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Bubble Plum

Bubble Plum may be gritty, but wow, is it ever a nice color!  The second Sugar Coat I purchased was one I found at Target...the display had colors I hadn't seen before anywhere else.  I stood there at the display turning the bottle of Red Velvet around under the lights to make sure I was really seeing this...

SHIMMER!  Shimmer in a textured polish the EXACT color of red velvet cake!  I snatched that baby up before you could say "cream cheese frosting!"  It was on sale anyway.  :D

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Red Velvet

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Red Velvet

You all remember I change my polish almost every single day?  Well, I wore Red Velvet for FIVE days straight.  The color is that gorgeous.  I found myself staring at my nails in a most embarrassing fashion.

She wore Red Velvet...then she ate a cupcake.

The bottom line of this comparison:  shimmer always wins!

I had some trouble with the Sugar Coat formulas, but I don't think it was their fault.  They would not completely dry.  I used 2 coats of polish and finally had to use a coat of CND Air Dry just so the stuff would dry.  I then put another thin layer of polish over that to give it the texture again.  I honestly think the problem is our 127% humidity. 

Do you own any Sugar Coat polishes?  What is your opinion of them?  So many textures out there...and they are all different.  Rather fascinating...

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely day! :)

Am I Dreaming? Pipe Dream Polish Pink Elephants and Lemonade

Hey everybody!  I hope you all have been doing well.  I've been out of town for a few days, but I'm back now.  I've got a really adorable polish to show you today by a relatively new indie label called Pipe Dream Polish.  Creator April has made some very interesting and beautiful polishes, and this one just stood out immediately to me:  Pink Elephants and Lemonade. :)

Pipe Dream Polish Pink Elephants and Lemonade

Isn't this polish pretty?  It's described as "medium and small hot pink and deep yellow matte glitters in a dusty turquoise crelly base."  I have to admit, I bought this because I was so curious as to how it would look in person.  It's an unusual look that works.

Pipe Dream Polish Pink Elephants and Lemonade

Pink Elephants and Lemonade's name is taken from a Madonna song called Dear Jessie.  I have no idea what that song is...you mean Madonna made something after Material Girl?? :P  Personally, it brings to mind the song from Dumbo called Pink Elephants on Parade...you remember, the creepy sequence where it looked like Dumbo and Timothy Mouse were completely toasted?

Pink Elephants and Lemonade applied like a dream.  And not a pipe dream either...a real dream! :)  I used 3 coats for the photos, but you could use 2 if you so desired.  And there was ZERO cleanup.  I so love that in a polish...

He's almost pink!! :)

You can purchase Pink Elephants and Lemonade and other Pipe Dream Polish creations on Etsy.  Check them out...April has some really pretty things on sale right now! :)

I wanted to feature this sweet and fun polish because I want to show you why I haven't posted for a week...I've been adjusting to life with my new babies!  Meet Angelo and Nicolo...

I've made no secret about being brokenhearted over the death of my dog Sebastian.  One of the reasons I started my blog was to take my mind off losing him.  These little brothers came at just the right time.  I traveled to North Carolina over the weekend to pick them up...and they really are as sweet as they look. ;)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely evening! 

God Bless America! Emerald & Ash Stars and Stripes Forever

Hey everybody!  As I've said before, I love my country!!  And tomorrow we will celebrate the 237th birthday of America, land of the free!  And tonight, my nails are celebrating along with me. :D  You may remember when I featured the Armed Forces Collection by a new indie label called Emerald & Ash...well, today I have for you Stars and Stripes Forever, a super patriotic polish that screams "My Country 'Tis of Thee!"

Emerald & Ash Stars and Stripes Forever

It's the Star-Spangled Banner in a bottle!  Stars and Stripes Forever is a mix of red bars, small white and large blue hexes, and white stars in a clear base.  I layered it over Sally Hansen Celeb City for a patriotic polish party. :)

Emerald & Ash Stars and Stripes Forever

I am pretty sure the white stars are iridescent, because in the photos, they're glowing on the nail. :)

Stars and Stripes Forever is a fun polish, and it's also very sparkly.  The blue glitters in particular have a lot of flash.

Sweet Land of Liberty, of Thee I Sing!

You can purchase Emerald & Ash polishes on their website and on Etsy.  All their polishes are 3-free and not tested on animals.  You can pick up the 11ml size of Stars and Stripes Forever for $6.50.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful and safe Independence Day!

God Bless America!

A Sparkly Cosmic Vacuum: Black Sheep Lacquer Into the Void

Hey everybody!  I hope this Monday is going well for you. :)  Today I have a very special polish to show you by a Canadian indie company called Black Sheep Lacquer.  And let me tell you, you will feel like anything BUT a social outcast whilst wearing this baby...presenting Into the Void!  (Not to be confused with the void into which Google Reader vanished today...)

Black Sheep Lacquer Into the Void

Black Sheep Lacquer's creator, Erin, describes Into the Void like this:  "a clear base with iridescent glitter, and tiny brown & turquoise hex glitter.  It's packed with personality and you only need one coat for it to look amazing!"

Black Sheep Lacquer Into the Void

Erin's not kidding...look at this stuff...look at it!  It's aqua teal and a coppery brown together in one iridescent bottle of awesomeness!  I used 2 coats of Into the Void over black for the photos, and this is honestly one of the most gorgeous glitter creations I've ever seen.  I know you see all the time that popular line "I've never seen anything like it"...so I'll spare you and say "I'll bet you've never seen anything like it." :P

***Blurred bottle shot to emphasize unbelievable sparkle***

Into the Void applies extremely well.  The glitters positively glow.  I used 2 coats of CND Air Dry as my top coat because I wanted a glassy finish...the result looks like diamond dust on my nails.  I was a little frustrated because I couldn't capture the exact colors of the teal and brown, but I took a shot in my office with my iPod, and I think it comes closest.  

Ugh...I don't really have gout in my pointer finger, honest.

I'll gladly be the black sheep of THIS family.  No wait...I want to be TOTALLY INCLUDED in THIS family!!  

Oh, and I just have to show you how the polish comes packaged:

Heh heh heh. :)

Black Sheep Lacquers are 3-free and cruelty-free and are available on Etsy.  Erin even makes custom colors! 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely day! :)