Essence - That's My Pop Cake!

HELLO :>

Ok, sorry for screaming, but I guess it must be the void around here, because my lack of posting...

Trying to be a makeup artist is fun, but hard as well :|
If you are curious about my work and splashes of art, you can track me on my Facebook page and Instagram :>

That being said, here's the newest post I've ever published, because these are my current nails, done less than 24 hrs ago :D

I must thank Ina who told me about the glitter-sponge method for applying annoying glitters-in-clear varnishes, thank you again!

(outdoor, cloudy) 

I've used this "new" Essence Effect Nail Polish which is, as you can see, a LOAD of pink fine glitters mixed with thin holographic bars in clear base.

This method is supereasy and gives the cutest result, plus I think it's a nice way to wear crazy polishes or colours when you don't feel like wearing them: that's me in winter or cold season.

(indoor daylight)

This nailpolish is more shiny and glittery in real life, I like it under artificial lighting :>

(artificial light)

 

I'd need the sun now to show you its sparklyness, but I guess I'll have to wait for spring time :/

 Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

Mi-Ny Holographic Touch - Brown n. 5

Hi all!

Finally a nailpolish which left me a bit... disappointed.
Even if it's a holo!

(indoor daylight)

This is from Mi-Ny, an italian cosmetic brand fairly new who offers a TON of colours and finishes (400, so far): if you aren't a nailpolish fanatic like me (hey, what are you doing here, then? :D ) and stumble in one of their stores, you'd probably end up buying like 20 different colours!

(full sun)

They released these holographic colours last year, when holos landed in Italy (late with the rest of the world...) and they were a huge hit everywhere.

I bought four colours that time :>

I decided to wear their nude holo for a wedding (these pics were taken in June), because I wanted a "safe" shade with a fun touch on my nails.

(indoor daylight)

Why disappointed, so? 

I found the colour too light in shade for my tastes, even if, as you can notice, holo colours are always there, even in lowlight condition, but there's something "wrong" with the lightest part of my nails (in the center) against my skin, I'm not sure this colour suits me well.

(full sun)

In the sun and under artificial lights I love it, not so much during daytime, especially cloudy days...

I already wore some pastel-y holos in the past, but they were always pretty on me, so I guess it must be only this particular "brown" (as Mi-Ny calls this colour - I define it a nude).

Anyway, I've already chose n. 5 more than one time, because it's a pretty calm shade, quite easy to apply and dries quickly - but be careful, it drags inbetween layers! You need to wait enough minutes before applying the next coat, otherwise you'll get bald areas here and there. 

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

Birthday post!

Aaahhh, welcome back to me and to you, if there's still anyone out there reading this! :D
In case you didn't know, I've been disconnected for few days, and I've like ten posts still to do to catch up with my current manicure...

But this one is just so special to me, because it's mainly about a package I got from my Polish fairy ♥ :D

Yeah, I got it for my birthday last month, but that's not the main reason why I loved it so much; just look at the colours:

(direct sun)

Sabbatha always sends me a packet full of my ideal hues, how not to love her? Later I'll give a name to each bottle :>

I just have to mention another small packet I received from Lisa the very same day, a total surprise for me!

It contained two Look by BIPA colours: long story short: I was desperately seeking the one on the left, called "Metallic Hollogram" (swatch here), asked her about it long time ago, she then remembered it and bought it for me, together with another colour, "Purple-green" (swatched here from Nagellackprinzessin). Thank you so much, Lisa!

The Avon blue on the right is a charity purchase - *wink wink* -, it's called "Cosmic Blue".

Ok, time to name the Polish bottles!

1) Savina "Electric Green": this one is a complete stunner, in the bottle is a medium silvery glitter green, but while on the nails it gets ELECTRIC, SATURATED and the greeniest green, take a look here!

2) Colour Alike n. 205 (swatch here), dupe of L'Oreal n. 624 (swatch here).

I think I'll wear it over something else, I like the lime shine which turn peachy pink °_°

3) THE surprise item! China Glaze "DV8", an original CG holo *_* 

4) Colour Alike n. 480 (swatch here), Spookynails describes it as the blue "Ruby Pumps", guess I don't need to add anything more :D

5) SpaRitual "Ebb & Flow" mini bottle! It contains only 5ml of nailpolish, but the small bottle is so cute :D

6) Colour Alike n. 209, a total masterpiece!

7) My Secret n. 163 "Blue Angel", deep indigo base with blue miniglitters :3

8) Colour Alike (again! This brand really needs to open sales here in Italy :D ) n. 474, navy blue base and SHINY silver glitter-flecks *__________*

9) Inglot n. 203 ♥ ♥ ♥ I specifically requested this flakies because here in Italy we only have the classic ones - orange/green and blue/violet, I just needed the green/lime in my collection - plus, Inglot is half priced in Poland :D

I've made a quick swatch cap, don't ask me why I didn't swatched all the colours, because I've no idea:

Do you need further details? Just let me know!

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

Catrice - Dirty Berry

Ahhh, new post!

No breathtaking things this time :D, but a simple yet very nice colour from Catrice, one of the nicest they ever released, in my opinion :>

(full sun)

Dusty periwinkle with holo fine shimmer, so elegant, discreet and NOT boring!

I think I applied two coats, but it was some time ago, unfortunately I'm a bit late with posts lately.

And I only have two pics, no full hand shot this time.

I don't remember problems in application or such things, brush is the large one, but usually I prefer it larger than smaller, I think it spreads better the products on the nail, smaller brushes can cause streakes and/or different amount of nailpolish in some areas.

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

My kind of rainbow

How do you like my kind of rainbow? :D

Below here they are my January-February new adds :>

Kind of boring, uh? Forgive me *_*

Another view, enjoy reflects and scroll down for names and numbers :>

1) Shaka CH4 "Peacock": turquoise-emerald creamy base, gold metallic veins *_*

2) Kiko Sugar Mat n. 643, a small swatch here :>

3) Essence "Life Is A Freeride"...

4) ... and "Goofy-Blue", from Snow Jam TE; unfortunately not really colour accurate :|

5) Kiko Celebration Nail Lacquer n. 424, from the Colours In The World spring collection, swatch here.

6) H&M "Active Blue", one of the newest colours, so saturated and full of pink and blue chunkies ♥

7) Shaka "Pandora"...

8) ... and CH5 "Indigo" (swatch here): they look similar, but they're not, as "Pandora" is a deep and rich purple with some metallic reflects; "Indigo" is a dupe for this blue Kiko (supposed to be a duochrome).

9) Depend n. 313, doesn't need any introduction, right? EDIT: many many thanks to MaiSenzaSmalto for having picked me this amazing little bottle outside of Italy ♥____♥

10) Shaka CH2 "Purple".

Ok, Shaka does collection, but as I said before, their site is a complete mess, and not all colours are shown together, if they're part of a collection, or they aren't shown at all, so to sum up, CH collection ("chrome"?) is composed of five shades (overview here), in the end I bought four of them.

"Pandora" comes from another collection, Color Cosmo (overview here), it includes many beautiful shades even if not so original (at least for me :P ).

Detail shot, for your viewing pleasure :>

From left: CH5 "Indigo", "Pandora", CH2 "Purple", CH4 "Peacock".

Stupid gif of the two Kiko :D
 

Below, detail of "Active Blue" and n. 313, plus a last minute new entry, Deborah Sense Tech 100% Mat n. 10: bought because on sale, it claims a "velvet" effect, I liked it because it's not a creme, but contains small glitters and a metallic shimmer, we'll see them better when I'll wear it :>

 

Lastly, two neutral colours for those dim days, when I'll want to wear something calm on nails :D

Sinful Colors "Glass Pink" and Kiko Holographic n. 399 (another sale buying)... Now I have enough neutral holographics :D

I've also made a quick comparison with Ebalay A02; "Glass Pink" is pretty sheer, two coats on cap, I hope it will give that natural finish touch to nails... Not sure if I'll wear it alone though :D

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

Shaka - n. 03 Hologram Violet

My turn with one of these small bottles of holo happiness Shaka brought to us (and some of you out there too :D ).

This is called "Hologram Violet", but I've put in in my pink-labeled drawer because I don't see a true purple in the "base" colour.

(direct sun)

At first, I wanted to use this dusty pink from Basic Beauty shown also here, but man, it looked so ugly on me :D

So, I used it as base for this holo, which has the typical stupid formula like almost-dry glue.

(under artificial light)

I sadwiched it as usual: base-one coat of holo-top coat-one coat of holo.

Now I think you all own a colour like this in your collection, but it's always a pleasure having it on hands, you always end up looking at nails like a dumb :D

The oh-so-useful gif:

Strong holo in sun means a decent amount of rainbow also in diffuse light, so here's a pic of full hand in outdoor daylight...

... and indoor too:

Now we know these kind of polishes travel the world, chemical formula goes through the brands of many countries, that's why they release always the same colours (with few exceptions), but wouldn't it be nice if we were able to find more interesting colours than the usual pale pink/green/blue? :D

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

First swap of the year...

... guess who's the other swapper? -.-°  :D

A bowl of nailpolishes!

Ok, now I can call these swaps a tradition: we gather bottles and makeup items, and every now and then we send parcels each other (I know, my turn now :P ); that's because I need some classic brands at low prices and awesome Polish colours, and she needs italians makeup products :^D
Sabbatha doesn't post about what she receives from me, maybe she's jealous of her new items? :•P

Aaaanyway, these are the colours:

Sorry for the ginormous image, I could've cut it better, but that's the best result I got with my humble camera...

Second part of row!

I didn't find any name or number on that mint Magic Visage, so I'm clueless about it.

If I remember correctly, this is a very cheap brand, but they seem to have a decent range of colours...

It's difficult to describe each one, and I don't think many of you would be that interested in descriptions, better looking at pictures!

So I took some closer shots, you can check finishes and reflects :>

Orly bottle is so tiny and cute :D

The mint in the back is a little greener in real life...

Savina "Purple Prince" is so awesome, a tad warmer than how it looks up above; if you want a preview, here it is - warning, it will make you want this nailpolish SO BAD!

Ebalay's from Whale, thank you dear!

I love these duochrome glassflecks, I have three in my WL! 

You can admire A02 here, and here's the complete selection *_*

Do I have to tell you how much I love "Arabian Night"? Take a look at some swatches, if you don't know it yet! (pic from Sabbatha :> )

Aaah, dulcis in fundo, blue group ♥

"Total Mystery" is an electric blurple (blue base, pink-violet glasshimmer - hey a new word! :D ); Flormar is a gorgeous electric blue-jelly-glasshimmered nailpolish, to be used over something else, because is sheer - but clearly I don't care :D

Bottle is soooo tall, but I've already shortened it with a little saw, so now it stands proud in my Helmer's drawer :D

In this picture you can see the beautiful reflects in the little Sensique; base colour is dustier in real life (periwinkle?), I really like it!

That's all for now, did you eye anything that caught your interest?

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

Layla - Hologram Effect Flash Black

Last colour I've worn in 2012!

First I have to thank Stregalice for having found me this gem at a decent price - I would have liked to own more Layla holo shades, but they're too expensive for me, so when she told me she found some bottle for "cheap" (less than €10!), I chose the only one really worthy, the black :D

(artificial light - NO lightbox! Just the hanging lamp in my kitchen...)

Unfortunately, I don't have full sun pictures, because I only had the chance to take pictures in a mid-sunny day, but, hey, I think you can see how beautiful is this colour :>

Example: next pictures were taken in daylight, and rainbow is fully visible *_________*

(daylight)

Best best reflects, nothing more to say.

(daylight, a little washed out)

What about application?

Well, here's the deal: formula is runny and pretty impossible to work with :D

Some time ago, I bought the Essence Studio Nails 24/7 Nail Base, which was supposed to work well with holos; since that I don't have an aqua base, I tried this one.

It's actually a little sticking and gummy-looking, but first coat of "Flash Black" was a true disaster, patchy as all good holos are.

Every time I read about aqua bases, they're always effective with holos, so I guess this Essence base isn't really helpful :D

Second coat went better, but all dried mat, because this Essence base dries completely mat: almost no reflects at all!

So I applied top coat and applied a third coat, gif below shows the difference:

Left (or upper) nail is the result of two coats of "Flash Black"  + top coat = glossy with some reflects.

Right (or lower) nail is two coats of "Flash Black" + top coat + one third coat of "Flash Black" = BOOOM :D

I painted all my nails like that.

(demi-sun)

Anyway, I can't complain, if I will ever find an aqua base, I'm sure it will be a total pleasure :>

(artificial light)

Full hand shot: don't you think it's great? I'm not really a "pure black" nailpolish, this one is perfectly dark-looking and FUN at the same time!

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

Last new buyings of 2012

Looong post today... better start NOW :D

Sinful Colors!
Don't know why, but SC finally decided to import more interesting shades here in Italy, here's my first two picks:

Left: "Kissy", right "Blue By You".

I made some quick cap swatches and a little comparison:

1) "Blue By You"; in these pics, bottle shots is true to life: it's an electric blue base with turquoise, mmh, flecks? Don't know how to call this kind of shimmer, it's grainy. Instant love.

2) Essence "Choose Me!", compared with 3) "Kissy": they're very similar, as you can see "Choose Me!" is sparklier, that's why it looks greener. Maybe Probably you don't need both :D

Next, it's a great Pupa shade from their Déco Christmas collection:

This is n. 811, the "green" one, but as yu can see, it's not only green ♥

Since that I'm a true professional swatcher, I've even made a gif :D

(on the nails, Q by Colour Alike n. 118)

Golden-sage green to purply-bronze, how much awesome is that? Too much.

(almost sun)

Sinful Colors again :D

This is the famous "San Francisco":

Honestly, this is simply GREAT :D

It's green, but it has also a strong blue side, look at the cap swatches.

Bottle appearance it's pure green in real life (like the left swatch), but pictures captured more of the blue you can actually see, don't know why :D

Anyway: COOL.

Ok, let's change brands.

A while ago, Shaka released a collection which you can surely recognize as inspired by something else well known...

Being Shaka distribution a true disaster, almost no-one saw them in real life, I only eyed  CH2 "Purple", and CH3 "Emerald", which I bought.

On the right, another Astra Holo, n. 708 ♥

They're both super-pigmented; "Emerald" isn't the most original green-teal-goldish reflects you can find on the market, but we're sick, and we buy things we like in multiples :D

Last two brands (with swatches!), Rimmel and Catrice.

"Rock Royalty" by Rimmel is darker and deeper, has some purple sides and a beautiful shimmer I can't define at this moment :D (looks pink...)

Actual awesomeness is the left Catrice shade, a new one: "Steel My Heart".

Nailpolish bottle cap says this colour has a "brushed metal effect", and you can see from the cap swatch that it's true: "Steel My Heart" is a mat bronze metal nailpolish, honestly I've never seen a finish like that and I like it very much!

Two coats on the cap without top coat.

Maybe it recalls the OPI suede finish? I don't know, I don't own any of them, but this is GREAT, you can notice the colours of shimmer, blue, purple, green, pink...

I bet it'll be stunning with top coat! 

BUY IT, if you can.

If I remember correctly, there's at least another "brushed metal effect", more on the blue side, but it was a little too grey for my tastes...

Last Catrice, a gold one, "Oh My Goldness!"

Yes, I bought a true gold, but, hey, this is molten gold in a nailpolish bottle.

Swatches show the shimmer, this varnish is a clear base with micro gold shimmers, VERY shiny, rich and precious.

Uff, what a marathon, if you read all this post, you really like me :D

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)

Q by Colour Alike - n. 118

Hi :>

Chistmas is coming and I'm here with a colour I wore weeks and weeks ago... Hence the sun :D

Being this a Polish colour, clearly this was sent me by my beloved Sabbatha <3

First of all, Colour Alike is an awesome brand which makes incredibly good colours at a very fair price: dear CA, why don't you sell your products in Italy too? 

This n. 118 is a scattered holo, between purple and brown, with purply-metallic reflects: unique!

Most of the pics where taken in direct sun, but I've managed to take one in shade too, in order to show you pinky reflects: in shade this nailpolish becomes like a dirty purple :>

(shade)

In the sun, BAM! Holo power, this one is really holo, much more than showed in my pictures <3

Honestly, I don't remember how many coats I've used, probably two, it's pretty pigmented and top coat doesn't ruin nothing :>

Easy and pretty, what more can you ask for?

Have a nice day/night/whatever and thanks for your attention ;¬)