Takko Lacquer Fall 2016 Collection [Partial] Swatches & Review

Hello dear friend of mine! How was/has been your holiday season this year so far? I literally cannot fathom how this is the last week of the year, it's so nutty to me. But out with the old, in with new I guess! Today I have some shimmers and glitters from indie brand Takko Lacquer's Fall 2016 collection to show you. I got these a bit late so pardon my tardiness, however there are a few restocks coming up if you're itching to get some. Let's take a look!

Press Sample

Winter Succulents is a cool, dusty sage green crème filled with gold micro flecks and actual silver dust. This leaves me breathless, so gorgeous and dainty and perfect for any time of year. Great, easy to apply formula, very opaque. I used two coats here.

Boyfriend Jeans is just like a deep dark pair of denim blue jeans, complimented with coppery red iridescent shimmer. Stunning and striking! This is two coats. Dries dull so you'll want a shiny top coat.

Stoned was created to look like crushed marble quartz, it has a very light beige-grey base filled with black and gold micro flakies and a ton of golden shimmer flecks. This is another excellent polish, goes on like a dream and I got full coverage in two coats. The finish is dull and just the teensiest bit gritty upon dry down, but a top coat gives it a jolt of shine and smoothness.

Queen Of Hearts is a cherry red jelly filled with a generous helping of different sizes of translucent gold flakies. Surprisingly not difficult, sometimes jellies like this filled with chunky accents can be, well...chunky, but this was just fine. A touch thick maybe, but very easy to handle. I used two coats. This looks darker indoors, but the sun kinda shines through the jelly to give it an inner glow.

Starships is a greyed silver duochrome polish that flips to bright green and then to warm brownish copper, filled with holographic flakes to give a galaxy-esque look. Another great formula, went on effortlessly and opaque in two coats.

I had to give you a shade photo too, to show the duochrome better. I really love this!

Mariposa is a hearty pumpkin orange filled with golden shimmer and gold and pink glimmering flecks. This totally reminds me of Rescue Beauty Lounge NailsandNoms, only that one has blue shimmer and is a slightly more vibrant orange. Really nice formula, glides on the nail with ease. Very good coverage, you could almost get away with one coat, but I used two.

Narwhals is an icy periwinkle blue crème filled with tiny silver micro flakies. This was super buttery and crazy opaque! A one coater, but I did two like usual. The name of this makes me happy, so cute!

Merbunny is a sweet porcelain baby pink jelly filled with iridescent green and gold flakies. This can be built up on it's own or layered over darker colors for a different look. This one was on the thicker side but sheer. It was a touch streaky on two coats and my nail line was still visible, so I did three. I adore the look of the finished color, very princess-like.

You can purchase their products on the Takko Lacquer website; these are sold out now but will be restocked sometime in January. They range in price from $12-13 each. They will also be restocked at Color4Nails in January, no exact date yet. Let me know what you think of these shades! My favorite has to be Winter Succulents, but I really enjoyed them all! This may be my favorite group of Takkos I've tried from them yet!

❤ Kellie

The products mentioned were provided for an honest review.

China Glaze Holiday 2016 Seas and Greetings Collection Swatches & Review

This year for the holiday season China Glaze is doing things a little differently! They are taking us on a tropical escape from the snow and cold to give us "warmed up" winter in the form of bright shades, shimmer and vibrancy! Let's take a look at the Seas and Greetings collection!

Press Sample

Good Tide-ings is described as a cool blue lavender, or in other words, a periwinkle crème. This is a total one coat wonder, excellent buttery formula that is very opaque. I used two coats here, as usual.

Warm Wishes is a watermelon coral with super subtle silver shimmer. This formula was on the thin side, so it could be runny if you overload your brush. I noticed some slight streaks after two coats, so I used three layers here.

Joy To The Waves is a shimmering "serene" blue with a strong gold flash. This is thin and a bit sheer. I used three coats for full coverage. This type of shimmer can get brushstrokey so I recommend polishing with care.

Eat, Pink, Be Merry is a pale pink with subtle shimmer. Another thin formula, and a little sheer. I found that floating the brush over the nail instead of pressing down to be the best method of application to ensure a streak-free finish. This is three coats.

Partridge In a Palm Tree is an aqua green matte with silver shimmer. This is one of those mattes that dries SUPER fast. And if you put on too thin of a layer, it can crack upon dry down. I got the best results when I applied this very quickly with a good amount of polish on my brush. If you manipulate it too much you will get uneven streaks. Very opaque, this is two coats but you could get away with one if applied well.

And you know I had to show this to you with top coat. The shimmer comes out like whoa!

Let's Shell-ebrate has a clear base with purple hexes, super tiny purple microglitters and soft gold flake shimmer. I layered two coats over Eat, Pink, Be Merry. You could also layer two or three coats of this on by itself for a different look.

I wanted to show you a shot of Let's Shell-ebrate in the shade to better highlight the gold flecks, as they are quite prominent but the full sunlight photo washes them out a bit.

Snow Way! is a winter white with a strong iridescent gold shimmer flash. Pale shades can be tricky to apply, but this was pretty straightforward and not finicky. I used three coats here for full opacity.

Tis The Sea-Sun is a vibrant coral crème with a sprinkle of practically invisible shimmer. A more orangey red kind of coral, thin but not runny or difficult. I found this really easy to polish with actually! This is two coats.

Sand In My Mistletoes is a peachy nude crème. This was a little thin, but surprisingly opaque. I saw some faint streaky-ness on two coats though, so I used three for good measure.

The More The Berrier is a metallic magenta foil. A more typical holiday type shade, this reminds me of a bold party dress. This is absolutely a one coat polish, I even left it alone at one because it looked so great I felt another coat couldn't improve it any more!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Starfish is an iridescent gold-to-green shimmer topper. I am convinced this was made to pair with Partridge In a Palm Tree, it looks perfect in my humble opinion haha. This is two coats over Partridge.

Seas and Greetings is a striking amethyst purple shimmer. This formula reminds me of the old school polishes that were full of chemicals, kinda sheer and a bit watery but when built up they look really dimensional and glowy. This is three coats.

This collection is available now at Sally Beauty Supply stores and online at www.sallybeauty.com for $6.99 each. This is a crazy refreshing color palette for me right now, being knee-deep in the usual holiday reds, greens and dark colors haha. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm really pleased with the departure from the status quo for the season. My favorite is the combo of Partridge In a Palm Tree and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Starfish. What do you think of this collection?

❤ Kellie

The products mentioned were provided for an honest review.

Zoya Winter/Holiday 2016 Enchanted Collection Swatches & Review

We made it to Wednesday, congrats to us! And happy November to all you autumn-loving folks, I'm totally digging the crisp weather right now. Today I have the Winter/Holiday line from Zoya to share with you, the Enchanted collection. This six shade palette gives us two metallic "flips" and three PixieDusts! Zoya said they were retiring this textured finish a while back, but they must have reconsidered due to popular demand, as they gave us some in their summer collection too.

Press Sample

images via Zoya

Waverly is a deep sapphire blue with blue sparkles in the exclusive PixieDust matte sparkle formula. I am SO happy to have new colors in this finish, it's so striking. Applied easily and dries quickly to a textured, sandy finish. I prefer these in their textured state, but you could use a few layers of top coat to make it smooth if you want. I always wear a base coat, though they say you don't need one for these. However this is a very pigmented blue, so it may stain.

Lorna is a luscious berry magenta with a sugary bling in the matte sparkle PixieDust formula. The sparkle from the glitter in these may seem shy in the photographs, but it's delightfully twinkly in person. Two easy coats here.

Alice is an enigmatic periwinkle PixieDust with subtle magenta and blue sparkles. This formula seemed thinner with a slightly chunkier heft to the glitter. I was thinking maybe I would need three coats but it became opaque in two. This is nice and unique, an exciting shade to have in a texture finish.

Elphie is a bewitching emerald green PixieDust matte sparkle. Another excellent formula, full coverage in two coats. I think this is probably named for Elphaba from Wicked, which is of course awesome. I needed this green texture in my life, sexy and so wearable.

Saint is a vivid periwinkle shimmer multichrome with a magenta shift. This has a thin but easy formula, a bit prone to brushstrokes but they don't look bad with this type of finish. I used three coats for full coverage.

Olivera is a mesmerizing color-flip metallic with an indigo base and a green and purple shift. This is seriously gorgeous, dark and glimmering. Very close to being a one coater, two layers makes it perfect though. I can see myself wearing this over and over.

The Enchanted collection is available now on the Zoya website for $10 each. What do you think of these lacquers? I'm pretty taken with them, this is probably my favorite Zoya collection all year! I would say Olivera and Elphie have to be my favs, how about you? Enjoy your day sweets!

❤ Kellie

The products mentioned were provided for an honest review.

Orly Breathable Swatches & Review

Orly Beauty has come out with a new line of nail polish that features a unique all-in-one formula they are calling Orly Breathable Treatment + Color. This polish is designed to be used alone, without a base or top coat. It has several nourishing ingredients including argan oil, vitamins B5 & C, and "advanced oxygen technology" which allow air and hydration to get through to the nail.

Press Sample

We all know our nails don't need to "breathe", as they are dead keratin cells, but the idea is for the nail structure and skin under the nail to have access to constant hydration and oxygen. The brand claims this can promote healthier, thicker, and more hydrated nails. And with the all-in-one formula, there is less time spent on a manicure and there are claims of less chipping and longer lasting polish. These are also Halal compliant for those that observe. I found these to dry a little quicker than regular polish and they also left a very shiny finish. I did not test them for wear time.

Barely There is a pale off white crème. I found the thicker, rounded brush helped greatly in application, though it was still a tiny bit streaky on two coats. I used three for full coverage.

Just Breathe is a purple periwinkle with a scattering of flecky shimmer. These both seemed thick at first glance, but upon application they are not. This applied easily and was opaque in two coats.

Orly Breathable Treatment + Color will be available in 18 shades September 2016 and retails for $8.99 each and will be available ULTA, JC Penney, salons nationwide and at the Orly Beauty website. So what do you think about this new type of treatment polish? Would you use it?

❤ Kellie

The products mentioned were provided for an honest review.

Fair Maiden Polish Fall Into Delirium Collection Swatches & Review

Hi everyone! This week has been super crazy at work, like major busy, so I am decidedly exhausted. Hopefully it will ease up a little soon haha. I have some beautiful new polishes from Fair Maiden Polish though to lift my spirit! It comes in two parts, a fall collection called Fall Into Delirium. I have parts 1 & 2 for you today, 10 polishes in total

Press Sample

Part 1 is the "warm" half of the collection. It begins with Acorns & Ashes, a thermal change polish that is soft nude in warm temperatures and transitions to taupe in cooler temperatures, then goes to ashy charcoal when in its coldest state. Filled with golden green shimmer which shows more golden tones when nude, and greener tones when in the darker, cold state. A bit sheer at first, but nice formula, very manageable. This is three coats in it's warm state.

This is a cold sensitive thermal, different than most thermals which are heat sensitive. Best results are seen at 18 degrees C/64 degrees F. I am a naturally warm-bodied person and I live in the high desert in Nevada, which is still experiencing nice temperatures in the 80 degree range during the day. I could only partially achieve color transition for this photo by putting my fingertips in a bowl of ice water, and even then they seemed to revert back to gold a few seconds after I took them out! If you are a "cooler" person than I, you'll probably have no trouble though haha.

Shadow of Your Heart is a dark, vampy blood red holographic. This is super pigmented, maybe even a one coater if you're generous with your layers. I used two here. Makes me think of a glistening garnet.

Roaming Fire is a fiery reddish orange holographic with a golden flame. This applied effortlessly in two coats. This seriously glows!

The Road Less Traveled is an earthy, dark mossy brownish grey-green holographic with color shifting violet shimmer. This is a soft roar, a sleeper hit. I wasn't expecting to be as knocked out by this as I am, it's so gorgeous! Great formula, two coats.

Wanderlusting is a golden bronze metallic flakie polish, loaded with 5 different holographic pigments, glass flecks, and a subtle golden green shift. The flakes lay flatter than glitter so there's minimal texture. Super easy to apply, easy to spread over the nail. This is two coats, awesome coverage on this one!

And here is part 2, the "cool" shades. Autumn’s Reign is a rich, slightly metallic purple that shifts slightly to reddish gold, with a violet-green shimmer and color shifting chroma flakes that flash red-orange-gold. Slightly thick, opaque in two coats.

Cosmic Muse is a rich teal with an intense glow of pink-gold shimmer and color shifting chroma flakes that shift in purple-red-gold. This is a bit sheer at first, but builds up in three coats to the color you see here. Slight brushstrokes, but the intense shimmer is so flashy you almost don't see them in real life.

Walking in Silence is a bright periwinkle blue holographic with a subtle red flash and color shifting shimmer. This was a little thick and didn't flow on my nails as easily as the other holos, but not bad. Two coats here, but you may need a third if you do thin layers.

Bright Eyed Mourning is a dark, moody midnight blue holographic with a tealy green glow. This by comparison with the previous polish, was decidedly thinner, maybe a teeny bit runny. This is two coats though, it has good pigmentation.

Time Stands Still is a sparkly cement grey holographic with a violet flash and shimmer flakes that shift blue-violet-red. This applies nicely, but is a little sheer. I used three coats but it was super close to being opaque in two. I really liked how this looked in person, my photo doesn't do the shifty-sparkle quality justice.

The pre-order for these polishes starts 9/17 at 11am CST on the Fair Maiden Polish website. The pre-order period will last one week, with the polishes shipping out 2-3 weeks after that. They will be available for regular purchase later on on the website too. Individually all the polishes are $10, except for Ashes & Acorns which is $9. Each half of five is priced at $45 as a group. Purchase all 10 for $85. Minis will be sold in both sets of 5 for $25 per set, but minis will not be sold individually. What do you think of these fall beauties? I'm obsessed with Wanderlusting and The Road Less Traveled!

❤ Kellie

The products mentioned were provided for an honest review.

ILNP Ultra Metallic Flakies Swatches & Review

Hi friends! I have two beautiful polishes to share with you today. I bought these from boutique indie brand ILNP a while ago and couldn't keep them from my readers any longer haha.

Juliette is a rose gold ultra metallic flakie with a holographic effect. This is incredibly stunning and I pretty much want to wear it every day. This went on my nails like magic, nice buttery magic. Opaque in two coats. I love that these types of flakie finishes don't require extra top coat to make them smooth like some glitters, just one. :)

Bulletproof Symphony is a medium blue periwinkle ultra metallic flakie with a holographic effect. Reminds me of a pair of jeans, but some really awesome, holographic blingy jeans haha. Applied super easily with full coverage in two coats!

I purchased both of these polishes on the ILNP website for $10 each. What do you think about these?? I wanted to tell you all about how much you all mean to me. All your support, even just coming by to check out my photos, really keeps me going. You're the best!

❤ Kellie

Zoya Spring 2016 Petals Collection Swatches & Review

Hi everyone! Today I have the Zoya Spring collection to show you. It's called Petals and the shades are "inspired by the gardens of spring, this fresh and vibrant collection invites you to revel in the beauty of the season!" There's six polishes in the bunch and they're great for the season!

Press Sample

Tulip is a "pure pastel salmon cream with the slightest hint of sheen to mimic a petal soft finish." I found the color delightful, but the formula was a tad streaky and I needed three coats for opacity. The shimmer is subtle but noticeable.

Aster is a "fresh periwinkle with flecks of fuchsia to create a dewy finish, mimicking the look of spring flowers in the morning." This was excellently formulated, fool-proof application and I had full coverage on two coats! What a pretty color too eh? Similar to OPI Show Us Your Tips but more opaque and slightly more purple toned.

Laurel is "a warm pastel pink with the slightest hint of sheen to mimic a petal soft finish." This one was on the streaky side and needed three coats. However, with the slightly crelly-like formula I wasn't surprised. I would choose a formula like this one or Tulip's over something like Zoya Eden which has a chalkier type of feel. I suppose it would come down to personal preference.

Azalea is a "classic spring pink with a captivating white and fuchsia flash". I found the sparkle in this to be so pretty, the same type that Aster has with a similar formula. Very opaque, two coats here. 

Zahara is described as "a brilliant shimmering coral made modern with an opalescent effect." This polish was similar to Aster & Azalea in finish and formula, but was a little less opaque so I needed three coats.This is SO pretty, maybe my favorite in the collection.

Leia is a "sheer, opalescent white with flecks of fuchsia, green and gold". Zoya says this can be worn on it's own or layered over the other shades in the collection. This is it by itself at two coats. I like it but probably wouldn't wear it like this. I bet it would build up a little more with one or two more layers though.

I layered one coat of Leia over the other shades here. You can't tell very well from this photo but there was significant sparkle and a bit of that flash of color. (P.S. my thumbnail is rounded for some unfathomable reason, don't mind her)

These are available right now on the Zoya website for $10 each. I've heard a bunch of people say this collection isn't their favorite because the colors are too similar and they don't like the formulas, but I really enjoyed them! Different strokes for different folks I guess! What do you think? Is this collection a winner for you?

❤ Kellie

The products mentioned were provided for an honest review.