I was out of town for the weekend last week, so I apologize for the lack of posting! I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the summer weather that is finally here.

This is the second polish that a friend was sweet enough to bring me back from Japan. As you all are well aware of, I love everything blue. And this dreamy turquoise had me from the jump.

Creamy, dreamy turquoise

This color isn’t the most unique and many of us that collection polish have numerous variations of it, but I think many of us are drawn to it. It’s beautiful. Though this creme polish leans a touch more green (to me and on my skintone), it has a nice balance of blue and green. It’s a perfect summer color and I have loved admiring this color on my nails.

Easy, smooth application

This polish has a super shiny finish, since it’s a half creme half jelly hybrid. The formula on it was great; super easy and quick to apply. It also dried very quickly. What I’ve been most surprised with regarding this polish, is how well it has worn on me. Polishes usually chip within the first day on me, but I’ve had minimal tipwear after 3 days. Always a welcomed surprise!

Where to Buy: Online Retailers / $ 4 – $ 5

Is turquoise one of your go to nail colors for summer? Or like me, do you like to wear it year round? Summer for me means turquoise and coral!

- Liz

I had high hopes for this polish from the jump since I am a fan of the name. I was really hoping that this polish wouldn’t fall flat on the nail. There are a lot of metallic-ish black / grey / silver polishes out there and I didn’t want this one to be like all the rest, and I’m happy to say it’s not.

Graphite-y black, charcoal polish with silver microshimmer

As mentioned, I was hoping this charcoal polish was different from the ones we have all seen before. And I think it really is. I like how it’s not really metallic, but since there’s so much silver shimmer in it, it almost has the feel of a metallic without any streaky-ness or frost or anything weird. It has a very graphite feel to it. A silver-ed black. It’s almost earthy in a weird way. It looks really beautiful when applied and is everything I hoped it’d be!

Pigmented and smooth application

This polish was very easy to apply. I had no issues with the formula (like I did on Smoke and Ashes from this Hunger Games collection). It applied smooth and very easily. It was also very pigmented and I only used two coats for full coverage. I’ve enjoyed wearing this polish, it’s a nice alternative for black. And is interesting in its own regard.

Where To Buy: Sally’s / Trade Secret / Ulta / Online Retailers / $ 6

Did you pick up Stone Cold? Does this charcoal polish appeal to you? What are your favorites from The Hunger Games collection? Or, what are your favorite alternatives to wearing black?

- Liz

For whatever reason, I’ve really been feeling and craving light, clean, and crisp manicures. I’m really on a white kick (still looking for a favorite white…suggestions please!) so decided to layer Luxe And Lush from the Hunger Games collection over the shimmering base of Break The Ice.

Shimmering white base with metallic, gold flakie top coat

Break The Ice is a very shimmery, almost but not quite, pearl white. As I mentioned, I felt like wearing a white but also wanted to wear an untried polish, so I decided to layer Luxe and Lush over it. Luxe and Lush is an interesting flakie because it’s mostly gold and silver. I really like the metallic take on this flakie and love that it’s not too warm, like yellow. This manicure reminds me of snow, ice, and glaciers. It’s an interesting and really cool mix of shimmer, metallic, and neutral all in one.

Easy application

Break The Ice has an easy application. I used three coats for the full coverage that I wanted; this polish layers well and could totally be worn with one, two, or three layers depending on the look you want to achieve. Luxe And Lush dispersed a decent amount of flakies per coat. I only used one coat for this manicure. The flakes also went on pretty evenly, none gathering at the tip or base on my nail. Both dried quickly and I had no formula issues with either.

Where To Buy (Break The Ice): Drugstores / Target  / $ 2

Where To Buy (Luxe And Lush): Sally’s / Ulta / Trade Secret / Online Retailers / $ 6

How do you like this manicure? Do you think Luxe and Lush is any different from all the other flakies out there? Do you own either of these polishes? If so, what do you like to layer Luxe and Lush over?

- Liz

I was recently surprised with two bottles of pa nail polish in the mail from a friend. It’s a japanese brand of polish that come in cute, fun little bottles. It’s always exciting to give a new brand a chance, especially one that isn’t readily available in the states!

Jelly, bubble gum pink

A98 is a fun, cool toned jelly pink. It’s very barbie and girly but since it’s a jelly, it’s not as bright, dense, and intense as a pink creme version would be. In the bottle it appears brighter, and I was a little worried it was going to be too much, but with the jelly finish it’s really wearable. Almost softer in a way. I enjoyed looking at my nails with this manicure, even though it’s not a very “me” or unusual color I really like it. It’s a nice change of pace for me.

The application and formula were good. I had no issues. I used three coats for full coverage, like pretty much all jellies need. I also had decent wear and drying time.

Where to Buy: Online Retailers / $ 4 – $ 5

Have you tried any PA Nail Collective polishes? Have you tried many polishes from other countries? What are your favorite foreign brands of polish?

- Liz

Smoke and Ashes is another Hunger Games polish I received for my birthday. I was pretty excited to use this polish. It looks super pretty in the bottle, but I think overall it falls pretty flat on the nails, which was a total bummer.

Black base with green and silver micro-shimmer

Smoke and Ashes is a black creme base polish with very fine green and silver micro-shimmer. In the bottle the shimmer seems a lot more dense and noticeable then it ends up on the nail. Unless you’re really looking at the polish, it reads as a black creme, which is disappointing. I was hoping it’d be a black with some “oomph” to it, but it didn’t deliver.

The application of this polish was also somewhat tricky. I’m not sure if the micro-shimmer is to blame, but I had some issues with being able to spread the polish across my nail beds during application. It seemed almost runny and thick at the same time. However it was pretty opaque. I only needed two coats and the drying time was good.

Where To Buy: Sally’s / Ulta / Trade Secret / Online Retailers / $ 6

Did you buy Smoke and Ashes? Do you like this polish or does it seem a bit generic? Did anyone else have trouble with the formula or application?

- Liz

I’ve been somewhat on a search for the perfect “white” polish for a while. I love the way a more opaque, but not full coverage creme, white polish looks. It’s so clean and more modern than the common sheer whites. I loved the way this polish looked in the bottle, so I was unable to resist it.

Sheer-er, milky white

Don’t Touch My Tutu! (I actually think this name is cute) is a sheer, pale white from the 2012 NYC Ballet Soft Shades collection. It has a pretty, medium coverage jelly finish to it. This polish has a crisp, clean color to it. It doesn’t have any noticeable blue or pink undertones to it. It’s pretty, and very different from what I normally wear. I like it, though wish it was more of what I was looking for and more of what it appeared to be in the bottle.

Only noticeably streaky in macro, looks very even on the nails

This photo makes this polish look as though it’s streaky or uneven, but in real life, it’s almost undetectable. The macro setting on the camera made this much more visible. I did use three coats for this polish, but had no issues with drying time. The formula was thinner but it is semi-sheer. I do wish it was a touch more opaque so it would have been more of what I had in mind. My only application tip would be is that you can build it up or wear it sheer, whatever look you are going for it seems to be pretty flexible.

Where To Buy: Ulta / JCPenny / Trade Secret / Dillard’s / Online Retailers / $ 8.50

Do you like Don’t Touch My Tutu!? Do you often wear classic, sheer polishes like this one? Did you buy any others from this years Ballet Soft Shades collection? Or what’s your favorite more opaque white? I’m still looking, help a girl out!

- Liz

Filed under OPI

Tagged as Jelly, Pale, Sheer, white

I was very happy to receive a few Hunger Games polishes as gifts last weekend. I haven’t had much time to make online polish orders or run out to grab new polishes, which has sucked. But I told myself that’s got to change. So, I’m excited to have new polishes to chit chat with you guys about.

Sandy, neutral nude packed with gold shimmer

Fast Track is gorgeous. I think all of us can appreciate a good neutral polish. I feel as though I don’t wear them enough, but when I do, I truly enjoy it. And I have loved wearing this polish. It’s so flattering on my skin tone. It has a bit of yellow in the sandy, beige base, and is packed with gold micro-shimmer. I think this would also look great on toes for summer. The amount of shimmer makes it more interesting than the average neutral.

Easy, pigmented application

I usually never have an issue with China Glaze’s formula. Fast Track went on easy and smooth, and built up for full coverage in two coats. It dried quickly as well. I have zero issues with this polish and completely love it.

Where To Buy: Sally’s / Trade Secret / Ulta / Online Retailers / $ 6

Did you buy Fast Track? Do you want to get your paws on it? Does it seem like an interesting neutral to you or nothing special?

- Liz

Filed under China Glaze

Tagged as Biege, neutral, Nude

I mentioned how it was my birthday over the weekend. And it took me awhile to pick what I wanted to wear for it. I ended up with this sponged manicure and I absolutely loved it. It turned out great and was perfect for the occasion.

Bright, violet purple creme with blue and purple foil sponged tips

Bandeau is an awesome polish. It’s a bright, violet blue leaning creme that is stunning. It’s so fun and easy to wear. It’s one of my favorite purples that I own. Blue Years Eve is also a great polish. It’s a purple and blue foil that has a a lot of depth and was dark enough to contrast with the brighter Bandeau base. I honestly think they look perfect together.

Easy application for both polishes

I used two coats for Bandeau. Although it seems a bit streaky on the first coat, it builds up really easily. I would suggest doing thicker coats though, just to make sure you get full coverage. It also dries slightly matte, which means it also dries quickly. I used a make up applicator sponge to sponge on Blue Years Eve on the tips. Just dabbed on the polish on to the sponge, then built it up on the tips. It’s very easy and doesn’t take much time to do or dry. I love it!

Where To Buy (Bandeau) Urban Outfitters / Urban Outfitters.com / $ 5

Where to Buy (Blue Year’s Eve): Sally’s Beauty / Ulta / Trade Secret / Online Retailers / $ 6

So, do you like this manicure? Does it say “Birthday Girl” to you?

- Liz

A few years ago, Lauren and I established a “birthday week” tradition in which basically we can do whatever we want for the week of our birthday. Usually Monday through Friday is full of to do lists, work, running errands, etc that it’s hard to kick back and do something for yourself and breathe. But the birthday week is all about that and doing what you want to do, all week.

My birthday is this weekend, and although I have a cool manicure planned for the weekend that I’m excited to share with you all (!), I wanted to wear some of the polishes in my collection I really enjoy and don’t get a chance to revisit very often. So, I just wanted to post and let you know that currently I’m wearing OPI’s Blue My Mind, a vibrant, rich blue that I haven’t had the chance to enjoy enough. And I still love it.

I promise to be back later this week with a sponged purple manicure that I hope you all like.

- Liz

I had a different intent for Lapis of Luxury when I first applied it. I’ve had this polish for years and don’t think I’ve used it enough. We all know I love any blue polish and this one is great. And with blue flakies on top, it’s a winning combination.

Dusty periwinkle blue with blue flakies

Lapis of Luxury is a pretty color on its own. It’s rather unique and interesting in my collection of blues. It’s a slightly dusty, periwinkle blue. It has a touch of purple in it to keep it more in the cornmeal realm of colors, to me. It’s very flattering and easy to wear. Layered with the blue flakies of Maisie, it looks awesome. The two complement each other and are really fun together.

Easy smooth application on both

Lapis of Luxury has an outstanding formula. It’s a half jelly / half creme hybrid formula, which is my favorite to use. It went on smooth as butter. It almost applied itself. Though I did need three coats. As for Maisie, I didn’t want the flakies to be too overbearing, so I did one thin coat and it ended up just as I wanted. I think this manicure looks great and it has been a great combination to admire.

Where to Buy (Lapis of Luxury): Online Retailers / $ 8

Where to Buy (Maisie): Zoya.com / $ 8

What’s your favorite way to layer? Do you like this combination? Do you like to coordinate layering flakies with a matching base? Or do you like to mix and match?

- Liz