Nail Juice

MAC Blissed Out (better photos)

2010-03-11T20:04:00.000+13:00

I'm really loving peaches at the moment so I though I'd pop on a favourite, Blissed Out.

I also though I would take some nicer photos of it hehe. I know it can be boring for some people but it keeps me happy throughout the day :)

This was three coats here as it was a little sheer, but a ridge filler underneath that is white works awesomely to combat that problem.

OPI Meet Me On The Star Ferry

2010-03-10T12:38:00.002+13:00

Star Ferry was the Hong Kong OPI that I got that I liked the least. I just didn't really like the tone of colour and finish.

I don't think I like foils all that much as I seem to give most of those away. This is just two coats here.

Formula was nice 'n easy. Nothing I would like to change about it. I am still really surprised at how consistent OPI was formula wise with this collection.

I'm not too sure what else to say about Star Ferry really, I gave this one to my mum and she loves it. It looks amazing against her slightly darker/more pink toned skin.

China Glaze For Audrey

2010-03-09T12:42:00.003+13:00

I waited so long to get For Audrey, I don't really know what was stopping me. Glad I chose to get it though :)

This is China glaze's ever so popular For Audrey. It is supposed to be a similar blue to Tiffanys. I compared it to Essie Greenport and BYS Kung Fu Blue, Greenport is a couple of shades darker, but pretty much the same base colour and Kung Fu is a lot lighter, possibly a little bit more minty than Audrey.

For Audrey can look more blue or green depending on your skin tones. I am quite pleased that it turned out more on the blue side for me as Greenport wasn't really my thing.

I used just two coats here. Love the formula. China Glaze did well on this shade :D

Chinese New Year Half-Moon Manicure

2010-03-09T07:01:00.000+13:00

There was a lantern festival to celebrate Chinese New Year so I thought I would do a mani that involved red and gold.

I had just received Bling Dynasty at the time so I thought that was a perfect gold to use. Also Ruby Pumps is my only red so I really had no choice lol.

This is my first attempt at the half-moon thing ok, don't be too harsh.

I was quite happy with how it turned out. Not as much of a disaster as I thought it would be :)

China Glaze Glam & Solar Flare

2010-03-07T19:32:00.000+13:00

These are the first two polishes I have gotten from China Glazes glitter specialty collection, or what ever they call it.

Glam the pink one and Solar Flare the gold one.

In the photos I have done one nail with one sparse coat and the other with two coats for each polish.

These polishes can get thick quickly or may be thick when you get them. That's ok you just have to dab a lot of the polish off before applying if you only want a little glitter, otherwise they are perfectly fine.

I found that these polishes dried very quickly and look amazing shiny or matte.

Glam has a big sister called Doll House which is exactly like Solar Flare, just the colour of Glam. And of course Solar Flare has a little brother called Treasure Chest which is exactly like Glam only gold.

Glam has very similar glitter to what is found in Spellbound and Fortune teller. It just lacks the very small glitter. I still love it to pieces though.

Solar Flare is big chunky hex gold glitter. As big as the glitter is I have worn it maybe 3 or 4 times since getting it. I just can't get enough of it.

What do you think of these polishes? Do you prefer them jam packed or a little more sparse?

OPI Jade Is The New Black

2010-03-05T07:37:00.001+13:00

I was so excited to see the Hong Kong stand just after it was set up. But when I went in for a closer look I was actually pretty disappointed. I held my finger under all of the shades on the display with the colours, and I didn't like any.

However we went into another store who had also had just set them up and they had a 3 for 2 deal on OPI products. So I had another look and Jade is The New Black was one of the few that stood out to me.

I have nothing like it. I like the dusty quality to it. The first time I wore it was with a new Peach cardi and I just fell in love with it. I thought I would have hated Jade, but no... quite the opposite. Usually I spring for the more minty greens.

The formula in this one is just so easy and crazy good. I haven't had a formula consistency like this from OPI in a LONG time. As I said with Bling Dynasty, this formula was consistent with all of the shades I got from the Hong Kong collection.

Skin MD Natural - Face, Hand & Body Shielding Lotion

2010-03-04T15:48:00.009+13:00

This moisturiser was sent to me to review, so here it is!

WHAT IT SAYS ON THE BOTTLE:
"Exceptionally enhances your skin's hydrating and protective abilities."
"Far more effective than conventional moisturizers"
"Promptly absorbs, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield"
"Finest natural ingredients together in a quantum advance in skin hydration"
"Regeneration is fully realized within a few days"

Did you understand any of that? It reminds me of when I was at school on the computers having to type up a word document; and to make it not so repetitive I right clicked a lot of the words and changed them to a synonym so all my words wouldn't be the same.

ON THE FACE:
I used it firstly on my face because I find a lot of moisturisers are way too thick or sunblocky feeling for it to be comfortable. This Skin MD Natural stuff is very thin so it felt great on my face.

However when it came to applying liquid make-up, I could see brushstrokes all over my face. This usually never happens. However powder foundation seemed to work ok.

I didn't see any change regarding my acne scars or dry flaky pieces of skin.

ON THE BODY:
I used it pretty much only on my legs. My legs are very dry. It went on lightly and lasted the whole day. I didn't really notice a change in my legs and their dryness.

ON THE HANDS:
On the hands it reminds me of something my friend brought to school one day, it was supposed to be like a silicon covering for your hands to stop germs getting on them I guess but it was in cream form.

It gave a nice soft touch. Very silky.

OVERALL:
In all honesty it just felt like it gave me a thin soft coat on my skin. No way was it moisturising. There were no changes in my skin. Just a thin silky coating. But really, why would I want that?

I almost find it more irritating when I apply this on my hands as it feels like my hands and cuticles are super dry but they feel very soft. I think my hands are confused lol.

I usually dislike hand-creams as my hands tend to sweat a lot and it just irritates me to have that feeling of the sweat feeling trapped in a way with the hand-cream.

My boyfriend also trialed it. His skin is quite the opposite to me as my face is oily and his very dry. He liked how it made his face soft but thats about all it did. He also started to get a couple of spots and he rarely gets any.

I am sorry Skin MD Natural, but I do not recommend this product.

I'm not sure if you can tell in my photos but the 1st is supposed to be with out the cream, the second showing you what it looks like and then the 3rd with it rubbed in.

OPI Bling Dynasty

2010-03-03T20:29:00.010+13:00

I would like to show you perhaps one of my absolute favourites from OPI's recent collection, Hong Kong.

Bling Dynasty.

What I love about it how incredibly reflective it is in the sun light. It is also a different kind of gold, a more... rustic, antique looking gold. And since my parents collect a lot of antiquey items, this colour gives me nice memories.

Also I loved the Chinese movie 'Curse Of The Golden Flower', Bling Dynasty definitely reminds me of the gorgeous golds they used. I also love their extravagant outfits and headpieces. Stunning.

This was only two coats here. I found the Hong Kong collection gave incredible coverage and all needed only two coats. Well, of the colours I got anyway :) They will be here shortly!

I think I may do Bling Dynasty as my next mani~!

OPI Reflecting Pool

2010-02-19T14:22:00.002+13:00

Reflecting Pool is a teal based foil with an electric blue frost (I say frost because it leaves stroke marks that are familiar with frost finishes) also with large gold glitter.

I used 3 coats here as Reflecting Pool is a little on the sheer side. I don't really like the look of it on my skin as it seems to pull out the red undertones.

Also I much prefer this polish to be matte so I can appreciate the glitter/foil without being distracted by the frostiness.

Valentines Manicure

2010-02-18T08:48:00.002+13:00

This was my valentines day manicure, two coats of Bouquet and a white lace design from a konad plate.

Also a store near me was having a massive sale, Color Clubs & OPIs $7.50!

That never happens! However I restrained myself and only picked up Oooh la la and Moon over Mumbai.

China Glaze Spellbound

2010-02-14T23:06:00.001+13:00

This is a mani I had done when I first received Spellbound, the day before I had already worn it over a dark purple and wanted to try it over something different.

I couldn't decide whether to do black or white... so I went with both!

With Spellbound I dragged it down half-way on the nail towards the tips. I did this twice.

This manicure lasted almost 3 days! Before I got tired of it :D

Happy Valentines!

BYS Kung Fu Blue

2010-02-13T10:24:00.001+13:00

This was my first Valentine inspired mani, not very inspired at all actually lol. I will be doing one tonight though for Valentines tomorrow :D

I'm not too sure what this colour has to do with Kung Fu...

I used two coats of BYS Kung Fu Blue. What a beautiful shade. I have worn it so many times since I got it.

The formula is pretty good, a little on the thick side though so you may want to thin it down a little.

One thing that bothers me about BYS polishes though are their smell. It smells like... I want to say petrol but it can't be since I love that lol. Smells... car related. Like some old seats in a car smell sometimes. Ugh.

I wash my hands a few times to try and get rid of it and it eventually fades.

Other than that I love Kung Fu Blue!

At the end of the post I received a new paint pot in the mail, Otherworldly. It is so amazing. It was a part of the collection where MAC teamed up with Alexander McQueen. RIP.

Revlon Tropical Teal & Guava Glam

2010-02-12T10:12:00.001+13:00

It must have been fate to have such a crappy day learning about hairpieces and wigs that I needed to do a little shopping on my break.

Revlon has had a few nail polishes on sale for $8 for a while now and today they were $5! So I picked up Tropical Teal and Guava Glam.

The reason I picked up Tropical Teal was because I borrowed my sisters ring hoping to use it for a photo shoot coming up and I didn't quite have a nail polish that matched it.

Luckily Revlon came to my rescue. Look how pretty and shimmery it is at just two coats!

And the reason for Guava Glam was that I really liked it when it came out last Summer. I hadn't even seen it again til now!

I am really happy with both of these colours. Reviews to come shortly.

Cute ring huh? (Secretly I don't want to give it back, but I will because my sister loves it too :D)

NFU-Oh 012

2010-02-10T08:32:00.001+13:00

Hmm I was so excited to find this in person, but I don't think it looks too flattering on my skin tone.

I used 3 coats here.

I found the formula too be a little on the thick side which made it a little hard to use seeing as it is sheer. It doesn't have a jelly quality to it. So it just looks a bit funny with a whole heap of colour yet you can still see the tips.

I think I will take it home next week and add some thinner to it.

I do like the colour of 012. I would call it a very blue baby pink. It's is that category where it could be pink or purple.

Hmm maybe I will try some ridge filler underneath next time.

Orly Chai Latte

2010-02-08T08:40:00.001+13:00

I really love Chai Latte. I've never seen it before though so I'm not too sure on when it was released and if it came from a collection.

I used 3 coats here. I was having a horrible time swathing for some reason so that's why there are so many dings in the manicure lol.

Chai Latte is a non-streaky off white. I'd call it ivory or bone. Its a sheer white with a slight hint of beige to it.

I like the fact that it shows my tips, it makes them look white :D

Color Club Candle Glow

2010-02-06T08:37:00.001+13:00

I was so surprised to find a whole full stand of Color Club minis in a chemist here in New Zealand. Mind blowing.

I am very happy though that more polish brands are coming here.

This is three coats of Candle Glow. It was getting quite thick and messy in these swatches because I wasn't waiting for the coats to dry. So ignore the edges of my tips :)

So even at 3 coats you can still see my tips. I think with a coat of Zoya Get Even will make that more opaque. Candle Glow also looks very pretty and delicate over light pinks.

Icing Superstitious

2010-02-04T07:33:00.001+13:00

I remember I posted this awhile ago but that was on my hideous acrylics.

Here is Icing's Superstitious!

I don't really have any information on this colour. Like when it came out, what collection and where.

The formula is so smooth. I always like painting with this one. It is easy to control and only needs two coats for full coverage.

I love blacks with shimmers. Love.

MAC Lucky Number

2010-02-02T08:46:00.001+13:00

I've been meaning to post Lucky Number for awhile now, but I couldn't get any nice pics!

Lucky Number was released with MAC's holiday collection for 2009, Magic, Mirth & Mischief.

It's pretty much done on one coat, but I think it needs the second just to patch it up.

The formula is similar to the China Glaze Romantiques. On the thick side but gives you amazing coverage.

I wasn't fussed at all on Lucky Number when it first came out, but after seeing it on a few of the MAC SAs I decided to get it. I'm still not interested in the silver one though. Silver doesn't look all that great on my skin tone.

I'm betting this would work well with Konad :)

Zoya Angel

2010-01-31T11:08:00.000+13:00

Angel was one I had never been interested in before, until I saw it in real life. I really adored Angel, but it was just missing something for me to love it...

Angel is a baby pink frost. A little darker than OPI Suzi & The Lifeguard though.

Just two coats here. Formulas amazing and everything. I think maybe it was the frosty finish that put me off? Anyway she has found a new home :)

Angel is a part of Zoya's main line.

What do you think of Angel and 'Frosts'?

OPI Play 'Till Midnight

2010-01-29T15:16:00.000+13:00

This was the other amazing navy my partner bought me for one Christmas, Play 'Till Midnight.

Play Till Midnight came out in the 'Holiday in Toyland' collection for Christmas 2008. Far out that went past quickly.

Now Play Till Midnight doesn't look as amazing inside as it does outside. It looks like a dulled/greyed navy indoors or with no sunlight. But outside in the sun really brings out that blue and purple shimmer.

Truly amazing. So amazing that every female in my family has a bottle!

I remember I went through a phase where every time I wore white - this was my manicure.

Play Till Midnight's formula is perfection, wouldn't change anything about it. Wearing two coats here.

OPI Sugar Cookie Pink

2010-01-27T15:02:00.000+13:00

I think Sugar Cookie Pink was my favourite out of the Sweet Pink collection. Especially with such a cute name.

Sugar Cookie Pink is really different. It's like its highly pigmented and super sheer at the same time! Confusing aren't I?

I mean with a regular sheer polish you eventually get some sort of build-up but with Sugar Cookie Pink you only build up the pinkness, not the coverage. I am wearing four coats here.

It looks really pretty as just one or two coats as well. It gives your nails a healthy but cute glow to it.

Sugar Cookie Pink's formula was a little bit different, it went on a little bit thick but you really only need thin coats as you aren't going to get anymore coverage than the first coat. Plus Sugar Cookie is super glossy. Which I really liked!

I can tell I'll be wearing this one a lot :D

My Stash Update!

2010-01-25T19:41:00.028+13:00

Far out I only took these photos not too long ago and its already out of date >_<

Anywho! This is my 'sort of current stash', and I am so excited because I just ordered a polish stand! I don't think all will fit though...

All of the following photos are labeled and I aplogise if they are spelt wrong/hard to read :)

What do you think?

Just realised- OMG my flakie NFU-Ohs are not here! As well as MAC Light Affair... I will have to do a catch-up post lol.

OPI Pink Cupcake

2010-01-24T14:46:00.001+13:00

Now Pink Cupcake is a lot more exciting!

Pink Cupcake is 'gummy' looking pink with pink and blue shimmer. I really love it. Pink Cupcake reminds me of buying gummy lollies after school.

I used just two coats here. You get a nice coverage with Pink Cupcake.

The formula was superb. Nice thickness too it, not runny at all.

What do you think of this one?

Chocolatey Sweet Update!

2010-01-23T22:55:00.010+13:00

Just a reminder about the current competition i'm running, Chocolatey Sweet!

The details are all >here<.

I thought I'd show you some of the entries so far! They are all truly amazing, and that Ferrero one... instant cravings.

So please send your cute, sweet or chocolatey entries to Steph at nailjuice@live.com :D

OPI Pink a Peach

2010-01-22T10:22:00.000+13:00

Pink a Peach was from OPI's Sweet Pink collection released in Asia. I was super excited to get these but this one really underwelmed me.

Pink a Peach looks like a frosty grandma colour to me, maybe it's just my skintone with it?

Two coats used here. The formula was a little thick but it was ok to use, just meant thicker coats.

To me it looks like a peachier version of OPI's Cherry Blossom. Pink a Peach has that same silver shimmer and microshimmer as Cherry Blossom.

What do you think?