Layla Red Passion and Burlesque "Caviar Effect"

Now, as you know I have a small issue with texture on my nails. So, I have been hesitant to try one of the "caviar manicures" everyone has been doing since at least last year. I am a picker. If I feel any irregularities , rough spots, or snaggers, I just have to fix it. Saying that, I just knew I would loath any texture other than smooth on my nails. I was surprised when I got sent the Layla Caviar Effect in Burlesque, which is metallic gold balls, to review. I eyed the innocent looking contents with suspicion. They looked harmless enough, but I "knew" it would be a nightmare. I must confess, it wasn't that bad. GASP! I know, I know, "But Kim, you said you couldn't handle any texture." I was wrong (Don't tell my husband I admitted to that!) The beads are so small and packed so tightly together that it isn't nearly as bothersome as I expected it to be. The best way to describe the feel was a smooth ripple. Admittedly, I could not wear this to work (nurse remember) or even wear it daily, but I think this would be a lot of fun to do for a night out. It definitely makes the statement "Look at me!" I left this manicure on overnight to see how many of the beads came off and surprisingly not many did. The area where five tiny beads came off was, unsurprisingly at the tip. What did take them off in greater numbers? Me picking at them the next day. It drove me crazy since there were now ridges and gaps on the tip that would snag on things. I couldn't take it, I took it off. God that felt good. Another big, but pleasant, surprise was the ease it came off. I was prepared for a fight to the death to get the balls of fury off my nail, but it quite easily surrendered to my nail polish remover. It was a bit anti-climactic really. Regardless, I do think this looked neat, would try it out again for a special event. The base color I used is Red Passion in the Ceramic Effect line from Layla. Depending on how heavily you apply it, you will get full coverage with two to three coats. I really like this red creme. It compliments my skin tone and I really liked the shine it dried to. Now, it isn't the glass shine like you get with a clear top coat, but it looks great without assistance.

Depending on how many coats you do of Red Passion, it has a pretty fast drying time . All of these pictures were with no topcoat! I have noticed this color can look darker or lighter depending on what type of lighting you are in.

Burlesque is a great looking gold metallic ball that measures about 1 mm across. These stayed on well with no topcoat needed.

The Caviar Effects come in 12 different shades that include gold, silver, bright colors, and even a multicolor mix called Samba.

You can purchase Layla nail products online at Zappos.com, Aveyou.com, or my favorite Ninjapolish.com. The Caviar Effect retails for around $10.50-11.50 depending on where you purchase it and the Ceramic Effect Polish is around $10.

*These products were sent to me for a honest review.

Layla Ceramic Effect: Gold Shimmer 32 and Pure Silver 27

I received two stunning metallic polishes from Layla over the holiday season that are just too beautiful. Gold Shimmer (#32) and Pure Silver (#27) are metallic polishes from the Ceramic Effect line.

Gold Shimmer is a sheer gold shimmer in a clear iridescent base. This polish goes on quite sheer. So, if you don't like a visible nail line, you will be either doing four coats like I did, or use some "undies." Am I the only one that feels weird calling it undies? I think I shall rename it a less awkward title. Yes, I now dub thee ... UNDERPOLISH! That sounds much better. Anyways, this color had a nice soft shimmer effect. The gold shimmer is a yellow gold that almost glows in the clear base. Very ethereal looking! BTW, no topcoat in the pictures.

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Pure Silver was two coats of silver metallic foil awesomeness! It is similar to some of my other silver metallic's (will do comparison later), but I absolutely love the look of this, and its formula! This went on easily in two coats, with no topcoat in the picture. Surprisingly, there were no problems with brushstrokes that you normally see in these types of polishes. Now you see what I meant when I said I loved this formula. This will be a definite go to for when I crave that rocker chic look.

My favorite out of the two is definitely Pure Silver. What can I say, I am a sucker for silver! It is bright, flashy, fun, and will go with anything! Which one is your favorite?

You can purchase these polishes at Ulta in the store, or online at Ninja Polish or Zappos.

*These polishes were sent to me for an honest review.

Milani 3D Holographic Part 1: 3D and HD

I have two of the six polishes in the Milani 3D Holographic collection to show you today. All of these polishes were easy to apply with full coverage at three coats. They had a nice glossy finish, so no top coat was used. The first two I have to show you is 3D and HD. 3D is a gold color that definitely leans on the yellow side. This is the only color I did not like out of the group because it just didn't flatter me. The other color, HD, is a cool toned silver. I of course loved this color, because it is silver and holographic. Now, these are scattered holographic polishes that still give off a little rainbow in indoor lighting. So, on to the pictures.

3D Outside

3D Inside (See, the color just wasn't workin' with me.)

HD Outside (Much better.)

HD Inside

You can see in the pictures that the holographic particles are not tinted the same color of the polish. I think this does give the colors a neat shimmery effect, but it is noticeable in all of the polishes except HD. I  purchased the entire collection at CVS.Well what do you think?

China Glaze Eye Candy

So I was thinking about what to post next and I thought a review of the polishes that are in the giveaway would only be fitting.  The way this polish shimmers is amazing. They are like little treasure chests of gold, rubies, diamonds, sapphires, and rainbows. I had the hardest time getting the camera to focus on all of that glorious glitter. I think it was too much for my little camera to handle. No, not more shine, ahh, the sparkle is blinding me, can't...look...directly...at...it. (If you were wondering, that was my camera talking. I'm sorry, I have little kids and a big imagination.) All of these pictures had two coats of polish with almost perfect coverage and no top coat. If I were to do this as a complete manicure, I would probably use a coat of Gelous and a coat of Seche Vite to get rid of the rough texture.

Blonde Bombshell - Yellow-gold multi-sized glitter in a clear base.

Lorelei's Tiara - Silver and sapphire multi-sized glitter in a clear base.

Love Marilyn - Ruby red and silver multi-sized glitter in a clear base.

Some Like It Haute - Charcoal and holographic multi-sized glitter in a clear base.  

Well, I have a feeling a certain child of mine, who shall remain nameless, dropped my camera. The reason I suspect this crime is because of the loud oops and loud crack audible from across the room, and the now fuzzy pictures I have to show you. I used the camera for several days after the incident without issue, and then last week, all of my pictures are fuzzy despite lighting and location changes. I could just be paranoid, but compared what I am used to seeing on my computer, I was quite frustrated trying to work with the pictures I got. Well damn! Guess I will have to give in and buy either a new camera or buy a macro lens for my camera body. Hmmm... I wonder if "dropping" polishes and "denting or scratching" bottles of nail polish would constitute an acceptable reason, for my husband, for me to buy more polishes. Mwahahaha. My evil plans are forming as we speak. Come here child of mine, Momma needs some new polishes. :)

St. Patrick's Day Mani!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone. It has been a while since I last posted, but things have been a little crazy around here. On to the manicure. I tried my first glitter gradient manicure today and I think I did okay. It is by no means amazing, but I have seen worse (I hope.)I used Martian Salad by Pretty and Polished for my holographic green base, Essie  Gold as it Gets and China Glaze Blonde Bombshell for the glitter, and topped it all off with my beloved Seche Vite! My idea was I had my green color to start with, then the holographic shimmer in it would represent the rainbow, and finally the gold glitter would be the gold at the end of the rainbow. It looked perfect in my head! Reality quickly set in during my mani, real life would not be so perfect. I had a very hard time with Blonde Bombshell getting clumpy during the application process. The interesting thing was it wasn't getting gooped up on the nail, it was getting lumpy at the rim of the bottle which made applying it a nightmare! So, despite the difficulties, it turned out fair I think. Well, at least I can't get pinched tomorrow because of the green!

Unfortunately the sun isn't out right now, so I can't get a shot of the rainbow effect, but you get the idea. I will try and post more pictures later when and if the sun comes out. Have a great day!

Orly Rage

Here we go...

Orly Rage is a softer rose gold metallic foil. It comes from the Foil FX Collection. This was three thin coats for full coverage with a Revlon fast drying topcoat. The topcoat wasn't necessary for shine but I was impatient and needed to go to sleep because I had to work the next day. Application was fairly easy, but brushstrokes are noticeable. This is the only color I have from this collection because I thought it would best suit my skin tone. Overall, I was really happy with this polish. I've always wanted metallic looking nails. I now need to find a good chrome! Any suggestions?

I don't think the pic's turned out too bad if I don't say so myself! :)


(This polish was purchased by me.)