China Glaze Hologlam Collection- (1/2)

I was so thrilled to see that China Glaze was releasing a holographic collection this year. I first heard the buzz last fall and my anxiety just grew from there. Will it be like the Kaleidoscope that was such a disappointment, or more like the revered OMG Collection that is basically the Holy Grail of holographic polishes? Thankfully it is more related to the OMG line!!! YAY! Think of these as the darker, more brooding cousins of OMG. If these polishes were clubs/bars, OMG would be the upbeat dance and techno clubs while the Hologlam would be your more low key bar or jazz club. No, they are not as linear and intense as the "original," but they are still really good. I had no real application issues with any of the colors I purchased. I only bought half of the collection since I am trying to be a little more conservative with my polish spending habits (Sorry Hubby!) There was nothing wrong with the other colors not purchased, it's just that I wanted these more. I purchased Infra-Red, When Stars Collide, Sci-Fly By, Take A Trek, Strap On Your Moonboots, and Galactic Gray. Eeeekkkk! Without further ado, I give you half of the Hologlam Collection!!

Infra-Red

Infra-Red

Infra-Red

Infra-Red is a bright magenta that I just adore! It went on easily in 2 coats. It is definitely one of the most opaque of the colors I bought.

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When Stars Collide

When Stars Collide

When Stars Collide

When Stars Collide is a warm toned burgundy that leans on the purple side. I like how it is a more dusty color that has still kept its holographicness. (Is that a word?) This went on in 2 coats. This color was a little on the thick side but nothing really gloopy or difficult to work with.

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Sci-Fly By

Sci-Fly By

Sci-Fly By

Sci-Fly By is a great looking light icy blue. It makes me think of the cold arctic ice. This went on without problems in 2 coats.   

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Take A Trek

Take A Trek

Take A Trek

Take A Trek is a denim blue that is just perfect. This was one of my favorites! As with the others, this went on problem free in 2 coats. This polish was thicker in consistency  a lot like When Starts Collides formula, but it did not prove to be difficult to use.

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Strap On Your Moonboots

Strap On Your Moonboots

Strap On Your Moonboots

Strap On Your Moonboots is a dark smokey blue. The night sky comes to mind when I look at this polish. Just beautiful! This was applied in 2 coats with ease.

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Galactic Gray

Galactic Gray

Galactic Gray 

 Galactic Gray

 Galactic Gray is a graphite or gunmetal gray that in certain lighting it has a brown undertone to it. It is gorgeous! This did go on in 2 coats without difficulty, despite being the thinnest of the polishes that I got. You know, it looks like this might be a good substitute for the gray version of OPI My Private Jet. Unfortunately, I have the newer brown version, so I can't compare it for you. Looking online at pictures, it seems very comparable. Definitely something to look into. 

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Well, those are the holo beauties I have to show you today. I am too thrilled that China Glaze revisited the holographic polish. I can only hope they do more, hint, hint. You will be able to purchase these in April if not now at Sally Beauty, Ulta, and other locations for around $8.99. Good luck holo-hunting these beauties!

My Favorite Things Nail Art Challenge Day 3: My Favorite Animal

Day 3 of the challenge by Ooh La La Polish asks what is your favorite animal. I don't really have a favorite animal (Are we noticing an indecisive trend yet?), but growing up, I always wanted to be an elephant trainer. Why you ask? Well not because I was in love with the elephants, I wanted to wear the trainers pretty/sparkly costumes!! Now of course, I really do love elephants. I think they are amazing creatures, but to a five year old, the sequined costume looks better. Apparently I have always had a love for the more sparkly things in life! I used  China Glaze Elephant Walk for my base color. Appropriate name for the polish, right?  I used Wet n Wild Black Creme for the black detailing, White On by Sally Hansen for the toe nails and tusks, and I Believe in Amour by Color Club for the pink nose. Then, I topped the whole shebang off with Seche Vite. I must say, I really love Elephant Walk, It is a medium grey with a very subtle shimmer to it. I can see a full manicure with this color alone in my future! I had full coverage with two coats with normal drying time. I really like how this turned out. I might redo this one day before going to the zoo!

Do you like my elephant feet?

I was scared to paint anything else and ruin it.

China Glaze Capitol Colors Part 2: Agro, Stone Cold, Smoke and Ashes

Like my previous post, all three colors are from the China Glaze Capitol Colors Collection from this past March. All three were consistent in application as my previous review, perfect. All I needed was two coats for full coverage. No top coat was used on Agro or Smoke and Ashes. I will say I had the worst time photographing Smoke and Ashes. It drove me crazy!! It either looked pitch black/inky or really hazy! Some of the problem was my camera. Since my son had a little "fun" with my normal camera, I have been using my Rebel XTi, which does not have a macro lens (aka very close up shots). I got some cheater lens covers for the mean time that "act" like a macro lens, but there is a learning curve which I am still learning. So, I apologize ahead of time for the fuzzy/awkward photos. I usually am pretty consistent with how my pic's look, but these will have to do. I just hate using pictures I am not 100% happy with, but oh well. Here they are.

Agro is a beautiful dark olive green metallic shimmer. I really like this color. It has a glow to it. Be careful of brush strokes when applying.
District 11 - Agriculture

Stone cold is a gunmetal grey matte polish. I really LOVE this color. I am a huge fan of matte polishes and this is just too cool! It really looks like a hammered metal/stone finish. It even looks great with a topcoat.
District 2-Masonry

I used Seche Vite for a glossy top coat. It definitely changed the color of the polish to a dark granite color. It reminds me of counter tops.

See what I mean!

Smoke and Ashes is a inky dark midnight blue with green and blue shimmer. It is a really pretty color, but a pain in the arse to photograph. I am still not quite happy with these, but I had to make do with what I had.
District 12 - Mining

Here is a better look at the blue and green shimmer in it. Just lovely.  

Obviously my favorite out of these three is Stone Cold, but Agro is a close second. There is a special place in my heart for dark, vampy colors! Which did you like?

ManGlaze Matte Is Murder, Fuggen Ugly, & Lesbi-Honest

First, I just have to say how refreshing it is to buy from a company with a sense of humor. All too often, companies are so scared of losing that perfect image that they forget to have fun, and ManGlaze definitely knows how to have fun. This Chicago based company has a line of "the Worst Super Fuckingly High Gloss Nail Polish ever" out there. This is some of the coolest polish I have come upon yet! (next to holographic, sorry) The stunning artwork that adorn the bottles of ManGlaze are by Jason Atomic, Joe Simko, Jason Goad, and Mike Saputo. Needless to say these guys nailed the designs. (I really didn't mean for there to be a "nail" joke, sorry)  This stuff dries amazingly fast with full coverage at two coats. Yes, I even got a compliment from the hubby. Now if that isn't saying something I don't know what will. I have for you today the black Matte is Murder, charcoal grey Fuggen Ugly, and the fuchsia Lesbi-Honest. That is, until I spend more money on these awesome little devils and become even more broke. I will shut up now and show these beauties!

Oh look at my precious-es!! (In best Gollum voice)

Matte is Murder

Had to show off the artwork!

Such a perfect black matte!

And look, just as good in gloss!

I love this name Fuggen Ugly.

Hi there!

This is great if you aren't quite ready for the drama of pure black.

Matte and Glossy comparison.

 Can anyone guess who these are suppose to be. The initials read P.P. and M.

 The rest of the label. 

So SWEET!!

 I still can't tell if this is better as matte or gloss!

You can purchase their products online at Amazon or facebook while their site is being constructed. For a limited time, they are giving 10% off the price for the inconvenience. It is already factored into the price on facebook but on Amazon you must enter the coupon code "OccupyMe"