Pixi Summer 2013 Polishes

* These products were sent to me for review by PR. All opinions are honest, without bias.*

Hello all. Sorry for the posting hiatus, I have been working more and more at the hospital, and been enjoying some nice weather with my family, and running. You know how it is. When it is pretty outside, it literally draws you out like a siren. You have no choice but to follow its song. I have the Summer 2013 Pixi polishes for you today. They released three new colors to add to their nail polish collection. Wakeup Wisteria, Summer Sunset, and Fluoro Flamingo are three bright and fun colors that I definitely like. The color coverage on these were very dependent on the color and type of polish it was. Nothing that wasn't easily managed though.  All of the manicures have a clear topcoat on. Don't forget you can click on any of the pictures to get a much closer look!

Wakeup Wisteria

Artificial Lighting

Artificial Lighting

Outside

Wakeup Wisteria is a gorgeous medium lilac cream polish. This great looking purple makes a clean and fresh looking manicure. Wakeup Wisteria was the first color I tried out and liked it so much I did a full manicure, and received tons of compliments on it at work! This was the easiest of the polishes to apply with full coverage at two coats. 

Summer Sunset

Artificial Light

Indirect Outdoor Lighting

Outside

 Summer Sunset is a blazing pinky-orange coral with a gold shimmer that has an almost jelly finish. You can still see a visible nail line at three coats, but it dose not detract at all from its fiery beauty. The most color accurate photo is the indirect outdoor lighting one. Like with all colors, it does look a bit different in different lighting. The shimmer is on the more subtle side, but very complimentary to the bright nature of this polish.

Fluoro Flamingo

Artificial Light

Indirect Outdoor Lighting

Outside

Fluoro Flamingo is great hot bubblegum pink cream polish. I swear, this is as close to being neon, without the matte finish, as you can get. I did find this a bit streaky and thin, having to use three coats for full coverage, compared to the other colors in the release. This wasn't exactly surprising since lots of neon polishes work best with a base coat of a white polish underneath it.  I found it was much easier to apply once I had my "underpolish" on with only two coats.  

 Here is a comparison of Fluoro Flamingo with and without one coat of a white base polish. You see that there is not much difference in appearance.

Clearly my favorite of this bunch was Wakeup Wisteria since it is purple, but all of these colors will definitely be added to my permanent rotation of colors! All of these polishes can be purchased online or in store at Target or online only at Pixibeauty.com for $8. A neat little side note: Pixi states that these polishes have built in UV protection to prevent polish discoloration, besides being chip-resistant and 3-Free! 

* These products were sent to me for review by PR. All opinions are honest, without bias.*

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!

Ludurana: Maravilhosa and Supremo

Ludurana is a great brand from Brazil that has everything from creme to color changing polish. I have two of their holographic polishes from the Aurora Boreal (Aurora Borealis) collection. Maravilhosa or "Wonderful" and Supremo or "Supreme" are two stunning linear holographic polishes that are slightly perfumed. I couldn't tell you exactly what the scent is, but it definitely isn't the standard stink of polish. It's more like a sweet floral scent that is noticeable while it is drying. Both of the colors dried to a gritty/dull finish. You will need a topcoat if you want a good shine.

Maravilhosa

A pretty rosy pink, holographic polish. This nail polish went on in two thin coats for full coverage. 

 Outside

Outside

 Shade

Artificial Light

Supremo

A lovely light violet, holographic polish. This nail polish went on in three thin coats for full coverage. This polish consistency was a bit runnier than Maravilhosa and also went on a bit sheerer. 

 Outside

Outside

 Shade

Artificial Light

You can purchase these polishes at either Ninja Polish or Llarowe.

Girly Girl Nail Art Challenge: Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

This week's Nail Art Challenge theme is basically everything girly!! So, what is girlier than pink and glitter? NOTHING! I used two coats of OPI Heart Throb as my base color with a glitter gradient tip using Sally Hanson Xtreme Wear in Strobe Light. This manicure sort of looks like I dipped my nails in sugar. Yum! I just better not lick these. Even though the tips are super sparkly, it is still a pretty subdued manicure for me. The color is so delicate and pale, you could wear it almost anywhere. What do you think?

Flash

No Flash.

Girly Girl Nail Art Challenge: Who Inspires You?

This weeks Girly Girl Challenge asks who inspires you. I had many options; Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, and J.K. Rowling. I decided to go with someone who inspires me every day, P!nk. I have been listening to her music since high school, and always find myself seeing some deeper meaning in her art. Her music can make you laugh, cry, hurt, or fall in love. She is a very independent woman that exudes confidence and beauty. Basically, she kicks ass! I, of course, had to use her namesake as a base for my manicure. I used OPI Strawberry Margarita for the pink base. This beauty went on in two easy coats that left a stunning shine. I used Color Club Hot Couture, which is a multicolored, opalescent glitter, in a sheer pink base for the glitter accents. Acrylic black paint was used for P!nk's name. Once again, the topcoat dragged on the paint and distorted the lettering, but it still turned out pretty cool looking. So, who inspires you most?

Girly Girl Nail Art Challenge : Think Pink

So, I am trying my hand (ha ha) at another nail challenge. This current challenge is being hosted by Lisa at Lisa's Nail Obsession. It is the Girly Girl Nail Art Challenge that was originally started at the Neverland Nail Blog . Week one is "Think Pink". This week, we are to wear our favorite pink nail polishes and favorite nail art. Since I am notorious for being indecisive, I am quite proud to say I easily pick one of my favorite pinks quickly. Overboard by Color Club is a gorgeous fuchsia creme  polish that goes on effortlessly in 1-2 coats, depending on how thickly you put your polish on. This color just makes me smile. Yes, I am sitting here at my computer, smiling like an idiot while writing that sentence. Continuing, I just could not figure out my favorite nail art so I went simple. I did a cute dot frame in the corners with white acrylic paint, and topped it all off with one coat of Out The Door. This is a cute and simple manicure, that anyone can do!

Sweet and simple.

This picture is a better representation of the color.

Nail Art Save with OPI Pedal Faster Suzi

So, I am sure you remember my previous post with my Mulan nail art attempt. Well, here is how I tried to salvage it. I am quite proud of the results. You wouldn't know the tree was suppose to be part of a Disney themed manicure!! I wanted to use a soft pink polish that was close to the pink I used for the cherry blossoms. I settled on OPI Pedal Faster Suzi from this Spring's Holland Collection. It blended perfectly with my nail art! I think this is my favorite manicure to date!! I even impressed my husband. Sadly, he still will not let me paint his nails. Oh well. Pedal Faster Suzi is a pale pink shimmer that stays somewhat sheer at three coats. The formula was a little thin, but still easy to work with. I have 1 coat of Seche Vite top coat on. 

Extreme close up! You can see some of the bubble problem that I mentioned in my last post.

You can still see a visible nail line.

This is what Pedal Faster Suzi looks like in person.

Like I said before, I am really happy with this manicure. What do you think? Have you ever tried to salvage a disaster and the result is way better than what you started with?

Butter London Lip Gloss and Polish: Trout Pout & Primrose Hill Picnic

Butter London has a new collection of lip glosses, called Lippy, that correspond with some existing and some new polishes. I think the idea is really neat to have matching nails and lips. The lip glosses are heavily pigmented that very closely, if not identically, match their intended lacquers. I have Trout Pout and Primrose Hill Picnic to show you. Now the polishes were AMAZING!! Great coverage at either two thick coats or three thin coats. I am not wearing a top coat in these pictures. These polishes went on like a dream. Oh, and a bonus, they are a 3-Free brand! This was my first experience with this brand, and I am happy to say I absolutely love them!At first, I had a little issue with the lip gloss. First, I don't have perfect lips. No matter how much chap stick I wear, or scrubs I use, I always have dry skin on my lips. These glosses are thick. Warning, they will pull at any dry skin on your lips. So a little advise, put your favorite chap stick on first then the gloss will simply glide over your lips with lipstick like pigment that will truly compliment your nails. Since I did have to use a chap stick underneath, I did have to use two coats of the lip gloss to get even coverage, without looking streaky.  

Trout Pout

Trout Pout

Trout Pout

Trout Pout

Trout Pout is described as pale, retro, cantaloupe color. I really liked this color with my skin tone. I wouldn't exactly call it pale, but it was very flattering on my nails.  The Lippy was actually flattering as a lip gloss as well. I normally shy away from bright lip colors, but I actually liked this.

Primrose Hill Picnic

Primrose Hill Picnic

Primrose Hill Picnic

Primrose Hill Picnic

Primrose Hill Picnic is a fuchsia pink that is just beautiful. I liked the color on my nails much more than the color on my lips. Like I said earlier, I just don't think I pull off bright lips very well. The nail polish makes for a fun and bright manicure for summer! 

Well this was my first official "make up" post. I hope you like how I displayed the lip glosses. Let me know if you have any suggestions! What do you think of this collection?

These products were sent to me, by the company, for review.