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.

Zoya Purple Color Block

Hello all. Sorry for the recent decline in posts. Last week was fall break and I wanted to enjoy as much time off with my family as possible. I even did my very first 5K!!! I am so proud of myself. Trust me, if you knew me, you would know that I only run if someone is chasing after me. Back to my delay in posts, I am now sick. I feel miserable, and the last thing I feel like doing is nail art while blowing my nose and coughing. I now feel the need to apologize if you have the sudden desire to Lysol your computer for fear of contracting my cold over the internet. So, I got some really cool metallic striping tape from Born Pretty last week and decided to suck it up and paint. I went with the ever fashionable color block. I used all Zoya polishes for this look. You see, this manicure gave me an excuse to use three colors I have been dying to try: Marley, Dannii, and Yasmeen. Marley is a beautiful pearl lilac that leans on the red toned side. It went on, thicker than I prefer, in two coats. Dannii is a stunning medium purple that also leans on the red side. It has a gorgeous pink and champagne tinted shimmer. I used it over Marley, so I don't know how many coats I would need for full opacity on its own. Finally, Yasmeen is a stunning dark purple with red toned metallic shimmer. I think Out of these three polishes, Yasmeen is my favorite color. Now, on to the nail art. I had a tough time choosing what color striping tape to use for the separation of color. It was a close tie between gold and silver. I decided on silver, and it did not disappoint! The striping tape I used is from the Born Pretty Store. This stuff is awesome. It is very thin, and came in 12 different colors. I also used the tape when painted each different color. I do recommend that you have a good pair of tweezers on hand because, just like with thin scotch tape, it is really hard to find the starting edge when it lays back on the roll. I received a ton of compliments at work and while out shopping. I really think the silver tape gave my manicure a more finished look. Be sure to use a good topcoat over your finished manicure to prevent the tape from peeling back! Well, what do you think?  

The striping tape from Born Pretty Store was sent to me for review. The people there were nice enough to let me share a coupon code with you for 10% off!! Use the code FJL91 when checking out on their website.

China Glaze Capitol Colors Part 3: Harvest Moon, Riveting, and Luxe and Lush

Here are my final three polishes from the Capitol Colors Collection for the Hunger Games. If you hadn't noticed, I was trying to group them by color family :) I left the "fiery" colors for last. To say I had a hard time capturing Luxe and Lush on my camera is like saying I had a hard time stopping the elephant from running me over. I did another attempt today and got much better results. (YEA!!!) Anyways, I love all of these colors. Harvest Moon would make a beautiful fall manicure, Riveting is a great, bright, fiery color, and Luxe and Lush adds glitz to just about anything! These colors just have no faults in my book. It was two coats to get full coverage for both Harvest Moon and Riveting, but no topcoat. I used one "dabbed" coat of Luxe and Lush over one coat Wet n Wild Black Creme. I also used one coat of Gelous over Luxe and Lush for a better looking finish. Enjoy the pictures.

Harvest Moon is a beautiful copper colored metallic. It is definitely on the warm side of the color scheme, beautiful finish.
District 9 - Grain

Riveting is a show stopping orange jelly with gold glitter suspended in it. This color literally GLOWS!!  If you don't want attention to your manicure, definitely do not wear this.
District 3 - Technology

Doesn't it look like Riveting?? 

Luxe and Lush is a great shredded looking flakie that flashes mainly orange, yellow, and green, but blue and pink can sometimes be seen.
District 1 - Luxury

This is what the actual shredded flakes look like. This polish will definitely need several topcoats to smooth out the finish.

If you are looking to make a manicure statement, these are the colors for you from the Capitol Colors collection. My favorite out of these three is Riveting, because it is a show stopper and I have absolutely nothing like it in my collection. Which do you like most?

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?

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.)