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!

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.