Monday, February 20, 2017

9:56 AM

Sinful Colors - Desert Divas Collection


       Sinful colors will be releasing 3 collections for spring and they are starting to pop up in stores now. Bayou Babes is part of the Sinful Shine line, Chic Chicas is full of fun pastels perfect for the season and the collection I'll be sharing with you today, The Desert Divas Collection. This collection consists of 9 muted earth tone shades packed with shimmering flakes. In fact, Sinful has labeled these as Stoned Crystal Shimmers and are available for a limited time. I think you'll find that that description is perfect for this collection. 

     Sadly 1 color from this collection seems to be releasing later than the others and has yet to be spotted in stores. It's a green called Super Cooper but not to worry I'm on the hunt for it so you'll be able to see that one as well. For now here's the bottle shot from the Sinful Colors web page.



      Warning, This post is going to be picture heavy. I really wanted to capture the depth of each polish. Also, all photo were taking in a light box with daylight light bulbs. Now let's get to the polish, shall we?

Namaste the Night

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-plum-nail-polish-with flakies

     Color: Muted deep plum with iridescent flakies that flash from magenta to pink to gold with hints of blue depending on the angle and lighting.

     Formula: Namaste the night is an extremely opaque polish that could possibly be a 1 coater if applied with a slightly thicker coat. The polish flows evenly and smoothly onto the nail with each layer being packed with flakies. Shown here is 2 coats plus a glossy top coat

     Finish: Dries to a satin finish but the shimmer from the flakies makes it appear to have a hint of gloss. Every single flake lays completely flat giving a totally smooth finish.

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-plum-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-plum-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-plum-nail-polish-with flakies

      Of course, I had to see what each polish would look like with a matte top coat. As you can see I wasn't disappointed. I like that this color is a bit darker than the rest of the collection but still seems cohesive with the other colors.

Tealing Power

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-teal-nail-polish-with flakies

     Color: A Shimmery shade of teal with iridescent flakes that flash from silver to powder blue and hints of pink depending on the angle and lighting. 

     Formula: Smooth even coverage, but not quite as opaque as Namaste the Night. Shown here is 2 coats plus a glossy top coat.

     Finish: Smooth finish somewhere between a semi-gloss and a satin. In fact, it's exactly like Namaste the Night with a satin finish that has hints of gloss from the flakies.

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-teal-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-teal-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-teal-nail-polish-with flakies

     With the addition of the matte top coat, you can see the hints of pink that the flakies give off. This is the one color in the collection that seems to be a little out of place with it's bolder shade, but it was also one of my favorites.

Thera-Pewter

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-grey-nail-polish-with flakies

     Color: Sinful describes this as a shimmery slate grey polish. On me, it looked like a light grey with a slight lavender undertone and flakies that flash from silver to blue with hints of purple depending on angle and lighting.

     Formula: Again the application was smooth and easy but Thera-Pewter was a little on the sheer side. There was definite VNL after 1 coat and full opacity reached after 2. Shown here is 2 coats plus a glossy top coat.

     Finish: Smoothly finish somewhere between a semi-gloss and a satin.

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-grey-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-grey-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-grey-nail-polish-with flakies

     The addition of matte top coat helped bring out the depth of Thera-pewter and made me like it a lot more. I feel this is one of those colors that needs to grow on you. It's pretty blah at first and then you start to see all the detail and can start to appreciate it.

Clay Me

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-dark-orange-nail-polish-with flakies

     Color: Rich terra cotta with iridescent flakes that flash from gold to green to orange.

     Formula: Smooth even coverage with a nice full opacity. Each layer is packed with flakes. Shown 2 coats plus glossy top coat.

     Finish: Dries to a smooth satin finish with a hint of gloss from the flakies. 

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-rich-orange-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-rich-orange-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-rich-orange-polish-with flakies

     Clay Me is the one polish from this collection that I liked better with a glossy finish rather than the matte. While you can still see the depth this polish has it just seemed to lose some of its pizzazz.

Just Deserts

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-tan-nail-polish-with flakies

     Colors: Neutral tan leaning pink with iridescent flakes that flash from silver to pale pink depending on angle and lighting.

     Formula: Just Deserts also has a smooth even application but like the other lighter shades in this collection goes on a bit sheer. It does build up nicely ti full opacity after 2. Shown here is 2 coats plus a glossy top coat.

     Finish: Smooth satin finish with a hint of gloss from the flakes.   

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-tan-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-tan-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-tan-nail-polish-with flakies
  
     Just Deserts is a very neutral polish that seems to deaden with the addition of a matte top coat. I felt like I had mannequin hands while wearing it. And interestingly enough my mom said that this was the kind of shade people use to wear when they wanted their nails to appear longer. Sadly I didn't see the illusion of my nubbins looking any longer.

Desert Reign

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-soft-rose-nail-polish-with flakies

     Color: Soft rose polish with iridescent flakies that flash from silver to gold to pink with subtle hints of blue depending on angle and lighting.

     Formula: Smooth even coverage but this one seemed slightly thinner that the rest of the collection. Even with the thinner formula this polish is highly pigmented and had a nice opacity. Shown here is 2 coats plus a glossy top coat.

     Finish: Dries to a smooth satin finish with hints of gloss from the flakes.

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-soft-rose-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-soft-rose-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-soft-rose-nail-polish-with flakies

     Desert Reign is probably my second favorite polish in this collection. I like the muted shade. It seems to qualify as a neutral but also has some character to it. I can see myself wearing this on both my fingers and toes.

Better Sedona-Ed

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-light-blue-nail-polish-with flakies

     Color: Pale blue with iridescent flakes that flash from silver to purple to powder blue.

     Formula: The sheerest of the collection Better Sedona-ed has a nice even application. Some slight VNL can be seen even after 2 coats depending on the angle of your nail. Shown here is 2 coats plus a glossy top coat.

     Finish: Dries to a smooth satin finish with hints of gloss from the flakes.

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-light-blue-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-light-blue-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-light-blue-nail-polish-with flakies

     Better Sedona-Ed is such a pale shade of blue that the addition of a matte top coat doesn't do it any favors. Sure you can see all the flakies and some depth to the polish but I feel it almost washes it out. You will get a stronger silver flash however with saves this polish from being my absolute least favorite from the collection.

Gotta Terra Cotta

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-mauve-nail-polish-with flakies

     Color: Mauve polish with iridescent flakes that flash from blue to green to purple to gold depending on the angle and lighting.

     Formula: Smooth even application with a high opacity. This is another polish in the collection that could possibly be a 1 coater. Shown here is 2 coats plus a glossy top coat.

     Finish: Smooth satin finish with a hint of gloss from the flakes.

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-mauve-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-mauve-nail-polish-with flakies

Desert-divas-collection-spring-2017-mauve-nail-polish-with flakies

     With a name like Gotta Terra Cotta, I expected this color to be on the orange or coral side so I don't feel like the name fits but I do love the color. The flakies in this one seemed to have to most color shift. I also like that it's not so dark I'd consider it a vampy shade but it's still a darker shade that looks grat on shorter nails.

 

     And just in case you were wondering, yes this collection will water marble. Sadly they become very sheer and you end up with an almost pastel looking marble. Which is still pretty but I was hoping for something a bit bolder.

     Sinful Colors Nail Polishes are 3-free, made in the U.S.A and can be purchased at the following retailers: AFFES, Albertsons, Bartell Drug, Bed Bath & Beyond, Big Lots, Fred Meyer, Hannaford, Harmon Face Values, Harris Teeter, HEB, Hi-School Pharmacy, Hy-Vee, Ingles Markets, Kroger, Meijer, Pricemart, Safeway, Save Mart, Spartan Nash, SuperValu, Target, Tops, Wakefern, Walgreens and Wegmans. They retail between $1.99 to $2.99.

     Overall thoughts on this collection are pretty positive. Each polish applied with ease and was self-leveling if you got a heavy hand during application. I expected to have a little texture once the polished dried because they are so packed with flakes. Every single flake laid completely flat on the nail giving a smooth finish. Desert Reign has a slightly thinner formula but was still easy to work with and I had no worries about flooding my cuticles. My Favorites from this collection are Namaste the Night, Tealing Power, Thera-Pewter and Gotta Terra Cotta. Not to take anything away from the other color because they are nice neutrals that will make great backgrounds for nail art, but they are a bit blah for my taste. Which ones are you favorite and will you be picking up any from this collection? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Polishing!

   


Saturday, February 18, 2017

12:13 PM

Where have I been and the Future of Lustrous Lacquer


     It's been pretty quiet on my blog so far this year and that makes me quite sad. Like most people, I start out this year full of enthusiasm and lofty goals. I was ready to buckle down and really focus on my blog this year and then well life happened. But unlike when most people say life happens, things have been awesome, they've just kept me away from blogging. I decided it was time to end my silence, not only because people deserve to know what's going on but also because I missed blogging. So for today's post, I'm going to catch up on some Christmas nail art looks that never got posted and explain what's been going on lately.

     For starters, you might remember my post about Never Mind Polish Hedaphillia, in that post I talked about waiting for a proposal. Well just before Christmas he asked! We were at an ugly Christmas sweater party and I'd done my nails for the occasion.



     
     I call these my ugly patchwork nails. The nail art is free handed on my stamping mat so that I could apply them like decals. Sadly in all the confusion here packing I have misplaced my notes and I don't remember what polishes I used to create this look. I do know that the Kleancolor is Bite Me and it is a stainer!



     Speaking of packing I am in the process of buying a house. We were supposed to have closed by now and moving in but our closing date has been pushed back. I actually don't have a firm closing date right now so I'm in home buying limbo. I was so excited to move that I've packed up most of my polish things. But on the plus side, the new house has a room that I can use as my polish haven! I'm so excited to have space for everything and be able to leave things out if I'm not done with them. Right now my helmers reside off to the side in my little kitchen area with the nail art supplies piled on top. I have to paint my nails using our chest freezer as my table, and it's not the most comfortable or convenient place to work.

     Don't worry I plan on doing a series of posts about how I get my polish room set up as well as sharing pictures of my stash. I know how much I like seeing other people's collections and spaces and figured I'm probably not the only one.

     Another manicure I haven't shared yet was the one I wore for New Years. I've been enamored with the geometric manicures people have been doing so I did a twist on those. Nothing too fancy, but I liked how it turned out.



     This simple french twist was done with Pirate Princess Polish Looking for Booty, my black striper and Hit the Bottle As Black as Night. The image is from Plate UR Beautiful 18.

     Pirate Princess Polish to me is a relatively unknown polish maker that I stumbled upon during my black Friday shopping spree. As you can guess by the name all of her polishes have a pirate, or nautical theme to them. Looking for Booty is part of the Gone Plunderin' collection and it a gorgeous gold glitter. My only complaint is that there is so much glitter packed in there that it had a gritty consistency which made getting a nice line for the french manicure a tedious task. It also was a top coat hungry polish and required 2 thick layers to get a smooth finish.





     Well that's about all I needed to catch everyone up on. I'm still around, but busy moving and planing a wedding so my posting schedule is a bit sporadic right now. I've got a few manageable goals set for this year which include continuing with my dupes posts and my stamping comparison series. I have started swatching my entire collection on swatch sticks, which if you're thinking about doing this I highly recommend starting before your collection reaches 1500. I do have a few polishes swatched that haven't made it to the blog yet so there are a few posts in the near future along with some Sinful polishes that I just picked up to blog about while I move and get things set up. So stick around because fun things are in store for this year, I'm just off to a very very slow start. Thanks for stopping by and sticking around. Happy Polishing!

Thursday, February 16, 2017

6:00 AM

Triple Treat at Girly Bits Cosmetics this Friday (2/17/2017)

*Press Release* 


We are excited to announce the launch of so many beautiful shades coming this Friday (February 17th) at 12noon EST.

Up first, introducing...
The Warrior Goddess Collection
The Warrior Goddess Collection is a set of six dusty cremes inspired by the strength of women. Each has a smooth easy application and dries to a smooth glossy finish.
Swatches courtesy of Nail Experiments
Love Yourself First is a dusty pink crème. Opaque in two coats.
$15.00CAD
Ambition is a dusty light hunter green crème. Opaque in two coats. May be opaque in one for some.
$15.00CAD
Denim & Diamonds is a dusty medium-dark denim blue. Opaque in two coats. May be opaque in one for some.
$15.00CAD
Beautiful Soul is a dusty lilac crème. Opaque in two coats. May be opaque in one coat for some.
$15.00CAD
Yes, We Can! is a medium neutral taupe.
$15.00CAD
Irreplaceable is a neutral light stone greige crème. On some skin tones it will show a very pale sage undertone. Opaque in two coats.
$15.00CAD
Want the entire Warrior Goddess Collection?

Shop Early and Save!

Purchase the entire collection before Friday, March 3rd at 11:59 pm EST and save $1.00 per bottle.
(Regular price $90.00CAD - PROMO Price $84.00CAD)

DON'T FORGET...ORDERS OVER $80CAD SHIP FOR FREE WITHIN CANADA, AND ORDERS OVER $90CAD SHIP FOR FREE TO THE US! NO COUPON CODE NECESSARY.
Sometimes polish companies release collections that are similar. Very similar. And sometimes they compliment each other so perfectly, it's like fate intervened.

This is how Pam from Paint Box Polish and I felt when we shared photos of our next collections. The next collection from Paint Box Polish is called All You Need Is, and it is about restoring calm in the face of a world that has been ever so harsh lately.
Girly Bits’ next collection, called The Warrior Goddess collection, is about celebrating strength in women.
We each took cues from the world around us and created celebratory collections that compliment each other beautifully. Pam and I decided to create a promotion in the spirit of our respective collections.

The first 10 people to buy the complete 6-piece Warrior Goddess collection will get a free bottle of Paint Box Polish ‘Peace’, and the first 10 people to buy the complete 5-piece All You Need Is collection will get a free bottle of Girly Bits ‘Beautiful Soul’.
The Warrior Goddess will be available at girlybitscosmetics.com on February 17th. All You Need Is will be available atpaintboxpolish.com on February 18th at noon EST."
Up next, you asked and here they are...
Girly Bits Cosmetics Shop Exclusives by Native War Paints
Swatches courtesy of Del.ish.ious Nails
Pegasus Wings is a magenta crelly with glowing blue shimmer. Opaque in two coats.
$13.75CAD
Altostratus is a medium grey crelly base with strong turquoise green shimmer and holo sparkle. Opaque in two coats.
$15.00CAD
We will also be launching the following Native War Paints collections:
Denim (Fall 2016) Collection
...and last but not least...
Life of a Cowgirl Trio by Moo Moo's Signatures
Swatches courtesy of Cosmetic Sanctuary
Chasing Tumbling Tumbleweeds is a bronze holo with copper to green shimmer with tiny light bronze flakies.
$$$CAD
Singing a Texas Lullaby is an acai berry holo with copper to gold shimmer, tiny gold, purple and blue flakies.
$$$CAD
Cowgirl's Broken Time Machine is a teal holo with soft pink to green shimmer, pink holo hexes and squares, violet holo hexes, black hexes, gold holo glitters, tiny purple and blue flakies, caramel hexes and gold flakies.
$$$CAD
Just a note that the Native War Paints Shop Exclusive and the Moo Moo's Signatures Life of a Cowgirl Trio will be limited to what we currently have in stock. We can restock if needed.

Don't miss out on these beauties! Set your alarms NOW!


Happy Shopping!
Join in the fun that is the Girly Bits Polish Lovers
Facebook group!

Join Now!
Get sneak peeks at upcoming releases, access to exclusive giveaways and much more!
Girly Bits ships worldwide and offers FREE shipping for orders that total $80CAD or more shipped within Canada or $90CAD being shipped to the US (approx $70 USD), as well as shipping discounts on over seas orders.

We also have monthly group buys in the Girly Bits Facebook group which ship from the US, so if you want to grab just a bottle or two, join in the next group buy and save!!
*'In Stock Reminders' are available on individual product listings only. If your must-have bundle is out of stock simply look for the message on the listing that says which item is out of stock and sign up for a reminder on that products listing to be notified when it is back.

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