Zoya Gaia

Zoya Gaia is a color I picked up from the recent promotional sale.  It is a beautiful soft white with gold shimmer and I really like it.  That said, it was streaky on application and it took 4 (!) coats to reach this opacity and evenness.  But it was easy to control, and the end result is gorgeous.  The golden shimmer really shows in the sun, but even in indirect light you can see a pearly glow that just gives it a lot of softness.  Enjoy -     >^..^<

Revlon Autumn Spice

Revlon Autumn Spice is part of the recent Parfumerie collection.  It is a brown shimmer with dense golden  shimmer, and has a subtle woodsy, sweet but spicy scent to it - it's ok, but I don't love it, but I don't mind it either.  And I can still smell it 18 hours after I applied it.  The formula was nice and easy to control, smooth and streakless, and built to full opacity in just 2 coats.  I used a coat of Gelous then Poshe for a nice smooth shiny finish.  It feels like a fall color to me, but it is pretty - love the gold sparkles in the sun!  Enjoy -     >^..^<

OPI In the Cable Car-pool Lane

OPI In the Cable Car-pool Lane is one I've posted about before, but I love it, so you get to see it again.   :)  It is from the San Francisco collection, and is one of the standouts in my opinion.  It is a lovely plum creme, not too light, not too dark, and never looks black.  Application was very nice - good formula, easy to control, covered evenly and with good opacity at just 2 coats.  I happen to really love this color, and I hope you enjoy it too!     >^..^<

SH Glass Slipper over Essie Cocktail Bling

Cocktail Bling is a grey-blue creme that has been out for a few years now, and Glass Slipper is maybe a year old?  I forget.  :)  Application of the Essie was nice - good formula, easy to control, a tad streaky on the first coat, but was completely opaque and even at just 2 coats.  Glass Slipper went on well - I only used one coat and was able to get even distribution of the flakes without any trouble.  I like this combo - kind of subdued, but interesting at the same time.  Has kind of a lacey feel - or maybe snowflakes....  Enjoy!     >^..^<

Lippmann Billionaire

Lippmann Billionaire is a core color that came out just a few years ago.  It is a beautiful deep forest green creme, very similar in color to OPI's Aragon.  The formula was somewhat strange - on the first coat it seemed a but watery, and almost looked like the pigment wasn't completely dissolved as it had a granular appearance to it, but surprisingly on the second coat it covered completely, opaque and even.  It was easy to control around the cuticle, largely due to the nice brush I'm sure.  I haven't worn this one in a while, and even though the sun didn't come out to highlight it's true creamy beauty, you get the idea.  Enjoy -     >^..^<

Zoya Kierra, FP Colorful Dream

Zoya Kierra is a lovely wine shimmer with purple undertones.  It has a subtle flecked shimmer, not a metallic finish as some shimmers do.  It reminds me of an old OPI called Don't Wine... Yukon Do It (Canadian collection, I believe), although I haven't compared them side by side.  Application was average - the formula was a bit thin and slightly streaky, so it took 3 coats to reach an opacity and hue saturation I was happy with, but it was a beautiful result and by no means the worst I've ever dealt with.  I love it in the sun, as the shimmer is just beautiful - not in your face, but rather a sophisticated understated look, while in the shade the shimmer gives it a subtle pearl finish - just lovely.  I really like colors and finishes like this, and I do believe I'll wear it for another day!  Enjoy -     >^..^<

ETA:  Ok it's day 2, and I decided to add one of the new Fingerpaints flakies called Colorful Dream.  I don't consider this a true flakie, but looks more like a shard type that actually lays flat.  But that's neither here nor there.  It's pretty, but maybe I'm not in the mood for a flakie, as I think Kierra looked better on it's own.  Oh well.

FP Purple Pinstripe and FP Vivid Reflection

FP Purple Pinstripe is a lovely dusty purple creme from a few years ago.  It has a very nice formula, creamy and covered well, and the brush helped make it easy to control.  I wore this a while back and wasn't sure about it, and almost purged it, but I decided to give it another try, and I like it more this time around.  I was yearning for a little more after a day, so I tried the new FP Vivid Reflection flakie tc again.  I wore it a few days ago, and it was a bubbly mess, but I think I know what the problem was.  Last time I applied it directly over wet polish, and it bubbled.  This time I applied it next day, over dry polish, and it didn't bubble - go figure.  I like this combo more - I think the flakie shards show up more distinctly over a darker color.  I like this combo!   Enjoy -     >^..^<

Zoya Cassedy

Zoya Cassedy is a beautiful green / silver grey foil.  In some lighting it looks more silver, but most of the time it does look like a very muted green.  Application was great - nice formula that wasn't too thick or thin, easy to control, and built nicely in opacity - I only used 2 coats here, and there are no streaks or cuticle drag.  It's beautiful, and I'm enjoying it today!     >^..^<

OPI My Big Break

OPI My Big Break is from the Hollywood Holiday 2007 collection.  It is a beautiful dusty rose shimmer, with a slight duochrome in the bottle that translates into a mild pink shift on the nail, as it is not a strong duo.  Application was very nice - the formula was smooth, the brush is nice, it was easy to control, and built nicely in opacity.  I haven't worn this one in a while, and was thinking of purging it, but I decided to give it another shot, and I actually enjoyed it!  So what if it's a "grandma" color - I think it's very soothing and yet not boring.  Enjoy -      >^..^<

Fingerpaints Vivid Reflection over Nicole Am I Making Myself Claire?

This mani is an epic fail.  The individual polishes are nice, but when I layered them it developed severe bubbling, to the point where it looked like polka dots.  Ick.  But - the ingredients are there.  Vivid Reflection is one of the brand new flakies released by Fingerpaints, although the name is a bit of a misnomer.  All of the flakies in this collection are very subtle pastels, not obvious and bright like the previous collection was.  They barely show up, even layered over black, although they are beautiful in the bottle.  I'm not sure what the problem was with this combo I used - Claire? or Vivid Reflection - but it did bubble terribly.  So - if you can ignore the bubbles (ha!) you cna get an idea of what it looked like from arm's length in person.      >^..^<

HUGE blog sale!

Hi everyone!  I've updated my blog sale, and I have a LOT of new items.  Please feel free to check it out!  

Catdoc's Blog Sale

Revlon Cherries in the Snow

Revlon Cherries in the Snow is a classic color - it's been in the core line as long as I can remember, and for good reason.  It is a pink-based red creme with a slightly jelly-ish feel, definitely cool in tone, but not a hot pink - I still call it red.  I recently heard pink-based reds referred to as a "mom" color, so I'm not sure if I should be offended!  That said, this was my grandmother's signature color, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.  But I also think it looks modern, chic, and classic - and I like the cooler tone for this time of year, especially as we approach Valentine's Day.  Application was good - nice formula, easy to control, didn't streak, but it did take 3 coats to build to my opacity liking since it does  have a slight jelly quality.  I'm a sucker for red cremes, and this one is beautiful!  Enjoy -     >^..^<

FP Motley over OPI Road House Blues

FP Motley over OPI Road House Blues is a favorite combination of mine.  RHB is the perfect navy, IMO, and the beautiful blue and green flakies in Motley are a stunning compliment.  RHB applied like a dream - great formula, easy to apply, and I only needed 2 coats.  Motley is a gorgeous blue and green flakie in a semi-transparent base, which I noticed has yellowed a bit since I got it, but it doesn't show once it is applied over RHB.  I like these flakies because they actually show up - distinctly and brightly, so there is no doubt what they are.  (I picked up the new FP flakies today, and they are more subtle colors.)  Love this combo!  Enjoy -      >^..^<

ChG Stroll

ChG Stroll is a few years old, originating in the time of good ChG glass flecks.  It is a deep red, almost vampy burgundy jelly, with beautiful gold glass flecks that give it such life and depth!  Application was very good - great formula, nice brush, easy to control, and built nicely in opacity.  I adore this color - always have - so I want to preserve it and don't wear it often.  But today the sun finally came out and I figured it was an occasion to celebrate, and this one looks great in direct light!  If you don't have this one, it's well worth tracking down.  Enjoy -     >^..^<

Essie Power Clutch

Essie Power Clutch is from fall 2011.  It's a deep grey green creme, somewhat dusty and murky looking, and it leans dark but not vampy.  It has a very nice formula - it feels a little thin on the first coat, but is pigmented enough that I only needed 2 coats here for full coverage.  I last wore this one in 2011, and I'm not sure why I haven't worn it since - it's very pretty!  Enjoy -     >^..^<

Marc Jacobs Jezebel

Marc Jacobs Jezebel is another color I got from a friend.  It's a slightly darker mid-tone red creme - but "plain" as it may be, I'll keep it for several reasons: a) it reminds me of my deceased friend, b) it's the namesake of one of my deceased cats, and c) I just love a good red creme!  Application was good - nice formula, easy to control with an adequate brush, and built nicely in opacity.  I used 3 coats here for depth of color and to reduce inevitable thin spots and mild streaking.  It has a slightly matte finish as it dries, so if you want a high gloss finish you'll definitely need a topcoat.  So far wear is good, with no tip wear or chipping.  And the color is beautiful!  Enjoy -     >^..^<

Marc Jacobs Blue Velvet

This is a polish I inherited from a friend.  It is a dark midtone blue that isn't quite navy in the sun, but looks darker in indirect light, but never black.  It has a turquoise green shimmer to it, which reminds me of OPI Yoga-ta Get This Blue, but I haven't compared them side by side.  Application was quite nice - it is highly pigmented, and I could have done just one coat if I really wanted to, but I chose to do two to even out the formula and cover some thin paths.  The formula itself is nice and creamy, applies easily, and I have no complaints about the brush.  I can't say it's terribly unique, but it is pretty!  Enjoy -     >^..^<

ETA:  This stains - more than any blue I've used in a long time.  Talk about Smurf fingers!  But I painted Blue Cross cuticle remover all over my nails and skin where it was blue, and when I used acetone based remover to take it off all the blue disappeared with it!  You should try Blue Cross as remedy for polish residue.   :)

Butter London Marrow

Marrow is a dusty, grey-toned purple creme with silver "hidden" shimmer.  The shimmer is visible in the bottle, but is really only clearly visible in direct sunlight on the nail, although it does have a bit of a pearlescent sheen in indirect light.  Application was ok - the formula is a bit thick, but creamy and easy to control.  I like the brush, so that helps, and I only used 2 coats here for opacity (I see I could have done 3 as I see some of my pics, as there appears to be a few streakier sheer paths in it that I didn't notice in real life).  Overall it's a nice polish - fairly unique in the pairing of the color and the pearlescent shimmer, at least in my collection.  Enjoy -     >^..^<

SpaRitual Drop Dead Gorgeous

This is a beautiful mid-tone berry shimmer I recently picked up.  It has very small and sparse microflecks of sparkle (I hesitate to call it glitter) in it, giving it a bit of interest in the sun.  Application was very nice - the formula was smooth and creamy, applied easily, the brush was desirably designed for me making it easy to control, and built nicely in opacity.  I like a deeper, darker color for richness and depth, so I used 3 coats here to obtain my preferred opacity.  I love shades like this, so it's no surprise this one's a keeper!  Enjoy -     >^..^<

Lippmann Harem Silks From Bombay

Lippmann Harem Silks From Bombay is from the recent satin finish like which also included Red Silk Boxers and a white one whose name escapes me.  This is a full coverage, rapidly drying polish - you have to work really fast, and I still got some streaks and bald spots, so I used a second, rapidly applied coat to even it all out.  It dries pretty fast - I didn't use a topcoat at first, then added one the next day.  It has a nice satiny matte deep eggplant finish with pink shimmer that is seen more as a glow in the matte version, but OMG look at what happens when you add topcoat!  Holy cow.  This is probably the most stunning thing I've seen in a long time.  The sparkles just come alive - so small and shiny, almost like Clarins 230 or Max Factor Fantasy Fire but without the duochrome effect.  Seriously - you need this one.  Enjoy -     >^..^<

China Glaze Ruby Pumps

Well this one is a classic - China Glaze Ruby Pumps.  It is a gorgeous red glitter in a red jelly base, and it is marvelous.  It took 3 coats for opacity to my liking, and it starts off a bit on the pink side and sheer.  Unfortunately the sun didn't come out as predicted, so the pics are a little disappointing, but I'm sure you all know what this one really looks like.  Enjoy -     >^..^<