Rudolph Nails! + It's George's Birthday!

I actually wasn't going to post today because I assumed George would.  But it's after 10pm and I know she's working.  So I doubt she'll post tonight.

Anyways you should all wish her a Happy Birthday!

Speaking of birthdays these nails are actually almost a year old.  I did them last Christmas.  And I just never posted them till now.  I used mostly Lippmann's Razzle Dazzle, as well as Sally Hansen's Gilty Pleasures, Essie's Fishnet Stockings, OPI's Over The Taupe and Suzi Loves Cowboys.  I assume I used OPI's Black Onyx for the eyes.  I'm not sure what the white or the pink is.

And just an FYI the tips aren't tip wear.  It's shrinkage.  The Lippmann's I have NEED to be wrapped around the tips.  This photo was taken not long after I did the manicure.

Find out our giveaway winner tomorrow!

Deborah Lippmann - Razzle Dazzle: This might be my shortest post ever.

Gorgeous red glitter in a raspberry base.  Went on in 2 easy coats.  Tip wear within began within the first 24 hours.  Bummer.

In other news who's ready for a giveaway?!

 Look at how she sparkles.

Ooooh, Almost Paradise...

So if you read my first few posts here, you know that Kas and I aren't really fans of Deborah Lippmann polishes due to their propensity to... How do I put it?  Chip like CRAZY.  Well, I decided to give her another chance.

So I love Footloose.  I am not ashamed to admit it.  I love the original movie, I love the musical, and damnit... I enjoyed the remake kinda sorta.  Not as much as the original, but you know what?  Stop hating on it, Footloose lovers, it was fun and I loved the newer takes on all the music!  Absolutely adored the new versions of Holding Out For A Hero, Footloose, and... Almost Paradise.

So when I saw that Deborah Lippmann was doing a footloose collection, I'll admit I was tempted.  But then I realised that the only one that I really liked was Almost Paradise.  But... With that Lippmann formula and crazy price tag, I didn't bite.

But then.... Someone emailed me to swap, and right there on their list, there it was!  I bit, they bit and now I own this lovely, perfect pistachio green polish.  I am in love, for real.  It's so flattering on me, I can't believe it.

It's been on for nearly 24 hours and nary a chip.. Won't be able to do a wear test, but we'll see!

This is three thin coats(two thicker coats would be okay) with Zoya Armor and seche vite(because BUBBLING HOLY HELL), Photos taken in natural light in the shade.

How many coats of polish do you think this took???

5?  10?  15?  30?  If you guess those you were wrong.  Actually if you guessed anything that wasn't 53 you were wrong.  Yes that is 53 coats of polish (and would the base coat sort of count as 54?)

I was seriously bored, schoolwork was done, it was too late to go out and start anything so I had nothing better to do with my time than to do this.  To be honest I had actually thought of trying this before.  Just layering as much polish as I could just for the heck of it.

 

What I'm trying to say is if you have a dream.  Just go for it.

                                     

Most useful post ever.  You're welcome.

Don't worry real posts coming soon.

ETA:  This took over 2 hours to do and I actually stopped because the polish started to make me feel ill.  I had it on for just over 3 hours and it was super easy to remove because it NEVER dried.  I used a tissue to take most of it off.  And there's everything from creams to full on chunky glitters in there.

Deborah Lippmann Lady Sings The Blues

Lady Sings the Blues is a deep navy blue jelly filled with small silver glitter and large hexagonal glitter. Application was 2 easy coats. Needs topcoat, drys semi matte.

Kas: Now this is one of the  2 DL polishes I own.  Which I bought at the same time.  And I can say as pretty as the colours are I don't think I'll be getting anymore.  First off I don't know how to describe it but it smells different in a weird way from all the other polishes I own.  And the smell lingers even after it's dry.  Also the pictures are a tad deceiving the glitter is no where near as visible as in the photos.  Flash bring out all the glitter.  Finally I find DL polishes have HORRIBLE wear time (24 hours).  And for the money they cost, they are not worth it.  I shouldn't have to make a polish a special occasion polish because of wear time.   Maybe in the future I'll give DL another go because she does have other VERY pretty, and unique polishes. But for now I'd rather not waste my money on a one night wonder. I mean you wouldn't pay full price for a BMW with a Pinto engine? Blerg... I always feel bad after writing stuff like this. :/

George: Another of your expensive pretties. I like this one, but to be honest it's not a favourite. I love the jelly texture and the way it can appear almost purple in some lights, but the sequins are the part that disappoint me. I wish there were more variety, even more colours. This could've been great if there were maybe an extra size/shape of glitter, and maybe if there were blue glitters instead of just silver. Just more to catch the eye. As it is, this one is pretty, but it doesn't make me want to jump up and buy it, and to be frank, at this price point, that's what I need to feel. No comment on wear time.

 Kas

 Geoege

Deborah Lippmann - Mermaid's Dream

So I have complicated feelings regarding Deborah Lippmann polishes.  I love the unique colours she comes up with but I hate that no matter what, they chip within 24 hours of application.  Thick coats, thin coats, different base and top coats, nothing helps, and I am not about to buy her base and top coats just to see if they improve the wear.

BUT THEN she comes out with a colour like Mermaid's Dream, that I am drooling over even from the promo pictures, and I vacillate between my hate for the wear and my need for awesome polishes.  The last time this happened, it was over Stairway to Heaven, this time, it was Mermaid's Dream.  Luckily, the mall I work at has a Holt Renfrew, so I stalked them until they got it in.

The good: The colour is even more stunning in person.  The blue and gold glitter really pop from the teal foil-y base, and seem to glow in almost any light.  It's truly stunning, and photos do it absolutely no justice.

The formula was great.  Application was easy and dry time was fast.  No dragging at all and no flooding of the cuticles.

The bad: Say it with me!  THE WEAR TIME.  I've had it on for 22hours now, and both my index fingers feature large and prominent chips.  I thought about touching up for the photos, but after less than a day's wear, I shouldn't have any chips TO touch up, so I let them as they are.

Also, it eats top coat.  Still a tad bumpy after two solid coats of Essie Good To Go.

SO it looks like, as with my other Lippmann polishes, this one will be put on reserve for special occasions only, where a manicure only has to last one night.  It's gorgeous, but I just really, really wish the wear time were better.

Let's let the pictures do the talking(Three under the cut):

Maybe 2 hours post-application.