Thursday, August 28, 2014

Throwback Thursday: China Glaze Bend Over Backwards

*Thanks for hanging in there with me the past 2-3 weeks. I've been really struggling with depression and anxiety with my cat's sudden illness. Thankfully, things I *think* are looking up for now, so I'm looking forward to blogging again. I appreciate everyones support, prayers, and encouragement.*

The fall bug has hit me. I'd say starting last week I was officially over summer and ready for fall scents, colors, and weather. I won't be getting fall weather anytime soon, but scents and colors I can manage. I broke out this older China Glaze glowing beauty to help get me in the fall spirit.

Bend Over Backwards
Bend Over Backwards is a warm intense red-orange shimmer.

Collection: Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away--Late Fall 2012

Color: This is one of those fiery lit from within polishes. This color absolutely glows on your nails. I love the intensity of this red-orange shade.

Formula: Beautiful buttery 2 coat formula.

Price: You can get this on various e-tailers online in the $4-$7 range.

Overall: Gorgeous shimmery shade. Shimmers are something I feel are finishes we put away in spring and summer, but I miss a great shimmer! The color is rich, intense, and glowy!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Thursday!

Monday, August 25, 2014

Zoya Rocha

I think we all have a nail polish color that just never seems to work for us. I always thought my only color was green. Thankfully, I've found some awesome greens on me. Recently, I realized that the color orange is definitely not my color. My first reaction when I put orange on and look at my nails is "ick!" 

However, like green, there is an occasional orange that I think suits me well. I found that with Zoya Rocha. 

Rocha
Rocha is a bright red-toned orange with a very subtle shimmer.

Color: In all fairness, this is more of a red-orange than a straight up orange. That being said, I'll take it! The brightness and the added red really make this shade very flattering and wearable for more. This color isn't neon, but it really pops on your nails. 

Formula: Nice, 2 coat formula. What is weird is this has a very very faint shimmer in this. I could not pick this up on my nail at all, but the camera picks it up.

Price: This is $9 on the Zoya website

Overall: Gorgeous fresh orangey color! I love the vibrancy and how flattering it is. The formula is nice and I don't have any complaints!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Monday! 

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Mini Hiatus

I think this is the first time I've ever taken a hiatus from Imperfectly Painted.

Those of you who have followed me on Facebook and Instagram have known that my cat had been very sick last week. She had major surgery on her bladder to resolve a blockage. She came home yesterday, and all seems OK so far, but she is going to need a couple of days of keeping an eye on her while she recovers.

My dad is also coming into town today for a visit through Saturday. He had planned this visit 2 months ago, but the timing has worked out well. I don't have family here, and while my boyfriend has been great support, I really needed some family around during this rough time too.

So, I'll be spending the next week relaxing, sleeping (which I haven't done much off at all in a week!), helping my kitty, and spending time with my dad.

I plan on being back next week if all is OK. It's unlike me not to blog, since I love it, but my energy has been completely expended else where. I'll be around social media though hopefully!

Have a great week!


Friday, August 15, 2014

Milani Color Statement Lacquers- Greens

* I received the following products in exchange for my honest review.

I have the green shades of the new permanent Milani Color Statement lacquers to show you today.

The past 2 weeks I have posted the blues and the pinks, so be sure to check those out if you haven't yet.

As the past few times, I will doing one finger swatches in order to save time. I have more shade families of this line to show you over the coming weeks!

Mint Crush
 Mint Crush is a pale mint creme.

Tattle Teal
Tattle Teal is a medium teal creme.

Silhouette 
Silhouette is a dusty sage with a very subtle shimmer.

Color: Beautiful saturated colors. Mint Crush and Tattle Teal are not very original, but if you don't have colors like this in your stash already, these might be nice to add. Silhouette is a stand out shade to me. I rarely see a green like this in drugstore brands. I also adore this color!

Formula: Tattle Teal and Silhouette had excellent and easy to use 2 coat formulas. Mint Crush like the other pastels I've reviewed in this line was trickier to apply. I found it a bit streaky and hard to level.

Price: These can be found at CVS or the Milani website for $3.99 each.

Overall: Nice selection of green shades. Silhouette is beautiful color, and not something I typically would see offered in a drugstore brand. I highly recommend Silhouette. Tattle Teal is a great standard teal color, and I'd recommend it if you don't have a teal like it in your collection. Mint Crush, beautiful color, but a tricky formula. I would say you could probably find a similar color with a better formula in another brand.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Friday!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle

Deborah Lippmann is a not a brand I frequent, for what I think are obvious reasons. $16-$20 on one bottle of nail polish is pretty darn exorbitant at least for me. Deborah Lippmann has become a birthday and special occasion only brand for me, when I feel like I can justify on the splurge. A past birthday treat of mine happened to be a bottle of Razzle Dazzle, and it had remained a favorite polish in my entire collection.

Razzle Dazzle 
Razzle Dazzle is a blackened raspberry jelly base with raspberry fine glitter.

Collection: All That Jazz Fall 2010

Color: You cannot go wrong with this color. This color is glitzy, rich, sexy, and beautiful. Everyone needs a color like this in their stash. Hot!

Formula: A very nice formula here. I used 2 thick coats above.

Price: This used to be $18, but DL prices have been raised and it's now $20 -gulp-. If you search this, you will find this on a few retailers for that price. If you're looking for an cheaper alternative, I'd recommend Essie Toggle on Top, which is significantly lower priced. You can find a comparison on The PolishAholic. They're not exact dupes, but close enough!

Overall: Stunningly beautiful color. I bought this way before Essie Toggle on Top was in existence, so I'm happy to have it in my collection. The price is definitely hard to swallow, so you won't offend me if you go for the Essie!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Way-Cool Mani Wednesday: Indigo Jewels

I'm gearing up for fall. I'm still sporting summer manis, but fall is creeping it's way into my manicure repertoire. Here is my current mani were I ease into fall with some jewel tones. 

Polishes Used: Revlon Indigo Night and OPI Sparkle-icious

Happy Wednesday! 

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

OPI Do You Have This Color in Stock-holm?

I have to admit 2014, has been a big flop for me as far has mainstream brand collections so far. Spring and summer I can count on both hands the number of new mainstream polishes I bought. Drugstore polishes and indies are a different story.

Now, we're on to fall collections being released. Mainstream brand fall collections rarely wow me. I find a majority of them to be the same variations of dusty neutrals or vampy jewel tones. This year is a bit different. Sure, every mainstream collection has its predictable colors, but I'm finding some stars in mainstream fall collections this year. I've bought more mainstream brand nail polish the past week than I have so far in all of 2014! Clearly, I'm into it!

I have star shade from OPI's Nordic fall collection to share with you today.

Do You Have This Color In Stock-holm?
Do You Have This Color in Stock-holm? is a bright saturated blue-toned violet creme.

Color: You know blurples? Well, I'd call this a purblue (I am horrid at names). This is more purple than it's blue, whereas blurples are more blue than purple. This color is divine! I do not own a nail polish that is this shade. Cremes in a lot of cases can be dupey, but this is original. This color is striking!

Formula: I was worried at first with this formula. The first coat applied sheer and watery, but the second coat was perfect. I only used 2 coats above. This was a fake-out formula in a good way!

Price: I got this for $8.50 at Sally Beauty Supply with my Sally's card. I believe other places it will be $9.50.

Overall: Incredible standout color! This is a must have in my book. Formula was great. Good going OPI!

My Rating 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Tuesday!

Monday, August 11, 2014

Zoya Binx

I've hit that part of the summer where I'm wavering on whether or not I'd still like it to be summer or if I'm ready for fall. As far as weather goes, definitely ready for fall. As far as nail polish and makeup go, I'm still enjoying the summer colors and trends, but I'm starting to itch for fall shades.

Since I still have tons of summer polish to review,  I'll keep it summer for a bit on the blog, and throw a bit of fall in on occasion. Today, will be a summer day with a Zoya from their recent summer Bubbly collection

Binx

Binx over L'Oreal Flashing Lilac
Binx is a medium sheer rose base full of iridescent sparkle.

Color: Zoya is calling Binx and orchid shade and puts in the purple family. I'm sorry Zoya, but this is pink, it does have the teeniest hint of purple to this color, but it's pink. I do feel their promo picture were misleading too, as they made Binx look more purple. Taht being said, I love the rosy pink shade Binx really is. It is definitely a shade that would flatter most.

Formula: The formula was easy to use. I used 3 coats above. This is sheer, but buildable. I like the look of it own it's own, but I wanted to show you how it looked layered too. They're beautiful both ways, and I would definitely sport both looks!

Price: This is $9.00 on the Zoya website.

Overall: Binx is beautiful, despite the color family mix up. The iridescent sparkle is incredible in this polish. They call it holographic, it's iridescent in my book. The formula is great, and I love how you can wear it on its own or layered. Options are nice.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Monday!

Friday, August 8, 2014

Milani Color Statement Lacquers- Pinks

*I received the following products in exchange for my honest review. 

I introduced you to the blue portion of the Milani Color Statement lacquers last week, and I have the pinks for you this week.

This line features 37 lacquers, and part of the permanent line as of now. As mentioned before, I will be doing one finger swatches of these polishes in effort to save time, and so I am able to show you them in shorter amount of time.

Doll Face
Doll Face is a cool-toned pastel pink creme.

Bombshell
Bombshell is a warm-toned light bubblegum pink creme.

Hot Pink Rage
Hot Pink Rage is bright magenta pink creme.

Colors: A nice range of standard colors. These are not original colors, but they're great basic colors to have in your nail polish collection if do not have any like them.

Formula: Bombshell and Hot Pink Range both had creamy and easy to apply 2 coat formulas. Doll Face was a tricky and streaky formula, that did not want to self level entirely.

Price: These can be found at CVS or the Milani website for $3.99 each.

Overall: There are some nice pink options here. If you're looking for shades like this, you will like Bombshell and Hot Pink Rage. Doll Face is a nice color, but I think there might be similar colors out there with a nicer formula.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Friday!

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Cult Nails My Kind of Cool Aid

A major nail trend a few years back were the "greige" (gray-beige), taupes, and "gravender" (gray-lavender) shades. These are an excellent and chic play on neutral tones. They're far more interesting than your traditional nude or sheer pink shades, but provide the same put-together classic look. Ever since this trend, these types of colors have become and remained mainstream.

My problem is these types of shades are incredibly tricky on my skin tone. I have a lot of pink and red tones in my skin, and those taupe and beige colors make my hands look very ruddy and dirty. I have always struggled to pull of these colors, and there are very few I have found that play nicely with me, much less look good on me.

There really is only one color in this color family I've found that works for me, and looks awesome. That color is Cult Nails' My Kind of Cool Aid. If I'm craving a sophisticated and trendy neutral, I won't reach for any other color than this one.

My Kind of Cool Aid
 My Kind of Cool Aid is a muted grayed out lavender with a subtle shimmer.

Collection: Inaugural Collection Spring 2011. This was the very first Cult Nails nail polish released.

Color: What saves this color for me is that it leans toward the purple side. This is still very much a neutral color, and doesn't read as purple on your nails. The shimmer is an added beautiful touch. This is the kind of color, when you look at your nails, give you a boost of confidence. I look at my nails and think "I'm a classy lady!". I know I'm a strange one sometimes.

Formula: Excellent, smooth, and easy to apply to coat formula.

Price: This is $12 on the Cult Nails website. BUT! If you want this, order this TODAY! All regularly priced lacquers are 40% off through today using the code THEBIG40.

Overall: Perfect neutral nail polish. Excellent color, and excellent formula. If you're someone like me who struggles with these types of shades on your skin tone, give this one a try. I highly recommend My Kind of Cool Aid.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Way-Cool Mani Wednesday: Pastel Blue & Pastel Glitter

I decided to go monochromatic with my mani this week. The past few weeks I've been spicing it up with complimentary colors and sometimes out there color combinations.  How about some blue on blue?

I really like this look I created, it's very simple and sweet. Sometimes those are the best!


Polishes Used: Sally Hansen Wet Suit and Nails Inc. Hammersmith

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

L'Oreal Flashing Lilac

I have another drugstore summer neon polish for you. This is one from the L'Oreal Limited Edition neons collection. Many of these colors in this collection seemed rather "been there, done that", but the purple shade Flashing Lilac stood out me as something perhaps a bit different. Let's dive in, shall we?

Flashing Lilac
Flashing Lilac is a bright orchid crelly.

Color: I would not call this a lilac at all. This looks to me like a bright orchid. This isn't neon either, but it's a nice bright shade. That being said, I adore this color! I've found in nail polish, bright purples like this sometimes read more pink on the nails. This purple in the bottle and on your nails. This doesn't read as pink. Yes, it's a pink-toned purple, but you wouldn't mistake this for pink at all. Love this color!

Formula: Excellent 2 coat formula. This applied evenly and smoothly. I say this a crelly because it does have a bit of  that "squishy" look to it, but I'd say this is definitely 90% creme and 10% jelly.

Price: I found this in the $5-$6 range at Walgreens. This is limited edition, so if you're interested, go on the lookout now!

Overall: I love Flashing Lilac. The color, formula, and price are all on point. It ticks every box I can think of, and it's been added as a contender for my Top 25 of 2014. If you love purple shades this is a must have.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Tuesday!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Sally Hansen Wet Suit

The drugstore really has been coming out with nice stuff lately? These summer pastel bright trend has really been up my alley. Sally Hansen decided to pick up on this trend and create their own array of colors in the Electric Summer collection. This was introduced in their Xtreme Wear line. I have one of those shades to share with you today.

Wet Suit
 Wet Suit is a sky blue creme.

Color: This was one of two colors I picked up out of this collection. What I liked about this shade is just a teeny bit muted. It is a brighter color, but it has softness to it as well. I love this shade a blue. I'm betting there are similar colors out there though.

Formula: Someone forewarned me when I purchased these that they were not a fan of the formula. When I started applying this I had no idea what they were talking about. The first few nails, this applied so nicely. This changed the more I used this formula. The formula became goopy and tacky. This made it difficult for the polish to dry between coats, and caused self leveling issues. I did add a few drop of thinner in between uses. This helped, but what a strange, fake out formula. I was ready to talk about how awesome the formula was, and it let me down. I'm *thinking* maybe too much exposure to air changed it? I don't mean letting it sit out with the cap off either. I just mean in the time frame of using it to paint my nails.

Price: I found this in the $2-$3 range at CVS. This collection is limited edition, so if you're interested go on the hunt for it now.

Overall: I really loved this shade of blue, but that was overshadowed by its baffling formula. I don't get it. This didn't turn this into a terrible polish at all, but it definitely was a let down.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Monday!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Milani Color Statement Lacquer- Blues

*I received the following products in exchange for my honest review.

Milani's has released a new Color Statement line of polish. This line consists of 37 nail lacquers! The line features everything from cremes, glitters, shimmers, metallics, and sheers and all in a wide range of colors.

In an effort save time since this collection is so large, I will be breaking up this collection by color families over the next several weeks, and doing one finger swatches.

I have the blue shades to share with you today!

Ink Spot
Ink Spot is blackened navy creme.

Water Front
Water Front is a bright aqua blue creme.

Blue Print
Blue Print is a bright cobalt blue creme.

Peri-wink
Peri-wink is a pale periwinkle blue shimmer.

Colors: These are staple nail polish colors. What I mean by that is these are not necessarily original shades at all, but they're definite foundation colors for your nail polish stash. The colors are saturated, and if you don't have color like any of these in your collection, I'd recommend snagging one of these.

Formula: Ink Spot, Water Front, and Blue Print were all easy to use 2 coat formulas. A word of warning, Water Front is stainer, so beware! Peri-wink was a weird formula for me. I found it to be a streaky, tacky, and not very self leveling. It wasn't the worst formula ever, but it did test my patience. The shimmer in Peri-wink is non-existent on the nail.

Price: These can be found at CVS or the Milani website for $3.99 each.

Overall: Really nice range of blue shades. Again, not original, but must have colors in your stash if you don't have them already. I loved the formulas on 3 out of the 4, and they're at an awesome low price.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Friday!