Monday, September 18, 2017

I, A.M....Custom Color Cosmetics: Hawaiian Fall 2017

Press Sample

Greetings, dear readers, and happy Monday! It feels great to be back writing on the blog after a much needed break away last week! I kept telling myself to cut back on my posting schedule, but it just wasn't happening. I wasn't planning on a break quite yet, but I was sick and not getting better. After forcing myself to step away and get rest when I could, I'm finally doing so much better! Now to cut out the chit chat and jump in on today's post!

I, A.M....Custom Color Cosmetics has been taking us on a journey throughout the year with a Travelogue Series, and the series continues with a trip to the Hawaiian Islands for the fall. I've had the pleasure of visiting the islands a few times, and I was delighted to see them as the inspiration for the upcoming collection! There are six polishes in this collection; let's jump in and check them out!

Kīlauea: Dancer in the Dark

This is a blackened red shifting shimmer with UCC flakies. Kīlauea is a giant almost constantly erupting volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. The views at night create a fantastic scene and are the inspiration for this polish!

One of my favorite stops on the Hawaiian Islands is Volcanoes National Park, and a collection inspired by the islands couldn't be complete without a shade inspired by Kīlauea! It is a beautiful site to behold no matter what time of day, but there is certainly a special mystique to the volcano at night. I adore this polish, and it is one of my favorites from the collection. The formula is a little on the thicker side, but I still found it easy to apply to my nails. I have it shown here with two coats plus top coat. It is densely pigmented, and those who paint with thicker coats may find they only need one coat for opacity.

I was really eager to see what Kīlauea: Dancer in the Dark would look like with a matte finish. Check it out below!


On my last trip to the Big Island, the volcano was more active than usual at the Halema'uma'u crater, and we had to go back at night to check it out!


I couldn't get the greatest photo with my cell phone, but you could see where the lava was showing along the brighter spots along the crater rim.

Picking Puka

This soft nude pink with pink shimmers and UCC flakies is a stunner. It was inspired by the Puka shells that Hawaii is famous for, combing the beaches you can find a treasure trove of them!

Picking Puka is such a pretty colour even though it isn't the most flattering against my skin tone. I still quite like it and definitely will be wearing this beauty again! I'm happy to report that the formula of Picking Puka was pleasantly easy to work with as well. The first coat applied a little unevenly, but the second coat evened out my nails perfectly. I also added top coat for these photos.

Rainbow Falls

This gorgeous blue colored flakie topper will be opaque in 2-3 coats but will be fantastic over any color for a unique mani. This has 8 different UCC flakies, 5 different micro and pearl flakies as well as iridescent flakies and glitters making for a unique polish! Inspired by the Rainbow Falls outside of Hilo on the Big Island.

I opted to wear Rainbow Falls by itself rather than layered over a base shade (although I do agree, it would look phenomenal as a topper). The formula is easy to work with and it applied flawlessly to my nails. You do need to take care not to overwork your layers as that will thicken the base and make it harder to work with; it's best to just use more coats for easier application. I have it shown here with three coats plus top coat.


I did have the opportunity to visit Rainbow Falls, and I included a photo of the waterfall above.

Mint Kona Coffee

This is a gorgeous brown holo polish with strong green shimmer and UCC flakies throughout! This was inspired by one of my favorite types of coffee, Kona Coffee. Being fall, mint coffee mochas are totally in season and so the birth of Mint Kona Coffee!

I suspect Mint Kona Coffee is going to have a polarizing effect on viewers: you're either going to love it or dislike it. I'm definitely on Team Love It! Mint Kona Coffee is another favorite of mine from this collection; how perfect is this shade for fall! This polish is a unique addition to my collection and I'm crazy about it! Not too thick or thin, it applied easily to my nails. I have it shown here with two coats plus top coat.


There are several coffee farms that schedule tours to visitors on the islands. My husband is a coffee fanatic, and we naturally had to visit a farm. There is only one lonely almost ripe coffee bean on tree in this photo!

Hula to the Poi

This is a gorgeous cool leaning light purple holo with tons of pink shimmer and pink UCC flakies throughout. Hula is the traditional dance ceremonies of the Hawaiian island chain as well as poi being a food staple. A pudding like consistency made from mashed taro root, it is eaten at most meals and with many different foods. You find both these quintessential Hawaiian treasures at a Luau.

Hula to the Poi makes poi look delicious! It isn't something I particularly enjoy, although I have to say it is pretty tasty when paired with the salty kalua pork! As for the polish, it is a beautiful polish! The only issue I noted is the pink UCC flakies seemed a little sharp and would drag into my polish if I painted with particularly thin coats. Using a slightly thicker coat made application much easier, and I definitely recommend using this approach. I have it shown here with two coats plus top coat.

Aumakua Mano

This is a gorgeous dark grey holo with teal shimmer and UCC flakies throughout. This color was inspired by the Hawaiian mythological tradition of ancestral spirits. Mano is shark in Hawaiian and a very revered and sacred ancestral spirit. Currently sharks are in decline due to shark finning. We need sharks to balance the marine ecosystem not to mention they are gorgeous and majestic creatures. The health of the oceans can be factored by how many sharks there are. Currently, this is poor and humans are to blame! The Hawaiian Islands are home to many varieties of sharks, two of the most misunderstood being Great Whites and the Tiger Shark.

I have been dying for a gorgeous grey polish for the fall, and I am thrilled to see I, A.M....Custom Color Cosmetics deliver with Aumakua Mano! As a fan of marine creatures, particularly sharks, I'm delighted to see these marvelous creatures have such a beautiful polish dedicated to them! Like Kīlauea: Dancer in the Dark, it is densely pigmented and I was *thisclose* to getting away with just using a single coat for opacity. if it weren't for my dreaded pinky! The formula is fabulous, and I have it shown here with two coats plus top coat for these photos.


And this, dear readers, concludes the Hawaiian Fall Collection by I, A.M...Custom Color Cosmetics! The collection has a rather timely release on the Autumnal Equinox- the first day of fall, this Friday, September 22nd! The launch will be at 12am on the I. A.M....Custom Color Cosmetics website located here. The polishes will be available in 0.5oz bottles and will retail for $10 each.

Do you have a favorite shade from the Hawaiian Fall Collection you are eager to pick up? Do you prefer the shimmers or the holos with the UCC flakies? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


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32 comments

  1. Oh my goodness what a beautiful range of colours, I can't see one I wouldn't wear myself though I think I would have to start with Rainbow Falls.

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  2. That red, matted, is gorgeous! Glad you're feeling better!

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  3. Gosh such gorgeous colors! I can't pick a favorite. I especially loved Mint Kona Coffee - totally giving bling bling vibes without being tacky you know what I mean? Love it.

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  4. I love the Dancer in the Dark shade! It's mysterious, beautiful and classy all at the same time, very cool indeed :)

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  5. Hula to the Poi is definitely my fave! that color will be very trendy, they are everywhere during NYFW! www.crayonized.com

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  6. I didnt know this brand was still around. I really like that pale pink!

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  7. These nails are HOT! I really love the sparkles in all the colors. The light pink and the purple are my favorite, I may need to go grab some of these!

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  8. I absolutely LOVE the Dancer in the Dark color. Hope you're feeling better! I'm a blogger too and we all have to step away from the world sometimes for our own good.

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  9. This is a new brand to me and I want them all. How difficult is it to remove UCC Flakies?

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  10. These colors are all fabulous! I wish I could put stuff on my nails, but I have a sensory issue and I can't. But my daughter LOVES to have her nails painted and says she'd go for the purple ones.

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  11. Rainbow Falls is everything. I know what you mean about Kona but I'm drawn to those colors.

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  12. OMG the colors are sooo pretty... I am in love with your nails... It looks perfect on you :)

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  13. Gosh I hadn't heard of this brand in a long time - glad to see some new pretties out there!

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  14. Wow , this looks so lovely. I personally love the purple and grey as they compliment my skin color.

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  15. Oh my god! I can't stop looking at the Aumakua Mano. Love the way it looks mysterious which totally impresses me. Thanks for your sharing.

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  16. It will be hard for me to pick one. I love all the colors!

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  17. Dancer in the Dark Polish would be perfect for the fall months ahead!! I love the glitter in it too, it’s just the right amount!

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  18. Hula is such an incredible shade of purple!

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  19. I love nail paints and these are some gorgeous colors <3

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  20. Dancer in the Dark looks great on you!

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  21. ohhh, they're all so pretty but that purple "Hula to the Poi" is calling to me... :-)

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  22. I'm really loving Kīlauea: Dancer in the Dark with the matte coat!

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  23. That matte color is super gorgeous. I am obsessed with matte stuff right now.

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  24. I love Kīlauea: Dancer in the Dark with the matte finish!!! Amazing!!!

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  25. My first pick would be the rainbow falls and then next is the dancer in the dark, the glossy one and last is the Aumacua Mano shade.

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  26. I kept thinking oh, this is my favorite. Then I'd see the next one. Basically they all rock!

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  27. I'm so glad you're now feeling much better! I love reading your posts. All of the glittery nail polishes are spectacular.

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  28. Great color selections! If I've to choose , I'll pick Aumakua Mano and Danser In the Dark to be my favorite shades for fall. Perfect shades for halloween.

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  29. They are all gorgeous shades but I have to say that my favourite shade is the burgundy at the start. It is the perfect fall colour x

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  30. I love Kīlauea: Dancer in the Dark with the matte top coat - gorgeous for fall!

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  31. I take all of these shades! They all so gorgeous and their shade names are so cute. Puka puka, looks so fun and inviting to spend time on the beach :)

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