Friday, October 21, 2016

KBShimmer Winter 2016 Collection

Press Sample

Happy Friday, dear readers! It has been a long week around here with me only getting about four hours of sleep at night, so I'm going to spare you my loopiness and keep the chattiness to a minimum this evening. Besides, I have the new winter collection by KBShimmer to share with you, and that is far more exciting than anything else I could possibly share with you. Buckle down and get those wallets ready because the Winter 2016 Collection has 16 new mouth-watering shades for on those digits! Let's dive on in and check them out!

Yeti Or Not
Three Coats

What the most fashionable Yeti’s are wearing, this pale gray polish is loaded with iridescent and holographic glitters for a manicure that glistens more than fresh fallen snow. Wear alone for a textured feel, or pair with topcoat for a smooth, sparkly look. 2-3 coats recommend recommended.

It's not that common to see textured polishes by an indie polish brand, and I just had to leave this in it's textured glory to share with you. It is such a fun polish! I did need to use three coats for opacity, and while it applied easily enough, it does have a bit of a thick appearance on the nails due to texturizing ingredients. I really love this combination, so I think it may be best layered over a white cream so as to not seem so thick on the nails.

Ink Again
Two coats

This vibrant holographic ink blue shade looks like it just spilled out of your favorite Bic. But don’t worry, this inky blue shade is one you will want to wear, on your nails! This doodle worth color covers in just 2, for a bright colbalt linear holographic shade.

I am really digging the brightness of this beautiful blue! It dries to a beautiful shiny finish, and I just had to show that off by sharing swatch photos without top coat. The formula was a little on the thinner side, although it could just seem that way to me since I've been swatching thicker polishes lately. I had to work a little more slowly to prevent cuticle flooding, but it still went on nicely for me with just a little extra patience.

A Walk In The Park-A
One coat plus top coat

This lush orchid colored cream is the ideal winter purple.  With almost 1 coat coverage, this warm red toned shade is a cozy as a parka!  1-2 coats recommended

This name is so cute! A Walk In The Park-A is quite densely pigmented, and I found it to easily be a one coater with a coat just a touch thicker than I normally apply. KBShimmer creams are so deliciously smooth, and this shade is gorgeous! 

Whiskey Business
Two coats plus top coat

This warm, golden yellow is ideal for those that love warmer, metallic polish shades, or whiskey, pick your poison.  Loaded with metallic flakes and a scattering of micro holo glitter, this tawny shade will make you thirsty for more.  2 coats recommended

I'm not a whiskey fan in general, but this polish is fabulous! I was a little unsure of it in the bottle, but I was swooning with the first stoke across my nails. The formula was also fantastic, and this stunning yellow gold polish is one of my top picks from this collection!

Spruce Things Up
Three coats plus top coat

On a cold winter’s morning, looking outside, the branches of evergreens seem to sparkle and glisten from frozen bites of ice and snow catching the light.  This Christmas green jelly polish emulates that sparkling snow, with millions of micro holo and sliver glitters to catch the light. 2-3 coats recommended

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the tree, and just the name alone triggers that cozy smell to memory. Green and a jelly? Sign me up! Spruce Things Up applied really nicely to my nails, and I had no visible nail line with three coats.

Soot And Ladders
Three coats plus top coat

Well past bedtime, nothing lighting the room but the twinkle of colored lights on the tree, the fireplace cool and nothing but soot to greet St. Nick.  This soot black, Christmas light inspired, jelly is filled with micro flakes in a rainbow of colors, which pop in the light.  2-3 coats recommended

Oh man, I am so upset with how this photographed! Soot And Ladders is divine, and not only is it my top pick from this collection, it is actually vying for position of top KBShimmer of all time. It is so pretty in person and it certainly reminds me of walking around at night to admire the beautiful lights. The formula was on point and gave me no troubles whatsoever.

Take Me For Granite
Three coats plus top coat

This soft, pale gray crelly is accented by bits of black, sliver, and gray glitters.  This nature inspired polish will make your nails look stone cold awesome. 3 coats recommended

I may be slightly biased in my love for this polish as a rockhound, but this pale grey crelly is beautiful! Even though it doesn't contain a wide range of colours, it is so well thought out and still complex. I'm happy to report it applied beautifully on my nails without any issue.

Get To The Pointsettia
Two coats plus top coat

This linear holographic red polish just screams holiday!  As red as Santa suit, a candy cane stripe, or the perfect poinsettia, this red holo polish deepens with every coat.  2 coats recommended

I don't think a winter collection can be complete without a red polish, and I must say, Get To The Pointsettia is stunning! Some red holo polishes lean a little pink or orange, so if you want a true red, this beauty is for you! The application was smooth as well!

Haute Mess
Applied with sponge plus top coat

You can’t walk through a Vegas casino without seeing glittery stilettos on the feet of women.  This polish is loaded with silver, copper, rose gold, and holographic glitters reminiscent of those sparkly heels.  Wear over your favorite cream, or layer for the ultimate full coverage sparkle.  2-3 coats recommended

I definitely had a giggle at the name of this polish, and I had to make it live up to its name by wearing it solo. I applied it to my nails by dabbing with a sponge, and my nails were so blingy, I couldn't see any bare nail. Of course, my camera found a few thin spots, but I don't think anyone else would know! Because it is a dense glitter, you will need a few coats of top coat and/or Gelous to get a smooth look, especially if you go in full-on bling mode.

Just Duvet It
Three coats plus top coat

Admit it, some winter days, calling in sick, snuggling up with your favorite blanket, and watching reality TV is all the adulting we can handle.  This rich grape shade is a throwback to my favorite duvet, a bit of sparkle, and a hint of pink shimmer y flakes, this is one color you will want to snuggle with all winter long.  2-3 coats recommended

Just Duvet It is a sneaky bugger! The flashes of sparkle are very subtle but still beautiful, so if you want something with a hint of sparkle, this shade is for you. Part of me wanted this polish to be more sparkled, but with so many others that do just that in the collection, it's really nice to have a muted option. Fantastic colour with equally fantastic formula!

Have A Look-Ski
Two coats plus top coat

Like a good 80’s or 90’s child, I had the post epic ski jacket, with the most awesome shades of teal and neon.  This deepened teal shade is a throwback to my youth.  We amped up this shade with linear holo pigment for the most bodacious shade ever. 2 coats recommended

These photos aren't the most accurate as Have A Look-Ski is a little more green in person. No matter how I changed my camera settings, I just could not capture the shade accurately. Photoshop left my hands green but the polish still as blue as ever..... It is a gorgeous shade though and another favorite from this collection. And to keep sounding like a broken record- the formula was perfect!

The Holy Kale
Three coats plus top coat

You cannot go to most eateries without seeing kale on the menu.  This leafy green has been hailed as the new miracle food.  Inspired by this green wonder, The Holy Kale is a green linear holo polish with micro glass flakes that shift between blue and pink for a fun shimmer shade. 2-3 coats recommended

Eek! I don't know if I can find the words to describe just how much I love this polish! Kale is not food (I just have to throw that out there), but this polish is everything! I am crazy about the blue to pink glass flakes against this green; The Holy Kale is definitely a top shade from this collection! The formula was perfect as well, so what more could you possibly want, besides real food, that is. ;)

Chai-huahua
Two coats plus top coat

On a colds winter’s evening, nothing is better than snuggling up with a warm cup of chai, and your favorite Chihuahua.  This polish was inspired by the spices that make chai such a winter drink, cinnamon, cloves and anise.  This warm brick red covers perfect in 2 coats

This brick red shade is beautiful, and I don't think there is a more perfect name for it! I'm a fan of chai tea, and I will certainly be sporting this shade while sipping my cup! Chai-huahua is another favorite from this collection and the formula was divine!

Bling In The New Year
Three coats plus top coat

Shiny silver hats, half glasses of gold champagne,  noise makers long forgotten, all covered with a dusting of confetti  are a signature of New Year’s Eve parties.  Inspired by that aftermath, this polish features colorful flakes in pinks, greens, gold and blues dancing among silver holo glitter and metallic flakes. 2-3 coats recommended

Can I say how much I love all the blingy shades in this collection? I don't wear bling on my nails often, but this is the perfect time of year to do so! KBShimmer certainly captured the celebrations of the season spectacularly with this shade and the formula is perfect to boot!

Royal To A Fault
Three coats plus top coat

Our favorite shows and books are often filled with one thing, two faced drama queens. This royal purple shade is filled with micro glass flakes that shift from blue to violet at different angles.  With this polish, like our favorite drama queens, you will never know which type of shade you will get shown.  2-3 coats recommended

Those glass flakes! I love glass flakes in general, but the blue to purple shift is drool worthy and makes this polish something special. Hopefully this is the only drama you have to deal with this holiday season, but it not, I'm sure you can distract your favorite drama queens by waving your fingertips in front of them! Another fantastic formula and colour!

Ornamentally Flawless
over Such A Vlad-Ass
One coat plus top coat

Like the jewel toned ornaments that decorated the trees of many a home, this jewel toned glitter polish sparkles in shades of turquoise, fuchsia, gold, green and sliver.  This polish is perfect worn over your favorite cream, but is loaded with glitter for full coverage. 1-2 coats recommended

I had the hardest time deciding what colour to swatch this glitter over, and in the end, I decided I really liked how it looked layered over last fall's KBShimmer shade, Such a Vlad-Ass. It is densely packed so you could use a few layers on its own rather than layering it, although I do like seeing the base shade around the glitters. This applied easily my dabbing on the nails rather than stroking down the nail bed, and you will need a couple coats of top coat for a smooth finish on your nails.

Phew! We did it, dear readers! This gorgeous 16 piece collection is set to launch on the KBShimmer website located here on November 1st. With a range of colours and finishes, there certainly is something for everyone! My top picks from this collection are Soot And Ladders, The Holy Kale, Whiskey Business, and Royal To A Fault, but they are all so gorgeous that you can't go wrong with any of them!

Not only will these 16 shades launch on November 1st, KBShimmer is also going to be relaunching older holiday favorites including Holly Back Girl and sELFie.

What polishes are you most excited about from this collection? Are you preferring the blinged-out look or something a little more subtle? I'd love to hear from you!

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











Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Darling Diva Polish: Batshit Crazy Collection

Press Sample


Happy whatever day it is, readers! It's certainly been a trying day so I'm not entirely sure what day we're on now- Tuesday? We'll call it Tuesday and leave it at that. I'm in no rush for the weekend as my husband leaves town this weekend for a conference next week and I have toddler herding duty all to myself. I'm going to do my best to keep up with posting, but my posting schedule may be a little scattered as these boys wear me down.  I'm sure I'll be passing out right after their bedtime! Until then, I'm going to try to get a few posts in the pipeline so I'll have fun things to share with you next week. Now let's jump in to today's blog post!

It's no secret that I adore the crazy Carrie from Darling Diva Polish, especially since she tends to bring out my snarky sassiness that often lays latent under the surface. She always comes out with the best inspirations for nail polish collections and polish names, even if sometimes they are Rated R. For tonight's post, I present to you the newest upcoming collection inspired by Helena from Orphan Black, the BSC (Batshit Crazy) Collection! This collection boasts eight polishes in a range of colours and finishes; there is definitely something for everyone in the collection! Let's check them out! 

Oinks
Two coats plus top coat

Just.............google it. It’s hilarious. This elegant nude polish has pink to gold shimmer and a very slight holo sparkle.

I love a good nude, and Oinks certainly qualifies as one! It may not be the most flattering against my skin tone, but I'm gonna do what I want and wear this baby! I just love the added pink to gold shimmer; it really adds something a little extra something that makes this a must-have nude shade for any collection. This applied beautifully in two thin coats for opacity.

Seestra
Two coats plus top coat

This is the semi affectionate term Helena uses for her sisters and her sister brother, Felix. This hot pink jelly is full of holographic flakes and blue shimmer.

Hot damn, this is one sexy shade! Even though it is a jelly, I was able to combat the dreaded visible nail line with only two coats! What is this madness?!? Seestra is a stunning shade with perfect formula; I don't know how anyone could possibly resist this beauty!

I Gave Her Darkness
Two coats plus top coat

Intense indigo jelly full of flakies and shimmer. Inspired by Helena popping out the eyes of an offensive nun at the orphanage. She had the nerve to give Helena a little darkness by putting her in a closet, this was Helena’s way of returning the favor.

Yikes, now that's a scary thought! I get squeamish when it comes to things happening to the eyes so this polish gives me the shivers. That being said, I really love the dark moodiness of this lacquer, and it fits the fall season so perfectly. This applied really nicely for me, but you will need to break out the Gelous as it is top coat hungry. I used three coats here, and while it was fine for my closeup shot, the top coat apparently settled in a little bit when I switched over to full swatch photos. This shade is fabulous and definitely worth it so don't let an extra coat or two deter you!

Meathead
Two coats plus top coat

Sarah’s affectionate nickname for Helena. Multichrome flakes that go from copper through to green.

I am smitten with this particular polish, especially for this time of year! It is loaded with flakes such that I only needed two pretty thin coats for opacity, but some readers may find they need a third coat. I had no issues with this baby and will be rocking this a lot this season!

These I Like
Three coats plus top coat

Don’t bother having a serious conversation with Helena unless she initiates it. This white crelly is full of sparkle and flakies and holo flakie shimmer.

I really need to apologize for these photos of These I Like as my camera threw a fit at me and refused to capture the beauty of this polish. In person it has the most gorgeous orangey-pink sparkle and the holo flakies add such pretty rainbows on your nails. And yet my camera will photograph invisible fuzz bits, bah! Because this is filled with so much sparkled goodness, it does have a little bit of a textured appearance to it although the polish isn't particular textured itself. While I have it worn alone here, I think I'll be layering this over a white base to limit some of the textured look. I had to push a couple troublesome flakies back up onto my nail for a smooth finish at the tip, but that's the only issue to note with this shade. I'm definitely thinking of nail art looks for when it gets closer to the holiday season with this one!

Pupok
Three coats plus top coat

That damn scorpion. Was it for Helena? Against Helena? Sarcastic little shit! “Were you expecting a cheesecake??” This black jelly base has color shifting shimmer and a slight holographic sparkle.

I effing hate scorpions, and I am so conflicted over my love of this polish for that very reason. Pupok is gloriously dark but sparkled, and it was love the moment I laid my eyes on the bottle. The formula was such perfection that it practically applied itself. It's definitely one of my top picks from this collection; we'll just choose to ignore the inspiration.....

Bloody Angel
Two coats plus top coat

Helena is often the avenging angel come to wreck vengence upon who she deems unfit. Who will ever forget “You should not threaten bebbehs......”. Red holographic with gold flakies and shimmer.

Be still, my beating heart! I can't believe there was a time in my life when I wasn't particularly fond of red shades, but there are divine shades like Bloody Angel that can knock me back to my senses. Red and gold fit together like peanut butter and jelly, wine and roses, yin and yang.....you get the idea! I'm digging the depth of this red: it's just rich! The formula is impeccable, and this is another favorite from the collection.

Sleep Now
Two coats plus top coat

Helena being Helena, Sleep Now still gives me shivers. When my husband pisses me off, this is my usual come back to him;) Purple scattered holo with color shifting micro glitter.

If that expression doesn't make you just the slightest bit uncomfortable, nothing will! At least your nails can look fabulous while you are issuing threats, ha! The base shade is perfectly menacing and the added micro glitters are the perfect touch to let others know you mean business! From the polish design to the ease in application, Sleep Now is another favorite from this collection. While I used two thin coats here, if you tend to use thicker coats, you may find that you only need one coat with this stunner.


The Batshit Crazy Collection will be launching on the Darling Diva Polish website located here on October 28th. This collection is single pour only so once shades are sold out, they will not be restocked. If you have any favorites, be sure to mark down the date on the calendar and grab them while you can! My favorites from this collection are I Gave Her Darkness, Pupok, Bloody Angel, and Sleep Now. While not a colour I would wear year-round, Meathead is another favorite, especially for the fall.

Are you a fan of Orphan Black? What do you think of Darling Diva Polish's interpretation of Helena? Are any shades in particular catching your attention? I'd love to hear from you!

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






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