YSL's Spring 2014 "Flower Crush" Rose Scabiosa($25 USD) is my first creme nail polish from the reformulated La Laque Couture nail polish collection. I generally prefer the juicy, glossy finishes of Chanel's Le Vernis, but I couldn't resist this unique bubblegum pink. It is not a shade of pink I generally gravitate towards, but my sister managed to persuade me, raving about the formula. This Spring release is as phenomenal as she claimed, as Rose Scabiosa is unlike some of the heavier or chalkier YSL cream finishes I have tried in the past. Check out the comparisons and more swatches after the jump!
I am so excited to share Tom Ford's limited edition Spring 2014 Nail Lacquer collection with you! As I shared on Twitter, I first had to remove my lovely gel manicure to swatch these four shades (0.34 fl. oz. each), so it took longer than expected to compile all the photos for this feature. Thanks so much for your patience, and I hope you'll enjoy the swatches. Check out all individual shade break downs and comparisons after the jump!
I might be a Chanel Le Vernis addict, but there is no denying how attracted I am to Deborah Lippmann's glitter nail polishes. Mermaid's Dream, a seafoam green with blue and gold shimmer which debuted in the Spring of 2012, was so popular that DL decided to create a complete mermaid collection. Though none of these Summer 2013 shades swept me off my feet the way Mermaid's Dream did, I still love and recommend two of the four shades released. Click to see more of the newly released Mermaids I chose to splurge for!
Zoya Nail Polish describes their Mia shade as a "very soft, muted dusty nude mauve-pink in a glossy creme finish. A gentle, natural charming shade for a flattering nude look." I have been searching high and low for a feminine pink that is not too nude while appropriate for all occasions, and I have found it in Mia. This polished pink looks fabulous from all angles at any time of the day, though it does pull warmer to a rosy-mauve when indoors without artificial light (see photo above & please excuse the healing wound on my hand). On the other hands, Mia appears to be more of a neutral pink with a slightly dusty cast in full sunlight or bright fluorescent lighting (see photo below).
I find that Zoya's Mia is extremely flattering on my medium-tanned hands. I was hesitant that it would look too pale or apply too sheerly, but it is perfect in every regard. I rarely wear sunscreen on my hands and arms -- I know, for shame -- so I was surprised that Mia did not turn ashy against my skin tone. Dusty mauve polishes tend to cast a grey tint to my warm undertones. This is, by far, the best performing Zoya that I have encountered, and I am sure you can tell from this glowing review. Not only do I love the easy application, this creme finish has a hint of translucency (aka no chalkiness) that yields incredibly smooth and shiny color in just two coats. I have worn it for several days with barely a sign of tip wear. No wonder Zoya released Mia in their Classics collection!
NOTE: I always use a base coat (either Butter London's Nail Foundation or Essie's All in One), and more importantly, I always finish my nails with Butter London's Hardware Top Coat for an extremely chip-resistant and extra glossy finish. I realize some do not prefer the high gloss look, but it makes my very narrow nail beds look more feminine.
Bottom Line: Mia has given me hope that I will find more Zoya colors to love, and I highly recommend it to those who have been looking for an affordable, sophisticated pink that is not stiff or totally uninteresting.
The newest beauty collection from Tom Ford has launched at counters everywhere and is officially available online at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Tom Ford says that he had one goal with this collection. He "wanted to capture a very particular look of skin that is bathed in sunset light in the summer. It is a sultry and sublime glow. In this light, every woman looks irresistibly relaxed and sensual." I love ethereal glows without apparent shimmer, so I had high expectations for these new products (the Illuminator in particular). Please see individual product reviews and all swatches after the jump!
The Dior Bird of Paradise collection for Summer 2013 recently arrived at all Dior counters in the United States. The Nail Lacquer Duo in Samba 001 was the first to catch my eye, naturally, and it is the only item from the Dior collection I have purchased thus far. I passed on the Bahia duo as it is more in line with the permanent range of Dior polishes. Just as with my Chanel Azure nail polish review, this post will be just as much a feature of this nail polish duo as it will be a comparison of the shades. There are similar colors on the market currently, so many of you have asked me if splurging on this duo was worth it. See my thoughts after the jump!
We all know how much I adore Tom Ford Beauty. I have been a devotee since the original launch of his lipsticks, and the full launch of his ultra luxe cosmetics only made me that much more passionate about the products. The Viper nail polish has been on the top of my wish list for the past year. It is now the third Tom Ford nail polish to take its rightful place on my wall, and it looks every bit as sophisticated as I had anticipated. Please see my full review and photos after the jump!
The Beauty Event at Neiman Marcus is currently going on, and Deborah Lippmann is offering a full sized Candy Shop nail lacquer (worth $18) as a complimentary gift with any $48 DL purchase. Naturally, I jumped for joy and ordered her two Spring/Resort polishes, shown above - outdoors with flash, along with one of her base coats. I posted an Instagram photo [see HERE] as a sneak peek to this post, and I received quite a few questions, so I'll respond to those today.
