BB Couture-Dragon's Breath

Another BB Couture. This one is called Dragon's Breath from their Fairy Tales Collection. I believe this collection came out a few years ago. Every time I went to order this polish it was sold out. So when it was actually in stock when I made my Overall Beauty order I had to get it. And I have to say, as much as I loved the swatches of it two years ago (one year ago?), my enthusiasm for it has diminished a bit upon seeing it in person.

 Let me just say my problems with it isn't the polish itself. The formula was on the thicker side and streaky and needed three coats. (And you guys know I only do two). But I didn't have problems with applying it. It dried FAST. Like, almost matte fast. Well, maybe not that fast, but still fast enough to go "woah" when I happen to bump my nails against a table and a dent didn't happen.

My problem is that this doesn't look exactly like the same polish. One of the things I loved about seeing swatches of this polish was that while it was reddish purple with a lot of red and silver glitter, it had this blue glitter as well that just stuck out and added depth to the polish. This? Doesn't have any blue glitter. Not even a little. And that's where my disappointment comes in at. If I wasn't expecting the blue then I would like this just fine. Hell, I like it just fine now. It's actually pretty damn gorgeous and I understand why this is one of those universally loved polishes among nail fiends. But...I really wanted to see that blue glitter. Bah.

Anyway, complaining over. I actually really do like this. I do. I just wish the blue from a few years ago was in this one. That's all. This was $10 from Overall Beauty (and I believe it's the only place you can buy it at). I recommend having it, especially since it's one of those polishes that everyone likes. One of those must haves in your collections. It really is nice. Give me a day and I'll be loving this polish.

Hits-Ares

I know I'm ridiculously late with this, but oh well. This was my Valentine's Day mani. Something simple and easy and somewhat in the spirit of the day, even if I consider it a farce.

Ares is another holo from the Speciallita No Olimpo collection from Hits. It's a cherry red with a linear holo finish. I'm not a fan of red. At all. And I've told you guys that before. But I love this. I think if I was to like red it has to be something bold like this. The holo isn't as strong as others, but it's definitely noticeable. I wish I had better pictures, but it's been overcast and rainy all week here in Charleston and I had to use flash.

The formula on this one was thick and...gelly. Not like universal fave jelly polishes, but like an actual gel gelly. It was weird. But two thick coats and I was good to go. It dried okay. Not as fast as other Hits polishes or other holos I've used before, but still pretty good. 

And there we go. This right here is my favorite red polish. And as I don't go to red all that often (read: never) I'm pretty sure this will be one of two or maybe three reds in my collection. Yep.

Cult Nails-Iconic

Yes, I have finally joined the Cult. :) I took advantage of her Fourth of July sale and bought two colors I wanted since she first introduced them. I wanted to get Let Me Fly as well but it was sold out by the time I ordered. Oh well.

First polish is Iconic. I've seen this describe as a red/berryish polish with red flakies. And I can't disagree with that. The thing is, it's darker than what I was expecting. It's darker than what is in my pictures. Although to be fair, it's been super overcast and rainy the past few days in Charleston so I didn't get an opportunity to see this in the sun. Maybe in the sun it's more berryish than red. But what I see now is a dark red almost wine like color. It's still pretty, but I was hoping for the berryish color.

outdoors

The flakies in it makes this polish. The flakies are a smidge lighter than the polish. And it has hints of gold in it. Or at least that's what it looks like. So while it's not the color I was expecting and hoping for, it's still so very pretty.

outdoors

The formula was perfection. I did two coats, but if I put it on thicker for the first coat I don't think I would have needed two. The polish flowed on my nails, wasn't too thick or thin. And dried pretty quickly. And I have to say, Seche Vite usually gives me shrinkage (which I don't care all that much about since I change my polish every three or so days) but not with this polish. Score!

indoors, artificial light

So I like this. Really like it. I just wish I would have realized the swatches of this from earlier this year aren't necessarily true IRL. If I wasn't expecting pink/berryish I think I would have loved it then. Darn expectations.

NYX Girls-Fire Amber

I'm not a big fan of red. Never have been, never will be. Maybe it's because it's bold and vibrant and you can't not see it. I tend to like to hide in the background; red is a color that stands out. Maybe it's because I've heard it stains like whoa. Either way, I tend to shy away from red. So when Cherry Culture had their 50% NYX sale I told myself that I was going to get a red nail polish and have at least one in my collection. I got it and...I kind of like it.

indoors

Fire Amber is a dark almost blood red. Or at least what I think of as blood red. What's amazing about this polish is that outside in the sun you can see all kinds of red shimmer. However, it's only out in the sun. I've tried finding it in other light sources and no dice. You just don't see it. But in the sun it's there and makes the polish that much prettier.

outdoors, sun, flash

The formula was okay. It was thin and spread quickly and can get out of hand if not painting carefully. I had a tricky time handling this one. However, it went on with one coat. The only other nail brand I can reliable wear just one coat is Zoya, so kudos to NYX on this. And it did dry pretty fast. I actually didn't need topcoat, but I'm so used to adding it at the end that I did it anyway. But that's where another negative comes in because it stained my brush pretty good. Which makes me fear taking this off and seeing my nails, but that's another issue.

outdoors, sun

You know, I like this. i don't think I'll ever turn into a fan of red nail polish, but it's nice having this one in the collection.