Fizzy Lime - Layla Softouch Effect Limoncello

I have here a yummy nail polish!

[Layla's Softouch Effect Limoncello]

This is Layla's Softouch Effect Limoncello. What a tasty name to go with a delish polish. Limoncello is a lime green that dries to a semi-matte. It's not exactly matte nor is it a suede matte. Like the name describes, it's a soft effect, like a soft matte.

The microglitter combined with the finish makes this mani a very pretty, glittery one without being over the top. I really love the look of Limoncello!

Scratch and Shine - Gold Leather Effect nail transfer foil

Who loves transfer foils? It's no secret that I do! Here's a gorgeous one that I did last year...

[Antique gold..]

Isn't it pretty! I love the antique distressed look over the pale gold.

[Bottle to nail: China Glaze Millenium (1 coat)]

I started out with a base of China Glaze Millenium, a beautiful silver chrome. There are minor brushstrokes but nothing too bad. I figured a nice chrome base would work well with the transfer foil even if they weren't the same shade.

[Base: China Glaze Millenium (1 coat); Foil: Gold Leather Effect ]

Here we go! If you need a refresher on how to apply nail transfer foils, click through our foils tag to take a look at some examples and application tips. As you can see on my index finger, there were a few bald patches, but they blended in alright with the base silver.

[Base: China Glaze Millenium (1 coat); Foil: Gold Leather Effect ]

This foil is called "Gold Leather Effect" and I can see why they named it that. It does remind me a lot of scratched up antique gold finish though, especially how it has a slightly matte sheen to it. It's certainly a gorgeous one and a mani I wouldn't mind repeating so if anyone comes across it, definitely snap it up!

Two In One - Nubar Purple Beach

I can't believe I haven't posted photos for my other duochromes from Nubar. My review of Nubar Indigo Illusion can be found here. But today, I'm reviewing Nubar's Purple Beach!

[Nubar Purple Beach indoor lighting]

Is there much I need to say? The photos speak for themselves, I believe. This is an incredibly easy duochrome to photograph because Purple Beach's colour shift from purple to green-gold is prominent and eye-catching. The two different colours are so distinct from each other.

[Nubar Purple Beach natural light]

Under natural or indoor lighting, the colour shift is apparent. I'm really loving these Nubar polishes!

Red Delicious - Maybelline Color Show Brocades Rosy Rosettes

I do love me some bling! And these new Maybelline Color Show Brocades definitely hit the spot!

[Bottle to nail: Maybelline Color Show Brocades Rosy Rosettes (2 coats)]

Today I've got Rosy Rosettes, a gorgeous pink-leaning red base chockers with pale pink hexes and heavy gold shimmer. Such a gorgeous combination!

[ 2 coats: Maybelline Color Show Brocades Rosy Rosettes]

At first I thought the "Brocades" name was kinda gimmicky and an effort to refresh ye olde glitter polish, but after trying it out, I can sort of see where they're coming from. Somehow the way the glitter pieces layer over and the slight 3D effect does give the look of brocade. Wow, well done, Maybelline!

[ 2 coats: Maybelline Color Show Brocades Rosy Rosettes]

Application-wise, it was easy and dried relatively quickly. These photos show it at two coats. The glitters spread easily and don't need fishing. Because of the textured finish , you do need a thick layer of topcoat (or two!) but the effect is certainly worth it! One of my favourite purchases of the past few months, definitely!

Dominoes on Grass - Nyx Girl Algae, essence 101 dalmations

My blog post naming skills are being stretched to their limit of late...

[Glitter: essence 101 dalmations
Base: Nyx Girl Algae]

Anyway, I really like this combo. Nyx Girl Algae has always been one of my favourite dusky colours. And essence 101 dalmations is so pretty! Other than the fact that I love the name, 101 dalmations is just chock-full of glitter, which makes application easy. There's black and white hex glitter in slightly varying sizes, and silver microglitter. The silver microglitter just adds a delicate touch to the glitter topper. I love it and I think it makes quite the distinction from regular black and white glitter.

Dusk Tones - Essence Into The Dark

A short while ago, I posted a denim-inspired cling-wrap mani. One of the polishes I used was Essence Into the Dark, from the Vampire's Love collection. I thought that I'd post it on its own today just because it's anything but plain just by itself!

[Bottle to nail: Essence Into The Dark (1 coat)]

Into The Dark is a dusty navy blue creme with lots of fine silver flecks throughout. If you have short nails like I did here, it's perfectly opaque in one coat.

[1 coat: Essence Into The Dark]

The formula is slightly on the thick side, as cremes tend to, but in no way gluggy. It evens out really well. Definitely one of my favourite no-fuss polishes to use.

[1 coat: Essence Into The Dark]

Less diffuse lighting to show the silver flecks. On the nail, the blue is definitely not that bright, more of a muted deep gray-blue. Understated, but different!

Orchid Bouquet - Revlon Tanzanite

Is there enough purples in the world? No, I don't think so. :D

[Revlon Tanzanite]

This is Revlon Tanzanite from the Chroma Chameleon collection. This is a duochrome polish that transitions from purple to gold. Surprisingly, what I really liked about it was actually how purple it was, especially since the colour is a little dull in the bottle.

But the duochrome is too bad either:

[Revlon Tanzanite]

The purple to gold duochrome isn't very flashy, but the hint of gold against the rich purple is definitely noticeable at angles.

Night Lights - Gold Old Buffy

Here's a goldie oldie, as reflected in the name! It's Gold Old Buffy from the Essence Vampire's Love trend edition a few years back.

[Bottle to nail: Essence Gold Old Buffy (2 coats)]

It's a green-leaning darkened antique gold with heavy gold shimmer running throughout. Very (dare I say it!) vampy and mysterious!

[2 coats: Essence Gold Old Buffy]

I've said it before but I love the formula of polishes from this collection. They're all super-opaque creme-shimmers and this one was no different. I think I used two coats for this to really deepen it.

[2 coats: Essence Gold Old Buffy]

Overall one of favourite no-fuss polishes to use, it works well on its own or as a base for nail art!

Ink Spill - OPI Black Spotted

I forgot I did this until I went through my photos again!

[OPI Black Spotted over a rainbow mani]

This is OPI Black Spotted over the rainbow mani I posted about here. Black Spotted was my dream polish for awhile, and Ev bought it for me last year! :D  You need to apply Black Spotted in real thin coats to get nicer circles, and you need to overlap your strokes as little as possible.

[OPI Black Spotted over a rainbow mani]

I'm so jealous of people who can make it split into really round gaps. I obviously need more practice, but honestly, I like how it looks anyway. What a fun way to goth up a cheery mani!