My Blog is called AllThingsNails! (and handbags, and shoes, etc.), right?

Can you dig it?!?  Christian Siriano has outdone himself this time!  Just thought I'd share my latest, crazy-beautiful find:

"This caged shootie from Christian Siriano is exactly what you need (if you're feeling fierce)!"

"Lightly padded insole, and 4.5" wrapped stiletto with 1" wrapped platform."

"Strappy, exotic patent upper with a trendy gold-tone zipper up the back for easy on/off."

OPI - San Tan-Tonio

 

The Texas Collection has landed and I've gotten my hands on 7 of them...  Yeah, I went a little ballistic!!!  But anywhooo, today I am showcasing San Tan-Tonio.  


When I first saw this collection I knew this baby would be coming home with me and then I saw the OPI "Sorbet" aka Jelly video I thought, oh man, I NEED the entire collection, well almost.


Color Description:  Described as a Honey Brown, San Tan-Tonio, is a great color for Women of Color, those of us who are naturally brown/tan, or tanned otherwise - lol.  On me, this is as close to "mannequin hands" as I've seen.  It's a true tan with no pink undertones. A nice neutral, easy color.

Similar To: Nothing...  from my OPI collex, that is.  You may think you have a dupe but think again!  For your reference, I've included a bottle comp pic, you will find (l to r) San Tan-Tonio, Barefoot in Barcelona, Dulce de Leche, and Tickle My France-y.  


I thought these had similarities, but to my surprise, all but San Tan-Tonio have different levels of pink undertones.  We have a stand-alone color here, ladies! 

This Look:  I'm in a rush this morning but I didn't want to go another day with nekkid nails, so I didn't apply a base coat.  This is two coats of San Tan-Tonio and my fastest top coat of them all, Shine and Hold.


Price Point/Availabilty:  This retails for $8.50 and if you decide to shell out the ducats (i.e. cash money) for this color, you will not be disappointed.  Readily availabe online and popping up in various "brick and mortars" starting last week (2/2/2011) so keep your eye out for them.


Gotta go but have a great one and can't wait to talk to you, well-polished peeps, soon. :)

Super Professional #189 "Purple Glitter" over Maybelline Black Out (2/3/2011)

Ask me why I'm a week behind in my posts and I'll say, "it's been a busy week!"  But who's counting days, eh?  This is supposed to be fun and this mani was just that, FUN!!!


Color Description:  ♫♪"Do you see what I see?"♫♪  This is the kind of nail lacquer that makes you break out in song!  It's an extremely sheer purple base with multi-dimensional and multi-colored fine glitter.  It made my Maybelline Black Out look like shimmering green glass.  Just fantastic!  My pictures do no justice to this beauty.


Similar To:  Absolutely nothing!


This Look:  One coat of Starting Over After Artificials (base coat) , two coats of Maybelline Black Out, two coats of #189 and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Price Point/Availability: Maybelline Black Out is discontinued and was recently found at my local Dollar Tree in a pack of two.  #189 was discovered via Chloe's Nails and should still be available for purchase on Ebay.  I searched #189 Purple Glitter and this is what I found.  The cost (including shipping to the U.S.) was just under $5.00 - not bad for a truly "out of this world" color!


Well, what to wear next?  I will, more than likely, showcase some of the new OPI Texas collection for you well-polished beauties, but until then, whenever that will be, have a great and awesome rest of the week. :)

"Extend-A-Mani" Maybelline Pink Pinata over Milani Silver Dazzle (2/2/2011)

I was just having fun and actually wore this look for a day or two.  I came across the Maybelline Colorama's at my (not so local) DollarTree and picked up Pink Pinata.  It's layered over my previous mani Silver Dazzle.


So the moral of the story is, don't give up hope on the Maybelline Colorama's coming to your local DollarTree - miracles really do come true!


Alright then, my real mani: Maybelline Black Out under this crazy Ebay Purple Glitter recommended by Chloe is coming up later today. :)

Milani - Silver Dazzle (01/29/2011)

Color Description:  Milani's Silver Dazzle (SD) One Coat Glitter lacquer is a blackened charcoal glitter that really comes alive with the right topcoat!  However, without a topcoat it's the closest thing to asphalt that I've ever worn on my nails - from the look to the texture, it's very dark and intriguing.  I wore SD to a gala last night with a long black dress and this jacket, it was a perfect match.


Similar To:  You tell me?  No serious, I'd love to hear what else this is close to because I pulled out my OPI Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous and Brand New Skates - similar in color but look and texture, definitely not dupes.  SD contains brilliant chunky glitter, while the others are more fine and subdued.


This Look:  Okay so you can wear this color multiple ways. 1) one coat lacquer, no topcoat - for that asphalt look and feel, or 2) one coat lacquer, one coat topcoat - for a semi-flat, still textured look, or lastly, like I'm wearing in the pic, 3) two coats lacquer, two coats topcoat - for an out of this world blackened charcoal glitter-fest on the nail.  I was in a rush last night so I wore option #2.

Topcoat Recommendation:  Tonight I had a bit more time so I put on one more coat of SD and a new top coat I'm trying out called Sally Hansen NailShine Miracle (click to read box description) and though it is not a quick dry, it is great for this type of finish, a gritty glitter that absorbs the shine from a top coat - your nails will still look nice but not spectacular.  Well, I topped it off with a quick dry and wahlah the shiniest, most spectacular glitter mani I've laid my eyes on!


Price Point/Availability:  Milani SD is said to be installed in the core line eventually, however, when I picked it up it retailed for $5.00 and was on a promotional display.  I still see some CVS's with this display so you should be able to find it.  The NailShine Miracle is currently clearance priced at CVS for 75% off and that's the only reason why I tried it.  I'm so glad I did, this stuff is AMAZING.


Have you tried any of the products in this review?  If so, please let me know your well-polished thoughts!  Until next time, have an awesome week...

China Glaze - Touch of Glamour (01/25/2011)

Recently a request was made by a fellow MUAer to swatch this little known and/or rarely discussed beauty - Touch of Glamour from the Vision of Grandeur Collection (circa 2005).  Since, I'd never worn this color, inspiration insued!


Color Description: This is a very difficult color to describe and capture on film, however, it has best been described as, "milky peachy pink sheer base with a gorgeous gold shimmer".  This is definitely on the sheer side so you will need to wear a good foundation underneath.

Similar To:  IMO, Touch of Glamour compares nicely to Revlon Peach Smoothie or L.A Colors Color Craze in Mega Watt (see bottle pics below).


This Look:  Two coats of Nutra Nail Super Base Coat, two coats of Touch of Glamour and one coat of Shine & Hold topcoat from local beauty supply.


Price Point/Availability:  Touch of Color is discontinued but I've seen this as low as $2.99 online.


Bottom Line:  I really ♥ this color.  It's unstated glamour at its best!  Stay well-polished and see you soon!

China Glaze LOL (01/21/2011)

w/ Camera Flash

What can I say about LOL from the OMG Collection, but WOW!!!  This polish truly glows from within and is a pleasure to look at minute by minute as it alters in appearance.  And why did it smell like grapes when I was applying it?  Maybe because it was 1:30am - lol!


Color Description:  This just may be the most gorgeous purple I own.  Again, WOW!  LOL is the quintessential purple holographic nail polish.  The rainbow/oil slick effect is evident in both indoor and outdoor lighting.  This is a very wearable purple, not outlandish, at all!

w/ Light Box

Similar To:  Daytime indoors with out any lights on, believe it or not,  LOL reminds me of OPI's Purple With A Purpose; very glowy.  However, when you turn the lights on get ready for the show!  This has also be compared to the new purple Tronica offering, Gamer Glam, which I can't wait to see IRL.  I've also recently seen it compared, most accurately to, Color Club's Wild at Heart on MUA.  Though, these have different finishes (linear v. scattered), they're definitely both "purple holos".

w/ Lamp Light

This Look:  Again, a little TLC was needed, so I used Starting Over After Artificials, as a base coat.  Two coats of LOL were carefully applied; even though the application of OMG's are a bit easier than Tronicas, they both can be "a drag" to apply.  When I say "drag" I mean that one coat can be lifted and removed by the second if you're not careful to let it dry a bit between coats.  This look was topped off with one of my all-time favorites Sally Hansen Mega Shine topcoat.




Taken Outdoors



Price Point/Availability:  As the OMG Collection is now discontinued, these may be available on MUA as swap items, as well as at a few vendors online, including Ebay.  You also may be able to find these in some older beauty supply stores that are affectionately call, "dusties".



Well, I'm very glad to have my computer back and will be able to post a bit more frequently (maybe :)...  Thanks so much for taking a look and commenting and have a well-polished weekend!