If you didn't win, there will be another giveaway starting Monday! More details then! Thank you everyone for entering!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Diamond Cosmetics Hot Summer Pink Winner!! And new Contest Monday!
Congratulations to the winner of the Diamond Hot Summer Pink nail polish, Xuan-An Nguyen!!
If you didn't win, there will be another giveaway starting Monday! More details then! Thank you everyone for entering!!
If you didn't win, there will be another giveaway starting Monday! More details then! Thank you everyone for entering!!
Every Day an Essie - Essie Formal Dinner and Goodbye to July
Well I hoped I helped you see a different side to Essie. They certainly are not all pink and taupe. I think with time, and seeing how exciting other brands are these days, they will continue to grow more diverse with their colors. So goodbye to July and Essie days!
I'm going to end with my favorite Essie, Formal Dinner. It looks like nothing much in the bottle, but it's a beautiful light-filled medium red jelly. It's kind of cherry colored. It has a great pink tint to it, and a subtle purple shimmer. It really pops on the nail and is so feminine and pretty. I love it!
Essie Formal Dinner:
I'm going to end with my favorite Essie, Formal Dinner. It looks like nothing much in the bottle, but it's a beautiful light-filled medium red jelly. It's kind of cherry colored. It has a great pink tint to it, and a subtle purple shimmer. It really pops on the nail and is so feminine and pretty. I love it!
Essie Formal Dinner:
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Every Day an Essie! - Essie Viva La Vespa
I've heard this called Essie's best purple. I think I prefer Sexy Divide but this is a very gorgeous, sparkly color. Glad I own both, I tell ya!
Essie Viva La Vespa:
Essie Viva La Vespa:
It's that time.... Cross your fingers....
Hey Alex,Thank you for submitting your story in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay contest. We wish you the best of luck in getting the chance to carry the Olympic Flame!
What happens next?
Our expert Red Ribbon Panel will review all entries from June 23, 2009 to July 29, 2009. Potential winners will be notified between July 30, 2009 and August 5, 2009.
Maybe if we all cross our collective fingers........
Orly Femme Fatale Holiday 2009 Collection!
Got a terrific surprise today in the mail! Orly sent me a preview of their Holiday 2009 Femme Fatale Collection! A hot bright red, a berry/plum creme, and a deep red shimmer make up this collection that Orly means to embody "infectious feminine charm". These are incredibly shiny, even without topcoat, like a patent leather type polish. This is a nice addition to the Once Upon a Time Collection. I have no real information, but I am betting we will see more Orly polishes this year in addition to these. I hope so anyway!
Siren, a medium bright red - almost a neon - is a creme. Keep your brush lightly coated with this and it'll give you tons of color. Very richly pigmented. I may compare it to Zoya's America to see how similar they are.
Orly Siren:
Orly Goddess is my favorite. A berry/plum creme, a thick coat could give you easy one coat perfection. This is also incredibly shiny.
Orly Goddess:
Temptress is a dark burgundy shimmer jelly, with a lot of depth. You can use it one coat for a bit of sheerness and a slightly lighter color, or two coats for a deep rich full coverage that's just as shiny as the first two. I like that it has two ways to wear it. Pictured is two coats.
Orly Temptress:
These come out in November! Enjoy!
Siren, a medium bright red - almost a neon - is a creme. Keep your brush lightly coated with this and it'll give you tons of color. Very richly pigmented. I may compare it to Zoya's America to see how similar they are.
Orly Siren:
Orly Goddess is my favorite. A berry/plum creme, a thick coat could give you easy one coat perfection. This is also incredibly shiny.
Orly Goddess:
Temptress is a dark burgundy shimmer jelly, with a lot of depth. You can use it one coat for a bit of sheerness and a slightly lighter color, or two coats for a deep rich full coverage that's just as shiny as the first two. I like that it has two ways to wear it. Pictured is two coats.
Orly Temptress:
These come out in November! Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Don't Forget to Enter the Diamond Cosmetics Hot Summer Pink Giveaway!
Anyone anywhere can enter, just email your name to polishmayhem@gmail.com! I'll pick a winner this Friday at 6:00 pm PST!
Every Day an Essie! - Essie After Sex
This is someone after sex. Apparently someplace on a person after sex is a pinky red shimmer. I will not go into wondering where exactly, after sex, someone is this color, as I have no desire to know. Maybe it's their mood. But I like the polish! I would like to imagine that after sex my mood is a nice ocean blue. If I were still this agitated someone isn't doing it right.
Essie After Sex:
Essie After Sex:
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Every Day an Essie! - Essie Sole Mate
Sole Mate is a dark brownish purple jelly. Very shiny!!
Essie Sole Mate:
Essie Sole Mate:
This weekend's Races - Something old, something new, city streets, forest trails, 5 miles to 50 Km
Mount Edward Grocery Memorial Run
(Points Race)
Saturday August 1, 2009
5 Miles
Starting Time: 9:00 a.m.(Points Race)
Saturday August 1, 2009
5 Miles
Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Mount Edward Grocery (Find it on the Map)
Fee: $5.00
Sponsor: Mount Edward Grocery
Contact: Tanya Gregory 368-2457
Course Description: Double loop course through Sherwood
2008 Mt. Edward Grocery Run ~ 2007 Mt. Edward Grocery Run ~ 2006 Mt. Edward Grocery Run
2005 Mt. Edward Grocery Run ~ 2004 Mt. Edward Grocery Run
2005 Mt. Edward Grocery Run ~ 2004 Mt. Edward Grocery Run
Photos from the Mt. Edward Grocery Run 2004-2008
The brand new
Brookvale Ultra Trail Marathon
(click on poster to enlarge)
The brand new
Brookvale Ultra Trail Marathon
(click on poster to enlarge)What distances: Your choice of 10km, 25km or 50km
Where: Brookvale Nordic Ski Park, Brookvale, PE (Find it on the Map)
When: Sunday, August 2, 2009. All race distances start at 8:00 am
Cost: 10km = $10.00 and 25/50 km distances = $30.00
Registration: Preregister on-line at Atlantic Chip On-Line paying by credit card. Or, register in person on race day between 7:00 and 7:45 am paying by cash or cheque only.
Contact: Shawn McCardle at 902-887-3751 or smccardle@live.ca
Course: The 10km course winds you through the Nordic Ski Park. The 25km course uses Brookvale Provincial Park, the nordic ski trails, single-track mountain bike trails, a heritage road, and Provincial Forestry Demonstration Woodlot trails. The 50km route is a second loop of the 25km course.
Aid Stations: Two staffed aid stations are on course, each passed twice during the 25km loop. The stations are stocked with water, Gatorade, soda pop, and a variety of food items. Runners are strongly advised to carry their own water supply (ie. Water bottles, camelback, etc.)
Litter: We are using Forestry and Park land, and will be taking a strong stance against littering. Anyone found littering will be automatically disqualified.
Pacers: Runners in the 50km race will be allowed to have a pacer during their second loop only. Pacers are allowed to run with the competitors and carry supplies for their own run, but cannot carry any food, water or supplies for the competitor.
Awards: Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and top three female competitors in each race distance.
T-Shirts: Short-sleeve t-shirts will be given to competitors registered in the 25km and 50km distances only. Quantities are limited.
Time Limit: There will be a time limit of 10 hours for the 50km race.
Directions to Brookvale: From the Confederation Bridge - take Highway #1 (TransCanada) towards Charlottetown. Turn off at Crapaud and take Highway #13 north towards Cavendish. Brookvale Nordic Ski Park is approximately 9 km from Crapaud. (Find it on the Map)
Accommodations: This is no camping allowed at the race site. For a listing of nearby accommodations log on to tourismpei.com/accommodations
Where: Brookvale Nordic Ski Park, Brookvale, PE (Find it on the Map)
When: Sunday, August 2, 2009. All race distances start at 8:00 am
Cost: 10km = $10.00 and 25/50 km distances = $30.00
Registration: Preregister on-line at Atlantic Chip On-Line paying by credit card. Or, register in person on race day between 7:00 and 7:45 am paying by cash or cheque only.
Contact: Shawn McCardle at 902-887-3751 or smccardle@live.ca
Course: The 10km course winds you through the Nordic Ski Park. The 25km course uses Brookvale Provincial Park, the nordic ski trails, single-track mountain bike trails, a heritage road, and Provincial Forestry Demonstration Woodlot trails. The 50km route is a second loop of the 25km course.
Aid Stations: Two staffed aid stations are on course, each passed twice during the 25km loop. The stations are stocked with water, Gatorade, soda pop, and a variety of food items. Runners are strongly advised to carry their own water supply (ie. Water bottles, camelback, etc.)
Litter: We are using Forestry and Park land, and will be taking a strong stance against littering. Anyone found littering will be automatically disqualified.
Pacers: Runners in the 50km race will be allowed to have a pacer during their second loop only. Pacers are allowed to run with the competitors and carry supplies for their own run, but cannot carry any food, water or supplies for the competitor.
Awards: Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and top three female competitors in each race distance.
T-Shirts: Short-sleeve t-shirts will be given to competitors registered in the 25km and 50km distances only. Quantities are limited.
Time Limit: There will be a time limit of 10 hours for the 50km race.
Directions to Brookvale: From the Confederation Bridge - take Highway #1 (TransCanada) towards Charlottetown. Turn off at Crapaud and take Highway #13 north towards Cavendish. Brookvale Nordic Ski Park is approximately 9 km from Crapaud. (Find it on the Map)
Accommodations: This is no camping allowed at the race site. For a listing of nearby accommodations log on to tourismpei.com/accommodations
Monday, July 27, 2009
Nordstrom Exclusive Lippmann Collection "Celebrate" Nail Lacquer Set
The Lippmann Collection put out a little trio of nail colors to celebrate their 10th anniversary. It's sold only at Nordstrom, and is $35.00, so there's a $10 price break for the set instead of the usual $15.00 per bottle. It's a set of black jellies with glitter in them, always a welcome theme for me. Nothing revolutionary, but they are a bit different from the usual. Whether they are worth the price is your call. I thought about taking mine back, but ultimately I like two enough to make the set worth keeping. The formula was just fine. Easy to apply, stayed where I put it. No complaints there!
The red glitter in black, not very originally named Ruby Red Slippers (not to be confused with blue rubies, I guess) is actually a major keeper for me. As well as having regular sized red glitter it has large hexagon shaped glitter and this makes the glitter pop far more than dupe polishes such as China Glaze Lubu Heels. The big glitter is terrific and makes this very festive. I was thinking this polish would be a throwaway and a pointless duplicate, but it rises above the similar polishes to be something unique and fun.
Lippmann Collection Ruby Red Slippers:
Superstar is copper glitter in black jelly. I don't see too much copper glitter and wearing this I wonder why. I think this is GREAT for tanned summer skin. Day or dancing, this would rock. Super sexy!
Lippmann Collection Superstar:
Which leaves us with the WTF polish, Funky Chunky. If you put on too much, it looks like a black nail with a lot of black pimples. Or maybe tumors. A very sheer coat looks decent but then you get too little glitter and anyway the glitter isn't glittery. Frankly I think this polish is a mystery. The mystery being why they included it in an otherwise great trio of polishes. I've heard many people say they wished it were a sheer black, so I tried to thin it out. See my grotesque results below, if you have a strong stomach. First picture is Funky Chunky applied as thinly as possible.
Lippmann Collection Funky Chunky:
Lippmann Collection Funky Chunky mixed with clear topcoat:
So there you go. Is it worth $35? You decide!
The red glitter in black, not very originally named Ruby Red Slippers (not to be confused with blue rubies, I guess) is actually a major keeper for me. As well as having regular sized red glitter it has large hexagon shaped glitter and this makes the glitter pop far more than dupe polishes such as China Glaze Lubu Heels. The big glitter is terrific and makes this very festive. I was thinking this polish would be a throwaway and a pointless duplicate, but it rises above the similar polishes to be something unique and fun.
Lippmann Collection Ruby Red Slippers:
Superstar is copper glitter in black jelly. I don't see too much copper glitter and wearing this I wonder why. I think this is GREAT for tanned summer skin. Day or dancing, this would rock. Super sexy!
Lippmann Collection Superstar:
Which leaves us with the WTF polish, Funky Chunky. If you put on too much, it looks like a black nail with a lot of black pimples. Or maybe tumors. A very sheer coat looks decent but then you get too little glitter and anyway the glitter isn't glittery. Frankly I think this polish is a mystery. The mystery being why they included it in an otherwise great trio of polishes. I've heard many people say they wished it were a sheer black, so I tried to thin it out. See my grotesque results below, if you have a strong stomach. First picture is Funky Chunky applied as thinly as possible.
Lippmann Collection Funky Chunky:
Lippmann Collection Funky Chunky mixed with clear topcoat:
So there you go. Is it worth $35? You decide!
Every Day an Essie! - Essie Brilliant Ball Gown
Brilliant Ball Gown is a deep burgundy with lots of gold. Sounds familiar, huh? But I think this one is a cut above the rest. It really is sophisticated. It will survive some bloated polish hoard purges!
Essie Brilliant Ball Gown:
Essie Brilliant Ball Gown:
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A Comparison for EnEmDee and a Few Words about Comments.
I slipped behind on my comments! I am sorry. Rest assured in the future I'll check more for new comments and answer in a more timely manner! But you can always get me fast by emailing me, and comparison requests or questions are always welcome. The below is a recent comparison request from EnEmDee!
She asked me to compare some polishes to Zoya Hope and Pure Ice Rio. Is Creative Heiress a dupe for Zoya Hope? What about Pure Ice Rio? Is Creative Kitten Has Claws a dupe for Pure Ice Rio? Let's see!
Left to Right:
Creative Kitten Has Claws
Pure Ice Rio
Zoya Hope
Creative Heiress
As you can see, Creative Heiress is a bit lighter than Zoya Hope, and I think Zoya Hope has a bit more shimmer. Pure Ice has a purple shimmer but is much lighter, sheerer, and has larger shimmer. Creative Kitten Has Claws is a similar color to Pure Ice Rio but is a tad lighter, opaque and has much less shimmer. Thanks for the request and hope it helped!!
She asked me to compare some polishes to Zoya Hope and Pure Ice Rio. Is Creative Heiress a dupe for Zoya Hope? What about Pure Ice Rio? Is Creative Kitten Has Claws a dupe for Pure Ice Rio? Let's see!
Left to Right:
Creative Kitten Has Claws
Pure Ice Rio
Zoya Hope
Creative Heiress
As you can see, Creative Heiress is a bit lighter than Zoya Hope, and I think Zoya Hope has a bit more shimmer. Pure Ice has a purple shimmer but is much lighter, sheerer, and has larger shimmer. Creative Kitten Has Claws is a similar color to Pure Ice Rio but is a tad lighter, opaque and has much less shimmer. Thanks for the request and hope it helped!!
Every Day an Essie! - Essie Aruba Blue
Now this is a nice summer polish. A vibrant ocean blue. Makes me want to go to an island somewhere and... okay I'll keep the rest of my fantasy to myself.
Essie Aruba Blue:
Essie Aruba Blue:
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Every Day an Essie! - Essie In the Mood
In the Mood is a brownish red with gold shimmer. Sedate yet blingy. Versatile, I think this could be worn at work. Don't see why not. That and a big sign around your neck saying "LOOKIT MAI PRETTY POLISH!"
Essie In the Mood:
Essie In the Mood:
PEI Triathlon by the Sea & Rendez-Vous Rustico Duathlon Results
Triathlon by the Sea was converted to
the Duathlon by the Sea
due to dangerous surf conditions
PEI Triathlon by the Sea
Stanhope Beach, PEI July 25th, 2009 9:00 A.M.
Weather: Rain and Strong Wind
Timing & Results by Atlantic Chip Event Timing
Full Details
Stanhope Beach, PEI July 25th, 2009 9:00 A.M.
Weather: Rain and Strong Wind
Timing & Results by Atlantic Chip Event Timing
Full Details
Olympic Duathlon (1Km Run - 40Km Bike - 10Km Run)
1 1:46:18 Jamie Nickerson
2 1:51:31 Antar Fuentes
3 1:55:49 Billy MacDonald
4 1:56:14 Peter Hammill
5 1:56:55 Peter Goodacre
6 1:59:57 Gaetan Dallaire
7 2:00:02 Marcos Lores
8 2:01:44 Peter Callahan
9 2:07:18 Ron MacDougall
10 2:07:30 Dave Clark
11 2:08:09 D'Arcy Flynn
12 2:08:14 Paul Dalton
13 2:10:19 Luc Plourde
14 2:11:06 James Gardiner
15 2:13:08 Serge Melanson
16 2:13:31 Bradley Wood
17 2:14:18 Maria Profit
18 2:15:09 Patricia Ellis
19 2:15:35 Christopher Hawkes
20 2:16:24 Helen Curran
21 2:18:39 Ellen Sherren
22 2:20:18 Terry Edgett
23 2:20:53 Bonnie Smith
24 2:22:24 Sandi Carson-Mcguire
25 2:24:06 Denise Mader
26 2:25:30 Sonya Wadden-Hughes
27 2:25:55 Jennifer Power
28 2:27:33 Greg Mills
29 2:32:00 Marsha Mader
30 2:32:46 Brenda Houston
31 2:41:36 Sharon Carr
32 Garth Millar
2 1:51:31 Antar Fuentes
3 1:55:49 Billy MacDonald
4 1:56:14 Peter Hammill
5 1:56:55 Peter Goodacre
6 1:59:57 Gaetan Dallaire
7 2:00:02 Marcos Lores
8 2:01:44 Peter Callahan
9 2:07:18 Ron MacDougall
10 2:07:30 Dave Clark
11 2:08:09 D'Arcy Flynn
12 2:08:14 Paul Dalton
13 2:10:19 Luc Plourde
14 2:11:06 James Gardiner
15 2:13:08 Serge Melanson
16 2:13:31 Bradley Wood
17 2:14:18 Maria Profit
18 2:15:09 Patricia Ellis
19 2:15:35 Christopher Hawkes
20 2:16:24 Helen Curran
21 2:18:39 Ellen Sherren
22 2:20:18 Terry Edgett
23 2:20:53 Bonnie Smith
24 2:22:24 Sandi Carson-Mcguire
25 2:24:06 Denise Mader
26 2:25:30 Sonya Wadden-Hughes
27 2:25:55 Jennifer Power
28 2:27:33 Greg Mills
29 2:32:00 Marsha Mader
30 2:32:46 Brenda Houston
31 2:41:36 Sharon Carr
32 Garth Millar
Sprint Duathlon (1Km Run - 20Km Bike - 5Km Run)
1 1:00:25 Mike Freeman
2 1:00:25 Darcy McCourt
3 1:00:59 Menno Arendz
4 1:01:12 Liam McInerney
5 1:02:28 Luke Dunphy
6 1:02:39 Miguel Arsenault
7 1:03:19 Kris Wood
8 1:04:47 Doug Cochrane
9 1:06:00 Joey Murphy
10 1:06:29 Scott Mackay
11 1:06:29 Shane Hawkins
12 1:06:46 Angela Ripley
13 1:07:00 Sarah Tennant
14 1:07:05 Andrew Ing
15 1:07:15 Tom Crowell
16 1:07:16 Arend Teraa
17 1:07:30 Michael Bedard
18 1:07:48 Alex Nelson
19 1:07:55 Sean Borden
20 1:08:48 Rob Trainer
21 1:09:12 Steven Black
22 1:09:14 Mark Generoux
23 1:09:39 Michael Carter
24 1:10:10 Troy Van Dandellen
25 1:10:14 Sean Flemming
26 1:10:26 Sean Flanagan
27 1:12:49 Peter Comeau
28 1:13:07 Kylie Muio
29 1:13:07 Kent Sheen
30 1:13:46 Emily Coady
31 1:14:26 Dylan Carr
32 1:14:42 Bobby MacLeod
33 1:15:19 Sandie Morrison
34 1:15:30 Janice Ployer
35 1:15:53 Brenda Benson
36 1:15:53 Carolyn Rowe- Turner
37 1:15:59 Ray Murphy
38 1:16:43 Suzanne Plamondon
39 1:17:11 Chris Jordan
40 1:17:24 Sheila Bell
41 1:17:24 Patty Dexter
42 1:18:23 Johannah Profit
43 1:18:23 Dave Beaton
44 1:19:26 Nathan Archibald
45 1:19:36 Tony Sturz
46 1:19:57 Meghan Bonnell
47 1:20:20 Karen Bedard
48 1:22:32 Cindy Howard
49 1:22:34 Alison MacDonald
50 1:32:48 Becky Kilcup
51 1:36:28 Crystal Huntington
52 1:38:53 Ericka Sutherland
53 1:54:28 Sabrina Giddings
54 1:57:27 Seana Evams-Renaud
2 1:00:25 Darcy McCourt
3 1:00:59 Menno Arendz
4 1:01:12 Liam McInerney
5 1:02:28 Luke Dunphy
6 1:02:39 Miguel Arsenault
7 1:03:19 Kris Wood
8 1:04:47 Doug Cochrane
9 1:06:00 Joey Murphy
10 1:06:29 Scott Mackay
11 1:06:29 Shane Hawkins
12 1:06:46 Angela Ripley
13 1:07:00 Sarah Tennant
14 1:07:05 Andrew Ing
15 1:07:15 Tom Crowell
16 1:07:16 Arend Teraa
17 1:07:30 Michael Bedard
18 1:07:48 Alex Nelson
19 1:07:55 Sean Borden
20 1:08:48 Rob Trainer
21 1:09:12 Steven Black
22 1:09:14 Mark Generoux
23 1:09:39 Michael Carter
24 1:10:10 Troy Van Dandellen
25 1:10:14 Sean Flemming
26 1:10:26 Sean Flanagan
27 1:12:49 Peter Comeau
28 1:13:07 Kylie Muio
29 1:13:07 Kent Sheen
30 1:13:46 Emily Coady
31 1:14:26 Dylan Carr
32 1:14:42 Bobby MacLeod
33 1:15:19 Sandie Morrison
34 1:15:30 Janice Ployer
35 1:15:53 Brenda Benson
36 1:15:53 Carolyn Rowe- Turner
37 1:15:59 Ray Murphy
38 1:16:43 Suzanne Plamondon
39 1:17:11 Chris Jordan
40 1:17:24 Sheila Bell
41 1:17:24 Patty Dexter
42 1:18:23 Johannah Profit
43 1:18:23 Dave Beaton
44 1:19:26 Nathan Archibald
45 1:19:36 Tony Sturz
46 1:19:57 Meghan Bonnell
47 1:20:20 Karen Bedard
48 1:22:32 Cindy Howard
49 1:22:34 Alison MacDonald
50 1:32:48 Becky Kilcup
51 1:36:28 Crystal Huntington
52 1:38:53 Ericka Sutherland
53 1:54:28 Sabrina Giddings
54 1:57:27 Seana Evams-Renaud
Team Duathlon
1 2:43:35 Joy Gallant Houston Pacquet Joy Gallant Houston Pacquet
2 2:52:47 Diane Houston Diane Houston Bill Fenton Diane Houston
2 2:52:47 Diane Houston Diane Houston Bill Fenton Diane Houston
A wet & windy Cox and Palmer Run
It was cloudy and rain and windy and 16 degrees.The Cox and Palmer Run at Old Charlottetown and Victoria Park.
I wore the shoes from last year prize at the Cox and Palmer run.
Rob Mackenzie won the race and Rebecca Pike for the top female.
Connor McGuire won the 5km race and Alannah MacDonald for the top female.
I finished in 43:05, beating 16 seconds from last year and came in 12th out of 46 runners.
Mark McCosham at Victoria Park for last 2km of race after he finish his 5km.
More Photos (Sorry about the many blurry photos, I think my camera was trying to focus on the raindrops between me and the runners!)
Official Result: 12th out of 46
10K in 43 minutes, 5 seconds
Cox and Palmer Run 2008
Cox and Palmer Run 2007
Cox and Palmer Run Photos 2007-2009
Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness
acceptance, inclusion, awareness
Diamond Cosmetics Hot Summer Pink Giveaway!
So as I said below in my Diamond Cosmetics polish review, Rebecca sent YOU a gift. Since she took the Cotton Candy polish from the Summer collection, she sent two Hot Summer Pinks, one for me, one for you. And believe me it's a gorgeous polish!
Usual deal, email me your name to polishmayhem@gmail.com, you can live anywhere on earth! I'll take entries til next Friday, July 31st, at 6:00 pm, and announce the winner later that same evening!
Good Luck and thanks for reading Polish Mayhem!
Usual deal, email me your name to polishmayhem@gmail.com, you can live anywhere on earth! I'll take entries til next Friday, July 31st, at 6:00 pm, and announce the winner later that same evening!
Good Luck and thanks for reading Polish Mayhem!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Diamond Cosmetics - $2 Polish and Not Bad At All!
Rebecca kindly sent me a metric fuckton of nail polish the other day, because she's kind and generous like that. She found Diamond Cosmetics, and decided she'd add some stuff for me onto her order. She also, dear Polish Monkeys, bought YOU a gift, which I will post about next.
Diamond has a pretty decent formula! It's more on the runny side, only one creme did I find thick (Oh, Tiff!). All had good coverage with two coats except the Glow in the Darks, which are very sheer. Some cremes could probably even be one coaters, if you put on a thick enough coat, but I prefer two coats in most circumstances to prevent sheer spots.
Diamond has some July Specials, which I will start with first. The first special is six "neons" plus a topcoat and a white, for $15.00. I do not as a rule use whites for base coats, as Diamond suggests, I find that rather than provide a bright base for colors, they wash them out. But that's just my opinion, you may like them very much that way. All these swatches are without white as a basecoat, but, as they are neons and many neons dry matte, I used a topcoat.
Diamond Froggy:
Diamond Beware:
Diamond Danger Zone:
Diamond White:
Diamond Safety Zone:
Diamond Hot Summer Pink, fuchsia pink neon with purple shimmer and an INSTANT all-time favorite of mine:
Diamond Wow, just the bottle and washed out at that, could NOT photograph this bright hot pink correctly, but it's very, very like Essie Punchy Pink:
The second July Special is the "Summer Special" - six red/pinks and two blues, and a topcoat for $12.00. These are two coats with no topcoat.
Diamond Oh, Tiff! - with which I will be doing a comparison against other Tiffany blues later:
Diamond Pink Passion:
Diamond Fiery Coral, which I say is red:
Diamond Don't Teal My Heart Away, a very nice dark teal creme:
This collection also contains Hot Summer Pink, already pictured, and a soft pink called Cotton Candy, which Rebecca kept. The next are not on "Special", but are only $2.00 each, and they are Glow In the Dark, so damn straight I love them. Sorry I did not test out the GITD ability it was daytime and I had a lot of swatchin' to do. :( This is four coats and topcoat. To make up for needing so many coats, they dried quickly!
Diamond Tangeglo:
Diamond Gloworm Green:
Diamond Blue Moonglo:
Diamond Pink Flaminglo:
I have some others, but I am gonna hold them back as I see "A Daily Diamond" daily polish review in the future. :D
Diamond has a pretty decent formula! It's more on the runny side, only one creme did I find thick (Oh, Tiff!). All had good coverage with two coats except the Glow in the Darks, which are very sheer. Some cremes could probably even be one coaters, if you put on a thick enough coat, but I prefer two coats in most circumstances to prevent sheer spots.
Diamond has some July Specials, which I will start with first. The first special is six "neons" plus a topcoat and a white, for $15.00. I do not as a rule use whites for base coats, as Diamond suggests, I find that rather than provide a bright base for colors, they wash them out. But that's just my opinion, you may like them very much that way. All these swatches are without white as a basecoat, but, as they are neons and many neons dry matte, I used a topcoat.
Diamond Froggy:
Diamond Beware:
Diamond Danger Zone:
Diamond White:
Diamond Safety Zone:
Diamond Hot Summer Pink, fuchsia pink neon with purple shimmer and an INSTANT all-time favorite of mine:
Diamond Wow, just the bottle and washed out at that, could NOT photograph this bright hot pink correctly, but it's very, very like Essie Punchy Pink:
The second July Special is the "Summer Special" - six red/pinks and two blues, and a topcoat for $12.00. These are two coats with no topcoat.
Diamond Oh, Tiff! - with which I will be doing a comparison against other Tiffany blues later:
Diamond Pink Passion:
Diamond Fiery Coral, which I say is red:
Diamond Don't Teal My Heart Away, a very nice dark teal creme:
This collection also contains Hot Summer Pink, already pictured, and a soft pink called Cotton Candy, which Rebecca kept. The next are not on "Special", but are only $2.00 each, and they are Glow In the Dark, so damn straight I love them. Sorry I did not test out the GITD ability it was daytime and I had a lot of swatchin' to do. :( This is four coats and topcoat. To make up for needing so many coats, they dried quickly!
Diamond Tangeglo:
Diamond Gloworm Green:
Diamond Blue Moonglo:
Diamond Pink Flaminglo:
I have some others, but I am gonna hold them back as I see "A Daily Diamond" daily polish review in the future. :D
Every Day an Essie! - Essie Pink Lemonade
Fun shade! This pink has some body to it, which is why I like it. It's a frost though, which does not suit me. But it looks fresh and summery.
Essie Pink Lemonade:
Essie Pink Lemonade:
Thursday, July 23, 2009
China Glaze Retro Diva Fall 2009 Collection
I love China Glaze, it is easily one of my top 3 favorite polishes in the world, maybe even #1. They have endless colors, nice jellies and shimmers, super glitters like Ruby Pumps, and they have the GLASS FLECKS, which rock all corners of ass. This year has not been their best year, but they have a super bunch of polishes already, so some slack can be cut.
The Retro Diva Collection for Fall 2009 features their regular formula, which is good. It's not the best or the worst formula, but it is very good and easy to use. I make sure my brush stick is scraped and wipe one side of the brush against the bottle opening so I have a good load of polish, but only on one side of the brush. This minimizes sloppy application.
As for the colors, if you like orange/brown, purple and dark red you are in luck. If not, you're kinda screwed. The collection is mostly metallic frosts, with a few simple shimmers and one drool-worthy glass fleck thrown in. It's lovely if you like the colors. I do have to be honest, while I adore these jewel tones, which are rich and glowing like Zoya's Truth or Dare Collections, I prefer the big grain shimmer of Zoyas' offering to these metallic frosts. But that's a personal opinion on style. These are pretty polishes, and eye-catching, but I know I am going to reach for the Zoyas more often. No biggie, China Glaze is an incredible line, and I hear from AllLacqueredUp's tweets that they are going to put out Emerald Sparkle with gold glass fleck for the holidays!! Who can beat THAT?!
So this collection is a lot like the summer Custom Kicks collection, in that there are kinda too many polishes with similar colors. A fewer similar colors would have been nice. Here we go, arranged by color!
China Glaze Cords, a kind of grey-taupe metallic frost:
China Glaze Far Out, a warm brown frost that I like but makes me worry about the "Poo" factor.:
China Glaze Cruisin', an orange metallic frost. A jelly frost, if you will, it's sheerish.:
China Glaze Free Love, an orange frost. We needed this AND Cruisin', how?:
China Glaze Street Racing, a metallic frost in a super red-orange sort of blood orange shade. I adore this one!:
China Glaze Drive In, a darker orange-red metallic frost:
China Glaze Thunderbird, a gorgeous wine colored frost with metallic shimmer to it. Love this one.:
China Glaze Stroll, the queen of the collection. An incredible burgundy jelly with glass fleck shimmer. Just gorgeous and so much better than the picture. This polish is a must have.:
China Glaze Short & Sassy. Easing from red to purple here, and back to the metallic frosts. Pretty!:
China Glaze Skate Night, a juicy red-purple metallic frost:
China Glaze Stella, a yummy Tyrian metallic frost:
China Glaze Let's Groove, a gorgeous grape shimmer. This is actually tons of shimmer in a very dark almost black purple jelly. It reminds me a lot of Rimmel Night Before. Stunning.:
There you have it. Not earth-shattering for the most part, but if all I get out of this is Stroll, it would be enough.
The Retro Diva Collection for Fall 2009 features their regular formula, which is good. It's not the best or the worst formula, but it is very good and easy to use. I make sure my brush stick is scraped and wipe one side of the brush against the bottle opening so I have a good load of polish, but only on one side of the brush. This minimizes sloppy application.
As for the colors, if you like orange/brown, purple and dark red you are in luck. If not, you're kinda screwed. The collection is mostly metallic frosts, with a few simple shimmers and one drool-worthy glass fleck thrown in. It's lovely if you like the colors. I do have to be honest, while I adore these jewel tones, which are rich and glowing like Zoya's Truth or Dare Collections, I prefer the big grain shimmer of Zoyas' offering to these metallic frosts. But that's a personal opinion on style. These are pretty polishes, and eye-catching, but I know I am going to reach for the Zoyas more often. No biggie, China Glaze is an incredible line, and I hear from AllLacqueredUp's tweets that they are going to put out Emerald Sparkle with gold glass fleck for the holidays!! Who can beat THAT?!
So this collection is a lot like the summer Custom Kicks collection, in that there are kinda too many polishes with similar colors. A fewer similar colors would have been nice. Here we go, arranged by color!
China Glaze Cords, a kind of grey-taupe metallic frost:
China Glaze Far Out, a warm brown frost that I like but makes me worry about the "Poo" factor.:
China Glaze Cruisin', an orange metallic frost. A jelly frost, if you will, it's sheerish.:
China Glaze Free Love, an orange frost. We needed this AND Cruisin', how?:
China Glaze Street Racing, a metallic frost in a super red-orange sort of blood orange shade. I adore this one!:
China Glaze Drive In, a darker orange-red metallic frost:
China Glaze Thunderbird, a gorgeous wine colored frost with metallic shimmer to it. Love this one.:
China Glaze Stroll, the queen of the collection. An incredible burgundy jelly with glass fleck shimmer. Just gorgeous and so much better than the picture. This polish is a must have.:
China Glaze Short & Sassy. Easing from red to purple here, and back to the metallic frosts. Pretty!:
China Glaze Skate Night, a juicy red-purple metallic frost:
China Glaze Stella, a yummy Tyrian metallic frost:
China Glaze Let's Groove, a gorgeous grape shimmer. This is actually tons of shimmer in a very dark almost black purple jelly. It reminds me a lot of Rimmel Night Before. Stunning.:
There you have it. Not earth-shattering for the most part, but if all I get out of this is Stroll, it would be enough.
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