Cool Wave Lacquer swatches and review

I have some nice indie polishes to share with you tonight - Cool Waves Lacquer from Never Naked Nails.

Cool Waves Lacquer will launch in the New Year. But the polishes have been in testing mode since July. The polish is handmade completely from scratch. No store bought polishes are used. All of the polishes are made using various combinations of glitters, pigments, micas and 3-free lacquer bases.

These polishes applied great. I didn't have to fish for glitter and it applied evenly. The dry time was pretty quick. I did not use a top coat for these swatches.

Let's move on to the swatches.

Lizard Lamada is from the Lush Lizard Collection.  It is a green multi-sized holographic glitter in a green base. It is basically a top coat polish. I used several colors so you can see the possibilities. Orly "Jealous Much" is on the pointer finger. Milani "White on the Spot" is on the middle finger. Venique "Whiskey Vamp" on the ring and Milani "Black Swift" is on the pinkie.  I used one coat of Lizard Lambada on each. Over the white you can really see that it has a light green base. The final color is very similar to the swatch over "Jealous Much."

Ole Fishin' Hole is multi-sized iridescent and regular glitter top coat and is from the Country Collection. It is in a light blue base. It has larger iridescent glitter pieces that really don't show well in the photos but add depth to the base. Venique "Whiskey Vamp" is on the pointer finger. Picture Polish "Sky" is on the middle finger. Barielle "Jordana's Skinny Jeans" is on the ring and Milani "White on the Spot" is on the pinkie.  I used one coat of Lizard Lambada on each.

I am pleased with the effects of these polishes. I would use a nice top coat to show off the shine more and smooth the finish.

Cool Waves Lacquer and Polish Jewelry is available at her Etsy shop. Mini polishes are $4.50 and full size polishes are $8.50.

You can also follow her on Facebook.

Maya Cosmetics nail polish swatches and review

I received some samples of a new nail polish to share with you - Maya Cosmetics.

"We start with the basics--cosmetic-grade pigments and glitters and bases that are free of dibutyl pthalate, formaldehyde, and toluene--then hand-blend them into our custom creations" Maya Cosmetics website. 

The formula on these polishes is great. The shimmers applied wonderfully. They have a nice smooth application and a relatively quick dry time. The glitters are superb. Some glitters are very hard to work with but these apply evenly and don't require any "fishing" for glitter.

Let's move on to the swatches.

Enigma - is a rich chocolate brown with tons of shimmer and shine. The polish applied beautifully and in two coats I had wonderful coverage.

Maya Cosmetics Enigma nail polish

Maya Cosmetics Enigma nail polish

Hex -  is a wonderful olive green infused with gorgeous gold shimmer. Again, application was a breeze. This is two coats.

Maya Cosmetics Hex nail polish

Maya Cosmetics Hex nail polish

Hocus Pocus - is a multi-shaped and multi-colored glitter. Tons of orange, black, purple and white glitters swim in a clear base. Round, square, hexagon and bar glitter apply evenly. This is one coat over Enigma.

Maya Cosmetics Hocus Pocus nail polish

Maya Cosmetics Hocus Pocus nail polish

Maya Cosmetics Hocus Pocus nail polish bottle shot

Voodoo -  is a glitter-packed bottle of glitz and glam. Multi-colored micro glitter (predominately black) are jam-packed in a clear base. This is three coats.

Maya Cosmetics Voodoo nail polish

Maya Cosmetics Voodoo nail polish (photo blurred to show the sparkle)

Maya Cosmetics Voodoo nail polish

Maya Cosmetic nail polish is a quality indie polish. It can be purchased at www.maya-cosmetics.com/ for $8. And don't forget to follow Maya Cosmetics on Facebook to get the latest updates!

These polishes were provided to me for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rainbow Honey - The Yokai collection

Rainbow Honey has released a limited edition fall collection - The Yokai. I was sworn to secrecy on this release and was about to burst!

Three glitter-infused polishes are being introduced. They will be available for purchase October 13 while supplies last at www.rainbowhoney.com.

The formula on these polishes is great. Two coats provided wonderful coverage. They are thirsty polishes and need a good top coat. But I always use a top coat to protect my manicure.

Let's have a look at these lovely polishes.

The packaging is quite classy and chic.

Rainbow Honey Yokai Collection

Kawako - The mischievous river child. A stunning navy blue jam-packed with silver glitter. This is two coats. This is my favorite of the collection.

Rainbow Honey Kawako nail polish

Rainbow Honey Kawako nail polish

Kitsune - The magical white fox. A wonderful beige base with gold and red glitter.

Rainbow Honey Kitsune nail polish

Rainbow Honey Kitsune nail polish

Oni - The malevolent wild demon. A jet black base with tons of gold glitter. It is simply stunning.

Rainbow Honey Oni nail polish

Rainbow Honey Oni nail polish

This Rainbow Honey collection is a must for fall. Make sure to mark your calendar for the October 13, 2012 release!

Hocus Pocus Halloween Collection swatches and review

I am excited to share this Indie polish line with you. Hocus Pocus is a spook-tacular collection of glitter that is sure to thrill and delight all the glitter lovers out there. This line will be released on or about the 28th of September by a proven Indie polish maker - 365 Days of Color. The collection has a little bit of something for everyone.

The formula is great. The glitter applied evenly and I didn't have to go bobbin' for glitter. The dry time was great too.

Some took a few coats but that is dependent how much glitter you actually like on your Halloween adorned nails.

Let's move on to the swatches!

Black Flame Candle is a jet black base with micro glitter. The silver glitter shimmers and shines with a magical glow of subtle color. This is three light coats.

365 Days of Color - Black Flame Candle

365 Days of Color - Black Flame Candle

365 Days of Color - Black Flame Candle

Boouk is a ghostly flesh base color with gold, bronze and brown glitters. This is three coats without a base color. Lots of super glitter in this one.

365 Days of Color - Boouk

 I then used Boouk with a base color of Sabrina Sato Ballet - This is one coat of Boouk.

365 Days of Color - Boouk (With Sabrina Sato Ballet base color)

365 Days of Color - Boouk (With Sabrina Sato Ballet base color)

Come Little Children is a fetching top coat with black and red glitter. This is one coat over Zoya Noot.

365 Days of Color - Come Little Children (with Zoya Noot base color)

365 Days of Color - Come Little Children (with Zoya Noot base color)

My favorite of the bunch is I Smell... Children. A gorgeous black base with tons of fantastic purple glitter. Lots of bewitching color in this one!

365 Days of Color - I Smell ... Children

365 Days of Color - I Smell ... Children

I Put a Spell on You is a spell binding green glitter top coat. The swatch below is over Zoya Ray.

365 Days of Color - I Put a Spell on You (with Zoya Ray base color)

365 Days of Color - I Put a Spell on You (with Zoya Ray base color)

The Hocus Pocus Collection will be available on 365 Days of Color Big Cartel website at http://www.365daysofcolorpolishes.bigcartel.com/ on or about September 28.

NailVenturous - Granite swatch

Just a quick swatch for you. Today I have a special Indie polish for you. Granite by NailVenturous. The wonderful lady behind the wonderful polishes at NailVenturous is not producing them anymore. So if you have one -hang on to it; and if you have a chance to grab one - grab it.

Granite is full of tiny dots of black glitter with larger white and copper glitters in a milky white base. I really like the look of the polish. The name "granite" fits it well. Although the copper glitter didn't lay as flat as the glitter in "Robin Laid an Egg."

NailVenturous "Granite"

I've got the blues - Dandy Nails

Nail mail came today. I admit it. Both polishes were blue. I have a thing with blue - dark blue, light blue, sky blue, navy blue, cobalt blue... need I go on?

So when I saw these polishes from DandyNails I couldn't resist.

The formula is awesome. Great application - smooth and wonderful coverage in two coats for Eager Eyes and three coats for Parallel Universe.

Eager Eyes has tons of sparkle and shine. It was hard to capture in the photos. A light, yet bright blue. This quickly moved up on my favorites list.

Dandy Nail Eager Eyes

Dandy Nail Eager Eyes

Parallel Universe is a gorgeous azure blue with a slight shift to purple. But I couldn't catch the duochrome effect in the photo. Wonderful shimmer and shine to this polish.

Dandy Nail Parallel Universe

Dandy Nail Parallel Universe

Now I think I am off to find more blue polishes. One can never have enough blues...

I have swatches of DandyNails Bathed in Light, Look Around and You Set My Soul Alight here.

Bottom line: An indie polish that is classy, elegant and fashionable. I am going to have to check out some more of her polishes! Dandy Nails can be purchased for $8 on her Etsy shop when available.

Miss Kitty Mee-Yow -- Here Kitty Kitty!

The wonderful lady Lisa from Cosmetic Sanctuary sent me a package for my birthday - Amazing polishes from Elixir Lacquers.

I couldn't wait to try them. The one I am sharing with you tonight is Miss Kitty Mee-yow.  It is the "purrfect" purple. A light shimmery purple with iridescent hues of azure blue. Unfortunately I couldn't get the camera to pick up the blue shimmery aspect of this polish.

This is three coats. I could have worn a base color but I wanted to see the true colors come through. And I wasn't disappointed. Meow!

Elixir Lacquer Miss Kitty Mee-yow

Elixir Lacquer Miss Kitty Mee-yow

Elixir Lacquer Miss Kitty Mee-yow

Elixir Lacquer is definitely going on my radar of Indies to watch. Right now she is having a sale. Elixir Lacquers are normally $10 but you can grab them for $8 until July 30th. What are you waiting for? Head on over to http://www.elixirlacquers.com/.

Dandy Nails swatches and review

I recently ordered from Dandy Nails. I love indie polishes and have some favorite Etsy stores to haunt. Dandy Nails is one of them. I purchased Bathed in Light, Look Around and You Set My Soul Alight. I am not a big glitter kind of gal so these seemed perfect. Don't get me wrong. I love glitter - it's gorgeous. But I love the microglitters - the larger glitters just aren't for me.

These three polishes are amazing - full of glittery goodness. The application was great. I only used two coats on each. Look Around and You Set My Soul Alight definitely needed a top coat to bring out the shine. But that wasn't a problem for me. I always use a top coat.

Let's move on to the swatches.

This is my favorite of the three and it has secured a place on my list of all-time favorites.

Bathed in Light is a gorgeous duo-chrome with holographic prisms. All the best of both worlds. The color shifts from a gorgeous gray to a shimmery pink. The holographic particles reflect the colors of the rainbow. A must have polish for your collection.

Dandy Nails Bathed in Light

Look around is a gorgeous sea foam green with micro holographic glitter. A classy and fashionable polish. The color is mesmerizing. The name is a little off though. It's impossible to "look around" with this polish on 'cause I just want to keep staring at my nails.   :)

Dandy Nails Look Around

You Set My Soul Alight is a classic black with tons of micro holographic glitter throughout. Hard to capture on camera. I also notice I didn't clean up well enough after this manicure. But that doesn't mean you can't see all the fun glittery goodness.

Dandy Nails You Set My Soul Alight

Bottom line: An indie polish that is classy, elegant and fashionable. I am going to have to check out some more of her polishes! Dandy Nails can be purchased for $8.

Nerd Lacquer Nebula - First of several swatches

An amazing friend sent me some Nerd Lacquer polishes. I had never tried the line before so when they came I couldn't wait to wear one. The hard part was deciding which one. Nebula just kind of jumped out at me.

Nerd Lacquer Nebula

Nebula is a glorious deep burgandy base with tons of multicolored glitter packed in it. The name fits the polish nicely. It looks as though all the stars were captured and corralled in this bottle. It applied wonderfully - even and smooth. It has a relatively quick dry time. One coat of Seche Vite Top Coat finished it off nicely. I was worried that it might be a thirsty polish and need a couple of coats of top coat. But one coat was all it needed. 

Nerd Lacquer is one of those indie polishes that caused an internet riot when it was available. Now its creator is taking a break from making polish making this polish even more sought after.

Here are the Nerd Lacquers you will see in future posts.

Vivid Lacquer - Indie polish review

Today I have for you an Indie polish review - Vivid Lacquer.

Vivid Lacquer is an indie polish maker on Etsy.com. She sent four polishes for me to review. (Well, she actually sent five but one is a prototype and I am sworn to secrecy.  ;)

The polish formulas were pretty good. They applied evenly (they were kind of thick but applied well) and dried quickly. I did have to fish for the larger glitter pieces but I think that is pretty common for some of these specialty glitters. The color combinations of the glitter were great. The polishes were a little on the thick side when applying - but again - pretty common for specialty glitters.

Let's get straight to the swatches!

The Harlequin's Adoration over Milani A Rose My Lady

The Harlequins Adoration is tons of multi-size and shape glitter. I applied it over Milani A Rose My Lady.  This polish makes me think of Alice in Wonderland. Hearts and diamond shaped glitter make up the main part of the polish. I did have to fish for some of the larger pieces but it wasn't too hard. It is a nice, pretty polish.

Here's a bottle shot of The Harlequin's Adoration.

The Harlequin's Adoration bottle shot

Next is Paint me Patriotic.  This is probably my favorite of the bunch. Multi-size and shape glitters. And of course it's red, white and blue. I put this over Milani White on the Spot. But that actually makes it hard to see the white glitter. It dried quickly and applied pretty evenly. This may have to be my 4th of July mani.

Paint me Patriotic over Milani White on the Spot

Here's a bottle shot of Paint me Patriotic.

Paint me Patriotic bottle shot

Next up is The Ice Queen's Lament. Multiple shades and shapes of blue glitter. Did I mention it's blue? I do love blue and this does look like something you would see on an Ice Queen's wall. Again, i had to fish for some of the larger pieces but I think too many of the large hearts would be too much. I applied the Ice Queen's Lament over Deborah Lippman Let's hear it for the boy. Very pretty and subtle.

The Ice Queen's Lament over Deborah Lippman Let's hear it for the boy

Here's a bottle shot of The Ice Queen's Lament.

The Ice Queen's Lament bottle shot

And the last polish. I really like this one. It's Your Princess is in Another Castle. Lot's of small pink glitter with larger round pieces of glitter. This one can stand on it's own or over a base color. I started with it over Milani A Rose My Lady. I only used one coat on the first photo.

Your Princess is in Another Castle over Milani A Rose My Lady - One Coat.

Here it is with two coats. The top nail has a base color of A Rose My Lady. The bottom is with no base color. It really can stand on its own.

Your Princess is in Another Castle

And here's the bottle shot of  Your Princess is in Another Castle.

Your Princess is in Another Castle bottle shot

There has been a lot of debate on indie polishes and the testing they put their polishes through. So I asked her what kind of testing she conducted on her polish. Rather than sum it up for you I will put her response here in its entirety.

"The generalized version: Each glitter and pigment is tested within my base for at least 30 days before I consider it suitable to be used in polishes that I sell on my website.

More specifically: I test my glitters by soaking them in the base that I use for 30 days prior to using them in any polishes that I sell. I do not get rid of the soaked glitters after that point - I continue testing so that I can be aware the second that anything changes with the state of the glitter (bleeding, curling, melting, etc). I do the same with pigments, as well as testing them to be sure that they mix properly and stay suspended without separating from the base when sitting still. 

I only purchase my glitters from vendors who guarantee their stability in solvents, so essentially each glitter that I use is tested on 2-3 levels from the factory down to the supplier and finally when it reaches me.

Finally, every polish that I create is swatched to see how it reacts when drying, and the tester bottle is left for between two weeks and thirty days before the formula is duplicated for public sale."

Vivid Lacquer indie polishes can be purchased on vividlacquer.etsy.com for $9. You can find more updated information on her Facebook page at facebook.com/vividlacquer or Twitter by following @vividlacquer.

Bottom line: Vivid Lacquer polishes are a good Indie polish with a decent formula. Very pretty polishes and combinations. I think they are a little pricey at $9. If you like large, glitzy, glitter polishes you should give Vivid Lacquer a try. 

The products in this post were sent to me for review.  I was not paid for my review of this product and all opinions are my own.