Collection: 2012, Go Overboard (Spring)
I’ve always been a lover of teal, and I adore cream finishes, so it was a no-brainer to pick up Go Overboard. It’s a deep, deep teal blue (more blue than green) cream. It’s not a blackened teal, so it manages to still look teal in dim light, which I really like.
The formula was pretty nice and I only needed two coats for full opacity and evenness.
I just want to mention that I will be holding off on swatches for the next few weeks, as I really want to get the personal organizer part of the nail polish database up and running! I really need to get my polishes all sorted – after all, it’s a bit late now spring cleaning…
Collection: 2013, Resort (Spring)
If Avon’s Jade is a light, slightly pistachio-ed Paris Green, First Timer is like a candied, minted, properly toxic Paris Green. It’s a super vivid and cheerful color in bright sunlight. Honestly, I feel it’s a little distracting on my fingertips, haha! Definitely a pedi shade for me. Those who like it loud will love this.
The formula was a little thick and creamy, reminiscent of a neon/pastel formula even though this is not quite either one. I did find three thin coats were needed, as it streaked a bit.
(Click for larger photo.)
Polish: Essie — Using My Middle Name
Bag: Botkier Aldyn small bag — Purple Blue
Collection: 2013, Bridal (Spring)
Using My Maiden Name, from Essie’s 2013 Bridal collection, is inspired by the lovely hydrangea. It’s a cool, blue-toned, medium wisteria-purple with gorgeous, fine pink shimmer. Not quite “something blue” but it would be amazing on some bridal tips or toes! It’s not my best color, but I really love how pretty and feminine this polish is.
This polish applied reasonably smoothly. The photo shows two thin coats. It’s not fully opaque (but I wouldn’t exactly call it semi-sheer), so if you want full coverage, you’ll need three thin coats or two thicker ones.
Collection: Essie Avenue Maintain, 2013, Madison Ave-Hue (Spring)
These were being cleared out at my local Winners, and a couple of helpful MUAers said they were worth picking up at $3 a pop! I am not usually one for layering polishes, but I’m definitely sold on these.
A few years back, CND (formerly Creative Nail Design) discontinued all their old nail polish (boo!) and introduced their new Colors and Effects polishes. The Colors, I believe, are all opaques, and the Effects are different top coats to layer over the Colors. I picked up Raspberry Sparkle and Jade Sparkle, which are sheer, microglittery opalescents that flash pink (Raspberry) or green (Jade).
Last week I tried out Essie Avenue Maintain, loved it, and then proceeded to stick an Effect over the top. I hemmed and hawed a little over whether to use Raspberry or Jade, but in the end, Raspberry won out, and I convinced myself not to do one hand with each Effect. One coat of Raspberry Sparkle turned Avenue Maintain into a vivid blue with pretty pink flashing microglitter! You could definitely use an extra coat or two to amp up the flash, but I liked the “subtlety” of just one. Here it is:
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