China Glaze 5 Golden Rings Nail Lacquer

For the Holidays:  China Glaze Love You Snow Much Nail Lacquer Set

China Glaze Love You Snow Much Nail Lacquer Set ($12.00 to $18.00) is a holiday-themed set, and it includes 5 Golden Rings (pale gold), Emerald Sparkle (emerald green), Tinsel (light silver), and Ruby Pumps (ruby red).

• 5 Golden Rings is a paled yellow-gold with bright and muted yellow gold shimmer mixed in a sheer, tinted pale yellow base. Even with three coats, I couldn’t get this shade to look opaque on my nails. I like the color, but it’s a bit on the sheer side and I tend to gravitate towards more opaque choices myself. However, since it is so sheer in its base color, it gives you bling without being too much.
• Emerald Sparkle is a shimmery rich emerald green. It is a deep, dark forest green base mixed with brighter, more emerald green shimmer. It’s also a dream to apply; smooth and pigmented, it only needs two coats to obtain a rich, lush green that is entirely opaque.
• Tinsel is a bright silver shimmer suspended in a clear base. Since the base is clear, it is sheer and doesn’t apply completely opaque even with three coats. I think thicker coats and three or four of them might yield a slightly more opaque look, but some experimentation is necessary.
• Ruby Pumps is a shimmery bright ruby red. It has a medium bright red base with darker ruby red shimmer sprinkled throughout. It applies evenly and without a fuss, plus it goes opaque in just two medium-thick coats.

Which of the four is your favorite?

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• Product: 27/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you don’t own Emerald Sparkle/Ruby Pumps, this is a good set to pick ‘em up in! 5 Golden Rings and Tinsel may not be your cup of tea if you prefer opaque color–but if you do like sheer shades, you may love this set entirely.

Availability: 8ty8beauty.com, Head2ToeBeauty.com, TransDesign.com

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Holiday Glitz: China Glaze Emerald Sparkle Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Emerald Sparkle Nail Lacquer ($3.50 to $6.00 for 0.5 fl. oz.) is a signature shade for the holidays. I remember practically fall over myself trying to track it down without paying ridiculously inflated eBay prices and failing. This year, it is part of the Love You Snow Much Set, which also includes Tinsel (light silver), Ruby Pumps (ruby red), and 5 Golden Rings (pale gold). I love Emerald Sparkle so much, I feel it deserves its own post. I’ll review the entire set tomorrow, so stay tuned! :)

Emerald Sparkle is a shimmery rich emerald green. It is a deep, dark forest green base mixed with brighter, more emerald green shimmer. The combination is absolutely stunning, both in natural light, sunlight, and indoor lighting. It sparkles and shimmers, and it is so suitable for the holiday season. It’s also a dream to apply; smooth and pigmented, it only needs two coats to obtain a rich, lush green that is entirely opaque. This is definitely one of my favorite China Glaze shades to date, and it also has one of the best formulations amongst the brand’s line-up.

Would you rock Emerald Sparkle?

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• Product: 29/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 5/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation:  If you love lush green shades for your nails, I’m pretty sure you should be the owner of Emerald Sparkle… and make haste!

Availability: 8ty8beauty.com, Head2ToeBeauty.com, TransDesign.com

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China Glaze Ruby Pumps Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Wizard of Ohh Ahz Collection

China Glaze Wizard of Ohh Ahz Collection debuts this November, for the holiday season. The collection consists of six shades: Ruby Pumps (an all time red glitter favorite), The Ten Man (silver frost with specks of micro silver glitter), Cowardly Lyin’ (gold frost with specks of gold micro glitter), Good Witch (pink frost with specks of pink micro glitter), C-C-Courage (purple frost with specks of purple micro glitter), and Dorothy Who? (blue polish with massive amounts of silver and blue glitter).

It’s a re-release of a collection by the same name from 2001. I never owned the original set, so I couldn’t tell you if there’s any variance between the two. The materials I received said it was “very similar to the original version that was released in 2001,” so I imagine they may have revamped or improved their formula in the past eight years and that’s why they’re not identical.

• Ruby Pumps is a gorgeous shade of ruby red with lots of deeper red shimmer particles laced throughout. It’s a shade that catches light well and just sparkles. Ruby Pumps has always been one of my favorite shades by China Glaze; it’s also included in the Love You Snow Much set for holiday. This applies opaquely with two medium-thick coats and goes on smoothly.
• The Ten Man is a semi-sheer slightly silvered clear base with silver sparkle. I found this one was hard to make opaque, even with three medium-thick coats. The shimmer didn’t seem to apply as uniformly as the other five in this launch, but I like the shade itself. I’d probably wait longer between coats and do thicker coats as well, perhaps even use a silver or grayish base for a more opaque look.
• Cowardly Lyin’ is a bright, yellow-based metallic gold base with gold shimmer. Like The Ten Man, I found this one was harder to get to be completely opaque (you can see the tip of my nail). It’s more opaque than The Ten Man, but I’d, personally, prefer a more opaque base. I really like the color, though – it’s a very true gold; it reminds me of lions, for sure, and it’s perfect for the holidays.
• Good Witch is a slightly cool paled down rosy pink with pink sparkle. The pink sparkle in this one seemed a little chunkier than some of the others, which isn’t a problem for me, but just something I noted. This one went opaque in three medium-thick coats.
• C-C-Courage is a deep, rich purple with a cool undertone. It’s a dark purple base with lighter icy purple and silver sparkle. This one only needed two medium-thick coats to look opaque (even one gets you close).
• Dorothy Who? is an oceanic blue with lighter and deeper blue sparkle. I actually thought this one was particularly stunning in person! I wasn’t so sure at first, when I saw the bottle, but it really is lovely. It sparkles quite nicely when the light hits it. It takes at least three medium-thick coats to get an opaque look, perhaps even three thicker coats.

Overall, I really liked the formula, texture, and look of the shades included in this collection. I absolutely loved Ruby Pumps, Cowardly Lyin’, and Dorothy Who? — those would be my top three picks out of the six. While I normally love, love China Glaze and its formula, I do feel that a lot of these run on the sheerer side.  Ruby Pumps and C-C-Courage are the biggest exceptions to this, as they meet my expectations from China Glaze!

I have to say this, though: why is there no Emerald City? I know China Glaze has Emerald Sparkle, which would have certainly been fitting to this launch. I don’t know; I really expected to see a green in a collection about the Wizard of Oz, you know? Kind of left me hanging in that respect.

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• Product: 27/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation:  If you’re looking to add some sparkle–but not glitter–China Glaze’s Wizard of Ohh Ahz Collection has you covered!

Availability:  November 2009

See close-ups and swatches of the other five shades… Continue reading »

China Glaze Pretty Pink Nail Lacquer

China Glaze: Glitter Polishes — Preppy Pink

China Glaze Preppy Pink Nail Lacquer ($3.20 to $7.00) is a warmed-up, medium pink with a yellow undertone with a mix of lilac, silver, and icy pink square-shaped glitter. Preppy Pink is part of China Glaze’s fifty new glitter polishes, along with Atlantis and Meteor Shower, which I reviewed earlier this week.

Preppy Pink has a pink jelly base that goes on opaque in two medium-thick coats, and the glitter itself rises to the top and sparkles prettily. Like the other two new glitter shades I’ve tried from China Glaze’s latest batch, the quality of and the way the formula applies is fantastic. Glitter polishes are, by their nature, not smooth to the touch, though a thicker top coat can help minimize the feel–it’s hard to completely mask it, though. It’s a lovely shade of pink, and I’m so pleased to see a warm pink, too.

Are you loving or hating this Preppy Pink shade?

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• Product: 28/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: For a pretty light pink–probably most suitable for spring–Preppy Pink is a good one to check out!

Availability: 8ty8tbeauty.com, Head2ToeBeauty.com, TransDesign.com

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China Glaze Meteor Shower Nail Lacquer ($3.20 to $7.00) is a rich, dark navy blue with multi-colored square glitter with predominantly cobalt blue sparkle. Meteor Shower is part of China Glaze’s fifty new glitter polishes, along with Atlantis, which I reviewed earlier this week.

While Atlantis applied with a more semi-opaque jelly base, Meteor Shower applies opaque in two coats and looks fairly dark on the nail. Some of the glitter seemed to submerge within the color base, but I still had a good amount show through, so it wasn’t a big deal. I found application and quality to mirror what I’ve come to expect from China Glaze (excellent and excellent), so it’s really a matter of whether this is a shade that calls to you or not! For me, it’s not my favorite shade yet… I am bound to find at least one (or ten) that are much more my style within the fifty, though! If you have any recommendations from the new line-up, I’d love to hear ‘em!

What say you? Is Meteor Shower your new best friend?

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! :)

• Product: 28/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: For a dark navy glitter polish, Meteor Shower has you covered!

Availability: 8ty8tbeauty.com, Head2ToeBeauty.com, TransDesign.com

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Zoya Ultra Glitter Collection: Nova

Zoya Nova Nail Polish ($7.00 for 0.5 oz.) is one of three shades from Zoya’s Ultra Glitter Winter 2009 Collection. It accompanies Astra (review) and Luna (to be reviewed).

Nova is a warm-toned raspberry pink with a raspberry-colored jelly base and darker, deeper pink glitter mixed in. It’s a pretty shade–much more subtle and darker than Astra, which is more of a bubbly pink in comparison. I’m surprised Zoya launched two pinky shades in a three-bottle collection (I would have expected three entirely separate shades), but it’s a nice shade of pink nonetheless. The glitter distributes fairly evenly even if you don’t wait too long between coats.

Zoya’s formula is one of my favorites, as it’s chip-resistant and gives me week-long wear without worry. I find their Color Lock System to be one of my favorite base/top/drying coat combinations to use for polishes. Their remover is fantastic, and I use it for removing all my glitter polishes without much trouble at all!

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! :)

• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you love glittery nails, Zoya’s Ultra Glitter Collection may be right up your alley.

Availability: Zoya

China Glaze Atlantis Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Atlantis Nail Lacquer ($3.38 to $6.99) is just one of fifty new specialty shades slowly being released by China Glaze.Atlantis is a semi-opaque subdued teal jelly base with teal and multi-colored glitter laced throughout. I found two coats gave you a decent look, but three would really give you a more opaque look. The formula was easy to use, and I found it to be chip-proof and lasted all week. I like the color, but I’m confident that there are other shades I’d probably love more so. However, after trying this shade, I really want to check out Medallion, Solar Flare, and Treasure Chest…

Anyone else try China Glaze’s new glitter shades?

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! :)

• Product: 28/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you’re still lovin’ glittery nails, be sure to check out the slew of new shades from China Glaze!

Availability: 8ty8 Beauty, Head2Toe Beauty

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Clinique Deep Comfort Hand & Cuticle Cream

Clinique Deep Comfort Hand & Cuticle Cream ($17.50 for 2.5 fl. oz.) is a rich (and thick!) cream designed to keep hands hydrated for up to twelve-hours and is touted as a “restorative cream” that’s fit for hands and cuticles.

Clinique has created a rich and creamy hand cream that sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave behind any greasy residue. These are pretty much must-have characteristics in any daytime hand cream I keep on my desk (which is where I must keep them, or else I’d never remember to use them ever!). It’s a hand cream that does exactly what it should and without any fuss. It’s scent-free, takes about an oversized pea-sized dollop to get an even application on both hands, and it lasts for hours.

I couldn’t tell you if it lasts twelve hours, but I’d say my hands are significantly less dry throughout the day, and I usually apply it once in the morning and once in the afternoon (if I’m good!). In terms of overall positioning in my hand cream favorites, Clinique comes in as a new favorite, but it’s still edged out of first by Ellen Sirot’s Hand Perfection. However, Hand Perfection is pricier and less accessible, whereas Clinique is more affordable and readily available.

Bottom Line: While Clinique’s new hand cream for the wintertime does seem a bit on the pricier side, but so far the tube has lasted me a month now, and I imagine it’ll take me to February, so three to four months of usage is good enough to justify the price to me. When I come across a hand cream that’s rich in moisture but zero on the grease-factor, I’m all over it, and Clinique wins on both counts!

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• Product: 29/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: For long-lasting moisturized hands, Clinique’s new Deep Comfort Hand & Cuticle Cream works well without any frills.

Availability: Clinique, Nordstrom

Lippmann Collection: Happy Birthday

Lippmann Collection Happy Birthday Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.50 oz.) is a splattering of multi-colored, multi-sized confetti glitter in a clear base. Even though it’s a clear base, and a part of me wishes it had some sort of colored base, I think this is actually incredibly fitting and suits the name “Happy Birthday.” It’s definitely a party on your nails! Lippmann lacquers always last really well on me with an exceptionally durable and chip-resistant formula.

I find Lippmanns are some of the easier glitter polishes to remove as well–I know I’ve said it before, but my removal process is to soak a cotton pad in remover, then press against the nail, repeat on all the nails, then go back and start to actually remove the polish.

The only kicker of this product is the $18 price tag (which is notably $2 more than their usual shades), which is particularly hefty and starts to creep into the higher-end territory. I don’t really think any polish at $18 or $28 outdoes a polish that’s $8 so significantly to literally merit the extra bucks. As always, I compare brands against their competitors, and Lippmann seems more in line with the price points of Chanel and Dior lacquers.

Bottom Line: In the end, Lippmann is priced as a more high-end polish, so if it’s worth it to you, go for it — and if it’s not, no shame in that game. I will say I don’t have anything even remotely similar to this in my collection, and I haven’t (personally) seen anything like it, either.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! :)

• Product: 28/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation:  For fun, party-tastic nails, Happy Birthday is a winner in every way–except for the price.

Availability: Beauty.com, Nordstrom

Zoya Astra Nail Polish ($7.00) is one of three shades of Ultra Glitter. Astra has a warm-toned pink jelly base with deeper red small, square glitter mixed in. It’s very sparkly and fun, but I kind of wish it had a more opaque base. I never thought I’d be such a fan of glitter polishes, but they’re such a nice way to add punch to your wardrobe without feeling like it’s ever too much. Zoya’s formula is always tops, and I always get great wear whenever I use their polish and Color Lock System (which is my go-to base/top/drying coat system).

Zoya also includes something I think is really handy on their website:

Tone: Warm
Finish: Glitter
Color Family: Pinks
Intensity: 3 (1= Very Sheer to 5= Very Opaque)
Original Collection: Ultra Glitter

I just think it’s informative, and it just shows that this isn’t designed to be ultra opaque but somewhere in-between sheer and opaque. I like that they let you know whether the shade runs cool or warm, because sometimes if you can’t buy in person, every extra detail they give you helps you make a better decision about whether to buy or not.

I didn’t find it too difficult to remove either, which is often a problem with glitter polishes. It’s not as quick and easy as a typical polish, but it really didn’t bother me or make me groan either. I always soak a cotton pad in remover, gently press against the nail, then I do the same for the others, and finally go back and start removing.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! :)

• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you’re a fan of glitter polishes, Zoya’s Astra is a fun shade of pinky-red for the holidays.

Availability: Zoya