Stash Swatch Initiative: OPI Toucan Do It If You Try

Hello!!

I have OPI Toucan Do It If You Try swatched for today!

OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Toucan Do It If You Try is a very orange-leaning, coral creme. It's simple and bright.

OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Sinful Colors Base Coat, two coats of Toucan Do It If You Try, and one coat of NYC topcoat. This polish is fantastic. It applies nicely and is very pigmented. I've used it for stamping, and it does well.

OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

I purchased my bottle from Sally Beauty.

OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Maybelline Bleached in Peach

Hello!

Today's swatch is Maybelline Bleached in Peach!

Maybelline Bleached in Peach. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Bleached in Peach is a pale, but bright peach creme polish. This was released earlier this year in a limited edition collection called Bleached Neons. I wanted the whole collection, but missed out on it during our big move. This was the only one I've found so far!

Maybelline Bleached in Peach. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Sinful Colors Basecoat, three coats of Bleached in Peach, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute topcoat. This was honestly a streaky nightmare, at first. I needed three coats for full coverage but it wasn't super even at that. Pastels and neons can be finicky, and this has elements of both so it shouldn't come as a surprise.

Maybelline Bleached in Peach. Indoors, filtered sunlight (through a window), no flash.

I found my bottle on clearance at ShopKo.

Maybelline Bleached in Peach. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Maya

Hello!!

Today's polish is Zoya Maya!

Zoya Maya. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Maya is a perfect coral creme-jelly hybrid.

Zoya Maya. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today show two coats of Maya over Sinful Colors Base Coat plus one coat of NYC In a New York Minute fast dry topcoat. This was super shiny on it's own, but I always use topcoat. The formula was great, and this polish applied easily.

Zoya Maya. Indoors, natural light, no flash.

I purchased my bottle from Zoya.

Zoya Maya. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy

Hello!

Today I have a gorgeous neon for you to see! This is China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy!

Flip Flop Fantasy is a crazy light (pastel?) orange/coral (melon?) neon polish. It is hard to describe and even harder to photograph, so keep that in mind...

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today started with one coat of Sinful Colors Base coat. Then I used three coats of Flip Flop Fantasy, and finished that with one coat of NYC In New York Minute. This polish is far more opaque than I expected, so there is no need to use a white base coat. However, the first coat goes on streaky. Patience is needed during application because it will bald and drag. I've heard that this polish has been reformulated and is different from the original version. I think I have the latest rendition, because I picked it up recently from the re-promote display of the collection.

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is really bright, and it tweaked my camera out for pretty much every shot. This deep shade capture is the best I got. The rest of my lightbox pictures are too washed out.

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I purchased my bottle recently from Sally Beauty. It's a unique and welcome addition to my collection.

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Preview: Rainbow Honey Summer Mixtape! Collection

***Products in this post were sent for review!***

Hiya!!

Omigosh you guys!! It's been a big week for Never Without Polish! The blog turned two on Tuesday, July 15th, and just today, I received my very first product for review! I was not expecting this at all, and I'm honored to have a review for one of my favorite brands, Rainbow Honey!

Rainbow Honey sent me three polishes from their brand new Summer Mixtape! Collection, which comes out today at 10 p.m. eastern time. So, like right now!! They also sent along a promo code, which I was encouraged to share. So, if you're shopping at Rainbow Honey between now and August, 31st, 2014, use this code for 20% off: MIXTAPE20   Awesome, right?

I was sent Elevate, One Minute More, and Work It Out. Onward to the swatches!

Elevate is a fun glitter topper in a clear base full of iridescent shimmer. I chose to show this over black, Cult Nails Nevermore, so you could see that pretty shimmer in full glory. This one is so fun!

Rainbow Honey Elevate. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

One Minute More is a yellow polish packed with pink shimmer. Totally unique!

Rainbow Honey One Minute More. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Lastly, Work It Out is a perfect coral creme with a vintage feel. I love this one!

Rainbow Honey Work It Out. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Look for my normal, full swatches and review on these in the next few weeks. I wanted to get these on the blog as soon as possible, so you could all see them just in time for the launch.

Remember, the promo code! MIXTAPE20

Happy shopping! More soon! ^_^

***Products in this post were sent for review!***

Stash Swatch Initiative: Sally Hansen Lava

Hello!

Today's swatch is Sally Hansen Lava.

Sally Hansen Lava. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Lava is a pretty glass-fleck, duochrome polish that shifts from orange to pink. It wants to shift to red, but doesn't quite get there. The final look is bright and metallic.

Sally Hansen Lava. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Sinful Colors Base Coat, three coats of Lava, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. This polish is much sheerer than I expected, so I used three coats. It will bald and streak if you are not patient and start on another coat if the first isn't dry, but once applied, it's stunning.

Sally Hansen Lava. Indoors, natural light, no flash.

I purchased my bottle recently on clearance at either Wal-greens or Wal-mart... my memory fails me! Happy hunting!

Sally Hansen Lava. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Orange Skittles

Hello! Happy Friday!

Finally, back to some nail art around here!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

For this mani, I started with two coats of Zoya Cole over my go-to base combination of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener on all my fingers except my middle finger, which got OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Once dry, I stamped various bubble and swirly designs over Cole with OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. My index finger got the dry brush, distressed technique. It was my first time trying it out, and I really liked the look. Everything then got a quick coat of NYC In a New York Minute to seal the deal.

No promises for next week, you guys. It's my town's annual festival this weekend, and our social calendar is full! There's a carnival in town, fireworks, car show, parade, live music, adult beverage garden.... not to forget Father's Day and my mister's birthday! I'm not sure if I will get any nail time in or not. I've got some back-logged nail art sitting here, so I'll post what I can!

More soon! ^_^

GOT Polish Challenge: Orange

Hello!

Today's GOT Polish Challenge prompt is "Orange"! I double-dipped for inspiration this week!

I started with two coats of China Glaze Riveting over my base of Seche Clear. Riveting is the best orange polish -- It's so gorgeous! I then stamped the orange slices from Bundle Monster plate BM-308 in Konad Special Polish White. I sealed that with one coat of NYC In a New York Minute.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Then, I used one coat of Zoya Coraline, another oldie but goodie (so old, in fact, it was one of my very first swatch posts!), to create a stamped jelly sandwich. I finished that off with one coat of Seche Vite.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Finally, I added one coat of Butter London Matte for this shimmery, juicy look.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

An InLinkz Link-up

Stash Swatch Initiative: China Glaze Itty, Bitty, & Gritty

Hello!

Today's polish is Itty, Bitty, & Gritty from China Glaze.

China Glaze Itty, Bitty, & Gritty. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Itty, Bitty, & Gritty is a bright coral texture polish. This is a creme version of a texture polish, if you will, because it has no glitter. Just textured pigment that dries somewhat matte, but I can still see shine on the flat bits of polish where there is no texture.

China Glaze Itty, Bitty, & Gritty. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are two coats of Itty, Bitty, & Gritty over my usual base combination of Duri Rejuvacote plus Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. I didn't have any problems with application.

This polish is so fun -- it's bright and beachy. The texture is perfect. I really enjoyed wearing this as a full mani, and I think I'll be putting it on my toes next!

China Glaze Itty, Bitty, & Gritty. Indoors, filtered sunlight, no flash.

I purchased my bottle on clearance at Sally's a few months ago. I think this collection was released last summer, so it's on it's way out. Head2Toe Beauty still has the whole collection available.

China Glaze Itty, Bitty, & Gritty. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Polished by KPT Harvest Moon

Hello!

Polished By KPT Harvest Moon cold. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Today I have the very beautiful Polished by KPT's Harvest Moon for your viewing pleasure!

Polished By KPT Harvest Moon warm nail bed, cold tips. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Harvest Moon is a holographic thermal polish that is a very light, grey when warm and gorgeous coral when cold. I didn't get great sunlight shots -- yay winter in the northern hemisphere! The holo effect is subtle indoors, but what I could see outside, in the weak sunlight was fantastic. I love that the cold color is warm-toned and the warm color is cool-toned! So fun and pretty!

Polished By KPT Harvest Moon warm nail bed, cold tips (my favorite!). Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches today are a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, two coats of Harvest Moon, and one coat of Seche Vite. Formula on this was similar to Nightcrawler, but less sticky. I did see what looked like pigment bits making a slightly textured surface, but topcoat smoothed everything over. You can kinda see what I'm talking about in a the thumb/label picture below, but, out and about in normal life, this looks smooth and normal.

Polished By KPT Harvest Moon cold. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

I purchased this recently directly from Polished by KPT.

Polished By KPT Harvest Moon warm. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Finger Paints Sarong So Right

Hello! Monday again?

Today I have my first and only Finger Paints polish. This is Sarong So Right from All Lacquered Up's "A Pair Affair" collection.

Finger Paints Sarong So Right. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Sarong So Right is a perfect, coral-based polish with a light smattering of holographic shimmer. I love it!

Finger Paints Sarong So Right. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, three coats of Sarong So Right, and one coat of Seche Vite. Two coats would have been sufficient, I think, but I waited a few days after polishing with two coats to photographic these swatches. The extra coat was to neaten things up. This has a slightly jelly consistency and offered zero application problems.

Finger Paints Sarong So Right. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I love how delicate the holographic shimmer is -- my favorite kind! Much like Cult Nails Untamed, this has just the right touch of shimmer. My photos here may be slightly too dark and perhaps too red -- I remember this being a bit lighter in real life.

Finger Paints Sarong So Right. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is a beautiful polish! I purchased this bottle recently from Sally Beauty.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: China Glaze Riveting

Hello!

I can't believe how long it's taken me to swatch this beauty! It is China Glaze Riveting all the way back from 2012's Capitol Colours collection.

China Glaze Riveting. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Riveting is a saturated orange polish full of orange and gold glass flecks. It is fiery and gorgeous!

China Glaze Riveting. Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

Swatches today are a base of Duri Rejuvacote, two coats of Riveting, and one coat of Seche Vite. This polish has a great formula. It flows smoothly on the nail for a perfect mani. One coat is nearly enough. No issues to report.

China Glaze Riveting. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

It's been quite awhile, but I think I picked this up at Sally Beauty when the collection was newly released. Head2Toe Beauty still has the collection available if you missed out!

China Glaze Riveting. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I've got some super Halloween nail art using this swatch as a base for my Nail of the Week post tomorrow--see you then! So, more soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Ruby Wing Wildflower

Hello!

This is my one and only Ruby Wing Polish. Ruby Wing is part of the Color Club family, but all their polishes are UV activated -- meaning they change color in sunlight! This one is Wildflower.

Ruby Wing Wildflower. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Indoors, Wildflower is a deep yellow color with a fine, light green shimmer. Outside, it turns a deep orange, but that shimmer is still there, which is quite pretty on either hue.

Ruby Wing Wildflower. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are a base coat of Seche Clear, three coats of Wildflower, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. This polish is slightly sheer, almost jelly-like. The formula is great -- it glides on and self-levels perfectly.

Ruby Wing Wildflower. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

While this is a fun novelty polish, I'm not blown away by the special effect because the color change isn't drastic. I'm glad I tried one out, but I don't think I need more of these.

I bought this bottle from Head2Toe Beauty.

Ruby Wing Wildflower. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Copy cat NOTW: Coral, Navy, and Grey Skittles!

Hello!

Today I want to show you a Nails of the Week from a few weeks ago. I wanted to recreate this mani to wear into DC to celebrate my fiance's birthday last month. In all the craziness June dished out, I hadn't the time to write about them here yet.

Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

I started with a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote. I layered on three coats of Cult Nails Scandalous, plus one coat of Seche Vite, on my pointer and pinkie fingers. My middle and ring fingers each started with two coats of OPI Skull & Glossbones to which one coat of OPI Pirouette My Whistle was added on my middle finger only. My ring finger was stamped with Zoya Ibiza in the awesome chevron design from Bundle Monster Plate, BM-201. My thumb was painted with two coats of Contrary Polish Santorini.

The hearts were added in OPI Skull & Glossbones using a bobby pin as a dotting tool. For contrast, I added a bit of Scandalous over the Skull & Glossbones heart on my ring finger. Everything was topped with a healthy coat of Seche Vite.

Random tidbit: This picture was taken in downtown DC near the US Navy Memorial.

More soon! ^_^