NOTD: Distressed Valentine's

Hello!

Here's a cute Valentine's Day look I just finished.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, two coats of China Glaze Friends Forever, Right? on all my fingers but my thumb, which got two coats of Zoya Shelby. This was all topped with one coat of Seche Vite before stamping the chevron pattern from BM-201 with Zoya Geneviev, then again with Pure Ice Gossip and the hearts from BM-317. I added one coat of NYC In a New York Minute topcoat to add shine.

I didn't intend for it to be so grey and distressed, but it worked out well anyway.

Hope your day is great!

More soon! ^_^

Copycat NOTW: Sweet and Cozy

Hello!

I wanted to share with you this sweet, cozy, wintry mani I've been wearing all this week. I was inspired by this pin.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with my base coats - Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. To that, I added two coats each of Sally Hansen Wet Cement, the light grey creme; Zoya London, the medium grey texture; and OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around, the greyed-out pink creme. Once dry, I embellished the look with delicate dots in Wet Cement and Konad Special Polish white over the Don't Bossa Nova Me Around on my middle finger, a snowman stamp from plate BM-318 over the Wet Cement on my pointer finger, one coat of OPI Muppets World Tour over the Wet Cement on my pinkie, and, finally, a clear rhinestone on my thumb. Everything but the textured polish got one coat of Seche Vite to finish.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I loved this look and got plenty of compliments on it.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: OPI Magazine Cover Mouse

Hello!

This is OPI Magazine Cover Mouse!

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Magazine Cover Mouse is a saturated red texture polish with a heavy gold and pink shimmer. It's gorgeous! It does give off a Christmas-y feel though.

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today started with one coat of Duri Rejuvacote and one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. After that, I applied two easy coats of Magazine Cover Mouse and was on my way. I had no problems with this polish, and one coat was almost enough.

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse. Indoors, natural light, no flash.

I found my bottle dusty-hunting at K-mart recently.

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Milani Cupid's Touch

Hello!

Today I have Milani Cupid's Touch swatched up for you!

Milani Cupid's Touch. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Cupid's Touch is my ideal Radiant Orchid shade. It's exactly what I was expecting when I read about this year's Pantone Color of the Year nomination. That being said, my pictures turned out a bit more vibrant and more pink than this is in person. It is a more soft and muted shade.

Milani Cupid's Touch. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today started with Sinful Colors Base Coat, one coat of Cupid's Touch, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. This has an excellent formula, and I was able to get away with one careful coat of this beauty.

Milani Cupid's Touch. Indoors, natural light, no flash.

I purchased my bottle at K-mart.

Milani Cupid's Touch. 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 Friends Forever, Right?

Hello!

China Glaze Friends Forever, Right? Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Today, I have a brand new polish swatched up for you! This is Friends Forever, Right? from the new China Glaze limited edition collection, The Giver.

Friends Forever, Right? is a super pale pink creme polish. It is so pale that it does look like a soft white in some lighting.

China Glaze Friends Forever, Right? Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are two coats of Friends Forever, Right? over a base of Duri Rejuvocote plus one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. I topped this with one coat of Seche Vite. I was incredibly impressed with this polish. Usually pale polishes apply poorly, but this is superb! It self-levels nicely, and I didn't have any problems with streakiness.

China Glaze Friends Forever, Right? Indoors, natural light, no flash.

I purchased my bottle a few weeks ago at Sally Beauty. I was just there a few days ago and this collection AND the new fall collection from China Glaze was out on the shelves!

China Glaze Friends Forever, Right? Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Valentine's Day with Zoya

Hello again!

Today, I have yet another nail art post!! This one is what I wore for Valentine's Day! Soon we'll be caught up -- only one more old mani left!!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Keeping on with this week's inadvertent theme, I started with another polish from the Naturel Collection, this one is two coats of Zoya Rue over my base coat, plus Qtica Extending Topcoat. Once that was dry, I used Pure Ice Gossip to stamp various lovey-dovey images, sealing them with NYC In a New York Minute. My ring fingers got two coats of Zoya Miranda.

I had a really good few weeks back at the beginning of this year nail art wise. The stamping in the last three posts is probably the cleanest I've ever managed, and I thought all my looks were well put together. While I can't believe it took me this long to post them, it sort of worked out nicely because Zoya just released a second Naturel Collection.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Pretty in Pink

Hello!

Like yesterday, I'm dusting off this look to show you today. I wore this one the week after yesterday's pretty.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This delicate look started with Duri Rejuvacote, Sinful Colors Nail Hardener, two coats of Zoya Brigitte, and the Qtica Extending Topcoat. The stamps were added the next day to ensure the base color was dry, and I used Essie Nothing Else Metals. I added a pink rhinestone to my ring finger, and sealed everything with one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. It's another mani that I absolutely adored!

More soon! ^_^

Bonus NOTW: Blush!

Hello!

Today's look is another one from a few month's ago. This one started with my usual base coat combination, and two coats of Orly Naked Canvas. To that I sponged on Rainbow Honey Sword Lily to create a soft gradient. I stamped the scroll work image from FUN #3 Stamping Plate with Konad Special Polish in Black over my gradient and sealed it with a quick coat of NYC In a New York Minute. Voila!

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!***

NOTW: Strawberry Lazerbeams!

Hello!

Another nail of the week from March! This one finally saw a long held idea come to life!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with my usual "long-wear mani" base combination of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Then, I layered two coats of Revlon Pink Pineapple on my ring finger and topped that with Seche Vite. I used two coats of Zoya Kimber on all my other fingers, topped that with Seche Vite, and waited for my ringer fingers to dry completely. Once that happened, some striping tape, one coat of Kimber, some careful peeling off of the striping tape, and a final coat of Seche Vite went on to create this berry mani.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Simple but cute! Loved this -- it's a shame I let Kimber sit in a drawer so long. It's a beauty!

More soon! ^_^

Preview: China Glaze The Giver Collection, My Picks

Hiya!!

So, I just got back from Sally's and look what I have to show you!!

My picks from the new China Glaze collection, The Giver!

I did really quick swatches of these as soon as I got home, so I could show them to you. I haven't seen these swatched up by the big-name bloggers yet, so I was surprised to see them out on the shelf.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

My picks are Friends Forever, Right?, the palest of pink cremes; History of the World, a dusty blue-purple; and Boundary of Memory, a black, silver, and copper microglitter. I used three coats of Friends Forever, Right? and Boundary of Memory. History of the World only needed two. Formula on these is impressive, especially the pale, Friends Forever, Right?. It doesn't have any of the normal problems we usually see with such pale colors. It self-levels really well. It's not streaky, and it is applies very smoothly. I could've gotten away with two coats, but I nicked it at the last second and did a quick fix with a third coat.

I didn't think to snap a picture of the display or swatch wheel, however... but I do remember seeing one other microglitter, a white one, in this collection. The rest looked to be cremes. There are some interesting shades here, but very subdued and fall-like.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

Hello!

Another OPI polish is up on the blog today. This is Don't Bossa Nova Me Around from the Brazil Collection!

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Don't Bossa Nova Me Around is neutral creme polish. This one looks like a grayed-out pink to me. It was one of those polishes that I just had to have after I saw swatches of it. I love it!

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Duri Rejuvacote, one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener, two coats of Don't Bossa Nova Me Around, and one coat of Seche Vite. I didn't have any issues with application.

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

For such a simple polish, the color is unique and lovely! I bought this bottle from Sally Beauty, where it is still for sale!

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Dollish Polish Have a Berry Good Day

Hello!

We're picking up right where we left off in March. This is Dollish Polish Have a Berry Good Day!

Dollish Polish Have a Berry Good Day. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Have a Berry Good Day is sweet mix of candy-colored glitter in a light pink base. I see strawberry pink, satin and matte hexes, squares, and flowers; pastel, satin pink squares; lime green hexes; tiny, pastel yellow and pink hexes; tiny, red hexes; and grass green shards. There is also a bit of pink shimmer in there as well.

Dollish Polish Have a Berry Good Day. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is two dabbed on coats over Revlon Pink Pineapple plus one coat of Gelous and one of Seche Vite. This polish had sparser coverage than I expected, and the glitters were a little reluctant to come out of the bottle. The dabbing method provided the best coverage.

Dollish Polish Have a Berry Good Day. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Have a Berry Good Day is cute and springy. I love the green shreds. They add the perfect touch to the overall look. I purchased my bottle some time ago from Llarowe. Unfortunately, it is no longer available. Sorry!

Dollish Polish Have a Berry Good Day. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Revlon Pink Pineapple

Hello!

Today I have Revlon Pink Pineapple to show you!

Revlon Pink Pineapple. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Pink Pineapple is a baby pink creme that smells like pineapple once dry. It is soft and pretty. And how adorable is that bottle?!

Revlon Pink Pineapple. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Duri Rejuvacote, one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener, four coats of Pink Pineapple, and one coat of Seche Vite. The formula is really streaky and doesn't self-level too well. This was opaque in three coats, but streaky, so I did a fourth coat. I started with two thin coats, then did two thicker coats. The Seche Vite also helped this to level out a lot. It wasn't terrible to work with, and I think that had I been more patient, this could have gone better for me. In hindsight, I should've stuck to thinner coats and waited until each was completely dry before moving on. I had some issues with balding and dragging, so I think the key here is to be patient!

Revlon Pink Pineapple. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I purchased my bottle just last week at CVS!

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Pure Ice Tease

Hi!

I have another aged polish to show you today. This one is Pure Ice Tease. Tease is a sheer pink jelly base loaded with shimmer.

Pure Ice Tease. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are two coats of Tease, plus NYC In a New York Minute over my base coat of Seche Clear. Formula was good, but sheer as expected. Three coats would've been better now that I see the pictures on the big screen, but I usually use this as a topcoat rather than layer it up to opacity on it's own.

Pure Ice Tease. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I'm sure I picked this up at least five years ago from Wal-mart. It's nothing too special, and I'm pretty sure I have similar polishes.

Pure Ice Tease. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initative: Zoya Rue

Hello!

We're moving on with the Zoya Naturel collection swatches today. This is Rue, a muted, blush pink creme. Delicate and demure!

Zoya Rue. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today started with a base coat combination of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. After that, I used two coats of Rue followed by one coat of Qtica Extending Topcoat. Rue applies beautifully. I had no issues with this polish because it flows smoothly and easily on to the nail.

Zoya Rue. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I purchased my bottle directly from Zoya during a promotional sale. Stay tuned to their Facebook page to catch one of their frequent sales or promo codes!

Zoya Rue. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

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! ^_^