Stash Swatch Initiative: NYX Algae

Hello!

Today's polish is one I've had for ages. Take a look at Nyx Algae!

Nyx Algae. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Algae is an aptly-named dusty, teal creme polish.

Nyx Algae. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today started with my usual base coat combination of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener followed by two easy coats of Algae and topped with one coat of Seche Vite. This polish applies smoothly without issues.

I purchased my bottle back in Maryland from a rather dumpy independent beauty supply store in a strip mall that wasn't in the greatest neighborhood. Let's just say that I only ever ventured in there this one time.... lol I'm not entirely sure where else to find Nyx nail polish. I've started seeing Nyx cosmetics at Walgreens, so maybe I just need to look harder!

Nyx Algae. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Pure Ice Freedom

Hello!

Since I just picked up this polish last week, I thought I'd swatch it right away (not to mention it was my 4th of July weekend manicure!). This way you might have a chance to find it, if you want it. It is Pure Ice Freedom.

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

Freedom is a heavy mix of red glitter in a clear base. I see small hexes, tiny hexes, and micro-glitter. In addition to all that sparkly red, there are medium sized blue hexes and a few shiny silver stars. How patriotic!

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

Swatches today are a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener, one coat of China Glaze Strap On Your Moonboots, one coat of Freedom, one coat of Gelous, and one coat of Seche Vite. This polish provided a surprisingly dense glitter coverage with one coat. I did mostly swipe this one on but dabbed it on as well when needed. The stars were reluctant to come out of the bottle, but I think that may be due to just how few there are in there.

Pure Ice Freedom. Indoors, natural light, no flash.

I really liked how this ended up. It could use a few more stars per bottle, since I think those are what made this look so cute. I found my bottle at Wal-mart just a few days ago. It was a very popular release last year, when I couldn't find a bottle. My husband even tried ordering this polish from an online retailer for me last year, but was sent multiple other polishes, a partial refund, and an apology because they ran out! So happy hunting if you missed it last year -- it's baaaack!

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

More soon! ^_^

Haul: June!

Hello!!

We're starting this haul post off with June's Mystery Bag from Rainbow Honey. This month I received a small rollerball perfume in Nucifera, a jumbo cuticle balm in Tea Biscuit, a sugar scrub bar also in Tea Biscuit, three mini polishes, and some half-sized orange sticks.

Rainbow Honey June Mystery Bag. 

I was delighted to see all three polishes this month were pink. Rose Macaron is a light pink crelly with pink, gold, and yellow glitters. Ichigo is a pink jelly packed with flakies. Pikake is a cute mix of pink, white, and yellow glitters with shimmer. I haven't used them yet, but they look cute!

Rainbow Honey June Mystery Bag Polishes. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Next up! Sally Beauty supply! I picked up two China Glaze polishes, Flip Flop Fantasy and Prism, and got the Nail Tek treatment free.

Sally's Loot. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

After that, I went looking for the new Salon Perfect Red, White, and Blue collection at Wal-mart, but I struck out. My local store apparently did not get any, but I did find Pure Ice Freedom from last year that I had missed out on! I picked up Sparks Fly as well. Sally Hansen Lava was on clearance for about two dollars, so that came home with me too.

Cheapies! Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Finally, a good friend of mine has recently become a nail polish junkie (welcome to the club, Molly!!!), and she has been bidding on polish lots from Ebay. I am the happy recipient of her duplicates! Nicole by OPI textures - Cinna-man of My Dreams and Blue-berry Sweet on You, and China Glaze Luxe and Lush.

Gifts! Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I've got a ton of posts in the works for July, so more soon! ^_^