May 26, 2015

Elevation Polish Khongoryn Els Swatches & Review

Hello readers,
Today I have a polish from Elevation Polish to show you.  I normally avoid very fine shimmerys/frosts because they often lead to brush strokey finishes, but I love Elevation Polish so much that I took the risk and purchased this polish.


Khongoryn Els features a taupe base with a strong purple flash/frost.  The formula was a bit thin on the first coat but layered up very nicely reaching opacity in three coats.  The amazing part though, no brush stroke lines!  In minimal lighting the polish leans more taupe but in most lighting the purple flash is the predominant colour.  Photos show three coats of Khongoryn Els with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in daylight spectrum lighting.




I'm really glad I took this risk because this polish is so pretty! It is totally appropriate for someone who needs neutrals but still has personality.  You can find Elevation Polish on


Happy polishing,

Michelle

May 22, 2015

Peacock Feather Nail Art

Hello readers,
Today I have some peacock feather nail art to show you.  I started out with a base of Emily De Molly Cauldron Of Dreams.  Then I used Julep Lena and Moyou Plate Pro XL 05 to stamp on the teal peacock feather outline.  To finish the look I used China  Glaze Goldie But Goodie and Nina Ultra Pro Cobalt to fill in the eyes of the peacock feathers.  Finally I topped everything off with a coat of CND Super Shiney top coat.  Photos show the above mani in daylight spectrum lighting.




Happy polishing,

Michelle

May 20, 2015

Purple and Orange Wave Nail Art

Hello readers,
Today I have some more nail stamping to show you.  I combined Femme fatale sunspring and Zoya Pinta for a fun wavy look.  I found using a rectangular stamper for this pattern helped me align the stripes horizontally on my nails.  The wave pattern came from Cheeky jumbo plate B.  Photos show the above mani with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in daylight spectrum lighting.




Happy polishing,

Michelle

May 18, 2015

Emily De Molly Cauldron Of Dreams Swatches & Review

Hello readers,
Today I have an amazing flecked polish to show you.  I also realized I haven't reviewed an Emily De Molly polish before.  How did that happen??


Cauldron Of Dreams features a purple base filled with tiny blue glitter and a rainbow of metallic flakies.  The formula was really easy to work with and reached opacity in two coats.  It dried very smoothly and I just added top coat for shine.  Photos show two coats of Cauldron Of Dreams with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in daylight spectrum lighting.




You can find Emily De Molly on


Happy polishing,

Michelle

May 15, 2015

Birchbox Canada May 2015 Unboxing & Review

Hello readers,
My May Birchbox showed up in the mail yesterday.  First pleasant surprise is that I got the designed box this month.  Hopefully this is a turn for the better for Canadian subscribers.  Let's take a look at was was inside the box.


Not Soap, Radio Awash In A Field Of Four-Leaf Clovers Body Wash | Full size $20


First off, this bottle leaked inside my box.  Second, it smells like dish soap.  Will I use it? Yes.  Would I consider purchasing it for myself? No.  Based on the full-size price this sample is worth $2.20.

Essential Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion | Full Size $23


Body lotion is something I will use up but this one has quite a strong scent.  Based on the full-size price this sample is worth $4.31.

W3LL PEOPLE The Expressionist Bio Extreme Mascara | Full size $27


I don't wear mascara so this sample isn't a good fit for me.  However, it will be good to swap and I could see other subscribers being happy with this sample.  There was no volume info on the sample tube, but it appears to be about half the size of a full size tube (based on ratio of tube:brush handle) so I'm estimating this sample is worth $13.50.

100% Pure Creamy Nail Polish | Full size $16


You all know I love nail polish... but a nude cream?  Nude seems like a bad choice because what nude looks good on someone very much depends on their skin tone.  Also, this just seems like a boring colour to make me love a brand.  I found it a little strange that the shade I got (Velouria) isn't one of the shades available in the Birchbox Canada shop.  This one will be up for swap.  This bottle is full size so it's worth $16.

Mirenesse Mattfinity Lip Rouge | Full size $29


Wait... this looks familiar.  That's because I got the exact same sample in the exact same shade in my March 2015 box.  Even more annoying I brought the fact that my preview contained a product I had already received to Birchbox's attention and was told it wouldn't be a duplicate because I would receive a different shade than two months ago.  I've messaged them on Facebook about this and hopefully they'll send me one in a shade I haven't tried yet.  Based on the full-size price, this lippy is worth $7.04.

Update: I received a response from Birchbox regarding the duplicate and received 50 points ($5) towards the Birchbox shop for the mistake.

Conclusion
Unfortunately I'm pretty disappointed this month.  Leaky products and duplicate samples kind of ruined the box for me.  Hopefully their customer service will take care of these problems for me.  The total value was $43.05.  If you want to find out more check out the Birchbox Canada website.  Don't forget to review your box items for an extra $5 in birchbox points.

Update: Due to my overall trouble with this month's box Birchbox added a free box to then end of my annual subscription.

Happy polishing,

Michelle

May 13, 2015

Pretty & Polished Maleficium Swatches & Review

Hello readers,
Today I have polish from  Pretty & Polished's Dark Arts collection to show with you.  So many indies have been coming out with metallic flakes over the last year, but P&P did something a little different.


Maleficium features a white crelly based filled with a rainbow of tiny metallic flakies.  The formula was a breeze to work with and it dried completely smoothly.  I used 3 coats and it got about 95% opaque.  You can see the whites of my nail tips look a bit lighter than the rest of the nail.  If you wanted a 100% opaque finish you could always layer a coat or two of Maleficium over a white creme base.  Photos show three coats of Maleficium with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in daylight spectrum lighting.




I really love how Pretty & Polished used the flakies in a crelly base instead of mixing them in a clear base.  You can find Pretty & Polished on:


Happy polishing,

Michelle

May 11, 2015

Colour Blocked Lead Lighting Nail Art


Hello readers,
I went a little crazy with the nail art and combined 6 polishes into one mani.  I started out with a base of Pretty & Polished Maleficium.  Over top I did two tone stamping using Julep Michelle, Zoya pinta and Cheeky jumbo plate D.  Finally, I filled in the design with sheer polishes to give it a colour blocked look.  The jellies I used were Finger Lickin' Lacquer Terrapin, Finger Lickin' Lacquer Here I Go and Zoya Frida.  Finally, I sealed everything up with a coat of CND Super Shiney top coat.  Photos were taken in daylight spectrum lighting.




Happy polishing,

Michelle

May 08, 2015

China Glaze Violet-Vibes Swatches & Review

Hello readers,
Today I have one of the polishes from the China Glaze Electric Nights collection to show you.


Violet-Vibes is a bright pink leaning purple creme. The formula was a bit sheer but easy to work with. Keeping an eye out for sheer spots, I was able to reach opacity in three coats. The polish dries with a very squishy look and a satin finish. Unfortunately, I did have a slight issue with bubbling. This is most apparent on my middle finger. Since it didn't happen on all my nails I'm hoping this was just a fluke because I really like the polish otherwise. Photos show three coats of Violet-Vibes with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in daylight spectrum lighting.





You can find China Glaze on:


Happy polishing,

Michelle 
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