Superchic Lacquer Gauntlet Girl Swatches & Review

Purchased Myself

Hello readers,

Today I have half of the Gloss48 exclusive duo from Superchic Lacquer to show you. This duo featured two gorgeous glass flecked shimmer that I just couldn't resist. I had to order them through a friend in the states who then forwared them on to me to get my hands on them.

Gauntlet Girl features a grey jelly base packed with pink and gold glass fleck shimmer. The formula was very easy to work with and after three coats it was nearly opaque. The nail line is only visible in lower light where the shimmer isn't as prominent. Photos show three coats of Gauntlet Girl with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in a mix of natural light and 5100K bulbs.

This particular polish is no longer for sale but you can find lots of other beautiful colours from Superchic Lacquer on

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Happy polishing,

- Michelle

Pahlish Electrique Swatches & Review

Purchased Myself

Hello readers,

Today I have one of the polish from my most recent Pahlish binge order. I love microflakes so this had to make its way into my collection.

Electrique is a grape-ey purple crelly base with lots of gold microflakes. The formula was easy to work with. It went opaque in two coats and dried quite quickly. It does dry to a matte finish so if you want a glossy finish (like I did) you'll need to add a glossy top coat. I really like that this polish isn't overly complicated but is still a little more than a basic creme. Photos show two coats of Electrique with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in natural lighting.

You can find Pahlish on

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Happy polishing,

-Michelle

Products I Finished This Month - September 2014

Purchased Myself Press Sample

Hello readers,

Another month gone by means another pile of empties.  Lots of stuff to go through this month so let's get started.

Face

This month I finished my clinique makeup remover, glowing mama walnut scrub, the body shop tea tree skin clearing toner and clinique repairwear laser focus.  I like the clinique makeup remover but I feel like I can get something equivalent for less from a drugstore brand.  If I get more of it as a GWP I will definitely use it though.  I also really liked the tea tree toner.  It's a great way to quickly clean your face at the end of the day.  It left my skin matte but not dry.  I've already bought a replacement bottle.  I received the repairwear laser focus serum as a GWP.  I probably won't buy it again because wrinkles aren't a big concern for me but maybe sometime in the future.  My favorite face product this month was the glowing mama walnut scrub by annanaturals.  I got this from Beauty Box 5 and would definitely purchase the full size except I can't find somewhere in Canada that sells it and shipping from the states is quite expensive.

Nails

I finished two bottles of cuticle oil this month.  First up is Emerald&Ash's citrus basil which I got as a press sample.  I absolutely loved this oil.  It smelled very fresh and crisp.  I also love the rollerball packaging which ensures I can't spill the entire jar and I can get to the oil at the very bottom of the bottle.  I also received my Northern Star Polish cuticle oil in tangerine honeysuckle as a press sample.  I also loved the scent on this one and it was very moisturizing.  If I had to pick just one I would probably go with the E&A because of the rollerbar applicator.

Bath & Body

I finished a variety of bath and body products this month.  First of is a sample of waxalene that I got in a Sweet Delights Divalicious sample box.  It's advertized as an alternative to petroleum jelly with many applications.  I used it as a moisturizer for very dry skin.  It claims to be non-greasy but I would disagree.  I found this was a put on before bed and let it soak in overnight kind of product.  I don't think I will buy it again because of that.  I also finished a bag of Bath Retreat Energizing Epsom Salts in Citrus Delight.  I loved these.  I would add a cup or so to a bath and soak away.  The scent was very crips and not overly sweet.  I will definitely buy these again.  Lastly is St.Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter body wash.  This was a surprise favorite.  I received it as part of a gift set and intended to use it up and then switch back to my usual.  However, I absolutely loved this body wash.  It's creamy and moisturizing without being greasy.  It lathers really well and has a soft scent.  I will be buying this one again too.

Hair

Finally we have hair products.  First up is the Novex hair mask I received from Beauty Box 5.  I tried it but didn't feel it did anything more than my normal conditioner so I won't be purchasing it again.  I also finished a jumbo bottle of Herbal Essences Body Envy conditioner.  Herbal Essences is one of my go to brands and I will buy this one again.  I really like the scent and it moisturized my hair without making it heavy or greasy.  Last is the Pantene Ultimate 10 BB Conditioner I received from BzzAgent.  I really like this conditioner.  It did a good job of helping smooth my semi-frizzy semi-curly hair.  Pantene can be a little pricey but I will definitely buy it again when it's on sale.

Happy polishing,

- Michelle

Jellyfish Stamping

Purchased Myself

Hello readers,

Today I have a two-toned stamped mani to show you.  I used Arcane Lacquer Erudite Charm as by based colour and then stamped overlapping jellyfish from Bundle Monster plate BM-504 using Color Club What A Drag and China Glaze Hook And Line.  Finally I topped everything off with a coat of CND Super Shiney top coat.  The result is an underwater jellyfish lagoon!  I've also been playing around with my new lightbox.  The top four photos are in direct natural light and the bottom four are using the light box in natural light.

Happy polishing,

- Michelle

Julep Jewel Heist Mystery Box Unboxing & Review

Purchased Myself Affiliate Link

Hello readers,

I finally got my Julep Jewel Heist mystery box in the mail yesterday and I wanted to share what I got with you.  The last few mystery boxes I got had been disappointments but this time I had a $10 off coupon code and figured $14.99 was an amount I was willing to risk.
 

The first item I got was the Neutrals Sweep Eyeshadow palette.  The shadows themselves actually look quite nice but the packaging on this set is a little flimsy.  The cover on mine was rather scuffed up even though it came in a box.  This is something that I can use though so I'm happy to have received it.

The second item in the box is a polish in Tatiana.  This polish is a very shimmery flecked copper colour.  Coppers aren't my favorite polish colour but it is still a very pretty polish that will make a great gift.

The third item is the Blank Canvas Mattifying Eye Primer.  I've heard really good things about this product so I'm looking forward to giving it a try.  If I wear eyeshadow alone it creases pretty much instantly so a primer is something I'll get a lot of use out of.

The fourth item was a set of two hair twistbands.  I hate these things.  They are literally just a loop of elastic knotted at the ends.  Definitely just filler in the box.

The fifth item was a Surprise Color Rush Lip Gloss in Berry.  I've already swatched this and the colour is very pretty and definitely one that I will wear.  The only downside is the gloss is quite sticky but I'll deal with it.

The last item in my box was an eyeshadow brush.  I should note that it did come in cellophane packaging.  I really like that the brush handle is metal and has some good weight to it however I tried it on some pressed shadows and it doesn't seem to pick up a ton of colour unfortunately.

I also ordered the $9.99 mystery add-on.  It ended up being three polishes - Catrina, Shoshanna and Annemarie.  I'm not very happy with these.  Yellow is a colour that few people like and can pull off.  Very yellowey gold glitter doesn't suit me, but at least I can gift it.  Browny-taupe is a colour that is just so boring.

Overall I'm pretty happy with the mystery box itself but am pretty disppointed in the add-on.  You think with a 'jewel heist' theme they would have included some jewel toned polishes.  If you want to find out more about julep or are interested in becoming a julep maven check out their website.

Happy polishing,

- Michelle

Arcane Lacquer Erudite Charm Swatches & Review

Purchased Myself

Hello readers,

Today I have a lovely polish from Arcane Lacquer to show you. I got this one during last year's boxing day sale and sadly it's been neglected until now.

Erudite Charm features a cool medium blue crelly base filled with tiny blue and navy glitters and a soft pink shimmer. The formula was great and easy to work with. I used three coats but you could definitely get away with two if you kept an eye out for the odd sheer spot. In softer lighting the blue base is the predominant colour but in direct sunlight or very bright indoor lighting the pink shimmer becomes visible. Photos show three coats of Erudite Charm with one coat of HK Girl top coat in natural lighting.

I really like that this polish is understated but still a little bit more than a creme at the same time. You can find Arcane Lacquer on:

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Happy polishing,

- Michelle

Joe Fresh Kaleidoscope Swatches & Review

Purchased Myself

Hello readers,

Today I have an awesome Canadian polish to show you. I was at the grocery store with no intention of buying anything other than food when a new collection from Joe Fresh caught my eye. The Futuristic Effects collection has what appear to be some sublte holo's reminiscent of the China Glaze Hologlam collection, a couple of glitter toppers and the polish that I had to have, Kaleidoscope. Microflakes get me every time.

Kaleidoscope features a grey jelly base packed with color shifting metallic flakes. In direct light the polish takes on a super shiny flecked pewter look. In shade or indirect light the flakes transform into a rainbow that shifts from gold to purple. I also saw some hints of pink and green in there too. I was very surprised (in a good way) with the formula. I didn't expected it to be a full coverage polish but it went opaque in only two coats. The flakes all lay flat against the nail so no issues with grittiness of edges poking up through top coat. Photos show two coats of Kaleidoscope with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in natural lighting.

I'm really impressed with this polish and love that a store brand is coming up with something innovative like this. Canadians can find at any store that carries Joe Fresh (which I believe is any of the stores in the Loblaws family). Everybody else, I suggest you get yourself a Canadian friend and nicely ask beg them to send you one.

Happy polishing,

- Michelle