Are they dupes? OPI Absolutely Alice vs Nicole by OPI Kendall On The Katwalk...

I recently got two of the polishes that are considered as two of the bigger OPI must-haves for polish collectors; I found Absolutely Alice and Mad As A Hatter [The 2010 Alice In Wonderland collection] together on an eBay buy-it-now for £20. 

This post isn't me showing off (well, not totally about me showing off); I'm writing it because when I got my eBay winnings in my hand, I realized that I already had a similar-looking polish to Absolutely Alice, which has sat in my untried collection of polishes for the past several years. Well I think that it's high time to take my Absolutely Alice lookalike [Nicole by OPI Kendall On The Katwalk] out of my untried pile, and now that I have the original for comparison, see just how much of a lookalike it really is...

Tag: All About Polish...

I haven't actually been tagged for this; over the last week I've been watching videos by some of my favourite YouTube bloggers as they've been taking part in this tag [Including Jess], and I decided to jump onboard and answer it myself today because I'm bored I have some free time to thrill people with my insightful answers...

Getting in with INNI: my indroduction to nail wraps with INNI...

I've never tried nail wraps before because it struck me as something that would be tricky to do, so I didn't want to waste my money. However I have recently been looking at different brands and debating finally trying some as I want something that lasts longer then polish, so I was delighted to get the opportunity to try some sample designs by INNI.

What sets INNI apart from other nail wrap brands is that in addition to selecting one of the many great designs in the site's gallery that other INNI customers have designed, is that you also use the site's 'studio' paint programme to design and paint the exact design you want, and/or upload any photo you want and convert your custom design into nail wraps.

My wraps are samples, but the Grey textured design is very similar...

Do the locomotion: the All Aboard collection by China Glaze...

• Stop That Train — rust red shimmer
• Loco-Motive — gunmetal and red glitter
• One Track Mind — navy blue creme
• Well Trained — dark turquoise creme
• Mind the Gap — olive shimmer
• What Are You A-Freight Of — dark brown creme
• Lug Your Designer Baggage — brown creme with gold flecks
• Conduct Yourself — oxblood creme
• Nice Caboose — raspberry glitter
• All Aboard — purple creme
• Choo-Choo Choose You — purple/gray smoky shimmer
• Don’t Get Derailed — gray creme

[credit: Chic Profile]

Party poppers: the Pop Top collection by China Glaze...‏

China Glaze reveals a surprise new release for the new season; the Pop Top Fall 2014 Collection which features eight shades of polish and two sets. There are two shades with an opaque finish - one in dark burgundy red and the other one in white - whilst the other shades are glitters which are meant to give you a pop of color and are designed to be applied on top of the opaque polishes.

• Heart of Africa: Shimmering deep red
• White on White: Crisp white crème
• Pizzazz: Twinkling multi-dimensional glitter blend
• Fairy Dust: Delicate silver sparkle topcoat
• Luxe & Lush: A high octane flaky topcoat
• Your Present Required: Multi-sized and multi-colored glitter
• I Pink I Can: Multi-sized pink glitter
• Techno: Glitter confetti polish

[Credit: Chic Profile]

It's the great pumpkin: Peanuts Halloween 2014 collection by OPI...‏

Well this is a nice surprise; OPI have released promo pics for their Halloween collection... and the annual four colour range will be available in full sized bottles, as well as the usual set of mini bottles.

OPI's Halloween collection's have never wowed me before - I picked up the 2012 set cheap for the included decals , but the colours were just, as they mostly are, existing shades repackaged - but this year's range does seem fun. True the crème shades aren't anything exciting, but the two glitter shades don't immediately bring any of their other shades to mind as being dupes.

I think I'll buy the mini set and if I like the glitter shades I might go on to buy one of those too.

Buy the China Glaze Apocalypse collection in the UK today...‏

[credit; Polish Galore]

I found a great website a few days ago whilst looking for any information on this years Halloween set by OPI. I didn't find any info on whatever OPI will be releasing but I found a great deal on the China Glaze Halloween collection, and now that I have bought the polishes through the site, and have the goods safely in hand I just wanted to share my shopping experience...  

Orly Sparkle - Christmas 2014 Collection...

Chic Profile has the first promotional images of the Christmas 2014 collection from Orly. 

I wasn't wowed by past Orly collections, but this one looks a lot better.

OPI Holiday 2014 will be by‏... Gwen Stefani.

Chic Profile has the first promotional images of the Christmas 2014 collection and it features... Gwen Stefani.

I wasn't wowed by the spring 2014 Gwen Stefani collection, but this one looks a lot better - in fact nine of the shades, plus both of the nail effect polishes are looking really good to me.

[Credit: Chic Profile]

China Glaze 2014 Christmas collection: Twinkle

Polish Galore has scored the first swatch photo of the 2014 China Glaze Christmas collection - Twinkle. 

I love China Glaze’s xmas collections as the colours are usually very wearable throughout the entire year. The darker shades in particular look awesome.

[credit; Polish Galore] 

China Glaze Halloween 2014 collection - Apocalypse

Polish Galore has scored the first swatch photo of the 2014 China Glaze Halloween collection: Apocalypse.

China Glaze’s Halloween collections are my favourite, and this year’s zombie theme looks especially cool: the last few years were quite tame by China Glaze’s past standards, but every shade looks awesome this time. 

I can’t wait to get my hands on the shades…

[credit; Polish Galore] 

Found for sale in the UK: [more] Sally Hansen Canada-only Halloween nail polishes…

I guess that, like last time, the post title says everything you really need to know here. 

I love Halloween and nail polish, so when I chanced upon some hard-to-find nail polishes which combine my loves whilst browsing Amazon UK last week I couldn't believe my luck. After placing my first order and being impressed by the delivery and items, I had another look online and on Amazon, and found a further three Halloween shades which this cool blog tells me are also from Canada-only collections (though I've been unable to find the year/s of the collection/s). 

Unlike before I think that this mini-haul of polishes are shades that can easily be worn most of the year round.

Anyway I'm again doing my public duty and passing on the info to other Halloween/Sally Hansen/rare nailpolish fans...

Found for sale in the UK: Sally Hansen Canada-only Halloween 2007 nail polishes...

I guess that the post title says everything you really need to know; I love Halloween and dark nail polishes, so when I chanced upon these rarities which combine my loves whilst browsing Amazon UK I couldn't believe my luck.

Anyway I'm doing my public duty and passing on the info to other fans of Halloween/Sally Hansen/vampie/rare nailpolish fans...

It's 2014s most wanted - The Muppets: Most Wanted Collection nail polishes by OPI...

Show-Stopping Shades!

~

OPI Celebrates the Muppets with Limited Edition Nail Lacquers

Inspired by Disney’s New Film Muppets Most Wanted

OPI announces the launch of eight new limited edition nail lacquers inspired by Disney’sMuppets Most Wanted. With an all-star cast including Kermit the Frog, Constantine, Ricky Gervais, Miss Piggy, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey and the whole Muppet gang, this family comedy is directed by James Bobin and written by Bobin and Nicholas Stoller. Muppets Most Wanted opens in theaters on March 21, 2014.

“The Muppets are a fun-loving, colorful cast of characters. These eight new nail lacquers were inspired by their latest adventures in Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted, which include a glamorous international stage tour – and lots of surprises,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Co-Founder & Executive VP. “Fashionable Miss Piggy is represented through soft pink, peach and pearlescent hues, as well as a frosty sapphire blue – Miss Piggy’s Big Number – to match her fabulous tour gown. The remaining four shades highlight the film’s unexpected elements and include a color-shifting mauve and three sparkle-packed lacquers – including my personal favoriteGaining Mole-mentum, a gold and rose chunky shredded glitter.”

Muppets Most Wanted by OPI includes the following shades:

Muppets World Tour

This white quartz with colorful sparkle is a global sensation.

Miss Piggy’s Big Number

Stand back… Miss Piggy’s on sapphire!

I Love Applause

This sheer, sweet pink deserves a standing ovation.

Let’s Do Anything We Want!

There’s no holding back this rose gold glitter with white confetti.

Kermit Me to Speak

Listen up… I’ve got lots to say about this rosy mauve.

Gaining Mole-mentum

Make your beauty mark with this shredded gold and chunky pink glitter.

Int’l Crime Caper

To miss this opalescent pearl would be the crime of the century.

Chillin’ Like a Villain

My evil plan… to get away with this precious, sheer nude.

[OPI via Chit Chat nails]

NOTD: Lorelei's Tiara by China Glaze...

 

Wowza - the glitter in Lorelei's Tiara is just insane.

This shade was part of China Glaze's Eye Candy 3-D Glitters Collection, and  there is so much silver glitter here that the polish is opaque in two coats, and the lighter spattering of the blue glitter particles are evenly distributed, every single time. It looks like my nails have been wrapped in foil - I can't stop staring at my hands whenever I wear it.

 

Despite the heavy amounts of glitter this polish is easy to apply, leaving no bubbles or streaks and I was impressed with the drying time. Being a glitter bomb it does take a little bit more effort to remove, but it seems easier then my other glitter-heavy polishes.

Even without using a top coat this polish will last me around two/three days with only minimal wear; but I am tough on my hands and regularly bang & catch my nails (self powered wheelchair user), so it will probably last longer on other people.

 

Lorelei's Tiara is still available to buy from Amazon UK, for £3.99 [plus £1.99 p+p].

Review; Ciate Mini Mani Month 2013...

Ciaté: Mini Mani Month

Change your polish every day of the month with this rainbow of color and texture sensations. This holiday calendar countdown includes a playful mix of mini Paint Pots, glitter sprinkles, caviar pearls, salon quality treatments, cute nail gifts, and some hidden surprises along the way. With 17 of Ciate’s favorite creme shades and seven textured manicure toppers, you’ll be entertained all season long. 

[Please note: I bought my MMC in America, so the set contents vary from those you'd find in the UK edition. But, to be honest, the UK edition does sound better. I didn't realise the editions would be different, otherwise I just would have just bought the calendar in Selfridges, rather then try to save a bit of money]...

This is a fabulously cute product; it is an advent calendar that, instead of chocolate, is filled with eighteen of Ciate's bestselling mini Paint Pots [one clear glitter for layering, and seventeen creme, shimmer, and chrome finished polishes], and six textured manicure toppers [Caviar pearls, glitter, and Sequins].

As a whole I think that this a great buy, that is very reasonably priced for the range and quality of the products that you are getting. Obviously I like some shades here more then others, but none of the shades in this collection were 'eww' for me and all of them are very wearable. The polish formulas I've tried are smooth to apply and dry pretty quickly. True; they aren't as hard wearing as my preferred OPI, but as I become bored quickly and am likely to change my polish a few times a week it isn't a major issue. Plus it is nice to get to try the Sequins and Caviar Pearls - I wouldn't buy any of the full-sized sets as I wouldn't use them often, so the bottles of these toppers make a fun addition to this collection.


However I do have two niggles, but one of them is probably more down to personal taste. My main issue is that a few of the Paint Pots are close in colour - particularly the nude, the orange, and the grey shades. The grey polishes are actually two of my personal favourite shades in this collection, but there is no real need to use similar shades at the end of the day - Ciate have hundreds of pretty polish shades, so I'd rather have something different instead. My second gripe is that this collection has four bottles of the Caviar Pearls in it; I'll try them out once or twice, but they aren't an everyday product. Give me the choice between a pretty polish or messing around applying the pearls & clearing them back up, and I'd pick polish without a doubt. Plus in my opinion four bottles is too excessive for a product that most people will only use once or twice.

So overall I would recommend buying this set in the sales, as you can always use the bottles you don't want for yourself as stoking stuffers next xmas :)



Mini Mani Month contents:

18 x 0.17 oz Paint Pots Nail Polish in Snow Globe, Boudoir, Hoopla, Hopscotch, Sugar Plum, Fit For A Queen, Candy Floss, Amazing Gracie, Pepperminty, Encore!, Starlet, Chinchilla, Members Only, Play Date, Ivory Queen, Main Stage, Pillow Fight, Tweed and Tails
2 x 0.17 oz Caviar Luxe in Metallic Pearls Smoulder (silver), Metallic Pearls Lustre (gold)
2 x 0.17 oz Caviar Pearls in Cupids Arrow, Midnight in Manhattan
1 x 0.17 oz Glitter in Twinkle Toes
1 x 0.17 oz Sequins in Dallas Dolly
Funnel