Octopus Party Nail Lacquer "Death & Taxes"

*Provided to me for my honest opinion and review*

 Well, well, well... I'm here, again, with another stunning OPNL named "Death & Taxes". This color is extra special fancy pantsy because it is to honor the one year anniversary of Octopus Party Nail Lacquer's opening. I wanna have a little chit-chat about the badass name first though, shall we? A bajillion years ago (okay... more like a few hundred) a dude with a sweet wig named Daniel Defoe was busy paving the way for what we know today as a novel. The name "Death & Taxes" is a reference to his work The Political History of the Devil, in which he states "Things as certain as death and taxes can be more firmly believ'd." It may be more commonly known by the quotation courtesy of Benjamin Franklin "... but nothing in this world is said to be certain, except death and taxes." Boom. So much truth right there.

Ahem, anyways. Now that you've had a totally unnecessary mini history lesson, I bring you the color of the hour, "Death & Taxes". This is a stunning charcoal infused with gold/silver chromaflair pigment and a subtle, yet captivating, array of red flakes and sparks. In addition to the totally killer color, Dave paired up with Daily Charme to bring us a skull and spiky crown bauble for our nails.

In these pictures you can see the gold and silver chromaflair bouncing off of that charcoal holo base. And while the charms totally swallowed my baby nails, I still think they're doable for anyone else with nubs! The only one that gave me issues was the spike crown, but I theorize that it had something to do with the 5 cups of coffee I had before trying to apply. 

Obviously this polish required this many macros. Don't judge. I love how the red flakes and sparks really come out. This color really reminds me of some fancy gem stones I used to see when my dad would take me to the rock and mineral market. And that spike? It looks menacing, much like taxes or death. The skull is just my favorite. He's kinda adorable but also not. I think it's the gold and the tiny size that are making me want to name him and keep him forever. I applied these suckers with a smidge of nail glue and clear top coat, and they lasted a whole entire shower! I did wake up the next morning with sad, unadorned nails though. I totally didn't expect them to stay on longer than 5 seconds so that was pretty exciting! 

As far as formula goes, this one was perfect. Two coats, one coat topcoat. No funky things to report! The skull charm was super easy to apply though the spikes kinda wanted to give me a hard time. I finally got them to lay the right way on the third try. They may have won 2 battles but I won the war, ha! Don't forget to scoop this lovely up on 11/30 when it drops over at Octopus Party Nail Lacquer.

Until next time, my loves! 

Octopus Party Nail Lacquer "Pumpkin Slice"

Hello there!

I just want to preface this post by saying that I may talk a ton about pumpkins, and pumpkin things. I love fall, and while the part of the world I live in doesn't really get fall, I do my best to participate in it. So far I've had pumpkin latte's, baked pumpkin cupcakes, cookies, pie, but I digress.  Dave over at Octopus Party Nail Lacquer is seriously killing this Fall 2014 collection, and this pumpkin holo called "Pumpkin Slice" (which is an LE!) is practically edible.

Ahhhhhhh! It's another supremely glowy jelly holo! This formula is really similar to the jelly holo "Gold Vibrations" from the Gold Crush duo by OPNL. And I really dig it. I found this one to be a bit more opaque, only needing 2 coats. I really loved how brilliant and radiant this holo was. I didn't even use top coat here because it was so shiny without I didn't find the need for it.

Unfortunately the week I swatched this bad boy it was cloudy and gloomy in Arizona, so I didn't get to snap any sunshots. I can imagine how perfectly glorious this would be though basking in the rays of the sun. I think my favorite thing about this is it really looks like a pumpkin coated in holographic deliciousness.

These macro's really show just how glowtastic and holo Pumpkin Slice is. I think it's definitely a must have. I can imagine myself using this for a gradient or a cute little pumpkin accent nail. I'm always a bit cautious with orange colors but I think this one would look good on just about anyone. I kept thinking about having a pumpkin spice latte with some pumpkin loaf while I was painting my nails! 

As far as formula goes, it's solid. Dry time was perfect as well! No gloppy feel to it even though it's a bit on the jelly side and it was opaque in two easy coats.

If you want super pumpkin holoness on your nails be sure to keep an eye on Dave on Facebook and on his Etsy store! This along with the rest of the Halloween collection is dropping on September 26th so be sure to be there or be square. And remember... PUMPKIN ALL THE THINGS! (even your nails).

Until next time lovelies! 

Octopus Party Nail Lacquer "Gold Crush Duo"

I dunno about you, but I am really ready for fall. Fall everything. Pumpkins, lattes, candles, cool, crisp air, burlap decor yadda yadda. In Arizona, especially in Scottsdale, Fall is something you kinda have to create for yourself seeing as how it's about 90 in October still. So when Dave over at Octopus Party Nail Lacquer unveiled this hella sparkly, golden cider, double rainbow duo I kinda spazzed. And maybe flailed a little. The duo consists of a golden apple cider colored holo jelly named "Gold Vibrations" and an insanely holo packed glitter topper called "Glow For the Gold". Not only are the polishes to die for, but it comes in a totally adorable bag with the Octopus Party Nail Lacquer logo on it and a totally awesome golden sticker! I'm pretty stoked on this so bear with me, it's pic heavy and I love it!

This shows 3 coats of the jelly holo "Gold Vibrations". The first coat looked pretty sheer but it builds up beautifully to full opacity at 3rd coat. So squishy, holo, and buttery. Here you can see the insanely awesome mini bottle with the adorable label.

I just love this base. I wanted to go grab a caramel apple cider after wearing this. 

Both photos above show the base of "Gold Vibrations" decked out with the topper "Glow For the Gold" and one coat of top coat. This topper is packed to the brim with golden, decadent, glowing holographic hex glitters. It's strange to me because I thought "oh man, gold on gold is gonna be so loud" but honestly it's really, really easy to wear.  And I felt super regal while painting. 

This is the duo, together, in the sun shine. The second photo was taken in the morning, and the first one was during the afternoon when the sun is a bit warmer looking in AZ. I love how even with the glitter topper you  can still see the linear holo shining through, saying "hey you, I'm still here!" Glow With the Gold really slaps you in the face and the holo glitters really pop all over the place. Much sparkle, very glint.

I wanted to show you all how pretty this was in the shade too. It's so unique looking and I love how the gold glitter really shows. The second photo here shows it a bit blurred so you can really see how much holo Glow With the Gold packs.

Above is a macro of Gold Vibrations alone, and then Glow With the Gold over it. Obviously this duo was just so perfectly created. The colors totally compliment each other and really play off one another's beauty

As far as formula goes, Gold Vibrations (the jelly holo) is sheer but so very buildable. I didn't really feel the need to topcoat it alone and loved the golden caramel cider color. Dry time was perfect! Glow With the Gold is a glitter and I had absolutely no issues. It applied easily and evenly. I only needed one coat for the pictures above. Dry time was perfect as well on this one. 

If you're convinced you need golden nails of wonder you can purchase the duo here for the full size, and here for the mini size. This is only here in very limited quantities so hurry on over! You will not be disappointed. 

Until next time!

Lilypad Lacquer "Tealing Me Softly" Pshiiit Exclusive

Greetings!

I recently celebrated a birthday. I didn't wanna make a huge deal of it, primarily because I just turned 25 and for some reason that just sounds loads older than 24. That didn't stop my lovely friend Megan from Almost Famous Nails from sneaking me a little birthday nail mail by having a little something sent to me from a group order! What I got was "Tealing Me Softly" the Pshiiit Lilypad Lacquer exclusive. I also got a major polish boner as well! Let me show you the heavenly beauty. 

                 
















Mmm yeahhh.... This is so minty and refreshing. Super sparkly and so delicately holo but still linear. I felt like I was floating on air everytime I looked at my nails! 

 

Once I got this baby in the sun that's when the delicate nature really started to show! I love how soft and airy and whimsical the color and holo are together. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                              

                     

Yeahhhh this macro lens will be the death of me. But here you can see the holo and shimmer swimming in the teal base and it's giving me the polish feels all over. All. Over. 

For the formula I have to say it was superb! No streakiness and dry time was perfect. I can't wait to use this again! 

Until next time, lovelies! 

Octopus Party Nail Lacquer "Thermogram"

Hey all!!

I have a delicious, insanely  linear holo polish from Octopus Party Nail Lacquer called "Thermogram" to show you. It's such a super holo that it was possibly burning my retina with its awesomeness. Thermogram was part if the July Indie Go Box and is a soft purple, silver leaning holographic polish. Enough jabbering and on to the photos!

                

See seeeeee it's so holo ahhhh! This is just two coats plus one coat of topcoat. No dulling at all!

                       

 

And here Thermogram really shows off her holo and purple and everything in the beautiful sun! I just loved how the color played off the holo in these shots.

Did I mention that I recently purchased a macro lens? And of course that means that  lately I have been in "MACRO ALL THE THINGS!!" Mode. Well I decided that I needed to macro this too. I mean, honestly? Why wouldn't I? 

                                     

                                      

                                      

                                                               I just. Can't. So much holo! 

As far as formula goes, it was like butter! And wore for 3 days with no chipping, *schwing*. If you're feeling the itch for some fancy polishes, hit up Octopus Party on Etsy! Unfortunately this one is no longer available but there are still tons of gorgeous polishes waiting to be bought! 

Until next time, readers! 

Darling Diva Polish "Dreams"

Hey there blogging world!

There are some things that are good no matter when. This polish was released a while back but I have to warn you- it's still available AND it's just as gorgeous as ever. I'll be showing you "Dreams" from Darling Diva Polish and the White Witch Collection and you can drink in this glorious periwinkle holo along with me. 

Goodness. Gracious. The first thing I noticed about this ethereal color is how different it shows in all kinds of lighting. It does lean a tad on the purple side when you photograph it but I promise it's a stunning periwinkle color in real life. Application was effortless and dry time was a breeze. All photos show 2 coats no top coat. 

Here you can see why I said it leans purple. Especially on me in the sun. But I could not look away! So much perfect. So much. 

This last photo is what it really looks like! I had to snap this photo in my car with the light tint for it to show its true form on my camera. Still, so freaking holo and stunning and I can't stop loving it. This polish has such great depth and I feel like it has a secret laser beam pigment or something that's just drawing me in to the beauty. 

If you've never used a Darling Diva before I highly suggest you take your buns (or fingers) over to her store www.darlingdivapolish.bigcartel.com and get some because they're highly underrated in my opinion! Their customer service rocks and their shipping is the fastest I have ever received from an indie maker. Not to mention the color and finish selection along with the formula. Just go and buy, treat yo self!

Until next time! 

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics "Kintsukuroi"

Hello there, blog friends! 

I have come to you to show this insanely stunning golden polish that has made even me believe that yellow tones are for all. The glorious polish in question is "Kintsukuroi" by Carpe Noctem Cosmetics. If you're curious about what Kintsukuroi means, let me elaborate. Kintsukuroi is an ancient Japanese art that involves using lacquer resin combined with powdered gold, silver, or platinum to repair broken pottery. It represents the philosophy of "wabi-sabi" which encourages accepting flaws and acknowledging them as part of human life. Rather than tossing a broken thing away, both wabi-sabi and Kintsukuroi encouage re-purposing of the broken and even drawing attention to the flaws. It also ties in with Mushin, or no mind, by accepting the flaws as human fate and embracing them. Pretty stinking cool huh? With all that being said, check out this picture of actual Kintsukuroi. 

(credit to Google images)

I love this! It's amazingly stunning and so poetic. Now for the polish...

 

This one is in my lighting indoors! See how it kinda glows just like the molten golden veining of Kintsukuroi? I love how much Emily can bring a holo to life by infusing it with some sort of magical, warm glow. The holo is definitely not lost in this one either. This is two coats with one coat of topcoat. 

Here it is in indirect sunlight. I couldn't stop staring at the softness of it in this lighting. And look, no lobster hands! You can even see the holo in this lighting as well. 

This last one is in full sunlight, baby. And man does it deliver. Look at the holo, look at the stunning regal feel of the golden color... and that glow! 

I can't say that I own many polishes that are in this color family, and I know for a fact I can't say that any of them look like this. This such a unique color- and I just adore the inspiration behind it. Keep an eye on Emily's shop over at Carpe Noctem Cosmetics on Etsy, or her Facebook page (or both!) for this pretty baby's release and more!

Octopus Party Nail Lacquer "Turk Boys"

*Press sample- this polish was provided to me for my honest opinion and review*

 

 

 

Well, well, well... look who it is! It's me, I'm back. After several bouts of the flu and an almost broken-beyond-repair iPhone I am finally back in swing and have returned with a  doozy. 

 

Now, I'm not sure if I have ever gone into depth but I do love me a good holo. Especially a holo in the blue/green/turquoise family! I'll be showing you just that with "Turk Boys" which is a limited edition polish part of the Summer 2014 collection from the wonderful Octopus Party Nail Lacquer. It's such a glowy, ethereal turquoise color topped off with a lovely touch of holographic goodness. I just can't handle it.

 

 

 Here it is in my lighting indoors. Look at the depth and shimmer this metallic little baby is giving off.  It's like staring into a deep, deep crystal blue pool of water. So intoxicating, almost like a siren song. I can't get enough of this polish!

Here it is in full sunlight. After realizing it reminded me of a nice refreshing swim on a hot day, I decided to take Turk Boys out for a nice dip in the pool. Arizona weather has been rather forgiving lately and it was about 95 yesterday, so it was the perfect temperature for it! In the sun you can see more of the holographic flame, though it's rather hard to capture on camera and is definitely more apparent in real life. Plus, I couldn't stop drooling over the intensity of the color and glow ( I keep saying glow, I know... but that's what the polish does!).

 

As far as formula goes I used 2 coats for the photos above and it applied as smooth as buttah! I'm still wearing this glorious color 2 days later with no chipping or tip wear, which I was super impressed with since I have found that a lot of the metallic type shades chip or wear faster on me. If you want to add this to your collection, head on over to Octopus Party Nail Lacquer on Etsy and purchase it. Plus, if you buy the whole collection you receive $10 off your order with the code SUMMER. Pretty stellar, no? As always, thank you for reading!!

 

Until next time!