Monday, June 23, 2014

a-england - Excalibur Renaissance

Press Sample

Hi!!

I've finished exams! YAHOOO. Although I am not having a break, it is nice to be back in the lab and be able to come home in the evening and relax a bit (and do my nails). I have an a-england to show you today which will most likely be a bit of an old friendly face despite this being a new release. Excalibur was originally retired and revamped (you can see that version here), but recently 'Excalibur Renaissance' was released.


Excalibur Renaissance, a-england, swatch

Excalibur Renaissance, a-england, swatch
'Excalibur Renaissance' is a gorgeous platinum/silver metallic foil polish. This is quite a striking polish when worn as a full mani. It seriously catches the light in the most eye-catching way. Gorgeous. This is very similar to the original 'Excalibur', but to my eye the shimmer is a little finer. I think that makes this polish a little smoother and less brush strokey than the original.


Excalibur Renaissance, a-england, OPI Manicurist of Seville, MoYou Artist 01
My favourite way to use 'Excalibur' has always been as a stamping polish as it's so darn opaque. 'Excalibur Renaissance' lived perfectly up to my expectations and stamped just as easily as its predecessor. Here, I have stamped using 'Excalibur Renaissance' and MoYou plate 01 from the Artist Collection - underneath is OPI 'Manicurist of Seville'.


Overall, this polish was up to the usual high a-england standard as far as formula goes. Opacity is ridiculously good with one coat being super opaque. The only thing is that a little care needs to be taken  to minimise brush strokes, but it's not too bad.


a-england polishes can be purchased from a lot of places around the world. Unfortunately, you can only order direct from them if you are in the UK, but be sure to check out their list of worldwide distributors to find a place close to where you live. You can also follow a-england on TwitterFacebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest news from them.


This product was provided for review. This is my personal, unbiased opinion.
For more information, see my disclosure policy.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

I'll tumble For Ya - Dollish Polish (+ Gradient)

Hello!!

I'm half way through my exams! WOOHOO. Today I have a little mani to show you that I wore for about the last week. I haven't worn a glitter for ages (I don't have time for the removal process), but I was really feeling like wearing one. So naturally I had to look in my Dollish Polish drawer in my helmer. I came out with 'I'll Tumble For Ya' and thought I might do a gradient inspired by the glitters like I did for some of my last few Dollish Polish posts (here, here and here). So here you go…


I'll Tumble For Ya, Dollish Polish, swatch, gradient OPI

I'll Tumble For Ya, Dollish Polish, swatch, gradient OPI
I love 'I'll Tumble For Ya' so much. There's something about white polish that is just so clean. The glitter colours in this polish are just so perfect together too. For the gradient I used Avon 'Strawberry', OPI 'No Room For the Blues' and OPI Greenwich Village'.


I used 3 coats of 'I'll Tumble For Ya'. As you can see in the bottle there are stars and bigger glitters, these didn't wanna come out and play too much and I couldn't be bothered fishing too much so I just made do with exactly what came out on my brush - I don't mind that it's slightly more subtle. The formula was really easy to work with though and really opaque too.


Head on over to Dolly's Big Cartel shop because I've just checked and this polish is in stock right now. Make sure you follow Dollish Polish on her various social media sites to keep up with updates (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)


Hope you are all doing well and I will see you on the other side of my exams next week :D

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Nomad - Illamasqua

Hi all!

Hope you are all doing well. I'm so close to being able to have some evenings off and I can't wait! Just need to get through these next 2 weeks with my exams and then a tiny bit of freedom. Yahoo! Anywho, I have a couple of photos of a polish I wore recently. This is 'Nomad' by Illamasqua


Nomad, Illamasqua, swatch

Nomad, Illamasqua, swatch
This is such a gorgeous polish that I've had for a while now but never photographed. The other day I just felt like wearing a nice crème polish and this one fit the bill. I used cling film with Illamasqua 'Rampage' and Barry M 'Gold Foil' for my accent finger.


'Nomad' has a really easy formula to work with. I only needed 2 coats for full opacity. I absolutely love how vibrant this shade of green is, it was exactly what I felt like.


Thanks for popping by!