Enchanted Polish April 2014 Swatch And Review

Howdy all!  Are you enjoying your week so far?  I'm hoping this week will blow by fast.  To pass the time, I'm in the need of retail therapy, although I'm a day late for the Friends and Family sales that finished on Monday via Saks and Tory Burch.  Go figure I'd want a pair of TB shoes once the sale is already over.  A good hint to savvy shoppers - make friends with a Nordstrom sales associate so that you can get inside scoops on sale inventory and special deals.  I'm hoping my Nordys SA will come through for me and be able to pricematch the FnF sale despite being a day late!

April is coming to an end(already!) and I haven't had a chance to wear Enchanted Polish's monthly namesake polish.  This particular month's shade is a gorgeous dusty periwinkle blue holo that is completely fitting of the season.  I thought it was going to be really sheer after the first coat, but the characteristic buttery smooth Enchanted formula kicked in during the second coat and I was able to get complete coverage.  No issues with streaking or balding of course, and I used no topcoat in these pics.

Enchanted Polish April 2014

Enchanted Polish April 2014

Enchanted Polish April 2014

Enchanted Polish April 2014

Enchanted Polish April 2014

Enchanted Polish April 2014

Enchanted Polish April 2014

I always have a difficult time capturing light colored holo flares when taking pics indoors, but hopefully you can see how prominent they are.  I'm sure they'll glow in sunlight and I'll be staring at them while driving.  I think the shade is very unique as well, it's not often I see a periwinkle blue holo, versus the standard aqua, teal blue, or sky blue holo.  I'm glad that Enchanted is finally moving towards presaling these darlings and making it much more accessible to polish enthusiasts.  For now, I'm content to adding a new Enchanted once a month - it seems more budget friendly to me in that I don't have to feel the need to buy up a collection from another line.  Instead I only have to buy a new Enchanted once a month and be confident that it won't already be a dupe in my collection.  Is there a line of holos that you obsessively collect?

Enchanted Polish February 2014 Swatch And Review

Purchased

I have mixed feelings about Enchanted Polish's new theme for this year's monthly polish releases, and that's making each month a surprise upon delivery.  I like knowing what I'm paying for, especially at the higher than usual indie polish price that Enchanted charges.  This surprise ordering started back in December when she introduced her Holiday 2013 Polish which I unfortunately didn't order and now regret.  And Enchanted Polish lovers rejoice, because she's introduced pre-ordering of her polishes, which I think will make them much more accessible to everyone.

I was hoping that February would be a good transitional shade from winter to spring, hopefully a color that isn't too dark but not pastel either.  Luckily, this shade hit it right on the nose.  It's a luscious mauve shade, not quite purple and not quite rose, that's very flattering against my skin tone.  Application was easy peasy and nearly a one coater.  I did two here for extra coverage and left it without topcoat for these pics.

Enchanted Polish February 2014 

Enchanted Polish February 2014 

Enchanted Polish February 2014 

Enchanted Polish February 2014 

Enchanted Polish February 2014 

Enchanted Polish February 2014 

Enchanted Polish February 2014 

This is one of those colors that is truly perfect for any time during the year, and works for any type of occasion whether it be casual or professional.  Despite it being a February color, it reminds me of a impossibly soft rose in full bloom.  I have to say that I'm quite happy with this Enchanted Polish purchase, and if the colors continue being this beautiful, I won't be able to stop adding them to my ever growing collection!  What do you think of the surprise polishes that Enchanted will be releasing each month, are you a fan?

Purchased

Enchanted Polish December 2013 And January 2014 Swatch And Review

Hello my lovelies!  I can't believe Valentine's Day is almost upon us!  Have you sent out your Valentine letters yet?  I plan on sending a photo album of LO to the grandparents for their V-day gift along with a child's V-day card "signed" by LO.  Luckily I remembered to do it, because I'm notorious for remembering the day before, when it's already too late to do anything.  Make sure you get your cards out!  I'm sure your loved one will appreciate it.

I received the two newest Enchanted Polishes in the mail today and of course I couldn't wait to swatch them for you.  The first is December 2013, a lovely nude linear holo.  The formula was a bit watery for me, and wanted to pool onto my cuticles during application.  This could have been avoided if I wiped down the brush better on the bottle neck.  I used two thin pigmented coats here and it was perfectly opaque for my longer nails.  No topcoat in these pics, with the first in the light tent and the rest under direct light.  The holo isn't super strong, but I find that to be normal when it comes to lighter shades like these.

Enchanted Polish December 2013

Enchanted Polish December 2013

Enchanted Polish December 2013

Enchanted Polish December 2013

Enchanted Polish December 2013

Enchanted Polish December 2013

Enchanted Polish December 2013

 January 2014 was a surprise, and imagine how happy I was when I saw that it was a dark murky teal holo.  Gorge!!  It reminds me of a bluer version of Glitter Gal's Lizard Belly, but with a much better formula.  I probably could have gotten away with one medium thick coat of this, but instead I used two thin coats which was more than enough.  Formula was a touch thick and slow to level, if at all.  The color and holo intensity more than make up for that flaw.  Again, no topcoat in these pics, with the first pic in the light tent and the rest under direct light.

Enchanted Polish January 2014

Enchanted Polish January 2014

Enchanted Polish January 2014

Enchanted Polish January 2014

Enchanted Polish January 2014

Enchanted Polish January 2014

Enchanted Polish January 2014

I adore this shade! I'm always impressed with the unusual shades of color that Enchanted uses for her monthly releases. Off the top of my head I can't think of any near dupes of either. Her formula is impressive as well, with an intense pigmentation that calls for little work during application.   I can see why she has a devoted following.  Is there a holo line that you're dedicated to?  

Butter London HRH Swatch And Review With Bonus Stamping Enchanted Polish Mercy

Nothing To DisclosePurchased

Occasionally I feel nostalgic when I think of the days when I use out to Hollywood Blvd to go dancing.  There's something about the energy and the comraderie amongst all the dancers, and the pulsating beat that would move my soul.  I miss the creative process of imagining new dance steps and watching other dancers move in new innovative ways in the cypher.  I know there's some of the old crew who are still dancing, despite having kids and jobs... I wish I could do it because I miss the creative outlet but I know I'd be super wiped out and feel guilty leaving LO at home.  Heck, I haven't even seen a movie since she's been born!  How do people do it?  Fellow moms, will I ever get over feeling guilty?

Anyway - not sure what brought that on, but let's get back to the point at hand - nail polish!  I have for your eyes today Butter London HRH, a gorgeous royal purple shimmer.  True to Butter London's formula, it's a bit on the thick side which is tricky when working with a shimmer.  You have to apply it in as little swipes as possible to minimize brush strokes.  I found that it leveled fairly well except for the areas around the base of my nail.  It applies with a lot of streaks, and three coats are needed to avoid any visible camera patchiness.  I finished this with a layer of GlitterDaze topcoat for shine.

Butter London HRH

Butter London HRH

Butter London HRH

Butter London HRH

Butter London HRH

Butter London HRH

Next, I decided to add some extra eye appeal by adding some stamping with my Winstonia plates.  I've been wanting to use this particular pattern for ages but never found a good opportunity to use it until now.  I went with subtle stamping and used Enchanted Polish Mercy to stamp my pattern - I wanted to use a purple holo and I realized that this was my only one.  How did I let that happen??  I'll have to rectify that ASAP!

Butter London HRH Stamped With Enchanted Polish Mercy

Butter London HRH Stamped With Enchanted Polish Mercy

Butter London HRH Stamped With Enchanted Polish Mercy

Butter London HRH Stamped With Enchanted Polish Mercy

Butter London HRH Stamped With Enchanted Polish Mercy

I still consider myself really clumsy when it comes to stamping, but I think the Winstonia plates make it easier with their crisp construction.  My only complaint is that my nails are getting too long for the designs, so I won't be able to use any of the full nail patterns unless I shorten them.  I don't know why I wanted so long to use this pattern either, it transferred over without any problems whatsoever.  I love stamping with holos - they really add a lot of visual interest to a mani and are easy to stamp with.  Have you braved stamping yet?  If not, I definitely think you should give it a try, especially if I can pull it off! 

Nothing To DisclosePurchased

Enchanted Polish Presto Magic Swatch And Review

Purchased

TGIF!  I have the day off and I plan on enjoying it as much as I can.  Hopefully this time around we'll make it down to the OC, and if all goes as planned, I'll pop into the nail supply and see if there are any new collections.  I've got to be selective with any choices I make though, because I'm running out of storage space for new pretties!

I'm going to keep in theme with dazzling polishes for the new year, and this next one is Enchanted Polish Presto Magic, a deep midnight blue linear holographic that deliciously throws rainbows left and right.  Application was once again impressive with smooth consistency that flowed onto the nail with no streaking or patchiness.  I might have been able to get away with one coat but I used two here for depth of color.  No topcoat in these pics.

Enchanted Polish Presto Magic

Enchanted Polish Presto Magic

Enchanted Polish Presto Magic

Enchanted Polish Presto Magic

Enchanted Polish Presto Magic

Enchanted Polish Presto Magic

Enchanted Polish Presto Magic

I think this is the perfect winter blue because it reminds me of silent winter nights, with stars twinkling in the sky and casting a rainbow luminescence.   I've always hankered for a OPI DS Glamour polish and after using Presto Magic, I think I've squashed that lemming because I found something better.   Have you found your DS Glamour or similar? 

Purchased

A Year In Review: 2013 Favorites

I didn't intend to do a top ten favorites but after seeing a lot of other blogs, I couldn't help but think of such were my favorites.  And what's better than having a bunch of pretties all in one post?  I combined indies and mainstream for sake of simplicity.  These are in no special order.

Color Club Uptown Girl.  How can anyone resist flakies in a purple jelly base?

Color Club Uptown Girl

Ninja Polish Mystic Glacier.  Color shifting perfection.  An all around winner.

Ninja Polish Mystic Glacier

Nerdlacquer Götterdämmerung.  I can't even.  Blue and purple duochrome glitter perfection. 

Nerdlacquer Götterdämmerung

Nerdlacquer Exterminate.  The contrasting glitters against the base just slay me.

Nerdlacquer Exterminate

Naild It

Digital Nails Galactica.  It's the name, it's the color, it's pure glitter!

Digital Nails Galactica

Typsy Turvy Collection.  OK, technically not one polish but all three were totally awesome, and not only because it was based after Buffy.

Tipsy Turvy Nails Mmm Cookies!

Tipsy Turvy Nails Angelus

Tipsy Turvy Nails Beer Bad

Enchanted Polish October 2013.  Because who doesn't love a charcoal holo?

Enchanted Polish October 2013

Hare Polish Test Your Love.  Moar Flakies!

Hare Polish Test Your Love

Hare Polish Flight Of The Flamingos.  I love the feminine delicacy of this.

Hare Polish Flight Of The Flamingos

 Yves Saint Laurent Jade Imperial.  Dusty Jade is probably my favorite color ever.

Yves Saint Laurent Jade Imperial

Sinful Colors Endless Blue.  Probably the best blue cream ever.

Sinful Colors Endless Blue

Kunimitsu Lucky Goldfish.  Copper glitters.... Yum.

Kunimitsu Lucky Goldfish

L'Oreal Berry Nice.  A perfect grape jelly.

L'Oreal Miss Candy Jelly Berry Nice

My Ten Friends Clusterfrak.  Purple and green together forever!

My Ten Friends Clusterfrak

Ok, so maybe there's more than ten.  It was really hard to narrow the list down!  Most of this list are indie polishes but unless you've been living under a rock, you'd know that indies ruled the nail polish world this year.  Did you have any favorites that I may have missed?  What was your top ten?