NOTD: Color Club Halo Hues, 2013-Eternal Beauty

Today's NOTD is Color Club's Eternal Beauty from the 2013 Halo Hues Collection. The is just a gorgeous polish.  The 2013 Halo Hues collection was gifted to me by my god-dog, Rudy, and his polish loving mother-NayButterfly as a birthday present and I love every one of the polishes in this collection.  Holo, purple, good coverage...what more could a girl ask for?

Host of Holos: Color Club 2012 Halo Hues Swatches

Earlier this month I posted a tutorial of a manicure I did using the 2012 Color Club Halo Hues collection. I received this collection as a gift from another nail polish enthusiast.  I realize that this collection is over a year old, but I thought I would share my swatches anyway. One can never have too many holographic nail polishes. A holo finish is one of my favorites and these linear holos of Color Club are some of my absolute favorites.  These pictures were all taken under an Ott-Light with no flash.

Let's get started...first, is Color Club Harp On It. This is a warm-toned silver, if that makes any sense. It's not that bamm, in-your-face, Christmas garland silver, but a silver none-the-less.

Next, is Color Club Cloud Nine, a light pinky-lavender linear holo. This is lighter and more pink than the next swatch, Halo-Graphic.

Here is Color Club Halo-Graphic, while in the bottle when compared to Cloud Nine, look very similar, on the nail is definitely a more red-toned purple.

Now you know that Color Club Blue Heaven would be my favorite of the collection.  This is a cooler light blue.

Next is Color Club Cherubic. This is a neutral beige but it gives me the mannequin hands look with that extra bling.

Lastly, is Color Club Angel Kiss, my second favorite in this collection. A beautiful blue-green, that leans toward teal.

Well this wraps up my swatches of the 2012 Color Club Halo Hues. They are still available through several of the online retailers. I mentioned the patchwork manicure I posted using this collection. If you missed that post, it can be seen by clicking HERE.

Color Club has released a 2013 Halo Hues collection. That's next on my shopping list. Have you purchased it yet and if so, which shades are your favorites?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were given to me as a gift from a fellow nail enthusiast.  These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.

Host of Holos: Layla Hologram Effects Swatches

It was about this same time last year that I first saw this brand, it was love at first sight. Layla Cosmetics Hologram Effect Nail Polishes...OMG!!! While I have been loving nail polishes for decades, it was really only in the last 3-4 years that I started collecting them. So I missed out on the earlier collections like China Glaze OMG, Nfu-Oh and OPI DS. The first full holo collection that I was able to acquire was the China Glaze Tronica collection.  While there have been other holo collections, not many have the strong holo effect of the earlier brands.  So when I encountered the Layla Hologram Effect, I knew I had to own at least some of them. During the Spring of 2012, Ulta and Ulta.com was the best place to purchase them and you can believe I did.  

I purchased 5 of the collection. They are the following:

Layla Coral Glam: not that I would ever consider my skin tone "coral", but for me, this is an excellent neutral with a little bling. I would definitely consider this "office safe".  I am only wearing 2 coats here, but I would absolutely go for 3-4 coats next time. 

Another shade I purchased was Layla Retro Pink. It's a mid-pink, but not too "in your face". Definitely one that needed to be in my collection.

Of course there would be a purple in my shopping bag. Layla Ultra Violet is a gorgeous mid-range purple. The linear holo effect was very evident. 

Layla Mermaid Spell is another must have. Truth be told all of the collection are "must haves". Anyway, Mermaid Spell is an absolutely gorgeous light blue-green. Of the five I own this is probably my number 2...can you guess #1? As with all of these polishes, I used 2 coats, but with future manicures I will go for 3-4 coats. Since this line is fast drying that won't be an issue.

That's right, my favorite of this Layla Holo haul is Layla Ocean Rush.  Look at this blue. What can I say? Photos don't even do it justice. There was no question that I would own this. A Blue Holo? Hello! This blue has a turquoise undertone but is definitely blue.

As with most holographic nail polishes, there is some sort of care that needs to be taken with their application-an aqua base coat  or a specialty buffer.  While I do own an aqua base coat and a holo specialty buffer, in these applications, I wanted to try them with just a normal fine grit buffer. I also allowed each coat to dry so that I would experience any dragging as is often the case with holo polishes.

Layla Cosmetics suggests the use of their 2-sided emery board. In addition, they provide these instructions for optimal application:

HOW HOLOGRAM EFFECTS WORKS:

1. On clean bare nails, take the Layla 2-sided emery board marked ‘side 1’ and rub all over the nail.

2. Immediately buff the nails with ‘side 2’ and a glossy base coat will appear.

3. Apply one full coat of Hologram Effect nail polish onto the nail. Wait a couple of seconds to add the second coat.  

4. Apply Top Coat.

Layla Cosmetics Hologram Effect’s fast drying, high coverage polish will last 1 week.  The revolutionary formula will not stain the nail and is free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde and DBP. Choose from 8 intense colors to produce holographic nail art at your fingertips: Mercury Twilight, Coral Glam, Retro Pink, Ultra Violet, Jade Groove, Mermaid Spell, Ocean Rush and Flash Black.

While I purchased mine from Ulta.com, I recently checked and did not see the brand listed on their website. Layla is still available at Zappos.com and Aveyou.com.  So if you are a holo-aholic such as myself, you need to add some of these to your collection.  What are some of your favorite holographic brands?

BTW: I was sent a bottle of Layla Coral Glam to review, but since I had already purchased one for myself, I decided that I would eventually include the extra bottle as part of a giveaway, so keep your ears perked.

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own money, unless otherwise noted. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.

TUTORIAL: Color Club Patchwork Manicure

Not too long ago, I posted a quick manicure I did while playing with my Color Club Halo Hues from the 2012 collection. I had a few people ask for a tutorial so I thought I would do a post explaining this really simple nail art.

First, I lined up my 2012 Color Club Halo Hues.  I believe that this would work with most holographic polishes, whereas polishes like creams, would have a different effect. It's the effect of the holographic polish that plays tricks on your eyes and adds to the overall look of the manicure.

I took my first polish, Cherubic and applied 1 decent coat, not too thick but thick enough to get full coverage.  Let it dry. Since I will be overlapping other polishes, I don't want the colors to mingle on the brushes.

Next line up the other polishes, I alternated with Blue Heaven, Cloud Nine, Angel Kiss and Halo-Graphic.

This really is a very simple manicure. I have added this diagram to show how I applied the polishes. Base Color, another color diagonal across, and the third color down one half of the nail. That's it. I am not one for complicated and detailed nail art. It's all smokin' mirrors. LOL! 

When applying the diagonal colors, again it's just one coat. If the coats are too thick they won't "bleed through" to give you the same effect.  Just remember the colors you use on the diagonal, Left to Right, use in the reverse order on the vertical line. (1-2-3-4, 4-3-2-1).
Once the diagonal color has dried to the touch, it's time to apply the vertical color. Again, just one thin coat. Again, remember, 1-2-3-4, 4-3-2-1.  And that's it!

As you can see, by not applying the colors too thick they appear to "bleed through" each layer; giving you a rainbow holographic effect.

I hope you like this and I hope that for those who requested a tutorial, that this was helpful. I love holographic polishes and Color Club has some of the best. What are some of your favorite holographic polishes?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were given to me as a gift from a fellow nail enthusiast.  These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.

Glitter Galore: Barielle Bling-Purple Hearts & Starchild

Recently, I was given the opportunity to review some of the Barielle Nail Lacquers and Nail products.  I was excited because I have always thought of Barielle as a high-end, high quality brand. This may sound odd, but I still remember the sense of pride I felt when I purchased my first Barielle nail lacquer.

So being that I am currently going through a serious glitter craze, two of the polishes I selected were Barielle's Purple Hearts and Starchild. 

Purple Hearts

Barielle Purple Hearts is a gorgeous clear based glitter with purple, silver, & holo glitters in addition to larger purple hexagonals.  The glitters are densely packed so the application was easier than many glitters I have dealt with. There was not need to "place" the glitters.

Purple Hearts is great for layering. You are only limited by your creativity.  The first base I chose was the vibrant royal purple-China Glaze Creative Fantasy.  I love how the holo glitters pop with this manicure combination. 

Another color combination I decided to try was a lighter pale purple to show all the detail of the Barielle Purple Hearts; for that, I chose China Glaze Sweet Hook. With this lighter base, the micro glitters are more evident and the ease of application is understandable. You can see the even spread of the glitters.

Starchild

The next glitter I chose was Barielle Starchild. It's an absolutely gorgeous silver, densely packed, holographic glitter, with both micro and hexagonal glitters.  I have seen many other holo glitters, but this has an awesome holo effect.  

So far, I am loving the Barielle glitters. They spread evenly and don't require placing the glitters, like so many of the other glitters need. Starchild will complement any base color.  But one of the first colors I selected was China Glaze Grape Juice. This darker base, helped to bring out the various particles in Barielle Starchild. Whether I was using flash lighting or natural light, the holographic glitters popped!

The last for this post I decided to combine with Barielle Starchild is a silver base. I chose Nfu-Oh 61 (silver holographic). This combination was one of those I just couldn't stop staring at. I realize that it is just May 3rd, but I have already claimed this as a New Years Eve manicure. This very well may be my favorite silver holograpic glitter.  It will definitely need to do a comparison of those that I own.

Barielle is a brand that I have been aware of for many years, and I prior to this opportunity, I did own a couple shades. I look forward to wearing the other Barielle polishes now in my collection.  As I mentioned earlier, I still remember the first Barielle I purchased-Berry Blue, big surprise! I just wish they were more readily available. For me, products like nail polish are those that I like to see in person.  What are some of your favorite Barielle Nail Lacquers and/or Nail Products?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* This product was sent to me for review consideration by either the manufacturer or the PR firm representing the manufacturer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company.

Barielle Nail Mail!!!

Epilepsy Awareness: Day 6-Layla Ultra Violet

I love holographic nail polishes and purple polishes are some of my favorites. So you can imagine, how I would feel about a purple holographic nail polish.  Last Spring, I purchased my first Layla Hologram Effect Nail Polishes. I don't remember on whose blog I saw them first, but I remember that it was "love at first sight".  I ordered mine from Ulta.com and started stalking my tracking number. I couldn't wait to get them in my hands.  

Today in my continued support to Epilepsy Awareness, I'm sharing with you Layla Hologram Effect in Ultra Violet.  While it's not the most pronounced holographic polish on the market, it is one of the better brands. I hope to get my hands on some of the other shades from this collection.

As popular as holograph polishes are, I'm surprised that nail polish companies don't release more. It's funny to watch the nail polish blogosphere at the introduction of new holo collections. We stalk, and then we pounce. It's something about that rainbow reflection that hypnotizes us and we must have them, LOL!

Do you like holographic finishes? What are some of your favorite holographic brands and/or collections?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own money. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.

Top of the Morning To You: China Glaze Laser Lime

With St. Patrick's Day less than a week away, what a better time to pull out some of my favorite tried & untried greens.  I decided to start with one from the first full collection I purchased. Today, I pulling out Laser Lime from the 2011 China Glaze Tronica Collection.  This collection reminds me of the current 2013 China Glaze Holographic collection-both are more scattered holos as opposed to linear.  But scattered or linear, holographic polishes are hard to ignore.

Well, that is China Glaze Tronica Laser Lime. I love China Glazes Holographic collections. I know that they have one out now, but I really wish they would re-release the OMG collection. That is one I really missed out on.  Well, I will have another green manicure for you tomorrow, until tomorrow...

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own money. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.