Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Lynnderella Nail Polish in Evermore, Ghost of a Chance, Undead Red, VamPink - Review, Swatches, Photos

Happy Halloween! 

This is the last installment of my barrage of festive polishes. I do have a few more which I hope to get to eventually...

But now; Lynnderella!

Because all of Lynnderella's lacquers are horribly, terribly, awesomely complex, I think I do them the most justice by quoting official color descriptions from her site.

Evermore - According to Lynnderella, this consists of "black shapes with a potent multi-coloured microglitter". This is one coat of Evermore atop OPI Rumple's Wiggin':

 Ghost of a Chance - "Multiple- sized and shaped translucent white and pastel glitters in a sheer multi-shimmer base with a dash of rainbow dust. Inspired by the wardrobes of wraiths and fashionable ghosts attending New York Fashion Week." Swatched as one coat over OPI Skull and Glossbones:



Undead Red -  "A complicated mix of metallic and matte reds as well as holographic and iridescent blue glitters in a red base." One coat over OPI The Spy Who Loved Me:


VamPink - "Burgundy, magenta and holographic with a burgundy base." Shown is one coat atop of Orly Plum Noir.

What to say, what to say? All of these are lovely. And complex, and beautifully unique. Evermore is positively drool-worthy and quickly becoming a favorite. The only somewhat challenging application came with Ghost of a Chance, but only because I wanted to make sure I represented the hearts, diamonds, and other fun shapes. Otherwise, great formula! These provide a dollop of spooky sophistication to any Halloween outfit!

As far as I know, Lynnderella polish may only be purchased at the Lynnderella ebay shop.

Enjoy your Halloween and stay safe!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Pretty and Polished Nail Lacquer in Blood Clot - Photos, Review, Swatches

Today I have a stunning Pretty and Polished Halloween shade called Blood Clot! This is a bright red jelly with slightly darker red glitter. Swatched in three thin coats:


The name is so very fitting, and I totally get blood clots from the appearance of this polish. The formula is amazing and smooth; can't think of any criticism (nor do I want to!). A perfect color not only for Halloween but for when you're in the mood for a sexy and unique bombshell red lacquer.

You can purchase Blood Clot for $8.50 at the Pretty and Polished Etsy shop here (I'm not positive that it'll be back in stock, though), or on sale for $8.00 at the Llarowe shop.


Lastly - Because I’m a hopeless nerd through and through, and I shamelessly seize any opportunity to unleash my nerdiness on others, I'll crowbar in a few fun (?) facts about blood:

1. The basics: Red blood cells (RBCs), the biconcave discs that make up a large portion of blood, have been emptied of nearly all organelles (including the DNA-housing nucleus) in order to maximize their oxygen-carrying capability. The lifespan of your average RBC is 120 days, roughly 2.4 million are created in your body per second, and full circulation of a RBC takes about 20 seconds.

2. In our RBCs, hemoglobin is the molecule that binds oxygen for transport. At the center of this molecule is an iron atom, which gives oxygenated blood its red color. Most crustaceans, however, utilize hemocyanin, which contains a copper atom instead of the iron one found in hemoglobin. Because of this copper atom, these hemocyanins have blue blood rather than red!

3. My lab pays donors $7 per tube of blood (roughly 10 mL). Based on this pricing, as a woman, all of the blood in your body is worth about $3500.
1GZX Haemoglobin.png
Hemoglobin; Picture from Wikipedia
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Monday, October 29, 2012

Dollish Polish Nail Lacquer in Spectral Pup, Vampire's Coven, I'm the Boogieman - Photos, Swatches

It's a race to post all my Halloween swatches before the 31st, so expect this post to be less talk and more photos. (Or, as I like to say, drive-by swatches!) Feast your eyes upon some of the gorgeous Dollish Polish lacquers from her Nightmare Before Christmas inspired This is Halloween collection -

L to R: Spectral Pup (glow-in-the-dark), I'm the Boogieman, Vampire's Coven
Spectral Pup - One coat over OPI Pink Friday. This is a glow-in-the-dark orange and white glitter in a shimmery pinkish base -

Vampire's Coven, a red and purple glitter (including squares!) in a sheer black jelly base. Three coats -

I'm The Boogieman, a shimmery spring green base packed with green glitter of all shades. Two coats -

Lovely, no? (Not that I was expecting anything less from the amazing Dollish Polish!) Unfortunately I don't think these are available anymore, but please check out her beautiful offerings at her shop here. Full sized bottles are $8.75 each.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

OPI Skyfall Collection in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Live and Let Die, The Spy Who Loved Me - Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Gosh, I have so many Halloween swatches to post still! And yet, today I want to share with you a few lacquers from OPI's Holiday 2012 Skyfall collection. I adore James Bond, even though I can't bring myself around to the current incarnation (I know, I know - sacrilege!). When I learned OPI was doing a collection themed around the world of the MI6 agent I was thrilled, expecting luxuriously sophisticated and richly dapper hues. Indeed, the three I picked up do not disappoint! So fantastic.  

Live and Let Die, a deep, dusty forest green with golden green shimmer (two coats) -

On Her Majesty's Secret Service, a gray-ish/blueish/greenish/silvery/golden shimmer (two coats) -

The Spy Who Loved Me, a bright, true red with large gold shimmer particles (two coats) -

Aren't these positively stunning? I can't wait to use these for a full manicure! The Spy Who Loved Me and Live and Let Die are ultra dense, basically one-coaters for those who are not extremely anal (unlike me 8D) about using at least two coats for thoroughness. On Her Majesty's Secret Service is not at pigmented, but what it lacks in substance it makes up in appearance - unique, lovely, and interesting. I love the idea behind this set, and I appreciate the twist OPI have put on classic reds and work-friendly neutrals. I have a feeling I'm going to have to purchase more of this collection...

The OPI Holiday 2012 Skyfall collection is available from Ulta for $8.50 per bottle.

Have you tried any of these? Thanks so much for reading! :)