My first Epic FAIL

Ulta was having a buy 3 get 1 free deal, so I decided to purchase most of the polishes from Orly's 2010 Sweet Collection.  I decided against getting Cotton Candy and opted for getting Velvet Rope instead.  Purple plus glitter??!! No brainer.  Two weeks ago, I finally decided to wear it, and low and behold, I now have buyer's remorse.   Take a look:

Granted this photo was taken without a top coat, but not even a coat of Seche Vite could save this one in my opinion.  While I LOVE the color, the glitter KILLS it.  There's no sparkle, just chunks.  The polish isn't jelly so instead of the glitter coming through, the more the polish is layered, the glitter ends up getting covered.  It's like the glitter was thrown in as an afterthought, when it would have been better just to leave it out all together.  I love Orly, and this is my first real disappointment.  Ugh :(

deborah lippmann's Across the Universe

I know every other blogger has posted this, or it's "so last year's news", but I LOVE IT! So :-p  LOL j/k.  As previously mentioned, I purchased Across The Universe along with Bad Romance as part of my retail therapy.  I'm so glad I bought it because it is GORGEOUS! Check it!

Indoor Shot

Direct Sunlight

I applied 3 coats, plus base/top coat.  Like Bad Romance, the hex glitter made it a bit difficult to wrap the tips (which explains the huge dry patch on my index finger; not a chip but a piece of glitter that fell off).  This polish reminds me of the DVD/Soundtrack cover of Julie Taymor's film Across the Universe with Evan Rachel Wood and Jim Sturgess.  If you're a Beatles fan, then I think you'll enjoy the movie.  I leave you with my fave lyric from the song Across the Universe:

Limitless undying love

which shines around me like a million suns

It calls me on and on across the universe

Glitter & Sparkle

There are two ways to break from the traditional or classic nail polish colors: (1) Neon or other bright color (2) Glitter!!  Who doesn't like a little bling now and then?  Here are some random swatches of glittery polishes for your enjoyment. :)

Nfu Oh #52: A dark blue/purple base with green micro-glitter and larger green flakes.  The color reminds me of peacock feathers, but a friend of mine referred to it as "very mermaid".  This polish is tricky to capture.  It's really a bit darker than how it's pictured here.  I took this indoors and used the flash because I wanted to try and catch those lovely irregular flakes. (Don't think I was too successful)  In any event it's a gorgeous color.  I received a lot of compliments when I wore this one.

Sinful Colors' "See You Soon": Black with blue micro-glitter.  The application was "meh" but I liked the dark base with the shimmer of blue.  This was three coats, I think.  (Shot indoors with the flash)  Here's what it looks like in natural sunlight:

Zoya - "Roxy": Magenta Jelly Base with Fuchsia glitter.  This is one of ten polishes I acquired from the Zoya Nail Polish Exchange program that ended last month.  My first time using this brand and so far I'm pretty pleased with it.  The wear is nice and the application is pretty easy too.  I had to use 3 coats to make it look nice and even.  

Indoor Shot (Natural Light)

Outdoor Shot in Sunlight