A England Tristam

I discovered A England some time ago, probably on Scrangie. I was smitten at first glance. It took me a while, but I eventually took the plunge and ordered from the UK website (this was before I knew about Llarowe). I haven't looked back. I own almost every colour A England has made, I love them all.

Today I have Tristam, a colour from her inaugural collection based on the legends of King Arthur. Dark blue holographic! It applies like a dream, too. Two medium coats.

*Sigh* so pretty.

Zoya Cynthia and Nicole by OPI Kissed at Midnight

A twofer today!

Today I have Zoya Cynthia (from Smoke and Mirrors) and Nicole by OPI Kissed at Midnight (Selena Gomez).

Cynthia is a nice dark green creme, and Kissed is a gold multi-sized hex glitter in a clear base. I really like them both.

I like how the gold glitter looks. I did a thick coat on my ring and pinkie, but a thinner coat on my index and middle. I like the thinner coat better, looks a bit more 'starry' (which is why I love the name "Kissed at Midnight" - under the stars!)

OPI Take the Stage

OPI Take the Stage is from their Burlesque Collection. This collection really sucked me into polish. I saw the collection in a magazine (you know the ads OPI does...) and I HAD TO HAVE IT. All of them. No negotiation. This was a collection pure shimmers and glitters. I wasn't just picking up random colours from the drugstore or Trade Secrets. I was going to get that whole collection and I was going to love it, dammit. No one can stop me!

That's right, it's time for another

!

So many years and how many bottles later and Take the Stage is STILL an excellent orange. Look at it!

A rich, shimmery bronze orange. This is two coats, but I think it could have used another. When not under extreme close-up scrutiny, the polish seems more opaque.

Love u 4-vah, Burlesque collection!

Collection... Catharsis? Sally Hansen Hot Magenta

I've decided to give myself a challenge. I was not going to purchase any new polishes for Lent, and use the ones from my slightly ridiculous collection (Julep subscription doesn't count). After literally dozens of minutes and tinkering with MS Publisher, I give you:

It's best if you say it in a booming voice. Or like Oprah: "Coooollectiooooonnnnn Caaaaathaaaaaaaaarsis! You get a catharsis! And you get one!"

Also, any chance to whip out the best GIF EVER:

I'll give you a few minutes to enjoy that.

ANYWAY, what was I going on about? Oh yeah, the nail polish! So I am planning on going through my collection. First, an oldie but a goodie from my pinks: Sally Hansen Hot Magenta

SO PINK. True to its name, it is a very bright and hot magenta. These Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear bottles are from when I was really starting to get into polish. They were (still are, I think) $2.99 at the drugstore so I would obviously pick one up every time I went to Rexall's. Despite being about 7 years old it's in pretty good shape! The formula is still fine, and I didn't really have many problems with application. You go, Sally Hansen!

Butter London Scuppered

So I finally saw The Hobbit the other day. I have... mixed feelings, but we can all agree the Dwarves are the best, right? Good, we're all agreed.

Naturally, I had to do my nails for the event. I chose Butter London Scuppered, a delightful copper-y bronze with green glitter accents. It's very earthy but shimmery. Essentially, after watching The Hobbit, I decided it was perfect for the dwarves!

Yup, this is the choice Dwarf party colour...

Orly Lucky Duck

Oh man, I love a good green. And let me tell you, Lucky Duck is one good green. This is a fantastic shade of jade. Look!

(Completely unrelated: I saw Blue Rodeo yesterday. THEY WERE AMAZING. Canadians: go see them! Canadians not of a certain age so you have no idea who I am talking about: Go see them anyway! They're such excellent musicians.)

Ahem. Back to the nail polish...

Orly Lucky Duck: I got tons of compliments on this colour. This is exactly what jade should be!

China Glaze Glitz N Pieces Part Deux

I was in Montreal this week and, seriously,

Seriously. May I never attempt to go somewhere in Canada during winter, ever again. Although eating at Au Pied du Cochon was totally worth it.

Moving on, I have the second half of the intriguing China Glaze Glitz N Pieces collection.

China Glaze Bling it On over Nubar Vaso. Blue blue blue! The blue is a nice darker shade. You do have to be careful with these colours, as the glitters tend to go over the nail tip (and cause mucho scratchiness).

China Glaze Grafitti Glitter over Misa The Great Green Whatsit. Green green green! I am very excited that Pantone named Emerald as the colour of the year, since greens are pretty much the best.

I love these glitters!!

**These polishes were provided by Nail Polish Canada.