Pirate Polish

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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Dollish Polish Heart of Glass (over Sally Hansen Violet Voltage)

Today I have a fun combination to share with you! This post with showcase Dollish Polish Heart of Glass, layered over Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Violet Voltage. I decided that my brand new Walkman Domo might be a good companion for Heart of Glass, seeing as how he's clearly a music fan. I'm a Blondie fan, myself, and in fact I distinctly remember my mom buying me my first ever CD, which was a Blondie compilation disc. I was mesmerized by the song "Heart of Glass". 


We'll get to Dollish Polish Heart of Glass in a moment; in the meantime, this is what I chose to layer it over. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Violet Voltage is a lovely light purple, with pretty shimmer running through it. I think this is new for spring 2012. The formula on this is lovely, and this was two coats of Violet Voltage:




Dollish Polish Heart of Glass is a holographic topcoat, which contains a whole bunch of Spectra Flair for a linear holo effect, in addition to larger jagged holographic shards and holographic bar glitter. The jagged, irregular holographic shards made me think of bits of a compact disc if it was shattered. A fitting connection to make, perhaps?


This is one coat of Heart of Glass over Violet Voltage:





The following pictures in direct sunlight best show Heart of Glass in all its holographic glory:



What did you think of Dollish Polish Heart of Glass? Does it bring back fond musical memories for you?

I purchased my bottle of Heart of Glass through Dollish Polish's Etsy shop, but she has since relocated to a new website; you can now find her here.

And because this post wouldn't be complete without Blondie singing "Heart of Glass", here you go! 



Just a reminder about my upcoming Lynnderella Connect the Dots giveaway: If you're interested in entering to win a bottle of Connect the Dots, click here for details on how to enter

Monday, May 28, 2012

Nails Inc Mirror Metallic Nail Polish in Cheyne Walk and Stratford

When I saw these new Nails Inc Mirror Metallic polishes pop up on the Sephora website, I caved to the temptation to see what they were like. At the time I ordered them I couldn't find anything online about them, so I took the plunge and ordered both Cheyne Walk (multichrome purple metallic) and Stratford (multichrome champagne metallic). Pretty much anything with "mirror" or "metallic" in the description will get me every time.

These are what they look like in the bottle:



Cheyne Walk is a purple metallic that shows flashes of a somewhat murky olive colour. The combination is interesting, but the colour shift is not as pronounced as in Stratford. 




This is probably the closest these polishes get to a "mirror" effect, but I personally classify them as a metallic. When I think of a true mirror effect I always envision the gold and silver Minx manicures. Sadly, this isn't an effect achievable through nail polish yet (or else I strongly suspect I would wear nothing else).


The colour shift in Cheyne Walk is most accurately captured in these last two pictures.




Stratford is a light champagne gold metallic with strong flashes of peach, yellow, pink, and at times, pale green. Out of the two, it's my favourite; the multichrome shift seems stronger in this than in Cheyne Walk, which I like. 


In direct light (as seen above), some very minor brushstrokes might become evident, but I definitely don't classify this as a brushstroke-prone polish. Overall I quite like the finish.


Stratford really looks fascinating in certain lights and at certain angles; in the picture above you can really see the range of colour in this lacquer.


These last two pictures are truest to how Stratford looks the majority of the time: a smooth shiny pale gold, with touches of yellow and peach.



Overall I'm happy I ordered these. I'm a huge fan of any chrome, metallic, or duochrome finish on a polish, so these made me quite happy. I also suspect that these might be somewhat close to the Deborah Lippmann Mirrored Chrome Nail Lacquer collection that recently came out. In particular Stratford seems kind of similar to "Sugar Daddy" from that release. I don't have them to compare, though- I'm just going by some of the swatches I've seen online. Does anyone have an opinion on possible similarities between these? 

What do you think of Nails Inc Mirror Metallic Cheyne Walk and Stratford? Which one is your favourite? 

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Claire's Magnetix - the best magnetic polish I've ever tried!

I'm really loving the magnetic polish trend; I think the pattern created usually looks interesting, and frankly, the whole concept is just cool. They can be a bit hit and miss, though: the Nails Inc design is great, and very user-friendly, while on the other hand, China Glaze kind of missed the mark with their magnetic polishes (awkward to use, hard to get a clear design).

Unfortunately, magnetic polishes are often a good deal more expensive than regular lacquer. That's why I'm thrilled that my new favourite magnetic lacquer is also the cheapest I've ever come across! Claire's Magnetix line costs about half the price of a Nails Inc or Layla magnetic polish, and applies as well or even better.

Have a look at the green polish from Claire's Magnetix line:






Sadly, this colour doesn't have a specific colour name assigned to it; I guess I'll just have to call it "awesome". Because it is, isn't it? Great application, easy to use design, vivid colour, crisp magnetic pattern. All in an affordable polish! I'm a happy, happy lacquer tracker.

If you like magnetic polish, or want to try it for the first time, this is the one to pick up. Now all you have to do is muster up the courage to actually go INTO Claire's... I know I always feel utterly conspicuous going in there to peruse cosmetics along with all the pre-teens. Luckily, this is well within the boundaries of "things I will do for pretty nail lacquer".

What do you think of Claire's Magnetix green?

Friday, May 25, 2012

Dollish Polish Travelin' the Nile

I decided to add some sparkle to my Sally Hansen Aquamarine Chrome manicure, so I layered Dollish Polish "Travelin' the Nile" overtop. Travelin' the Nile is a nice mixture of vibrant, shiny, blue glitter; it varies in size and shape, which makes for a cool effect. It also has some holographic glitter in it, so in the light it really sparkles.

Because I can never take nice pictures of my nails when I'm trying to hold onto a mini bottle, this time you get a substitute prop for nail pictures- tropical flower Domo will be standing in for the mini bottle on this one!

 He looks so excited, doesn't he?



I originally envisioned this over a darker blue/purple creme (maybe something like Essie No More Film), but I think the chrome base is actually kind of interesting. What do you think?


This reminds me of water droplets!



I wore this combination to see B.B. King play one evening a short while ago; it was a really great show to see. At the age of 86 (amazing, right?!) his voice might not be as strong as it once was, but he's still got it. Here's a video you might enjoy (this is from '93, I think). Enjoy!


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Sally Hansen Aquamarine Chrome

Like my previous post about Sally Hansen Tourmaline Chrome, this is another blast from the past: Aquamarine Chrome.

This is a lacquer I distinctly remember owning, and loving, nearly 15 years ago. As I lamented before, I wish I had held onto all my Chrome polishes! Nonetheless, after a trip to ebay, I now have several lovely Sally Hansen Chrome polishes to share with you. This is Sally Hansen Aquamarine Chrome, a deep metallic chrome blue (2 coats):


See how reflective it looks in this next picture?



While this has a somewhat similar finish to Models Own Dream Stream, it isn't quite as intense and vividly blue. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing- to me, this looks more chrome-like. It also doesn't stain like Models Own Dream Stream (word of warning- my nails are STILL hugely stained from Dream Stream, even after several changes of polish. Better double, or triple up on base coat!).


If you're looking for Sally Hansen Chrome polishes, this is the ebay listing through which I purchased mine (not affiliated), and I have no complaints about the service I received- everything arrived safely and in a reasonable time frame.

What do you think of Sally Hansen Aquamarine Chrome? Was this one in your stash years ago?

Interested in winning Lynnderella Connect the Dots? Check out my Connect the Dots giveaway


Monday, May 21, 2012

Lynnderella Connect the Dots Giveaway!

I'm extremely happy to be able to give my readers a chance to win Lynderella's Connect the Dots! 


I know this one has been a hard one to get ahold of, and I'm hoping this will go to someone who has been admiring it. I had been lusting after it for a long time, but finally got my hands on Cover Band's Sticks N Stones version of it; when Connect the Dots finally arrived via the Llarowe wish list system, I decided I didn't really need both of them... What better opportunity could I have to share the love? Therefore, this unopened bottle of Lynnderella's Connect the Dots will go to one lucky reader.

These are the rules for entering the contest (don't worry- I'm not going to make you jump through hoops... well, not that many, anyways):

1) Be a public follower of my blog via GFC (this is simply the easiest way for me to keep track of readers who want to enter).

2) Leave a comment on this post and give me your GFC name, along with an email address at which I can reach you (if you'd rather not publicly leave your email, you can also email me at thelacquertracker@gmail.com to let me know what address I can use to contact you). If you should win, then I will email you and you will have 48 hours to accept your prize.

Information regarding extra entries:

Admittedly I'm a little sceptical when it comes to this extra entries business that a lot of blog contests incorporate... mostly it seems to entail following a blog via a bazillion different social media platforms (most of them which I don't even have) and blogging about the contest on your own blog (which until I started a blog of my own I always felt was a little bit unfair to non-bloggers). So, these are MY rules regarding extra entries:

1) Write me a haiku (the formula is 5 / 7 / 5, by the way!). It can be about anything: nail polish, your summer vacation plans, how you currently feel about your job, or pretty much whatever comes to mind! This makes tallying all the entries more enjoyable for me, therefore I'll award you an extra entry.

These final two ways to earn extra entries are actually already decided. They are:

2) If you were a follower previous to the announcement of this giveaway, you'll gain an extra entry. While I'm excited at the prospect of new followers who will hopefully enjoy my blog, I also want to reward the readers who have been with me since before I decided to do this contest.

3) If you're a regular or semi-regular commenter on my blog, you'll gain an extra entry. This will be at my discretion, and I won't confirm wether or not you got an extra entry, but if I've seen your name pop up here or there, you'll probably be getting one.

This contest is open internationally, and will end on June 21st, 2012, at 11:59 PM (CST). A winner will be announced the next day, sent an email, and be given 48 hours to respond.

Good luck!


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Models Own Ibiza Mix (Hed Kandi collection)

Well, it looks like I've found a new favourite glitter topcoat! Models Own Ibiza Mix is from the new Hed Kandi collection, and despite not knowing who or what Hed Kandi is, I'm pleased as punch with this polish. Huh. Ever wondered about the etymology of "pleased as punch"? Well, turns out it's actually "as pleased as Punch", and you're welcome to click here to read more about the origins of the phrase. Although I think I might stop using it, as I've just discovered that Punch was, quote, a "wife-beating serial killer". Puts a rather different spin on the whole thing...

ANYWAYS. Ahem. This is the lovely Models Own Ibiza Mix, two coats over Models Own Dream Stream (a vibrant metallic blue):




Ibiza Mix consists of a mixture of shiny reflective pastel glitters in a variety of colours and sizes. I see smaller yellow, blue, and pink glitter, as well as larger orange, lilac, turquoise and yellow hexagonal glitter. I think this polish is unique enough to warrant owning, even if you already own one of the Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday/OPI Rainbow Connection glitters. I love the glitter in this because it's a fascinating mix of less-common pastel shades. They're still vibrant and eye-catching, but they're more interesting to me than the usual mixture of colours you see in a lot of multi-glitter lacquers.



Did I mention how crazy-shiny and reflective the glitter in this is? Check out the disco-ball reflection it created on my palm in the next picture. And it wasn't only like that in the bottle! I kept seeing little light particles dancing around my fingers when I was wearing it.


That's Models Own Ibiza Mix- officially my new favourite glitter topcoat. It's marvellously glitzy, eye-catching, and fun to look at.

What do you think of Ibiza Mix? And can anyone clue me into who/what Hed Kandi is?

Friday, May 18, 2012

Models Own Dream Stream

Today I have another lovely Models Own polish for you, and this was another lemming created by seeing Ilexica at Polish or Perish wearing it. I'm really happy I picked this it up because it's a stunner. Dream Stream is a intense, almost electric, blue metallic. At least I've decided to call it a metallic because it has definite reflective qualities. The formula was great, and this was two coats:






Check out this last picture- see how crazy reflective it is? You can actually see the reflection of my camera as I take the picture!


I adore this polish, despite the fact that is stained my nails pretty badly upon taking it off. Definitely double up on base coat when using this!

What do you think of Models Own Dream Stream? Is it going on your lemming list now?