So Sorry!

Hey everyone!  As you may (or may not) remember, I have been out of town dealing with some stuff lately.  But I'm back and looking forward to get back to swatching.  And more importantly....USING MY LIGHT BOX!!!  If you've been following along, you know I've been missing my light box.  The slightly OCD part of me almost wants to go back and re-swatch all the polishes I've swatched without my light box.  Maybe someday, I will.  But for now, I'm going to surge ahead and keep showing you a new color each day.  And I hope to get back to bringing you some fun, weekly features, too.  I don't know if I will go back to my usual Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials Tuesday and Feature Friday posts, but I'll come up with something.  Would love to hear your ideas...anything in particular you would like to see?  Let me know in the comments!

See you soon!!!  And as always, thanks for sticking around.  I'll work on a very appreciative giveaway for you guys!

I'm Swatchin' You - OPI Romeo & Joliet

Up next is a pretty red-brown shimmer from OPI, called Romeo & Joliet.  I classified it as a red since I think the red hue dominates.  Sorry this doesn't translate well to the photos.  Light box, light box...where art thou, light box???  Oh, but the bandages abound!

The formula was only so-so.  There was no sign of leveling.  The first coat was a bit streaky, but improved with the second coat.  I went with a light third coat to fill in the streaks.  But it is a pretty color, vampy with a touch of class!

SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.

I'm Swatchin' You - Essie Wicked

Today, I get to show you my first Essie!  It's the vampy beauty, Wicked, a red jelly.

I have classified this as a red.  It's a deep, dark black-red.  I was excited to finally try my first Essie.  Sadly, I wasn't too happy with the formula.  There was no leveling, and uneven application.  This took three coats.  However, the third coat should be very light just to fill in the streaks that remain after the first two coats.  The formula was also quite thin.  But how could you not love the color or the name?!?

SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.

I'm Swatchin' You - China Glaze 108 Degrees

Today's pretty little polly is coming to you from China Glaze's Summer 2011 Island Escape collection.  This is 108 Degrees, and fuchsia pink shimmer.  Holy double bandages, Batman!!!

This took two coats.  I have to say, I was not impressed with the formula on this.  The first coat was streaky with no signs of self-leveling.  Thankfully, the second coat evened out the look.  And I did experience some minor cuticle flooding.  The bottom line:  nice color, weak formula.

 SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.

I'm Swatchin' You - Revlon Chili

Bright orange, ahead!  This is Revlon's Chili, a bright orange creme.

I did one coat with this color.  It's hard to tell in the pictures, but there is a slight VNL.  So if you want solid coverage, go for the second coat.  I wasn't too thrilled with the formula on this one.  Mine was very thin.  I left the bottle open for an eternity, and still had cuticle flooding.  She just didn't want to behave for me.  It is a pretty nice color, though.

SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.

I'm Swatchin' You - Sinful Colors Hazard

Hi all!  Today's color is coming to you from Sinful Colors.  It's a pretty, summery peach creme called Hazard. And oh, my...the virtual bandage has an offspring!  I must learn to be kinder to my hands.

You are looking at two easy coats.  The formula on this was great.  It levels well, and cleans up with ease.  I have heard that Hazard is a stainer.  I only had this on for a few hours, and did not have any staining, so I can't really confirm that for you.

SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.

I'm Swatchin' You - Orly Bus Stop Crimson

I can't wait to show you this amazing color!  It's Bus Stop Crimson from Orly.  This is a deep, red creme.

I have nothing bad to say about this polish!  The color is gorgeous, and the formula was excellent.  This took two coats.  Application was smooth and even.  Love it! 

On a side note...I really miss my light box!  But I should have photos using my light box coming to you within the next week or two!  Now if I could just get around to getting my cuticles back in shape!  Thanks for hanging in there with me!!!

SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.