23 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - Petites Hazel

This is the first color I'm showing you from Petites.  It's called Hazel, a very pretty, deep red shimmer.

The red of this color is like a deep burgundy.  This was two coats.  The formula was great, but it does dry a little dull, so you will definitely want a good top coat.  In the bottle, the color has a subtle green shift.  I was able to see a slight shift, but I would have liked it to be more prominent.  It was too subtle to pick up on camera.


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.




22 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - Finger Paints Circus Peanuts

This color, Circus Peanuts, from the 2012 Gumdrops and Lollipops collection from Finger Paints.  It is a peach creme.

This took two coats, but probably could have used a third.  The formula was alright.  I did have some streaking, and it doesn't completely self level, as you can probably see.  But the color really does look like circus peanuts!  It dries just a tad darker than the bottle color.


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.





21 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - Zoya Ava

Today's color is very sweet sheer neutral from Zoya.  This is Ava, from the Spa Essentials collection.

You are looking at three coats here.  A fourth may have been a good idea.  For a sheer, it builds nicely.  Also, the formula was great with little streaking.  Although I couldn't capture this on camera, there is a very subtle shimmer to Ava, too.  Very classy lady.


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.




18 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - OPI Banana Bandanna

Sadly, today's color is a disappointment.  This is OPI's Banana Bandanna, a sheer pale yellow.

I absolutely hated the formula on this one.  Each coat is very streaky, and this was just very difficult to work with.  You need to be sure to allow each coat to dry thoroughly.  You are looking at four coats here, and it is STILL streaky.  I'm not sure this one will be remaining in my stash.  If you are looking for a pale yellow, I would suggest SC Unicorn, which I reviewed here.  Oh, and of course, as I was taking pictures, I dented the polish with my camera.  Awesome.  But I was so frustrated with the formula, I decided against trying to fix it.  Oh, well.


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.



15 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - Orly Glitz

Here comes some Orly bling!  This is Glitz, a gold shimmer.

Glitz is a true gold with strong shimmer.  This was good to go in only one coat, which is what you are looking at.  The formula was great, but this dries a little dull.  So you really do need to add a TC, which really adds depth and brings out the beauty of this color.



SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.




14 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - China Glaze Golden Meringue

Today's color is coming to you from China Glaze.  It's Golden Meringue, a sheer peach shimmer.

I was really nervous about this one after the whole disappointment over ChG's Love Letters.  I was afraid this was going to be gorgeous in the bottle, and should therefore stay there.  I was happily surprised to find this beautiful color that I really love.  You are looking at two coats.  My only complaint was that the formula was crazy thin.  Despite leaving my bottle open for EVER, I still experienced cuticle flooding.  But I am happy with the color.  It reminds me of OPI's Peach-A-Boo, which I reviewed here.



SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.




11 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - Orly Nite Owl

You know I do love my Orly polishes, and this one is too pretty!  It's Nite Owl, from the Birds of Feather collection.  It's a neutral, cool brown with silvery shimmer.

The formula on this one was amazing!  Super easy application, and good to go in two coats.  I think this is such a classy color.  It pops without being overly noticeable or in your face.  Classic.


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.




10 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - OPI Lighten Up, You're Two Pence!

Hi there, folks!  Isn't it weird that one of my least favorite colors is orange, but I love orange polish?  I guess it's because it reminds me of autumn.  This is one of my oldies but goodies.  I have had this little beauty in my stash back before my stash could be classified as a stash!  It's OPI's Lighten Up, You're Two Pence!  This is a beautiful orange shimmer.  Had to go with a favorite...it's my birthday!  Nope, no crazy special birthday mani.  Just a favorite color is enough to put a smile on my face.  I'm pretty easy to please!

This was a breeze to apply, and only took two coats.  The formula was great.  Nothing like a good, old-fashioned OPI...especially before the pro-wide brush, IMO.  What are your favorite fall colors (she asks in the dead of winter)?  Enjoy!


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.






09 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - Orly Poison Apple

Up next is Orly's Poison Apple, a deep red creme.

The formula on mine was very thin, so I experienced some cuticle flooding.  Of course, this made my clean-up a nightmare.  This was even more fun since I'm dealing with extreme nubbins, too.  Oh, joy.  But the color is good, a nice understated red.  I needed only two coats.  And how much do you love the little charm they put on the bottle?  Too cute!


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.






08 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - China Glaze Peachy Keen

Today's polish is another case of "It looked prettier in the bottle."  This is China Glaze's Peachy Keen.  It's a peach creme from the Spring 2010 Up & Away collection.

You are looking at two coats.  The formula was good, and this self-levels well.  I think I actually may have needed a third coat to settle it out more.  But the color was just too blah for me.  It reminds me of those really plastic-y band-aids.  Oh, well.


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.




07 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - China Glaze Champagne Bubbles

So, remember a few days ago I told you that my cuticles have been ravaged by some work I'm doing in my mother's bathroom?  Well, manual labor strikes again.  While removing a wallpaper border, I broke TWO nails.  A moment of silence, please.  Beware, extreme nubbins lay ahead...with horrible cuticles to boot.

Today's color is China Glaze's Champagne Bubbles, a gold shimmer with silver micro glitter.  This is from ChG's Winter 2011 Let It Snow collection.

This is two coats with no issues.  The formula was good, and I really had no problems with this at all.  The color is good, but not really anything to shout about.


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.





04 January 2013

I'm Swatchin' You - OPI Red Lights Ahead...Where?

Folks, I have to say I LOVE this red!  This is OPI's Red Lights Ahead...Where? from the Holland 2012 collection.  It's a beautiful bright and light red creme.

You are looking at two coats that applied like a dream.  Great formula that was so easy to work with.  There is no need to fear this red!  And in my opinion, it's a must have!  Thoughts?


SH Double Duty and SV as base and top.