China Glaze Crackle Metals

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China Glaze Oxidized Aqua

Aqua metallic crackle over China Glaze Electric Pineapple

I'm pretty stoked on this one, it is definitely one of my favorites of this collection. I love that it's fairly opaque, even over the brightness of the China Glaze Electric Pineapple. I think this color will be most beautiful in the winter, it totally reminds me of frosty icicles!

Opacity scale (1-5): 3.5

Use for Konad: Not a good stamping polish, because it dries too fast, and because it crackles, duh. :-D

Finish: Metallic Crackle, 1 coat over 3 coats of China Glaze Electric Pineapple.

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China Glaze Platinum Pieces

Silver metallic crackle over China Glaze Heli-Yum

I'll be honest, this one fell short for me. It's far too sheer to effectively block out the color underneath, which to me kinda defeats the purpose of a crackle. Maybe it's just me, but I preferred the Silver Shatter that came with OPI's Pirates collection.

Opacity scale (1-5): 1.5

Use for Konad: Not a good stamping polish, because it dries too fast, and because it crackles, duh. :-D

Finish: Metallic Crackle, 1 coat over 2 coat of China Glaze Heli-Yum

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China Glaze Haute Metal

Pale pink metallic crackle over China Glaze Cha Cha Cha

As you all know, I'm not a fan of pink, especially pale pinks, so I really wanted to make the color combination something unexpected on this one, so I paired a crazy acid green with this delicate metallic pink. I think the result gives it that little nudge to push me over the edge into loving it! On the nail (at least in my experience) the color seemed a bit lighter than in the bottle. 

Opacity scale (1-5): 3.5

Use for Konad: Not a good stamping polish, because it dries too fast, and because it crackles, duh. :-D

Finish: Metallic Crackle, 1 coat over 3 coats of China Glaze Cha Cha Cha

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China Glaze Tarnished Gold

Gold metallic crackle over China Glaze Ingrid

This is your typical gold metallic, except for the fact that it crackles. I decided to step away from the summery color combos and try something for fall, since to me, gold is totally a fall color. I used the gold-tinged brown, Ingrid as a base to really kick the gold up a notch. I totally love this color combo, and I think that this gold would be a fabulous combo with any number of autumn colors!

Opacity scale (1-5): 3.5

Use for Konad: Not a good stamping polish, because it dries too fast, and because it crackles, duh. :-D

Finish: Metallic Crackle, 1 coat over 3 coats of China Glaze Ingrid

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China Glaze Latticed Lilac

Lavender metallic crackle over China Glaze Below Deck

Definitely a gorgeous sparkler, this purple metallic would look good with plenty of colors, but I chose to do a muted color combination to really show that these awesome crackles can definitely be kick-ass as well as work-friendly.

Opacity scale (1-5): 3

Use for Konad: Not a good stamping polish, because it dries too fast, and because it crackles, duh. :-D

Finish: Metallic Crackle, 1 coat over 2 coats of China Glaze Below Deck

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China Glaze Cracked Medallion

Coppery bronze metallic crackle over China Glaze First Mate

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this one, it's far and above my favorite. I love that instead of leaning to the goldy bronze side, it leans more to the coppery side, and copper is an awesome metallic color that I don't really see that often for nails. I really like the choice I made in the color combination for this one, it really makes the crackle sing. 

Opacity scale (1-5): 3.5

Use for Konad: Not a good stamping polish, because it dries too fast, and because it crackles, duh. :-D

Finish: Metallic Crackle, 1 coat over 2 coats of China Glaze First Mate

What it really comes down to...  

These Crackle Metals did NOT disappoint. Each one of them sings in their own way, the only one that kind of let me down is Platinum Pieces, but honestly, I don't even hate that one, I just wish it were more opaque. These are going to FLY off the displays!

China Glaze nail polishes can be found online at several online retailers (such as SallyBeauty.com, 8ty8beauty.com, Amazon.com, etc), as well as in brick-and-mortar stores like ULTA and Sally Beauty Supply. Visit the China Glaze website at http://www.chinaglaze.com or follow them on twitter at @chinaglaze. 

Products in this post were sent to me by the manufacturer for review. 

ZOYA Touch Collection Swatches & Review

The other day, I posted the Press Release and images for the latest and greatest from ZOYA, the Touch collection, a trio of fabulous nudes/beiges with subtle pearl. Today, I have photos and reviews of them!! (They're fab, by the way)

Zoya Minka

Yellowish, almost green toned beige/nude

When I saw the initial pictures of this trio of polishes, I thought for sure this one was going to be my favorite, but I was just slightly off, this one happened to fall into the 2nd place category. Now don't get me wrong, I really like this color, it's just a tad more yellow than I imagined. It has a very subtle pearl to it, like the others in the collection, which almost seems to make it glow. It's a really great work-safe neutral!

Opacity scale (1-5): 2.5

Use for Konad: Doesn't stamp well on lighter colors, but stamps decently on darker colors. 

Finish: Pearl, 2-3 coats to be opaque, depending on application.

Zoya Shay

Sandy beige/nude

This one totally ended up being my favorite of the three. It's a lovely sand color with a subtle pearl to it- it reminds me of warm, sandy beaches! (those sunny places I avoid without an inch thick layer of 70 SPF) 

Opacity scale (1-5): 2.5

Use for Konad: Doesn't stamp well on lighter colors, but stamps so-so on darker colors. 

Finish: Pearl, 2-3 coats to be opaque, depending on application.

Zoya Pandora

Rosey beige/nude, dare I say that it's creeping into puce territory?

The last in this trio of nude beiges is a rose-toned one with a mild coolness to it. Though it seems to be a fairly decent match for my skin tone, it's not my favorite of the three, but I do love the pearl it has.

Opacity scale (1-5): 2.5

Use for Konad: Doesn't stamp well on lighter colors, but stamps so-so on darker colors. 

Finish: Pearl, 2-3 coats to be opaque, depending on application.

What it really comes down to...

One of my favorite polishes from Zoya happens to be Pasha, which shares this same subtle silvery pearl that seems to make them glow from within. I love that they're a twist on colors that could be considered boring, but they maintain the elegance and subtlety that makes them fab. They applied wonderfully, the pigmentation was great for a nude polish!

Zoya polishes can be found at ULTA retailers around the USA, as well as at Zoya's website. 

Disclosure: Products featured in this post were sent to me by the manufacturer for review. 

Dreams by Neihule

Dreams by Neihule Diamond in the Rough

Toned down silvery-gold foil

This polish was actually included in the 2011 Oscars gift bag!  It's a toned down, classy gold foil that gives a nice metallic sheen without being obnoxious. There are several colors out there that are very similar that have been released in the last year or so, Orly Luxe comes to mind, among others. 

Opacity scale (1-5): 3

Use for Konad: Stamps so-so on both lighter and darker colors. 

Finish: Foil, 2 coats to be opaque.

Dreams by Neihule Glamtastic

Clear base with gold and black glitter

This polish is densely packed with tons and tons of glitter! Because of all the glitter, it is a bit on the thicker side, but nothing totally unmanageable. I really like this polish, but I think when I wear it in the future I'll layer it over a black polish to camouflage the small bald spots (as you can see on the nail tips.)

Opacity scale (1-5): 2

Use for Konad: Does not stamp well.

Finish: Glitter, 2-3 coats to be relatively opaque.

Dreams by Neihule Crown Jewels

Clear base with gold and copper glitter

This polish is starts off relatively sheer, but builds really nicely, and is super sparkly- a nice warm gold glitter!

Opacity scale (1-5): 2

Use for Konad: Does not stamp well.

Finish: Glitter, 3-4 coats to be relatively opaque.

Dreams by Neihule Beauty for Ashes

Cool Greenish Grey

I really like this color, it applies wonderfully, and has great pigmentation. It reminds me of zombies...I think that is a good thing. :-D

Opacity scale (1-5): 3

Use for Konad: Stamps fairly well on lighter colors, but not as well on darker colors. 

Finish: Creme, 2 coats to be opaque.

Dreams by Neihule Army with Banners

Goldish Green metallic

Though on the sheerer side, this polish has a touch of gold that seems to make the polish glow from within. It's a gorgeous metallic olive color, and if you're a green lover, I recommend it!

Opacity scale (1-5): 1.5

Use for Konad: Stamps so-so on lighter colors, but not well on darker colors. 

Finish: Metallic, 3-4 coats to be opaque. (shown with 3)

What it really comes down to...

This sampling of polishes I've shown only begins to touch the surface, there are several beautiful colors that are part of this brand's line, and as a bonus, each comes with a rainbow ribbon with an inspirational saying on it. The glitters that I got to try were fairly densely packed and easy to apply, and I drooled a little over Glamtastic when I first got it. SO pretty!

Dreams by Neihule can be found online at Dreams by Neihule for $12.00 per bottle. 

Disclosure: Products in this email were sent to me by the manufacturer for review.