Playing catch-up (3 different NOTD/NOTWknd's)

Sorry about my absence there! While I have still been working on getting through my stash (which continues to grow, despite protests from my wallet), I hadn't had time until today to organize the pics and write out the posts. I hope not to be gone s long from this blog unless give a reason first. Here's hoping I can be better!

NOTWknd: ORLY - Rage
This was from a mini bottle gotten on my very first Ulta haul. Such a cute little guy! Anyway, the color seems a touch pinker in the bottle, but more champagne/super-light tan on the nail. Very shiny, played well with Seche Vite (considering it was my first time using that one), and didn’t peel until the fourth day of wear. Otherwise, the nice metallic (or is it foil? I still have trouble differentiating these!) shone nicely with enough mini-shimmer to keep it interesting. Application was slick and smooth, only two coats here.



It was fun to take off in the fact that upon removal, it looked more silver than champagne. I wonder if this could be done more carefully on purpose for a nice gradient of art on your nails when putting it on? Something to keep in mind next time I play with this one :3



NOTD: Ulta - Alter Ego
Had to go to work, but not with direct patient care, so I picked a nice blue, though it didn’t match my scrubs exactly. Enjoyed the shine of this one, but it turned out rather bubbly. Not sure if it was me being a little bit in a hurry this morning, or if it’s just the formula. The first pic I think shows off the bubbles better, but I think the second is more color accurate. I would wear this again, but the color just doesn’t delight me, though I love my blues. Maybe some nail art would help a bit?





NOTD: Hard Candy - Beetle
Finally got this at Walmart after seeing a couple of swatches online. It’s not only quite beautiful, it’s super fun to wear and flash about to see all the duochrome-y-ness. It needed at least 3 coats, I think, because it’s a bit thin, but I guss depending on how heavy you put it on, 4 wouldn’t be overkill. It was such a total delight to glance at while driving (well, moreso when at a stoplight, heh heh), but also kept working at its color flashing when indoors and shade. I can see why so many people love it! If you don't have it, I HIGHLY suggest this one! If it’s above your eye level, it looks a bit gold, perhaps gray-green from a slant, and a bit purple when you look down. I didn’t get the gold very well on camera, and I'm missing a good bird's eye shot for the more purple tones, but here are my pics.

NOTD: Julep - Cameron (and with OPI Servin’ Up Sparkle) (and Sept Julep Maven box)

Julep Cameron was an interesting polish, assuredly. It was a very pretty pink, that went on smooth, if a touch streaky. It was one of those that leveled fairly well as it dried though, and only took a second coat to pretty much get rid of the VNL. Not the best finish, but it was a rush job, so that probably had something to do with it. I am eager to try the other colors I have from this brand, see how they go. The part I liked least was the tall skinny bottle, since I almost knocked it over at least two times. If you’re on the clutzy side, you may want to make a stand out of an old pill bottle stuffed with marbles and cotton, to keep it weighed straight up and down. Or maybe have enough space to be able to twist your hand to hold onto it while you paint that hand?

But it was a nice color, wouldn’t you say? This is another pink I almost wish I could franken and tweak, as there is just something about it I don’t care for with my skin tone. It’s not too neon to be a hot pink, but it is a nice brightness that is wonderfully noticeable even in indoor lighting.



After the work weekend though, I had a great Ulta haul (though had to kick myself in the head for not realizing there was a 20% off coupon on the website... and used it for a second haul that week, mwahaha!), and got OPI Servin’ Up Sparkle. Pretty sparkling, yes! It was my best friend’s birthday this past week, so as we were going to go out to eat with her mom, I wanted a nice mani, but didn’t have time for a whole new one. Henceforth just added the lovely sparkle. And WOW. What a difference! It didn’t change the pink, but I didn’t feel it clashed so badly with my skin tone anymore, and I loved how festive it looked!



Received my September Julep Maven box, and liked how the colors of the ribbon and tissue paper changed. It’s a simple touch, but I thought it was neat.



This time I got a full tube of SPF 30 hand lotion, which I felt “meh” about. Very suncreen-smelly, and didn’t soften my hands too much. Kinda greasy as well. But it’d be good to carry in my purse I suppose, and use whenever I remember. Also a cuticle oil, with a rollerball dispenser (absolute LOVE). I like the results of my Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream a bit better, but this is much faster to apply, so also to be added to my purse, hahaha! Final item was a very lovely NP, Boris and Nicole. It’s like a gold color, with.... I dunno, maybe a bronze touch?



Soon to be worn, though I have that other Julep NP and the other lovely frankens by applevein to do as well, and so very many goodies on my latest haul too. Guess I’ll just have to pick a random one of all these with the “close eyes and grab from the untried box” method. Hmm, that reminds me, I still have to pick up a Melmer, as it were, from Michaels so I can start storing my NPs standing up instead of all just tossed in 2-3 open boxes. Also in a bit more organized fashion :3