The Black Knight

Howdy!

I recently had the opportunity to crush a MAJOR lemming, butter LONDON The Black Knight, from Ashley of Ashley is Polish Addicted on her blog sale.  I must say, it is the most mesmerizing black I have EVER seen.  I knew I would love it from reviews on other blogs, but I had no idea that I would be spellbound by it in person!  The pictures below do NOT even BEGIN to barely capture the beauty of this polish.  It applies without flaw, but did need a couple coats of Seche Vite to get a smooth finish on it (I'm not a fan of feeling the texture when I touch my nails), which only makes it even more gorgeous.  A guy friend of mine likened it to a custom paint job with a heavy metallic flake and super high gloss finish, obviously he liked it lol

If you get the opportunity to obtain this beautiful, sexy lady, DO IT!  You will not regret it!

Thanks & Gig 'em!

Retro Review

Howdy!

I found some old manicure pictures the other and decided that it might benefit some of you for me to do a review on some of the polishes used, namely the Essie Luxeffects Collection, since they're still readily available and you might be wanting some glitters.  I added them to the new NOTD Gallery, as well :)  The Luxeffects collection is a topcoat collection, so it doesn't require anything on top.  With that said, I do use my usual Seche Vite over it for a couple of reasons actually.  First, because I like a smooth finish.  Second, because I CANNOT keep my hands still long enough for the manicure to dry otherwise. lol  (Please excuse the chubby-ish fingers.  These were last year and I was still losing weight.  Also note that this is was before I expanded my horizons past Essie polishes.)

First up, the one that is probably my least favorite of collection (though still a beauty and I love her), As Gold As It Gets.  In this picture she is over Essie Pretty Edge (it was a Christmas manicure).  She is fairly subtle, so the name is a slight misnomer.  But over, a great option for a little glitz.

The next lady is also a subtle one, rather coy actually.  Pure Pearlfection, here over Essie Midnight Cami, makes any polish look star-kissed.  It's glitter is super fine, quite pearly (definitely got this name right :)), and rather dense therefore it doesn't call for a thick layer at all.













Shine of the Times seems to be a favorite of many.  Some call her a flakie.  She definitely comes alive on top of dark underwear, here over Essie Luxedo.  Depending on the light and angle you could be dazzle with a whole spectrum of colors from magentas, fuchsias, yellows, lime greens, blues, and everything in between.




The next two are truly my favorites of the collection the silver glitter is Set in Stones and the rosy glitter is A Cut Above.  Both are a mixture of round and hex glitter in various sizes.  They look like you sequined your finger tips.  I cannot count the number of compliments I received while wearing either glitter.  So many people said it looks like I'm wearing diamonds on nails when I wear Set in Stones, ironic, huh?  Even funnier, I sell diamonds!  I was going to say that both of these wear like iron, but I think wear like a diamond is more fitting ;)  You'll definitely need acetone to get them off.

Do you have any of the Luxeffects?  Or now plan to pick some up?

Thanks & Gig 'em!

Tip Top of the Line

 Howdy!

As I write this I completely feel like a rockstar...  I was contacted by a wonderful lady named Joan, the Director and Founder of Tip Top Products, about reviewing some of their products.  I was completely shocked and flattered.  Obviously, I said yes.  I was baking cookies Monday when all the sudden my doorbell was ringing and it sounded like the door was about to be broken down.  I rushed to the door and was pleasantly surprised by a mailman asking me to sign for my international package.  Oh, did I mention that Tip Top Products is a South African company!  I could barely contain my excitement when I realized what I was holding.  I tore into the package and started to open the the cello bag before I realized I should take a picture lol  Joan kindly sent me four bottles of polish to review.  From left to right of the bottom line-up in the picture:  Nail Addict by Tip Top Café Café, Love From Above, Dangerous Robot, and Smell the Roses.

To begin with, I ADORE THE BRUSH!  It not the usual thick or thin, but holds the polish in such a way that it evenly disperses it as you pull it across you nail and doesn't drag AT ALL!

First up in the review, my least favorite of the four as far as application/formula is concerned, Love From Above.  Let me qualify that with I adore the brightness and slight silver shimmer (hard to see in the pictures) of this polish.  The picture above is the first coat.  The pictures to the left and right alternative three and two coats from the index finger down to the pinkie with no top coat.  I think a topcoat might bring out the shimmer more, but didn't think to try it until after my sweet dog, Buddy, messed up the swatches.  I polish is on thin side, so I definitely recommend three thinish coats to achieve even opacity.  I am looking forward to future art with this polish.

Next up is a polish that I am completely over the moon about and my mother (who doesn't wear polish on her fingernails hardly EVER) was completely drooling over.  Café Café is a camel tan with a wonderful gold shimmer.  The formula is the perfect consistency.  Thick, but not gloopy, still thin enough to spread easily.  The picture to the right is just one coat in two different lights.  The pictures below are two coats with no top coat, and the shimmer is completely alive.  This is a polish that I, and apparently my mother, will get many a mile out of.  I just wish that the bottle were bigger!

Smell the Roses is right on par with Café Café.  The same perfect consistency, maybe a little better even.  If you look to the right, the picture is only one coat! Someone could totally get away with wearing it this way.  It is such a gorgeous bright and rosy, but deep, reddish pink.  It's actually really hard to completely describe and capture this stunning shimmery polish.  The below pictures are two coats and no top coat.  Again, the shimmer is dancing in the light even without the top coat.

The next polish is actually a jelly based polish, of which I own very few.  Jellies aren't usually my thing honestly.  I prefer polishes that end up opaque and jellies never quite seem to get there, even an extremely pigmented one like this.  But, I was very impressed by this polish.  And even if I weren't, the name is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!  I would love to hear how it came about it's name :)  Above to the right is one coat (ring finger) versus two coats (pinkie).  Below that is two (ring finger) versus three (pinkie).  And finally at the end is three (ring finger) versus four (pinkie).  Interestingly, in the last picture the polish on pinkie seems opaque, but in real life it wasn't quite there.  I considering attempting my first jelly sandwich with Dangerous Robot.  Actually, I'm dying to try a jelly sandwich with Dangerous Robot!  So definitely be on the look out for that NOTD :D

I want to say a BIG, HUGE, Texas-sized "THANK YOU" to Joan and Tip Top Products for choosing me to review their wonderful products.  I am so grateful and still so flattered and surprised.  I look forward to ordering more polishes from from Tip Top one day in the future.  Until then, there will definitely be plenty of NOTD manicures with the ones above. :D  Don't forget to like them on Facebook either!

Thanks & Gig 'em!

**** The products reviewed in this post were provided at no cost to myself by the company for my honest review.  The opinions expressed above are my own, completely honest, and unbiased.  I received no further compensation than the polishes themselves.****

Teeny Bit of Essie Bikini So Teeny

I recently convinced my husband (man, I love saying that!!!) that I needed some new polish.  Ok, maybe I simply convinced him that I was deserving of a treat. lol.  And since I had coupons for Ulta I decided to get a couple of colors from the new Essie collection.  I debated a bit.  I really liked Bikini So Teeny, but felt that I had a similar blue here at home.  With that in mind and Wade's votes I settled on Off the Shoulder and Mojito Madness.

Mojito Madness is a slightly muted kelly green.  More like the color of actual mint leaf lol  I was really on the fence about this color until it go on my nails, then I loved it!  Which, might I add, is completely out of character for me since I am SO not normally a green person. Not only did I love the color, but the application was a breeze, even with the tiny brush.

Off the Shoulder was equally amazing.  Bright, cheerful, and honestly the closest comparison I can think of is the color of Double Bubble just after you start chewing it (sorry if that was a little too gross for anyone, but it is the closest color comparison I can manage).  Application was wonderful for this polish, as well.  I see myself getting alot of wear out of Off the Shoulder this season.


 I had a little bit of extra time that day and was feeling spunky, so I added a little art, including a rhinestone for the first time ;)  I used Essie Bachelorette Bash off the shoulder to create a diagonal path of various sized polka dots on all but my index fingers.  Then, I use Bachelorette Bash to create a four petal flower on the top, outside (pinky-side) corner as to make sure that it was focal point.  Finally, I added a tiny green rhinestone in the center of each set of the petals to complete the flowers and topcoated.  And, viola!  I got so many compliments on this mani and I truly adore the flower nails!  I will most definitely do another manicure with these flowers as the inspiration.

On a related note...  I had always been nervous about using rhinestones in a design, but I have a tendency to chip my polish, as I am pretty hard on my nails.  But, when I changed this manicure to do my Jubilee Manicure.  I had to WORK to get the rhinestone off!  So, for those of you interested, but timid towards rhinestones, try it!  They apparently stay put... lol!  (please excuse the staining, just part of having fabulously decorated nails ;))

Thanks & Gig 'em!

The Ultimate Picture Heavy Post

Howdy!

In an attempt to make this finding inspiration and manicure combos easier and more fun for everyone, I have compiled all of the manicure and swatch pictures into a NOTD Gallery.  You can flip through.  Click a picture for more info.  Or, just let it play and enjoy the pretties.

Thanks & Gig 'em!

Giveaway... Why Not?

Howdy!

So I've been thinking, since I have been so MIA the past month or so y'all deserve a shot at a giveaway.  Whatcha think?  Like that idea, huh?  lol  Well, since Facebook is throwing it's weight around and shutting down pages that offer giveaways there, like I was doing, giveaways will be over here from now on.  Don't worry, I will put announcements over on the self-proclaimed Almighty Facebook, in case you miss an update over here.

So let's get to the fun stuff :)  What is the prize you ask?   A brand new bottle of butter LONDON Knackered!  I would appreciate if you would like Totally Lacquer Obsessed on Facebook and spread the word, but I decided for this one to not make it an extra entry.  We will try to open this up to international followers, as well this time.  Please note that some countries won't let me send it to you, so if you know that you are in one of these countries, please understand that it pretty much disqualifies you :(

You must email me back within 24 hours of my emailing you to notify you of winning.  If you do not you forfeit your prize and a new winner will be chosen.

Feel free to leave me a comment with some feedback :) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Lovin'

Howdy!

You can now follow my blog with Bloglovin!

Thanks & Gig'em!

Disappointing Changes

Howdy!

Sometimes, I REALLY hate change.  Like when you paint your nails and a color changes after you top coat... In one of my Julep Maven Mystery Boxes I received Taylor and Alicia.  I was feeling summery (because spring is practically non-existent here in Central Texas) the other day and thought that these colors would make a fabulous combination.  I was so thrilled with the base colors on my right hand and added OPI Pirouette My Whistle to my accent nails (ring finger and thumb).  Now I was super excited, but then I starting to topcoat.  And, WHOOSH!  Taylor became a deeper, brighter blue!  Though it was pretty, I was SO disappointed!  It definitely wasn't the color/look I was going for.  Notice the middle finger (topcoated) vs. the index finger (not topcoated) in the picture to the right.  In addition to the color change, the formula wasn't the best.  It was a little transparent and streaky to begin with.

 I decided to go against my unusual pattern habits and do my hands inversely (mainly because I LOVED Alicia, but was so disappointed in Taylor and didn't have time to start completely over lol).  I surprisingly enjoyed the inverse style of the manicure.  Maybe I'll do it again sometime ;)

So, have you ever had a polish change after topcoating or otherwise?

Thanks & Gig 'em!

P.S.  For another polish that changed on me, check out my Jubilee Post.

A Diamond Jubilee!

Howdy all!

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II's 60 year a few of us nail bloggers decided to celebrate on our nails!  We all used different combinations of British brand nail polishes to create a British Day Jubilee Manicure.  For mine, I started with butter LONDON Slapper and then sponged on a gradient of a-england Princess Tears.

I started out liking it a great deal, but as it set and dried the Princess Tears changed colors! It ended up looking more like Princess Sabra/Tristam's Tears.

Then I got the bright idea to add a bit of art... I used Konad plate m40 and Konad Special Polish in White to put a crown on my left ring finger.  Of course, I only had one crown, because there is only one Queen ;)  But, again, I couldn't stop there.  I added a little square rhinestone that had an AB finish (kinda hard to see in the picture :/) that I applied in a fashion that we in the jewelry industry would call kite set to the center point of the crown to mimic a diamond ;)

I must admit, I'm not in love with this manicure.  What do y'all think?


Thanks & Gig 'em!

P.S.  Make sure to check out the rest of the fabulous bloggers celebrating the Diamond Jubilee!