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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Week in Review

Hi lovelies!
So hopefully I can get my life together to have content coming out more regularly, but this week and weekend have been crazy! Luckily I've still managed to keep my nails looking pretty nice...

Space Dust by Squishy Face Polish
Last week I posted my swatch of Polaris, which was just perfect, so here is the other polish I chose from the Squishy Face Polish "Cosmic" fall collection. This one is a purple crelly packed with lots of multi colored and holo glitters in various shapes and sizes. Application of this beauty was PERFECT! Easy, buildable coverage and no fishing for those gorgeous circle glitters! This indie gets my 100% stamp of approval with zero reservations!

Nude Lace Pattern Nails
I love nude polishes, and sparkles, so I just had to combine a few (OPI - DS Classic, Honey Ryder, and Don't Pretzel My Buttons) to create this very lady like mani. I was surprised how easy it was to do the lace pattern using a dotting tool and a small nail art brush--I think I'll recreate for a tutorial sometime soon! Black detail was added using Sinful Colors - Black on Black, and glitter placement was done using Essie - A Cut Above.

OPI - Sprung
A simple swatch of this lovely, coppery metallic with gold microglitters. Photo below (while not-so-great quality) shows how different this polish looks in different lighting!


And finally....I joined the cult!
Geometric shapes featuring Cult Nails - Riot & Time Traveler

I can't believe how long I waited to bring Cult Nails' polishes into my life! Application of these beauties was perfect, and the shades are so vibrant and gorgeous. I used a coat of Wet'n'Wild - A Blank Canvas and striping tape to create the color block chevrons, and applied 3D nail art shapes from the Born Pretty Store using Seche Vite. Pink is Sally Hansen - Back to the Fuschia.
Monday, September 16, 2013

Cinema Swatch Lacquers - Catching Fire

It's indie maker spotlight time again! I asked Rachel, the mastermind behind Cinema Swatch Lacquers, to tell me about her line of film inspired indies and the current Hunger Games: Catching Fire collection!

How did you decide to start making polishes?
I needed something to do with my hands. I had just taken some time off from being a pastry chef, and working in food service for 10+ years doesn’t allow for polish of any kind. So I started playing with polish and doing nail art. That led me to the discovery of indie polish. I never knew before that it was possible to make your own polish, either from scratch or by mixing other colors. At the 200 bottle mark in my overall collection, I started saying to myself more and more: “I could make that.”
How did you come up with the name for your line?
The name for the line came at 3 am. I ran and got a notebook and just started scribbling things down on the paper. Luckily, it still made sense in the morning. I had made a Franken, and asked some friends to help me name it. Emerald City was thrown out, and the girl who said it is in love with the Wizard of Oz, book and movie, so I kind of channeled her obsession into a set of polishes. The idea of using my vast and kinda useless movie knowledge was exciting to me. After the name came, all the other ideas just poured out. Everything clicked. 3 am magic.

The Capital
Silver and holo micro glitters, hexes, and shards in a sheer, rosey pink. Ring finger is two coats on its own, all others are over a coat of Orly - Rage

What are your all-time favorite movies?
Top Five (in no order): The Money Pit, (the Care Bears were here!) Gone with the Wind, (I could watch it every week. Yes, all of it) Marie Antoinette, (Sophia Coppola extreme eye candy) National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, (where’s the Tylenol?) and The Court Jester (Danny Kaye, nuff said)

So far, both of the movie-inspired collections you've released were books first. Do you think it's important for people to read a book before seeing the movie?
I see the merits of reading books before/in place of seeing movies. It can be distressing when you love a book and its contents and don’t see that translated to the screen the way it played in your own mind. I try to keep my inspiration completely on the movies. Obviously with Catching Fire, I had the knowledge of the book, but have went with larger themes and things touched on specifically in the trailers and previews.
The second reason, and personal one, is because movies are a big part of my life. I started this line on August 10th, which would have been my dad’s 54th birthday. A lot of our rocky relationship centered around movies. My dad shared with me his feelings and loves through movies. He’d sit me down and say, you have to watch this. He had me watch Pink Floyd’s the Wall when I was 10. We then sat and talked about it for an hour afterward. He loved movies. Some of the best times were when we’d get to go to the video store with him and pick out movies from the new release wall, or something he really wanted us to see. The Toxic Avenger movies come to mind. Lol! No matter what awful thing was going on between us or what fight we got into, my dad and I could always sit down and watch a movie and appreciate it. I dedicated this business to his memory and hope to bring people a bit of joy with these little liquid nods to great films.

The Clock
A shifty, metallic blue with silver micro glitters. This is two coats on its own.


Another angle to show the shiftiness!!


What's your favorite thing about making polishes?
Translating all those quips and movie facts and still shots in my head into a medium. Its very fulfilling to look at a polish and say, that is it! That completely represents my head photos!
What is the hardest thing about making polishes?
Formulation. I don’t want to put out a polish that is goopy, runny, or makes you sad when you look at your hands. The ideas I jot down for pigments, glitters and such don’t always translate to a usable formula. This line was a bit challenging because color shift is a delicate thing. It won’t entertain a lot of other players. Always a learning experience!

What color polish would you design for Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence?  
I would go with a nude color. Something with a super fine shimmer to it. Pink and gold mix. Feminine, natural, a little blingy.

Revolution
A copper-toned metallic that shifts towards gold with red micro glitters! There's also some really pretty subtle scattered holo in this, but my camera failed at capturing it. Ring finger is three thin coats, all others are two coats over black.

This angle picks up the red tones better!

So far, one of your collections has been inspired by a classic movie, while the other is so new it's not even out yet! Do you see your collections being built around films from a variety of time periods, or do you have a particular focus in mind?
I can promise I will be all over the map. I see every era and genre as a creative pool to draw from. One thing I do try to be mindful of though, is if other indie makers have already tackled a particular movie. The last thing I want to do is try to do something someone else has already done. Expecto Patronum comes to mind. Yes, it’s only one polish from the Potter movies, but it’s a damn good one, and I have no interest in trying to outdo something like that. I always do a background check on my flicks before I confirm them so that to the best of my knowledge, I’m not redoing what another indie maker has done. Mainstreams are fair game, if you ask me. They can’t do what we do. Variety is the spice of life, and I hope to bring some well loved and even some somewhat unknown movie themes to the table.

Katniss - Feathers & Flames
Dreamy, iridescent micro glitters and hexes in a clear base. Shown over Essie - Marshmallow, (index) Essie - Blanc, (middle/ring) and Sinful Colors - Black on Black (ring/pinky)


If they were real, what would your Hunger Games strategy be?
I’d love to say I’d be the berzerker and just mow people down, but reality would be me hiding as well and as long as possible. I would only kill if provoked. I never saw the false security of the group tactic. Everyone knows there is only one winner. It seems foolish to entertain it. Time wasting, focus draining. I do not volunteer. LOL!

Are you team Peeta or team Gale?!
From a cinematic standpoint- I am Team Gale all the way. I mean come on, Peeta is kind of a wet noodle. I have a thing for the Hemsworth boys though. Bias.

Follow @cinemaswatchlacquers on instagram, and browse her indie line here!
PS - her packaging is so cute and detailed!



Sunday, September 15, 2013

Week in Review

Triangle tips using Nail Honey - Jaded and Milani - Almond Bliss, topped with China Glaze - Fairy Dust

Simple swatch of Essie - Chinchilly topped with OPI Matte Top Coat

First successful nail art in awhile! Used China Glaze - Ruby Pumps, Sinful Colors - Snow Me White, and a Kiss nail art striper.


A new-to-me indie brand: Squishy Face Polish - Polaris. I picked up another one from this current collection that I will swatch ASAP!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Nail Honey Fall 2013 - Indie Maker Spotlight

This is something I hope to feature regularly: interviews with indie polish makers! Enjoy these Fall 2013 colors from Nail Honey, and get to know their awesome creator, Bee!

I purchased these polishes at a discounted rate in exchange for an honest review.


How did you decide to start making polishes?
I truly feel as if everything I've been through up to this point has led me to making polishes. That sounds pretentious, but it's true. Last December my mom had a very serious spinal surgery,  leaving her on bed rest up until a few months ago. I willingly decided to be her caretaker. Neither of us were working at that point and nail polish wasn't in our new budget, so I had to find a way to feed my nail polish addiction! 
Once things got more routine, my mom said "You should spend this time on yourself, as well."  For once I took her advice. I'm the DIY girl in my group of my friends, so naturally I was curious about how to make my own polishes! It was a way to keep my sanity in the midst of this storm. After a few tries, I tested some of my "elixirs" out on my BFF and her response shocked me; she loved every color I had made and told me I should sell them! After some convincing and support, I decided to take that leap and start up my indie line. 
How did you come up with the name for your line?
NAIL HONEY popped into my head one day...my nickname is Bee and bees make honey. So I just ran with it and haven't looked back!

Vintage Rose 
A dusty rose creme with subtle warm shimmer. Two coats, no top coat.

Where do you find inspiration for your colors? What is your favorite color you've made?
I'm trying my hardest to resist the urge to say "life is my inspiration," but that does sum it up. There's so many things that catch my eye now, like the color of begonias and daisies, or even songs! It's just anything that means something to me, I turn it into a color. 
"Plummed Out" & "JADED" best described how I was feeling when I began my polish making journey. It gave me an outlet to express myself without being too emo. 
My favorite color I've made has to be "Nude Beaches!" I'd wear that color everyday! Plus it's the perfect base for leopard print!

What polish brands (mainstream or indie) are your favorites?
I am obsessed with all things Essie! I love their variety. I just received my first indies about two weeks ago and it was life changing! My wishlist includes Bernadette Thompson, Picture Polish, and Rainbow Honey.

Lady & the Vamp
A deep, warm crimson with golden shimmer. Two coats, no top coat.

What's your favorite thing about where you're from?
I was raised in Houston and I moved back after college. I've traveled all across the US and nothing comes close to Houston. There's so much diversity and different cultures here! The closest thing to Houston is NYC, in my opinion. It's refreshing to see people from all walks of life working together and coexisting.

Do you have a "day job?"
Right now, my "day job" is helping my mom continue to heal from surgery, but I worked with foster kids and inner city youth before I moved back to Houston. 

What's your favorite thing about making polishes? What is the hardest thing?
My favorite thing is feeling like I have a blank canvas in front of me and that the possibilities are endless! The hardest part is keeping the formula consistent despite the colors or glitters involved.

Blue Genes
A soft denim blue with cool, silver shimmer. Two coats, no top coat.

Is there a Mr. Nail Honey?
Hahaha yes! He's an awesome boyfriend & is super supportive of my indie line! He's even helping me put together a desk so I have a bigger work space. 

If you're going to a salon, do you prefer a mani or a pedi? 
PEDI IN A HEARTBEAT!

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be? What custom color would you design for them?
This is tough...but I would say Anna Nicole Smith! For some reason I've always loved her. I would make her the hottest pink possible with loads of glitter mixed in

Olive Juice
A gray toned olive green with silver shimmer. Two coats, no top coat.

Would you rather be stuck with super nubs forever but be able to paint them any you want, or have long nails that can only be one color?
LONG NAILS! If I didn't make polishes my answer would definitely be different. My nails are usually nude these days because I use them as "test strips." Seriously, I'll have a different color on each nail some days and look like a 2nd grader. So, one color wouldn't bother me at all! 

Follow @nailhoney on Instagram to learn about upcoming releases, promotions, and for ordering custom polishes!
Sunday, September 8, 2013

Giveaway Prizes - Polishes

Here are all of the polishes that will be included in my giveaway prize! This doesn't include base/top coats, nail care products, and other goodies--just the polishes. Polish names are listed under each photo from left to right.

Essie
Status Symbol, Flirt, Antique Rose, It's Genius, and Luxedo

OPI
Melon of Troy, Don't Talk Bach to Me, My Boyfriend Scales Walls, and Alcatraz...Rocks (liquid sand)

Nicole by OPI
Our Fuchsia's Lookin' Bright, Wear Something Spar-kylie, and Disco Dolls

This group is the island of misfit toys... 
Color Club - Cold Metal & Sparkle and Soar, Urban Outfitters - Sea Dust, China Glaze - Flip Flop Fantasy, and Wet'n'Wild - The Clock Strikes Orange & Teal Slowly and See

Rainbow Polish
Stinging Jellyfish, Jungle Paradise, and Wild Orchid

Assorted Indies
Lumina Lacquer - Graduate, Liquid Sky Lacquer - Koi Pond, and Lush Lacquer - Candy Kisses
Monday, September 2, 2013

Capital Polish Blog Launch Giveaway!

To celebrate the launch of my blog, I am hosting a giveaway! There are three ways you can enter:



Instagram - Follow @capitalpolish on Instagram, and repost the original image under the hashtag "cpbloglaunchgiveaway." Tag me when you repost, and tell me something interesting about yourself! Keep in mind that your profile must be public or I will not see your entry. No giveaway accounts.

Blogger - Follow my blog using any of the available options in the left and right side bars. Once you have followed, leave a comment on this post either logged in to a Google account, or leaving your Instagram account name (or both!)

Pinterest - Follow my Pinterest account! Once you have followed, leave a comment on this post either logged in to a Google account, or leaving your Instagram account name (or both!) 

You can choose to enter using any or all of these methods, and will receive an entry for each one. So, if you repost on Instagram, follow on Blogger, AND follow of Pinterest, your name will have three chances to be randomly selected!

 Rules:
1.  Any entries that do not follow ALL rules will not be valid. I will try to remind people when they have missed a rule, but I can't guarantee I will catch them all. This is especially important if you enter via Blogger or Pinterest--just following without posting a comment letting me know you want to enter WILL NOT COUNT!
2. USA only. If you are international and have a US mailing address, that's fine. 
3. If you are under 18, please say so when you repost the image/comment. This is for my protection and your own. If I see that you are obviously under 18, and haven't said so, your entry will not count.
4. I will periodically post the list of names and their "numbers" on this blog. Please do not ask me your number.
5. Giveaway will close Tuesday, October 1st at 9pm Eastern time. I will post the final list of names and numbers, and allow at least 24 hours for anyone who entered but does not see their name to contact me. One winner will be randomly selected using random.org.

Prizes:
I will post a full list (with picture!) once I have purchased everything--right now, I am still adding to my prize stash daily. It currently includes a variety of premium mass produced and indie made polishes, nail art tools, and nail care and beauty products.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me! Thank you for supporting Capital Polish!

Lacquerlicious Open Face Jelly Sandwich

My first "official" nail of the day blog post! 

This is what I like to call an open face jelly sandwich (or more commonly, sammich). "Jelly sandwiches" layer jelly polishes with glitter polishes for a fabulously squishy effect! Because I'm a certified glitter addict, I can't stand to see glitter covered, even with a thin jelly. So, I top my jelly sammiches with an extra layer of glitter!


Here I used Orly - Charged Up and Lacquerlicious - Glittery Glam (two alternating coats of each). Accent nail is OPI - Alcatraz...Rocks, a liquid sand polish from the San Francisco line. The OPI and Lacquerlicious polishes really complement each other perfectly!

Here's a mattefied version:


I think the matte top coat really highlights the complexity of this gorgeous glitter bomb! Which one do you prefer?

Nail Honey - Summer 2013

These polishes hold a very special place in my heart, as they were my very first indies. I was lucky to have had such a positive experience--customer service was fantastic, shipping was quick, and the products are amazing. These colors are vibrant and unique, and applied like a dream. Plus I just love the pretty bottles!


Crazy Daisy - a gorgeous, soft, buttery yellow creme. This is two coats over white without top coat.


Barre Bee - a vibrant, rosey pink with subtle shimmer. This is two coats over white without top coat.


Jaded - a gorgeous creamy jade with subtle silvery shimmer. This two coats without top coat.


Plummed Out - a deep, vampy purple packed with silver shimmer. This is two coats without top coat.

Follow @nailhoney on Instagram to learn about upcoming releases, promotions, and for ordering custom polishes!

Covergirl Glosstinis

I recently received a rainbow army of mini Glosstini nail polishes in a swap, so I thought it would be fun to swatch them all. I had never used any Covergirl nail polishes before these, so I'm not sure how they compare to other lines from the brand, but these polishes really impressed me! I also thought the tiny brushes made it easy to be precise with application (more precise = less clean up!)

All of these images show two thin coats of polish with no top coat. 


Sangria - a pinkish toned red with very subtle shimmer


Orange Oasis - a creamy, vibrant mandarin orange


Lemon Drop - this bright yellow is a true testament to the opacity of these colors. I almost always wear a coat of white under yellow polishes, but this is sans undies!


Appletini - my favorite! Though it's not quite as neon-y in person.


Blue Hawaiian - super pretty turquoisey shade of blue


Purple Freeze - my second favorite! For some reason this seems really different from every purple I have, can't really put my finger on why.

These polishes come in a bunch of other colors, too. They're all minis so would be ideal for getting a color you don't use often or something new and funky you want to try!

Epic rainbow collage: