OPI - Parlez Vous OPI? + Born Pretty Store - 12pcs 3D nail stickers floral and snowflakes

ENG: another post for a Born Pretty Store item, but this one was bought by myself. There's a 10% off coupon for you anyway. :)

ITA: un altro post per un prodotto da Born Pretty Store, ma questo l'ho acquistato personalmente. Qui sotto potete trovare comunque il codice sconto del 10%. :)

ENG: no more words and let's go with the manicure's pictures

ITA: mo' basta chiacchierare e andiamo con le foto della manicure

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Labels: bornprettystore, creme, decals, opi, purple

Comments: 4 comments

Holothon: OPI - My Private Jet (3rd version)

ENG: second "date" with the Holothon saga! This polish was one of my first lemmings ever: I liked so much the idea of a dark cold brown holo, that I felt instantly attracted from it. Then I received this polish as an extra in a swap, but, sadly, mine isn't the first "actual holo" version; not the second version with blue reflection, neither; but this is the third one, aka the "holo glitter" version. You can see a comparison of all variants HERE. My illusion has slumped. ç_ç Go to the bottom of this post for my friends's links! ;D

ITA: eccoci al secondo appuntamento con la Holothon! Questo smalto l'ho bramato a lungo: l'idea di un marrone scuro freddo olografico mi elettrizzava. Poi l'ho ricevuto come extra in uno scambio, ma, purtroppo, il mio non è la prima olograficissima versione; non è neanche la seconda variante, ovvero quella con il riflesso bluastro; la mia è la terza versione, cioè quella con i glitter olografici. Potete vedere un confronto di tutte e tre QUI. Mi ero illusa. ç_ç Andate in fondo a questo post per i link delle mie amicicette! ;D

OPI - MY PRIVATE JET (3RD VERSION: HOLO GLITTERS)

ENG: I have to admit that I'm not so happy about it... First of all: the holo microglitters are not so micro, and, to be honest, they are not so holo, neither... I did pics in its better look, but most of times this nail polish is just a nice dark cold brown with dull silver glitters. Nice, but just... Nice.

ITA: devo ammettere che non sono felicissima di questo smalto... Prima cosa, i microglitter olografici non sono affatto micro, e, ad essere onesti, non sono manco tanto olografici... Le foto che ho fatto cercano di mostrarlo al suo meglio, ma la maggior parte delle volte questo smalto è solo un carino marrone freddo scuro  con glitter argento spenti. Carino. Ma solo... Ehm... Carino.

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Labels: brown, glitter, holo, holographic, opi, twin post: holothon

Comments: 18 comments

TOTALLY RANDOM SUNDAY #18

HAULS

A WONDERFUL SWAP WITH JULIA! 
This swap started with a couple of things, just a fast swap... Nothing so challenging... Nothing so complicated... Then... Ehm... One thing leads to another so it took months to buy and arrange everything. But the most important thing is I guess to have found a new friend. Thank you Julia! ♥

Let's go start with the items!

PART 1 - NAIL POLISHES

- China Glaze - Brownstone: I totally fell in love with this polish since the first time I've seen the Metro collection, and my hopes were not disappointed. I've already worn it twice, but no made pics, silly me.

- China Glaze - Stone Cold: more China Glaze!  :D This one comes from one of the latest collection of this brand, the Hunger Games one. It's a silver charcoal that dries satin, beautiful! Another polish I've used but not photographed... ç_ç

- China Glaze - Grape Pop: another simple creme from ChG that I would since a lot of time. I've already tried it and, again, no photos. Sorry, but when I've used these polishes the first time was a very hard time in my life and I didn't think to capture my manicures. Sorry Julia, but I'll wear them again for sure! >_<

- China Glaze - Lorelei's Tiara: something twinkling, finally! :P I really like this polish because it really sparkles a lot, but I have not tried it on my nails so far, but just on false tips and I can't wait to wear it for real.

- Zoya - Neeka: this is the first polish I've used as soon as I received my package from Julia. A lot of people complimented to me for it, because it's really charming, and I regret very much to have not made photos. ç__ç

- Butter London - Victoriana: I think this polish was the first (and only) reason for this swap, int he beginning: it's all its fault!!! :D By the way, it's amazing as I hoped, and this one... Has pics! Yeeee! Soon on this screen! ;D

- OPI - My Private Jet (2nd version): this is a gift from Julia, a wonderful gift!!! It's not the holo version, but the holo microglitters version, but who cares? The colour is sooooo close to chocolate that I couldn't stop to stare at my nails when I've worn it (of course no pics XD). I _have to_ swatch it again! è_é/

- Lyndderella - Connect the Dots + Snow Angel: Ahw! So cute, both! I have to confess I tried them just on false tips, because I would to have longer nails for them, and they are getting stronger recently, so I hope to be able to wear these polishes soon! ;D

- Sinful Colors - Green Ocean: another gift! :D This one... Ehm... It's perfect for bricolage!!! I've used it to decorate a wooden box, but I didn't finished it, I need more time (and patience) ;P

PART 2 - MAKE-UP
I decided to learn how to wear make-up, so I need... Stuff! Yes, I'm 35 and I never learned it before. XD I'm taking advantage from swaps for this, so I asked to Julia to purchase something for me, but she did a lot more and sended me a lot of other pretty things!!! *__*

- Wet'n'Wild - Blue had me at Hello: *drooling* I asked for this palette for the four eyeshadows in the middle, and I depotted them to a custom palette. I use them very often and I'm totally in love with them. By the way I've swatched all 8 colors before the selection and I'm going to do make-up posts as soon as I can with all my stuff (that's not so much :P)

- Wet'n'Wild - Cool as a Cucumber + Don't Steal my Thunder: from these trios I've kept everything, but I depotted them anyway :P

- NYX - Dramatic Chromatic Eyeshadow Pigment in Seclude: this one is a gift from Julia *droooooling* first swatch is dry and second is wet. Beautiful! *__*

Next three items are surprises by Julia! *__*
- ANEW - Lash Transforming Mascara + Serum: I'm not using the serum, but yes for mascara. it's light but very defining, perfect for everyday looks.
- AVON - Jillian Dempsey for AVON Professional Eye Duo in Bronze: cream eyeshadow + brown eyeliner (swatches on the right of the pic), spectacular both. The eyeliner is a bit too liquid, but I'm not an eyeliner fan , so I use it just to do a reinforce the shade of the lashes.
- NYX - Eye/Eyebrow Pencil in 903 Dark Brown: I use brown on brows during the day and black in the night, and a brown pencil was something I missed. Such a luck!

- Lip Smacker in various fruit: these are gifts for my friends! Previously I received a Lip Smacker in watermelon as gift in another swap and I love it so much that I wanted to share this love with other people, so I asked for a set of them to give away! :D

PART 3 - VARIOUS 

Next 3 items come from an order on TKB online store (as a CP inside the swap), an amazing shop online that sells pigments and other stuff to custom and storage your makeups.

- Color Wheel: it's pretty hard to find in Italy a good color wheel, moreover it's almost impossibile to find a cheap one! On TKB $3.75 and go on! ;P

- Franken Polish Bottles in Caroline (5 ml) + Monster Beads: I would to buy a lot more of these!!! I always want to make gifts to my friends but it's hard when you haven't a job, so these bottles are the ideal stuff for this purpose: I can share a lot of my nail polishes with them! :D
Share your treasures? Are you crazy, Jessica? Bloggers, let's be honest (for once!): how many nail polishes do you own? And how many polishes you'll finish in your all entire life? Cooooome on! Don't be greedy and share your beauties with your lovely friends! ;D

- Large Square 36 mm Palette with Mirror: another useful purchase. They are perfect for Kiko's mono  eyeshadows and other brands (for example Neve Cosmetics refills), they are also magnetic and sleek and with a very high quality plastic. A must have!

Finished, at last!!!! Such a yummy swap, don't you think? There also were a couple of other items but I can't find the pics, sorry! I'm a lost cause, I know... >__<

That's all for this week. See ya! ^__^/

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Labels: butter london, china glaze, eyes-eyebrows, eyes-mascara, eyes-pencil+liner, eyes-pigment, eyes-shadow, haul, lips-balm, lynnderella, nyx, opi, sinful colors, tools-palette, tools-various, wetnwild, zoya

Comments: 6 comments

OPI - Absolutely Alice

I received this nail polish with a swap with Erika a few months ago and I've tried it as soon as it was on my dirty hands, but no pics because batteries were out of charge. This is happened once again, but third time was the right time and I've finally catched this beauty!

A short but LQ video just to show you how much this polish sparkles

Crazy, don't you think?

● OPI - ABSOLUTELY ALICE
A bright bright bright blue with tons tons tons of silver and gold glitters that sparkles sparkles sparkles and still sparkles! Really, do I need to say something more after these pics? I swear they catch the real color but just ALMOST the real intensity and brilliancy. Don't wear this polish if you are a shy person. Don't wear this polish if you don't want people stare at your hands constantly. Wear this polish if you want you're life is a bit tastier! Such a professional review I've just written... XD
Ok, I'll be serious: use a large ammount of glossy top coat and have a lot of patience to remove it. Good luck and enjoy your beautiful piece of Alice. See ya!

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Labels: blue, glitter, opi

Comments: 3 comments

OPI - DS Illuminate

OPI is one of those brands that are not so clear about their cruelty-free policy. OPI is, but Coty, that owns the brand, isn't, so a part of money you give to OPI goes to Coty, too. For this reason I don't buy OPI  polishes anymore, but I'll accept swaps of used bottles. No money for Coty, yes polish for me. :)

● OPI - DS ILLUMINATE
This polish is simply amazing. I thought it was cute every time I saw the swatches, but nothing so special, then, I could try it from a friend of mine who owns it, and I instantly fell in love with it. It's beautiful. Just beautiful.  It's beige/brown based with tons of holo microglitters and a slight duochrome effect that goes on green, but I've seen this reflection just few times on nails, under a very brighten sunlight. Formula is also spectacular: application is flawless and the brush glides smoothly and precise. Longevity on nails is wonderful, again. Sorry, I have nothing bad to say about this shade, absolutely nothing!

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Labels: brown, holographic, opi

Comments: 7 comments

TOTALLY RANDOM SUNDAY #12

HAULS

SWAP FROM US WITH ERIKA!

One of the best swap ever!!! It wasn't a big swap, just few items, but any single one of them is something very special. Last, but not least, Erika added a lot of yummy and cute extras. The Candies cannot be photographed since they were on my mom stomach  before I could even licking them! She left to me just amazing Hi-Chew candies in banana! XD Other lovely things were so many that I hope to remember all of them in the pics below. ;P Let's go with the polishes as first!

- CQ - RUSTIC DREAM
A duochrome gold/amber that reminds a lot to Sally Hansen - Amber Ruby. I had no hopes to find it, then... I'm very happy for this!

- JESSE'S GIRL - CONFETTI VERSION 1 (OR 2?)
I love polishes with "cute little worms" glitters, but this one, as I've seen on this Chloe's post... Bright blue sky and fuchsia together? No way, wishlist, right now! Just... I sadly discovered this polish wasn't the only one Jesse's Girl - Confetti in the world, more this one was the most hard to find... But Erika found both and sent me as a surprise the lovely couple of beauties!

- JESSE'S GIRL - CONFETTI VERSION 2 (OR 1?)
And this is the other version, the most "famous" one. I wasn't so interested in it, I have to admit that, my love was all for the "cute and little worms" version. But... Ladies... Keep an eye on my blog for the next week, because I've swatched it and it became one of my favorite polish ever!!!

- SONIA KASHUK - FATIGUED
This olive/camouflage/militarygreen polish was a plus at the end of the swap, because Erika saw it on my wishlist, but actually I'm very happy to own it. It's a dupe to another polish of mine, but that polish is completely dried and I need for a replace. Here it is!

- OPI - ABSOLUTELY ALICE
And the first reason of this swap. I read so many enthusiastic reviews about this polish, but I always thought: it's a blue sky glitter with silver shimmer, whatever... No... No no no no... I was so wrong... SO wrong! The blue of this polish is almost impossibile to catch with an unprofessional camera, it's... I can't even describe it: it's like the deepest and the cleanest sea in the world, intense in a crazy way. And shines to any tiny change of light, even few millimeters... I can't wait to swatch it!

- BONNE BELL - LIP SMACKER in WATERMELON
This is one of the extras in my package, and... Oh! This will be my lip balm for life. Watermelon in one on my favorite flavor, and this stick has a delicate but prominent scent that makes me feel instantly well. The taste is also delicious. A+

- WET N WILD - MEGA SHIMMER ILLUMINATING POWDER BRUSH
This is just a tester, but it's enough for me. First of all, it smells of... Biscuits? Cakes? Soooo delicious to sniff, but better don't do it, since I think it's not very healthy sniffing glitters... XD What's this? Actually I'm not sure about it, and maybe it's pretty useless in your life, but whatever, it's damned cute! A really MEGA shimmer powder that goes directly on a brush. I'd never use it on my face, but I guess this could be very nice on your shoulders in the summer nights! *__*

- MAC - FAFI LE 2008 - QUAD #2
Woah!!! How is cute this packaging???? I didn't know this limited edition, and it was a big big big surprise when I've opened everything and found this one. Nothing more to say, too pretty!!!

There were other items, but I guess I put enough pics for this week!
Next Week?

Mmmmh... Can't decide... Kiko sales or GOTbeauty discovery? Or maybe various polishes bought by me and gifted from friends? I'll toss a coin. ;P

LINKS OF THE WEEK
SWATCHES & COMPARISONS

NEW RELEASES: not so many this week, but beautiful *__*

- Essence - Nail Color³ by Lacquerdicted

- Jessica - Smoky Feather by Parokeets

- A-England - Dragon+St.George+Princess Sabra by Let them have Polish!

- Catrice - King of Greens by Parokeets

OLD POLISHES BUT STILL WORTHY: since there are a lot of interesting posts about "old" polishes, I wonder if ladies can't wait to see new spring collections so they are fishing from their stashes the untrieds in the meanwhile, aren't they? ;D

- Missha - HGR01 by The Manicured Monkey

- Zoya - Veruschka by Kiss my Acetone

- Nfu.Oh - 113 by Nail Art Sakura

- Nubar - Gem by Pee Before Polish

- China Glaze - Mrs Claus by The Beauty Case

- Barielle - Argyle in Style collection by Wacky Laki

- OPI - Ink Suede by My Polish Stash

- NYX - Emerald Forest by Kiss my Acetone

- Essence - Can't Cheat on Me by Ere K. Beauty Shelf

MINOR BRANDS: indie and local brands not available worldwide are a step ahead from big companies lately, I highly recommend to keep an eye on them for next trends ;D

- Ana Hickmann - Naomi by Mai Senza Smalto

- Icing Blue - Purple Magnetic by Spaz & Squee

- Girly Bits - Shift Happens by The Manicured Monkey

- Nerd Lacquer - Hyperspace Bypass by Steffels

- KKcenterHK - Ebalay #006 by Nihrida

NAIL-ARTS & FRANKENS

- Counting Sheep how to cure insomnia with manicure by Simply Rins

- Glare is a mother! pretty polka dots on choco base by Lovebeangirl

- I Rule! ahahahahahhaha genius! by My World

- Miffy kawaiiii!!! by Nailside

- Spring Easter another genius: from shoes to nails by Pretty Digits

- Beware of the Cat simple but still gorgeous by The Polished Perfectionist

- All that glitters is Gold! love this luxurious french by Nailasaurus

- Water Marble Beach inspired classy colors by Luv my Lacquer

- Water Marble with Avon another great one by Another Bottle of Polish?

- Post V fell in love with this mani by Das Experiment

- Frankens - Chromatic Pigments no words... by Fashion Polish

MAKE-UP, FASHION & VARIOUS

- Burberry Fall Show by Fashionista

Watch in streaming the last defilée (with Eddie Redmayne in 1st row ;D)

- De Formidables Rencontres Et Nouveautés by Les Ongles d'Amély

I love this kind of cheerful meeting with cheerful people for a cheerful hobby!

- Splashing Around by Pretty Digits

What's supposed to happen when you wash a duochrome polish?

- How to: a perfect manicure step by step by Nihrida

Another useful post (and don't miss her sum-up posts!)

- Physicians - Cashmere Wear Ultra-Smoothing Blush  by Vampy Varnish

How much are fuckin lovely the packaging of these blushes?

That's all for this week. See ya! ^__^/

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Labels: bonne bell, cq, eyes-shadow, face-highlighter, haul, jesse's girl, links, lips-balm, mac, makeup, opi, sonia kashuk, tools-palette, wetnwild

Comments: 4 comments

TOTALLY RANDOM SUNDAY #8

HAULS

An old purchase and a very recent swap, both from US!
OLD US PURCHASE

From a very old order in... Last July, I guess, when a friend of mine went to US for a trip and I received the polishes in October. But I noticed to have forgotten to show you three more beauties, sorry my pressSSssciousses! I'm speaking with the polishes, of course... XD

- China Glaze - Meteor Shower

One of the first items in my wishlist EVER! Ok, I know it's an old kind of "fat" and rough glitters, and there are a lot of blue glitters better than this out there, but I was fond of it for a long time and I couldnt' leave it alone.

- Color Club - Wild and Willing

Another old old old wishlist item! I like owning multitasking polishes: this one is pretty alone with its golden copper finish, and is stunning layered over a dark base, because it pulls out a duochrome effect!

- Sinful Colors - Call you Later

Another multipurpose polish: flashy alone and useful to renew if you apply over another polish (I advice any kind of dark green), with a lot of green, yellow and gold round glitters of different sizes.

A SWAP WITH JULIA

It passed a lot of time since I've made my last swap on Makeup Alley, because I'm shamefully slow about purchase and reply to emails and sending the packages. But I can't say no to people who ask me about swapping, even with my timing. Sorry Julia, but we've made it, at last! ☺

- Barielle - Elle's Spell

Lovely lovely ooooh so lovely! A jelly cherry base with multichrome flakies that go from red to yellow to green. 

- OPI - DS Illuminate

OPI is one of those brands that are not so clear about their cruelty-free policy. OPI is, but Coty, that own the brand, isn't, so a small part of money you give to OPI goes to Coty, too. For this reason I don't buy OPI anymore, but I'll accept swaps of used bottles. No more money for Coty, one more polish for me. :) This one is amazing, I saw it from a friend of mine and I instantly fell in love with it. Beautiful. Just beautiful. Beige/brown with holo microglitters and a slight duochrome effect that goes on green.

- Sinful Colors - 24/7

This is a gift from the swapper! Not my tipe of color, absolutely, buuuuut I was thinking for months to buy few neon colors for nail arts, so this one is perfect for what i was thinking for! :D

- Sinful Colors - Hottie

Another extra polish for me! *__* This one is sooooo pretty! When I go to COIN I always stare at it and I can't decide if buy it or not, so this gift take away any doubt from me, yay! :D It's sheer but I love its delicate jelly base and the holo medium size glitters in pastels. Enchanting.

Last, but no least, a polish necklace painted with Color Club - Fashion Addict. No words. Thank you Julia, thank you very much!!! *^___^*

LINKS OF THE WEEK

Quickly quickly!!! So many interesting links this week, I couldn't decide what throw away, so I didn't throw away no one of them. I'm hopeless. -__-

SWATCHES & COMPARISONS

- Wacky Laki: Sinful Colors - Rise and Shine

Teal is a magic word for me. My eyes are glittering. *_*

- Like a Candy Shop: Kleancolor - Bite Me

Elsa, I have a serious problem: I like all your recent posts. A lot.

- Mai Senza Smalto: Zoya - Neeka

One of my favorite Zoya: dust blue and matte shimmer, yummy.

- More Nail Polish: Color Club - Holiday Splendor

And, of course, a useful comparison with China Glaze - Atlantis.

- Nail Art Sakura: Orly - Rock It!

This polish wins. Totally.

- All You Desire: Nicole by OPI - Kendall on Katwalk

Any time I see swatches of this polish I like it more and more.

- Cute-Tickle Nails: A-England - Perceval + Max Factor - Fantasy Fire
As Perceval wasn't enough awesome, a preview to MF new WOW! *_*
- Das Experiment: Deborah - 60
*Sigh* Fantastic the polish and the nails, too!!!
- Nihrida: China Glaze - Electropop collection in my stash
Useful hints for "dupes" or sometjhing close to them ;D
- Polish Police: Lynnderella - Connect the Dots
I have to confess: I'm not a fan of this brand, but it's just my personal taste, because I'm not crazy for the most of big glitters. Connect the Dots is an exception, I love this polish with all my cuticles!
- The Polish Aholic: Icing - Magnetix
I'm not so into magnetic polishes, but... These ones... WTF... :O°°°
- The Polish Aholic: Lynnderella - Snow Angel
This is the other Lynnderella polish I love. ;P
NAIL-ARTS & DECALS

- The Nailphile: Sally Hansen - Salon Effects in Brattlesnake

I'm always amazed from this line of decals: good quality and great designs!

- Copy That, Copy Cat: Smoky Dry Marble French

This lady makes so many fuckin wonderful nail arts! *__*

- The Nailasaurus: Classic but Not

Title of this post says everything <3

- The Nailasaurus: Goosebumps Nail Art

Sammy again this week! :D

MAKE-UP, FASHION, NEWS & VARIOUS

- Temptalia: Golden Globes 2012 - Red Carpet looks

I love this kind of posts *__* Dresses are the only reason why I "read" gossip magazines thata a my mum's friends gift to us and we keep in the bathroom! XD

- Vampy Varnish: Tarina Tarantino - Dollskin Cheek Palette

A dream. This palette is just a dream.

- Beautylish: Rainbow Eye Liner Tutorial

A friend of mine did this with eyeshadow, and I liked sooo much! I'll never do it, too? I really suck on make-up... -__-

That's all for this week. See ya! ^__^/

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Labels: barielle, china glaze, color club, haul, links, opi, sinful colors

Comments: 8 comments

OPI - Jade is the new Black + China Glaze - Mistletoe Kisses + stickers

This couple again! The first one try was this and it can't be helped: these two polishes call each other like lovers. Who am I to divide them? I have another useless thing that no one asked me to say. Why my accent nail is the middle finger instead of the ring finger? First of all, I prefer have nothing on my ring finger: my ring finger isn't a RING finger, I shudder at the thought... Brrrrrr... No rings on my ring... Brrrrrrr... Secondly, because my "ring" finger is small: for this reason it's more funny to me decorate the middle, that's bigger and with a better shape. Moreover I have a huge thumb, so I have to make nail arts on it, too: thumb and ring are too far apart and I think it's a bit anti-aesthetic. Ok. Now you know I'm totally crazy. Go on! X°D

● OPI - JADE IS THE NEW BLACK

My first OPI! I'm totally into this polish: amazing shade, amazing formula, amazing duration, everything in this polish is amazing. It's like green butter, a beautiful green butter.

● CHINA GLAZE - MISTLETOE KISSES

I'm totally obsessed with green glitters, but this one could also suit for not green lovers. It has a delicate shade and it's translucent, so you can wear it alone or over other polishes, so the effect can be lighter or darker. I absolutely advice this polish, absolutely! P.S. it sparkles A LOT!

● STICKERS

I bought these beauties on Nail Design Euro Discount, a wonderful german online store with great prices and a great professionality. I think I'll buy often from here, especially files, stickers, and accessories.

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Labels: china glaze, creme, decals, glitter, green, layering, opi

Comments: 7 comments