Perfectly Polished Tips 183 - NOTD Monday

To get me on track with posting and to force me to photograph my Nail Of The Day more often I'm going to try to do these once a week. I don't change my polish nearly as often as I would like. I used to do 3 or 4 manicures a week. To start it off I have Orly Luxe topped with China Glaze Lightening Bolt.

I saw a manicure similar to this sometime last year when the news the crackle polish was making a comeback was released. I remember using the Cover Girl crackle polish when I was younger and loving it. I didn't keep any of the polish I had when I was younger and I often wonder what gems I tossed out! Anyways I saw the manicure and I needed to replicate it ASAP. The China Glaze crackle was hard to come by in my town. It sold out immediately. My lovely sister was able to find it online and got it for me for my birthday. I finally wore it and was happy with the results.

Even though crackle polish is everywhere right now it seems to get mixed reviews. I personally love it. It's nice for a funky/fun mani and my favorite thing about it? I can slap it over an old mani or one I may have smudged and I am good to go.

I picked up Orly Luxe from my local Sally Beauty I believe it's part of the core collection. Crackle polish can be found just about anywhere in a variety of colors.

Perfectly Polished Tips 182 - Zoya Smoke

If I had to use one collection of polish for the rest of my life this is the collection I would choose. For fall Zoya released Smoke & Mirrors. This is the Smoke half and it is made up of six amazing creme polishes. I know most of these colors have been done before but I really like Zoya. I like that they are B3F and environmentally friendly. My little girl has recently gotten into polishing her toes and I love that this line is available. I feel great about letting her use them and the color selection doesn't hurt either. These all applied with ease. Photos are two coats of color with no base or top coats.

Jana

Petra

Dree

Cynthia

Codie

Anja

Smoke & Mirrors can be found on Zoya.com. Also make sure you follow them on facebook as they do the occasional promo. There have been lots of good deals on zoya lately!

(these were sent to me for review)

Perfectly Polished Tips 181 - Perfect Formula Spring/Summer 2011

Perfect Formula is a brand that is new to me. I've tried their cuticle oil and it is pretty nice. If i only I could remember to use it regularly! Perfect Formula polish is formulated with "instant strength technology" which helps to thicken and strengthen your nails. I believe this brand is fairly new so while there are not a lot of color options there are a lot of nice choices. I have my eye on the fall/winter 2010 collection. I really like that this collection is small and basic. All three are perfect in any combination for the season. Calypso would be an amazing pedi and Pirouette is a nice neutral mani. As much as I love gold polish I just don't think it works on me. I've tried so many and it just doesn't feel "right." Maybe I haven't found the right one yet.

On to the polish. Each swatch to two coats of polish, no base or top coat.

Pirouette

Calypso

Tango

Perfect Formula polishes retail for $15 and can be purchased at perfectformulas.com. This brand is a little on the expensive side but I liked them just as much as I like my Lippmanns. For the right color I don't mind spending extra.

(these were sent to me for review)

Perfectly Polished Tips 180 - SkinCareRx Friends & Family Sale

SkinCareRx.com as well as Apothica.com and skinbotanica.com are currently offering 20% your order with CODE: FRIEND20. This code is good until 11/23/2011.

I've ordered from them before, all three of the sites are connected and I would order again. Customer service was great and shipping was quick. Each site carries different brands but what I love is that you can make one cart and order using all three sites.

Perfectly Polished Tips 179 - Essie Summer 2011

hey I'm kinda late to the party on this one. I've been busy or maybe just lazy. I love blogging but sometimes I get overwhelmed and feel like it's too much to do. A lot goes into swatching and photographing. Or well a lot goes into it for me because it has to be done around a two year old's schedule. Unfortunately for me nap time was dropped a long time ago. The next couple of posts may be old news for some and I apologize!

Essie has been doing amazing things lately. The collections have had more variety and more colors that I would want to wear. Yea, a lot of times the "safe" pale pinks and reds are included but for this summer collection they did not play it safe.

Brazilliant

Meet Me at Sunset

Super Bossa Nova

Smooth Sailing

Too Too Hot

Absolutely Shore

All photos are two coats of polish except for Absolutely Shore which is 3. This collection should still be easy to find.

(these were sent to me for review)