Vibrant Point Of View

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #12 Coral Amber

2010-07-07T21:58:00.005+10:00

I must say, Coral Amber just made it as my favorite holographic Prism so far! I just love this fresh, vivacious shade! I find it difficult to define this shade in terms of colour, as the word "coral" lends itself to a more orange toned shade in my mind, whereas this shade has quite a lot of red (pink) in it. I am also at a loss as to why Amber was added to the name of this polish... I see no evidence of Amber at all! I might have a little trouble defining the specific colour of this shade, but what stands out a mile at every angle is it's dazzling charm!

A breeze to apply and two coats provide a luscious finish! I used top coat on this holo and it did not dull the finish at all!

Photographs taken in artificial light

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #11 Fire Opal

2010-07-06T20:27:00.007+10:00

I found Fire Opal to be a very deceiving shade... It looks pretty monochromatic in the bottle, and even when I applied it to my nails, at first glance I thought it was not much more than a pretty salmon pink shade with an iridescent celadon shimmer. Don't get me wrong - that in itself is enough to make this a gorgeous polish, but I overlooked the duo-chrome finish Prisms are famous for... until I spotted the cerise pink on a different angle, that is! Like South Sea Pearl, this is not one of the most vibrant Prisms, but it is certainly worth adding to your collection!

I found this shade just as easy to apply as the previous shades reviewed, however I needed three coats, instead of the usual two coats, to achieve a satisfying finish. It is slightly sheer if you hold your hands up to the light, but not enough to classify it as a sheer. I'm impressed with the shade and the formula!

Photographs taken in artificial light. This image illustrates the dominant salmon pink aspect of the polish.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the iridescent celadon within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the cerise pink within the polish - however my modest little camera didn't quite manage to capture the true oomph of the colour!

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #10 Golden Cinnabar Limited Edition

2010-07-05T15:39:00.008+10:00

I was a little disappointed to find that the limited edition of Golden Cinnabar was so close to the original version that you could say that they are just about the same formula. I loved the fact that the limited edition versions of Diamond and South Sea Pearl were different - and was hoping that this one would be the same! The colours within this shade range from goldenrod to amaranth, with amaranth pink and bronze in between.

I was happy with the formula of this shade - two coats were enough for an opaque streak-free finish!

Photographs taken in artificial light. This image illustrates the amaranth pink aspect of the polish.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the amaranth within the polish - however this shade was captured much better with the original!

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the bronze within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the goldenrod within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the duo-chrome effect of this polish

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #10 Golden Cinnabar

2010-07-04T21:14:00.011+10:00

When gazing at the bottle of Golden Cinnabar I was not at all wowed. I didn't think I would even like it once it was on my nails! But let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised! I won't go so far as to say that this is one of my favorite Prisms, but it is much prettier than I gave it credit for! To be honest, I didn't even know what "Cinnabar" was! I have since found out that it is a red mercuric sulfide, used as a pigment. I have included a picture below for anyone interested in seeing it in it's crystal form. Now that I know this, the name of the polish makes much more sense to me! The colours within this shade range from goldenrod to amaranth, with amaranth pink and bronze in between. Even if, like me, you don't think this shade is for you, I recommend you try it out anyway - you might be just as pleased as I am!

I was happy with the formula of this shade - two coats were enough for an opaque streak-free finish!

Photographs taken in artificial light. This image illustrates the amaranth pink aspect of the polish.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the amaranth within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the bronze within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the goldenrod within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the duo-chrome effect of this polish

Cinnabar in crystal form for anyone who loves crystals as much as I do!

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #09 Blush Diamond Limited Edition

2010-07-01T12:06:00.005+10:00

The Limited Edition version of Blush Diamond is identical to the original. A pretty French rose pink holographic polish similar to Diamond in respect of light refraction. The images below appear lighter than the original, but the actual shade is no different at all!

This shade was applied smoothly in two coats, like most of the previous Prisms I have reviewed! I used top coat on this holo and it did not dull the finish at all!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #09 Blush Diamond - Dark Version

2010-06-26T08:06:00.008+10:00

Blush Diamond is a feminine shade of French rose pink - halfway between the two versions of Pink Rose Diamond. Similar to Diamond in the respect of the light refraction giving the appearance of distinct rainbow coloured lines across the surface of the nail. Sunlight reveals its fullest radiance - but most light sources are enough to see this shade for what it is - absolutely stunning! A very sweet holographic polish that I think few could not appreciate!

This shade was applied smoothly in two coats, like most of the previous Prisms I have reviewed! I used top coat on this holo and it did not dull the finish at all!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #08 Amber Ruby

2010-06-25T17:36:00.011+10:00

Amber Ruby is an elegant duo-chrome and like the previous Prisms I have swatched, I couldn't take my eyes off it! Amber Ruby has two main colours; cardinal red and fulvous yellow, making this shade aptly named! It also contains spin-off shades which I have photos of below!

Two coats was more than enough to get a rich, streak free finish! Gorgeous formula!

Photographs taken in indirect sunlight. This image illustrates the duo-chrome effect of this polish - you can often see up to three shades at one time!

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the dominant cardinal red within the polish.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the burnt orange within the polish.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the dominant fulvous yellow within the polish.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the old gold that leans towards olive within the polish.

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #07 Garnet Lapis

2010-06-24T10:56:00.013+10:00

With Garnet Lapis the phrase "Rainbow in a Bottle" could never be truer! This polish reminds me of an oil slick that reflects every colour in the spectrum! It is absolutely bewitching! I was mesmerised while I stared at my hands trying to determine just how many colours this beauty was going to reveal! I'm not sure I would have chosen the name Garnet Lapis for this polish due to the fact that red is not a particularly dominant colour within the polish, however it certainly is present. I took a million photos (alright, maybe not a million...) in the attempt to capture each shade within this polish to show you its versatility. Quite a difficult task, I assure you! I managed to get a representation of the most dominant shades, but at the expense of clarity in many cases, and in some shots I look like a resident of Springfield! So ladies, please look beyond the flaws in my photography to see the beauty within the beast!

(Photo with bottle coming soon!)

This shade took three coats for complete opacity, but it was a smooth application!

Photographs taken in artificial light. This image illustrates the dominant teal aspect of the polish.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the Bright Cerulean within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the dominant azure within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the ultramarine within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the regalia purple within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the dominant electric purple within the polish - but I didn't quite manage to capture the true shade. Instead I got a photo half-way between two of the shades that this polish displays - electric purple and tyrian

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the carmine red within the polish. It was difficult to capture this aspect of the polish, and this image was unfortunately the best I could manage. On the angles that the polish appears carmine it also morphs into russet and bronze

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the duo-chrome effect of this polish. This image shows three distinct shades, but it is not uncommon to see up to five shades at one time!

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #06 Ruby Sapphire

2010-06-22T14:13:00.005+10:00

OMG! I genuinely thought I was in love with Emerald Amethyst, but Ruby Sapphire just eclipsed that feeling! What an absolute stunner! This duo-chrome displays three distinct colours, and all three are breathtakingly beautiful! The deep sapphire blue and rich magenta shades tend to dominate the overall effect of this polish and are often seen at the same time, but in the right light and at certain angles an elegant and commanding sangria red makes itself known! WOW! This has to be one of my favorite Prisms!

(Photo with bottle coming soon!)

I found this shade very easy to work with, and two coats provided a gorgeous streak free finish!

Photographs taken in artificial light. This image illustrates the sapphire blue aspect of the polish.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the magenta within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the sangria red within the polish

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #05 Emerald Amethyst

2010-06-21T17:29:00.007+10:00

When I applied Emerald Amethyst I was speechless! I was so in awe of its beauty that I could barely tear my eyes away from my hands! This shade is so unique it is no surprise that it is one of the most popular and loved of all the Prisms! On some angles it has a gorgeous, almost golden olive green appearance, and on other angles it is a dusty pinkish-purple. When the two colours blend, the polish appears to be a shade of gunmetal, but this is generally in low-light when one of the two main colours is not drawing reflective light. I personally like this unique effect but find the two main shades much more dazzling! This shade is one of the hardest Prisms to find - and when you get lucky it is often very expensive - but even though I paid what some would consider an incomprehensible amount for my bottle, the sheer beauty of it makes this polish worthy of every cent!

Please excuse my cuticles for the first few posts of these shades - I had a reaction to a product that was not pretty!
This shade has been the easiest to work with so far, and only needed one coat for complete perfection!

Photograph taken in artificial light. This image illustrates the gunmetal appearance of the polish in low-light.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the olive green within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the purple within the polish - this was the best photo I could manage to capture the purple, but I was disappointed with the outcome. The purple has far more of a pinkish tone as apposed to the blue-purple that the photos show it to be.

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the duo-chrome effect of this polish. On some angles you can clearly see both main shades, unlike some other Prisms like South Sea Pearl, where only one colour flashes at one time.

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #04 South Sea Pearl Limited Edition

2010-06-20T18:37:00.010+10:00

This limited edition version of South Sea Pearl has a slightly different formula to the original. The differences are very subtle - but are certainly detectable when the two are compared. The base colour in this version is a much crisper shade of white as apposed to a cream, and this difference is what stands out to me the most. The flashes of soft mint green are much the same as in the original, but the pink flashes have a slightly more purpleish hue. I actually prefer the freshness of this version of South Sea Pearl!

Please excuse my cuticles for the first few posts of these shades - I had a reaction to a product that was not pretty!
This shade followed suit in ease to apply! It only took two coats for a gorgeous finish! It is slightly sheer if you hold your hands up to the light, but not enough to classify it as a sheer. Great formula and very pretty end result!

Photograph taken in artificial light. I found it impossible to get a clear shot depicting the base shade in this polish - my camera insisted on honing in on the green!

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the green within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the pink within the polish - this was the best photo I could manage to capture the pink, but you can only see it if you look closely! The pink is quite similar to the original - particularly in intensity.

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #04 South Sea Pearl - Cream Version

2010-06-17T10:36:00.009+10:00

South Sea Pearl is one of the more subtle Nail Prisms - but it is very pretty non-the-less! It has a cream base and flashes a soft mint green on some angles, and a pretty baby pink on other angles! If you are going for the wow factor, I would suggest reaching for one of the other Prisms - but if you are looking for an office or court-friendly shade, then this is perfect! It is an everyday shade with a difference!

Please excuse my cuticles for the first few posts of these shades - I had a reaction to a product that was not pretty!
I found this shade just as easy to apply as the previous shades reviewed, and again, two coats were enough to achieve a great finish! It is slightly sheer if you hold your hands up to the light, but not enough to classify it as a sheer. I'm impressed with the shade and the formula!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the green within the polish

Photograph taken on an alternate angle to show the pink within the polish

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #03 Purple Diamond - Dark Version

2010-06-16T12:24:00.009+10:00

Well if this shade is not stunning - I don't know what is! Purple Diamond got tonnes of compliments so I'm not alone in my admiration! A gorgeous, rich shade of purple with beautiful holographic effects! Another shade (like Diamond and Pink Rose Diamond) that has distinct rainbow lines that travel across your fingers in any kind of light! Of course it is at it's most brilliant in the sunlight, but it shows off wherever it goes! A definite attention seeker!

Please excuse my cuticles for the first few posts of these shades - I had a reaction to a product that was not pretty!
I found this polish to be very easy to apply and one coat was nearly enough for a full coverage, but I did apply a second for good measure! I used top coat on this holo and it did not dull the finish at all!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #02 Pink Rose Diamond - Dark Version

2010-06-15T15:17:00.007+10:00

The darker version of Rose Pink Diamond seems to be much easier to obtain than the original, so if you have recently purchased one - it is likely to be this one! The two versions are so different, they need to be separated and re-named! Where the original is soft and light, this version is a darker dusty pink that has a hint of mauve. This version is just as stunning in it's own right! It also has rainbow lines that dance across your fingers when the light reflects off it and you can't help admiring its beauty! In my honest opinion, if you are a Prism addict like me, you need both versions in your collection!

Please excuse my cuticles for the first few posts of these shades - I had a reaction to a product that was not pretty!
A breeze to apply, and two coats were ample for a perfect finish! I used top coat on this holo and it did not dull the finish at all!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #02 Pink Rose Diamond - Light Version

2010-06-14T12:10:00.005+10:00

Pink Rose Diamond is a very pretty soft pink hologram shade that would appeal to most. Similar to Diamond in the respect of the light refraction giving the appearance of distinct rainbow coloured lines across the surface of the nail. Sunlight reveals its fullest radiance - but any light source is enough to see this shade for what it is - absolutely stunning!

Please excuse my cuticles for the first few posts of these shades - I had a reaction to a product that was not pretty!
I had a very easy time applying this polish - and two coats were plenty for a completely opaque finish. I used top coat on this holo and it did not dull the finish at all! I believe this was the original Pink Rose Diamond.

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

And The Winner Is.....

2010-06-14T11:02:00.002+10:00

Hello ladies! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for following me and joining in the fun of my giveaway! I hope you all stick around to see what the future holds for us! :)

I will be holding another giveaway soon with a new goal - so stay tuned!

And now, for what I'm sure you have all been waiting to hear..... Our winner is Jan Hughs!

Glitter Graphics

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #01 Diamond Limited Edition

2010-06-13T19:22:00.006+10:00

I have to say that this shade of Diamond is just as beautiful as the original - however, it is a different beauty! The change in formula is ever so subtle, yet I cannot help but notice the differences. Where the original Diamond cast a striking rainbow in distinct lines when light reflected off it, this one gives a delicate consistency of pin-points of coloured hologram that dance around the entire nail surface! This version of Diamond is far more subdued - but this in no way diminishes it's striking beauty!

This gorgeous shade has a thicker consistency than its counterpart - so two coats were all that were needed for an opaque finish. I used top coat on this holo and it did not dull the finish at all! Very impressed with this limited edition shade on it's own merit!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms #01 Diamond

2010-06-12T09:54:00.005+10:00

WOW! What a colour! I am totally in love with this gorgeous silver hologram polish! The holographic particles in this polish catch the light in the most amazing way - literally casting a rainbow across your fingertips! The polish refracts the light in such a way as to show distinct lines of every colour in the spectrum. Of course it is most brilliant in direct sunlight - but I found that any light source at all reveals the beauty of this shade!

I found this polish easy to apply, though the formula was a little on the thin side. The consistency was not particularly a problem though - three coats did the job beautifully! I used top coat on this holo and it did not dull the finish at all! 10 out of 10 for this one!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing all the prisms I have available on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering them for trade on MakeupAlley and in Vibrant V's Petite Boutique in the near future for anyone, anywhere!

The Sally Hansen Nail Prisms Chronicle

2010-06-11T13:21:00.044+10:00

The moment I laid my eyes on Sally Hansen's Nail Prisms I knew it was true love. The beauty reflected within these little bottles was enough to make my breath catch in my throat! From that point on - I was thoroughly addicted and began my quest to obtain them all!

I could not (and still can't) believe how elusive these popular nail polishes are! I have spent hours upon hours researching this long discontinued line of prisms, reading everything I could and asking questions of anyone willing to help, and have been doing so on and off for the past 8 months! I still do not have ALL the answers I seek - but I have discovered enough to warrant writing a chronicle for other addicts! My goal is to offer as much information as possible in one place - an easy go-to for anyone looking for information on these adored polishes.

Sally Hansen released the Nail Prisms line in 2002 and they were the first of their kind. This is what the company had to say about their product:

Color in Motion!

The first 3D nail color!
Exclusive microfine prismatic reflectants create waves of living color every time you move.

Only Sally Hansen Nail Prisms utilize state of the art pigment, film and coating technologies. This exclusive ultra-tech system replicates nature in a way never before seen. From natural pearlescence mimicking the nacre of a south seas pearl, to the bright, iridescent effects found in butterfly wings and peacock feathers.

The advanced, patented Sally Hansen formula treats and protects nails so they can grow strong, long and healthier-looking than ever before.

From the information I could gather, it appears that Nail Prisms were only released in America, Canada and the United Kingdom. They were released in two differently labeled bottles, one for the US (left), the other for the UK and Canada (right). Below is what the two different bottles look like.

At first I believed that Sally Hansen released 43 shades in their core line before discontinuing it - but I have never found any reference to #33 and #34 anywhere! It doesn't make sense to me that they would have simply skipped two numbers, thus leaving a hole in the consecutive number sequence - but if they do exist, surely someone would have seen them somewhere!? If any of you, my readers, have seen them or know anything of them PLEASE leave a comment about it!

And so, this is the list of shades released in the core line that I am aware of:

#01 Diamond
#02 Pink Rose Diamond
#03 Purple Diamond
#04 South Sea Pearl
#05 Emerald Amethyst
#06 Ruby Sapphire
#07 Garnet Lapis
#08 Amber Ruby
#09 Blush Diamond
#10 Golden Cinnabar
#11 Fire Opal
#12 Coral Amber
#13 Ruby Diamond
#14 Lapis Amethyst
#15 Lavender Pearl
#16 Turquoise Opal
#17 Pink Pearl
#18 Star Opal
#19 Lavender Sky
#20 Pink Gold
#21 Scarlet Ruby
#22 Bronze Coral
#23 Burgundy Orchid
#24 Platinum Plum
#25 White Diamond
#26 Cinnabar Opal aka Cinnabar
#27 Bronze Ruby
#28 Mandarin Garnet
#29 Golden Tourmaline
#30 Pink Opal
#31 Orange Opal
#32 Ruby Opal
#35 White Turquoise
#36 Lavender Sapphire
#37 Ruby Topaz
#38 Ruby Emerald
#39 Lilac Aqua
#40 Lavender Gold
#41 White Ruby
#42 Pink Amber
#43 Bronze Pink

Apart from this core line there were also exclusives released in Canada, and possibly the UK too. These are the exclusives that I am aware of:

Coral Pearl
Metallic Magenta (Canada)
Pearly Pink (Canada)
Pearl Opal
Golden Presents (Canada)
Coral Presents (Canada)
Opal Presents (Canada)
Ruby Presents (Canada)
Bronze Presents
Rainbow Presents (Canada)

If anyone knows of any others please let me know! Also let me know if you know which country these releases belong to.

The last special release that I am aware of is the limited edition line. This line was released in a completely different bottle which is pictured below. I will hazard a guess that these were released in the US - as they have the same format of labeling as the regular US bottles. I cannot say how many of these were released, but these are the ones I know of:

#01 Diamond
#04 South Sea Pearl
#09 Blush Diamond
#10 Golden Cinnabar
#12 Coral Amber
#13 Ruby Diamond

There are a couple of anomalies that I will also mention in this post about Nail Prisms. Firstly, it is not uncommon to have a hard time identifying the shades, as the shade names and numbers are not always printed on the labels or lids. One way to identify shades from what I have learned is to have a look for a 6 digit number on the back label. The first 4 digits denote the range of nail polish - which in this case is 4674 representing Nail Prisms. The two digits following the dash indicate the shade. For example the numbers on the back of a bottle of South Sea Pearl will read as follows: 4674-04. Hopefully that will help some of you identify mystery shades!

Secondly, there has been many reports of shades being released in two (or possibly more) formulas. I have got Pink Rose Diamond in two different versions, so I know this to be true! I have also heard from others that Ruby Sapphire, Golden Tourmaline, Lapis Amethyst, Blush Diamond, Cinnabar Opal, South Sea Pearl and Ruby Diamond also have more than one version. I will post these subsequent versions if I am able to obtain them! Below is a preview of the difference between my Pink Rose Diamond bottles.

The following section is updated information on multiple formula releases:
Since writing this post two months ago I have discovered and obtained quite a number of Prisms with formula variation, so I thought more detailed descriptions are called for and not just a general mention! So here is what I have found so far:

#01 Diamond - apart from the usual version that I have reviewed, I did find one bottle that stood out a little from the rest. It somehow seemed a touch more holographic, but the minor difference does not make me inclined to do a second review or say that there is two distinct shades to be found.

#02 Pink Rose Diamond - I have already shown you guys above that there is at least two distinct shades of Pink Rose Diamond, and I have reviewed both the Dark Version and the Light Version for you. However, I have since discovered a third version! This third shade is what I am now calling the Pastel Version!

#03 Purple Diamond - I have reviewed the standard dark version of Purple Diamond for you, however I have discovered that there are at least three different variations of what I would call the standard dark version. I believe that these variations are purely a matter of how much pigment was used in each batch, as the hue itself is the same. Like Diamond above, these variations are so minor that it does not warrant separating them into different categories. Having said that, there is however another two shades that are very different to the aforementioned version! One I call the Light Amethyst Version, and the other I call the Light Orchid Version!

#04 South Sea Pearl - I have reviewed the standard version of South Sea Pearl, which I have now dubbed the Cream Version, but I can also confirm another version which I could only describe as the Coral Pink Version!

#09 Blush Diamond - I have reviewed the most common version of Blush Diamond, which I have now dubbed the Dark Version but I can also confirm another formula which will be the Light Version!

#13 Ruby Diamond - I can confirm that there is a Dark Version and Light Version of Ruby Diamond now too!

#14 Lapis Amethyst - I can officially confirm that there are two very different versions of Lapis Amethyst! I have called them the Amethyst Version, and the Iris Version.

Another anomaly that I had not mentioned in my original post would have to be releases in different bottles. This does not necessarily mean that the polish inside is different, as that has not yet been the case with the shades that I have found in different bottles. For those who are interested in this information, I will be adding photos and descriptions of different bottle releases.

Above is #05 Emerald Amethyst - on the left is a clear bottle and on the right is a painted bottle that depicts the shades within the polish. The bottle is sprayed with "Amethyst" and then "Emerald" is sprayed over it around the center of the bottle. Both types of bottle contained the same formula.

Above is #07 Garnet Lapis - on the left is a clear bottle and on the right is a painted bottle. They have sprayed the bottle blue, darkest at the top gradating down the bottle and ending almost clear at the bottom. Both types of bottle contained the same formula.

Above is #11 Fire Opal - on the left is a clear bottle and on the right is a painted bottle. They have sprayed the bottle pink, darkest at the top gradating down the bottle and ending almost clear at the bottom. Both types of bottle contained the same formula.

In my online travels I have read many reviews of these nail polishes, and heard many complaints of thin formulas, streaky applications and slow drying times. I personally have not experienced any of this - granted I have not tried them all as yet. I use a quick-dry top coat which solves the drying problem, and recommend others do the same! I will post each individual shade over the next few weeks and review them all on their own merit.
My only general complaint about this line of polish is the shape of the bottle. It seems a little top-heavy and in danger of tipping if not careful! I much prefer the LE bottles, as they simply seem more stable.

So that is pretty much it for the introduction to my chronicle! If anyone has any information to add - please feel free to let me know! It would be welcomed! I would also like to thank the ladies on the MakeupAlley Nail Board for helping me place some of my puzzle pieces! I hope they didn't get too tired of my incessant questions! lol I would also like to specially thank lextard and MissCarley for their extra help! You two ladies are wonderful!

For anyone looking to obtain these widely admired polishes (particularly my fellow Aussies!), I will have my duplicates up for swap or sale. Check out Vibrant V's Petite Boutique, MakeupAlley or OZtion to find them. Alternatively eBay often has these shades for sale anywhere from a couple of dollars up to $30 each shade.

Finishing Touches: Top Coat

2010-06-10T12:24:00.014+10:00

I would hazard a guess that most women that enjoy painting their nails use a top coat, but for those that don't here are a few reasons why I recommend that you do!

To put it simply top coat helps your manicure last longer and keeps it looking fresher! It protects your nail polish from going dull, chipping, dinging or scratching! It's truly worth the effort for that glossy luster that ensures your nails look stunning!

Many women skip the top coat believing that another layer will only take more time to dry... That my friends is the complete opposite to the truth! Many top coats have quick-drying properties, so they may be applied on top of wet nail polish to help it harden and dry faster. This is beneficial if you have limited time or lack in patience before getting back to your regular activities!

My favorite top coat is inm Out The Door, which has been voted America's #1 top coat, and has held that position for 25 years. And let me tell you it deserves that title! I love how quick and easy it is to apply, and how it actually does what the label on the bottle claims - dries in seconds! That is not to say that it is completely ding-proof immediately - no top coat can boast that - but it certainly goes a long way to protect your manicure while it cures!

There are lots of choices when it comes to top coat - and it all depends on what you are looking to achieve apart from protecting your nail polish. I do tend to favor the inm branded ones - they have stood the test of time and proven their worth to me! Below are the types of top coats inm offer and their purpose.

Out The Door Top Coat - As mentioned above, this is your standard quick-drying top coat. It is a long wearing top coat with a high gloss shine that will not yellow. Available in 3 sizes, the mini 3.5ml/1/8oz bottle (perfect for on the run!), the standard 15ml/0.5oz bottle and the 73ml/2.5oz bubble bottle. It also comes in two refill sizes, the 118ml/4oz bubble bottle and the 473ml/16oz bottle.

Northern Lights Holographic Top Coat - This exclusive product was created by blending holographic film particles with Out The Door top coat. Dries smooth to the touch, and can easily be removed with polish remover. Apply over any polish and watch a dazzling prism of three dimensional accents! Absolutely stunning! Available in 3 sizes, the mini 3.5ml/1/8oz bottle (perfect for on the run!), the standard 15ml/0.5oz bottle and the 73ml/2.5oz bubble bottle. It also comes in the 118ml/4oz refill bubble bottle.

Silver

Gold

Total Eclipse Top Coat - Non-Yellowing U.V. blocking top coat, Total Eclipse is an optical enhancer that protects nails from the yellowing effects of ultra violet rays, while accentuating the natural pink of the nail bed, and white of the free edge. The perfect top coat for french manicures! Available in 3 sizes, the mini 3.5ml/1/8oz bottle (perfect for on the run!), the standard 15ml/0.5oz bottle and the 73ml/2.5oz bubble bottle.

LooksWet Top Coat - Rose tinted blend of acrylic resins that deliver a durable high gloss finish so shiny that the nails still look wet...after drying. Perfect for finishing nail art! Available in 2 sizes, the standard 15ml/0.5oz bottle and the 73ml/2.5oz bubble bottle.

Also available is a top coat that makes your nail polish appear matte - I know China Glaze does one called Matte Magic.

Phew! So there are some of the top coats you can choose from! I highly recommend investing in a good quality top coat, I promise you it will make a massive difference to the durability and lasting lusciousness of your manicure!

As always I will have these top coats available on OZtion and MakeupAlley for anyone who would like a highly recommended product!

So take the time to find the right top coat for you - because once you do, you will wonder how you lived without it!

Back to Basics: Base Coat

2010-06-09T16:40:00.014+10:00

I think it is amazing that so many women out there love painting their nails, but are completely unaware of the importance of using a base coat. I admit that I was one of these women not so long ago! And so, I'm writing this post to highlight the reasons why a base coat is a crucial step in beautifying your nails!

Why do I need a base coat?

The two main reasons for using a base coat are to protect your nails and ensuring a smoother, longer lasting manicure.

If you have natural nails, a base coat can replenish nails that are brittle and dry, restoring the moisture that nails need in order to be healthy. This in turn promotes healthier nails, and prevents breakage and other damage, including splitting and peeling.

Dark shades of nail polish can stain the nail, as well as seep into the nail bed and discolour your nails. Blue, black, or bright red and pink nail polishes are most likely to do this. Applying a base coat can prevent this from occurring. The base coat is a shield of protection from this kind of damage.

Base coat lengthens the life of nail colour by forming a molecular bond between the nail plate and the polish layer. It provides a smoother, more receptive surface for the nail polish to adhere to, while filling in the lines and creases in the nail.

When using a base coat, you will truly notice a difference in the ease of the application as well as a longer lasting manicure with far less chipping and peeling!

Types of base coats available -

I highly recommend you stay away from products that claim to be a 2 in 1 base coat/top coat. Both are formulated to do two different jobs and it makes no sense to use the same product for both jobs!

Base coats come in standard and ridge-filler varieties. Standard base coats are usually clear, but can also come in a thicker formula with a milky appearance. They can also have agents to thicken your natural nails or reduce splitting and peeling. Ridge-filling base coats are thicker than regular base coats. They fill in any lines, ridges and grooves to give the nails a smoother looking appearance. I have seen these sold in white and pink.

What base coat do I use?

I am currently using inm ClearBond Base Coat. It is a fantastic product that is clear, and dries fast! I cannot find fault in it at all, so I highly recommend it! It comes in two sizes, the standard 15ml/0.5oz bottle or the 73ml/2.5oz bubble bottle.

Other base coats that inm provide are, MilkyBond Base Coat and RidgeFree Ridge Filler available in pink and white.
Eventually I will have all of these on offer at OZtion and MakeupAlley for anyone that would like a recommended base coat.

Although it may seem like a hassle at the time, please get into the habit of using a base coat, because it will definitely save you time in the long run! You won't have to re-paint chipped nails as often if you don't wish to, and will help you avoid stained nails if you decide that electric blue or fire-engine red isn't really your thing after all!

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10669 Runway

2010-06-08T16:59:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Runway is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of Midnight green. This gorgeous creme shade is another one-coater and is a breeze to apply. There is little to say about it apart from a recommendation to add it to your collection, as it truly is a stunning shade!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Runway is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10668 High Fashion

2010-06-07T21:21:00.004+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

High Fashion is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a deep navy polish with a stunning bright blue shimmer. It appears to be a plain navy shade until the sunlight hits it, revealing its awesomeness! A simple shade to work with, one coat being plenty for an opaque finish! Unfortunately I have not had any sun to capture it's beauty, but there is a glimpse of it above when the flash hit the bottle. I recommend this one - don't be deceived by the average looking bottle!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and High Fashion is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10667 VIP

2010-06-04T21:14:00.004+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

VIP is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a grey creme shade. Very simple, one-coat application! I was a bit unsure of this shade before applying it, as I have never worn a grey shade before, but I was pleasantly surprised! I must say I like the change, and will be wearing it again for sure! A great winter shade that would look fantastic with knits!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and VIP is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10666 Forget Me Not

2010-06-03T10:29:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Forget Me Not is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of Lust. Very simple, one-coat application! I'm not sure why Creative Brands released this red creme, as it is almost identical to Totally Hot. Upon close inspection you can see that this shade is ever-so-slightly deeper, but not enough to justify purchasing both shades (but that is only my opinion!) - if I were to choose one over the other, it would be this one!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Color Club's Art Club Nail Art Lacquer NA23 Bronze (also referred to as 05C023) to create this look. Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. Starting in the bottom corner, sweep first lacquer shade up the nail, curving slightly at the top, then follow with another stroke beside the first. Add a third and fourth stroke diagonally in the opposite direction. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks! I hope my description helped!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Club Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Forget Me Not or Bronze are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10665 So Parisian

2010-06-02T12:15:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

So Parisian is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a white creme. This shade is a "warm" white - not as stark as many other white cremes I have seen. I found this shade quite easy to work with, and two coats should be enough, just be careful not to overwork the coat as it can lead to bald patches in the polish. I'm a big fan of this shade, a refreshing change from your common white pearl!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 223 Light Rose. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and So Parisian is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10664 Cool As

2010-06-01T11:13:00.004+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Cool As is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a gorgeous shade of Celadon. Another one-coater, but this one is much easier to work with! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this shade! It is such a soft, fresh and stunning green, I can't help but admire my hands the entire time that I have it on! This is DEFINITELY one of my absolute favourites in this range!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Cool As is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10663 Ooh Baby

2010-05-31T10:05:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Ooh Baby is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a pretty Cherry blossom pink creme. This one is a little thinner than the last few, so it was easier to work with, and two coats does the trick! A very versatile shade, as it is very subtle, and would easily compliment any collection!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 209 AB Rose Aurore Boreale. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Ooh Baby is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10662 Fashionista

2010-05-30T15:18:00.004+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Fashionista is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of Cerise. This creme shade, like Party Crasher and Messed Up, was a little tricky to work with, so arm yourself with an orange stick when applying this one! A little thick, so it was another one-coater. Again I would suggest a drop of thinner to avoid bubbles. This is a gorgeous shade of deep dusty pink that would appeal to most ladies - definitely one for the wish-list!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Fashionista is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10661 Messed Up

2010-05-29T12:10:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Messed Up is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of Chamoisee. This creme shade, like Party Crasher, was a little tricky to work with, so arm yourself with an orange stick when applying this one! A little thick, so it was another one-coater. Again I would suggest a drop of thinner to avoid bubbles. I don't usually like neutral shades, but this one is FANTASTIC! I will be wearing this one again for sure!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Messed Up is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10660 Party Crasher

2010-05-28T11:41:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Party Crasher is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a Royal Purple creme. Please excuse the less than perfect photos, purple looks blue as per usual! I found this shade to be a little tricky to work with – it went on thick, so thick I only needed one coat, and dried very slowly. I also found that my top coat (I use inm Out The Door) changed this shade so much that I swatched it without any top coat on at all. The top coat not only made the shade look twice as dark as it actually was, but it also made the colour streak. I would have tried a different brand of top coat to see if it behaved the same – but I don't have another one! I would suggest a drop of thinner in this shade to make sure you don't get bubbling too. If you have the time and patience for this shade then give it a go, because it is a gorgeous colour.

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Party Crasher is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10648 Totally Hot

2010-05-27T12:57:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Totally Hot is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of Rose Madder. This creme was easy to apply, and two coats ample for an opaque finish. Overall, it is very simply a great shade of red!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Color Club's Art Club Nail Art Lacquer NA17 Silver Glitter to create this look. Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. It is very easy to create a look like this, simply paint a "V" at the tip of your nail and fill in the corners! Once you are finished and the polish is semi-dried apply top coat. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks! I hope my description helped!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Club Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Totally Hot or Silver Glitter are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10647 Blingin'

2010-05-26T10:24:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Blingin' is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is an iridescent ivory with a golden shimmer. I applied two coats but due to the way it went on, a third might be required for complete opacity. This is a very elegant shade that could be dressed up or down. It reminded me of a bride actually! A very versatile shade that everyone should have in their collection!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 319 Vintage Rose. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling sample packs of Swarovski Crystals for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Blingin' or the crystals are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10646 Sweetness

2010-05-25T11:19:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Sweetness is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a Carnation Pink creme. Another simple shade to apply, and two coats were plenty for a smooth finish! A very pretty pink that goes with just about anything! A keeper!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 223 AB Light Rose Aurore Boreale. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling sample packs of Swarovski Crystals for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Sweetness or the crystals are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Giveaways!

2010-05-24T18:42:00.003+10:00

Hello ladies! There is still time to enter my giveaway - many of you have not yet emailed me! We are nearly at our goal - as of now, only 34 more followers to recruit! And so, I am going to offer the opportunity for a third entry into the draw for those who are following, and have already blogged about my giveaway. All you have to do is post a reminder on your blog with a link back to the giveaway and email me the link! (Side bars do not count for a third entry.) It's as easy as that!

I would also like to take this opportunity to let you all know about another FANTASTIC giveaway that Evil Angel is running right now! The prize is AMAZING! The giveaway ends on the 30th of May, so hurry to enter!

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10645 Eco Warrior

2010-05-24T18:03:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Eco Warrior is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a difficult shade to define, particularly the finish! After much contemplation, I have decided that the most accurate way of describing this polish would have to be a Rifle Green iridescent shade with a strong gold present. The gold mixed with the Rifle Green changes the overall appearance of this shade change considerably, making it look like a much lighter green. I absolutely ADORE this shade and it is one of my all-time favorites by far!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Eco Warrior is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10644 Chillax

2010-05-23T10:29:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Chillax is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of Bleu de France. It is a massive improvement on Hook Me Up (which is an awesome shade in its own right) in the respect of having an easy, two coat application. It is an iridescent shade with a subtle green shimmer within. I am a huge fan of this shade - and will be sure to wear it frequently!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Chillax is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10643 Glitterati

2010-05-22T10:19:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Glitterati is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of dark purple. This was yet another shade that my camera didn't like. It honed in on the blue within the polish and blocked out all trace of the red component. I'm sorry I couldn't get more accurate pictures for you! Anyway, it is a rather thin glitter polish with a purple base, and glitter that sometimes flashes red. I applied, two thick coats, but three thinner coats might be better! Even though it is thin, it is still easy to work with, and results in a rich, dark and fabulous colour!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer NA907 Green Glitter to create this look. Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. It is very easy to create a look like this, simply paint a diagonal line across your nail and fill in one half! Once you are finished and the polish is semi-dried apply top coat. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks! I hope my description helped!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Glitterati or Green Glitter are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10642 Solar Powered

2010-05-21T19:45:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Solar Powered is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of Bittersweet orange. It is an absolutely gorgeous soft, iridescent shade with a golden shimmer. I applied two coats, but depending on how thick you apply the polish, a third might not hurt. Easy to work with and no streaks to be seen! Please excuse the fuzzy pictures, my camera did not want to co-operate with this shade! Unfortunately they simply do not do this shade any justice at all! This is another of my favourite shades, and I'm sure it will be one of yours too!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 391 Silk. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling sample packs of Swarovski Crystals for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Solar Powered or the crystals are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10641 Glitzy Glam

2010-05-20T19:14:00.008+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Glitzy Glam is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a light gold metallic shade. The first thing I thought of when I applied this polish was Rocky's gold hot-pants in The Rocky Horror Picture Show! LOL! A breeze to apply, and two coats gives you a rich, streak-free finish! A thumbs up for this golden beauty! (I am referring to the nail polish - not the image below! lol)

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Glitzy Glam is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10640 Fabness

2010-05-19T14:40:00.010+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Fabness is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is another deceiving bottle! The colour is a dark shade of Tyrian purple - nothing like what I expected! I found this satin shade easy to work with and two coats were plenty for a great finish! No streaking, running or clumping! If you like dark and moody shades - give this one a shot!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer NA916 Forest Green to create this look. Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. Start by painting a tortoise shell pattern on your nail with straight edges, and then fill in a few of the shapes you have made to make them solid colour! It's as simple as that! The shade I used as my base is a little too dark for this to look as effective as it could have - so try to have a greater contrast when you do it, if you are not using the same colours I did. Once you are finished and the polish is semi-dried apply top coat. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks! I hope my description helped!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Fabness or Forest Green are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

My New Blog - Vibrant V's Petite Boutique

2010-05-18T21:05:00.002+10:00

Hi ladies! I have just set up a second blog to sell and swap the items featured on my blog! For those who are interested - please check it out! I have listed most of the items that I have on offer, but there will be more listed in the next day or two. Below is the button to have a look - but it will always be on my side bar for future reference! Have fun!

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10639 Gorg

2010-05-18T18:20:00.009+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Gorg is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a shade of Wisteria with a creme finish. The shade looks like it has a little more blue in it in my photos, but it does in fact have more red (pink) than appears. Easy to work with, this shade is a little on the runny side, but two coats does the job! The finished product is a subtle but pretty shade!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 293 Rose Alabaster. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling sample packs of Swarovski Crystals for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Gorg or the crystals are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Swarovski Special - How to Spot a Fake

2010-05-17T16:50:00.022+10:00

Hi ladies! I am writing this post because I don't want any of you to go through what I did recently! When I first began purchasing the Swarovski flatbacks that I use for nail art, I did not realise that there were so many fakes out there! The thought, perhaps foolishly, never even crossed my mind! And so, I purchased a good $50 worth of “Swarovski” crystals (if not more) from the first source I stumbled across, and thought nothing of it. And then one day I was browsing eBay, and found a cheaper source of crystals and I bought more. When my parcel arrived I was very excited to tear it open and gaze at the tiny beauties! And that is when it dawned on me... These crystals were very different from the ones that I already had! And how? They were so much prettier! So off I go to compare them all, and it is sooooooooo obvious that the ones that I had previously bought were fake. What a bummer! And an expensive lesson learned!

Now, I want to impart the wisdom that I have learned the hard way to you all! Some of the wisdom below was self-realised, but most of it was learned from lots of research! The information below is also a guide not only for the purchase of flatbacks, but for beads too.

Shape & Cut – Swarovski crystals are generally regarded as the finest machine-cut beads in the world. Because of the unique and patented computer generated technology used, each crystal is cut to precision, resulting in crystals perfectly uniform in height, slope and width. Each facet juncture meets at precisely the same point, and when you line them up, it is possible to spot fakes with the naked eye if the edges and corners do not meet. The facet junctures inside the crystal will also always point upward.
Swarovski also create the only stone to have 14 facets (namely the 2028 Xillion) compared with 8-12 from many other makers.
Another point that I have noticed in the imitation flatbacks that I purchased, is that the flat foiled side of the stone is not perfectly flat, or may have dimples, or may have little protrusions – like they have been “popped out” of a sheet of acrylic.
Swarovski Elements are precision cut for maximum brilliance, each cut designed to capture and reflect the maximum amount of light, inferior imitations are usually noticeable when compared to the real deal!

It's obvious which is the fake right? Simply observe the sharp and precise edges of one bead to tell the difference!

Clarity & Colour – Rhinestones are made of lead crystal, glass or acrylic. Swarovski elements are made from lead crystal. Korean and Czech extra grade stones are made of glass and are not as bright or brilliant, and acrylic stones are widely available and cheap but they will not sparkle like glass and are not comparable at all to lead crystal. Swarovski elements have a depth of colour not matched by even its closest competitors, in some case the difference is small, but it is still noticeable. While normal crystal glass contain only 12-28 % lead oxide to increase light refraction, Swarovski contains approximately 32% lead oxide. This increased lead content refracts light more efficiently, hence adding more luster and sparkle to each crystal bead.
Swarovski quality control ensures that each crystal has a consistency in colour and clarity, so impurities that might find their way into other crystals, like air bubbles, should not be present if you are looking at a genuine Swarovski crystal.
In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, Swarovski coats some of its crystals with special metallic chemical coatings. Aurore Boreale, or "AB", is one of the most popular coatings, and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance. The genuine Swarovski AB finish crystals have a smooth and uniform coating. Watch for swirl marks or scratches on the surface of the crystal as these imperfections are a sign that the Swarovski vacuum processing was not used. The surface of an inferior product will also appear oily.
A genuine crystal will stand out from the cheap knock-offs every time, simply by the way it sparkles!

This bead has a very obvious air bubble - proving that it is a fake! Sometimes you will find lots of little air bubbles, this too is not the genuine article!

The AB finish on this bead shows another glaring flaw that would never get past Swarovski QC!

Have a look at cut, colour and finish - gorgeous isn't it!? This is what you want your beads to look like!

This is what you want your flatbacks to look like - sharp, smooth and brilliant! And no - this is not trick photography, they actually look like this!

Weight - Swarovski is made of one of the highest lead contents of any crystal bead made, approximately 32% lead, so they will weigh something, and each size will have a specific weight. Imitations will simply not weigh as much as the real thing! If you don't have a gram scale, that's ok, you should be able to feel the weight difference!

General Clues –
Colour Names - This clue might seem a little odd, but the crystal colour names are specifically chosen by Swarovski and are never generic names like blue, red or green. Look for colour names like Hyacinth, White Opal or Smokey Quartz. If you are unsure of a colour name, you can check Swarovski colour charts to make sure the colour actually exists! Beware of "chili-pepper," "brandy" or "rose gold" as these are not official Swarovski colours.
Foiled Backing – Make sure there is a silver backing on flatbacks. In my experience shiny silver backed crystals are fake, and matte silver backed crystals are genuine, however, I have not found any official information to support this theory, it is just what I have seen in my own collection.
Official Packaging – If you are buying larger quantities of crystals that don't require the seller to break up larger packages, then make sure you receive them in a sealed, official Swarovski package. An easy way to recognise official packaging is by the hologram that appears on the package, but also the quality of the packaging, and the name Swarovski – spelled correctly!
Loose Beads – When buying beads, beware of them being sold on a string. Swarovski crystals are all sold loose and by weight, not quantity.

This is an example of a colour chart - they are a dime a dozen online!

This is a matte silver foiled back - beware if it is shiny!

Just one example of official packaging. Take note of the hologram!

A second example!

Buying – Most online sellers will display approved seller badges on their website, however beware of people illegally displaying Swarovski logos. If you are buying on eBay check the following before buying:
1. Check the actual feedback given as well as the feedback percentage.
2. Check out the Sellers Returns Policy to ensure that if you do make a duff choice, you can return it.
3. Check the wording of the listing to ensure that it says “Genuine” Swarovski crystal – although this is not a solid guarantee.
4. If a supplier on eBay is offering a Swarovski Gift Box and Certificate with the jewellery or gems - beware! Unless it is a one off gift they no longer want.
Finally, check the seller’s receipt. If the beads you have purchased are fake, the seller is not likely to specify what the item is that you purchased!

Just a little sample of the official Swarovski logo!

Whew! So there you have it ladies! All of the info that I could offer, so that you all could be more aware of those dodgy imitations! I hope my guide helps you make more informed decisions when it comes to buying, so that you don't end up ripped off like I did! I have plenty of genuine crystals that I am happy to swap or sell, so please contact me if you are interested in a reliable source - or I'd be happy to point you in the right direction for larger quantities! Have fun shopping for what all of us girls simply can't resist... cause diamonds are a girls best friend!

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10638 Blue Steel

2010-05-16T09:27:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Blue Steel is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a difficult shade to define, particularly the finish! After much contemplation, I have decided that the most accurate way of describing this polish would have to be a gray iridescent shade with a strong Ceil blue present. The formula is a little thick, but nothing a drop of thinner won't fix! Two coats was heaps - as this shade is almost a one-coater. I'm a big fan of this unique shade, and I'm sure you will be too!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 279 AB Chalkwhite Aurore Boreale. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling sample packs of Swarovski Crystals for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Blue Steel or the crystals are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10637 Frenemy

2010-05-15T09:57:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Frenemy is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a bright shade of Portland Orange. It is a stunning iridescent shade with a golden yellow highlight within the orange. So easy to apply, and the two coats gives you a rich, gorgeous colour! This shade was the first I purchased from this brand of nail polish, and it is still one of my favorites!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 248 AB Sun Aurore Boreale. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling sample packs of Swarovski Crystals for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Frenemy or the crystals are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10636 Glamazon

2010-05-14T20:02:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Glamazon is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a very dark purple creme. Similar to XOXO in the respect that it almost looks like a neon in the bottle but dries considerably darker when on your nails. Please excuse the fuzziness of photo above, as this shade was another one that was difficult to capture the true colour of, but the image below is pretty close! The formula is a little thin, so I found 3 coats worked best for an even, opaque coverage! If you don't expect this polish to look like the bottle, then you will be happy with it!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer NA906 Blue Glitter to create this look. Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. It is very easy to create a look like this, simply paint the tip of the nail, as if you were doing a French manicure, but leave a thin strip free of glitter so that you can see the nail polish colour underneath! Once you are finished and the polish is semi-dried apply top coat. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks! I hope my description helped!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Glamazon or Blue Glitter are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10635 Tatt-Tastic

2010-05-13T13:42:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Tatt-Tastic is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a Prussian blue creme. It comes out so dark that it almost looks black on some angles, but in light it is definitely blue. Easy to work with, despite it's slightly runny consistency, and two coats were plenty to get a rich pigmentation and even coverage. If you like dark with a difference - give this a shot!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

Nail art: I used Crystallized Swarovski Flat Backs. These ones are Foiled Xilion Rose (2028/ss5.) Colour: 001 MOL Crystal Moonlight. Set into wet nail polish and apply top coat. Voila!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling sample packs of Swarovski Crystals for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Tatt-Tastic or the crystals are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10634 Heiress

2010-05-12T10:38:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Heiress is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a Persian Pink creme that reminds me of bubble gum! Easy to work with, but it did need three coats to get an opaque, even coverage. If you like girly, Barbie colours, then give this one a go for sure!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer NA935 Metallic Pink to create this look. Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. It is very easy to create a look like this, simply paint curved lines in seemingly random places on your nail, but ending in the same place - in this case one corner of the tip of the nail. Once you are finished and the polish is semi-dried apply top coat. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks! I hope my description helped!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Heiress or Metallic Pink are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10633 XOXO

2010-05-11T09:58:00.008+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

XOXO is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a purple creme shade. It looks like a neon when in the bottle, but it dries considerably darker when on your nails. It was quite difficult to capture the true colour of this shade in my photos, but the image below is the closest representation. This shade was a little runny, but I was still able to achieve even coverage with two coats, so I was happy! If you happen to find this one, give it a go!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Art Lacquers NA924 Bubble Gum and NA922 Magenta to create this look. Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. Starting in the center of one edge of your nail, sweep first lacquer shade "diagonally" across nail in a curved line, tapering the line toward the end point in the corner. Allow the first line to dry a little before repeating the step with the second shade right next to the first line. Repeat this step, alternating the colour until you fill the entire corner of your nails, ending with a "fan" pattern. Once you are finished and the polish is semi-dried apply top coat. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks! I hope my description helped!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and XOXO, Bubble Gum or Magenta are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Mode Cosmetics Giveaway No. 2!!!

2010-05-10T17:09:00.004+10:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! PLEASE CHECK BACK SOON FOR THE NEXT ONE! :)

Hi Ladies! It's time for another giveaway! Due to the level of interest in my last giveaway, I have decided to make this one very similar - but some of the rules have changed, so please read them!

What is the prize, you ask? The winner will have a choice of either 8 current range Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel shades OR 4 hard to find discontinued Mode Cosmetics shades. Below are just a few that you could choose from!

Now for the rules!
1- The draw will take place once I have reached 150 followers
2- You must be a follower of my blog (not just subscribed to emails) to enter
3- Send me an email to confirm your entry to vmcmahon82@hotmail.com - please include your Google ID so I can find you!
4- Comments are more than welcome - but they will NOT be considered as an entry without the email confirmation
5- You can earn extra entries by reposting this giveaway on your blog and emailing me the link (again, commenting is NOT considered an entry)
6- The winner will be drawn by random.org
7- Once I have reached 150 followers I will close the giveaway and edit my post with a message stating this. Entries received after this will not be included in the draw.

Good luck ladies! :)

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10632 Big Kisses

2010-05-10T14:03:00.008+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Big Kisses is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a dusty shade of Amaranth. Thick and rich pigmentation which only requires two coats. Easy to apply and streak free creme finish! A pretty shade worth trying!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

Nail art: I used L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer to create this look. First layer is NA932 Quirky Turquoise and the second layer is NA933 Gold Rush. Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. Starting in the bottom corner, sweep first lacquer shade "diagonally" across nail, then follow with two further strokes on either side of the first. When dry, apply the second lacquer shade in the same fashion, taking care not to completely cover the first layer. I find this style works best when the second layer is a glitter, or a lighter shade than the first. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Big Kisses, Quirky Turquoise or Gold Rush are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10631 Party Girl

2010-05-10T10:42:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Party Girl is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a fun shade of Jungle green, only this shimmer polish has a little more pizazz! Another easy to work with, two-coater! This bright colour gets plenty of well-deserved attention! Another favorite of mine!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Nail art: I used Color Club's Art Club Nail Art Lacquer to create this look. First layer is NA1 White (also referred to as 05C001) and the second layer is NA27 Fine Silver Glitter (also referred to as 05C027.) Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. Paint broken lines in vertical and horizontal directions. When dry, apply the second lacquer shade in the same fashion, taking care not to completely cover the first layer. I find this style works best when the second layer is a glitter, or a lighter shade than the first. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Club Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Party Girl, White or Fine Silver Glitter are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10630 Arsonist

2010-05-08T16:09:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Arsonist is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is an absolutely stunning shade of sangria. A little like Euro Trip, it doesn't look like much in the bottle, and I didn't have much of an expectation - but once it was on my nails I couldn't tear my eyes away from them! This shade reminds me of Dorothy's ruby slippers. It glitters and gleams so beautifully! And that's not even it! When the light catches this polish, a golden accent shines through and mingles with the red, which is the effect that gave this polish its perfect name! My photos just cannot hope to do justice to this stunner! Two coats were plenty to achieve a gloriously rich colour, and it was so easy to apply. I have to rate this shade as one of my favorites, and I'm sure it will be one of yours too!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Arsonist is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10629 Euro Trip

2010-05-07T15:05:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Euro Trip is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a bole with a gorgeous gold shimmer. I must admit, this shade looks gross in the bottle - but when I put it on I was pleasantly surprised! It was easy to work with, two coats ample for a rich pigmentation. A fantastic twist on a usually boring neutral shade! Well worth trying, in my opinion!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Euro Trip is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10623 Cosmopolitan

2010-05-06T16:57:00.003+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Cosmopolitan is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! This was another of the trickier shades to track down, so don't snooze if you see one! A Light thulian pink pearl, that almost appears lilac at times. Two coats were plenty and this was another easy shade to work with. If you like subtle, soft tones, then give this pretty shade a go!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Cosmopolitan is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

And The Winner Is......

2010-05-05T16:07:00.003+10:00

Firstly I'd like to thank all of my followers for their support and enthusiasm for my first giveaway! None of this could be possible without you! :) I'd also like to mention that due to the amazing interest in my giveaway I have decided to have another! I'll post the details over the next few days, so stay tuned!

But... let's not forget the reason we are here - and that is to announce our winner:

Congratulations!

susies1955

The lucky lady has won her choice of 6 exclusively Australian Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel shades! *happy dance!*

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10622 Meringue

2010-05-05T09:59:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Meringue is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! This shade is another that Creative Brands were crazy to discontinue! An absolutely stunning iridescent shade of warm white with soft pink undertones. My photos do not do this baby justice! Another one that I could have gotten away with two coats, but found myself applying a third! But application was smooth and easy. I had a hard time tracking this one down, so be quick if you want to add it to your collection of gems!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Meringue is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10621 Mushroom

2010-05-04T15:17:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Mushroom is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! Please excuse the little sore on my finger! This is a neutral shade of burnt sienna with a creme finish. I found this shade to require three coats for an even finish, but it was easy to work with. Not particularly my cup of tea, but for those who like neutral shades it is a nice one to try.

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Mushroom is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Other Great Giveaways!

2010-05-04T13:09:00.006+10:00

While my giveaway was on, I discovered some others that are worth checking out! Here they are:
Lacquered Literati - Hurry, this one ends 11:59 PST on May 3rd. Prize pictured below!

xoxo Parisky - Ends 10th May. Prize pictured below!

The Lacquerista - Prize pictured below!

Nail Fanatic - closes 22nd May. Prize pictured below!

Metro Chic - closes 11th May. Prize pictured below!

Mode Cosmetics Giveaway Closed

2010-05-04T09:15:00.004+10:00

Hi ladies! What a fantastic effort! We went from 5 followers to 60 in the space of 12 hours! Thank you all so much for your support! Due to the amazing interest in my giveaway I have decided to have another one. I'll post the details as soon as the first giveaway is done and dusted!

Now to go and sort through all of your emails! :)

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10620 Cinnamon

2010-05-03T17:10:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Cinnamon is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! This shade was nearly impossible to find, so hurry if you want to hunt it down! A gorgeous copper shade with a very sparkly foil finish. This one would probably be considered a two-coater, but me being me, I added a third to ensure a completely even manicure! It breaks my heart that I can't spread the love with this shade being so hard to find, because it is another beauty!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight (image with bottle above in direct sunlight)

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Cinnamon is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Giveaways!

2010-05-03T13:26:00.003+10:00

Hello Ladies! Just a re-post for my current giveaway - and to let you know about a giveaway of a fellow blogger! Check out the fantastic stash up for grabs at Lacquer Ware for Tips and Toes! Hurry - you only have until May 14th!

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10619 Bahama

2010-05-02T15:14:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Bahama is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is an Alizarin crimson shade with a subtle golden shimmer. This is almost a one-coater, and so very smooth and easy to apply, but my compulsion to apply a second coat won out! I love the twist on the classic shade of red - making this one a recommended polish!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Bahama is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10618 Flirtatious

2010-05-01T10:08:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Flirtatious is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! The main colour in this shade is an Amaranth pink shimmer but there is an underlying gray tone to the shade which makes this a gorgeous and unique polish. The shade somehow reminds me of silk - the mix between flat colour and silky shimmer! However you define this shade it is a shame it is discontinued as it is truly a gorgeous polish!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Flirtatious is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10617 Mediterranean Bronze

2010-04-30T10:41:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Mediterranean Bronze is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! I would be more inclined to call this shade a copper rather than a bronze, as there is a distinct pink hue present. Unfortunately this is another shade that my camera didn't like, so I'll do my best to explain what the true colour is like! The value of the shade is much like the picture below, but the hue is closer to the single nail close-up. I hope that helps! The lacquer is easy to work with, two coats were plenty for a dense, rich colour - just be careful of obvious brushstrokes in the metallic finish! I'm a fan of this shade - it's a shame it is becoming a rare one!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Mediterranean Bronze is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10616 Starlet

2010-04-29T12:06:00.008+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Starlet is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a pretty metallic silver. The formula is a little thin, so three coats are necessary, but the result is great! Easy to apply and streak free! Thumbs up!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

Nail art: I used Color Club's Art Club Nail Art Lacquer to create this look. First layer is NA02 Black (also referred to as 05C002) and the second layer is NA18 Crystal Glitter (also referred to as 05C018.) Allow nail enamel to dry before applying stripper polish. Starting in the bottom corner, sweep first lacquer shade up the nail, curving slightly at the top, then follow with another stroke beside the first. Add a third stroke diagonally in the opposite direction. When dry, apply the second lacquer shade in the same fashion, taking care not to completely cover the first layer. I find this style works best when the second layer is a glitter, or a lighter shade than the first. Be careful not to apply the top coat too early otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks!

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. I will also be selling the Art Club Nail Art Lacquer colours used for anyone interested in replicating my nails! If you have tried these links and Starlet, Black or Crystal Glitter are not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source them for you.

Mode Cosmetics Giveaway!!!

2010-04-28T23:58:00.004+10:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT ONE!

So this is my first giveaway, and the idea is to reach 50 followers together! The prize: 6 current Mode Cosmetics shades of your choice!

The first 50 followers will be eligible to enter, and can also earn extra entries to take home the prize!

The rules:
1- You must be a follower of my blog (not just subscribed to emails)
2- Send me an email to confirm your entry to vmcmahon82@hotmail.com
3- You can earn extra entries by reposting this giveaway on your blog and emailing me the link
4- You can also earn extra entries by recruiting a new follower who confirms your entry
5- The winner will be drawn by random.org

Good luck ladies! :)

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10615 Peaches n' Cream

2010-04-28T16:30:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Peaches n' Cream is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! This is a cream shade with a creme finish! A little tricky to apply, I found three coats necessary to get a reasonably even finish - and maybe even four would have been better. Not really my kind of colour, but I could see it coming in handy in the future under a sheer if I don't want naked tips! I'm sure however, that it would appeal to some!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Sweet Harmony is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10614 Jaded

2010-04-28T12:16:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Jaded is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a gorgeous teal shimmer that almost appears metallic. The formula of this polish is easy to work with, but it is rather thin, so you need three coats to get the desired effect. A very popular colour, that gets heaps of attention!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Jaded is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10613 Blueberry

2010-04-27T09:30:00.008+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Blueberry is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a subtle duo-chrome. It is predominantly an ultramarine blue metallic shade that has a massive contrast in light and shade, which my pictures show, but as well as this there is a deep royal purple that can be seen on certain angles. I found that it was not visible in sunlight, but could be clearly seen in artificial light. My camera had a hard time picking up the purple, so I apologise for the fuzzy image that I managed to take to show you guys! The polish was great to work with, and two coats were plenty. I highly recommend this stunning shade!

Photograph taken in artificial light

Photograph of an alternate angel to show the light and shade contrast of the blue

Photograph of another alternate angle to show the duo-chrome effect

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Blueberry is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10612 Sweet Harmony

2010-04-26T21:57:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Sweet Harmony is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! According to Wikipedia this is a frosted chestnut (I always believed chestnut was a dark brown???) - just a little lighter. A pretty, neutral colour - easy to work with, but a third coat was necessary for a completely opaque application. If you like soft, natural tones, then give this one a go!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Sweet Harmony is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10611 Diamonte

2010-04-25T10:06:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Diamonte is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a clear lacquer with a crystal glitter. The glitter is quite dense and one coat worked well, but I preferred two coats, which is what I have swatched. The glitter is sparkly with a green-blue base. Very easy to work with, not at all thick and gluggy which is common in glitters. I highly recommend this one for those who enjoy bling!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Diamonte is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10610 Sassy

2010-04-20T09:22:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Sassy is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! This polish is a neutral shade called Redwood according to Wikipedia! I am personally not a huge fan of this shade, but that is only due to my personal taste. It was an easy shade to work with, and two coats were plenty for an even, streak free, opaque creme finish. If you like neutral shades then it's worth trying out for yourself!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Sassy is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10609 Racy

2010-04-19T21:52:00.007+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Racy is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a fire engine red creme according to wikipedia! A breeze to apply, and two coats was more than enough! Please excuse the slightly blurry photos, this shade was a bit tricky to capture for some reason! If you like the classic lady in red look - you will be drawn to this shade!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Racy is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10608 Bubblegum

2010-04-19T10:37:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Bubblegum is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! Of the 24 discontinued shades, this one was one of the harder ones to find. I cannot think why they discontinued this shade - it is a stunner! A baby pink iridescent shade with a soft blue shimmer to the base, this shade gets heaps of compliments and admiration! I found that three coats worked better than the standard two to get an even, opaque finish. I recommend this shade for its sheer beauty!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Bubblegum is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Recently discontinued Mode Cosmetics shades

2010-04-17T17:05:00.001+10:00

Hi Ladies! Since posting on Tuesday I discovered that another two shades have been discontinued! "Pink Sparkle" and "Tree Hugger" will be gone forever - so don't forget to pick one up if you liked them! :)

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10607 Diva

2010-04-17T08:29:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Diva is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a Brink pink creme with a distinct orange undertone. Two thick coats were enough to get a streak free, opaque finish. My camera had a hard time getting good images of this shade, but I think the pictures depict it well enough despite the strange shadows that show up! A pretty colour worth trying!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Diva is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10606 Mink Pink

2010-04-16T13:46:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Mink Pink is a discontinued shade of the Mode Cosmetics collection, so if you like what you see and happen to find one - be sure to snap it up! I have absolutely no idea why they discontinued this one - it's gorgeous! It's a French rose pink with a glittering shimmer that makes this shade the stunner that it is! Two coats nearly did the job, but three gave it a more even, opaque finish. Do yourself a favor and get a bottle of this one!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Mink Pink is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10605 Blackberry

2010-04-15T08:33:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Blackberry is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and it's name describes it perfectly. This shade is the colour of blackberry juice. At first glance it appears to be a straight black creme - but on closer inspection you can see a very subtle purple within! You know when you are picking blackberries and you squish one and get a purple juice on your fingers? That is this shade! Two coats works fine, but I applied a third to get a completely even coverage. My only true complaint with this shade is that once it is applied and has completely dried, scratches and scuff marks show up quite easily. Otherwise, it is a great black with a difference!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Blackberry is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10604 Juicy Plum

2010-04-14T09:16:00.006+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Juicy Plum is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is an elegant dark burgundy that has a metallic shimmer. When light catches this nail polish it glimmers and shines beautifully! Another shade that is a breeze to apply, with two coats being plenty to achieve a rich, even colour. This is another favorite of mine, and I love the versatility of the colour, being suitable to wear for any occasion! A definite winner!

Photograph taken in indirect sunlight

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Juicy Plum is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.

Recently discontinued Mode Cosmetics shades

2010-04-13T16:13:00.003+10:00

Hello ladies! I just discovered that in addition to the three recently discontinued Mode Cosmetics shades, being Rose Pink, Mink Pink and Mediterranean Bronze - two more have been ditched from the regular range. They are Chocolate Fudge and Cheeky Cherry. I have still seen quite a few of all five of these shades floating around in my "local" stores (I tend to travel quite a distance to source things... lol) but I don't expect this to last too long. My advice to anyone who would like to own a bottle of these would be to grab one while you can - either from your local store or from me! I have purchased plenty of extras to pass on to anyone who would like them! :)

Spotlight On: Mode Cosmetics #10603 Soho

2010-04-13T10:11:00.005+10:00

Firstly, please read my post Introducing.... Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel! if you have not done so already, as it contains general information about this brand of nail enamel.

Soho is part of the current Mode Cosmetics collection and is a gorgeous magenta pearl. This is another of my top 10 picks, a breeze to work with and a standard two-coater with fantastic pigmentation. A stunning eye-catching colour that gets plenty of attention and compliments - you will never regret trying this one!

Photograph taken in artificial light

I will be listing a bottle of this shade on OZtion for any Australian ladies interested in owning one! I will also be offering it for trade on MakeupAlley in the near future for anyone, anywhere! For ladies outside of Australia who would like to buy a bottle, please email me and I will happily list one on eBay for you. If you have tried these links and Soho is not available on any of these sites, please email me, and I will endeavour to source one for you.