Nail Art: A Random Post

Hi ladies! I haven't really got any swatches to show you at the moment, since I've been SO busy lately, I haven't even had the time to swatch and even when I did have a couple hours spare, the weather has been so terrible I didn't want to do it anyway, ahhhh British summer weather...I do, however, have a quick 'Nail Art' post to show you that I wore on my nails last week. I'm not really sure what to call it, I've heard them being called 'Geometric' so, I suppose, that is what they are.
For the mani, I used China Glaze; Sea Spray (from the Anchors Away collection) and Light As Air (from the Up & Away collection) and Collection 2000; Candy Floss.

I didn't want to go too bright with the colours, so I kept it simple with cute pastels. I thought these went really well together, although I wish I had chosen a slightly darker shade of pastel purple. 

Here is the finished mani, you'll have to excuse the dodgey clean up, I made the mistake of painting the middle colour first, instead of going from bottom to top. Whoops, rookie mistake!

What do you ladies think? Sorry this is such a short post! I will hopefully be back to posting some regular swatches soon!

1,200 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!!

Hi ladies! I just want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who entered my Eye Candy giveaway and also to Eye Candy themselves for being so generous with the prizes! Looking through the comments, I can see that Peacock was probably the most popular polish, closely followed by Green With Envy! I hope you all continue to support eye CANDY's growth and products and also stay tuned for another eye CANDY giveaway coming soon!!

So, without further ado....it's time to announce the winner!!!!!!

THE WINNER OF THESE THREE GORGEOUS EYE CANDY POLISHES IS......

GINA WENTWORTH!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS GINA!!! I HAVE SENT OUT AN EMAIL INFORMING YOU OF YOUR WIN. YOU HAVE 24 HOURS TO REPLY OR ANOTHER WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN!!

Swatch: eye CANDY - Summer Neons

Hi ladies! I'm back with some more awesome polishes from eye CANDY. If you're from the UK you'll know that the weather has been pretty dull lately, we've had nothing but rain and dull, miserable looking clouds; definitely not SUMMER weather! Needless to say, I've been pretty miserable myself because I can't wear all the new summery clothes I bought over the last couple of months *curses at the weather* but that DOESN'T mean my nails have to be dull too, right!? So to add that little bit of cheer into my life again, out came the neon polish, since nothing says 'summer' like neon nails.

As I've mentioned in my other eye CANDY posts, I absolutely LOVE their formula, it's the perfect balance between thick and runny, which means there's no cuticle flooding, bald spots or waiting a long time for them to dry (I'm looking at you Essie! How were you still not dry after 40 MINUTES!!!???!). eye CANDY products are also very pigmented, which means you only need a couple of coats for full opacity! Before I show you the swatches, I had to alter my camrea settings and make it a lot darker, since it started to flip out on me due to the polish being so bright, so apologies for that - but it does make the photos slightly more colour accurate than if it were taken using my usual settings. All the photos below are taken without a Top/Base coat.

Label Shot

Natural Light

Direct Sunlight

Juicylicious is a bright Orange neon shade. Like all neons, Juicylicious dries to a Matte finish. I actually prefer matte finishes with neons, since the colour is so bright and in your face, to add shine to it would just be a bit too much in my opinion. I did notice that it didn't dry completely matte, when compared to others, but it was still 'dull' enough to be classed as a Matte polish. I applied 3 coats of Juicylicious for the the photos above.

Label Shot

Natural Light

Direct Sunlight

Provocative is a hot Pink, neon polish. As mentioned with Juicylicious, Provocative also dries to a slightly shiny, matte finish. I applied 2 coats of Provocative for the photos above.

eye CANDY Neon polishes are available for purchase at most large Sainsburys stores in the UK for £5 each! As of right now, Sainsburys are the sole retailers for eye CANDY polishes, but they are planning on expanding to selected retailers in the future. What are your thoughts on Provocative & Juicylicious and just neon shades in general, are you a fan or are they just not your 'cup of tea'? Let me know in the comments!

To keep up with the latest news from eye CANDY be sure to check out their website and also add them to Facebook & Twitter also be sure to check out my eye CANDY GIVEAWAY here, but hurry, it ends in the next couple of days!!

Swatch: Polish + Plus - Love Like Rockets!

Hi ladies! Today, I have for you Love Like Rockets by Polish + Plus. Polish + Plus is a new Indie brand on the scene and the creator, Christina, was kind enough to send me a couple of her polishes for review. I instantly fell in love with 'Love Like Rockets' when I saw it and was ecstatic when she said she will be sending me it!

Love Like Rockets is a Clear Based polish packed full of Silver Holographic glitter with Red, Heart-shaped glitters. Now if you've ever dealt with 'shape' glitters in a polish before, you'll know how hard it is to get them on to the brush without spending ages trying to fish them out, but with Love Like Rockets it's so packed with Heart glitters that you don't even have to fish them out! BONUS. I didn't have any trouble with the application, it all seemed to go on without issues. Drying time was also spot on! Below is 1 coat of Polish + Plus - Love Like Rockets over Essie - Licorice.

Bottle Shot

Macro

Indoors, Natural Light

Indoors, Natural Light

I then wanted to see how it would look Matted, so I used one coat of MASH - Matte Top Coat for the photos below.

Indoors, Natural Light

Indoors, Natural Light

Indoors, Natural Light

How cute is this polish? As you can see from new releases from various brands (indie or main stream) Heart glitter polishes are currently the 'in' thing, but this one really is amazing in the fact you don't have to fish around for the glitters! Polish + Plus is available to buy HERE for $4 each, unfortunately they're only available for purchase in mini sizes right now (1/8 fl oz ; roughly 4ml) as she is waiting for full size bottles to arrive. What are your thoughts on Love Like Rockets? Do you see yourself purchasing it any time soon?

Swatch: Finger Paints: Special Effects Collection (PIC HEAVY!!!)

Hi ladies! I have the Finger Paints 'Special Effects' to show you today, otherwise known as the 'Flakies'. Now, I've known from the second I saw the preview for the collection, that I wanted them. If you, like me, live in the UK or anywhere else besides the US/Canada, then you'll know that these are NOT available anywhere. So I organised a couple of US based swaps and asked each person if they'd be able to get them for me, luckily enough each person was only able to find one or two of the flakies, unfortunately, they were all the same kind; Twisted, Flashy & Asylum. I KNEW I had to find the other two, so I frantically went searching for them, by this time they were long gone out of the shops, so I knew my chances were slim...but luckily I found someone with back ups of both Flecked & Motley, the final two I needed. Needless to say I grabbed that opportunity as fast as I could.

Even after going through all of that trouble to get a hold of them, they've been sitting in my Helmer waiting to be shown off to the world for about 2 months now, sorry guys! But I've finally got around to swatching them, so here they are! All of the photos below are 2 coats of each 'Flakie' over Essie - Licorice and for the Matte photos, I used one coat of MASH - Matte Top Coat.

CLICK THE JUMP BREAK TO SEE THE FULL SWATCHES

Swatch: China Glaze - Tronica Collection (part 2) PIC HEAVY

Edit: I planned to post this on Thursday, but thanks to the huge thunderstorm, mentioned below, mid way through writing this, we had a 6 hour power cut....awesome.
Hi ladies! There's a huge thunder storm going on right now and as I type this I am praying that I can get this done, or even saved before there is another power outage. Cross your fingers!

So a couple of days ago I showed you Part One of the Tronica collection, and as promised, here is the second half of that post. All of the photos below were taken without a Base/Top coat! Let's just jump straight in to the swatches, shall we?

SWATCHES AFTER THE JUMP

Updated Blog Sale!!!

I'VE JUST UPDATED MY BLOG SALE!!

CLICK THE HERE TO BE TAKEN TO THE PAGE!!!

HAPPY SHOPPING! <3

Swatch: China Glaze - Tronica Collection (part 1) PIC HEAVY

Hi ladies! I have another one of my multi-swatch posts for you today featuring 10 polishes from the China Glaze - Tronica collection. There's actually 12 polishes in the collection, however, I'm currently missing Hyper Haute & 3d Fantasy, so if any of you can get a hold of these for a reasonable price/have spares you're willing to swap, send me a quick e-mail to polishedcriminails@gmail.com! Since there are so many pictures/polishes, I thought it would be easier to show you them in two parts, just so there isn't as much reading for you to do.

I'm pleasantly surprised with the formula of the Tronica polishes, they all dried reasonably fast to a Satin-like finish and most were very pigmented. I did have some issues with bald spots on some of the polishes with the first coat, but most evened out with the application of a second. That being said, let's get on to the swatches, all of which were taken without a Base/Top Coat!

CLICK THE JUMP TO SEE SWATCHES

1,000 Follower Giveaway WINNERS!!!

Hi ladies! Before I announce the winners, I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who entered! I loved seeing just how big, or small, your collection is! There were a lot of popular brands trending too! I hope you'll all stick around to see what I have in store for you all! Now without further ado, it's time to announce the winners!!!!

THE WINNER OF MAX FACTOR - FANTASY FIRE & GOSH - RAINBOW IS.....

ANITA BLACK!!!!!

THE WINNER OF MODELS OWN - IBIZA MIX & DISCO HEAVEN IS.....

INGRID MIRANDA!!!!!

AND FINALLY.....

THE WINNER OF BARRYM - TEAL, SILVERY LILAC & DENIM IS.....

NICOLE WENDT!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS, I HAVE SENT OUT THE EMAILS TO YOU ALL. YOU HAVE 24 HOURS TO REPLY OR ANOTHER WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN!!

Swatch: Dandy Nails!

Hi ladies! I have another 'multi-swatch' post for you today with a couple of Dandy Nails polishes I own! Now if you don't know who Dandy Nails is, she's a super, super sweet blogger, turned YouTube sensation, turned polish making entrepreneur! When Sandy announced she was venturing into the polish making world, and posted a couple of 'teaser' photos in one of my Facebook groups, I knew I wanted to get some...and that's exactly what I did. As this applies for all the polishes below, I thought I would just address it here and not have to repeat myself multiple times...The formula of Dandy Nails is great, I had no issues with clumping or thickness, they all went on perfectly and the drying time was also spot on. For a 'new' indie brand, Dandy Nails has definitely nailed it already! The only way is up from here (you know you want to click that link).


CLICK THE JUMP TO SEE THE SWATCHES!

Swatch: Harlow & Co. polishes!

Hi ladies! I finally got around to doing some swatches *cheers* which means I am all set for a few upcoming posts! Today, I have 5 polishes to show you created by the lovely Katie from Harlow & Co.! Ever since I came across Harlow & Co. I have been lusting after these beauties but I never had the money to spend, stupid bills. However, after a successful blog sale, I had a little bit of money left over to do whatever I wanted with it. So I thought now is a good a time as any to get myself some of the polishes I have been wanting for so long. The polishes I ordered were the three glitters in Glamberry Jam, Misfits & Sparkling Waters, Katie was even kind enough to throw in a mini bottle of Blushing Bridezilla & Luke's Lightsaber, bless her heart! 

The pictures are a little hit and miss, mainly because I spent the majority of the time chasing the sun before it hid behind the clouds again. I tried my best to get them all in sunlight, but as you will see, a couple of them didn't want to co-operate. Also, please excuse the glitter fingers, I also tried to clean up as much as I could, but glitters are a complete nightmare when it comes to cleaning, hence why you never really see many glitter polishes on my blog! ANYWAY, enough of my rambling, let's get onto the swatches!

CLICK THE JUMP TO SEE MORE

Nail Mail!

Hi ladies! I'm still here! Sorry I haven't been posting ANYTHING lately, I've been so busy with working and other things. The weather has also been miserable on my days off, or when I do get home from work, it's starting to get dull. I will try and get some done tomorrow, but don't hold it against me if I don't!
In the meantime, I thought I would show you some of the nail mail I have received over the last week, although the majority of these were delivered today/yesterday! Let's jump straight into it shall we?

Nails Inc polishes - Princes Arcade, Jubilee, Colville Mews & The Icons mini set.

Nails Inc 'Lucky Dip' order

Harlow & Co order!

Catrice polishes from my swap with the lovely Karine from Nailderella!

Unfortunately, one didn't survive the journey! :(

Some samples I received from Polish + Plus - full review/swatches & details coming soon!

My Dandy Nails order!

My Giveaway win from The Holographic Hussy!!!

I looove all my new pretties! & I can't wait to show you some swatches, sorry again for the short post, but with all those gorgeous polishes, who wants to read words?!

Swatch: Lynnderella - Mercury's Rainbow

Hi ladies! Sorry for my lack of posting recently, the weather has been awful and I've also been feeling a little under the weather myself lately, so I haven't been able to get things done! Hopefully that will change now I'm feeling slightly better. I also start my new job next week, which will also mean a little less time for blogging. But I will try and schedule some posts when I can so I haven't completely disappeared! Anyway, enough of that lets talk about the swatch!
Mercury's Rainbow is a sheer, shimmery, charcoal grey base, with fine silver glitter, gun metal grey and holographic hexes. For some reason, I just can't seem to like this polish. Now I know Lynnderella is raved about in the polish community, but my bottle just seemed to be a giant pile of gloop. The application was awful, it either came out in clumps or with nothing at all and it seemed to take forever to dry! Has this happened to any one else? Or just mine? The photos below are 2 coats of Mercury's Rainbow over Essie - Licorice, with a Top Coat.

Indoors, Natural Light

Direct (overcast) Sunlight

Macro

Excuse the messy swatches, I had painted my nails at 4am because I couldn't sleep. On the plus side, I've finally learnt how to capture some good macro images! YAY. So you can expect to see more of those in the future! Like I said, Mercury's Rainbow just didn't wow me, I tried to love it, but I just couldn't. It has now gone to a new home, where it will hopefully get the love it deserves! What are your thoughts on Mercury's Rainbow? And just Lynnderella polishes in general? This being my first, I can't comment on the others.

Swatch: eye CANDY - Tickle Your Fancy

Hi ladies, I have another eye CANDY polish to show you today in the form of Tickle Your Fancy. Tickle Your Fancy is a red-toned Fuchsia base infused with tiny Magenta shimmer. The application on this was perfect, it had full opacity in one coat! I did use two for the photos, just because one coat polishes don't sit right with me (as I've mentioned before) without a top coat. As you can see, even without a top coat, it's got a super glossy finish, which I love, except when trying to take photos and all you see is reflection!

Label Shot

Indoors, Natural Light

Direct Sunlight

What are your thoughts on Tickle Your Fancy? I currently have this on my toes, since it's so Summer appropriate, although you wouldn't think it's Summer right now in the UK! Have any UK ladies have tried eye CANDY polishes yet? If so, which shade(s) do you own? For my international ladies, make sure you enter my eye CANDY giveaway for your chance to own three polishes for yourself!

Swatch: GOSH - Silky Mint

Hi ladies! I have a swatch post for you today that has been sitting in my 'to post' folder for the longest time now, so I think it's about time I let it have it's moment in the spotlight, don't you? Silky Mint is a medium toned, Mint Green creme. Released in the Fall 2010 collection, it's definitely a lot more suited to Spring than to Fall, in my opinion anyway. As with most GOSH polishes I have used, Silky Mint went on without any issues and was opaque in 2 coats. I used 3 coats for the photos below without a top coat.

Label Shot

Indoors, Natural Light

Natural Light

Direct Sunlight

I believe Silky Mint has been discontinued, but you can find it on eBay for below UK retail price. What are your thoughts on Silky Mint? Do you agree that it's more suited to Spring than Fall?

Swatch: Ciaté for Marie Claire Magazine

Hi ladies! I have a swatch post for you today featuring 3 Ciaté Paint Pots which are currently free with Marie Claire magazine throughout the month of June! When I heard about the offer, I couldn't wait to get down to my local Supermarket to collect all 3 Paint Pots. Usually priced at £9 each, you save an amazing £5.30 with each Marie Claire magazine, priced at £3.70, you purchase (1 Paint Pot per issue). Unfortunately, this post only really applies to my UK readers, as the offer is only with the UK Marie Claire, sorry International ladies! But if you do have any UK polish connections and like what you see, then let them know they may be able to help you out!
As far as I'm aware, the shades have been specifically created solely for the magazine and cannot be purchased through the Ciaté website.

See more swatches after the jump!

Nail Art: Lovely Jub-ilee

Hi ladies! As some of you may be aware, this weekend in the UK will be filled with celebrations as the Queen celebrates 60 years on the throne, otherwise known as the Diamond Jubilee. In order to commemorate such an event, a group of bloggers and I have come together again (as we did in the Holo-day post) for an 'All Things British' collaboration. The theme for the post was to ONLY use UK brands to either create some Nail Art or just general one colour nails. Now since last time I sort of flaked out on the amazing Nail Art that could have been done with my holos, I decided to go all out this time around! Being British, this was an easy post for me to do since I have access to every UK brand there is, not to mention I felt a little Patriotic doing so too. So without further ado, let's have a look at my little creation shall we?

These took me forever and a day to complete, which surprised me, as I usually give up or get bored after a while. The outcome isn't quite what I wanted it to be, mainly because I had made the white diagonal lines a little too thin to add a red line through the middle, but hey! I still think it looks good! I even patted myself on the back after finishing them! LAME. I can do a little tutorial post on this if some of you would like to see how I achieved this semi-decent mani. Just let me know in the comments and I will see what I can do!

 The polishes I used for this mani were;

GOSH: Lambada (Red) - Yes, I later realised that GOSH is actually a Danish brand, but it was too late to change it now. But you can get them in UK drugstores, so that counts, right?!

Models Own: Snow White (White)

BarryM: Cobalt Blue (Blue)

If you're in the UK, what are you doing this weekend to celebrate the Jubilee? I'm going to a street party Saturday and also having a family BBQ on Monday! If you're not in the UK, what are your plans for this weekend? I'd love to hear them! In the meantime, remember to check out the other ladies Jubilee nails!

Swatch: Ozotic - 515

Hi ladies! You know what I realised, there's hardly ANY Holographic polish swatches on my blog! Outrageous I know! Well, I thought I would change that and what better way to do so than with one of the most beautiful holographic polishes I have EVER experienced?! Some of you may have heard, Ozotic are discontinuing their 500 range, due to a lack of ingredients needed for the polishes. Since I didn't own any Ozotic, but I had heard nothing but praise, I knew I had to get a couple of their Holographic polishes before it was too late (and before their price triples on eBay). 515 is a beautiful, light Blue, linear holographic polish. For the photos below I used 3 coats for full opacity without a base/top coat. The formula was amazing, it went on smoothly and there was no balding or streaking, even with the first coat, which is common amongst Holographic polishes. I was surprised by their staying power too, I had this on my nails for at least 3/4 days and there was hardly ANY tip wear and that was without a top coat! Anyway, enough rambling, onto the swatches!

Label Shot

Natural Light

Direct Sunlight

How stunning is this polish?! It reminds me of a Swimming Pool, except with Holographic particles in it! I believe the Ozotic 500 line is still available from retailers like Harlow & Co. & Llarowe, but I'm not sure how long they will be around for! So get them whilst you still can!!