My Top 20 Polishes of 2013: Part Two

Hello hello! This Part Two of my top 20 polish picks from 2013. I hope you all have a great New Year's Eve. 'Til next year! 

Lynnderella Diamond Light

Layered over Elevation Polish Wisteria 

Previously posted here and available for purchase here

Those holo silver and pink circles, I don't know why I love them so much but I do. This is a stunning polish and the best one Lynnderella released in their regular non-LE line this year. 

My Ten Friends Multipass

Three coats

Previously posted here and My Ten Friends' shop is here

This one was created for my one year blogiversary back in September by the amazing Mei Lynn from My Ten Friends. I didn't give her any requirements just that I love bright colors and especially orange and she created this freaking out-of-this-world polish. 

Oopsie Daisies Bluebird

Three coats

Previously posted here and Oopsie Daisies' shop is here

Simplistic in design but that's what I love about it. The copper and brown specks in that creamy pale blue base, beautiful!

OPI Jinx

Two coats

Previously posted here and available to purchase wherever OPI is sold 

Textured polishes kind of exploded in 2013. I have a handful in my collection that I like but Jinx was definitely my favorite of them, and my favorite OPI polish of this year. 

Pahlish Old Fired Were Burning August Duo: 

Heavy with Mood Layered over Slow Like Honey 

Previously posted here and Pahlish's shop is here

I am cheating a bit with this pick, techinically it's two polishes but since they are a duo, I am making it one. Pahlish really amped up their line this last year, each collection release impressed me more than the last. And I love that each month gets it's own duo release. 

The colors in this August duo are subtle and striking all at once, I love that juxtaposition. 

Polish Revolution Glitterbox

Layered over American Apparel Night Sky 

Polish Revolution's shop is here

An all square iridescent glitter polish? Done and done. 

I can't wait to see what Lauryn has in store for 2014!

Pretty Serious Liquid Leprechaun

Three coats

Previously posted here and Pretty Serious' shop is here

Though I did get quite a lot of Aussie indie polishes in 2013, this Pretty Serious one is the winner. It's eye-catching and holo in it's green/goldness. 

Scofflaw This Must Be the Place

Three coats

Scofflaw Nail Varnishes' shop is here but this one is available for purchase here

Scofflaw came on the indie polish scene in 2013 and each and every polish made by her is unique. That's not easy feat! This Must Be the Place is one of her softer colors but for me it makes just as much impact as her bolder ones. 

Takko Lacquer Blushing Nude

Three coats

Previously posted here and Takko Lacquer's shop is here

You are probably wondering why I picked this one, considering the other bright and bold polishes on my list.  2013 is the year I came to realize just how much I love a good nude polish. And this is a creamy nude with pink shimmer is totally not shy. Neutral with a twist, be still my heart.

Wet n' Wild Teal Slowly and See

Two coats

I haven't posted this one on my blog yet and unfortunately I don't know if this is still available in drugstores. 

The bright cyan blue color, the pricetag, the creamy formula, it all does so much for me. Utter blue perfection. 

My Top 20 Polishes of 2013: Part One

Hey guys! Are you ready for 2014? I love what this time of the year brings, anticipation for the new year but also reflections on our experiences from the last 12 months. I also love Best of type lists, so of course I had to include my own. Narrowing down 20 polishes from the many MANY polishes I acquired in 2013 was no easy task. My only requirements were that I include only one polish per brand, this would be a much larger list if I included all the polishes I flat out adored from this last year. I am splitting the 20 polishes into two posts and they are listed in alphabetical order, it was hard enough to cut the list to 20, ranking them would have been too hard.
 Here we go!

Chaos & Crocodiles Fireside Nights

Layered over Elevation Polish Alpine Heights
Previously posted here and Chaos & Croc's shop is here 
The first polish I purchased from Sarey and I stalked her then Etsy shop to make sure I snagged it.
The look here is more holiday-like but it is perfect over purple as well. Also, circles!

Crows Toes Indian Summer 

Three coats

Previously posted here and available to purchase here and here

I don't own many back-up polishes, I like to keep my stash as tight as I can. This one though, this one I immediately knew I would need a back-up off. Do you blame me?

Darling Diva Polish Little Red Corvette

Three coats

Available for purchase here 

Red polish is my weakness and add some of that holo sparkle and you get this hot little number from Mz. Darling Diva. 

Little Red Corvette Baby, you're much too fast

Digital Nails Wibbly Wobbly

Layered over New York Summer Hot Blue

Previously posted here and Digital Nails' Etsy shop here 

The Doctor Who reference is what initially sparked my interest but it's the combination of colors that makes me absolutely adore this polish.

Elevation Polish Arabian Sea

Two coats

Arabian Sea II previously posted here and Elevation Polish's shop is here

Oh man, to only pick one Elevation Polish as my favorite, this was the hardest task of all. 

So many amazing polishes produced in Lulu's line this year. I didn't think it would be fair to include a OOAK or Sample but this particular Small Batch Prototype polish is okay, considering a reformulated version is sold through Llarowe. 

Robin's egg blue and gold, a match made in polish heaven. 

Enchanted Polish January 2013

Two coats

Previously posted here and Enchanted Polish's shop is here

A major polish want for me for a while and because of a lovely lady, I was able to acquire this through a swap. Copper holo, how you look so fine?

Happy Hands Beachy Keen

Layered over Barielle Decadence

Previously posted here and available here 

Happy Hands produced some awesome and fun collections this year but my favorite of them all is this coral glitter. The color is so bright and summery and I especially love it over Barielle Decadence, the color is reminiscent of a juicy watermelon still in it's rind. 

Hare Polish Peepshow Magique

Three coats

Available for purchase here 

Nikole, the mastermind behind Hare Polish, made me love a pink polish enough to rank it in my top 20. She has some major skills, that lady. 

This is just so light and delicate without being overly sweet or twee. 

 Jade Mirage

Two coats
Can be purchased here and here
If I being honest, I would say that all the Jade Holografico polishes deserve a place on this list, they apply very easily and are so so holo.
Mirage is the one that is a standout among them, the color is saturated and looks fantastic in  the sun.

Lumina Lacquer Chanson D'automne

Layered over American Apparel Night Sky

Previously posted here

Lumina Lacquer's shop is here but this one is available here

My first purchase from Lumina Lacquer and definitely not my last. 

It's fiery and bright and orange and I looooove how it looks over dark blue. 

Well that was part one and I hope you enjoyed it! Come back tomorrow for part two. 

Pahlish Winter 2013 Collection

Happy (holiday season) Friday! I am very much taking advantage of my time off but I couldn't leave you guys completely post-less, so today I have Pahlish's Winter 2013 collection. The cremes are creamy and dreamy and the foil flake polishes are something new to Pahlish's line. Seeing a collection like this, it reinforces my love for the brand and makes me so excited to see what Pahlish will bring us in 2014! 

Pahlish Armor Falling Down

Two coats

Dusky purple creme with gold micro-flakes

BAM! Out of the gate with a lovely purple. 

Pahlish Boundless as the Dark

Three coats

Dark blue jelly with teal, blue, violet and gold shimmer.

Dark as the night and the shimmer adds that amazing depth. 

Pahlish Lidded Blue Flames

Two coats

Slate blue creme with gold micro-flakes

I would call this the sister polish to Armor Falling Down, both are so pretty and great cremes. 

 Pahlish Sink in the Silence

Two coats
Dark brown jelly with red and gold micro-flakes
OH YES, so very awesome. That gold, again, it kills in this polish. 

Pahlish Sleep to Dream

Three coats

Wine colored jelly copper and violet iridescent shimmer.

I posted this one on Instagram weeks ago, just as much love for it then as today. 

Pahlish Your Fortress Fades

Two coats

Khaki nude with gold and yellow shimmer

Pahlish makes some of the best nude cremes out there and this one is great addition to the lineup!

Pahlish Graphite

Three coats
Charcoal, silver, and graphite flakes in a clear base
And now for something completely different (name that quote!)
The flakes could be layered but I like it worn solo, I really love how the foil look. 

Pahlish Pyrite

Three coats

Gold, silver, and graphite flakes in a clear base.

Again, better worn solo, you get that really fantastic antiqued gold look that way. 

Pahlish Chalco-pyrite

Three coats

Silver, red, and gold flakes in a clear base.

Of course the orange is my favorite of three foil flakes, but I am going to go one step further and say it's my favorite of the whole Winter collection. It's just so fiery and alive! 

To purchase any of the polishes shown today, look to Pahlish's Big Cartel shop, and Facebook page, Blog, or Instagram for updates. Other stockists of Pahlish are Llarowe and Edgy Polish. 

Lumina Lacquer Happy Hanukkah! and Wrapped in Red

Hey everyone! Christmas celebrations have officially commenced in my neck of the woods which means less time for blogging. I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday! I leave you with two holiday themed Lumina Lacquer polishes, both of which are awesome, whether you observe Christmas or Hanukkah or not. 

Lumina Lacquer Happy Hanukkah!

Two coats

White crelly base with navy glitter and gold flakes.

ACK so in love with this polish! I love how opaque this was too. 

Lumina Lacquer Happy Hanukkah! (with matte topcoat)

Lumina Lacquer Wrapped in Red

Two coats

Cherry red creme with pink shimmer and holo red glitter

Such a gorgeous red! I love the little sparks of the holo glitter. 

Lumina Lacquer polishes can be purchased in her shop here as well as through Mei Mei's Signatures and Norway Nails. Updates can be found on her Facebook page and Instagram. 

Darling Diva Polish Holiday Diva Collection

 Happy happy Friday you guys! It is basically holiday time for me at this point, as of 5:00 pm today, I won't be working until next year. Let's end the week with Darling Diva Polish's Holiday Dive Collection. These are available right this moment in her Big Cartel shop so head of there to pick these up. I have been somewhat avoiding the big holiday shaped glitter this year, for some reason they weren't quite doing it for me. That said, I really didn't have problems fishing or laying flat the ones in this collection. And Carrie was nice enough to include extra loose glitter. 

Darling Diva Polish Flocons de Neige Sous l'Aurore

Layered over American Apparel Santorini

White and pastel glitter with pink shimmer throughout

So effing pretty, I love how this turned out over the light blue base. 

Darling Diva Polish Jingle Bells

Layered over Illamasqua Rampage 

Red, green, white, and holo silver in clear base

 Who feels like sing Jingle Bells now?

Darling Diva Polish Poinsettia Pasties

Three coats 

Red, green, and holo gold stars with gold glitter accents in a cream base

A holiday themed polish, but I could definitely see myself breaking this out anytime of the year.

Darling Diva Polish Princess Northwind

Three coats

Holo blue micro-glitter in a cream colored base

Cold as ice, You're as cold as ice

Darling Diva Polish Ribbon Candy Kisses

Three coats

Red and green glitter in a cream colored base.

Christmas in a bottle!

Darling Diva Polish Naughty Mrs. Claus

Two coats

Cherry red jelly with gold shimmer

If you wanted to sneak a kiss under mistletoe, you couldn't pick a better polish to be wearing. 

Darling Diva Polish Snow Angel 

Four coats

White color shifting shimmer. 

The shimmer shifts from pink to blue, I wish I had a better photo capture it but believe me, it's eye-catching.

It's sheer but if you wanted to wear it solo, you can with four coats. OR you could layer it over a darker color, as I did in the photo below. 

Darling Diva Polish Snow Angel 

Layered over Naughty Mrs. Claus

Darling Diva Polish Frosty Glitter

Layered over Cult Nails Time Traveler

White and iridescent glitter in a clear base with some iridescent shimmer

I had a derp moment and forgot to add the snowman glitter that came a container. There are snowman glitter in the bottle but since they are larger pieces, they are a harder to fish out. Even without the snowman, I think this one is my favorite of the collection, the iridescence is soooo pretty over the dark blue. 

Darling Diva Polish A Christmas Story

Four coats

Red and green micro-glitter in a clear base. 

Beautiful! It practically glows from within. 

Another one that you could layer but the purist in me wanted to see how it would look solo. 

Darling Diva Polish can be purchased in her Etsy and Big Cartel shops as well as through Llarowe and Edgy Polish. Updates can be found on her Facebook page and Instagram. 

*The products in this post were sent to me for unbiased review*

ILNP Birefringence and Cygnus Loop

Good morning! I have a staff development day ahead of me, which just means one massive full day meeting, so this is an early morning post for you guys. I have a couple of polishes from I Love Nail Polish or ILNP if you wanted to abbreviate. I was immediately drawn to these when she released them in September, especially since they were touted to only need a couple of coats and no layering needed in order to achieve full opacity. That is not always the case with multi or duochromes, many won't get that awesome color shift without layering over a dark color, the formula is usually just too sheer. 

How did these do? Well, I did not need to layer but it did take at least three coats with each polish to get full coverage. That's totally not a bother for me but I found that with multiple coats, the polish is more likely to have visible brushstrokes. I really should have waited between coats and the likelihood of brushstrokes would have probably diminished, but I don't always have patience when swatching. I am happy by these despite that, though in all honesty I will end up layering them over black next time. The color shift is pretty strong in each, much more in real life, these are better-in-person polishes. 

I Love Nail Polish Birefringence 

Three coats

Multichrome that shifts from cyan to purple to red

I Love Nail Polish Cygnus Loop

Three coats

Multichrome that shifts from purple to red to orange

ILNP polishes can be purchased on their site here. Updates can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Nire's Desire Polish Tuesday

Hey everyone! I hope all is well wherever you are. Today I have a few polishes from Nire's Desire Polish, a somewhat newer brand to the indie polish market. I posted a review of her line back in September and since then she had added a number of fun and pretty polishes to her shop, including these three. 

Nire's Desire Daddy's Little Girl

Two coats  

Rose pink with holo sparkle

The holo sparkle gives it a little extra oomph. It's a delicate and blush-like color without being too sweet. 

Nire's Desire Land of Ire

Two coats

Emerald green shimmer 

I really like the green sparks! I would advise waiting a little between coats and topcoat, otherwise it will smudge a little like it did in my photo. 

Nire's Desire Violent Pansy

Two coats

Dark purple with electric purple micro-shimmer. 

So so pretty, defintiely my favorite of the three. That shimmer just glows in the deep purple base. 

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These polishes are available right now along with a number of other polishes in Nire's Desire Etsy shop. There is a promo going on now too! Buy any three polishes and get one of the $8 polishes for free. Updates on stocking and such can be found on Facebook here. 

*The products in this post were sent to me for unbiased review*