Lacquer or Leave Her!: September 2017

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Review: Morgan Taylor's Matadora fall 2017 collection

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!

Today we're going to take a look at Morgan Taylor's new collection--the Matadora fall 2017 collection:

Morgan Taylor Matadora fall 2017 collection

This collection is inspired by Spain, particularly the colors of traditional Spanish clothes and culture. When I look at this collection together I see flamenco dresses, roses, and black lace. Let's break it on down!

First up is Morgan Taylor All Tango-d Up, a spicy blood-red crelly:

Morgan Taylor All Tango-d Up

Formula and application: This was easy to apply every step of the way.
Coverage: 2-3 coats

This polish isn't quite a creme, and not quite a jelly, and while I normally use the word 'crelly' for finishes like this that also include glitter, it's the best term to capture the finish. It has a hint of that jelly squishiness without the complete opacity.

This color is the sort of red that flatters everybody--a little vampy, a lot sexy, and just plain classically beautiful. It's red roses from your lover and lipstick on Hollywood glamour queens. I'll be returning to this again and again.

Next up is Morgan Taylor Danced and Sang-ria, an almost black aubergine purple crelly:

Morgan Taylor Danced and Sang-ria

Formula and application: Beautiful and easy.
Coverage: 2-3 coats

This polish turns the vamp quotient up about as high as it can go. Smoking hot, sexy, and mysterious. Sign me up.

Then we have Morgan Taylor Don't Break My Corazon, a tomato-red creme:

Morgan Taylor Don't Break My Corazon

Formula and application: Perfect.
Coverage: 1-2 coats

I got full coverage with one coat of this--super impressive. This polish is fiery and energetic, just looking at it makes me want to go find the nearest salsa club and dance the night away! If I could dance without seriously injuring myself or others, that is.

Next we have Morgan Taylor Drawing a Blanco, a white shimmer that's nearly a metallic, with tiny pin-point flecks of gold:

Morgan Taylor Drawing a Blanco

Formula and application: Easy, but a little patchy on the first coat.
Coverage: 2-3 coats

The little gold flecks in this add a sprinkle of magic that makes me feel like a snow queen when I'm wearing this. And who doesn't want to feel like a snow queen?!

Next is Morgan Taylor Mauve Your Feet, a light tan-mauve creme:

Morgan Taylor Mauve Your Feet

Formula and application: Perfection.
Coverage: 1-2 coats

You guys, this is ONE COAT. Are you kidding me? I love this as a fall neutral, and the fact that it covers so well in one coat makes it the little black dress of your fall polish wardrobe, in my opinion.

And finally, we have Morgan Taylor Ole My Way, a royal blue shimmer:

Morgan Taylor Ole My Way

Formula and application: Easy as you please-y. ;-)
Coverage: 2 coats

Wow, wow, wow. This is a night sky in a magical kingdom--I feel like I can look into it and see forever. This would make the most amazing galaxy nails--but it's also rich and regal all on its own. This is bold and a little goth and just plain HOT.

The colors in this collection are so saturated and rich, I had a feeling they might work as stamping polishes, so I tested them out...here are the results:

Drawing a Blanco isn't too effective over either light or dark bases as a stamping polish, but the others all ROCK over white. I'll definitely be using these to stamp--in fact, I maybe already have...stay tuned. :)

So what do I think of this collection overall? You'll notice I didn't pick a favorite because I just can't--I love every polish in this collection, and I love them all together. This collection celebrates what's bold, strong, and beautiful in us--it's incredibly sexy and powerful, and I can't wait to play with these polishes together in nail art.

Also, this is the second collection from Morgan Taylor I've reviewed, and I have to say, I'm really, really impressed with the quality. One-coat cremes are never easy, let alone in lighter colors, and I haven't had any issues with formula or application. I definitely recommend this line.

You can find Morgan Taylor polishes at JCPenny and other locations you can find through their site. You can also find many of their polishes on Amazon. And you can stalk them around the interwebs here:

Website: https://www.morgantaylorlacquer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtmorgantaylor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorganTaylorLacquer/

Happy polishing!
M. xoxo

*Press samples provided for my honest review by Morgan Taylor as part of the #PreenMeVIP program

Review: Sally Hansen Salon Chrome kit

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!

So you know those chrome and holo powders out there that are really hot right now? Yeah. Well. I've never really been tempted. When I look at them, I think "Wow, those look messy, and I have a ton of polishes that are already beautiful without any powder rubbed on them." Just wasn't my thing.

So when Sally Hansen asked if I'd be willing to review one of their new limited edition Salon Chrome kits, I figured I'd be a good person to try it out, since I'm both a beginner at the technique and because I'm a hard sell on the concept.

They sent me their Salon Chrome kit in Peacock, along with a bottle of Blacky O, the polish the suggest as a base, and a bottle of their Miracle Gel topcoat, which cures the polish with natural light:

Sally Hansen Salon Chrome kit in Peacock, plus Miracle Gel Blacky O and topcoat

Inside the kit itself is an applicator, a container of chrome powder, and a special topcoat that seals the powder:

Sally Hansen Salon Chrome kit in Peacock, plus Miracle Gel Blacky O and topcoat

The instructions seem clear and easy enough, which is always a plus for me:

Sally Hansen Salon Chrome kit instructions

So I gave it a shot--here's a video of me trying it out for the first time:

So how did it go? I found the instructions easy to follow, and the kit easy to use. Here are my tips/thoughts:

(1) The powder is a little messy, but it washes off easily, and I've since heard that dipping a q-tip in water helps even more.

(2) When they say apply a think coat of the chrome topcoat, they mean it. I went a little too heavy in one spot, and it dried funny. Keep it thin.

(3) The effect is on the subtle side of chrome, sort of half way between a full-on chrome and a duochrome flash, a bit less pronounced than pictured on the box. So if you want something pretty but not over-the-top, this kit is for you.

(4) If you want this type of look but you don't go cured gel polish, this is a good way to get a longer lasting mani with nothing more than natural life. I've tried their Miracle Gel before, and found that I do get several days more from my manicures when I use it than when I don't--definitely a fan.

Here's a look at the effect I got with the kit:

Sally Hansen Blacky O with and without Salon Chrome kit in Peacock

So will I use this again? I will. I'm a rebel, so I'm looking forward to playing around different base polishes to see what effects I can get. And I can definitely see it being lots of fun in nail art. In fact, I maybe just might try another little bottle of magic powder, which I definitely wasn't planning on before. So, if you keep in mind that the effect isn't as dramatic as you might get with a different type of powder and manicure, I think you'll enjoy this kit.

You can find this kit where Sally Hansen polishes are sold, which for me is usually Target, Walgreens, CVS or Ulta (Ulta has a special kit available only there!). You can also find some of the kits on Amazon. And here's where you can find Sally Hansen around the interwebs:

Website: http://www.sallyhansen.com/nails/nail-color

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SallyHansen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sally_hansen/

Happy polishing!
M. xoxo

Thursday, September 21, 2017

UberChic Beauty Lovely Leaves 02

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!

Today we're going to welcome the pending arrival of spring with a look at UberChic Beauty's new Lovely Leaves 02 plate...here's the video review I did of the plate:

And here's a closer look:

UberChic Beauty Lovely Leaves 2

What I love best about this plate: This plate is made for mixing and matching. I always love negative space images for fall foliage, and I love the image at the very bottom left that looks like gold mesh. And the layering images!

UberChic Beauty full-nail images are 1.7 cm x 2.1 cm, and here's a couple of quick shots with a tuler to give you a sense of how big the smaller images are:

And here are the test swatches, done with my clear stamper and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Plummet:

For my first manicure, I started with a base of LynBDesigns Quintessential Kiwi and Zoya Tabitha. Then I stamped my images with Hit The Bottle Polish Everyday I'm Truffling (also available at Beautometry):

UberChic Beauty Lovely Leaves 2 over Zoya Tabitha and LynBDesigns Quintessential Kiwi

There's something about deep hunter greens that look so glorious with gold! And I love how well those images go together.

For my second mani, I started with a base of one of my all-time favorite polishes, Sally Hansen Amber Ruby, one of their vintage duochromes from back in the day. Then I stamped my images in Messy Mansion Soft Gold:

UberChic Beauty Lovely Leaves 2 over Sally Hansen Amber Ruby

Yes, yes, yes! Look at that awesome duochrome through the negative space image, and look at how well those images play together even though they're different styles. I adore how this came out, so much. :)

You can find this plate and several other newbies in UberChic Beauty's store, and you can stalk them around the interwebs here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uberchicbeauty/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uberchicbeauty/

Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150090828353009/

Happy stamping!
M. xoxo

Sunday, September 17, 2017

NOTD: Zoya Alicia + Messy Mansion Stencil & MM18

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!

Today I have have a flirty & feminine NOTD that I made using Messy Mansion's stencil kit (see my review here and my video demonstrating it here), and their MM18 plate.

I started with a base of Zoya Alicia, a beautiful silver-gold linear holo that I adore. Then I used the butterfly wing from the stencil kit and Messy Mansion Royal Purple stamping polish; I finished by stamping the image from MM18 with Messy Mansion Lilac. Here's how it turned out:

Messy Mansion Stencil Kit + MM18 over Zoya Alicia

What do you think? I love the random effect that the stencil set gives, but still with that butterfly wing look. And I love the antique-grate feel the crossed pattern gives. :)

Happy stamping!
M. xoxo

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Two more manicures with UberChic Beauty Collection 19 :)

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!

A while back I showed you UberChic Beauty Collection 19, and two manicures I did with the plates. I'm back with two more, because I just couldn't get enough of this collection. :)

For my first manicure, I started with a base of Zoya Joni, and stamped an image from 19-02 using Zoya Presley. Next, I did a little dry-brush technique on the ring and thumb with Zoya McKenna. Then I stamped the matching images with Messy Mansion Chalk. Here's how it turned out:

UberChic Beauty 19-02 over Zoya Joni, stamped with Zoya Presley, and dry-brushed with Zoya McKenna

I love the combination of vintage colors plus bold stamping! What do you think?

For my second mani, I did a vertical gradient with Zoya Yvonne and Elaine, and then stamped an image from plate 19-03 with Hit The Bottle Polish Everyday I'm Truffling:

UberChic Beauty 19-03 over Zoya Yvonne and Elaine

For some reason, I couldn't get the gradient to show up as well as it does in real life; you can see it better here in the tutorial video I made showing the technque:

I just adore how elegant this is, and the colors are so sexy!

What do you think, do you have a favorite of the two?

You can find this collection at UberChicBeauty.com, and you can follow them around the interwebs here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uberchicbeauty/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uberchicbeauty/

Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150090828353009/

And while you're there, check out Collection 20, Lovely Leaves 02, Halloween 03, and Zombie Love 02, all of which I'll be reviewing very soon. :)

Happy stamping! :)
M. xoxo

Monday, September 11, 2017

NOTD: UberChic Beauty 16-03 over PennyBloom Summer Sunshine

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!

Today's mani is one I think is a good one for these last days of summer...I started with a base of PennyBloom Summer Sunshine, a custom I made, and stamped with UberChic Beauty plate 16-03, with Messy Mansion Bisque. Here's how it turned out:

UberChic Beauty 16-03 over PennyBloom Summer Sunshine

What do you think? I think it has a lovely deco feel, and I love the way the circles in the glitter play with the circles in the images.

Hope you're enjoying these last dog days!

Happy stamping,
M. xoxo

Friday, September 8, 2017

NOTD: UberChic Beauty 16-01 over PennyBloom Waves On The Beach

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!

It's no secret that I love fall, and as we speak I have some pumpkin cupcakes cooling in my kitchen. But, I'm holding on to the last days of summer with both hands, and have a bright, fun, summer NOTD for today.

I started with a base of Waves On The Beach, I custom I made over at PennyBloom Polish. Then I stamped with UberChic Beauty 16-01, using Messy Mansion Amalfi Coast:

UberChic Beauty 16-01 over PennyBloom Waves On The Beach

What do you think? It makes me think of a swirly wave of water as it comes back and forth on the shore. :)

Happy stamping!
M. xoxox

Thursday, September 7, 2017

UberChic Beauty Fairtytale 02 plate!

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!

Ready for a trip into fantasy land? Today I'm going to show you UberChic Beauty's Fairtytale 02 plate, along with two manis and a tutorial...First up, here's the video review I did of the plate:

And here are the still shots:

UberChic Beauty's Fairtytale 02

What I love about this plate: There are two main themes here, Alice In Wonderland, and a royal princess sort of theme. I love the fleur de lis for Mardi Gras manis as well as fairytale manis, and same thing for the crowns. Anything to do with princesses, queens, etc., would be a great reason to use this plate. I love the layering dragon scales and the amazing butterfly, and the vintage clock is wonderful. And since Halloween is coming up, how cool would that creepy apple be...??

UberChic Beauty's full nail images are 17mm x 21mm, and here's a shot with a ruler so you can see how big the rest are:

The stamping quality of the plate is excellent:

...and these were done with a clear stamper. :)

Okay, on to the manis!

First, I wanted to capture the royalty feel...I started with Morgan Taylor Best Face Forward and No Filter Needed, then stamped the crown and fleur de lis images with Messy Mansion Soft Gold:

UberChic Beauty's Fairtytale 02 over Morgan Taylor No Filter Needed and Best Face Forward

Next, I had to do something vintage with the sweet clock and tea cups on the plate. I started with a base of Girly Bits Cosmetics Yes, We Can and Irreplaceable. I did a dry-brush technique with Zoya Lois on some of the nails, then stamped my images with Girly Bits Irreplaceable and Hit The Bottle Polish My Suitor Wears Pewter (also available at Beautometry). Finally, I did a sharpie watercolor technique to fill in the teacups and pots: