November Polish Pickup: Bad-Ass Women Li-Z!

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!

So I mentioned there were two reasons I've been a little quieter than normal the last week or so...the first reason is that I got a publishing contract, and the other is: I'm co-blogger of the month for Polish Pickup this month!!


If you don't know the drill already, Polish Pickup is a Facebook group where members (come be one if you aren't already!) vote for a theme each month, and participating indie polish makers each create a polish that fits the theme. Unlike a subscription box, you don't have to buy all of the polishes (there are nearly 100!), you just snap up the ones you like once they're released. And, of course, you don't have to buy any if you don't want to--but who are we kidding here? You're gonna want to. ;-)


Today I'm going to be showing you the polishes from makers with names between Li and Z, and tomorrow Kiersten of Ramblings of a Subscription Addict will show you A-Le (she has A-Em here, and Et-Le here). Why the second half of the alphabet first? PPU is mixing up the orders to make sure people who were last get to be first, etc.

Okay, let's get down to the nitty gritty! This month's theme is Bad-Ass Women, and the makers picked someone who inspires them--and the choices ran the gamut from superheroes to family members. For all the pictures you're about to see, I'm wearing two coats with shiny topcoat, unless otherwise specified. Formula was good on all these babies, so no worries there. And while I'll add it at the bottom of the post too, for ease of scrolling, you can buy these polishes between November 2 and 5th, from the Polish Pickup website.


Let the games begin!

Lilly Anne's Garden The Dark Angel

Maker's description: Blackberry Scone Lotion. Notes of fresh blackberries are complimented by hints of boysenberry & raspberries, and nuances of buttery, warm crust. The scent is more fruity than bakery, so the sweetness doesn't overpower the fruit. 

Inspiration: Bettie Page

Price: $5.50

Cap: none

Kicking off the post is Lilly Anne's Garden's Blackberry Scone lotion, which smells just as yummy as you think it will. After all of this swatching, my skin definitely needed some help (see the before & after pics), and I loved how easily this lotion soaked in without leaving my hands feeling even a little bit greasy (you can see how creamy it is). The scent was pleasant--definitely there when I was putting it on, but not so strong that it was overwhelming--just little hints of berry now and then.  

Lucky 13 Lacquer Warrior Princess

Maker's description: In a time of ancient gods....warlords...and kings... Hands in turmoil cried out for a hero; for a Warrior Princess, forged in the heat of battle. Are you ready to be that princess? Platinum silver to gunmetal thermal with golden flakes and plenty of green and copper shimmer for Gabrielle. Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!
Inspiration: Xena: Warrior Princess

Price: $11.00

Cap: 125

LynBDesigns I Don't Flirt

  

Maker's description: Black base with holo flakies, hint of purple shimmer, and a mix of 2 UCC flakies that shift from copper to bronze to gold and red to copper to gold to orange

Inspiration: Jessica Jones

Price: $12.00

Cap: none

Mckfresh Nail Attire Fear Cuts Deeper Than Swords

 Maker's description: Muddy Black to Green thermal, gold/bronze/brown/green flakies and glitters

Inspiration: Arya Stark, Game of Thones 

Price: $14.00

Cap: 130

Moon Shine Mani I Am Different, Not Less

Maker's description: bright azure blue glowing with red to green shimmer, holo micro flakies, and violet/red/orange shifting chameleon flakies

Inspiration: Temple Grandin

Price: $11.00

Cap: TBD

There are a several polishes in this theme that made me emotional, and this was one of them. If you don't know, Temple Grandin is autistic, and sees the world very differently from 'neurotypical' individuals. But rather than treat that as a disability, she used those differences to make systematic--and empathetic--changes to how cattle are treated. 

Moonflower Polish The General

Maker's description: Bluish gray with red-gold auroras and scattered holo

Inspiration: Carrie Fischer as Leia Organa from Star Wars

Price: $12.50

Cap:  150

MTK Design Metal Goddess

 Maker's description: Black to 'blonde' holo thermal w/ blue/purple/pink shifting shimmer

Inspiration: Lita Ford 

Price: $12.00

Cap: 100

Music City Beauty The People's Princess

 Maker's description: Purple crelly base with purple shimmer, subtle holo and pink and green iridescent flakies

Inspiration: Princess Diana

Price: $12.00

Cap: 75

My Indie Shop Miss Piggy

 Maker's description: Pink crelly with glitter

Inspiration: Miss Piggy

Price: TBD; check website

Cap: TBD; check website

 Nail Hoot Trinity

  My Description: Linear holo with a lavendar base in most lights, with holo glitter. This one shifts and shifts and shifts...next time there's a solar eclipse, blame this polish, 'cause it stole all the light and all the colors.

Inspiration: Trinity from The Matrix

Price: TBD; check website

Cap: TBD; check website

 

Nailed It! Bad Reputation

  Maker's description: A deep sapphire blue with pink, red, and blue crystal chameleon flakies, iridescent rainbow flakies, and a subtle hint of purple sparks.

Inspiration: Joan Jett

Price: $12.75

Cap: 150

Native War Paints Audrey

 Maker's description: Purple to dark blue to light blue shifting tri-thermal with green to copper unicorn pee and copper shimmer

Inspiration: Audrey Hepburn

Price: $13.00

Cap: 250

Necessary Evil Polish Jubilee and Greybeard 

 

Maker's description: A grey base with a dollop of red and scattered holo. $1.00 for every polish sold with go to the Jane Goodall Foundation that supports nature, wildlife and women in science.

Inspiration: Jane Goodall

Price: $11.00

Cap: None

Oh, and, by the way? This is a one-coater! I'm wearing two coats for the purpose of the pictures, but you'll be fine with one.

NeVerMind Polish Bluestocking Tendencies

 Maker's description: Metallic blue with pink/purple/blue UCC flakes

Inspiration: Alexia Tarabotti

Price: $12.00

Cap: 250

This one needs a little explanation, because the flakies were a bit camera shy. In some lights, the flakies will appear dark blue, but in other lights, they show clearly, the colors in the second-to-last picture, but more of them at once than show there. And, by the way, if you like steampunk and bad-ass women and you haven't read the Parasol Protectorate books, go introduce yourself to Alexia Tarabotti...They're awesome and fun.

Night Owl Lacquer Holding On & Letting Go 

 Maker's description: Smoky plum base w/a fuschia/red/copper/green multichrome shift & silver flakies

Inspiration: Women who struggle with mental health issues

Price: $12.50

Cap: None

This is another one that has meaning for me, since quite a number of women in my life, including me, have struggled with depression. 

Noodles Nail Polish Goddess of Pawnee

Maker's description: Grape crelly packed with lavender and gold flakies, purple shimmer, and gold and purple metallic and holo glitters

Inspiration: Leslie Knope, from Parks and Recreation

Price: $11.00

Cap: 150

Northern Star True Leader

 Maker's description: Creamy fern green with red to green color shifting aurora pigment, gold shimmer, and purple/blue color shifting UCC flakes.

Inspiration: Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Price: $12.00

Cap: 75

This also is a one-coater--I'm wearing two for the photos, but you'll most likely be fine with one. Gotta love that!

Pahlish Swiss Army Sonic

 Maker's description: Deep olive cream with a coppery bronze to green multichrome with holo flakes/pigments

Inspiration: The 13th Doctor

Price: $12:50

Cap: None

Paint It Pretty Polish If I Don't Invest in Myself, No One Will

Maker's description: Magnetic blue with a purple shift, ultra chameleon chrome flakies and a sprinkling of blue and red micro glitters

Inspiration: Fiona Gallager

Price: $11.00

Cap: 75

Painted Polish Badass Beauty

 Maker's description: White crelly featuring gold, bronze, and silver color-shifting flakies.

Inspiration: Emma Watson

Price: $11.50

Cap: None

Pampered Polishes Kahleesi

Maker's description: Off-white crelly base with 8 different ultrachrome chameleon flakies, holo things, iridescent things, gold flakies, and a copper shimmer

Inspiration: Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones

Price: $12.00

Cap: None

Peachtree Polish Hands Up!

 Maker's description: Gray crelly with a green shimmer and black, white and gun metal glitters

Inspiration: Bonnie Parker

Price: $10.50

Cap: 75

This one has a funny story I have to share with you...Peachtree Polish is made by Bonny Parker, which is just a teeny spelling difference from Bonnie Parker, and her classmates used to tease her about "Where's Clyde?" And while I'm not sure anyone would claim she's an inspirational paragon, nobody can deny she was bad-ass!

Pepper Pot Polish This Grrrl's Gonna Start A Riot

 Maker's description: Barbie pink jelly with multiple shades of pink glitter

Inspiration: Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of the Riot Grrrl band Bikini Kill

Price: $11.00

Cap: TBD; check website

Poetry Cowgirl Nail Polish Coat of Many Colors 

 Maker's description: A full coverage glitter bomb packed with gold micro flakies and a variety of holo and metallic glitters. Renders pink/rose gold.

Inspiration: Dolly Parton (duo w/Wildflower Lacquer)

Price: $11.00

Cap: None

Polished For Days Felt With The Heart

Maker's description: A bronze-based linear holo with a red-copper-green shifting chrome shimmer and orange-to-green shifting micro flakes.

Inspiration: Hellen Keller

Price: $12.50

Cap: None

Pretty Beautiful Unlimited The Chosen One

 Maker's description: A silver holographic base with purple to red to copper multichrome pigment, silver holographic micro flakies and glitters and 3 types of UCC flakies.

Inspiration: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Price: $12.00

Cap: 250

Pretty Jelly Liberté

Maker's description: deep red jelly with holographic flakies and ucc flakies

Inspiration: Noor Inayat Khan

Price: $12.50

Cap: None

 I'd never heard of Noor Inaya Khan before I saw the inspiration for this polish, but she's my new hero. 

Quixotic Polish Unlimited Drive

Maker's description: A grey to pale white shimmer thermal accented with light blue iridescent flakes and holo sparkles

Inspiration: Venus and Serena Williams

Price: $11.50

Cap: None

Rise and Shine Nail Polish Across The Ocean

Maker's description: Grey base with turquoise and green shifting pigment, with turquoise and crystal turquoise/green flakes.

Inspiration: My cousin Sara

Price: $9.95

Cap: None

This is another one with a very cool story behind it. The maker's mother was adopted, and shortly after they found a connection to her biological family in Germany, her father passed away. The cousin they'd found, Sara, was a strong anchor during that time, and has continued to be an inspiration. I think we could all use a cousin like that...

Rogue Lacquer Turn on the Light

 Maker's description: Creamy off-white (book page inspired) packed with rainbow UCC flakes and holo

Inspiration: JK Rowling

Price: $12.00

Cap: None

Sassy Cats Lacquer The Evolution of Carol

 Maker's description: Cobalt blue Magnetic polish with ultra chrome chameleon flakes blue, purple, pink, green, & iridescent flakes blue, green with purple shimmer

Inspiration: Carol from The Walking Dead

Price: $13.00

Cap: 75


Sassy Pants Polish #GirlBoss

Maker's description: A greige (gray/beige) crelly base with multiple ultra chameleon chrome flakies, holo and a subtle green shimmer

Inspiration: Sophia Amoruso, who at age 22 started an online vintage clothing store on ebay called Nasty Gal. 2016 Forbes named her one of the richest self-made women in the world

Price: $12.00

Cap: None

Savannah Lacquer Tiny But Mighty

 Maker's description: Nude base filled with red shimmer & a sprinkling of holo flakes (opaque in 2-3 coats)

Inspiration: Kitten Lady (Hannah Shaw)

Price: $12.00

Cap: 150

This is another bad-ass woman I wasn't familiar with until I read the inspiration for this--I quickly Googled Hannah Shaw, and was blown away by the work she does saving neonatal kittens. Did you know that they're the highest at-risk group for being anesthetized? I didn't, and I'm very glad to know Hannah is out there educating people and fighting for them. Have your pets spayed/neutered!!

Sayuri Nail Lacquer The Right Way, The Wrong Way, And The Janeway

Maker's description: A rich, shimmering garnet jelly packed with red-bronze-copper UCC flakies and pops of gold holographic glitter.

Inspiration: Captain Kathryn Janeway

Price: $13.50

Cap: 180

Serum No.5 Notorious RBG

Maker's description: Inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Notorious RBG is a sheer black thermal (to resemble her robe) with a mix of pink and blue flakes and shimmer (for her work in equality), some holographic shimmer mixed in and glows green (for her earrings).

Inspiration: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Price: $14.00

Cap: None

Seventy Seven Nail Lacquer F*ck & Run

 Maker's description: A shimmery nude base with red/gold/orange flakies, copper sparks & orange shimmer

Inspiration: Liz Phair

Price: $12.50

Cap: 75

I'm wearing three coats in these pictures, but you may be fine with two--this is designed to be buildable. The polish is named for the song (of the same name) from her Exile in Guyville album. 

Spell Polish Aretha

 Maker's description: Purple/Gold Multichrome w/multichrome flakes & holo bits

Inspiration: Aretha Franklin

Price: $14.00

Cap: None

Starlight Polish There Are Many Ways To Be A Hero

Maker's description: Unicorn pee topper with holographic pigment and microflakes, and clear holographic glitter

Inspiration: Tamora Pierce's books

Price: $15.00

Cap: 300

I'm wearing one coat of There Are Many Ways To Be A Hero over black undies, with topcoat. This one's inspiration also comes with a bit of explanation...Issa loves Tamora Pierce's books because they taught her that she didn't have to compromise on aspects of herself to be strong, and that heroes come in all different shapes and sizes--from those dressed in chainmail and wielding a sword, to those in expensive dresses armed with manners and a determined commitment to justice. I'm paraphrasing her words here--because they, and the beauty of this polish, inspired me to begin reading Wild Magic. 

Static Lacquer I Am No Man

Maker's description: A pale pink with flashes of purple and blue, micro holo flakies, and purple to copper ucc flakies.

Inspiration: Eowyn, from Lord of the Rings

Price: $12.00

Cap: 200

Stella Chroma Badass Beekeeper

Maker's description: Chocolate brown holo

Inspiration: Courtney Hartman

Price: $12.00

Cap: none

This is another one that brought tears to my eyes. Courtney is owner-operator of 6 Harts Polish, and is fighting breast cancer with more strength, humor, and courage than I've ever witnessed. I love the choice of an espresso holo for her, because to me it symbolizes light coming out of the darkness.

Supernatural Lacquer In Search Of Ourselves

Maker's description: Pink/mauve crelly with contrasting green/purple aurora shimmer, blue/purple color shift flakes, peridot green metallic micro flecks and baby blue holo micro shards

Inspiration: Karen Horney

Price: $12.50

Cap: None

As a psychologist and a scientist, I just have to say how much I love seeing Karen Horney in this collection! 

Sweet Heart Polish Hey, Catnip

Maker's description: Warm golden brown with gold and copper holo micro glitters

Inspiration: Katniss Everdeen

Price: $10.00

Cap: 100

The Lady Varnishes Kiss Me, Kill Me

 Maker's description: Dusty plum base with red to gold ucc flakes and glitter and holo microflakes

Inspiration: Alice Morgan

Price: $12.50

Cap: 100

Top Shelf Lacquer Madge-The Queen of Pop

Maker's description: Navy base with shift from reddish purple to green with GLOWING blue and pink flakes

Inspiration: Madonna

Price: $13.00

Cap: None

Turtle Tootsie Polish Be Kind To One Another

Maker's description: A pale aqua blue crelly loaded with multiple shades of blue flakies, ucc flakies and aqua shimmer

Inspiration: Ellen Degeneres

Price: $11.00

Cap: None

You may need three coats for full coverage on this one, especially if you have nail staining (like I do!)

Vibrant Vinyls Royals 

Maker's description: 'Royals' Scented Fast & Hard Quick Dry Glossy Top Coat. Decadent, rich chocolate fudge meets classic, cool peppermint in this royal blend; scent will appear once fully dry.

Inspiration: Lorde

Price: $7

Cap: 250

Royals smells like a tootsie roll filled with mint. I show one coat of it here over some stamping, to show that the topcoat doesn't smudge. 

Wildflower Lacquer Cups Of Ambition

Maker's description: A medium orchid pink with pink and copper shimmer, gold and silver flakies, UCC flakies that shift from red to gold, pink to gold, blue to violet and copper to green

Inspiration: Dolly Parton

Price: $13.00

Cap: 200

So there you have it, the Li-Z polishes for the Bad-Ass Women November PPU! I'm so glad I got assigned to this month--not only were there a ton of inspirations here that either made me tear up or smile while I was swatching, but two polishes introduced me to amazing women that I'm glad I got to Know (Kitten Lady--Hannah Shaw, and Noor Inayat Khan). It's never a bad thing to have a reason to celebrate how bad-ass women are, I think.


These polishes will be on sale from November 2nd through the 5th, in the Polish Pickup Store. In the meantime, join the Facebook group for updates and sneak peeks, and to get involved in future themes. And check in tomorrow with Kiersten for the second half of the polishes!

Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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