12 Day of Polish Giveaway: Day 8 Colors by Llarowe and Squishy Face Polish Indie Shop Exclusives

Greetings and Nailutations!

It is now Day 8 of my 12 Days of Polish Giveaway.  Today I have the Colors by Llarowe trio and the Squishy Face Polish Indie Shop Exclusives.  This was my first time meeting Leah of Colors by Llarowe - she was so busy and had a constant long line, there wasn't time to chat.  I'm hoping she returns so I can remedy that.  Alice from Squishy Face is a doll!  We chatted about LuLaRoe (we both had leggings on).  :)

Rules:
Must be 18+, US only when the prizes contain polish.  There will be 1 international prize.  I am not responsible for the prizes once they leave my possession.  Prizes will ship a few days after each giveaway ends.  Winners will be contacted through email & displayed on this post through the rafflecopter widget.

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka BeginNails

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Digit-al Dozen: Vampy Textured V's

Greetings and Nailutations,

It's day 4 for the Digit-al Dozen theme of Vampy and I have another texture treat for you!  Yes, I know - I've stated before that I don't like texture...but I love the look of it.  I'm a glutton for punishment!  Be sure to check out all the amazing links below of fellow Digital Dozen members!

June 2015 A Box Indied Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the June exclusive polishes from Llarowe's A Box, Indied (just barely getting them posted in the month of June!).  As previously mentioned, Llarowe in an online indie stockist which has a monthly subscription box.  The box's theme was "Nauti(cal) Indied" and took inspiration from sailing and the ocean.  The box is still available for single month purchase for a reduced price.

Now let's get to some swatches.

First up is Stormy Seas created by Colors By Llarowe.  Stormy Seas really does look like a stormy sea...when the light in the sky grows dark and the water darkens.  It contains purple iridescent micro flakes, turquoise iridescent flakes and magenta shimmer in a royal blue base.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is Girly Bits Cosmetic's contribution called Pirate Booty.  This polish is a gold glitter bomb filled with gold hexes in multiple sizes.  After two coats there was clear patches of visible nail, so I did 2 coats with a sponged on layer and it was textured with each layer.  I love how sparkly it is in the daylight bulb.  Photos show 2 thin coats plus 1 sponged on and 2 coats of shiny top coat.

Hare Polish's contribution is called Lost on Abalone Shores and is a grey crelly that contains purple and green iridescent flakes as well as green holographic flakes.  The color combination is quite original and nothing I have seen before.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd and 4th photos).

Next is Whale Hello There! from Serum N5.  Whale Hello There! is a grey crelly which contains royal blue hexes in 2 sizes,  gold flakes, red hexess and yellow hexes in a few sizes.  This polish reminded me of a little kid's adorable sailor suit.  And as with most Serum N5 polishes this one glows in the dark.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

The last polish in the box is Different Dimension's Ships Ahoy!  Ships Ahoy! is a blue holographic polish is green small hexes as well as green iridescent flakes.  I love how this polish looked in my daylight bulb.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com
Matte Top Coat: Polish Matte'rs from www.girlybitscosmetics.com

Loves:   I really like the imagery that this collection portrays...sailing, oceans, pirates!  My favorite of the group is Serum N5 because it glows in the dark and really paints the picture of a sailing adventure.

Wishes:  For a summer box, the colors were quite dark (more winter/fall), so I imagine this may be why the box hasn't sold out (and is actually on sale for a reduced price).

Which is your favorite?

Happy Polishing,

Kristi aka @BeginNails

May 2015 A Box Indied, Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the May exclusive polishes from Llarowe's A Box, Indied (just barely getting them posted in the month of May).  As previously mentioned, Llarowe in an online indie stockist which has a monthly subscription box.  The box's theme was "May The Fourth Be With You" and took inspiration from Star Wars.  The box is still available for single month purchase.

Now let's get to some swatches.

First up is Luke, I Am Your Father from Colors By Llarowe.  When you think of the name what comes to mind?  Darth Vader?  The dark side?  Luke, I Am Your Father is a black holo....but not just any black holo....a black holo with black micro glitter.  It went on smooth and easy.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is the polish from Glisten and Glow called Saber This!  Saber This! is a blue crelly with purple and blue iridescent micro flecks.  This polish also glows in the dark.  I apologize for the dim glow in the dark photo, still working on figuring out the ideal settings on my camera.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next up is Different Dimension's contribution to the box called Saber That.  Saber That is a light green crelly with iridescent yellow, blue and purple glitters along with holo rainbow dust.  This polish also glows, however I was not able to get a glow show due to it being quite dim.  The formula on this polish was bit thick so application was slightly difficult.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

One of my favorites of the box is from Girly Bits Cosmetics called I Like Big Buns (LOVE THE NAME!).  This polish is inspired by Princess Leia's hair.  It is a brown polish with gold, purple and amber micro flecks.  I love this combination, especially with matte top coat!  Formula was perfect and photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd photos).

The other favorite of the box is from Contrary Polish and called Slavegirl Bikini.  This red glitter jelly contains light pink and gold micro flecks.  As with all Contrary Polishes, they MUST BE MATTIFIED!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th photos) and matte top coat (5th and 6th photos).

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com
Matte Top Coat: Polish Matte'rs from www.girlybitscosmetics.com

Loves:   LOVE I Like Big Buns from Girly Bits Cosmetics and Contrary Polish's Slavegirl Bikini.  The use of the micro flecks in these polishes really made them stand out.  The theme was super adorable and any Star Wars nerd should definitely add a few of these to their collection.

Wishes:  I wish the formula was a bit more friendly on the Different Dimension so that I was able to capture a glow in the dark photo.

Which is your favorite?

Happy Polishing,

Kristi aka @BeginNails

March 2015 A Box Indied Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the March exclusive polishes from Llarowe's A Box, Indied.  As previously mentioned, Llarowe in an online indie stockist which has a monthly subscription box.  The box's theme was "Lucky Charms."  Unfortunately, the box is sold out.  Sorry these are so late!

Now let's get to some swatches.

First up is a green crelly with gold flakes from Contrary Polish called Shamrock and Roll.  One thing I love doing with Contrary Polishes is adding a matte top coat to transform it into a soft look.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd and 4th photos).

Next polish is a soft pink scattered holographic polish called Endless Rainbows from Glisten and Glow.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat in filtered light (1st photo) and simulated sunlight (2nd photo).

Fields of Gold is next, from Pahlish.  Fields of Gold is a dark gold polish in a clear base filled with gold micro flecks and flakes.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is a perfect purple linear holographic polish called Magically Delicious, from Colors by Llarowe.  This has to be my favorite of the box...because, well purple!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat in filtered light (1st photo) and simulated sunlight (2nd and 3rd photos).

The last polish, and another close second favorite is from Girly Bits Cosmetics called Serendipity.  Serendipity is a dusty mauve holographic with light pink hexes and light pink and magenta micro glitter.  This makes a great work appropriate polish.  Such complexity and I love how the colors sparkles in the light.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com
Matte Top Coat: O.P.I. Top Coat

Loves:  Formula on all 5 were great!  I really love the purple holo from Colors By Llarowe and a close second is the glittery holo from Girl Bits Cosmetics.

Wishes:  This was a fun box!  I wouldn't change anything.

Which is your favorite?

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails