NOTD: Essie Resort Collection Part 1

Another nail of the day for you guys!  I saw the Essie Resort Collection of polishes in my copy of InStyle Magazine and knew I HAD to have them.  I thought they were going to be like others that I had, but they are in fact nothing like anything in my collection!  I picked them up at Trade Secret ($12.50 for the kit) in my local mall this weekend.  I was pumped to see that they had the collection in mini's since I prefer to buy sets in the small bottles because it is doubtful that I will make it to the end of a bottle before the stuff dries up and is replaced by a much more beloved color I get!  This way, I get to try all the shades for the price of one or two full sized bottles.

The first swatch out of the new Essie kit (above, it's pretty messy but I wanted a shot before I totally screwed up the color while working in the yard) is the color "Lapis of Luxury".  It is a creamy sky blue (which the photo makes it look a bit brighter than it really is, I'm sorry!).  The first day I wore it out, I got multiple comments from women saying, "Now, that is a blue I could wear!".  I personally think it would look great on toes as well!  As for the formula, I have always felt that Essie polishes are a bit thin for my liking.  I like to be able to slap on one coat and be able to go out if I have to before applying the second coat and you just can't do that with most of this brands polishes.  I like them, don't get me wrong, but most of the time, I have to apply 2 or more coats to get a nice, opaque coverage like I prefer.  The above swatch is one coat of China Glaze Base Coat, 2 coats Essie "Lapis of Luxury", and 2 coats Seche Vite Quick Dry Top Coat. There are 3 other colors in the kit and I will be doing NOTD on them soon!  Which color would you like to see next??!!

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**Many thanks to Rae for allowing me to participate in this fabulous group of bloggers (I finally got this posted after more work than I am sure was needed!)!  I feel it is a wonderful way for everyone to get new readers and find new material to read!  :)  I know I did!  If any of you are interested in participating in this group of beauty bloggers, let me know and I will happily give you all info!  Just make sure you are posting at least every 3 days!  :)**

Matte Nails...This Season's Big Thing!

What do you think about it…the matte nail polish craze?? Personally, I LOVE matte nails! It is something different that is for sure! I have tried a few brands of matte polish and have liked them all okay for the most part. I LOVE my zoya matte though. They are by far my most fav. But, really getting into purchasing matte shades was getting sort of expensive. I mean, I am basically repurchasing colors I have again, only because the formulation creates a different finish on my nails.

So, I decided when the China Glaze Matte Magic came out, I HAD to have it! I was at Sally’s the day they put it in stock…I know, that’s bad. Why didn’t I just get the Essie brand or something? Well, I sort of prefer China Glaze to Essie and every site I went to to get it from was sold out! That just pissed me off! Anyway, don’t expect a full size container when and if you order this online. The size is comparable to their sets’ sizes. However, a little goes a long way!

I really used it for the first time last night. I painted on a ridge filler, which I feel is key to the perfect matte nail, and China Glaze in the color Cords. The original color of cords to me is almost a chrome like shade… sort of slate grey/pink when it catches the light. I LOVE the finish of this color! Once the matte top coat is applied, the pinky undertones are taken out and the slate color is left. I actually have a pair of cords this color! LOL! I LOVE my nails today!

The matte coat dries pretty fast so I had no accidents even though I was working on swatches while doing my nails! Hehehe! AND the ridge filler made all the difference in the world. Matte top coats, on me anyhow, show EVERY imperfection and line on my nails, but this ridge filler gets into those lines/cracks and closes them up making for the perfect canvas to paint your color!

My only issue with the Matte Magic and ALL the mattifiers and matte shade polishes is that they chip SO easily! I mean, I have not done any heavy duty work (besides put on my MU) this morning, and I have already chipped 2 nails!!! It really bums me out because I can normally keep my painted nails looking great for at least 4 days! Ah, well, I guess that is the price we pay….or is it?!

If you have any advice for me and everyone else that is in love with a matte nail finish, let us know in the comments below! How do you keep your matte mani looking great for more than 12 hours?? LOL! What products do you use and what special steps do you take to keep them chip free? I mean, these are noticeable chips! I have to go through the work day with crummy looking nails and that makes me kinda self conscious. I know…that’s stupid, but I am sure at least some of you know what I mean!

*REMEMER: My Fall Blog Giveaway is in full swing! If you have questions, please make sure to check out the Rules post at the link here ->http://vanitysedge.blogspot.com/2009/11/fall-09-blog-giveaway-rules.html If that post doesn’t answer all your questions, leave them in the comments there or email me at Vanitys_Edge@yahoo.com! Start commenting now for more chances to win!