Polish Comparison: Collective Mint Polishes

Mint nail polishes are one of my weaknesses. When Butter London's "Fiver" was released, I told myself that 6 mint polishes were enough. I did not need a 7th mint polish that retailed for $16. However, I splurged anyway. To make my addiction somewhat useful, I decided to do a collective comparison of all my mint polishes. No two are dupes for one another, though you may find that some are fairly close.
Enjoy!

NOTD: Zoya "Charla"

First thing: yes! A sparkly notd. Second: I apologize for the absence. And while I realize no one is really steaming at the fact that I haven't posted, the apologies are for you (readers) and me both.

Today's notd is for Zoya's Charla. Now, if you have been following this blog since the beginning AND have an amazing memory, then you'll remember that I did a notd for a JulieG polish ("Mermaid's Tale) that I claimed to be a potential dupe for this polish. I had no intention of buying this Zoya polish, but someone gave it to me as a present so I figured I might as well wear it since it is a beautiful color and provide comparison swatches as well.

NOTD: China Glaze "Peachy Keen"

Today's notd is for an older China Glaze polish "Peachy Keen." Peaches are one of my favorite colors to wear for spring. It's the color that's most hard for me to resist from new collection.

NOTD: Zoya "Stephanie"

Today's notd is for a polish I got from my friend, dafinepolish, for Christmas, Zoya's "Stephanie." The exciting part is that polish name is my name too. (:

NOTD: Zoya "Neely"

Today's notd is for Zoya's "Neely" a light pale green with a slight hint of grey. It's slightly too grey to be mint, yet far lighter and brighter than your standard military green.

NOTD: Zoya "Storm"

Today's notd is for Zoya's "Storm." I initially did not care to buy this polish at all, but then my very close friend, Dafinepolish, got me a set of Zoya polishes for Christmas, including this one. This polish is an incredibly unique polish. It has small holographic shimmers in a black base. I think what made me initially uninterested in this polish, was the fact that holographic polishes often photograph flat. All swatches I found didn't compel me. It wasn't until my friend got it for me and I finally painted it on for the first time that I really fell in love!

(Zoya "Storm")

NOTD: Zoya "Caitlin"

I think all that holiday glitter has forced me back into my pattern of wearing basic cream polish manicures. Today's notd is for a creamy bluish-grey with a hint of purple polish, Zoya's "Caitlin."

(Zoya "Caitlin")

NOTD: OPI "The One That Got Away" + Zoya "Kissy"

Today's notd is very much inspired by the fast-approaching new year. It combines a beautiful shimmery magenta, OPI "The One That Got Away" (Katy Perry Collection) with a fun Zoya glitter, "Kissy" (Gem & Jewels Holiday Collection).

([L-R]: OPI "The One That Got Away," Zoya "Kissy")

15th Day of Christmas: Zoya "Elisa" + China Glaze "Party Hearty"

Today's nail of the day is another incredibly festive one. It uses one of my favorite glitters, China Glaze's "Party Hearty," over a red base, Zoya "Elisa."

OPI "Pros and Bronze"

Today's nail of the day is one of my favorite polishes from 2011, OPI's "Pros and Bronze" from the Serena Williams Glam Slam collection. "Pros and Bronze," unlike it's name, is not bronze relative to other polishes such as OPI's "Brisbane Bronze" or China Glaze's "Harvest Moon." It is a golden-orange foil with some multicolored glitter in it. It is a very unique color and I love it.

(photographed: OPI "Pros and Bronze")

Zoya "Kendal"

Today's nail of the day is one that I find rather appropriate for fall. Zoya's "Kendal" is a creamy grey with a slight purple tint. It's the greyer version of Essie's "Lilacism." I think this color is perfect for fall, especially for those who tire easily of darker hues.

(photographed: Zoya "Kendal")

"Avatar: The Last Airbender" Inspired Nails

I am extremely excited to write about today's nail post. I recently witnessed the horror and embarrassment that is The Legend of Korra, and as such, felt a stinging loyalty to Avatar: The Last Airbender. I've been having a fun time with nail art, so I thought I would combine the two!

(photograph taken from hollywood.com)

My original idea for the nail art concept came when I was looking at Aang's arrow. When I made the connection that I could paint his arrow on one finger, I thought it would be fun to do something to represent each of the four nations on each remaining finger.

Zoya "Caitlin" & Essie "Stroke of Brilliance"

Today's nail of the day is a combination that I adore, Zoya "Caitlin" with Essie's "Stroke of Brilliance" on top. The combination reminds me of a more glitter-y version of Butter London's "No More Waity Kaite."

(photographed [L to R]: Zoya "Caitlin," Essie "Stroke of Brilliance")

Zoya's "Caitlin" is a neutral grey-toned purple/blue (heavier on the purple side). Though I only used 1 coat of Caitlin in this combination, there were slight bald spots left after it. I didn't bother with a second coat primarily due to the glitter that I knew would probably cover up all those spots. 

Essie "Cute As A Button" & Zoya "Chloe"

Today's nail of the day was inspired by Deborah Lippmann's "Sweet Dreams," a fuchsia base with flake-y glitters. When I looked up photos of "Sweet Dreams," the glitters in it reminded me of Zoya's "Chloe." Since I already own "Chloe," all I needed was a color to be the fuchsia base. Sadly, when it comes to pinks, my collection is rather small. So instead, I had to substitute the fuchsia with Essie's "Cute As A Button." I actually adore this combination. And instead of spending $18 on a new Deborah Lippmann polish, I just used colors I already had sitting around.

(photographed [left to right]: Essie "Cute As A Button," Zoya "Chloe")

Zoya "Arizona"

Today's nail post is for Zoya "Arizona," a creamy bright orange-yellow color that is definitely heavier on the orange. I chose to wear "Arizona" since I was going to a Giant's game with a friend.  It is very appropriate for this summer seeing as how orange/tangerine colors have become increasingly popular.

(photographed: Zoya "Arizona")

JulieG "Mermaid's Tale"

I'm excited about today's notd because it is an exact dupe for a polish that has been on my wanted list for quite some time, Zoya's "Charla." JulieG is a brand I've never heard of before, but I stumbled across "Mermaid's Tale" the other day in Rite Aid and recognized the color immediately. And the best part is that at $3.99, "Mermaid's Tale" is half the regular price of a Zoya polish!

(photographed: JulieG "Mermaid's Tale")

"Mermaid's Tale" is a blue foil infused with green and bits of gold.