#PolishTogether – Emerald: Aly’s Dream Polish 18 Dark Emerald

You may know that a bunch of polish lovers in Singapore have been running #SGSwatchFest for a while now. We post nail looks based on a set theme on a set date. Increasingly, more polish lovers from beyond Singapore have shown interest in our themes and would ask if they could join in. We’ve always welcomed all to join in, but I think the “SG” prefix in the name probably caused some hesitation.

As such, I thought it was time we removed the country reference and do a revised version. As #SwatchFest was already used on Instagram, it wasn’t just a simple matter of dropping the “SG”. I gave it some thought and came up with #PolishTogether. I wanted a name that was about inclusiveness and friendship. The children’s song “The More We Get Together” was one of the things that came to mind, and that was my inspiration for #PolishTogether.

Some of the other ladies were concerned that this new name had no link at all to the original #SGSwatchFest. I did consider SwatchTogether but I was hesitant for a couple of reasons. When we first started the swatch fest, it was to share swatches on one particular polish. It has since gone beyond that. Many ladies often come up with elaborate nail art for the themes. As such, it no longer felt appropriate to call it a “swatch fest”. My second reason was that “swatch” was not something specific to nail polish. As it is, some IGers have tagged their swatches of other cosmetics with #SGSwatchFest even if they had nothing at all to do with the themes. Oh, and in addition, at least one other person felt that the name could be confused with the watch brand!

I’m sorry if I’ve come across to some of you as dictatorial on the name change. Since I’ve received more positive than negative feedback on this new name, I thought we should just keep it.

I’ve created an Instagram account @polishtogether to post updates on the themes. If you’re on IG, you can follow the account for easy access to more information to the next theme. I’ll be roping in a couple of ladies to help me manage the account.

Since the name change coincides with the latest #SGSwatchFest theme, we’ll be tagging our posts with both names. The theme for today is Emerald, which is the birthstone for May, as well as the Pantone Color of the Year for 2013. My polish choice is Aly’s Dream Polish 18 Dark Emerald.

Dark Emerald is a dark green (forest green?) with a linear holo effect. The holos by Aly’s Dream Polish are made with a cosmetic grade holographic pigment and not Spectraflair. The holo particles are of a bigger size and may appear more scattered than linear in some shades. It is definitely linear in Dark Emerald. The holo effect is more on the subtle side but it is definitely visible.

The polish was opaque in two coats but I applied three thin coats over Rescue Beauty Lounge base coat. There is no real need to use an Aqua Base. I added Cult Nails Wicked Fast top coat. This did not dull the holo effect and in fact added shine to the polish.

Aly’s Dream Polish 18 Dark Emerald (daylight lamp)\

Review: Aly’s Dream Polish Ballad of Serenity

[DISCLOSURE: The products featured in this post were provided for my objective and honest review.]

Let me start with a little backstory of how I came to have the opportunity to review this collection. Not very long ago, I stumbled upon Aly’s Dream Polish by chance. I saw a photo of her Macaron collection and was instantly attracted by the pretty and awesomely sweet pastel holo polish. I visited her site and was stunned that it was full of holo polish creations, which did not use Spectraflair as many other indies do. I was surprised I’d not heard about this brand before, given that there are so many holo junkies in the nail polish community!

Anyway, I immediately contacted Aly to find out about international shipping from her base in the US. I have to say that I was very impressed with the friendly and personal customer service. That same day, I ordered the whole Macaron collection, along with a few shades from her massive Euphoria collection of holo polish in every shade imaginable!

I became a fan right away. Not only does Aly make pretty holo polish, but the formula was a breeze to use. Granted, the holo effect is not blinding like FNUG and Color Club Halo Hues but I love their soft, sparkly effect just the same. After all, I’ve always loved variety among my polish.

When Aly announced that she had a new collection coming out and was looking for bloggers to review them, I immediately offered to help. I even gladly agreed to pay the international shipping fees for her to send the samples to me. After all, I didn’t volunteer because I wanted free products, but because I think she’s a lovely person, makes pretty polish, and I very much want to share this brand with more people.

It is my pleasure and honour to present to you Aly’s Dream Polish Ballad of Serenity! Please be prepared that this is a picture-heavy post.

Aly’s Dream Polish Ballad of Serenity

Cirque Cypress

I feel like I haven’t blogged in a long time. At least, I haven’t been doing my weekly posts for Workwear Wednesday and Flakie Friday. I usually schedule my posts, up to weeks at a time, so that at least something goes up even when I’m busy. Well, I ran out of scheduled posts and I haven’t really had the time and opportunity to start scheduling more posts.

In addition to my day job, I’m also doing a project on the side. There were a few weeks from March to April when things got a little crazy and I didn’t even have time to paint my nails on some days. I have a tiny little breather now but I expect things to pick up pace again for the next few weeks.

I still paint my nails and I post phone photos on social media. It just takes a lot more time to edit photos taken with a proper camera on the computer, add the watermarks, and prepare a blog post. I have to admit that I lost a bit of my sense of purpose regarding the blog for a while there. After all, it is so much easier to just snap a photo with the photo, crop it, and post it on Instagram. But now that I am typing and sharing a bit more, I’m feeling a bit more of the blogging mojo creeping back.

Anyway, I have a mani I did a while ago to share with you today. It is Cirque Cypress, a copper linear holo polish.

I applied three thin coats. I did not add top coat for the photos, but I have to state that top coat did not dull the holo.

Cirque Cypress (daylight lamp)

Workwear Wednesday: Kiko 399 Silky Taupe

For this week’s Workwear Wednesday, I have another Kiko holo. This is 399 Silky Taupe, a nude shade with a gorgeous holo effect.

I used two coats over aqua base, and did not add a top coat for the photos.

When my friend got me the Kiko holos during her trip to London, the store was out of Silky Taupe. A Polish Angel in the form of Saira of The Girl with the Green Nails offered to pick it up and send it to me. The sweet dear even refused payment!

The first photo was taken under a daylight lamp.

Kiko 399 Silky Taupe (daylight lamp)

Workwear Wednesday: Kiko 400 Steel Grey

I have another unconventional polish for today’s Workwear Wednesday post – Kiko 400 Steel Grey. This is my favourite of the Kiko Lavish Oriental holo shades. It’s a beautiful dark grey with a nice holo effect.

I used two coats over a regular base coat because I forgot to use an aqua base. Surprisingly, it had pretty easy application with no dragging. I did not add top coat for the photos.

The linear holo is strong, yet not too in-your-face. I like that there’s some subtlety to it, allowing it to be a suitable polish for work.

This first photo was taken under a daylight lamp.

Kiko 400 Steel Grey (daylight lamp)

Birthday Mani: Lacquer Lust Pow Chica Wow Wow and Partying in My Birthday Suit

Hello, my lovelies! Today is 27 February and it’s this chica’s birthday!

For my birthday mani, I used two shades from Lacquer Lust that my sweet friend, Marisa of Polish Obsession, sent to me for my birthday! Her birthday is about a week after mine, and she’s been so sweet to send me surprise birthday pressies since I got to know her!

The first shade is Pow Chica Wow Wow, a polish I’d been planning to buy when Shoppe Eclecticco restocks it. I’d heard that it was a close dupe for the hard-to-find OPI DS Glamour, a denim blue holo. Marisa remembered that I’d mentioned the DS to her before (like over a year ago!) so she got me PCWW when she heard the same thing about it being a dupe! She’s really so thoughtful!

The second Lacquer Lust shade she sent me was Partying in My Birthday Suit because, well, it’s my birthday! This one is a very pretty and soft ivory crelly with medium and tiny holographic glitter. I’ve seen it layered over a white base but I loved it on its own since it’s such a pretty nude. I suppose that’s what the polish name is about! And it’s a work appropriate shade with a kick!

I applied two coats of Pow Chica Wow Wow on my middle and ring fingers over Nfu Oh Aqua Base. The polish applied smoothly. On my index and little fingers, I applied three thin-to-medium coats of Partying in My Birthday Suit. I didn’t manage to get many of the larger holo hex on my nails though, because I didn’t really fish for them. The formula is a little on the thick side but not difficult to apply. I added Cult Nails Wicked Fast top coat.

The first couple of photos were taken under my daylight lamp.

Lacquer Lust Pow Chica Wow Wow flanked by Partying in My Birthday Suit (daylight lamp)