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

Pretty & Polished Hameau

Kiki or @polishmad has threatened an intervention if I don’t start posting more nail pics instead of numerous haul pics. As such, I thought it’s time I get my act together and put up another blog post!

This is not a new mani. I haven’t been taking nail photos with my camera for a while, so I figured I should post some of the older manis first until I start taking new photos.

The polish featured in this post is Pretty & Polished Hameau from the Save the Dauphine collection. It’s a collection inspired by Marie Antoinette. For some reason or by some coincidence, there have been quite a few shades or collections inspired by this infamous French queen.

P&P Hameau is a creamy beige/nude polish with green and purple glitter. The colours are inspired by the cottage built for Antoinette.

I wanted it to be more opaque so I layered two thin coats over Essence Rebel Delight. This was with top coat.

Pretty & Polished Hameau (flash)

Workwear Wednesday: Emily de Molly Harmony

Happy mid-week, everyone! This week’s Workwear Wednesday post features Emily de Molly Harmony.

This polish has a soft grey creamy base with hex and square glitter of different sizes in turquoise, purple, white, and silver.

I layered two thin coats of EdM Harmony over Cult Nails Tempest, a white creme. I also added top coat.

I wasn’t able to take photos of this mani in sunlight so we’ll have to make do with photos taken under a daylight lamp.

Emily de Molly Harmony (daylight lamp)

Polish Days: 7 Deadly Sins

It’s time for the monthly Polish Days post again! I always wonder how Hannah of Polly Polish comes up with the themes, especially this month’s interesting “7 Deadly Sins”.

If you can’t recall the list, they are: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride. Once you see the list of shades I used, it’ll not be hard to know which of the seven is my greatest sin!

I did a skittles mani with:

• Thumb: KBShimmer Candy Cane Crush over Barry M Gelly Blueberry
• Index: Pretty & Polished Bubble Tea
• Middle: Colores de Carol Cupcake Fantasy
• Ring: Pretty & Polished Tart
• Pinkie: Whimsical Ideas by Pam Peanut Butter & Jelly

Are you seeing the theme, yet? And look out for the italicised phrases in the post.

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Sundry Sunday: Colores de Carol Cupcake Fantasy

Happy Sunday, everyone! Today, I have a polish from a new indie line created by another nail polish blogger – Colores de Carol. That is also the name of her line of creations. I love Caroline’s beautiful swatches. That beauty extends to the polish she makes.

The polish I tried first was Cupcake Fantasy, which has a crelly base with multi-coloured scattered glitter. The base is an off-white with a slight lavender pinkish tinge.

I tried this over Cult Nails Tempest, a white creme. This is a very stark white. Maria recommends doing one thickish coat and wait for it to dry. She says it’ll self-level as it dries. I think the consistency needs some getting used to. I used only one coat of Cupcake Fantasy over the white base. I added top coat for the photos.

The photos were taken under a daylight lamp.

Colores de Carol Cupcake Fantasy (daylight lamp)

Flakie Friday + SGSwatchFest: World Water Day

Today, 22 March, is World Water Day. Naturally, I proposed it as a theme for #SGSwatchFest, with blue as the colour to feature. Since it’s also Friday, I decided to do a 2-in-1 mani with Flakie Friday.

For my base colour, I used SpaRitual Crystal Waters, as much for the name as the colour. This is a shimmery metallic shade. It was on the sheer side but built up nicely with three thin coats. I didn’t have a major issue with the application. However, as you can see, it’s the type of finish that leaves brush marks. Not everyone’s cup of tea, I suppose? Still a beautiful blue though.

All the photos were taken in the late morning sun.

SpaRitual Crystal Waters