A Box Indied May 2016; Kentucky Derby

Good morning and happy Saturday!  Do you have weekend plans or are you going to lay low and veg out?  My veg out weekends are few and far between, but I definitely enjoy them when I get them.  Sadly this is not one of those weekends.  I've got a race, soccer games and little league games.  I want a nap just thinking about it.  Alas, I won't nap.  But I will share the May 2016 A Box Indeed with you!  The theme for the month is Kentucky Derby.  There's an exciting new comer to the box too...Cirque Colors!  I'm digging the glitter and holo mix this box offers, it's a nice change up of finishes.  You can pick up the A Box Indied for preorder from May 1st to 4th for $50 with free shipping in the US.  Don't forget that there are $25 gift cards inserted in 5 lucky orders!  But wait, there's more!  Just like in previous months there is a giveaway to win the box.  You can find more details HERE Ok ok, enough chit chat, let's check out the polishes in this box!  

*press sample*

A Box Indied: Llarowe, Facebook, Instagram 

Cirque Colors Coven

Good evening dears.  I hope you had a lovely Sunday.  Mine was so very meh.  Second day out here in the middle of nowhere and my sons soccer team took a whooping all weekend.  And it rained on us the entire second game today.  I sure hope none of us end up sick.  Anywho, I've got a gorgeous deep, jewel tone purple from Cirque to show you tonight.  It looks like the sky I see out my car window right now (I promise I am the passenger and not the driver).  Coven was actually part of the All Holo's Eve Trio (a set with Lacquer Lust and Serum No 5).  The trio was limited edition and these collaboration boxes have been pretty popular so they do sell out.  I am hopeful that there will be a Christmas trio from these loverly ladies on the horizon soon!  So let's jump in and check out Coven!

*nothing to disclose*

Cirque Colors: Website/Shop, Mei Mei's Signatures, Facebook, Instagram

Coven is an "indigo jelly with an orange to green shimmer effect."  Holy moly this is a gorgeous polish!  I love it's dark, broody shade of purple and the shimmer are what really make the polish.  I wore Coven for a few days and it was such an eye-catcher.  I spent a good portion of my daylight hours o moving my hands around to see the glints of colors changes.  The formula and application were really great.  On par with a jelly, a bit sheer, but buildable.   No issues with application.  I used 3 coats of Coven and finished with a layer of topcoat.   

*artificial light*

I had several friends who were curios if Coven was a dupe for Coronation.  I am happy to report that it's definitely not.  I've got some pictures to show you too!

I've got 3 layers of Coronation on my accent nail to show how it looks net to Coven.  You can see the color is completely different - more magenta.  And there is no green shift in the shimmer.  

*indirect natural light*

*artificial light*

Saturday Spotlight: Cirque Holos

Good afternoon and happy Saturday lovelies!  Today I bring you my second installment of the Saturday Spotlight series!  As I discussed last week, the Saturday Spotlight posts will feature a brand, color, finish, etc...  Last week I shared pink polish (you can see that post HERE)!  I decided to share some Cirque holos!  2 of my favorite things - Cirque and holo.  Most of the polish in this post is currently available and Cirque is typically $13 each.  So without too much gabbing, let's jump in to the post!
*nothing to disclose*
Cirque Colors: Website/Shop, Mei Mei's Signatures, Facebook, Instagram
This neon green beauty is Flash and was an exclusive color from the Nordstrom Magic Hour Collection.  I enjoyed the color and the formula was fantastic.  Flash covered perfectly in 2 coats and no topcoat needed.  I only wish the holo effect were a bit more flashy (pun intended).  This color was limited edition and is no longer available.  

Powwow is a gorgeous pink-fuchsia linear holo from the Heritage Collection.  Honestly this is what my notes say, "FAB FAB FAB."  That's it.  I used 2 coats for perfect coverage.  No topcoat.  You need a nice bright pink, Powwow is your polish!  

Taking it back to a much older collection, Cypress from the 2013 Objet d'Art collection

is a "rich metallic copper" holo and I LOVE IT!  I always like these shades, they are so luxurious and classy.  Cypress had a wonderful formula and application.  2 easy coats for full coverage and perfect holo rainbows!  No topcoat.  

Twilight is another from the exclusive Nordstrom Magic Hour Collection.  Since it was limited edition it's another that is no longer available.  This is a perfect medium-toned, neon blue.  Loved the shade and of course the formula.  Twilight applied like butter.  Truthfully, you could apply these polishes with your eyes closed they are that nice.  2 coats and no topcoat.  

Never Nude, from the 2013 Dark Horse Collection, is a soft and totally wearable champagne nude linear holo.  This is another shade I am a total sucker for.  If the listing says "nude" and "holo' I'm sold.  Yes, it's that easy to take my money.  I love the strong liner effect in Never Nude too.  Another fabulous formula and perfect application here!  2 coats and no topcoat.

And last but not least for this post (I figure more than 6 is a bit overwhelming) is Plur, yet another limited edition, exclusive shade for the Nordstrom Magic Hour collection.  Now THIS is a neon pink!  I adore the color and the formula - like buttah, literally applied itself.  I do wish the holo effect were stronger though, that would have made for a truly perfect pink.  I used 2 coats of Plur and no topcoat.    Sadly this is another polish that is no longer available  

Battle of the Metallic Flakes! Comparison Post: Cirque Colors Mirror Mirror, Indigo Bananas Moonlight, Lumina Lacquer Tinseltown & Lacquistry Amazeballz

Morning dolls!  You know what I'm doing today.  Yup, more soccer.  Noah (my oldest) has 2 to 3 more games and I also have a game.  So I'll be kicking around in my warm ups all day and that's fine by me because they are darn comfy, and sporty!  So I'll be a Sporty Spice while out and about today!  But this post features futuristic nails, not sporty ones.   These silver (and gold) flakes are mighty robot-esque and totally cool.  There are plenty of makers who have a polish like this, or have added their own touch to it (different colored micro flakes, holo shimmer, colored pigment, mixture of flake grades, etc...) and I own enough of them to give you a little comparison post!  So let's jump in to the Battle of the Metallic Flakes!   

*nothing to disclose*

Cirque: Mirror Mirror

Indigo Bananas: Moonlight

Lacquistry: Amazeballz

Lumina Lacquer: Tinseltown

For each nail I used 2-3 coats of nail polish and NO topcoat.  What you see if what these polishes actually look like.  So lets begin with my index nail which is graced with Cirque Colors Mirror Mirror.  This is a Limited Edition polish and I swear I stalked it for a few days and it randomly popped up as available and I totally squeeed as I checked out.  Mirror Mirror is a "A highly reflective lacquer made with pure silver-coated flakes creating a mosaic mirror finish."  Formula and application were pretty awesome.  The flakes are larger and come out in abundance and spread well on the nail.  I used 2 coats and a little dabbing on a couple empty-ish spots.  

On my middle nail I have on Indigo Bananas Moonlight.  I have had this for a while and have worn it before a few times.  It's a "super shiny, real silver flakie based polish that has purple, black and holographic microglitter in it - the effect is super silvery, metallic and smooth but with an interesting visual texture."  I like the addition of the purple and black here, adds more interest to the polish.  Moonlight is the thinnest formula of the 4 brands, with tiny flakes.  The flakes come out fairly light so you need 3 to 4 coats for full coverage.  I used 3 coats of Moonlight for my pictures.  

On my accent nail I have the original gold flake polish, Amazeballz!  Amazeballz is a polish made of  "super fine particles of super reflective metal."  This one definitely leans more gold than silver, but you will see silver in the bottle.  The flakes are about the same size as the ones in Mirror Mirror, on the larger side.  Formula and application were both great.  I used 2 coats of Amazeballz and a little dabbing to cover empty spots.  If you prefer a gold shade then this one is for you!    

Finally I have Lumina Lacquer Tinseltown on my pinky nail.  Tinseltown is another Limited Edition polish and it's a "silver foil finish" polish.  It is made up of flakes but they are super tiny and fine.  So they do give full coverage compared to the other polishes in the group.  Tinseltown also seems to be a blend of gold and silver colors, but maybe my eyes are playing tricks on my.  I used 2 coats of Tinseltown.  

*direct sun*

 *shade*

 *artificial light*