Lumina Laquer Fall 2014: Pumpkin, Spice, Cranberry & Frosting

Good evening all!  I'm happy that it's we had Day Light Savings last weekend.  I do enjoy that it's darker earlier, makes it easier to get my kids to bed.  But it also makes me want to stay home and cuddle under blankets instead of meandering about looking for things to do.  It also harder to get up when it's still dark out.  But with the change in sunlight hours and weather it seems like a good time to share another Fall collection with you.  This collection from Lumina Lacquer is Thanksgiving themed and it is so yummy to look at it makes me hungry for the big feast!  All 4 polishes are currently available in the shop and are $9 - $10 each.  Pumpkin, Spice and Cranberry are only available as a "One Time Stock" so don't wait to long to pick these ones up if you like them!  

*press sample*

Lumina Lacquer: Shop, Mei Mei's Signatures, Facebook, Instagram

Let's check out Pumpkin first.  You know, because I have an undeniable love for orange polish!  And Pumpkin is amazing!  It's described as a"orange opaque polish with gold holo glitter."  I found it to have a slightly jelly-ish formula that applied perfectly.  I used 3 coats of Pumpkin for full coverage and 1 layer of topcoat.  My pictures did pick up a brighter shade of orange than is the true shade.  Someone please pass the pumpkin pie?  *Pumpkin is a one time stock polish.

Moving along, this is Spice.  Spice is a "medium brown opaque polish with gold holo glitter."  Yum this is such a pretty brown and it does look like a mixture of spices.  Spice was very rich and creamy AND this beauty covered my nails in one coat!  Formula and application were both fabulous.  I have on 1 coat of Spice and 1 layer of topcoat.  *Spice is a one time stock polish.  

Cranberry was my favorite of the bunch.  How could it not be?  Cranberry is a "cranberry opaque polish with silver holo glitter."  I see flashes of purple, red, gold and silver holo when I move my nails around.  Cranberry much like Pumpkin had a jelly-like formula but it was thisclose to being a 1 coater!  Of course I am light handed with my brush so a regular painter can easily reach full coverage with 1 coat!  Cranberry had a superb formula and applied like a dream.  I used 2 coats of Cranberry and 1 layer of topcoat.  *Cranberry is a one time stock polish.  

Ok this is the one you've been waiting for!  Frosting!  Cheese and crackers look at this stunning little polish!  Frosting is a "light pink super holo glitter."  It's so darn blingy and girly, I know every pink polish lover out there will need Frosting.  The formula and application were both fabulous.  I used 2 coats of Frosting and finished with 1 layer of topcoat.  I did still feel a little texture when the topcoat dried so you may need a second layer of a nice, thick topcoat.  Good news, Frosting is not a one time stock! 

*A light tint may develop in the base over time.

Pahlish An Caisteal Ruadh

Good morning!  I am absolutely feeling in the Fall spirit.  I just can't get enough of these deep red, maroon and burgundy shades.  So I suspect you'll be seeing lots of them soon and for a while as I usually wear them all winter long.  So let's start off my total red infatuation with a post featuring a stunning Pahlish from the Royal Reverie Collection.  I'm not sure if Shannon is going to restock this one anymore but it's currently still listed on the site for $9 (but SOLD OUT).  Be sure to check on Friday at 5pm PDT when she restocks the shop.  

*nothing to disclose*

Pahlish: Shop, Llarowe, Facebook, Instagram

An Caisteal Ruadh , which means "RedCastle in Scottish Gaelic" is an "oxblood red jelly with a mix of gold and silver flakes and copper shimmer."  It's inspired by the deep brick red colors of the castle.  The color, finish, shimmer, flakies...all complete perfection together.  The formula and application were both fantastic.  It covered superbly well for a jelly and I reached full coverage after 2 coats of An Caisteal Ruadh.  I finished with 1 layer of topcoat to keep the glossy finish.  

*artificial light*

*direct sun*

*indirect sun*

The Nail Junkie: Cornucopia, Pinecone, Marigold Apple, Cutie Drops & Cutie Balm

Good morning!  I have lots to share with you today and it's all about The Nail Junkie!  I know things have been quiet on the new product front, but rest assured that the current selection is still in full stock and readily available.  I have so many polishes from The Nail Junkie and they are all totally fantastic!  Aleta pays great attention to detail, making sure each polish is unique, of the highest quality and labeled with the cutest pictures.  Each Nail Junkie full sized bottle is $10 each.  Another special little touch is that every order comes with a free gift!  Isn't that awesome?  Well, I have a few Fall themed polishes to show off today so let's jump on in and look at them!  

*THE PRODUCTS IN THIS POST WERE A GIFT*

The Nail Junkie: Shop, Facebook, Instagram

Ok I might have been wrong - there IS a new product in the shop!  Gift Cards!  Aleta sent one my way so we could test it out and it was super easy to use!  The card will come with a unique code and after you load up your cart you simply follow the directions included on the gift card, enter your code and TA-DA, Nail Junkie polish is on the way to you!  If you were looking to send someone a gift and wanted them to get a little something they could pick out themselves this is the perfect way to go! 

This Fall beauty is Cornucopia.  Cornucopia, from the Fall 2013 collection is described as a "dense glitter polish made of micro copper holographic glitter."  GAH this is so lovely!  These fine micro glitters are perfect for wearing over a base color or you can build Cornucopia up to full coverage in 3 coats.  The formula and application were both fantastic.  Cornucopia dries to a slightly matte and textured finish so you will want to use topcoat.  I chose to wear it alone and used 3 coats and 1 layer of topcoat to keep it nice and shiny.    

*direct sun*

blurred to show that awesome holo sparkle!

Pinecone is another gorgeous polish from Fall 2013.  Pinecone is described as a "dense glitter polish made of micro brown glitter."  Holy heck this is one spectacular brown polish!  Just as sparkly as Cornucopia, but the color is so rich and warm!  It makes me want to cozy up and a big fluffy sweater.  I loved the formula and application of Pinecone...great coverage and easy to work with.  This also dries to a matte/slightly textured finish so you want to use topcoat.  I used 3 layers of Pinecone and 1 layer of topcoat.  

*direct sun*

I picked Marigold as the third polish to get with the gift card.  I just couldn't resist this beautiful satin finish pastel that was added to the Pastel Collection earlier this year.  Marigold is described as an "orange pastel shimmer polish that dries to a powdery finish."  I actually think it's more of a peachy color but that could just be the way it looks against my skin tone.  Marigold has a great formula and applied very easily.  It does show some brushstrokes but if you paint carefully it shouldn't be an issue.  I used 2 coats of Marigold for full coverage.  I finished with 1 layer of topcoat.  

*artificial light*

*direct sun*

*shade*

I added Apple to this review because I noticed I hadn't tried it on yet and well what's more Fall than apples?  So it all worked out.  Apple is from the Neon Shimmer Jelly Collection and is described as a "juicy neon green jelly polish...loaded with holographic shimmer."  It totally reminds me of a Granny Smith Apple!  I love the neon shimmer jellies from The Nail Jukie.  They are unique and bright and so fun to wear!  The light sprinkle of holo shimmer is just right!  The formula and application were both fantastic.  I used 3 coats of Apple and 1 layer of topcoat.    You could try a 4th layer if you really can't stand VNL.  

*direct sun*

Aleta also sent Cutie Drops and Cutie Balm.  I was already a huge fan of Cutie Balm and know I wonder how I ever survived without Cutie Drops in my life.  I am totally addicted.  Here's what the bottles look like.  You can pick up a .5oz bottle of Cutie Drops for $7.  Cutie Balm comes in 2 sizes; 5 gram for $4, 10 gram for $6.

Cutie Drops is a "special blend of fragrance free, dye free, hypo-allergenic dry oil that you apply directly to the nail after or in between polish changes.  The custom blend of vitamins and essential oils quench your cuticles and help promote growth."  But that's not all!  It also "helps to dry your polish and create a slick surface to prevent bumps and nicks in your polish."  It definitely does everything it says!  My nails and cuticles have been extremely moisturize after using this for a week. And it helps my manis dry much quicker than with other spray oils I have used.  One perfectly placed drop on each nail will do the job!  Here's a picture of the dropper.

Application is a snap with this precise dropper.

And this is what my cuticles look like after the oil has spread around my nails and absorbed into my cuticles.  I heard my cuticles say "aaahhhhh."  

This is what the 5 gram jar of Cutie Balm looks like.  A clear, scent-free, uber moisturizing balm.  Here's what Aleta had to say about Cutie Balm, " Cutie Balm is a hand blended cuticle balm that I myself created.  This is an ultra-healing, protective balm for your cuticles.  It is dye-free, fragrance-free and cruelty-free.  Cutie Balm is a custom blend of the following high quality, ultra-nourishing ingredients: Lanolin, Avocado Oil, Argon Oil and Vitamin E."  This is another fabulous product and every time I use it I feel like my cuticles are getting a luxurious treatment.  A little dab of Cutie Balm goes a long way so even the small sized jar will last a long time.  

I picked up a little Cutie Balm onto the front of my nail so you could see that it's clear.  The amount I have is way more than enough for both hands.  

This is what my cuticles look like after Cutie Balm has been rubbed in and absorbed.  My skin looks fresh and plump - totally hydrated.