Pahlish & Elevation Polish Collaboration: The Venetian Duo

Good afternoon (or evening to those of you on the West & East coasts).  It's only 4pm here.  I'm definitely enjoying this laid back island lifestyle.  But my love for polish is too strong and I just had to swatch - but this collaboration duo is a real stunna so I'm glad I brought it along!  Phalish and Elevation Polish have done a few collaboration duos before (Shannon and Lulu are very tight IRL friends so it's only natural that they'd want to do these fantastic duos) and we are all the more lucky for it because both brands are really amazing.  The August collaboration is The Venetian Duo, and  both polishes are gorgeous.  I have had the pleasure of going to Venice and this duo captures both the classy and historical qualities of the architecture and overall feel of that beautiful city on the water.  The Venetian Duo will be available in the Pahlish shop on 8/2 at 7pm CST and in the Elevation shop on 8/7 at 9pm CST.  The duo will be $22, not including shipping.  Alright, I know you're not here for my banter so let's look at pictures (apologies for no macros - I don't have my lens with me)!

*press sample*

Elevation Polish: Shop, Facebook, Blog, Instagram

Pahlish: Shop, Facebook, Instagram

Here's a pic of both bottles together; Elevation Polish The Merchant's Son and Pahlish The Wayfarer.  Even just looking at the bottles you can tell how perfectly they compliment each other!

Elevation Polish came up with The Merchant's Son, a light turquoise creme base polish with a very subtle teal shimmer.  It reminds me of the pretty, brightly painted houses along the canals in Venice.  This polish is also a thermal!  The shift is very slight, it basically turns to a darker turquoise shade when cold.  But since I am in Hawaii there is no cold.  I even attempted to capture it with bowls of water but it wasn't working so well - you can see a very little color change at my nail tips in most of the pictures though.  You can check out the thermal change over on Ehmkay Nails post HERE!  The Merchant's Son was a bit sheer with the first coat but it built up to perfect coverage in 3 coats.  And the color - AH-MAY-ZING!  I truly adore the color and the shimmer.  Lulu really does subtle so well!  I have on 1 layer of topcoat to finish.  

And now the Pahlish contribution to the duo.  I fell hard for The Wayfarer.  You'll see why shortly.  The Wayfarer is a beautiful blend of silver chrome flakies, possibly some ultra chrome flakies and  some iridescent shimmer and glitter.  Simple (thought not really) and stunning!  The Wayfarer is very pretty with a very old world vibe.  It's kind of burnished gold and silver and all things renaissance.  Anyways, the formula was top notch!  I had perfect coverage with 1 coat.  Of course this is layered over The Merchant's Son.  I finished up with 1 layer of topcoat.   Perfect Summer duo, period.

Paint Box Polish North Shore Collection

Aloha and good morning!  Hope your Sunday is going well!  Today is International Surfing Day so I thought it was fitting to share an amazing collection inspired by Hawaii.  THIS is the brand new North Shore Collection from Paint Box Polish.  It's specifically inspired by the North Shore on the island of Oahu.  I have had the pleasure of being there a few times and can relate each polish to it's place.  While Honolulu is a bustling city with tons of people and stores and restaurants, the North Shore runs at a much slower, quieter pace.  I think it's how we all envision Hawaii to be.  Well, I dug through my pictures and tried to find some from my last vacation to share for each polish.  The North Shore Collection will be available on Saturday 6/27 at noon EST.  The 2 ultra chrome flakies will be $9.50 each and the rest will be $9.  I love all the colors and finishes in this collection.  I think you're going to love them too.  Let's delve in to the warm waters and check out these beauties.  

*press sample*

Paint Box Polish: Shop, Facebook, Instagram

SUNSET BEACH

This was a beach I didn't get to visit so it's definitely on my hit list for next time!

source: best-of-oahu

Sunset Beach, inspired by the beach of the same name, is a beautiful yellow crelly packed with gold/green shifting ultra chrome flakies.  You can wear this alone or over a base color (I'd suggest white, cream or yellow).  I wore it alone so you could see what it looks like.  This is 4 thin coats of Sunset Beach with 1 layer of topcoat.  I really enjoyed this polish, the color and finish are both unique and it's fun to wear.  

NORTH SHORE SHRIMP SHACK

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

A plate of Giovanni's delicious shrimp

Of course I would have a picture of the actual Giovanni's Shrimp Truck.  This is the inspiration behind North Shore Shrimp Shack.  The shrimp are amazing and so is this polish!  I've actually worn it 3 times already and definitely plan to take it back to Oahu with me in July.  So North Shore Shrimp Shack, this is a "coral creme with blue/purple shift with ultra chrome flakies."  GORGEOUS!  Keep in mind my direct sunlight pictures are showing the polish more red than it is.  The formula and application were both wonderful.  I used 3 coats (thought 2 would have been fine) and 1 layer to topcoat for a glossy finish. 

BLUE ABOVE THE BAY

This is Hunama Bay, which actually isn't on the North Shore, but it's the same island and I thought it was a perfect example of looking down of the gorgeous waters of Hawaii - no matter where you are or what island you're on!

Blue Above The Bay is a "bright blue cream scattered with white and blue flakies."  I feel like this one is just a general nod to the North Shore and it's amazing blue sky and water.  It's just so scenic and beautiful there and Blue Above The Bay captures that perfectly.  I get a refreshed, serene feeling when I look at this polish.  The white flakies really stand out.  The formula and application were both fabulous.  I used 3 coats for perfect coverage and 1 layer of topcoat. 

WAIMEA WATERS

The sign says it all...Waimea Bay!  Gorgeous beach, beautiful water.

And now we have arrived at the holo micro glitters - YAY!  Waimea Waters, another color inspired by it's namesake beach, is a "blue-green packed with gold holo glitter."  It definitely captures the look of sun bouncing off the water.  The formula and application of Waimea Waters were both stellar!  I love a good full coverage glitter and this is definitely that.  I used 2 coats plus a layer of topcoat so smooth things over. 

HALEIWA TOWN

The North Shore is a beautiful site to see when you are coming from busy Honolulu.  So "country" and more what I want to be doing on vacation - taking it at a slow pace and enjoying the gorgeous surroundings.  

Rainbow Bridge over the Anahulu River.

And you know I made a pit stop at Matsumoto's for the famous shave ice!  Yum yum!

Lastly I have Haleiwa Town, a town I especially enjoyed spending time visiting.  Very quaint and full of that Aloha spirit.  Plus you can get some bomb a$$ shave ice out there at Matsumoto's!  Just like Waimea Waters, Haleiwa Town is a perfect full coverage glitter.  The formula and application were both lovely, no issues to report.  I used 2 coats and finished with 1 layer of topcoat.