Nail Hoot Candy Land Collection

Good afternoon/evening lovelies!  I am enjoying a little air conditioning after a hot day out in the sun with my little at an amusement park.  Fun, but tiring.  And I wish I was taking a cue from Naomi, meaning I wish I was knocked out taking a nice nap right now.  I've got a new collection to share with you today, The Candy Land collection from Nail Hoot!  You can pre-order the entire collection right now for $30.75, or you can wait until tomorrow (6/26) to order individual colors.  As I opened each bottle I continued to be more and more impressed.  The shades were all unique and interesting and the theme is really cute.  One thing I would really like to point out is how much I like the brushes that Brandie uses for her polish.  It's a shorter brush with a bit of stiffness that really gives you a lot of control with application, which means clean up is totally unnecessary.  High five for an awesome brush!  With all that said, let's jump in and check out each polish!  

*press sample*

Nail Hoot: Shop, Facebook, Instagram

Up first is Ice Queen.  Inspired by Queen Frostine, this is a "light purple polish with small pink glitters."  This is a really pretty, icy color.  Sometimes it appears to lean more purple, others more blue.  The formula and application were both good.  The only thing I would note is that the pink glitters cause a textured look and feel so use a nice heavy topcoat or a few layers of topcoat.  I used 3 layers of Ice Queen and 2 coats of topcoat.  

*direct sun*

*indirect natural light*

My Green Plum, inspired by Plumpy, is one of my favorites in the collection.  This "beautiful green polish that flashes blue and purple" also has micro glitters for extra bling.  There is a very soft, but noticeable color shift in this polish that is just truly something worth seeing in real life.  The formula and application were both lovely.  I used 4 coats of My Green Plum to build up to opacity and 1 layer of topcoat for a smooth finish.  

*direct sun*

*shade*

*indirect natural light*

Orange.  You had me at hello.  This is Kandy Krunch, inspired by King Kandy.  It's a "burnt copper orange filled with fiery micro glitters and larger orange and brown glitters."  This is totally the stunner of the collection for me.  The formula and application were equally great.  I used 3 coats of Kandy Krunch for full coverage and 1 layer of topcoat.   

*direct sun*

*indirect natural light*

Gramma Sparkle Berry, another blue, but a much more vibrant one.  This "true blue polish that is filled with purple and turquoise micro sparkles" was inspired by Gramma Nutt.  The shimmer in this one is completely drool worthy!  And I know all those blue lovers out there are going to go gaga for it - you should, it's fabulous!  Formula and application were both aces!  I sued 3 layers of Gramma Sparkle Berry and 1 layer of topcoat.  

*direct sun*

*indirect natural light*

Last but not least is the magnificent Licorice Twist.  Wow.  This is a beautiful and unique color.  I am certain I have nothing like it in my collection.  It's a "chocolate-mauve polish with flashes of blue and multiple micro glitters."  This one is inspired by Lord Licorice (useless fact, I hate licorice).  This polish also has a little bit of a shift, mainly because of the heavy blue-sometimes green shimmer.  And in some lighting it almost has a frosty finish.  The formula and application were really nice, 3 coats of Licorice Twist for full coverage, 1 layer of topcoat.  

*direct sun*

*indirect natural light*

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.