OPI- Take the Stage

He was a "rock and roll messiah"
She was known for her childcare
The truth is gonna give up the world
If you can give up the stage
If I can give up the stage
If we can give up the stage
---Live "Stage"




Like the others in the collection, it isn't so bad. But it's a glitter, which is not really my kind of thing. It's nice enough though, if you are into glitters. It's very foil-ish in finish and lasts well. It isn't so gritty either as other glitters can be, it's pretty fluid and smooth. It's a pretty, juicy orange too, it's nice. Unfortunately, it's not very versatile in my opinion. Also, it might make some people's skin look off, green or brassy.

Color= B (it's nice, if you like orange and glitter)
Formula= A (really nice, as OPI usually is)
Brush= A (this is a mini, but OPI's are usually great, though minis usually stink, especially with glitters)
Price= D- ($7.50, either a good investment, if you like it, or a total wash, if you hate it)

Overall= B-

Wet n Wild- Wild Card

I love you 'cause your Deuces Are Wild, girl
Like a double shot of lovin' so fine
I been lovin' you since you was a child, girl
'Cause you and me is two of a kind
---Aerosmith "Deuces are Wild"




Love this one! I came across it online in pics when I was trying to discover the name of a nameless Wet n Wild I got in a holiday gift set. My nameless is more pink. Wild Card is more purple. It is a slightly golden-tinged duochrome as well.

Formula is excellent, applies and dries awesomely. It is a pretty color to me as well, and I think flattering for many. I can see it working for lots of different occasions, dressed up or dressed down. For 99 cents, you can't go wrong!

Report card:

Color= A (I think it's unique, and pretty as well as generally flattering for many skin tones)
Formula= A- (I had like one bubble, but the rest of it was awesome)
Brush= B- (it was a little long, I'd rather it were a smidge shorter)
Price= A+ (just 99 cents!)

Overall= A-

Franken- "Aurora"

Aurora is the effort
Of the Celestial Face
Unconsciousness of Perfectness
To simulate, to Us.
---Emily Dickinson "Aurora is the effort"




I frankened this with L.A. Colors "Classic White" and L.A. Colors "Classic Pink" plus some Jazz "18K Gold" and some Sally Hansen "White Diamond." I like it, it has a very odd, but pretty, finish in my opinion. It looks fluid and milky, yet also metallic. It looks like the gold rays of dawn breaking, hence why I named it "Aurora." It was opaque in 3 coats and didn't have many issues formulawise. I like it, and decided it's a keeper. Oh, I dug around and it looks very similar to Chanel "Gold Lame." Fun!

Report card:

Color= A (I realllllllly like it)
Formula= A- (it's pretty good I think, maybe a smidge gummy)
Brush= n/a (this is a L.A. Colors bottle, came in a mini mani 2 pack)
Price= B+ (I figured this up to have cost me about $2.25, so not bad)

Overall= A-

OPI- Rising Star

The ugly mess you thought you were is fading fast
Now something's spoken through it's virtues
The night of black is rolling back at long last
The wheel of fate turns to your fortune
---Wishbone Ash "New Rising Star"




I knew I wouldn't like this, so I was meh with the swatching, sorry. I just don't like glitters that much. I like the red one, but the rest, bleh. Not a fan personally. They are very pretty and blingy though, just not my style.

Color is a super-shiny, bright foily glitter with a golden base. Application was decent, considering it was a mini and the brush sucked. Dried quickly as well.

Report card:

Color= B+ (it's interesting, I'll give it that, and pretty, if you are into glitters)
Formula= A (this was rather nice, considering)
Brush= A (well, rating for a regular OPI brush, not this one, which was a mini and sucked totally)
Price= D- (OPI are 7.50 to 8 bucks, which to me is too expensive for a polish I am not in love with)

Overall= B

Sally Hansen- Diamond

"I loved being outside. We'd hold lightning bugs in our fingers and pretend they were diamond rings."
Loretta Lynn




I bought this at Dollar Tree in a 2-pack. I found several Nail Prisms there. This one is "Diamond" and it's a silvery-grey base with lot of holo glitter. It applies....ok. It's pretty bleh to me. Not really here or there ya know. Kinda was gummy and slow to dry, but it does look interesting and pretty when it's all said and done. I just don't foresee an occasion where I'll wear this again unfortunately. Just not my style.

Report card:

Color= B+ (it's interesting, but I don't think flattering for many skin tones)
Formula= C (kinda is lowish marks all across the board, not the worst, but not good either)
Brush= D (pretty splayed and unruly)
Price= A+ (2 pack for a dollar, so 50 cents, woot!)

Overall= B-

Hard Candy- nameless purple

Roses are red
Violets are purple
Sugar is sweet
And so is maple surple




This was part of a "Limited Edition" 4-polish gift-set at Wal-Mart this year for the holidays. I snatched it up on half-price clearance, so just $5 for 4 polishes. I only wanted it for the obvious Orly "Goth" dupe, but this ended up being a pleasant surprise. The orange and magenta glitters are atrocious. If you bought this set and haven't tried those yet, take my advice and toss them. All 4 of the polishes stink. They have a bizarre burnt-plastic, heavily chemical smell, a very strange thread of unusual fumes. Not your normal polish-fume, but a truly weird one, and I instantly get a bad headache from it. Insta-migraine, what joy! Those two stain like the dickens as well, so not only double up, but TRIPLE up a base coat. They aren't very opaque either. Took me 3 coats for those to get them opaque even somewhat.

But this post is about the purple one. It's got a slight duochrome effect and is a dusky purple metallic. It has that same odd fume as the others, but it's so pretty, I am willing to experiment with topcoats to hopefully counteract it.

Shown is 2 coats, but as you can see, it probably could do with a third.

If you aren't prone to migraines, and you like purples or duochromes, it would be nice to snag this set. Otherwise, I kinda get the impression that the orange and pink were the dregs of set, where they just sorta slapped something together to get the gift set on the shelves. Whatever that chemical is, they should definitely NOT use it again. It's AWFUL!

Report card:

Color= B- (pretty nifty, but not ground-breaking)
Formula= D+ (slightly poor dry time, and somewhat sheer, yet also staining. Main detraction is the bizarro fume)
Brush= C- (it's not the best, it's obviously cheap)
Price= D+ (HC runs $5, which is too much in my opinion. I've yet to be truly impressed with them)

Overall= C-

OPI- The Show Must Go On

"The Show must go on!
The Show must go on! Yeah,yeah!
Ooh! Inside my heart is breaking!
My make-up may be flaking...
But my smile, still, stays on!"
---Queen, The Show Must Go On




Wow, isn't that just brazen glory right there!? It's a deep, cranberry red foil/glitter. I got it in a mini set of the Burlesque collection. For that reason, my review may be affected, since the minis won't lend themselves to thick, glitter-based polishes, I'm thinking. It was hard to apply and took several coats.

Ultimately, I thought it was rather pretty and definitely fit the mindset of the collection. I can totally see a showgirl rocking this polish, leading the fellas around with just one crook of her finger. However, as lush and beautiful as it is, I don't think I will wear this polish any other time than the holidays. It's just not my regular style, and I found the glitter bothersome to remove, even with the FOIL method. I am just not a fan of glitters, no way around it.

Report card:

Color= B+ (very pretty, but not versatile)
Formula= B- (thick and unwieldy at times, but I blame the mini brush)
Brush= C+ (too small for this polish- if you want this color, get the full-size)
Price= F (OPI are expensive for this little country bumpkin, at $8.50. I know there are worse ones, but that's a spicy meatball for me)

Overall= C

Wet n Wild- nameless "Metallica?"

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
---"Silver" by Walter de la Mare




This is one of those nameless Wet n Wild gift set polishes I got at the start of the holiday season. I am thinking this might be Metallica? Just not sure. I do know it's a silvery metallic with a slight olive-tone to it (my son even remarked that it was green, as I was painting them). It applies fairly well, evenly, not too much in the way of visible brush strokes, and it dried quickly. It was a bit thick and slightly difficult with the brush though, and prone to scuffs, even when fully dry. I felt it was a flattering color though, especially for my skin tone, though I suspect it would work for most people.

It's a fun polish that I think it great for the winter and spring months and can be dressed up or down, depending on your style and needs. You really can't beat the price either, it was $4 for 5 polishes. Just freaking wish I knew the names!

Report card:

Color= C (silver is sort of done by everyone)
Formula= B- (it's decent)
Brush= C- (mine is a little wonky, with some slightly splayed bristles)
Price= A+ (WNW are always cheap, no more than $1.99, and this was cheaper than that)

Overall= B-

Wet n Wild- Lust

Young Lust, you're dying and you're screamin' inside
Oh, you're guilty way before you've been tried
And it's crazy but you're diggin' it
Ooohh
---Aerosmith "Young Lust"




This polish is from the Wet n Wild Color Craze collection. My Walgreens had them on sale so I scooped up this one and Morbid. Lust is a fruit punch pink with a purple glossy sheen. It's unusual and festive, so I think it's perfect for the holidays or special occasions, or whenever you want to feel glam. I loved the formula as well, it applied easily, dried quickly, and was fairly long-lasting, especially for the price. I will definitely wear it again, it's a nice color. The brush handle was a smidge short but in my stubby fingers, it was perfect. The polish wasn't too thick or thin and it was opaque in 3 coats, maybe 4 for good measure and maximum glossiness.

Report card:

Color= B (average, but it's not something ground-breaking)
Formula= A- (pretty dang good)
Brush= B+ (I like the short and stubbiness but I think some might find it clumsy)
Price= A- (normally a $1.99, even though I paid have priced for mine. Either way, not bad)

Overall= B+

Wet n Wild- Rain Check

My name is Raincheck
In the afternoon
My name is Raincheck
Need a shot of rhythm and blues
---"Raincheck" by Van Morrison





It's raining and cold and dreary today, so I thought this would be an appropriate swatch for today. I bought this at Walgreens a couple weeks ago, halfprice, so just 49 cents. It's cheap, even without a sale, can't deny that. Given the price, and my high school experience with WNW, I was not too confident it would be nice. But, I love periwinkle, and this is kinda like that, plus frosty/metallic, which is something else I tend to enjoy.

The color is a frosty periwinkly-baby blue. In some lights it looks classic powder blue, and in others, it looks like it has a lavender base, and in some lights, it looks grey. I enjoy that effect. It is a very "cool" color, so I am relegating it to just winter and spring. Given the name, I am assuming they intended it to be a spring color.

It took 3 coats to get opaque, which is to be expected for metallics in my experience, and they dried quickly and thoroughly, so I didn't mind it at all. I even added a 4th coat for good measure, since I could tell I enjoyed the color and the finish. It lasted several days with hardly any wear, and it was hardy, with nary a scratch or scuff. Overall, it was 49 cents well-spent.

Report card:

Color= B+ (kinda boring I guess, but I like it)
Formula= A (hits all the right notes)
Brush= B- (was a little long I think, for this thin polish)
Price= A+ (really, can not complain about 49 cents, or even 99 cents at full-price)

Overall= B+

Finger Paints- Free Form Fawn

Asleep on the moss, his head on his polished cleft
small ebony hoves,
The child of the doe, the dappled child of the deer.
---The Fawn, Edna St. Vincent Millay




I did not like this color. I thought I would. In the bottle, it looks like a conservative burgundy mauve type color, and I wanted something classic and simple. Well, ask and ye shall receive. I received the boringest, uninterestingest, blah blah blah color ever. And to boot, it made my fingers look pale, dry, and stubby. And aged. They looked like some old lady's hands. The polish was thick and made for difficult application as well, and then took a while to dry and remained very imprintable for over 24 hours, which is quickly becoming one of my biggest pet peeves.

I'll give it another whirl later maybe, it's possible I caught it on an off day or something. Maybe the planets were aligned incorrectly. But, I am not holding my breath.

Report card:

Color= C- (it is much more dull than it should be)
Formula= C- (thickity thick thick, and a slowpoke in drying)
Brush= B (average I suppose)
Price= C- (I paid 3.99 on sale at Sally Beauty, but it's normally 4.99, which I think is a rip-off when you can get nicer brands for cheaper)

Overall= C

Nic's Sticks- Do You Deliver

"A library, to modify the famous metaphor of Socrates, should be the delivery room for the birth of ideas - a place where history comes to life."
---Norman Cousins




Aw shucks- I love this color. But...my naughty son got into it and left the lid off. So now it's impossible for me to accurately gauge its quality. Even with the dry brush I had to fiddle with to get to work, I think it eventually looked ok. It was so thick though, since I had to glob on a lot to work with the dried brush. So it took forever to dry and remained prone to scratches. I can't be certain what caused it, if it was Oscar's meddling, or if it was inherent to the polish in the beginning. Either way, I think my bottle is ruined. Sad, because it was a gift from a friend. I'm going to hold on to it longer and hope that the brush eventually softens, as that would make application much much much easier.

The color is a cranberry red creme, perfect for fall or winter.

Report card:

Color= B (average, lots of brands have a similar one)
Formula= C- (even with the messed up brush, the formula itself seems decent enough, just thick)
Brush= F (not counting how my son damaged it, I really can't say I like these applicators, especially for thick polishes like these. It's very hard to apply evenly)
Price= F (they are 7-8 bucks, and for the small amount you get, it's just not good)

Overall= D+

Wet n Wild- nameless "Wild Card/Mauve Frost?"

Pink it was love at first sight
Pink when I turn out the light
Pink it´s like red but not quite
And I think everything is going to be all right
No matter what we do tonight
---"Pink" by Aerosmith




This was one of those Dollar General holiday gift set Wet n Wild polishes I got. They claim to be "Wild Shine" polishes on the bottle but list no name or number. I googled around and I think it is either "Wild Card" or "Mauve Frost" but I can't really be certain. It could be something different entirely, something discontinued or maybe even not released at all at this time.

It's frosty pink with a slight golden duochrome flash. It's a powdery pink and reminds me of a gauzy negligee. It smacks of Dynasty for some reason. It looks like the perfect color for a blouse Krystle Carrington would be rockin.

It's a fun, demure, bimbo-pink color that has it's place I think, but I just wasn't too wowed tbh. I love pink nail polish, and there are others I'd rather wear. It was kinda thick and had a tacky, gummy feel for several hours, not to mention its sheerness. But it was fun and I think would be flattering on most skin tones and nail lengths, so it is fairly versatile, if that's a color you like.

Report card:

Color= C (it's unusual, but not tantalizing)
Formula= C- (has some issues)
Brush= B- (actually not too bad considering)
Price= A+ (it was $4 for 5 polishes, so SCORE!)

Overall= B-

Revlon- Plum Night

My favorite plum
lies in wait for me
I'll be right here
longing endlessly
---"My Favorite Plum" Suzanne Vega




Again, awful swatch, sorry. But this is a pretty color. It takes 3-4 coats to ensure even coverage. It's very rich and dries fairly quickly considering. I have worn it so much I didn't want to do it again even to get it swatched. But it's pretty, take my word for it. It's a super dark plum purple that almost seems black. It's very dramatic and a "fancy" color, perfect for holiday shindigs. I like this color but I do still prefer Nicole by OPI's "Show You Care" better because it's a smidge brighter and has a delicate shimmer.

Report card:

Color= B+ (better than average, but lots of brands have similar ones, so it's sorta generic)
Formula= C+ (dries quickly and has a nice glossy finish, but takes too many coats to evenly coat the nail)
Brush= B (solidly average, like most Revlon brushes)
Price= C- (I got this as a gift, but they are 4.79 at my Walgreens, which is expensive, considering China Glaze and Finger Paints are similar in price but much nicer in quality)

Overall= C+

Borghese- La Strada Rose

But friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.
---Oliver Wendell Holmes





This was my first Borghese polish. I really fell in love with the brush. This color is ok. It's nothing special, but it is still nice. Just sorta ordinary. It's a dusky rosy dark mauvey pink color with a fine glitter/shimmer. It applies like a dream and the brush is just awesome. Borghese brushes are my absolute favorite as of my experience currently. They are the perfect width and length and are not too flimsy nor too stiff, so it makes it very easy to apply the polish neatly. The pic doesn't show this, since my kids were bouncing around and knocking my strokes off kilter, but under normal circumstances, it's like it applies itself.

Report card:

Color= B (exactly average)
Formula= A- (pretty good, hardy, easily applies, quick-drying)
Brush= A+ (best ever, seriously)
Price= F (they are over 8 bucks at my Walgreens, which is waaaaay too much for this polish)

Overall= B-

Revlon- Minted

"But your blood will be changed into a flower. Persephone, you were allowed to alter a woman’s body, Menthe’s, to fragrant mint: shall the transformation of my hero, of the blood of Cinyras, be grudged to me?”
---Aphrodite, said of Adonis, to Persephone




This is a fun polish. I found it a little difficult to apply, it is pretty thin. This is 4 coats, and I feel like it needed another. I loved it with the Cover Girl Nailslick's Chocolate Mint though. I saw it on another blogger's site and HAD TO HAVE IT. So I immediately scoured Ebay and got it. So I wore Revlon Minted on one hand and the Chocolate Mint on the other. A very fun mani for the growing chilly season.

The brush was great and it aided in the application, especially since it was fairly thin. This polish was a gift to me from a friend, but I do know they run around 3-5 bucks in drug stores. If you shop around, you can find them BOGO at Walgreens or other stores. I haven't ever really been too disappointed with Revlon polishes, and I think they are generally well-priced. They have a limited color palette though and I feel like they have very redundant colors. However, this is a fun color for them, very different from their usual reds, mauves, plums, and nudes.

Report card:

Color= B+ (very fun, but I guess everybody makes a mint color, so it isn't too avant garde)
Formula= C+ (thin and slow-drying, but hardy)
Brush= B+ (average to slightly above average)
Price= C (there are cheaper polishes for better or similar quality, but there are also worse ones that are more expensive.)

Overall= B-

Nic's Sticks- I'm On a Deadline

Be able to meet any deadline, even if your work is done less well than it would be if you had all the time you would have preferred.
---Marilyn vos Savant (record holder for highest IQ)




Fun color! This and the Need It Yesterday were my two favorites of the 4 Nic's Sticks a friend sent me. This is a shiny, rich, blurple type color. It has a very faint metallic sheen to it as well. Like the others, it is difficult to apply with the brush, and the formula is slightly thicker than NIY. But it's just a fun color and worth the effort to me, if you have no other color like it. It reminds me of the base color to whatever that nameless Wet and Wild polish I shared with you recently is.

Report card:

Color= B+ (fun, and more interesting than average)
Formula= C+ (sorta thick especially given the delicacy required with the application)
Brush= C- (very difficult to apply adroitly with the thickness of the polish, but even if it were smoother, it would still be difficult)
Price= F (these things are expensive in my opinion, given the little you get for the price, and the added difficulty of application)

Overall= C-

Arissa- Rockin Amethyst

Rock is so much fun. That's what it's all about - filling up the chest cavities and empty kneecaps and elbows.
---Jimi Hendrix




Fun color! This is a dark, true purple and is laden with rich purple glitter. It's not quite holo in effect in my opinion, but it's close and very glam. I feel like I oughta go to an Alice Cooper concert with this polish. It is indeed a "rockin" polish.

I think it applied easily and dried fairly well, and the rubberized handle made application even easier. I didn't wear it long, out of boredom, but it "felt" like it was hardy, if a bit heavy on my nails. This is 3 coats, so it took some time to make it truly opaque. I think it is likely a jelly, but for a jelly, it isn't too sheer. It would probably be pretty layered over a bright red I think? Also, I think this is mostly a polish for winter wear or for special events (Alice Cooper here I come!). It's just pretty "cold" looking on my hands.

I bought this for just 2 bucks at Family Dollar, so that's pretty awesome as well.

Report Card:

Color= B- (not the most unique, but it's fun)
Formula= B (pretty spot on average)
Brush= A- (better than average for sure)
Price= B+ (2 dollars, w00t!)

Overall= B

Nic's Sticks- Need it Yesterday

But I'd trade all of my tomorrows for one single yesterday
To be holding Bobby's body next to mine.
---Me and Bobby McGee




This is just a fun color. And it ends up very glossy and smooth. It is hardy and so vibrant! It's a bright electric purple with some faint metallic sheen.

Now, I won't lie- the application with these sticks are tricky. And some of the formulas are even more difficult. For this one however, I found it fairly smooth and easily applied. It was fairly self-correcting also. Unfortunately, it took a while to dry. But if you are patient, you will have some very bright, very fun, lovely nails.

Report card:
Color= A (unique in my opinion, and very fun)
Formula= B (tricky with the stick-applicator, and slow-drying, but worth the effort)
Brush= C- (not really loving these quite yet, they tend to get somewhat globby and there's some drag, so there should be at least 3 coats)
Price= F (for the price, you could invest in something less tricky to apply and with more for the money)

Overall= C

Arissa- My Favorite Red

When in doubt, wear red.
---Bill Blass




This isn't the best picture. We've had nearly no sun for a while, it's been drab and wet and dreary outside. Anyway, this is a pretty color, and I think it's a jelly. This is 4 coats and I think it really needed another. It has a very slight shimmer and it also has a pink cast to it, so I don't think it's straight-up red. More of a fruit punch kind of red and more appropriate for spring or summer in my opinion. It was just 2 bucks at my local Family Dollar. They only had 3 colors, this one, a really dark red, and a purple glittery color. I bought this and the purple.

It's ok, especially considering the price, but I don't think it's anything special, and certainly not my favorite red as the name proclaims. But it's fun in its own way.

Report card:
Color= C (pretty standard, nothing to write home about)
Formula= B- (very sheer, but still a nice polish to work with, and dried fairly quickly with a pretty glossy finish, and it seemed hardy as well)
Brush= B+ (slightly better than average. I really liked the slightly rubberized-feeling handle)
Price= B+ ($2 is all. Well, it might be a good investment if you need a good red jelly to franken with, or maybe a fun glossy red for summer or spring, but I think it is likely to be overshadowed by other reds you probably already have in your collection)

Overall= B-