Wet n Wild- Blue Moon

I said blue moon of Kentucky
keep on shining
Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue
---"Blue Moon of Kentucky" by Bill Monroe






Not the best swatch, but take it from me, it's a gorgeous color. It's a deep inky blue with delicate shimmer and a great shiny, glossy finish. It's like looking into a pool of starlight.

Application is decent, brush was ok, but not the best. It dried quickly and lasted til I was bored with it (about 2 days). It wasn't easily scuffed nor was it very imprintable once dry. Once again, I am smitten with Wet n Wild.

Report card:

Color= B+ (I like it, it's dramatic, yet I can see it being casual too)
Formula= A- (very nice)
Brush= C+ (this particular one wasn't the best, it was just weird a little, but still fine)
Price= A+ (can't beat 99 cents!)

Overall= B+

Sally Hansen- Real Royal

If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because five minutes at the fair, you'll be going, 'you know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty.'
---Jeff Foxworthy




Real Royal looks much rustier or brownish in the bottle, or mine does. It's a near-black base, with olive-tones showing with one coat, with bronze or copper shimmer. With only 2 coats, it takes on full opacity, and looks black, with the glitter being less noticeable, like flecks floating in water. I believe this is a jelly, for that reason.

It's an interesting color, one that I think is appropriate for fall and winter, and looks like a special-occasion type polish mostly to me, it's just so dramatic. I can see it working in casual situations as well though, but personally, I think it will be a dress-up lacquer.

The finish is glossy and shiny, looking like liquid sitting on your nail. It was ok, as far as dry-time and application went, but did not seem to last as long as I'd like. The brush was also fairly long, which did not help with the application. Price is decent, it is 3 bucks or so at Walgreens, and I paid $2.17 for it, it's on clearance currently at mine.

Report card:

Color= A- (it's interesting, it's fairly unique, but I do wish the shimmer were more noticeable)
Formula= B (I'm gonna call this decidedly average)
Brush= C+ (it was definitely too long and soft, especially paired with thin, runny lacquer)
Price= B- (pretty ok in the price range I'd say, only $3)

Overall= B-

Savvy (Femme Couture) - Hazelnut

Under the hazelnut moon
I know the end is coming soon...
---song lyrics, "Hazelnut Moon" by Joel Willoughby




This is a nice polish. I think it isn't really "hazelnut" but more copper or bronze. It's a very pretty color and I think flattering for most people. But, honestly, it was expensive, especially since I have LA Colors' Topaz, which I feel is comparable enough in color, and maybe even superior in formula, and definitely WAY superior in price. Not to say this one is bad or anything, it's just that I like the Topaz better, and they are so similar, I feel they are kinda superfluous. Oh well.

Report card:

Color= B- (average I guess, and loses points since there are cheaper alternatives)
Formula= B+ (basically average, maybe a smidge better)
Brush= B (average)
Price= C ($4.29 at Sally Beauty- not too bad, but I think for their limited color selection, and small bottles, there are better investments)

Overall= B-

Wet n Wild- Blitzen

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer, and Vixen!
"On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!
---anonymous, "A Visit From Saint Nicholas"







I saw this polish available at Walgreens recently. I am not usually a fan of glitters, but this one caught my eye. I bought this Maybelline polish (Iced Mauve) to have something of a similar color to the clear base to layer it over. I love that combination. However, I was less than thrilled with the Maybelline polish. I'll review that doozie later. But the Wet n Wild polish is awesome. I am really liking this brand.

It applied smoothly, dried quickly, and hardened into a perfect slightly glossy finish. It lasted a while also. I wore this for 4 days and it was flawless as of that last day. I really wanted a change, so I took it off, but I bet it would have lasted even longer. A great buy at just 1.99! And I noticed today that at my Walgreen's, they were half off, so if you'd like this polish, get thee there today to take advantage of the deal and get it even cheaper. They have others too, but this one was the one that I thought was most interesting.

Report card:

Color= A- (an interesting combination to be sure)
Formula= A (a really great polish, I had no complaints)
Brush= A- (it was better than your average brush, it applied very smoothly)
Price= A (1.99 for 2 polishes, this one, and a clear coat. Of course, they are small bottles, but I still think it's great buy, especially if you like glitters)

Overall= A-

Hard Candy- Fishnet

"I do recommend it for all girls, and boys, out there: put on a pair of fishnet stockings and find your inner sexiness!"
---Nia Vardalos




I was in need of a classic red. I saw this in a clearance bin at Walmart, with no price. But since the most expensive one there was the Nicole by OPI, at 7.50, I thought surely it didn't exceed that. I hadn't bought or even perused the Hardy Candy polishes really at that point, they just never seem like something I like. So, I bought it, guessing it was around 2 bucks or maybe a little more, which seemed reasonable for the color I wanted, a classic red.

I should have paid attention when she rang it up (along with 2 other colors Splendid and Frenzy). It was NOT on clearance, despite being in a clearance bin, with tons of other duplicates. I paid $5 for this. Ick, such a small bottle, and such a regular color, I could have gotten a LA Color one for 1 dollar! But this was very much the red I envisioned, so I decided to roll with it.

I tried it. It's ok on my toes, but it's really thin on my fingernails and takes forever to get opaque enough, plus remaining tacky and gummy. It chipped within a few hours as well. Poo. :( It's a shame, because it really is a classic red. Oh well, I used it for my first attempt at frankening last night, so it's not totally wasted.

Report card:

Color= A+ (classic red can't be beat!)
Formula= D- (nearly failing)
Brush= D+ (long and thin, not good)
Price= D- (considering how small the bottle is, this is just about the biggest nail polish rip-off I've seen.)

Overall= C-

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-

Sally Hansen- Purple Diamond

Purple haze all in my brain
lately things don't seem the same
Acting funny and i don't know why
excuse me while i kiss the sky
---Jimi Hendrix (Purple Haze)




I bought this with a ton of others at the dollar tree in 2 packs. This is "Purple Diamond" from the Nail Prisms line. It's a fun color, but not something I'd wear regularly. I'd wear it at glammy-fun events, and maybe on my toes during the summer. It's a violet-purple with pretty obvious silvery holo glitter. It applies well, or would, if it didn't have the single most piss poor brush I have ever in my life witnessed. It's like a pipe cleaner, it's so twisted and splayed outward. Serves me right, it was just 50 cents. It dried quickly and was fairly hardy and dried into a nice glossy finish.

Overall, it's not a color I see myself wearing frequently. But, if you love purples and holos, I guess it would be a good investment.

Report card time:

Color= C+ (it's different I guess, but not versatile, and not my style)
Formula= B+ (definitely somewhat better than average)
Brush= F (the absolute worst of all my brushes)
Price= A+ (can't beat a buck, especially for a 2 pack!)

Overall= B-

Wet n Wild- nameless "Wild Orchid?"

A rare and fragrant orchid
her bud unfolding silently in the still night
casting her glow on all who take time to notice
---Woods-Orchid, poem by Philip A. Thomas



This unusual polish is why I bought this $4 set at Dollar General last month. It came with 5 polishes, which claim to be Wet N Wild "Wild Shine" polishes. None have names. There is one dark orange with gold glitter, 1 frosty blue which I think is "Shiver" or "Rain Check", 1 frosty pink, which I think is "Wild Card", 2 identical bottles of a metallic silvery grey, which I think are "Metallica" and then this one, which is a blurple with tons of mostly red glitter. In the bottle, the red glitter is basically all I see. Once applied, a few more colors show up- gold, silver, maybe even green or blue? Hard to tell. It takes at least 4 coats to be somewhat opaque and it has a gritty finish, but it's very unique. I kinda like it. It might be fun for a holiday or themed mani maybe even for layering or a 4th of July skittle?

I WISH WISH WISH WISH WISH they had included names or at least numbers to cross-reference, but nay not so. It looks very similar to Wild Orchid, but I've compared the bottle to pics of it online and they look different. This is more purple too than I think Wild Orchid is, aside from the different glitter compositions. But they are very similar. Maybe a color they intend to release later, or perhaps one from a long time ago? Maybe a pre-Wild Orchid experiment? Who knows? This and the orange one have me confuzzled as to their identity. If you have any clues, please share! I'm thinking it may be one of their Craze polishes, Inferno?

Anyway, report card:

Color= A- (pretty unique, in my opinion)
Formula= C- (meh, it's a jelly, so I know it's going to be sheer, but it's just weird)
Brush= D- (crappy thin, unwieldy handle plus a blah brush, makes for difficult application)
Price= A+ ($4 for 5 polishes, so is a win for me!)

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-

Sally Hansen- Adorable Amethyst

She smokes like an amethyst
Moving her way through my skin
She moves me
---Fightstar "Amethyst"




More apologies for crappy application. What can I say, I am a hurried n00b. Ignoring this, pay just attention to the lovely color. It's a rich, vibrant plummy hue with delicate shimmer. I really enjoy the formula as well, although I feel like it is slow to completely dry. It has shine like you wouldn't believe though. I believe it is a color that probably would look good on most skin tones also, even if it might not be the most unique color in the world.

Wish we had more sun, so I could take better shots!

Report card:
Color=B+ (average color, above average shine)
Formula=B (right at average in my opinion)
Brush=C+ (a little long, which is a poor fit for the slightly runny nature of the polish)
Price= B- (I paid 2.17 for mine and I think they are just 3 bucks at Walgreens anyway?)

Overall= B-

Sinful Colors- Courtney Orange

People do give me a hard time about my hair because it's orange and it's big.
---Carrot Top




This orange is indeed orange and big. I love it! It's the perfect color for a fall-loving, funky-polish addicted, rootin' tootin' Volunteer fan. A lovely friend sent this to me along with several other polishes, and I am pretty sure this is one of my favorites from those. I know I did a crap-job of application, since I was juggling textbooks and studying at the same time, so there are no favors being done here. Trust me though, it's vibrant and so juicy looking I just want to take a bite. It's my only orange, and honestly, I don't think I need another. If I want to wear an orange, this is just-fine.

This also is a good example of why I like Sinful Colors. Great brush, great polish, great colors, great price. Can't beat that, my friend. So, if you're poor like me, but still want fun colors and quality polish without spending all your money, this is the brand for you.

Report Card:
Color= A- (fun and versatile. Maybe it's a common shade, but I like it, and I think it would look good on most skin-tones)
Formula= A- (pretty darn good, it might be a little slow to dry? Maybe I am just impatient)
Brush= A (better than average, and almost the best I've experienced. It might be a little prone to fanning out though.)
Price= A- (1.99 is hard to beat)

Overall= A-

Jazz - 18K Gold

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
---Robert Frost "Nothing Gold Can Stay"



I found this at Fred's for $2. I had been looking around for months, years even, for a color similar to one I had gotten with a pedicure like, 2 years ago. I only know that it was OPI. I thought it was something like Harvest or Cornicopia, but my internet-delving has proven fruitless. It was a truly vibrant golden color with shimmer, not glitter, and it had a slightly greenish base, maybe chromatic, I can't remember. But this looked fairly similar, and for 2 bucks, I wanted to give it a go.

I REALLY like this polish. The formula was nice, the brush is ok, and the color is pretty neat. It doesn't quite fit what I was aiming for however, it's a bit too vibrant for the color I was trying to get. Plus, I think if I was going to wear a gold-toned polish, I'd certainly reach for China Glaze Classic Camel first. But, it's nice enough, especially for just 2 dollars.

Report card time!
Color= B- (too much on the greenish end of the spectrum)
Formula= B (exactly average, although it gets very tacky/gummy with more than 2 coats)
Brush= B (once again, average)
Price= A- (just $2! and they had a nice selection, but mostly traditional colors)

Overall= B

L.A. Colors- Topaz

"I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul."
-Pablo Neruda "XVII"

---



I found this for a buck, yes, a BUCK, at one of my favorite stores, Dollar General. What a great investment! It's got shine, long-lasting power, quick-dry time, lovely color, easy application, etc etc. They have an assortment of colors available, so I think I will try those out sometime too, but I want to swatch my current reds first, so I don't double up.

As I applied this for the first coat, it was very sheer, and I was somewhat disappointed, I was afraid it would stay that way. On the plus side, I decided it would be a nice "lazy manicure" with just one coat, to add some simple glitz. When I applied the second coat, I was surprised at how opaque it became. I still had some nail line showing though, so I added a third for good measure. Normally I am 2 coats and that is it, but since this had a great drying time, I was ok with another coat. In certain lights, there still were some angles that showed the nail line, but eh, I thought it looked great anyway.

It is a gorgeous color, pretty spot on for a topaz tone, with a fine array of gold, bronze, and silver shimmer. Additionally, the metallic sheen made it resemble rose gold to me. I LOVE rose gold, so I really enjoyed this effect. In addition to the nice color, the quality of the formula was excellent. It applied so easily, the brush was not hard to use, and it lasted forever. After 3 days it was still as if I had just applied it. My nails grow fast, so the new growth was too visible and I was ready for a new polish anyway, but I am certain it would have lasted for days and days more.

The report card for this color:
Color= A (I love the color personally, but I realize it might not be unique per se, but I do think it would be flattering for most people, so it's a solid A)
Formula= A+ (I've never had better, honestly)
Brush= B (solidly average)
Price= A+ (I think without being clearance, $1 is pretty much the best you can hope for with a polish)

Overall= A-