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

L.A. Colors- Electrified

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
---Eddy Grant, Electric Avenue




For just one dollar, I purchased this little gem at the Dollar Tree. It's a bright, hot pink foil-type glitter. I went on fairly well and dried pretty quickly and with a nice, hardy, smooth finish. It also lasted for a while, especially considering its cheapness.

But, it's not something I will wear over and over. I'll basically only wear it on Christmas or New Year's, maybe Valentine's Day. It's just not something I think is very versatile.

Report card:

Color= C+ (It's ok, but nothing you should break your back to find)
Formula= B- (pretty average)
Brush= C+ (a wee bit flimsy for this thickish polish)
Price= A+ (just a dollar, w00t!)

Overall= B-

Wet n Wild- Morbid

I love the dead before they're cold,
Their blueing flesh for me to hold.
Cadaver eyes upon me see nothing
---"I Love the Dead" by Alice Cooper




Morbid is a very dark pine green base with green and teal shimmer. It was lovely and perfect for Christmas, despite it's Halloween-ish name, when I needed a dark, fancy-type green to correspond on my other hand, opposite the L.A. Colors Hot-Blooded.

It was $1.99 at Walgreens, but I got it on sale for $1.09. I bought Lust with it as well, and since I had been so impressed with that one, I had high hopes for Morbid. It's not that it is bad formula- it's not, it's actually great. The color is great too. My problem was the terrible brush. There are like 5 strands that are longer than the rest, and the rest seem sort of "fluffy" and puffed up. It's unusual. But, I guess for such a cheap price, you can't be too shocked. But it makes for a very difficult application.

However, ultimately, I really like this color. I will wear it again, and indeed, I wore it several times this month. I also layered WNW Blitzen over it at one point (pictured earlier) and absolutely loved that effect. I think Blitzen might be my favorite nail polish purchase of all year. It's certainly been the most versatile, despite being a holiday polish. I'll be rocking that bad boy come New Year's Day and I bet my birthday as well.

Anyway, Morbid's report card:

Color= B+ (pretty neat, but lots of brands have similar colors)
Formula= A- (pretty dang good, it might be a smidge prone to bubbles though)
Brush= F (practically useless)
Price= A- (even not on sale, $1.99 isn't bad)

Overall= B-

Nicole by OPI- Bah Plum-Bug

"Bah! Humbug!"
---Ebenezer Scrooge is Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol




This was a color I was fairly psyched about. I felt like it might be close enough to Perplex/Paradoxal to scratch that itch. It is obviously a more blurple than grey-purple as the others are, and its shimmer is a different colorway, but I still felt hopeful it might be similar.

Application, however, was poop. It was not thick or thin, but just an odd consistency, drying in some places and remaining wet and gooey in others, for no apparent reason. It did dry eventually, and was ok, somewhat glossy, I'm thinking it's a jelly. But, it was chipping, very quickly. As shown, this is less than 24 hours. And it was that chipped basically within 12 hours I'd say. The pointer finger, it chipped really bad when I was out shopping so I just dug it all off while fidgeting.

I might try it once more, but this was very disappointing, to say the least.

Report card:

Color= A+ (it's pretty and unique, in my opinion)
Formula= D- (very ineffective and disappointing)
Brush= B (average, at least that's going for it)
Price= D- (I paid $6.99 for a 2 pack at Marshall's, but it normally runs $7.50 or so for one, which for this quality, would have been extremely disappointing)

Overall= C

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+

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-

Sinful Colors- Black on Black

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
---"Paint It Black" Rolling Stones





This is your simple plain black creme. I really like this formula too. I know some people would use black year-round but for me, it's strictly a fall or winter color. I used to be all about black polish, but not any more. I do love it for fall especially though. It's great for layering too though, and for stamping I'm sure. If you need a black, this one is just $1.99 and is great for the price. Look how glossy and pretty it ended up? It was opaque in two coats and dried quickly.

Report card:

Color= C- (very generic, it's hard to mess up black)
Formula= A- (very nice)
Brush= B+ (better than average)
Price= A- (just under $2, that's a great price)

Overall= B

Franken- "Apoplexy"

"Apoplexy is a sudden abolition of all the senses, external and internal, and of all voluntary motion, by the stoppage of the flux and reflux of the animal spirits through the nerves destined for those motions."
---Dr. John Arbuthnot




This was my attempt at a Paradoxal/Perplex type color. I took the remnants of the half-empty OPI Soho Nice to Meet You, plus a little black (Sinful Colors, Black on Black), plus a teal metallic with green and gold shimmer which was the sister color to the fuchsia/plum color, in an L.A. Colors' 2 pack called "Paradise." I dumped as much of the teal as I could. This was the result. As you can see, it's more grape-purple than grey-purple. It's ok though. I think it would have been better if the OPI didn't have the silvery shimmer to begin with, I think it throw's the whole intended finish off. I still think it's a pretty color, and it wears well.

Report card:

Color= A- (I think it's unique, and fun, and definitely a color I would like to wear frequently)
Formula= A- (the OPI was thick to begin with, but the addition of the newer, thinner polishes is great, and it maintained it's original OPI quality)
Brush= n/a (just happened to end up in the OPI bottle, which has an awesome brush by the way)
Price= A- (I estimate this cost me about a buck fifty, considering I was about to toss the OPI, it was too thick on its own)

Overall= A-

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-

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+

Sally Hansen- Fizz It Is

"Get Bizzy with the fizzy baby"
---Garbage "Get Bizzy With the Fizzy Baby"




Bleh. I really was looking forward to this color. It looks much less frosty in the bottle than on the nail, so that was a disappointment. In the bottle, it looks like a slightly shimmery creamy milk off-white. On the nail, it's FROSSSSSSTTTTTYYYYYY. It's like, pure frost. It's hard to see anything beyond the icy sheen. It's nice for a holiday mani maybe. If you like frosty. I like frosty though and this is too much for me. I think I'll franken with it later.

Good news is that it was only 50 cents, since I found it in a 2 pack for a buck at Dollar Tree. Also, considering its cheapness, the application wasn't so bad, although the dry time and finish ended up fairly lacking. It was gummy and ultra-imprintable for a long time and took 4 coats to get even this weak opacity. It might be nice for layering though, so I might try that before I send it off to the franken-pile.

Report card:

Color= F (way too frosty, it's distracting, and shows the brush strokes too badly)
Formula= D (it's definitely close to failing completely)
Brush= B- (pretty average, which shocked me considering the price)
Price= A+ (can't beat 50 cents! Gotta love Dollar Tree)

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+

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- Stellare Notte

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning fields of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
---from the song "Vincent" by Don McLean




I know this is not the best swatch. It's the best I can do with my camera. I didn't like this polish as much as I knew I would from the bottle. From the bottle, it almost looks like a dream polish for me. I love duochrome and dark, dramatic colors. The 3 Ds if you will. However, I felt it was too thick, which dulled the chromatic effect, as well as made brush strokes fairly visible. Additionally, it took FOREVER to dry. Good news is that it's pretty pigmented and I didn't need more than 2 coats. I think one can be sufficient if you are ninja-like with your application.

Lastly, because it's so thick, it was prone to scuffs and scratches, which even further dulled the finish. This needs a good glossy topcoat fer sure. But the brush was AWESOME, as all Borghese brushes are IMO. And it is indeed a unique color. I am more than willing to retry this puppy later, in case for some reason the weather made a difference. It was raining when I tried it, so I am holding out hope that the humidity affected it, and I will also try a quick-dry topcoat and hope that makes for improvement as well. I really want this color to work.

Report card (pending review):

Color= A+ (unique, I haven't really seen much similar to it)
Formula= C- (ultra thick and slow-drying, plus a dull finish)
Brush= A+ (Borghese gots the best brushes)
Price= F (I bought mine on clearance, but normal price is 8 bucks, and unless it's a unique color, spend that money on OPI or something else)

Overall= B-

Revlon- Raven Red

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
---"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe




Weird name, kinda makes no sense, unless you are trying to gothify it I guess? But, goofy name aside, I like this red. It's classic, and thus sorta run-of-the-mill, but in my opinion, red is always sexy and classy. This is deep and brick-toned, definitely something I'll reserve for fall and winter. It's too warm, subdued, and inviting for summer, where I prefer colors to be airy, fresh, and energetic.

The formula is decent, and so is the brush. It's expensive though- for the price, I'd rather wait for a sale at Sally Beauty and pick up a better brand.

Report card:

Color= B (solidly average)
Formula= B (ditto)
Brush= B (ditto that ditto)
Price= C- (mine was $4.79 at Walgreens, and my Wal-mart doesn't have the price listed, and I'm too lazy to walk around to a price-check station to investigate)

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-

Finger Paints- Art You Blue?

Artists can color the sky red because they know it's blue. Those of us who aren't artists must color things the way they really are or people might think we're stupid.
---Jules Feiffer




I liked this color quite a bit on my toes. I liked it less on my fingers, but I still like it. It's a dark grey-blue, with a metallic sheen. For some reason, it looks a smidge greyer on my toes, which I like a little better. The formula is pretty good. The application and dry time are both maybe a smidge less than average, but the hardiness is pretty good. Unfortunately, after just a day, it was chipping fairly badly and they were big chunks coming off at once, not just a slow erosion. It's also fairly expensive, though I bought it during a sale at Sally Beauty. I paid 3.99 when it's normally a dollar more.

Even considering the negatives, I will definitely wear this color again- I like it well enough to.

Report card:

Color= A- (I like it a lot, even though I'd like it more if it were greyer)
Formula= B (it has some plusses and minuses, but ultimately I consider it average)
Brush= B- (pretty average, but maybe a tee tiny bit too long or narrow)
Price= C- (even tho I got mine on sale, I'm basing this on the usual price of 4.99)

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-

Cover Girl- Chocolate Mint

Michael: So I was thinking, if you haven't already got a cake, um, maybe going for one of those ice-cream cakes from Baskin-Robbins. Those are very good. Very Delicious.
Angela: Meredith's allergic to dairy, so...
Michael: She's not the only one that's going to be eating it, right? I think everybody likes ice-cream cake. It's not, uh, it's not just about her, so...
Pam: It is... her birthday.
Michael: Mint chocolate chip! That'd be good, how about some, mint chocolate chip?
---The Office




Ok, I know this is an old polish and supposedly NOT Big 3 Free. But I love it. It's such a fun duochrome and even though it's an old bottle, it applies like a dream and lasted forever. The base is a dark, definitely chocolatey brown and the chromatic sheen is a nice mint. It was also basically a 1 coater, but I put on two to bring out the fudginess of the brown and really give it good-staying power, since I loved it so much. It's a winner! I wish someone would remake this in a Big 3 Free formula, but oh well. And it also provided inspiration for me for a fun holiday polish. I didn't quite meet the mark on it myself with my attempt but I still want to try again. I want a red base with green duochrome. That would pretty much be my mani for the entirety of December til Christmas.

Report card time:

Color= A+ (ultra-unique)
Formula= A+ (easy application, quick-drying, glossy finish, opaque, and very hardy)
Brush= A (I've had better, but it was extremely good)
Price= B- (I paid like 3 bucks or so, including shipping, after finding this on eBay. Glad I got it)

Overall= A-

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-