Polish4Pennies: Drugstore Clearance Finds - CQ & Sinful Colors

Hi everyone!

I first want to say "hello" to the wave of new visitors who found me through the I Love NP and Zoya Facebook pages. 

With the nail art community growing so rapidly, I'm so humbled that there's enough of you polished lovelies out there that are interested in what I'm up to. So thank you!

Today I want to do something different. I've been stretching out my pea brain muscles working on ideas for a variety of themed posts. 

The first thing I thought of was my polish purchasing habits. As much as I'm willing to splurge for the coolest collections and Indie favorites, most of the time my wallet is bone dry since I lost my job due to my chronic illness over a year ago.

So how do I satisfy my polish habit without my boyfriend having a heart attack? Pay in change! I'm a thrifter at heart, and am not ashamed to say I'll rush to a sale/clearance section before looking at anything else. Nail polish is no different, especially when it comes to the drugstore. 

Recently my local Rite-Aid had a little bin of $.99 polishes, and I scooped up the only four colors I didn't already own. I have individual swatches to share with you, along with a spur-of-the-moment nail art look combining the colors.

So let's take a look!

The Polishes

First up is  CQ "Honey," a white-based, buttery yellow creme.

CQ is an overlooked brand, mainly because of the availability. They do not have a website, and I've only seen them in Rite-Aid stores. Others have spotted certain shades at Walmart, but none of the ones in my area seem to carry them. If you don't have a Rite-Aid in your area, I'd turn to Amazon or eBay.

It's a shame because the formula is fantastic! Honey had the slight streaky problem of most yellow polishes, but this is actually one of the creamiest yellows I own by far. It was extremely easy to work with. I used two coats for the photos to smooth the streaks. 

The warm undertones also make this a more flattering yellow than the highlighter hues you've been seeing me sport recently. I'm a fan!

Next is another CQ in the color "Corduroy," a muted teal creme.

The formula was thinner than honey but still just  as easy to work with! It's possible to get away with one coat, but I went with two to ensure the color was really saturated. 

Best part? This is one of the few teals I have that does NOT stain. 

That gives it a two thumbs up in my book!

My next find brings me back to good ole' Sinful Colors in "San Francisco," a a shimmery emerald green.

The shade surprised me. Not only was it extremely sheer, but it was really runny. Not one other SC polish I own has this behavior, so I was a bit disappointed when it took me three to four coats to get it to full opacity.

It's not devastating enough to take away from its shiny goodness. I was relieved when it didn't turn out to be a frost, which is why I think I hadn't purchased it before. It is lighter than I expected, but it's still a nice, festive green for holidays  and can be paired with some chunky glitter for some real razzle dazzle!

The second photo is in the shade, where you can better see  how it would appear sheer if applied with anything less than three coats. It even looks thin on the nail.

My fourth find is Sinful Colors "See You Soon," a black-based, dark dark shimmery teal blue.

Now before I go any further, I don't own Essie Dive Bar...but by the swatches I've seen this looks to be a dead-on dupe for it, but for a quarter of the cost.

I can't compare the formulas of the two, but compared to San Francisco I just showed you, See You Soon is an improvement. The formula was still a bit runny, but it was no where near as sheer. The first coat is what led me to believe that it's actually a black-based polish, but my eyes could have deceived me. I went ahead and added another coat to intensify the shimmer.

I have no idea why I hadn't purchased this one before. I suppose I assumed it was a frost, but it is definitely not. It's a beautiful color. I do have others similar from Wet 'N Wild, eyeslipsface, and Nicole by OPI, so needless to say it's not an original color. I will say that if you saw Essie's  Dive Bar and have yet to purchase it, reach for this one instead.

Once again, the first photo is in the sun and the second is in the shade. Even without direct sunlight this color still sparkles. 

Gotta give it props for that!

 Nail Art Inspiration

Often times I'll pick up a polish on clearance without even having an idea on how or when to use it. In this case, all four of these colors complimented each other in a way that I just had to find a nail art look that utilized them all.

I did end up skipping San Francisco, but the other three were used to create the look you see below.
I don't really know what to call it, but it's not half bad.

I started with See You Soon as the base. 

Then taking a small nail art brush I made random strokes with Honey starting from the lower left of the tips and bringing the brush upward diagonally. 

After cleaning my brush, I left a bit of polish remover on the brush and dipped it into a dot of Corduroy and repeated the same step as before. Leaving the remover on the brush waters down the polish, creating a smudgy, blended effect. 

I finished with a few dots of Honey on the opposite side of each nail.

I kinda went to far with the blending and the longer I stare at the close-up shots, the messier I think it looks. 

I usually wouldn't post a design I wasn't entirely proud of, but in person it looked cool.

Could I have done something entirely different with these polishes? Oh sure, the possibilities were endless. 

Unfortunately, if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram then you know I'm trying to treat my wounded dog who is suffering from an infected and possibly sprained leg from injuries sustained from a fight with my roommates dog. 

So all my nail painting took place with poor Odie in my lap, meaning I used his  little cone head as a hand-rest. It was the only time his little nub tail would wag. He's attention-starved no matter how he feels.

Oh life. Le sigh.

What do you think of this design?

What are you polish purchasing habits?

Let me know in the comments below and share you thrifty finds with me on Facebook!

And keep my little Odie dingo in your thoughts for a full recovery. All it took was him coming up behind Buster while he was excited and digging in a hole. It scared Buster and the fight broke out immediately. 

My sappy little dachshund/lab/chow mix is no match for an aggressive American Bulldog/Pitbull mix that's twice his size. :(

Posting should be kept to a normal schedule, so make sure to keep up with me on Twitter and Bloglovin'!

Thanks for reading!

-Melody

L.A. Girl 3D Effects Hologram Nail Polish: Brilliant Blue

Hi everyone!

I have a short post today as I need to get back to getting things organized around the house.

I wanted to share with you the L.A. Girl 3D Effects Hologram Nail Polish in Brilliant Blue.

I had originally planned to wait until I purchased the rest of the collection at the end of the week, but I just couldn't wait!

I'll stumbled upon this beauty at Rite-Aid along with the others for $4.99 each, and they were already flying off the shelves!

I hope I can scoop up the others by this weekend so I can do a full review.

In the meantime, you can view the entire collection at lagirlusa.com.

Brilliant Blue is deep, dark blue scattered holo. 

The actual hologram effect is pretty subtle, but either way is out of this world.

 The formula is really interesting. It's a bit thick, but almost applies like a jelly. It's like you can see the 3D aspect as you apply it. It looks as if the glitter is raised above the base. I know it sounds crazy, but get it and you'll know exactly what I mean.

All of these photos were taken with two coats, without top coat after two days of wear. Can you believe it? I still can't. I never wear a polish this long but it's just been so good to me.

Dare I compare it to Picture Polish Cosmos? Why not.? 

Consider it the cheap cousin, and I'm dying to meet the rest of the family.

Have you seen the L.A. Girl 3D Effects at your local Rite-Aid?
Will you be picking any of them up?

Let me know in the comments below or share you love for holos on my Facebook or Twitter page.

Thanks for reading!

-Melody

Sinful Colors Paparazzi / Almost Famous Collection Swatches and Review

Hi everyone!

Today I have more Sinful Colors shades to share with you, the Limited Edition Paparazzi Collection.

The Collection

The Paparazzi Collection consists of the following eight glittery shades:

From left to Right:

Fantasy

Show Stopping

Poparazzi

Bombshell

In The Spotlight

Lush Life

After Party

Stardust

Price and Availability

The polishes are available for individual sale at Rite Aid for $1.99 each.
They are also available at Walgreens, but under a different collection name, the Almost Famous Collection.

The Colors

Fantasy is a mix a fine silver and small, round rainbow glitter suspended in a clear base. 

Sinful Colors "Fantasy" over Sinful Colors "Rain Storm"

The formula and the glitter applies evenly without dragging. The glitters are fine enough that you grab a generous amount each time you pull the brush from the bottle, making it very easy to work with.

This is a great medium for when you don't want chunky rainbow hexes, but still want a sparkle with a bit of color.

Sinful Colors "Fantasy" over Sinful Colors "Rain Storm"

Show Stopping is a dainty combo of baby pink fine glitter and small holographic hexes in a clear base.

Sinful Colors "Show Stopping" over Sinful Colors "Nirvana"

It's pretty hard to tell the difference between this and Fantasy on the nail. I think the base color really determines how much the pink will be reflected in this one.  The glitter is a more sparse on the first coat than Fantasy and the formula is a bit thicker, but once built up they are extremely similar.

Sinful Colors "Show Stopping" over Sinful Colors "Nirvana"

Poparazzi is full of densely packed, fine fuchsia glitter in a clear base.

Sinful Colors "Poparazzi" over Sinful Colors "GoGo Girl"

The formula is great and the glitter glides on evenly. While I only used one coat for these photos, you could easily build up more layers to create a full accent nail.

I like that the color shifts from pink to fuchsia and is a bit deeper from most of the other pink glitters I own. 

Sinful Colors "Poparazzi" over Sinful Colors "GoGo Girl"

Bombshell is a nearly clear, green-tinted base with fine mint and silver glitter and small, round rainbow glitter.

Sinful Colors "Bombshell" over Sinful Colors "Mint Apple"

Well...you can't say I didn't give it a chance. The formula bothers me, and I mean really bothers me. It's thick, goopy and drags. The bottle is deceiving, making you think it wasn't a clear base, but the green just isn't there.

I feel like this is a failed attempt at a drugstore dupe of Deborah Lippmann "Mermaid's Dream". 

Sinful Colors has never let me down before but this just looks dated and erm, childish?

Sinful Colors "Bombshell" over Sinful Colors "Mint Apple"

In The Spotlight is nearly identical to Bombshell in ever way except that it is slightly more blue. Slightly.

Sinful Colors "In the Spotlight" over Sinful Colors "Cinderella"

If you picked up Bombshell you don't need this one, and vice versa. If it wasn't for the name I wouldn't be able to tell these two apart. If fact, when I bought them in the store I had to double check to make sure I had both. Then when I swatched them at home I couldn't remember if I had swatched both, or accidentally swatched the same one with a different base!

In truth, I wish I hadn't picked up either one.

Sinful Colors "In the Spotlight" over Sinful Colors "Cinderella"

Lush Life consists of small, teal hexes and fine glitter, suspended in a thick clear base. 

Sinful Colors "Lush Life" over Sinful Colors "Leap Frog"

The formula is thick, so it takes some work to get the hexes out of the bottle. Surprisingly it still has a relatively fast drying time consistent with all Sinful Colors polishes.

I actually still love this despite the goopiness, as it's still easier to work with than the previous two shades. I must have over a dozen blue glitter polishes, but a true teal glitter combo is harder to come by. For the price, I would call this one a must have.

Sinful Colors "Lush Life" over Sinful Colors "Leap Frog"

After Party is basically a true blue version of Lush Life. Same formula, same combo...just blue.

Sinful Colors "After Party" over Sinful Colors "Endless Blue"

It applies the same, dries the same, and is just as beautiful. The shade of blue is an exact match of Milani's One Step Glitter in "Blue Flash," but the hexes make this one stand out.

Sinful Colors "After Party" over Sinful Colors "Endless Blue"

Stardust is a slightly tinted, purple based sheer polish packed with purple fine glitters and round fuchsia glitters.

Sinful Colors "Stardust" over Sinful Colors "Mesmerize"

If you really want to wear this on it's own, you could...but it would take a lot of layers. The base is too sheer to avoid patchiness, so I recommended a purple base as I did. With a base color and one coat of the glitter you can achieve the same look as you would if you spent the extra time trying to build up the glitter on its own.

I really like the dimension of this . I plan to experiment with this in combination with the Julep Rock Candy Nail Glaze. It might just make a good sandwhich, if you know what I mean!

Sinful Colors "Stardust" over Sinful Colors "Mesmerize"

Overall

Needless to say, the Paparazzi Collection had some hit and misses. The concept works, but some of the colors didn't. Some were so similar that you really only need half of the collection.

I'd have to say my favorites are Lush Life and Stardust with the runners up being After Party, Poparazzi and Fantasy. I could have skipped the other three, saved six bucks and a lot of nail polish remover.



What are you favorites out of this collection? 

Are planning on picking any of these up?

Let me know in the comments below, or give me a shout on my Facebook or Twitter page.

Happy Saturday and thanks for reading!

- Melody

Sinful Colors Buff to Bright Collection Swatches & Review

Hi everyone!

Today I have the Sinful Colors Buff to Bright Collection to share with you.

This is an interesting collection, as only one of the shades is a new release...sort of. Three of the colors were released in Europe in 2011, but are just now making their debut here in the US as part of this newly curated collection to compliment both your spring and summer wardrobe.

The Collection

The collection includes the following six cremes, one microshimmer and one pearl:

Genteel (Previously released in Europe, new to US)

Nude (New, availability TBD?)

Unicorn (Part of the permanent collection)

Pistache (Previously released in Europe named "Pistachio", new to US)

Folly (Part of the permanent collection)

GoGo Girl (Part of the permanent collection)

Cloud 9 (Part of the permanent collection)

Endless Blue (Part of the permanent collection)

Price and Availability

This is major selling point of the Sinful Colors brand. Priced at $1.99 a polish, it's accessible to anyone! I often pay for these with spare change in my wallet, especially when the Rite-Aid Wellness Points kick in.

You will find Sinful Colors in most Rite-Aids, Walgreens, Walmarts and Targets across the country.
The only catch is that curated collections like these vary from location to location. I usually find collection displays like the Bright to Buff collection at Rite-Aid and Walgreens.

To see the complete list of retailers an to view the entire Sinful colors line, visit sinfulcolors.com.

The Colors

Sinful Colors "Genteel"

Genteel is light dusty pink with a stunning lilac pearlescent finish. It is very sheer on first coat but is a dream to work with. It takes three coats to full opacity, and even then the pearly shimmer is very subtle. It can really seen in very direct sunlight.

I am in love with this color and thrilled SC brought it across the sea. It compliments my skin tone so nicely and is such a delicate color that is suitable for all ages.

Sinful Colors "Nude"

Nude on the other hand is anything BUT nude, atleast for me. It's a light to medium orange-toned brown. On the brush it does sort of resemble a really orange tinted foundation, except obviously it applies thinner than one. The formula is great - opaque in one coat and dries to a smooth hi gloss.

In the bottle I really dig this color and unique in my collection thus far. Unfortunately this would never be my go-to for nude mani, but I'm curious to see if someone with a deeper skin tone can make it work.

Sinful Colors "Unicorn"

Unicorn is a pastel, light buttery yellow. I adore this color and somehow managed to avoid the dreaded lobster hand syndrome. Unfortunately, the formula was disappointing  It's semi-sheer and applies in thin and liquid manner to the point that I couldn't avoid pooling and dragging. It should have been opaque on the third coat, but I couldn't like past noticeable streaking. I was so determined to make this work that I added a fourth coat. That plus top coat did the trick, but geez.

It's still a beautiful color and I know I'll turn to it again, but for future application I might try a white base.

Sinful Colors "Pistache"

Pistache is a bold, bright pistachio green. It comes out a bit darker on nail than in bottle, but it's only apparent in artificial lighting. It was almost opaque in one coat minus some minor streaking, but touch ups with a second smoothed things out. Other than that the consistency is very creamy.

This color is fresh and fantastic. It's unlike the other yellow-based pastel greens out there this season and I feel like it's a must have.

Sinful Colors "Folly"

Folly is glossy, raspberry red jelly. My nail line is just barely visible at one coat as shown above (and that's only because they were dirty underneath), but those with longer nails may need two coats to reduce nail line.

It make be took opaque for a jelly sandwhich, but I have yet to try it.

Sinful Colors "GoGo Girl"

GoGo Girl is a thick jelly red creme. Forumula wise it's a bit thicker than Folly, but it still has a rubbery finish to it. The nail line might be visible for longer nails and require two coats, but I left it at one with almost no nail exposed.

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It's skirts the line between a jelly and a creme leaving me a bit undecided on how I'd actually put it to use.

Sinful Colors "Cloud 9"

Cloud 9 is a bright, citrusy orange with golden orange microshimmer. It's almost opaque in one coat, but I used two to reduce visible nail line. 

This color can lean on the frosty side and is a little dated in my opinion. That being said, I like the color and the formula was one of the best in the bunch.

Sinful Colors "Endless Blue"

Endless Blue is a gorgeous bright blue creme. Completely smooth and opaque in one coat. In an indoor setting it's not as bright, but it's just as beautiful.

There's not much else to say. This is a staple blue for any polish lover on a budget.

Overall

Overall I think the concept of the collection gets the point across. There's something to please everyone, from understated lighter colors to bold brighter shades for those really wanting to make a statement.

This may not be the most "OMG how edgy and unique" collection out there, but it's brings to light some standout polishes from the Sinful Colors brand.

I don't think Sinful Colors has an official Facebook or Twitter, but there is a prominent community page following for the brand for each outlet you can check out:

Visit The Sinful Colors Facebook page or Twitter page for fun updates, giveaways and more.

Which is your favorite from the Buff to Brights Collection? 

What do you think of the Sinful Colors brand?

Let me know in the comments below or give me a shout on my facebook or twitter.

Also, don't forget that Google reader will be shutting down on July 1st, so head over to Bloglovin' and follow The Manicured Amateur to keep up with all the fun!

Thanks for reading!

-Melody