Crystal File 061: NEW for Spring Zoya Harley and Get Even

I have to apologize for being slow to get full collection swatches up for my dedicated readers! Weather and time have conspired against me. I truly intend to work up swatches of the full Zoya Twist collection and the Essie Spring collection ASAP. Here's a little something to tide you over in the mean time!

In addition to the gorgeous Twist collection, I've also been able to try two new products which have recently been added to Zoya's Color Lock system. The new Get Even ridge filling base coat is MARVELOUS. I have truly fallen in love, and I'm seriously considering the gigantic refill bottle. So far I've only tried it under Zoya lacquers, but I'm hopeful that it will play well with all of my 3-free brands. Zoya has also added their own polish thinner to their Color Lock system called Renew. Just a couple of drops in my slightly thickened Sloane had it back to a "like new" consistency.

Now, for a few photos of one of my absolute favorite Zoya polishes of ALL time. Zoya has a TON of gorgeous colors, but this one has certainly stolen my heart. Zoya Harley, from the Twist Spring 2009 collection, is the perfect grey. I have long been searching for the perfect combination of soft dove grey and subtle, glowing shimmer. Harley truly makes me feel as though I've adorned my nails with the finest of pale grey pearls.










As you can tell from the photos, the sun was playing hide-and-go-seek with me. Hopefully these give you enough incentive to give Harley a try, i most certainly recommend it!

Crystal File 060: Poshe AHA Cuticle Care VS. CND Cuticle Eraser

Many moons ago i learned about a magical cuticle treatment called CND Cuticle Eraser. When used in conjunction with a good cuticle moisturizer (cream or oil) this product helps to exfoliate dead tissue that would normally adhere to the nail plate. Prior to using Cuticle Eraser as part of my maintenance regimen, i had to use cuticle remover much more frequently, and the skin surrounding my nails was rough and hard. Cuticle Eraser became an HG for me, and i haven't gone without it since.

I am always, however, searching for the next best thing. So i began searching out other products similar to CND Cuticle Eraser, trying to determine if one might be even better. There was no way to know save to try. So i ordered two tubes of Poshe AHA Cuticle Care and have been using it for several weeks now.

For two very simple reasons CND Cuticle Eraser wins this smack down. 1)It smells better. I don't like flowery, and Poshe is flowery. CND Cuticle Eraser has a light, fruity smell that is far more appealing to me. 2)CND Cuticle Eraser absorbs more quickly. Since i generally use my AHA product just before bed (after i'm freshly mani'd) and follow it with my HG cuticle cream, Lush Lemony Flutter, i need something that absorbs quickly. Poshe just doesn't soak into my skin as quickly as Cuticle Eraser.

That said, if the smell of Cuticle Eraser is unappealing to you, perhaps you should try Poshe AHA Cuticle Care. It is still a very nice product, and very effective.

On another note, Zoya Twist has landed at my house! I hope to be able to get swatches done tomorrow, when the weather person says i shall have sun. Keep your beautifully manicured fingers crossed for me.

Crystal File 059: I'm Baaa-ack!

I've finally returned from our holiday vacation. I have to say, it is lovely to be home! I hope to have some lovely new spring colors to share with you soon! At the moment i am eagerly anticipating the Zoya Twist collection. Zoya has also added Get Even (Ridge Filling Basecoat) and Zoya Renew (Polish Rejuvenator) to their Color Lock system.

I am also eagerly awaiting the Essie Spring collection (there's a BLUE!) and the February 4th national release of the OPI South Beach collection. Lots of exciting stuff coming up, so stay tuned!

Crystal File 058: Essie Love Beverly Hills XX

Well, the holiday season is in full swing! For many of you gals that may mean pulling out your favorite sexy, festive reds for tips and toes. I have to say, Love Beverly Hills has definitely joined my list of favorite reds. I was initially afraid it would be far to warm and golden for me, due to the intense golden shimmer apparent in the bottle. The shimmer comes from the addition of pure 24 Carat gold!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that once applied, the golden tone mellows and blends with the red base, creating a gorgeous foil like glow. This is an intense red, however, and not for the faint of heart.








I hope you're all done shopping, and all set for lots of holiday fun with family and friends! I hope to post again before i travel for the holidays, but if not, i wish all my readers the best the season has to offer!

Crystal File 57: Happy Holidays and all that Jazz!

Tis the season....to be super busy! I apologize for not having had many lovely pics for you as of late. Believe it or not, i actually do have pretties i'd like to share, but between nasty (sunless) weather and running all over the place to shop, swatching just gets put on the back burner!

I have three more Romantiques to photo so that i can post the six you all haven't seen here. I also have Essie, Love Beverly Hills xx waiting in the wings. I still need to share the Fall Barielle colors with you all as well! Oy, the list keeps getting longer. I may even be able to get my hands on the upcoming Spring/Summer OPI Miami South Beach collection over the holidays, wouldn't that be nifty?! At any rate, i've not forgotten you all, and i truly hope to be able to get some swatch work done before we leave for the Christmas holiday. Keep your beautifully manicured fingers crossed for sunny weather :)

Crystal File 56: Let's Welcome a New Blogger!!

Hullo ladies! I'd love it if you could all help me welcome a new blogger into our polish obsessed plane of existence :) Her name is Michelle, and she is one of my most wonderful MUA pals. You can visit her new blog by clicking the "A Stroke of Color" link on the right side of my page under favorite beauty blogs.

Michelle is not only a really sweet gal, she's also a master or Konad nail art. And if her awesome nails and fabulous personality aren't enough to win you over, she's also a competitive swimmer!

So, please take a few minutes and cruise over to her blog site. I'm sure you'll enjoy not only the site content, but getting to know Michelle a bit as well.

Crystal File 55: Why NOT to use Acetone to Thin Your Polish!

On the topic of thinning polishes using acetone, i have to advise against it. While acetone may work to thin the polish, it can also be damaging to the chemical composition of the polish, potentially harming the wear and shine of the product.

Using nail polish thinner (available at your local nail or beauty supply store, Ulta, Sally Beauty Supply, or via and etailer like head2toebeauty) is the best option. Thinner is specifically designed to replace the solvents that have evaporated from your polish, which is what causes it to thicken.

You'll notice that acetone is not on the original ingredients list of your polish, but ingredients like Butyl Acetate and Ethyl Acetate (common thinner ingredients) are two of the most common polish ingredients. That's why they're in your thinner, because as i mentioned, the purpose of thinner is to replace these solvents.

So, i know that its a common misconception that using Acetone or polish remover to thin your polish is ok, but i seriously advise you to invest in a bottle of polish thinner instead. Using thinner will not damage your polish, just remember to use it sparingly so you don't over-thin. Many thinners, such as my favorite, Seche Restore, come with a small glass eyedropper to help you control the amount you add. While Restore is my favorite, it does contain Toluene (one of the Big Three chemicals). If you'd prefer a thinner without Toluene, Beauty Secrets thinner is available at Sally Beauty Supply, and doesn't contain Toluene.

I hope this helps dispel the myth that its fine to use acetone as a polish thinning agent! I wouldn't want to see any of my lovely readers tossing a precious pretty because it became a dull, chippy mess every time they tried to wear it :)