Maybelline Color Show Navy Narcissist

This is the first time I've tried Maybelline Color Show.  This one is Navy Narcissist.  It is a metalic navy.  It is a true one coater.  It is not a "you could get by with one coat" or a "needs one thick coat" polish.  It is a "put on one regular coat and go".  I always, always do two coats, but I felt zero need for a second coat of polish.  I added a top coat, but you could easily get by without one.  I haven't tested Maybelline to see how long this polish wears on me yet.  I'm in a polish changing kind of mood at the moment.  It is on 50% clearance at CVS right now.

EDIT:  Someone else on the internet pointed out that these bottles contain 0.23 oz and your average polish (OPI, Zoya, etc.) contain 0.5 oz.  If you pay the CVS full price of 4$, that makes these a similar price per ounce as OPI and Zoya.  They are definitely not worth that price IMHO.

CVS Clearance

CVS is having their semi-annual make-up clearance with products 50% & 75% off.  See this link for a list of products.  She updates the list as she gets more information. 
http://nouveaucheap.blogspot.com/2013/05/spring-2013-cvs-beauty-clearance-sale.html

Zoya Stevie

The newest trend in nail polish is texture polish.  Zoya Stevie is my first textured polish.  Zoya calls their texture polishes Pixie Dusts.  They have a spring and summer collection, and I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't another Pixie Dust collection this fall.  The Zoya version of texture polish is sparkly.  Some other companies make texture polish without glitter.  I think Zoya nailed the texture look with polishes that resemble gum drops.  The polish itself dries matte with sugar like sparkles peaking out underneath. 

When you apply Pixie Dusts, Zoya suggests you don't use a top or base coat.  A top coat ruins the texture finish and make it look like a regular glitter polish.  Stevie took two coats.  I followed Zoya's instructions and let each coat dry 10 minutes in between coats.  Stevie wore well for me, I wore it 6 days with very minor chipping (the above pic was day 5 or 6).  Stevie sparkles even in low light.  I was surprised that I preferred the Pixie Dust texture in indoor light, because I expected the opposite.  The first day I applied Stevie, I liked it, but also thought it looked too thick in direct sunlight, like thick old nail polish in need of thinner.  It wasn't as thick as it looks in the picture below, but on that order.  I don't know if it dried more over time or if I just got used to it, but I didn't think it looked thick the following days.  Stevie looked like the above pic after the first day.  The feel of the texture is on the order of an orange peel. It isn't overly rough and doesn't get caught on things and isn't annoying.   I really like the Pixie Dust  texture, but probably don't need to buy tons of them. You can buy Zoya online at zoya.com, and at Ulta, Whole Foods, and some salons. 

Mint Green and Lavender Gradient

This is Essie Nice is Nice as the base (Lavender) with a Wet 'n Wild Megalast Garden Hose (mint green) gradient sponged over the top.  Then I added a layer of Pure Ice Mint Dreams which adds a mint green iridescence and helps blend the gradient.  My manicure looks more green from some angles then in the picture. 

Nude Floral Manicure over Tiffany Blue Polish

This manicure is a copy of a manicure I saw on Pinterest.  Here is the original.  The base color for this manicure is Wet 'n Wild I Need a Refresh Mint.  I used a dotting tool to make the flowers.  I used an old white polish for most of the flower centers.  I used China Glaze Foie Gras, Revlon Colorstay Stormy Night, A old pinky nude Sally Hansen polish (Wet 'n Wild Megalast Private Viewing is similar), Zoya Harley, and Wet 'n Wild Sugar Coat for the flowers.  I really like this manicure.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Pacific Blue with Hard Candy Black Tie Optional

This is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Pacific Blue with Hard Candy Black Tie Optional layered on top.  Pacific Blue is hands down the stinkiest polish I own. It smells like nail polish mixed with sulfur (rotten egg smell). 

Bright Colored Flower Stamps

We got 18 inches of snow the other day and I am not happy about it.  I planned to fight back with a bright, spring manicure. This didn't end up as bright as I wanted, but it is still springy.  The base is an old bottle of white polish and I stamped it using the Salon Express kit.  I stamped with Essie Brazilliant, Sally Hansen Pacific Blue, Wet 'n Wild Megalast Tropicalia, and Wet 'n Wild Megalast I Need a Refresh Mint (I'd swap this one for a different color next time).