Category: Swatch

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SWATCH SUNDAY — OPI DS Bold (Designer Series)

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! It’s beautiful & sunny, but with that Autumn crisp chill that makes bundling in layers necessary! But it’s worth it for that crisp sound as you walk over fallen leaves.

It’s Sunday, so you know what that means: Swatch Sunday! I missed last week, so I hope some sparkle from (a few) years ago will make up for it. & since October is also my birthday month, I thought some sparkle was in order!

This is OPI DS Bold from the Designer Series collection.

2 coats + top coat

I can’t remember exactly when I picked this shade up — I do know it was either a Winners or Marshall’s find — but it was originally released in 2011 as part of the Designer Series. It is a very tricky packed jelly red… which also gives a little pink depending on the light, with a lot of tiny silver microglitters.

According to the release I read, it’s packed with “diamond dust”.

The formula on this guy is pretty thick after all these years, but not too thick I couldn’t get a good base. The glitters were definitely a bit difficult to remove — as are many glitters — but that could always be remedied with a peel off base coat of you only wanted to wear it for a night.

The glitter is definitely fun & vibrant & was a nice choice to wear. I kind of wish I had the other colour from the same release (Temptation) which is a beautiful indigo purple with the same densely packed glitter finish.

So what do you think of OPI DS Bold? I seriously feel like OPI needs to bring this collection back, because it contains so many fun & unique shades — with a little extra pizzazz.

Happy Sunday!

🖤

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SWATCH SUNDAY — OPI I Sing In Color

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! Officially celebrating the first Sunday of October — & spooky season! I love spooky season.

I was perusing my nail polish stash, trying to find a shade I haven’t yet shared for Swatch Sunday. I have a lot of shades from the beginning of my nail polish obsession I never shared swatches of, so I enjoy going back & pulling them out.

Take today’s pick: originally released as part of the Holiday 2014 collection, I feel like it’s the perfect dark burgundy for October. This is OPI I Sing In Color.

2 coats + top coat

One word: obsessed.

This dark burgundy, so dark it could look black from far away, has a beautiful cream formula that builds effortlessly. To me, this is the definition of an Autumn manicure — dark, cosy & a little bit moody.

Look at that beautiful smooth formula! For a shade that is almost in its teenage years, she’s holding up stunningly.

Actually, I’m surprised that I don’t pull this out more! I think it’s just been hiding in my OPI stash, so I kept missing it — but I rearranged all my polishes after we moved, so she was more front & centre. & thank goodness for that because I’m so excited to share how beautiful it is!

Do you remember OPI I Sing In Color? Sadly, we’re another discontinued shade so finding her for purchase might prove difficult. But OPI just released a collection for Fall 2026 featuring some highly requested shades, so maybe we’ll get a re-release in the not too distant future!

A girl can dream.

Happy Sunday loves.

🖤

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SWATCH SUNDAY — BlackHeart Metallic Purple Blue Galaxy (Hot Topic Brand)

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend so far — can you believe this is the last Sunday of September? Where has this month gone? It’s passed by very quickly.

Today I’m excited because I’m sharing a shade I’ve had in my stash all Summer, but have been waiting to share because it felt more Autumn-esque. At the beginning of Summer I was browsing my local Hot Topic, & as always, I have to look at the nail polish! They had some fun colours in those skull shaped bottles, & I ended up buying two since they were buy one get one 1/2 price!

This is Blackheart Metallic Purple Blue Galaxy.

2 coats over NailStuff Essentials Raven + Top Coat

So first thing I noticed when I checked the formula was that it is very, very thin, & therefore very sheer. As a result, I made the choice to apply over a base of black just to avoid needing 4+ coats. Personally, I like the plain black base as it made the purple & blue shimmer the easiest to see.

The colour itself (to me) is the textbook definition of a blurple, which we all know is one of my favourite kind of polishes. The duo-chrome effect flashes either purple or blue depending on how you shift the nail. The colour feels very Halloween-adjacent, which — as a girl who loves Halloween — I’m absolutely here for. & obviously the skull shape of the bottle also adds to the Halloween-y vibes.

Check out that shifty glitter. It’s beautiful. The base of this shade is more of a jelly, so for me I really liked to have the black base so I don’t have to do quite so many coats.

Absolutely gorgeous, & I total win!

Hot Topic’s Blackheart Nail Polish retails for $6.50 CAD but often has a deal like BOGO 50% off which brings the price down. The formula’s & colours are my favourite though because they’re fun finishes, which I’m all about. & obviously, the Skull shaped bottle makes me happy.

Have you ever tried Hot Topic’s nail polish? What do you think of the brand? I’ll definitely be checking back into my local store, as I saw a pink & black glitter online, & I need it. So stay tuned!

& happy Sunday!

♥︎

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SWATCH SUNDAY — China Glaze First Class Ticket (Fall 2010 Vintage Vixen Collection)

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! The weather is absolutely perfect Autumn vibes right now — I wore tights yesterday with my favourite denim skirt. I felt so Fall.

Obviously, I’ve been perusing my stash for past Fall shades I haven’t shared yet with everyone, & stumbled across this beauty in my China Glaze drawer. Yes, I have a whole drawer full of China Glaze nail polishes… a drawer & a half if we’re being technical. But I was excited to stumble across this beauty, & I realized that I haven’t shared it yet!

This is China Glaze First Class Ticket.

2 coats + top coat

This beautiful deep metallic purple is filled with a stunning blue micro glitter which gives it the most stunning blurple effect. We all know I love a deep purple, & a jewel tone, & these are so perfect for this time of year. Formula was smooth & easy to apply — Obviously I still needed two coats for full opacity, but I had no problem with streakiness, or brushstrokes.

Close up really shows how that blue micro glitter gives a glow to the polish. I used flash for my photographs, but even without you can see that blurple effect.

I feel like this shade is very 2010s China Glaze — when to me, their polishes were at the peak. Obviously I still love the brand, but nothing compares to my shades from the early to mid 2010s. That was when China Glaze was the IT GIRL nail polish brand, & I truly adore all of my shades that I collected during those years. It was a beautiful time.

What do you think about China Glaze First Class Ticket? Do you love this shade as much as I do?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below! & have the best Sunday lovelies.

♥︎

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie High Voltage Vinyl (Essie Fall 2021 Collection)

Good morning lovelies & happy Sunday. I hope everyone is having a beautiful weekend! The weather here is perfect Autumn weather — cool enough to wear a light jacket, but not too cold I can’t still wear my favourite skirts. Definitely my favourite time of year.

So naturally, let’s show off some Fall nail polish. & I feel like I’ve found the perfect shade for the occasion: Essie High Voltage Vinyl.

2 coats + top coat

Described on the Essie site as a “warm rockin’ onyx green nail polish amped up with refined gold pearl” I feel like this colour screams early Autumn. The green is a beautiful dark green which is complimented perfectly by the bronze-y gold. The dark shimmer is really pretty, & applied surprisingly smooth with subtle brush strokes (it kind of just looks more like the finish, & less like me mucking up.)

Green isn’t usually a colour I reach for to wear on its own, but I like that this one is a little bit different & that underlying gold shimmer is doing something to me! It just screams Autumn, & sweater weather. Could you imagine this guy with a coat of Essie Shine of the Times over top? I bet it would be absolutely stunning (& I wish I had thought of it when I put this shade on… rather than when I was writing this blog post! Next time!)

Sadly, looking online it doesn’t look like this shade is available for purchase, which makes me sad because it’s such a fun shade for this time of year. I’m sure there is a beautiful dupe out there though!

What do you think of Essie High Voltage Vinyl? Do you think it’s a beautiful Autumnal shade? Would you wear this unique green nail polish?

I’d love to know your thoughts & what you’re currently wearing on your nails right now.

Happy Sunday!

♥︎