Dupes or not? (back-to-back)

From the very first, I'm lemming and dying to have Essie Mint Candy Apple. And finally it's here! Woohoo! But before I have it, I got the three nail lacquers from MAC Quite Cute Collection. There is the Mischievous Mint there, and right there, I know that they are dead dupes.

L-R Essie Mint Candy Apple (3 coats), MAC Mischievous Mint (2 coats)

You might say that Essie is mintier than MM. This is true but not after three coats in MM. They are dead dupes. But I have some concerns; 

> MM is a limited edition color. Meaning to say if it's gone, it's gone. Candy apple is always and just around. 

> MM is $16 per 10ml bottle. Candy Apple is $8 per 13.5ml bottle.

> With regards to application, MM is so creamy and the stem holding the brush is quite soft. Essie of course, two hands up.

> MM has prolong drying time.

I wonder what makes MAC expensive. Well, it's MAC. Maybe yes; I'm gonna buy a MAC nail polish again. Just because it matches my favorite lipstick.

Over-all, it's Essie that I'll always love.

Bluer Than Hue

I ended with unexpected colors today. I was expecting that one or two will be close colors (except for Jade) but not even one. These colors are as follows (pinkie to thumb):

Essie Go Overboard - Darker than the bottle color when dried. This is a blackened teal.

China Glaze Shower Together - Good consideration for teal.

Zoya Phoebe (matte) - This is the blue in turquoise.

OPI Fly (Nicki Minaj Coll.) - Too green for teal, too pale for blue.

OPI Jade Is The New Black - Nice jade.

Overall, I'm happy that I tried them in my nails but they leave a gruesome stain! Especially OPI Fly.

Stamp attack

It's been five long days. My fault for being loaded and I'm sorry fo that. I was inspired to create a Chinese motiff. I have three colors from HongKong Collection though but I think it would be better to be more creative.

So would you believe that I wore these colors for five days??? Surprising for me because I don't wear polishes for more than two days. Oh now it depends and I think, this is becoming more frequent.

First pic is under the lamp and I have to crop it because of too much lighting. Second pic is under sunlight and the last is indoor w/ natural light.

I used OPI Greenwich Village (4 coats) for the base and ChG Passion for stamping; and for the contrast, I did an overlapping stamping using Konad M73 since GV is sheer. When I went out for foot spa, I surprisingly got the most exaggerated compliments from the manicurists! Hahaha.

Day 10: Lois and the hologram

Apparently, this should have been posted yesterday but I hosted an interment and funny things came around and forgot about this one. Okay I'm doing it; at least I was able to finish the installment for April. Woohoo! Another achievement. Haha.

This is a real holo. And I've been looking for this color since ancient and, eureka! Would you believe that I bought three bottles???

Having a hard time withstanding it's awesomeness? Me too. All of the pictures were taken outdoor, no flash. Oh, it's China Glaze He's Going In Circles (3 coats) and Orly Gumdrop.

Oh no. My nails are getting longer finally. =)

"Maybe Holgy's right. Maybe we are all holograms." --- Guantanamo Boy

Day 4: The Green-dient

Oh well, I'm finally back and I'm a li'l tired (*whew) so I'm making this short but meaningful.

Green gradient. I will be honest because my brain is so blunt today that my endogenous wikipedia is not functioning; and since that green is one of my best loved color, that is it.

Can you name at least one? If you suppose that ChG For Audrey is one of those present then you know you're right. How about the other gradient? (Index to pinkie) Namely MAC Mischievous Mint, Orly Gumdrop, ChG For Audrey and Misa Dirty, Sexy, Money.

Mischievous Mint is maybe a dupe of Essie Mint Candy Apple, eh? Next time we'll see. =)

Ooh-la-la! This is an obvious gorgeousness! I think I made a good edifice.

"It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice." --- José Rizal

Day 3: Dupes or not?

I didn't notice that my second (polish) storage box is quarter full. I can sense that I'm soon going to get a new one and that means moolah out.

And I notice that I haven't check for any dupes. Oh yeah! I'm eyeing on three colors. Let's start.

Zoya Envy (L)
OPI Here Today... Aragon Tomorrow (R)

Dupes or not?

Hmmm... Looks they are. Closer,

Judging base on the photo, they look pretty the same; when I suddenly remember the marvel hero "flash" and Mr. Sun.

Mr. Sun confirmed they are not. Oh well, for me, if you're not meticulous, either are good substitute for each other. Good that I own both :D

Next.

OPI Rumples' Wiggin' (Index/Ring)

MAC Little Girl Type (Middle/Pinkie)

In the bottle, they are really, very similar. When I put them in my nails, they are such a complement to each other.

Ordinary eye might see them as a powder purple. Who cares? I love it.

I'll be away from my screen for five days to attend our Youth Camp. Will resume on Saturday.

"Making money is a hobby that will complement any other hobbies you have, beautifully."--- Scott Alexander

Go with Green

So, it took me, no, not a week, just 6 1/2 days. As I said, my sister is here and we're spending all the time together, plus I attended the every night's events that I'm lacking time to do-undo-redo my nails. Yeah so many reason. Haha.

I devotedly tried the Katniss Everdeen's manicure but I finished nothing. Lol. Again, I might be trying it next time. Alright,  the last event that I attended is the (Graduation) ball party and I unconsciously wore the a-la Fat Tuesdays without the violet/purple shade.

China Glaze Passion

Missha HGR01

Deborah Lippmann Edge of Glory (top color)

China Glaze Luxe & Lush

Which color do you think made it perfect? Hmmm, they compliment just perfectly.

These nails actually remind me of something. Mardi Gras. At least, even I didn't end with an arrow or fire, I ended with a rex.

Day 6: Count Dracula

You'll find the relevance in the end of this post.

As the challenge ends, it took me hard, really hard to look for the vampy shades that won't bore my readers. Swatching for this time's color is twice as usual. It's like I qualm about the shade for the first time; I trust Scrangie's review. Maybe I'm not in the semblance but I have to give it a try.

Dark green. Cal Poly Pomona green. Hunter green. Crucial ABCs huh? See for yourself.

Makes me think of Zoya Envy and Essie Licorice. It's OPI Here Today Aragon Tomorrow from Spain Collection and OPI Silver Shatter. Four coats to achieve the genuine opaque finish.

So here's about Count Dracula. Early English folklore believes that green is known to have signified witchcraft, devilry and evil.  In 1927 Broadway stage production of Dracula , the main actor wore the green-hued make up.

Shrek & Moi

Hey wait, it's not actually Shrek whose with me. I mean it's not actually me whose with Shrek --- what???

I mean this:

Okay. It's clear now.

I saw this from my uncle's Facebook after I saw True Blood's "I want you every which way. I just want you." But Shrek is the sweetest! Just don't know if he'll also look sweet in my nails. Let's see...

All are pictures are taken indoor at daytime. Third photo is taken outdoor and under the sun.

Very thematic! I never thought that I'll love OPI Who the Shrek Are You this much. I'm sad 'cos I only own the mini bottle for this color. The red in contrast is OPI Opi Red.

I have this color four months ago and never tested. The minis look really cute but very hard to apply, IMO. The brush is so small plus the fact that it's a creme (which means it's a li'l bit sticky), it gave me some trouble in application. Maybe I can dilute it. I'm so much of a mess to use acetone as a diluent! As a result, I no longer can use my favorite polish. Sad.

So never, ever, dilute you lacquer using acetone. I'm so ashamed for doing this! Haha

I'll just hunt for the full-size bottle or a dupe.

________

Shrek: You know, I always thought I'd rescued you from the Dragon's Keep.

Princess Fiona: You did.

Shrek: No. It was you who rescued me.