Butter London: All Hail The Queen

Hey everyone!  I just finished my second day at my internship.  It actually went REALLY well.  I was nervous after yesterday that I wouldn't enjoy it or be able to figure things out.  Realistically yesterday was just a disaster.  I felt out of place, because I sit with the a different group of staffers than the ones that I am actually working with.  I had no one to get lunch with, and my metro broke down on the way home.  I topped it off by getting off at the wrong bus stop and had to walk really far.  I thought today was going to be the same way - especially when I got on a different metro line without realizing it.  I realized it too late, but it turns out that it's a HUGE short cut.  Even though I had to get off, go back, and transfer metros I still got there faster. 

What does all this work stuff have to do with my nails?  Well, as I mentioned previously, work means neutral polishes.  I wore Rosa Rosa from Estee Lauder today with a brand new grey/brown dress that I love.  When I swing through the mall on my way home, I stopped at the Chanel counter in Macy's and I noticed that Chanel Paradoxical matched perfectly and somehow wasn't too out there for work!  I obviously bought it.   Now (finally) I bring you my first work mani.  Butter London: All Hail The Queen is tan shimmery/holographic polish.  It applies fantastically!

2 coats All Hail The Queen, no top coat + artificial light

Butter London are 3 Free and have the unique rectangular bottles with the top that pops off to reveal a ridged and relatively small grip.  They come with these great British-ized names.  This one is on its second name as far as I'm aware.  I think this was originally called All Hail McQueen after the British designer Alexander McQueen, who tragically took his own life in the last year.  I'm not sure why it's been switched.  Any ideas?  Application was a breeze.  I expect nothing less from Butter London.  I swear this polish is holographic, but who would know it.  You can kinda see it in the bottle. 

Verdict?  Love it!  What do you think?

Now for a bonus!  I topped Atlantic with Nubar 2010 and it looks even more mermaid-like.

2 coats Altantic + Nubar 2010, artificial light

-Shbecky

P.S. - Check out our new Giveaway Roundup page!

Lex Cosmeticcs: Atlantic, Abbey Street, and Cayman Cabana

On Saturday I got a lovely package from Lex containing Atlantic, Abbey Street and Cayman Cabana.  Last night as part of my "no more fun colors Mon-Fri pity swatch fest" I lovingly applied each of these beauties.

Cayman Cabana, Abbey Street, Atlantic

The bottles on these remind me of the Essie bottle, but prettier.  They have a thin brush but it is the perfect stiffness to compliment the smooth formula on the polishes.  No dragging, no patchiness and only 2 coats on each of these gems.  As an extra bonus they're 3 free!  I had an interesting first day at work and was feeling a polish purchase coming on and it took most of my will power to avoid buying a dozen of these.  To satisfy the purchase urge I went over to Nordstrom and grabbed Estee Lauder's Rosa Rosa.  I'm feeling better now. 

Atlantic

2 coats Atlantic, 1 coat OPI top coat + artificial light

Atlantic is a "dark dusty blue-green" creme.  It really reminds me of the ocean and applies like a dream.  I went on to top it off with Nubar 2010 and it reminds me of a mermaid.  That may have been due to the mermaids in the new Pirates movie.  On the one hand nothing about this color screams unique, but I have nothing like it and I need this in my life.  Even if I found a color dupe, I doubt anything would have such a perfect formula.

Cayman Cabana

2 coats Cayman Cabana, 1 coat OPI top coat + artificial light

Cayman Cabana is a little more green IRL than the above picture seems to indicate.  I would describe it as a minty sea foam green creme.  It makes me want to go on vacation somewhere tropical.  Just like the other polishes application was a breeze.   

Abbey Street

2 coats Abbey Street, 1 coat OPI top coat + artificial light

Abbey Street is a frosty finishing almost navy blue creme.  It is opaque in 1 coat, but as I've mentioned I'm prone to needing 2 coats.  This picture is pretty true to the bottle color - gorgeous isn't it?  I've been pretty thrilled with the whole light box thing.  I know natural light is best, but this looks pretty lovely to me.

One of the greatest things about this polish is the story behind it.  Each polish is designed by someone like you and I.  Every time you buy a bottle, $1 of the $10 price tag goes to the charity of the designer's choice.  Great polishes going to great causes!  These can be purchased here.  

Are all of these polishes this great?  Which one should I try next? 

 

-Shbecky