Fun With the New China Glaze Mobile App

Disclosure: Although I did not get "product" in return for this review, I did want to disclose that I found out from a press release that was sent to me by the company.

          When I saw that China Glaze had released a mobile app, I wasn't sure I was ever going to download it. The reason being is because I usually have so much on my phone as it is, that a nail polish app was the last thing I needed. However, upon receipt of the press release, I saw mention of a Color Match feature. Now, I must admit that I've unfortunately not had the budget to buy new polish for a while but I still wanted to see how it did and show you some screenshots.

          I first decided to test what would more than likely be a common usage for the color match feature, matching colors on clothing! I chose a sundress with some amazing turquoise flowers and yellow-green leaves for this test. So to give an idea on the steps involved in color matching:

1. When you are in the color match feature, it will come up with an in-app camera. You can take a photo here or use one that you previously took with your mobile device's camera. This is a common functionality with mobile apps that use the camera.
2. After you take the photo and approve it by clicking 'Yes' when it asks you if you want to use that photo (Make sure it is as clear as possible). You want to touch your finger to the area whose color you want to match.
3. Then you will see something similar to the screenshot above.
4. If you see a polish circle you like, you can click on it and get the color name, set, and item number!

          How simple is that? Here is what the product info looks like:

         So as you can see, one of the colors suggested for matching the deep turquoise is Custom Kicks from the "Kicks" set which is Item # 80902. Now, you may be wondering, are all of these colors currently available or will I run into some that are discontinued? This was the first e-mail I sent to the PR representative to be sure because I didn't want to make a whole long wishlist of insanely hard to find colors. She assured me that all of these colors are available on ChinaGlaze.com. That was probably some of the best news I had heard on this front. Below you will find the other colors from the deep turquoise match that I attempted:

          Another thing I would like to point out with the above screenshots is that there are a variety of finishes. Not only will it suggest solid colors but glitters, crackles, and other assorted special effects or texture polishes that the company may currently have out. Also, if you look at Electric Beat, it's not a turquoise but it is very complimentary to wear with the dress. So the goal isn't to give you everything matchy matchy (although that usually comes up as an option) but something that compliments whatever you are trying to put polish with.

         There are two geeky themed match sets that I decided to do and I wanted to share with you. The first is from a piece of cel artwork from The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass that I have on my wall so I decided to have a try at matching Link's hat and hair as well as Ciela the Fairy's body.The second is from a promotional still of a walker (zombie) from The Walking Dead.  I have chosen one screenshot of each color sample just to give an example of how well it works.

         All in all, as you can probably see, I am having tons of fun with this app. I think it is a great resource for China Glaze fans who love all things geeky as well as love nail art. I think this is an invaluable way to find the closest match as possible for specific nail art and to add it to your collection. I love how all of the information is at your fingertips. There are a few spelling errors but that is to be expected for a brand new release such as this. The only thing that I would add if I were the developer is allowing people to click on the color and purchase it from their phone. This would make it even easier for people to find the color that they want rather than calling around to various stores to see if they have it.

Final Word: 4.0/5

         Do you have any ideas on how you are going to use the app? Do you have an occasion coming up or just have a fun way to find new polish colors? Let me know! I'd love to hear from you!

NotD: Half Lizard, All Bad Attitude

So, I loved most of the colors in the Amazing Spider-Man set from OPI, I thought I would do my own twist on a shatter mani. I love Just Spotted the Lizard as well as Shatter the Scales. However, I didn't want to cover the former entirely so I decided to only put the shatter on half of my nail.

Step 1) As always, apply a coat of your favorite base coat. I use OPI's base coat.
Step 2) Apply 2 coats of Just Spotted the Lizard.
Step 3) Take a piece of clear cellophane tape and stick it to your skin to weaken the adhesive a little.
Step 4) Once your polish is dry, put the tape over 1/2 your nail. Apply shatter, and then immediately remove the tape.
Step 5) Let dry, then apply top coat. I use Seche Vite.

Relatively simple but an amazing combo.

OPI Amazing Spider-Man Review

Okay, as soon as I heard about this set, I knew I had to have it so that I could review it for you so hear it is! While I've never really followed Spider-Man hardcore, this is a classic that many folks should know the basics to if they get the chance. OPI has released this set to tie in with the release of Amazing Spider-Man in theaters this July.

First of all, I decided to get the 4 pack of mini bottles due to budget and also because I wasn't 100% sold on a couple colors as they looked in the bottle. However, I did get full size bottles of Shatter the Scales and Call Me Gwen-ever. All of the products contained in this review were purchased by me.

All photos are at the bottom of the article.

Into the Night - A deep, shimmery blue. I was very surprised at how sheer this color is. Although my photos are 2 coats, I would definitely recommend 3 coats for this and at least one other color in this set. This color leans more on the blue side of the spectrum than Russian Navy and it's a beautiful color. This color makes me think of Raven from Teen Titans.

Call Me Gwen-ever - A deep coral shade that leans extremely towards the orange side of the spectrum. Probably the best formula of the set as it went on my nails smoothly and wasn't sheer at all. This color reminds me of a tomato red-orange but also of the typical color used for redheads in comics. Perfectly on trend as well.

Your Web or Mine? - I will admit like many other bloggers that I think this would be better suited to any set other than Spidey's (Vintage Minnie Mouse due out in June perhaps?) but with that aside, the color stands on its own pretty well. It isn't the stand out but it isn't horrible other than the theme faux pas. The color is a medium frosty pink that is definitely able to be described as 80's but it isn't garish. Had this polish been released under any other set, I wouldn't be complaining. The formula is decent at 2 coats but as with any frosty polish, it can be streaky. It goes well with glitters such as Save Me (OPI Nicki Minaj) or Excuse' Moi (OPI Muppets).

Number One Nemesis - I am a huge fan of gunmetal colors. I don't have too many in my collection but I am glad I held out. This metallic nickel is a 2 coat formula that will go perfectly with a dress that I have. It leans towards the green side of the spectrum rather than Baby It's Coal Outside's blue tone. Goes on the nail smoothly as well.

Just Spotted the Lizard - This is absolutely the stand put polish of the set. A dupe of Chanel Peridot. The base color is a yellow bronze and the edges shift to blur and green depending on the angle. It looks gorgeous under Shatter the Scales as well. A 3 coat formula unless you're layering it under a shatter or glitter. Then I would stick with 2.

Shatter the Scales -I thought I was done with shatter and then I saw this one. A shimmering green almost black shatter. I love this because it is so subtle that the color you put underneath can affect the way it looks. I prefer it over Into The Night and Just Spotted the Lizard, personally.

All in all, I feel like OPI has done this theme justice. Despite Your Web or Mine? being a little oddball it is a nice everyday frost. Stand outs include Just Spotted the Lizard and Shatter the Scales.

What do you think of the set?

4 pack of minister includes - Your Web or Mine?, Into The Night, Number One Nemesis, and Just Spotted the Lizard - $12.50

NotD and Review: China Glaze's Optical Illusion

So I decided on a simple mani today. I decided to go with China Glaze's Optical Illusion which is a part of their new Prismatic Chroma Glitters collection.

In the bottle, the nail polish looks absolutely stunning. At rest, it looks aqua/turquoise with plenty of silver glitter mixed in but when I lifted the bottle up, the glitter shifted to highlight the purple. Photos really do not do this polish justice at all.

While the shift is a lot more subtle on the nail, I wasn't disappointed. The formula took only 2 coats (although 3 are on my nails for swatching purposes) in order to get a solid glitter look to it. The glitter stays in place, but you still want to wait 1-2 minutes for the polish to set before adding another coat. This ensures that the glitter won't shift.

I initially had a couple of problems getting the nail polish smooth (no lumps in the middle of my nail) but now, after some practice, it's a smooth formula and goes on a lot easier.

As you can see, in natural light, the shifting quality is captured just a little better.

On the Left is Optical Illusion... On the Right is Prism