Deja vu!

Well, hello all again!

Lots has been going on so let me explain.  No, no that will take to long, let me sum up:
I went to a work conference, then directly on vacation, then came back to work for a week, started working on remodels. started training someone, trained my self, will continue training for about the next month (others not me) and hopefully will go back to training (myself).  In short, I'm overwhelmed and exhausted and the blog has suffered.

That being said, I will try to make a valiant effort to show you all of my pretties (I'll get you...hehehehehehe) from Poland.  And don't let Mac tell you she didn't get some shinies!  She totally did.  I've also managed to cross some stuff from my Lemming list.  And yes, I totally jumped on the Crackle fad.  Since those have been swatched to death (thankfully!  How else was I supposed to know I needed all of them?)  I'll just post when I do something wacky and/or kooky.  Maybe a little off the wall?  Hmm....

So in order to post my new Polish polish (he!  That never gets old!)  I must finish my previous International House of Polish post, which I can do in one go.  BTW, I want to thank those that actually read through this intro before jumping to the pics.  I like to think I am both witty and charming.  Hawk. Iris. Bamboozled. Hogwarts. Pomplemousse.  Lesczynska Queen of the Forest.  Right, that's what I thought....

Atelier is a Spanish produced polish that I can't find any info on.  I know I got this in 2000, because that's when I was in Spain.  Yeah!  Logic!

Atelier 451

Atelier 451

Atelier 451

  So, wow.  Gorgeous, gorgeous sparkly purple!  2 coats, with base coat.  The formula was pretty thick and clumpy, but the color is beautiful!

Atelier 454

Atelier 454

This is a lovely taup-y foil that was quite streaky.  2 coats with base.  Again, clumpy formula...I really need to invest in some thinner.  The color is a lovely, but not forgiving.  You can see every flaw in my nails, which is par the course for a foil, and why I tend to shy away from them.  However, I like it enough.

Nabila label states "Italian Cosmetics"  and "Made in Spain", so there you go!  No info to be found, this would have been 1999 or 2000. 

Nabila 14

Nabila 14

I <3 chromes!  And by my best guess, I picked this up right before Sally Hansen came out with the Chrome Nail Makeup (really, we didn't have enough names for what we paint our nails with?)  The formula was, say it with me, thick, and to be honest, I always remember this as being so.  But I love silvers, greys and chromes, and 10+ years ago, they were no where to be found!  Man we get so spoiled, so easily!

Colour Cosmetics seems to be owned by L'Oreal, but not sure about when I purchased it.  I know I purchased it in Germany, Berlin to be exact, and it says "Made in England" and I just give up.  You win.

Colour Cosmetics 607

Colour Cosmetics 607

Well, this was my first foray into duochromes, and we never forget our firsts!  I love love love love love it!  That being said, I have a ton of duos that are way better, but nostalgia and all and look it so shiny!  Periwinkle to lilac. 'nuff said!  Formula was not horrible, but still kinda thick.  But did I mention pretty!?!

So that is the end of my original International colours, the 'u'  makes 'em fancy.  I will do swatches soon of the newbies!  Yeah, plus I really want to swatch all of my Zoyas, because I love them more than I love sugar, and sugar is my heroin.  So, I think it will be big batches followed by silence.  That sounds about right.

Thanks and have a good one!
<(")  Luci



Edit:  I almost forgot!  I would like to shout out a huge thanks to a bunch of bloggers who put us on their roll, which immensely helped pick up our traffic!!!

Spin at prettyedgynails.blogspot.com
Destany at confessionsofasarcasticmom.blogspot.com
GiMiKd at gimikdgirl.blogspot.com
Amber C at rainbowsandsparklesblog.blogspot.com
Lisa at neverendingobsession.blogspot.com












Bonus Track:

American Apparel Mac Arthur Park with China Glaze Crackle Black Mesh and Cracked Concrete
My hand made camo nails!

My Nail Polish Power Suit

Butter London: All Hail the Queen


Hi all,
Do you ever have those shades that make you feel more confident when you wear them?  That's what today's shade does for me.  I call it my version of a Power Suit.

Today I have All Hail the Queen from Butter London from their Fall 2010 collection.  This polish used to be called All Hail McQueen (after Alexander McQueen).  I'm not sure why they changed it but it's gorgeous no matter what it's called.

This shade is a holographic taupe.  On my darker skintone it works great as a nude.  It would give me mannequin hands if it wasn't for the fantastic holographic shimmer.  I admit the holo in this polish isn't very "in your face"  but I think the subtlety is what makes it perfect for the office.  It's a great work appropriate neutral and the shimmer gives it a special kick to take it up a notch.  When I wear it I feel both stylish and professional.

OPI BC for natural nails, 3 coats polish, no topcoat

I had absolutely no problems with the formula.  The polish went on smoothly and was opaque in two coats.  I used three because I wanted a slightly darker shade.

Click the pic on the left to see more of the holo effect.

This polish has definitely become one of my favorites.  I got a lot of good comments the first time I wore it and my sister promptly borrowed it for a business trip to LA.  She even got compliments on her polish from a stylist at a photo shoot!  It has been passed around several times now between my mother and two of my sisters.  I bought the bottle in mid-January and about 1/4th of it has been used already!!!  Luckily my sister & mother recently purchased their own bottles so I won't run out anytime soon. (I was afraid I was going to have to hide the bottle :P )


The polish is pricey but the impressive formula and amazing color makes it worthwhile.  I definitely want to buy more from Butter London -- I think Victoriana and Marrow may be my next purchases.




Butter London polishes are Big 3 Free and retail for $14.  They are available at www.ButterLondon.com, www.beauty.com, and www.ulta.com as well as in select Ulta stores.




Till next time...
Mac