Tag: Indie
Blooming Azalea
I’ve never seen an azalea this color. I’ve seen white, hot pink, and even red…but never a muted mauve. Definitely NOT a muted mauve with an electric green/gold shimmer.
Beaux Rêves Lacquer “Blooming Azalea” was originally from January 2024 Deadly Plants, but I picked it up in July’s Polish Pickup Rewind. It’s a gorgeous polish and it lasted on my nails over 8 days without noticeable chipping!
This is two coats of “Blooming Azalea” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“.
“Blooming Azalea” is also a magnetic polish…but I didn’t remember that when I tried it, so no magnetic fun for me!
You Betta Recognize
I love a good pinkish red polish.
Sweet Heart Polish “You Betta Recognize” was another one originally from February 2024 – Wild Animals, but I picked it up in July’s rewind. Haven’t we ALL had a betta fish this color? My son had a betta fish (that he named “Alan Rickman”) and I believe it was this kind of red.
I feel like I am starting to blindly buy similar polishes again, because it reminded me of “Seaing Unicorns” once I had it on. I feel like I like this one better, though.
This is two coats of “You Betta Recognize” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“.
The Battle of the Labyrinth
I keep buying the same polish, over and over again.
I cannot help it – I really want to be a mermaid when I grow up…except for the fact that I hate the beach. All that sand and all those creatures, living under the sea. Can’t I just be a mermaid that lives in someone’s pool? Not a hot tub, though – those things are TOO HOT. Or how about a Sea Monkey? I’d make a GREAT Sea Monkey…I’ve done it before…shhhh…
Whatcha “The Battle of the Labyrinth” is inspired by the Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan. My son moved on from Harry Potter fairly quickly and was really into Rick Riordan for a long while. I’m really glad my son hasn’t snatched all his books from my house – I need to hurry up and read them before he can afford a bookshelf for his apartment. Luckily, Riordan is not a TERF piece of shit, so I won’t have to feel bad enjoying his works.
This is two coats of “The Battle of the Labyrinth” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“.
Sour Apple Rings
It’s not too late for BRAT Summer is it?
It was 96 degrees outside today…tell me that’s not summer!
Atomic Polish “Sour Apple Rings” was another score from July’s Remix, but was originally released in May 2023 – Junk Food. Those who know me, KNOW how much I hate sour apple flavored things – even green apple jolly ranchers…but this color is not that. This is the best neon polish I’ve ever used. No white base coat, nothing extra – just neon glowing goodness. I did get a few chips the first day – but that’s my fault for digging in the dirt and gardening.
Atomic Polish is quickly becoming one of my favorite Indie brands…check out “Redrum”!
This is two coats of “Sour Apple Rings” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“.
Polish Pickup August 2024 – Book Covers
After overdoing it with July’s Rewind, I was conservative and only selected 3 polishes from August’s Polish Pickup. The theme was “Book Covers” which is a cool twist on doing a literary theme.
Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” ($10) doesn’t seem to be inspired by…anything? I need to start jotting descriptions down when I buy these things.
Lemming Lacquer “Dead to the World” ($13.25) is inspired by the creator’s favorite book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries Series (True Blood for non-readers), ‘Dead to the World’, of course.
Whatcha “The Battle of the Labyrinth” ($13.50) is full of ocean-inspired flakies. It’s inspired by Percy Jackson, my son’s favorite series of books as a kid. I haven’t yet read the books…waiting for my husband to finish the first one, so I can start!
Not a huge order, just a few really cool polishes.
Never Sleep Again
Until the “Chucky Renaissance” of the last few years, Freddy Krueger has been my main man. Michael Myers isn’t a big talker, and Jason Voorhees is just a big dumb lug. Pinhead is sexy and all…but he has no sense of humor. I like my men with a sharp wit…and sharp nails.
Cuticula “Never Sleep Again” just SCREAMS Freddy. It’s a shimmery blood red, filled with different black glitters. It seemed to chip quickly, but I suspect that too many vacations and not enough hair & nail vitamins is to blame for the poor condition of my nails. They’re peeling away to nothing!
Originally from October 2022’s “Scary Vibes” Polish Pickup, I grabbed “Never Sleep Again” from July 2024’s Rewind.
This is two coats of “Never Sleep Again” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“.
I Made a Promise, Mr. Frodo
I promise…I did NOT know this in advance…but Dave Grohl’s favorite color is green (at least according to some meme I saw on the internet.) That’s why Pinnacle Polish “I Made a Promise, Mr. Frodo” was the perfect choice for attending a Foo Fighters concert in Portland a few weekends ago. I admit it, age has caught up with me and I wore earplugs through the whole concert and it was still plenty loud. Sorry, not sorry.
For some reason, I had assumed this polish was textured from the promotional shots…but it’s a scattered holographic polish. It had fantastic staying power and barely chipped.
This is two coats of “I Made a Promise, Mr. Frodo” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“.
You Will Respect My Authoritahhh!
I bet you thought THIS polish would be the first one I’d try…because it’s South Park related!
Lilypad Lacquer “You Will Respect My Authoritahhh!” is inspired by Officer Cartman and his memorable catchphrase. This royal blue polish with gold iridescent flakies is reminiscent of his mirrored shades and blue uniform. It’s a GORGEOUS polish in person – this picture doesn’t do it justice.
This is two coats of “You Will Respect My Authoritahhh!” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“. (I used up “Raspberry Pop” – I am so sad, I loved the scent, but this one isn’t bad.)
Rosewater
Is it pink or is it blue?
Yes.
I picked up By Dany Vianna “Rosewater” during July’s Rewind PPU, but it was originally from April 2023 – Flower Power. (That month must have been gorgeous!) To me, the light pink glitters look like rose petals floating in a sundrenched fountain. The light picks up a bluish gold sheen like a reflection in the water. I appreciate details like this in a polish. THIS is why I spend $14 on indie nail polish. Sally Hansen could NEVER.
This is two coats of “Rosewater” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Raspberry Pop“.
Did it surprise you that this is the first one I tried?
Polish Pickup July 2024 – Rewind
Somehow, I missed June’s Polish Pickup…I was traveling and it just slipped my mind. So that’s my excuse for going fucking HAM in July. 10 polishes…FUCK YEAH!
Starting from the top left and going clockwise:
Beaux Rêves Lacquer “Blooming Azalea” ($12) was originally from January 2024 – Deadly Plants. It’s inspired by azaleas and is a magnetic polish. I’m unlikely to magnetize it though.
Atomic Polish “Sour Apple Rings” ($13.50) was from May 2023 – Junk Food. It appears fairly self explanatory.
Cuticula “Never Sleep Again” ($13) was from September 2022 – Scary Vibes. Helloooo Freddy Krueger!
Limitless Top Coat by Cuticula in “Champagne Toast” ($10) was from April 2023 – Flower Power.
Pinnacle Polish “I Made a Promise, Mr. Frodo” ($13) was from October 2022 – Sidekicks. It was inspired by ass-kicking Samwise Gamgee.
By Dany Vianna “Rosewater” ($14) was another from April 2023 – Flower Power. It’s inspired by…rosewater.
Jior Couture “The Tea On The Manatee” ($13.75) was from way back in October 2021 – Monsters & Mythical Creatures. This thermal polish is inspired by the idea that sailors often mistook manatees for mermaids.
Crystal Knockout “25 Fly” ($12.50) was from October 2023 – 90’s Grunge and inspired by Veruca Salt’s “American Thighs” album.
Lilypad Lacquer “You will respect my authoritahhh!” ($14) was from February 2022 – 90’s TV and inspired by Officer Cartman.
Last, but not least…Sweet Heart Polish “You Betta Recognize” ($13) was from February 2024 – Wild Animals and inspired by the red Veiltail Betta fish.
I bet you’ll never guess which one I picked to try first…