My favourite pinks

If you would have asked me before I started this journey I would have said I have loads of pink polishes I love. However even though pink polishes make up the biggest colour in my collection, reading through all my blog entries there was only one that I raved about - Flip Flop Fantasy by China Glaze. It's just amazing and everyone should own it.  The end.

Next up are my favourite reds.
Until then,
Lealea x

My Favourite Greens

As you can see from my previous post I have many more favourite blues than greens but I did found some I really love.

In order on photograph:

Gray's Anatomy by Wet n Wild
Greenberry by Barry M
Gorgeous by Sinful Colors

Next up,are my favourite pinks,
Until then,
Lealea x

My Favourite Blues

After nearly 2 1/2 years and around 300 polishes I have finally come to the end of my collection so I decided to round this all up by reviewing my favourite polishes. I went back through my blog entires and pulled out all those polishes that I raved about and put them together in the different colours.  Interestingly those that I thought I would like I didn't and some that I thought nothing of I loved wearing.

Here are my favourite blues in photographic order:

Blue Rhapsody - Essie
Bluebell - Nails Inc
Blueberry - Barry M
Blueberry Ice Cream - Barry M
Azure by Rimmel
Retro Blue by Barry M
Sparkle Blue Magnetic - Barry M
Navy - Barry M

Next up are my favourite greens,
Until then,
Lealea x

Unnamed polish from Company Magazine

I got this polish in a two set as a freebie from Company magazine before Christmas.  One of the polishes was named, the other had no sticker on so I have no idea whether it has a name.  The polish is a lovely mint cream colour, very springlike.

I was worried that this polish would be rubbish to apply but actually the brush was very good, the formula was good and it applied opaque in two coats.  I'm impressed Company Magazine.

Next up - my review of my favourite polishes,
Until then,
Lealea x

Urban Vibe by Maybelline

This is another polish from the Street Artist collection from Maybelline.  This is a splatter effect top coat, matte black and orange irregular shapes and bar glitter is a clear base.  I layered this polish over a black coat which made the orange pop but the matte black was not really visible.  For this reason I would suggest layering it over white maybe.  I thought it was ok, but didn't think it stood out much, much preferred the blue version (Alley Attitude).



I used two coats over the black although I think one would have sufficed.  It applied evenly with all the glitter, no fishing for different pieces as you have to with some glitter polishes.

Next up is an unnamed polish from Company.
Until then,
Lealea x

Standback by No. 7

I bought this polish after Christmas in the Boots sale for £1.50. It was only when I got it home I realised it had a tester sticker on it.  Oh well it did not seem to be used and wasn't damaged so I will not complain too much.  The polish is a bright blue cream polish in the bottle but on the nails it comes across as more green.  I liked the bottle colour much better than the colour on my nails.

The No. 7 polishes are easy to apply with their wide brushes.  Although I would not pay full price for one, Boots usually have offers on and I have a fair few of these for that reason.

Next up is Urban Vibe by Maybelline.
Until then,
Lealea x

Silver by Seventeen

I am a sucker for holographic polishes so when I saw this in Boots and I had a voucher for additional advantage points with my Advantage Card I jumped at the chance to buy it.  It's a beautiful silver halo which changes to all colours of the rainbow.  Shame then that it was not that fantastic on the nails, it just fell flat somehow.  The holo effect was only really noticeable in full sunlight and elsewhere it just looked a bit like a dirty silver colour.  I much prefer my Color Club Holographic polishes.  Don't bother with this one.

The polish applied well and was opaque in two coats and it was cheap but I wouldn't recommend you rush out and buy it when there are better out there.

Next up is Standback by No. 7.
Until then,
Lealea x

Russian Navy by OPI

I first saw this polish in TK Maxx in a set and I absolutely loved it but I was saving for Christmas at the time so did not buy it.  I therefore decided to buy it with my Christmas money.  The polish is a dark navy with a purple shimmer, lovely colour.  It was a bit more disappointing on the nails than in the bottle but nice nevertheless.

The polish applied easily and was opaque in two coats.  A nice polish.

Next up is Silver by Seventeen.
Until then,
Lealea x

Pirouette My Whistle by OPI

This is the last of the Top Ten collection mini set from OPI.  This polish is a glitter top coat with silver micro glitters and larger hexagonal glitters in a clear base. The polish was ok, nothing particularly special about it, I certainly would not rush out to buy a full size, I think I have better cheaper polishes than this.

The glitter applied nicely with an even coverage.  I added two coats just to give extra coverage and to make sure each nail had some of the hexagonal pieces.


Next up is Russian Navy by OPI.
Until next time,
Lealea x

Pink Soda by Soap and Glory

This polish came in a Soap and Glory gift set I was given at Christmas.  It's a baby pink cream colour lovely in the bottle. It's a shame then that I hated this polish on.  It was so see through I put three coats on before I realise there was no way it would ever be opaque.  I decided to use it as a French manicure base but the colour was too pink really and so just looked strange.

I love Soap and Glory products usually but this polish let me down big time.

Next up is Pirouette My Whistle by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

Peace, Love and OPI by OPI

This polish is from the San Francisco collection released last year. This is very similar to Essie's For the Twill of It in that it's a purple/green duo chrome like petrol in water.  You do not need to have both polishes, they are pretty much the same.  I like it, but with For the Twill of It, I would prefer to see more of the duo chrome colours on the nail.

The polish is easy to apply and opaque in three coats like most duo chrome polishes.  It's a good polish to have in your collection.

Next up is Pink Soda by Soap and Glory.
Until then,
Lealea x

OPI Ink by OPI

This is another polish I have wanted for a whole after I saw it in another bloggers collection.  It's a beautiful dark purple with a hint of orange flashes in the light.  That does not translate so well on the nails but it's still a lovely purple.

The polish applies easily and was opaque in two coats.

Next up is Peace, Love and OPI by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

My Private Jet by OPI

This is one of the iconic polishes from OPI for the reason that they changed the formula on this polish  from the original.  The original had much more holographic pieces in it which made people love it.  Then for some reason OPI changed the formula to remove the holographic pieces and while it's still a lovely polish it's not as great as the original.  Mine is not the original and while I like it, I don't love it.  It's a nice metallic brown polish with a hint of holo shimmer but it doesn't show that well on the nails.

The polish applies well and was opaque in two coats.  If you ever find the original formula then snap it up, if not, I wouldn't tell you to rush out and buy this.

Next up is OPI Ink by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

Minty Fresh by No. 7

I saw this polish a couple of years ago but never bought it.  After Christmas I was shopping the Boots Sale and saw lots of No. 7 polishes in the sale so was excited to see this for £1.50.  The colour is a light blue/green cream colour, more blue than For Audrey which is more green.  It's a nice spring pastel colour.



The polish applied easily and No. 7 polishes have a nice wide brush which are great to work with.  A good polish for a great sale price.

Next up is My Private Jet by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

Mermaids Are Real

This is another polish from the indie seller bought for me as a present from Etsy.  Mermaids Are Real is a glitter top coat polish, a mixture of purple, green, gold, blue and red glitters in hexagon and square shapes.  Lovely in the bottle.  Of the three I was bought this was my least favourite as I thought the mix of the colours was a bit messy but I still liked it.



This polish was not as thick as Galaxy in a Bottle and it applied a good even coat of glitter on the nails.  One coat only was required to get a good layer.

Next up is Minty Fresh by No. 7.
Until then,
Lealea x

Malaga Wine by OPI

This is another polish from the Top Ten Collection. It's a dark wine cream polish, it's ok but nothing particularly unique.  It's not one of my favourite colours though, I find this type of colour quite boring and am not drawn to them.



It does apply easily and was opaque in two coats but I wouldn't recommend you rush out and find this polish.

Next up is Mermaids Are Real.
Until then,
Lealea x

Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI

This polish is a iconic OPI colour.  It's a dark dark purple polish, almost but not quite black.  I liked it, it's very much an autumn/winter polish to me, not one I would want to wear in spring/summer. I'm not sure what made it so iconic though.



This polish applied well and was opaque in two coats.

Next up is Malaga Wine by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

Grape Macaroons

This is another of the indie polishes I was bought as a present.  It is a gorgeous pink/purple cream, just the type of colour I love.  I had so many compliments when I was wearing this polish, lots of people asking what it was and where it was from.  Shame I do not know the Etsy seller.

This polish applied beautifully and was opaque in two coats.  I really would encourage people to try indie polishes, this has showed me that they can be great.

Next up is Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

German-icure by OPI

This is another mini bottle from the Top Ten collection.  This is originally from the Germany collection and is very very similar to Every Month is Oktoberfest.  It is also a dark metallic looking red, it's just a slightly different shade. I actually prefer Every Month is Oktoberfest, it's just a slightly prettier shade I think.  You certainly don't need both I think.



This polish applied easily and was opaque in two coats.

Next up is Grape Macaroon,
Until then,
Lealea x

Galaxy in a Bottle

I was bought this polish from a lovely friend from the US from an indie seller on Etsy.  As it was a gift I do not know which indie seller it was and it is not labelled on the bottle.  The polish is a top coat with a mixture of holographic hexagonal and micro glitters.  It really sparkles in the light with the full rainbow holographic. I really liked it.

The only downside was that the polish was a bit thick to apply but as it was a top coat it did not matter so much.  I have never tried indie polishes from Etsy but I am intrigued now.

Next up is German-icure by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

For the Twill of It by Essie

I saw this polish last autumn in the shops and loved it but decided not to buy it that day. The next time I went back to buy it it was sold out.  Luckily my lovely husband found it online and bought it for me for Christmas.  This polish is a duo chrome of purple/green, a bit like petrol on water.  Really beautiful in the bottle. I liked it on the nails but would have liked the flash of duo chrome to have been a bit more obvious.

I know Essie polishes divide people, some love them, some hate the application.  I do not own many Essie polishes but I had no problems with this.  As with most duo chrome polishes it needed three coats to be opaque but I did not mind that.

Next up is Galaxy in a Bottle,
Until then,
Lealea x

For Audrey by China Glaze

I have wanted this polish for a few years now ever since I first saw it.  I finally decided to splash out and bought it from Amazon.  It is a Tiffany blue, really more green than blue but made to match the colour of Tiffany boxes.  For Audrey is named for Audrey Hepburn as her most famous role in Breakfast at Tiffanys.  It is a lovely colour on the nails, a nice cream polish.

The polish was easy to apply, two coats and it was opaque. I would recommend this colour to anyone, a nice spring colour.

Next up is For the Twill of It by Essie.
Until then,
Lealea x

Every Month is Oktoberfest by OPI

This polish is from the Germany Collection and I have wanted it for a while.  It's a beautiful deep metallic looking red, beautiful in the bottle.  I liked it on the nails, very much a winter polish, very dark and sultry looking.



The polish applied really well and was opaque in two coats.  I would recommend this polish to anyone.

Next up is For Audrey by China Glaze.
Until then,
Lealea x

Cajun Shrimp by OPI

This is another polish from the Top Ten collection.  This is a coral red cream colour, a lovely colour but certainly not unique.  I had a lot of coral cream polishes from cheaper companies that I would not rush out and pay for an expensive OPI polish.

The only thing that I would say gives this a slight edge is that OPI polishes are great formulas and easy to apply. It wouldn't make me pay more on this polish though.

Next up is Every Month is Ocktoberfest by OPI,
Until then,
Lealea x

Caitlin by Zoya

This is the first Zoya polish I have ever bought, they are not that readily available in England. I had to have this polish because of its name,given it's the name of Dear Daughter No. 1.  The polish is a pale dusty purple cream.  Very muted but quite classic and elegant. I like it (good job really!).

I liked how this polish applied and the polish was opaque in two coats.  Not sure it would make me want to start a huge Zoya collection but if I saw a colour I liked I might splash out for it.

Next up is Cajun Shrimp by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

Bubble Bath by OPI

This is another polish from the Top Ten mini collection.  It is a pinky nude, best used as a base for a French manicure. I did not like it. It was just blah and needed a billion coats just to show at all on the nails.  I don't really get why it's part of the Top Ten collection and why people like it so much.  Sorry not for me.

Next up is Caitlin by Zoya.
Until then,
Lealea x

Big Apple Red by OPI

This is a mini from the Top Ten collection, Big Apple Red is a mid toned red cream polish. It's ok, it's a red. That's about as much as I can say. A nice red cream, but nothing to jump up and scream about in my opinion.

It applied easily, two coats and it was opaque.  I wouldn't recommend you run out and buy this one, but a mid toned red cream is always good to have in your collection.

Next up is Bubble Bath by OPI.
Until next time,
Lealea x

Alpine Snow by OPI

This mini polish is part of the Top Ten OPI mini collection I was bought as a Christmas present.  Alpine Snow is a cream white polish, a bit like Tippex on the nails.  I am not a huge white fan for that reason but whites are useful to have as a base for glitters or for French manicures.

The mini polishes are more difficult to apply the then full size bottles but other than this is a good white to apply. Opaque in two coats which is unusual for a white polish.

Next up is Big Apple Red by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

Alley Attitude by Maybelline

This polish is from the Street Artist Topcoat collection from Maybelline.  The polish is a mixture of black matte glitter pieces with blue bar and hexagonal matte glitters.  The polish creates a splatter effect on the nails which is quite cool. Not sure it works on a woman in her 30's though, I did feel a little like I was trying to be "down with the kids".

I applied two coats of the polish over a white, although one coat probably would have been enough.  Two was maybe a little too much.  It had a good even coverage though to get all the different pieces of glitter.

Next up is Alpine Snow by OPI.
Until then,
Lealea x

You're Such a Budapest by OPI

I have been wanting this polish since I first saw the Euro Centrale collection from OPI released in 2013.  A pale purple/blue is just the type of colour I love.  I finally bought it after Christmas with some Christmas money.  It is a lovely colour with a slight hint of shimmer in the bottle, although this does not translate on the nails.the colour is beautiful for spring, a nice pale pastel.

The polish applies really well and is opaque in two coats.  I would suggest picking up this polish for spring.

This once again concludes my A to Z polishes but once again as I bought more/ was given polishes for Christmas I have to start at the beginning from the A's.

So next up is Alley Attitude by Maybelline.
Until then,
Lealea x