Steel me & Barry M Instant Effects

I couldn't wait...
I had to do my nails...they looked so sad...so naked...

I needed a quick but nice manicure to start the week.

I used Nail Tek Foundation II as basecoat, Steel Me from Essence Metallics collection, Barry M Nail Paint Instant Effects and Seche Vite as topcoat.

The Essence Metallics polishes dry quite quick, but without a good base and topcoat won't last much without chipping or peeling off.

On friday did the same combo but using Copper Rulez from the same collection and looks gorgeous! Shame didn't take a picture of it

I'm soooo into crackle polish now!...i find it so cool and unique! no manicure looks the same!

Have a great beginning of the week!

Besos,

Brenda

Essence METALLICS Polishes

Like I mentioned in my Kruidvat Haul post, I went with my man to Zwolle to do some shopping, house stuff, groceries…but also I had a mission:

FIND THE ESSENCE METALLIC NAIL POLISHES

Looked for them in my town: FAIL (they didn’t even had the new collection on the counter)

Looked for them in the next town: FAIL (same case as previous)

Looked for them in Amersfoort: FAIL (they had them but they were all gone)

So Zwolle was my hope and maybe my last chance, since the Metallics collection is limited edition, like they say it here OP is OP. When they run out…it’s gone for good.

But I wasn’t ready to give up on them.

And they were playing hard to catch for sure.

Jeez! I have never looked that much for a product in stores…maybe because I didn’t wanted one that much before (now that I think about it).

Kruidvat, the store which carries the German brand Essence, in the city center didn’t have it yet. Walked to the mall nearby and EUREKA!….the polishes were there, waving me from the window, almost sticking their tongues out to me…but the store was in maintenance and not opening until next week! Now what?

I think my lost puppy face made my guy just drove to the next mall…and YES! Finally! I had them in my hands!

left to right: Copper Rulez, Steel Me, Iron Goddess

The METALLICS Collection is composed by metallic polishes, lipsticks, eye shadows and so on.

I decided to get only the nail polishes because of their special kind and the fact that some of the other make up items were similar to something I already own or were not my cup of tea.

The polishes launched with this collection are 5 colors, from which 4 are magnetic.

I got 3 of them: Iron Goddess, Copper Rulez and Steel me plus the magnet.

The concept of the magnetic polish is quite interesting, they contain particles of metal in them, when applied over the nail while still wet, the magnet attracts the particles forming a pattern in the polish.

The colors are beautiful and very wearable, depending of the effect you want the application can be easy or a bit complicated. If applied as regular polish it’s easy and fast drying, with a top coat (I used Seche Vite) becomes really long lasting.

left to right: Copper Rulez, Steel Me, Iron Goddess

The use of the magnet is a complete different story…obtaining the pattern with the magnet can be a pain in the neck. You are supposed to hold it for 30 seconds as close as possible to the freshly applied polish, and of course with my shaky hands got the magnet to touch the nail multiple times and then I had to start all over again…

can you see the stripes?

After multiple tries and one step from losing my mind I decided to just swatch them on the nail wheel for you and just wear them as regular polish since I find the 3 colors I got very pretty

I read in other reviews that the magnet Essence is selling isn’t as good quality as other brands that carry magnetic polishes, I haven’t had the chance to try it myself, so I’ll stick to what I have now (I tried also with my fridge magnets, don’t even bother).

From the 3 polishes I got my absolute favorite is Copper Rulez.

Did you have a better/nicer experience with the Metallic polishes than mine? Feel free to share!

Besos,

Brenda

KRUIDVAT HAUL: Essence Metallic Polishes and Soft Touch Mousse Foundation, Garnier Skin Naturals and Safari Polishes

Last Saturday made some picks at the Kruidvat in Zwolle with the VVV coupon I won at the International Almere Adult Halloween Party (yay for parties!) and found some goodies I want to share with you.

I was looking already for a while the Essence Metallic collection polishes, but was quite a journey to get them (review and swatches post coming) also got some extra polishes from the regular line Colour and Go and a matt mousse foundation.

Lucky me! Kruidvat was giving special discount on Essence products that weekend, so I got a couple more of things to use the full amount of my coupon.

I wanted to try the Garnier Exfo Brusher since I spot the commercial on TV, but completely forgot about it until I saw the shelf next to the Essence counter and the line had 20% discount that day, was destiny? Let’s call it so!

I have used it for a couple of days already, but I’ll make an extended review on it later on, I like to be sure how I feel about the product and don’t stay just on first impressions.

The same goes for the Essence Foundation; it’s my first time using a mousse and also from that brand.

Walking around the market, my guy saw a stand selling make up and they had these inexpensive polishes. I’ve seen the brand Safari on Marktplaats before but never dared to give them a shot. This was my chance and I picked 4 colors I found stand out from the rest. We will find out how good they work.

When comes to polishes I don’t trust completely the photos of the bottles when buying online, I always check for swatches on nail polish forums or bloggers, this gives you a more accurate view of how the color works on the nails, the type of finish it has and helps you decide if it’s what you are really looking for.

Well, I have some polish duty to accomplish.

How do you like my picks? Have you tried any of these already?

Besos,

Brenda