Illamasqua Velocity (will hopefully help me to gain momentum)

Today's manicure is Illamasqua Velocity. This polish is part of their most recently released Dystopia collection (Autumn/Winter 2009). It has yet to be released in the US through Sephora, so I ordered it direct from Illamasqua in the UK.
Velocity is a dusty purple that looks more muted indoors than in sunlight.
This mani is two coats, one had decent coverage, but not entirely even. This polish was opaque and smooth for the most part - but a little overly thick in formula. If I hadn't been doing a speed mani for a wedding last night I would have added thinner.
This mani is one coat SpaRitual resurface bc, two coats polish, and one coat SpaRitual tout de suite tc.
I did the other Dystopia polish - Obsess on toes and my dh hated it - said it looked like Lisa Frank on acid. It is very bright and 80s.

I have been MIA for awhile because I have not been painting my nails - you can see the awful neglect on my cuticles (I left out the usual closeup pic to spare you). I have spent the past month totally overhauling my place - organizing, streamlining, redecorating, and using the toolbox a lot. I decided to take a break from nails while the sun was hiding and concentrate on getting things in order. Now it seems the sun is back and I'm pretty much done, so I'm hoping to get back on the horse.

Ciate Stiletto

Today's manicure is Ciate Stiletto. Stiletto is a green jelly-ish creme from their new Autumn/Winter 09 collection.
Pretty, but not entirely unique - it's close to Nubar Forest (Forest is a smidge darker) and BB Couture Poison Ivy (pretty dupe-y).
This mani is one coat ciate underwear bc, three coats of polish, and one coat ciate speed coat tc.

Ciate Power Dressing

Today's manicure is Ciate Power Dressing. Power Dressing is a new polish from Ciate's Autumn/Winter 09 collection. I have three more of the collection upcoming on the blog. This polish is a true blue jelly. I think it's fantastic - it's not a navy that looks black in most lights (I have a few blue jellies like this - Nfu Oh 119, Lippmann Devil in a Blue Dress). It looks blue in pretty much any light. It looks a mess with one coat, two coats is nice, but it takes three coats to achieve a perfectly even finish - but it's worth it for the effect.

Where to get Ciate:
Ciate is a UK brand. It can be purchased from many sources across the pond (it's on sale on Asos.com right now), but Asos does not ship to the US.
The 3 sources that I have ordered from and found to be reliable shippers to the US are:
1.Ciate's official site ciate.co.uk
9 gbp per bottle, 10 gbp shipping cost to CA
great deals on sets - you can buy the whole Autumn/Winter 09 collection (6 bottles) for 27 gbp - the price of three individual bottles (I wish that I hadn't ordered hastily, as I bought 4 of the 6 bottles before figuring this out)
Their new site still has a few kinks, but they do have good customer service.

2.ABC Beauty abcbeautyshop.co.uk
7.5 gbp per bottle, 12.95 gbp shipping cost to CA
great deals on sets - you can buy the whole Autumn/Winter 09 collection (6 bottles) for 25 gbp
They do not get individual bottles of new collections immediately.

3.HairHQ hqhair.com
9 gbp per bottle, 12.50 gbp shipping cost to CA

This mani is one coat ciate underwear bc, three coats of polish, and one coat ciate speed coat tc.

BB Couture Studio 54

Today's manicure is BB Couture Studio 54. It's from BB Couture's new Disco collection. Studio 54 is a green jelly loaded with gold microglitter.
It's in the same neighborhood as Sally Hansen Project Runway - though it's a bit less complex.
This mani is one coat SpaRitual resurface basecoat, three coats of polish, and one coat BB Couture Top Rock top coat.

BB Couture La Bamba

Today's manicure is BB Couture La Bamba. La Bamba is a burnt orange creme with incredibly subtle shimmer. It doesn't really show up indoors. This polish is incredibly sheer. I still have VNL with three coats. As such, I think this might qualify as an orange jelly.
I am feeling meh about this one. I love the color burnt orange, but it isn't jelly enough I guess - seems like it might as well be a poorly pigmented creme.
This mani is one coat SpaRitual resurface basecoat, three coats of polish, and one coat BB Couture Top Rock top coat.

This picture makes the polish appear more orange than in real life:

Hard Candy Manic

Today's manicure is Hard Candy Manic. Manic is from the OG Hard Candy line that has been discontinued for a few years.
Manic is a glowy/iridescent blurple shimmer. It has a lit from within quality. I think it's beautiful. I'm sure it would look great in sunlight if we get any.
This mani is one coat SpaRitual resurface base coat, two coats of polish, and one coat of SpaRitual tout de suite top coat.


Photo w flash:

RBL's very brief SALE

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Ji