Polishes -OPI - Black Cherry Chutney
Fiammetta 4/16/2008 12:22:00 PM
I like the polish overall-- it's that near black with a slight reddish shimmer-- but it's a bit ubiquitous, no? Usual good OPI formula (not loving the pro-wides for my toes, alas) and it suits a lot of looks. But if you want red shimmer that shows up well, ie. visible in anything other than the brightest lights, opt for China Glaze Lubu Heels.
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Polishes -OPI - Hollywood Blonde [DISCONTINUED]
Fiammetta 4/16/2008 12:12:00 PM
The base color is a sheerish pinky beige, nothing special, possibly even dull. But the shimmer is spectacular, silvery and eye-catching, yet not quite gaudy. Unique and lovely. Alas, since the base color is so sheer, if my nails are the slightest bit stained, it'll show through, so I use it with the Seche Ridge Filler.
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Polishes -OPI - Sonora Sunset
Fiammetta 4/16/2008 12:07:00 PM
This is, as others have said, a rich bronzed pink, with a bit of a warm golden glow in certain lights. It shows up the best in sunlight, as you might expect. It can look mauvey and not as bright in less than ideal lighting, but I can live with that. My bottle is a couple of years old, so didn't come as a pro-wide; generally, I found it to have the typical OPI application, smooth and easy.
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Fragrances -Caron - Parfum Sacre
Fiammetta 11/23/2007 11:15:00 AM
When the Caron SA (Diane, the only one left in the new smaller boutique in NYC, apparently) sprayed this on my arm, I thought, "Oh, nice but not me." Yet I couldn't stop sniffing it as it dried down. On me, the vanilla and peppery incense notes perfectly complement each other. It's fresh, clean, warm, and very much a close-to-the-skin scent.
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Fragrances -Caron - Pour Une Femme de Caron
Fiammetta 11/11/2007 10:40:00 AM
I was surprised by my attraction to this scent-- I generally gravitate toward the woodsy, green, often unisex fragrances. But I tried on a sample, and realized after a few minutes that I wanted it. Yes, there is an initial faint sourness to the fragrance, but it's hardly overpowering, and I find it's gone within 15 minutes. I think it is just a brief clash of the notes. But the rose, the amber, the ylang-ylang, and the frankincense are all there, rich and feminine, and the second stage of the fragrance is perfectly balanced.
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Fragrances -Nanadebary - Green
Fiammetta 9/16/2007 8:19:00 AM
A pretty light, green scent that I liked for the summer. I found it easy to wear and consistently fresh, with a crisp citrus-y top note and that little edge of mint. Alas the staying power isn't too great, and it hasn't got much depth, so I likely won't touch it until spring.
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Polishes -OPI - puerto vallarta violeta
Fiammetta 8/27/2007 3:21:00 PM
Wasn't thrilled about the pro-wides, but it's growing on me. The application was smooth and easy, and dried quickly too. The color is a cool lilac, sort of a soft pastel shade, no shimmer.
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Polishes -OPI - Strawberry Margarita
Fiammetta 8/19/2007 5:52:00 PM
Wearing this on my tips right now. It's a warm hot pink creme, bright but not blinding. Fun and summery. It's not quite blue enough to be a Barbie pink. I don't mind the pro-wide brush/changed formula, but it's taking some getting used to. For some reason the coats came on a bit thin, so I had to use 3 coats. But it all dried fast, to the touch, within a few minutes.
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Polishes -OPI - Alpine snow
Fiammetta 8/18/2007 3:53:00 PM
Great stark white for a certain kind of French manicure-- but why did they put a pro-wide brush on this one? I use guide strips only when I absolutely have to, and this one leaves me with no choice. Great wear, opaque in one thick coat-- but oh, the brush. (!)
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Top/Base Coats -Seche Vite - Dry Fast Top Coat
Fiammetta 8/14/2007 1:06:00 PM
It's reached HG status, and it's not as if I haven't been looking elsewhere. Yes, it's thick, it's hard to finish an entire bottle, and it occasionally has that shrinkage issue (particularly if I apply it over a not quite dry color), but it dries fast, is very glossy, and is nearly rock hard once set. Also, I have never ever had a problem with bubbling, unlike other topcoats. Within 15 minutes of doing my manicure I feel free to go wash dishes, take a shower, etc. Only the Poshe topcoat approaches it, but I feel that one is slightly less hard when dry. Out the Door is okay, too, but starts showing odd little stress marks by the third day.
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Polishes -Essie - Jackie Oh My
Fiammetta 8/14/2007 1:01:00 PM
Yet another lovely Essie sheer. As you would expect results depend on how many coats you apply, but I find this soft, cool off-white really pretty, and make it a French with a starker white. The subtle silvery sheen keeps it interesting.
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Polishes -China Glaze - Passion in the Pacific
Fiammetta 6/27/2007 7:11:00 PM
This gorgeous, deep teal (I would say teal green) is so perfect for summer. Some shimmer to it, and it catches light so well. I've already bought a second bottle to give to a friend.
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Polishes -Essie - Imported Champagne
Fiammetta 6/24/2007 9:28:00 AM
I can't comment about the streakiness of this polish-- I put one coat on over two coats of Angel Food, and it looked fine. Pretty much opaque. The color is a pretty, whitish pink frost, almost pearly. Nice, understated, didn't clash with my pale, slightly warm skin tones.
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Fragrances -Hermes - Un Jardin en Méditerranée
Fiammetta 6/23/2007 3:11:00 PM
Mmm I love this fragrance. It's so warm and figgy and woodsy and green and spicy all at once, and I enjoy the way it smells as it warms up on my skin. I've used it at least every other day.
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Polishes -Essie - Bordeaux
Fiammetta 6/23/2007 3:02:00 PM
A classic, really. It's a rich, deep red, with a glossy finish (though I always use a top coat). Flatters my skintone, and looks beautiful with black sandals. I seem to put it on my toes every couple of months or so, and now and then on my tips. I've used more than one bottle. I do own OPI's Malaga Wine, too. Bordeaux is a touch darker.
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