Favourite Mainstream Polishes 2020

Today's favourites posts is definitely going to be one of the shortest favourites post I have ever done.  As I mentioned yesterday I haven't really played with too many mainstream polishes this year.  It's a little sad but at the same time it makes my job really easy because there are less polishes to deal with.  Let's take a look at the few mainstream favourites that I have for 2020.

 

Dance Legend Adamant 

Dance Legend is one of those brands that falls into the grey area for me.  It's not quite indie but its not mainstream either.  Because I have about a million favourites in the indies I am going to consider Dance Legend as a mainstream brand.  Anyway, there is one stand out for me - Adamant.  I mean it's holo and has flakies which is always a winner in my books.  You can find more swatches of this polish here.

 

Jessica Cosmetics Popsicle Kisses

The California Girls Collection is the one collection that I debated about putting into my collection favourites post yesterday.  While I do love the collection and each of the polishes it's just not quite what I would consider a favourite - especially when you compare it to other mainstream collections of the past that I have loved.  Popsicle Kisses is a gorgeous shade and was definitely a favourite from the collection.  You can see the blog post here.

 

OPI Coral Chroma and Prismatic Fanatic

I received two of the polishes from OPI's Hidden Prism Collection and I love them both!  They are both a little sheer for me to wear on their own but as toppers I am in heaven.  You can find both of the polishes in this post here.
 

I told you this was going to be a very short favourites post.  Now excuse me while I have to try and narrow down these indie favourites of mine.  Ahhhh!
 
 
 

Favourite Polish Collections 2020

 

It has definitely been a very interesting year and as a result my blog had to take a little step back meaning that I had very limited blog posts.  I honestly wasn't too sure if it would be worth me wrapping up the year with my favourites posts like I have previously done so I asked on Instagram.  95% of you guys that responded that you wanted to see them and to be honest I love looking back on these types of posts so here we are.  Like usual, I will have a post for my favourite collections, stamping goodies, polishes and nail art.  Let's get started with my favourite collections.  Like always these aren't in any particular order and are only include collections that I swatched on my blog this year.

 

Mainstream Collections

It's kinda funny.  If you look back at the 2019 collection favourites I make a comment about how 2019 was very quiet on the mainstream front.  Well 2020 was even quieter again (although with the limit in blog posts that shouldn't come as too much of a surprise).  With the collections that I swatched this year I can't say that there were any really stand outs like there has been in previous years.

Indie Collections

The indie makers have been on fire again this year!  Emily de Molly and Grace-full Nail Polish have had one amazing collection after the other so once again they fill up my favourites posts (and polish drawers).

Emily de Molly Glitter Toppers

These toppers were released back in 2019 but I didn't get around to swatching them until this year which is why they are in today's post.  Seriously, these toppers are gorgeous and I am thinking I definitely need to break them back out again. If you are interested in seeing the original post you can find that here.

Emily de Molly March 2020 Releases

Typically when I receive swatch packages I don't have any idea what is in them.  As Hayley has her polishes in individual boxes I have even less clue what is in each box.  This was one of those collections that box by box I opened them and I was in love!  These polishes didn't disappoint when they were on the nails either!  You can find my original blog post for this release here.

 

Emily de Molly April 2020 Releases

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Emily de Molly?  Month after month Hayley KILLS it with her releases.  I mean look at April's releases.  You can find my original blog post here.

 

Emily de Molly June 2020 Releases

June was an epic month for Emily de Molly!  Not only did they release this amazing release but there was also some stunning Limited Edition Polishes as well.  Plus they celebrated their 8th birthday!  That's 8 years of glorious polishes.  You can find more swatches of June's releases here.

Emily de Molly June 2020 Limited Edition Polishes

Hayley not only created an epic ten piece release in June but she also gave us two equally stunning limited edition polishes.  It's stuff like this that makes my job of narrowing down favourites close to impossible.  You can find more swatches in the blog post here.

 

Emily de Molly October 2020 Releases

This release being in this post probably comes as no surprise and I think it's safe to say that I am not the only person who would put these in their favourites.  Hayley released a couple of these types of polishes as part of the Polish Pick Up and everyone fell in love (rightly so).  She then gave us a whole collection and I am very grateful she did.  You can find the blog post for this release here.

 

Grace-full Nail Polish Boxing Day 2019

Moving along from Emily de Molly - Grace-full are another brand that collection after collection they bring us amazing polishes.  The Boxing Day polishes were released last year but again I didn't actually swatch them until this year.  You can see the original post here.

 

 

 

Grace-full Nail Polish Colourful Lyrics Collection

I am such a sucker for creme polishes.  They look great by themselves and are perfect for nail art and as bases for toppers.  This collection was all that plus makes for a very pretty rainbow.  You can see the original post here.

 

Grace-full Nail Polish Fluro Pastels Collection

If I absolutely had to pick only one collection to be a favourite for 2020 then I am 99% sure this would be the collection.  I have actually worn the polishes quite a few times - including as a skittle mani which sadly I never took any pictures of.  It's definitely something I will be wearing again so I will have to make sure I take a picture next time.  You can find the post for these babies here.

 

Grace-full Nail Polish Boxing Day 2020 Exclusives

Theresa is giving us a little bit of a teaser for 2021 by bringing us some throwback polishes (Theresa has said that next year there will be more throwbacks coming so get excited people!)  Anyway I love all of these polishes and I am definitely excited for 2021 - both new polishes and the throwbacks.  In case you missed the post with these you can find that here.

 

Grace-full Nail Polish Special Xmas Gift 2019

This is a collection that wasn't actually released but it is very much needed in my favourite collections.  Last year I was incredibly lucky to receive 4 custom polishes from Theresa for Christmas and I love them all!  These are also polishes that I have worn a few times this year too.  You can see more swatches of these in this post here.

 

 

 

That brings us to the end of my favourite collections of 2020.There has been soooo many amazing collections this year which makes me really excited to see what comes out in 2021.

 
 

 

 

Grace-full Nail Polish Boxing Day Exclusives - Swatches & Review

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Last week I mentioned that I received some surprise nail mail from Stark Matthews but what I didn't mention was that I also received a surprise package from Grace-full Nail Polish.  I was very spoilt by Theresa who sent me a few of her Christmas products (which I will share in another post - but if you haven't tried Grace-full's other products before then I recommend you do - they smell incredible) as well as a couple of custom polishes (again I'll share these in another post) and the three exclusives that are being released on Boxing Day.  Get excited guys because not only are these polishes gorgeous but there are two throwback polishes which is going to be the kick start of 2021 year of throwbacks!  I have zero clue if Theresa is taking requests for which polishes you would like the have again but I would join the Facebook group and ask her.  There are definitely some AMAZING polishes that have been released over the years!  Anyway, I am getting a little side tracked here.  Let's take a look at these three polishes shall we?

Gaye 2.0 is a fun shimmer shifting between pink-red/orange as a base with gold teeny micro flakes.  The original polish I want to say was released in 2014 (it was definitely before I started my blog).  Big fan of the original polish and I am a big fan of this polish too.  This is such a great colour for summer.  It's super pretty and the formula is great.   For my swatch I used three coats but you can stop at two coats. 

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in overcast sunlight

Picture taken in overcast sunlight

Pavlova Roll 2.0 is a dark pink leaning red jelly with a smattering of holo flakes.  The original Pavlova Roll was released back in 2016 and I loved it back then.  Pavlova Roll 2.0 is equally as amazing.  I love the colour and the formula is awesome.  For my swatch I used two coats.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Purple Freeze is a purple based shimmer with a green sheen and colourful ultra chrome chameleon flakes.  It shifts between purple, a pinky purple and green.  This is sooooo pretty.  It does apply a little darker on than nails than what it looks like in the bottle but the formula is easy to use and applies evenly.  For my swatch I used two coats.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Picture taken in direct sunlight

It's safe to say that I love all of these polishes.  They are all gorgeous and the formulas are all great.  I am really excited to see which other polishes Grace-full bring back in 2021.  Are you excited too?

The Boxing Day Exclusives will be available on December 26th from Grace-full Nail Polish's Australian site. 

OPI Shine Bright Collection - Swatches & Review

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On Saturday I came home to a surprise package from Stark Matthews with the brand new OPI Shine Bright Collection and some really yummy looking cookies.  One sadly didn't make the distance and it was completely smashed and all the way through the box but the most important thing is that the polishes all survived and now I have them to share with you guys.

Dressed To The Wines is described as a red wine shimmer.  This is such a beautiful and rich colour and perfect for the cooler weather (which is not the current Melbourne weather).  The formula is great and applies evenly and easy.  For my swatch I used two coats.

Gingerbread Man Can is described as a shimmery brown.  I want to say this is quite a unique shade in my collection but I'm not 100% sure.  It's interesting but it's not one I would consider as a favourite.  The formula is great and easy to use.  For my swatch I used two coats.

Merry In Cranberry is described as a fuchsia.  This is definitely my favourite from this collection.  The colour is really pretty and the formula is great.  I used two coats for my swatch.

Naughty Or Ice? is described as a champagne shimmer.  This one is really sheer.  I think you would need four coats to build it up so with that said I used it as a topper.  I'm pretty sure that this would look better over a lighter base but I used it over Merry In Cranberry and I kinda like it.  There is something kinda cool about it.  Anyway, I used one coat over Merry In Cranberry.

Red-y For The Holidays is described as a classic velvet red.  This is such a staple red that everyone should have in their collections.  I also think it makes for a perfect Santa red.  The formula is always.  It's so creamy and applies like a dream.  My swatch shows two coats.

Snowfalling For You is described as a pearlescent pink.  As much as I usually love pink polishes this one gets a no from me.  The application of this polish is ok, but those visible brush strokes and bubbles look horrible.  So definitely not a fan of this one.  For my swatch I used three coats.

This Gold Sleighs Me is a pearlescent gold.  Not a fan of this one at all.  Again it has those visible brush strokes but this one was also more difficult to use as it drags the polish off if you go over the same spot.  It did apply better on the second coat which is what is shown in my swatch.  I do question if I should have done a third coat.

This Shade Is Ornamental is described as a velvety rose pink.  I'm not a fan of this polish either.  The colour isn't my type of shade, the formula is ok (not great but not terrible) and it has those visible brush strokes.  My swatch shows two coats.

Overall, I'm not completely in love with this collection.  I think there are a couple of great shades and some that are perfect for the holidays but those pearlescent shades ruin it for me.  I wish Australia would get the other shades that they sell in the US because there are some gorgeous polishes in the mix which I would happily trade for some of these.

OPI Shine Bright Collection is available now from Myer, David Jones and selected salons.

Emily de Molly December 2020 Releases - Swatches & Review

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December...it still seems so bizarre to me that it is December already.  Seriously where has this year gone?  My concept of time is completely off - I'll blame all the lock downs for that.  Soon it will be time for Christmas decorating which I am super excited about.  Do you know what else I am excited about?  New polishes from Emily de Molly!  I'm guessing you are excited too or you wouldn't be here.  Right, less chatting and more swatches...

 

Before I Forget is a light turquoise blue crelly with metallic copper glitters.  This polish reminds me of the old school indies and I am totally here for it.  I love the base colour and the glitter.  They work beautifully together.  The formula is great and easy to use.  For my swatch I used two coats.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Blur The Line is a bright orchid purple base with blue and red iridescent flakes.  This polish is amazing and one of the many reasons why I love Emily de Molly.  It's seriously a gorgeous polish.  I also love that it does look different in various lighting.  I was actually questioning if it was a thermal or not.  It's not - I tested it to triple check.  Anyway, the formula is also awesome and is opaque in two coats.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken outdoors in shade

Picture taken outdoors in shade

Picture taken outdoors in direct sunlight

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Double Cross is a black jelly base with copper/gold/green iridescent flakes.  Big fan of this one too.  The formula is great and easy to use.  I used three coats because I love the depth of the third coat but you can stop at two coats.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken outdoors in overcast lighting

Picture taken in overcast lighting

Fall Back is a murky green jelly with silver metallic flakes.  I know that Halloween has been and gone but I think this polish would make for some awesome Halloween nail art - or just as a plain mani.  This polish just says Halloween to me.  The formula is also great and easy to use (I am sure I say that about all of Hayley's polishes but honestly they are always so good).  For my swatch I used three coats but you can stop at two.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in  overcast lighting

Picture taken in overcast lighting

Final Answer is a dark emerald green jelly with assorted iridescent flakes.  I love both the colour and flakes in this one.  It's stunning.  I did find this one to be a little on the sheer side, especially on the first coat but it does build up.  I used three coats for my swatch.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken outdoors in overcast lighting

Picture taken outdoors in overcast lighting

One Look is a dark blue base with a subtle blue to purple foil type shimmer.  LOVE this one.  The shift is very subtle but you can see it in person.  My camera struggled to pick the shift up.  The formula is awesome and so close to being a one coater.  I think on short nails you could easily get away with one coat.  For my swatch I used two coats.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken outdoors in shade

Picture taken outdoors in shade

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Shakedown is a mustard yellow with metallic glitters.  This definitely isn't my sort of colour but I do like the glitter in it.  Formula is great and easy to use.  I used two coats for my swatch but question if I should have done a third.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in overcast sunlight

Picture taken in overcast sunlight

Something Special is a very pale pink crelly with silver holographic micro flakes and iridescent flakes.  I love this one.  It's gorgeous and super girly.  The formula is great and easy to use.  I did find it to be a little on the sheer side (but that is to be expected with it being such a light colour) so I used three coats for my swatch.

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in light box

Picture taken in direct sunlight

Picture taken in direct sunlight

I told you these new releases were something to be excited about.  So many pretties.  My personal favourites from this release are Something Special, One Look, Before I Forget and Blur The Line.

The November releases will be available on Friday 4th December at 10AEDT from Emily de Molly's Australian Site and on Thursday 3rd December at 6pm EST on the International Site.