Dior Saint-Tropez + Gradient
I have a ton of polishes in two shades: red and aqua. And I also have only two Dior polishes as well–in red and aqua. I ADORE both polishes. (The red polish is the one I used in this video a few days ago).
Of all the aqua polishes I own, I repeatedly come back to Dior’s Saint-Tropez. Sadly, I don’t think you can find it anymore. I ended up buying it on eBay a couple years ago, and even back then it was hard to find. That being said, I just love it. The formula goes on like butter and it self-levels to a perfect finish. Just a lovely polish to work with.
(The red Dior polish I love, Rouge 999, is still for sale, though. The formula has been updated, but it’s the same color).
Anyway, this is Dior Saint-Tropez…
After painting my nails with Saint-Tropez, I thought I’d try another gradient. So I added Julep Monaco to the tips with the gradient sponging technique shown in this video.
Julep Rae vs. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Lively Lilac
Still on an orchid nail polish kick. After painting my nails with the brand new Rae color from Julep (shown on right), I had to compare it to Sally Hansen Ista-Dri Lively Lilac (left). Rae is a bit more purple and lacks the bit of shimmer that Lively Lilac has (which is fine with me–I usually hate shimmer).
And a closer look at just Rae…
Julep Nic
Julep Nic is a color I received at the same time as Brielle in my most recent Julep Maven box. It’s a very dark vampy crimson. Pretty much so dark it’s black. The only time I notice the red is in strong light. Application wasn’t too bad–about as difficult as any super dark color would be. I applied three coats to achieve complete opaqueness.
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Julep Brielle
I received Julep Brielle in my latest Julep Maven box. While it’s an awesome autumn and Thanksgiving color, I found the polish to be quite goopy and hard to work with. It was opaque in one coat, but it definitely needed another to smooth out all the bumps and strangeness from the thickness of the polish.
Julep Jackie
I think Jackie from Julep might be the most perfect candy apple red. I’ll be wearing it a lot this holiday season. It has a jelly finish, so I did have to do three coats to achieve opacity, but the formula was so smooth I didn’t mind it too much. :)
(See yesterday’s post for the details on my tiny pinky fingernail)
Julep Avery + Holiday Stamping
Base Color: Julep Avery (bright, neon pink)
Stamping Polish: Konad Special Polish in White
Stamping Plate: Winstonia W120
And just because I the pink is so pretty without stamping, too. :)
Julep Joan + China Glaze Emotion Stamping
My monthly Julep Maven box arrived a day ago and this beautiful raspberry shimmery color, Joan, was included. I wanted to try it out right away…
Base Color: Julep Joan
Stamping Color: China Glaze Emotion (sort of a hard polish to find since it came out years ago, but it does stamp beautifully)
Stamping Plate: Konad m57
*Inspired by this stamping manicure by The Nailasaurus, one my favorite nail blogs. :)
