Update on Essie collections - 'Mystery' Collection and North Fork

Okay, here we go.

I think I may have caused a minor frenzy yesterday by posting images of six beautiful and untraditional Essie colors. Here's what happened!

I received a press release with images for the North Fork collection (the three light blues), but at the bottom of the email, two additional images were attached. I posted them because they looked like a collection to me- six shades, all within a summery, beach-like color scheme and they came directly from Essie. However, I have received confirmation from Essie that the attached images were in fact an error and are not representative of actual polishes.

I was really, really excited for that 'mystery' collection too. I mean, SUPER excited. I am very sad that it doesn't really exist. But, don't fret! The word from Essie is this: North Fork will not be the only summer release. They have a couple more things up their sleeve for this summer, so we might get something almost as good! We just have to wait and see, and you can be sure that I'll update you whenever I get new information.

So, here's the lowdown in case you didn't read any of this:

The 'Mystery' collection I posted below- NOT REAL.
Here's the link in case you missed it:
http://www.scrangie.com/2009/03/essie-mystery-collection-possible.html

The North Fork collection I posted below- REAL. The picture in my post is correct, and it will be released in April. Three limited edition blues.
Link:
http://www.scrangie.com/2009/03/essie-summer-2009-north-fork-collection.html



I'm sorry to disappoint everyone, I am disappointed as well! This is only the beginning of the summer collections this year, and I am confident that this will be a summer of GREAT polishes!

Essie 'Mystery' Collection -EDITED: Imaginary!!

NEW UPDATE: Essie has let me know that the images received below were an error and do NOT represent actual polishes! I think I may cry, I was really getting my hopes up for this collection! Sorry to say that the collection in this post does not actually exist.

EDIT: I'm still waiting for Essie to confirm or deny the existence of these colors, but I'll be sure to let you know the minute I hear something! This post is currently 100% speculation, so I wouldn't get too excited about this 'collection' just yet! I certainly hope these colors are real and not just a mistake sent in an email :)

I also received these images from Essie with no accompanying information. No names, no release date, no collection information...

My best guess is that this is the Summer 2009 full collection. You know how Essie sometimes releases a mini collection like the Neon Shorts or Cool Click and then does a full collection at the same time? This *might* be it, but I really don't know!

If I get any concrete information on this collection I'll be sure to post it. But, for now, CHECK THIS OUT!!!! IT'S FREAKING AMAZING!!





I can't believe my eyes. Essie... blue, green, yellow??? Maybe they saw how much of a success Mesmerize was and decided to branch out from the usual pale pinks?

I am excited!!!

Checking in and thoughts on drugstore polishes.

Hey guys! I just wanted to let you know that I have been pretty busy lately and haven't been near my computer as much.... So, if you've sent me an email or left a comment here, I'm not ignoring you! I'll respond as soon as I am able to.

While I'm working on a big batch of requests, I thought I'd leave you with one of my favorite drugstore polishes.

I know, I don't usually have very much drugstore stuff on here, but that's not because I don't love it! The truth is, I love my drugstore stuff almost more than I love the higher-end stuff. I don't usually post about it, though, because I know that the brands are not available everywhere and I never know how to answer the inevitable "where can I get this if I live in _________" question.

But, weirdly enough, I love old discontinued drugstore stuff infinitely more than anything that's been released recently. It's nostalgic for me, and I am always hunting for the polishes that I used to have but gave away / lost / threw away many years ago.


Wet N Wild Speed. This one's a fairly new release, I picked it up at a CVS last fall. A spectacularly gorgeous iridescent purple with a subtle golden glow. This is similar to both OPI Ink and Hot Topic Iridescent Purple. This is truly purple as well, not blue in some lights like some purples. Just pure purple sparkly iridescent goodness.

I'm thinking about doing a lot more posts on drugstore brands and nostalgic polishes. I'm getting quite bored of focusing mainly on new collection after new collection- though I do love new polish (a lot!!), old polish needs some love too!

Update on Misa Promotion

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that Misa is working through all of your emails and should be caught up by the end of the week. They're swamped with orders and the system was down for a while, but they're working very hard to take care of everyone!

I'm still waiting on a definite answer to the other questions regarding this promotion, but as soon as I hear anything, I'll be sure to post it right away.

Thanks everyone :)

EDIT: UPDATE!

Here are the answers from Misa:

Is this open to internationals? Yes. They can ship internationally, but the shipping will be more than $7.00, and this cost depends on the shipping method (Postal Mail is cheaper than UPS). Shipping cost depends on the country. They may not be able to ship to all countries, depending on distributors guidelines. Call or email for more information.

Payment methods accepted: Credit card, wire transfer and check. Orders paid by check will ship when check has cleared.

Products included in promotion: Includes all treatments except Joli Treatments.

Hope this helps! Again, this promotion is valid until the end of January so you still have a while to choose :)

Failure

I've been debating whether or not I wanted to post this, but I think I should. So, here goes.

You all know how much I love doing reader requests, right? I do. However, I've gotten a few that I've just totally failed. Pictures didn't turn out right. My photography sucks.

If you've been waiting on a request from me that I haven't fulfilled, I didn't forget about you. I'm just a big freakin' failure! Arghhhh.

Here are a few of the requests I've totally bombed on:

China Glaze OMG collection along with the rest of the Kaleidoscopes: I lost them! I can only find the couple that I use regularly. I have no idea where they could be. I have re-purchased the whole set of both, so I should be able to finish this request soon.

Mood Polishes: I have a bunch of these, and one day I sat down to photograph them all. Problem is, only one of them actually changed colors. I must be doing something wrong. The one that changed colors is up on NailGal (I think it was Toma Green Glitter to Gold Glitter?), but the other pics ended up in the trash. Anyone have any experience with mood polishes? Do they just stop changing after a certain age, do they go bad? I even put my hands in hot water and cold water and nothing.

Dupes for CND AB Positive: This one seemed easy, but I haven't actually been able to find a bottle of AB Positive or even a picture of AB Positive to compare things to! And on top of that, I find it next to impossible to photograph reds properly- they end up all weird and radioactive looking. Does anyone have this polish, and if so, can you take a picture of it for me? Pretty please?

Essie Bridal Collection 2008: I have had this sitting on my kitchen counter waiting to be photographed for months. I think it even has dust on it now. I have a hard time photographing sheers like those because they always come out looking white instead of whatever shade of off-white they are in real life. I'll have to try harder on this one.

Sally Hansen Nail Prisms / Other Duochromes: These are just really hard to capture and I haven't been happy with any of the pictures I've taken of these. I'm still trying to figure out what type of lighting and angle works best to show the multichromatic properties of these. Right now I've only been able to get one color in a picture, and that's lame.

Neons: These are the hardest things of all to photograph. Orange and green are the most difficult. I have a few great shots of a variety of neons- the Color Clubs, the Misas, the Essies- but I think those were just luck. I've tried quite a few times to get entire hand (not just 'skittles') shots of the China Glaze neons, the New York Summer neons and all the other random neons I have in my collection and they pictures just come out bizarre and warped and freakish looking, like nuclear nails on charred black fingers. I'm still practicing photographing these.

There are a couple more requests that I haven't been able to get just right, but you get the idea.


So... there. I did it. I've admitted failure, but not defeat! I haven't been able to get these pictures right yet, but I'm going to keep trying until they're perfect! Thank you for all your requests and also for your patience. You guys ROCK!!!!!

Vacation!

Okay guys, I'm officially on vacation! I'll still have internet, so I'll be dropping in every now and then.

Also, today is Veterans Day. If you get a chance, please take the time to thank a vet.

...And one more thing- a quick observation- Bare Escentuals Extreme Glimmers = MAC Solar Bits.

Update on eBay Scumbag! I need your help!

EDIT: As of right now, my images have been removed! Thanks guys!! I'm still keeping my eye on this seller, though... I have a feeling our images will be stolen by them again :( Again, I apologize for being such a spaz about this! It just really, really upsets me to have my property stolen like that :(




Okay guys, I really hate to do this, but I need your help.


They have not only NOT removed the images that they stole from me, but have listed MORE items using my images!

So, if you read my blog and enjoy my pictures, please help me out by taking a few moments to report this filthy thief and their auctions to eBay.

The auctions are here.

You can use your regular eBay account to report the items. Select either "copied listing" or "stolen property", either one will do I think.

Please, don't just do it for me, but for the other lovely bloggers they have stolen images from as well.

I have done pretty much everything I can do to get them to remove my images, but obviously nothing has been done.

Thank you all so much for your love and support, you guys are the greatest!

Quick Swatches: Color Club Fall 2008 Glitter Vixen and Dance To The Musique

The Polish Addict already has awesome swatches of these, so I just did some quick 'skittles'.




Glitter Vixen collection (not pictured: Sultry Diva, pure gold glitter. Not enough fingers!)
Thumb to pinkie: Tru Passion, Object of Envy, Magic Attraction, Sexy Siren, Art of Seduction. Bottle is Sex Symbol.

My thoughts? HOLY CRAP I LOVE THESE! These are super-sparkly WOW BAM IN YOUR FACE glitter... Once you step outside wearing these, you're liable to blind someone!
Application was quite nice, Tru Passion was a little thick, but nothing a little bit of Seche Restore won't fix. They are fairly gritty- I'd say medium grittiness- but a coat of Seche Vite took care of that problem immediately. These dry very quickly, and have full coverage in two coats. This is some of the densest glitter I've ever seen. I won't lie- they're a pain in the arse to remove, but that comes with the territory. My glitter removing technique is pretty effective on these: Soak your cotton ball in acetone or remover (remover that contains acetone works better than non-acetone remover) and press it on top of the nail. Let it sit there for 10 or 20 seconds, and then with firm pressure, wipe toward your fingertip. There will be some glitter left on the nail, but once the bulk of it is gone the leftovers are easy to remove.

Now, on to Dance To The Musique:



Thumb to pinkie: Feel The Beat , Slow Jam, Electronica, Groove Thang and After Hours. Bottle is Velvet Rope.

These applied like a DREAM. Perfectly smooth, no bubbles, no pooling, just complete perfection. Color Club's formula is amazingly good.

Feel the Beat is a slight duochrome that reminds me a little of Misa Bojangles. Orange and red type duochrome.

Slow Jam is a fantastic autumn burgundy-brown with lots of depth and shimmer.

Electronica is a gorgeous blueish purple with amazing multicolored shimmer. It looks stunning in the sunlight!

Groove Thang is really cool. It's a beetle-like color, dark blue/black/purple with greenish gold and purple sheen and shimmer. Reminds me of OPI Black Tie Optional, but darker.

After Hours is a charcoal grey with loads of colored shimmer. Far away it looks like just a plain charcoal shimmer, but if you look up close you'll see the multi-colored flecks in it!

Velvet Rope is a red shimmer. Yep. I think I'm really bad at hiding the fact that I'm not a fan of plain reds...


Everything about these collections is perfect. Not only do I love the polishes, but I love all the artwork and promotional imagery used on these collections. The makeup on the models is gorgeous, hell, the models themselves are gorgeous! Color Club really did a great job on these collections- definitely different than what I expected for fall and that makes me really happy!

Also, for Canadians looking for local retailers of Color Club polishes, I was given this information:
Jessica's Cosmetic Nail And Beauty, 39 Orfus Road, Toronto, Ontato. Phone number (647) 435-3856. If you call them they can tell you where to buy Color Club polishes in your area.

And just a little reminder, my Zoya promo code SCRANGIELUV expires tomorrow, so if you have your eye on any of those collections (Pulse, Vibe, Downtown, Uptown) it's a great chance to get some awesome free nail polish!!

Thanks, Color Club!