NOTD: Sephora by OPI: Caught with my khakis down (swatch & dupe)

Sonia Kashuk Fatigued

NOTD: Essie: Bobbing for Baubles (swatch and dupe)

Essie: Bobbing for Baubles

Sephora by OPI: My personal serpent



(L to R)  Essie Bobbing for Baubles, Sephora by OPI My personal serpent,OPI Ski Teal we Drop



(L to R) OPI Ski Teal we Drop, Sephora by OPI My personal serpent, Essie Bobbing for Baubles

2 Green polishes for the Holidays!

(L to R) Color Club Green with Envy, Sinful colors San Francisco

Sally Hansen Celeb City and Midnight sky swatches!

(L to R) Celeb City, Midnight sky

MAC Sheen Supreme swatches!

(L to R) Asian flower, blossom culture, bare again

NOTD: Butter London: The Black Knight

I love this polish!  It has so much dimension and it is dark, but still looks fun!  I used 2 coats and it was pretty opaque.  If I were to do it again, I would use a black polish as a base and just put one coat of The Black Knight over it!  The bottle of polish will last longer that way!   This one is really unique! 

Julep Maven Monthly Subscription Review

My first Julep Maven box was the October 2011 box.  I signed up during a $5 promotion.  The worst part about Julep Maven for me is the shipping time.  They use FedEx and then it gets transferred to the USPS.   Both of my boxes for October and November have taken just under 3 weeks for me to receive.  I find that flat out ridiculous.  I live in the United States.  Sephora ships USPS and I get my packages within 2 business days usually. 

So, my October box finally arrives and guess what?  It's missing the base coat polish that was supposed to be included in the introductory box.  I contacted customer service and she kindly apologized and stated she would ship it out.  It has been almost a month and I have yet to ever receive that.  The introductory box was just okay.  The polishes weren't as opaque as I had heard they were and the shape of the bottle is so thin, that it is very easy for it to knock over and spill out when you are doing your nails.  Not a very practical bottle design in my opinion.  The polish chipped in less than 24 hours.  Maybe the base coat helps, but I wouldn't know since I never received it.  Here are swatches and photos:

(top to bottom) Gayle, Malin

(L to R) Malin, Gayle

I just received my November box.  I picked the nail polish lover box that has 3 polishes in it.  They are nice colors for the holidays, but the colors aren't anything unique or special.   Trina was my favorite of the trio. It was a very beautiful color and opaque in 1 coat.  Diane was my least favorite of all 5 of my Julep polishes so far.  It was super sheer and took 3 coats to be opaque, but it really could've used 4 coats.  I have an 11 month old son, so I don't have time to do 4 coats of anything! The blue polish, Michelle, was opaque in 1 coat and it didn't stain my nails.  I paid the regular $19.99 for the November box.  Was it work $20?  No.  I would rather spend that on a few OPI polishes.  Here are swatches and photos:




(L to R) Michelle, Diane, Trina




(L to R) Diane, Michelle, Trina


My final issue with Julep is the size of their polish and the price.  They charge $14 for a 0.27oz bottle of nail polish.  Julep, you aren't a high end company or even a well known company for that matter.  If it weren't for youtube, I would have never heard of Julep.  For them to be charging almost double what OPI charges is just ridiculous.  I could see maybe $5 a bottle, but even for $5 I would buy a China Glaze or Revlon polish before Julep because you get more product.  Here is a size comparison photo incase you were curious.

I will be cancelling my Julep Maven subscription.  I'm just not impressed.  The shipping is horrid (read all the complaints from others on their Facebook page), the polishes are overpriced and small, and the polish colors aren't anything special or unique.   I think the concept of the Julep Maven program is fun and unique, but just not worth the $20 for what you get.  If would do it for $10, maybe.

One last thing that drive me bonkers about their bottles is that when I screw the cap on tight, it doesn't line up with the square bottle.  I hate that!

Army green nail polish swatches/comparison

Click here to see swatches of my entire Sephora by OPI Collection!


(L to R) Zoya Yara, Zoya Dree, Essie Sew psyched, Zoya Gemma, Sephora by OPI Caught with my Khakis down



(L to R) Zoya Yara, Zoya Dree, Essie Sew psyched, Zoya Gemma, Sephora by OPI Caught with my Khakis down

(L to R) Zoya Yara, Zoya Dree, Essie Sew psyched, Zoya Gemma, Sephora by OPI Caught with my Khakis down

NOTD: OPI DS Temptation

This polish is beautiful and very eye catching.  The application was pretty odd though.  I used 2 coats and indoors it looked gorgeous, but in natural lighting it looked awful (patchy, streaky and lumpy).  I really needs 3 coats and a top coat. 

Nails inc St. Johns Wood (swatches/comparisons)



(L to R) Zoya Malia, Nails inc St. Johns wood, NARS Pokerface

 When I received Nails inc. St. Johns Wood in the mail, my first reaction was that I was certain I had something similar.  After going through all of my polishes, I was very surprised that I didn't.  In fact, I didn't have anything even remotely close to it.  I really love Nails inc polishes.  They do come with a small amount 0.33oz, but of the 3 I've tried, they are all opaque in 1 coat.  Sephora describes St. Johns Wood as a dark periwinkle.  I will do a NOTD with this soon!  I'm really glad I ordered it and so far I'm quite impressed with Nails inc as a brand. 

(L to R) Zoya Malia, Nails inc St. Johns wood, NARS Pokerface

(L to R) Zoya Malia, Nails inc St. Johns wood, NARS Pokerface

NOTD: Sephora by OPI: 212-Sephora (swatches/comparison)

I was shocked to see this on Sephora's website recently.  This polish was limited edition that was created for the Sephora in Times Square.  The area code is 212.  The most unique thing about this polish is the burnt orange particles that look like fire.  It really looks like it is glowing.  This is super unique!  A must have for polish junkies like myself!  The burnt looking glitter particles reminded me of the ones in OPI Shimmery-chic.  Here are a few swatches/comparisons!  ENJOY!

Sephora by OPI 212-Sephora



(L to R) Sephora by OPI 212-Sephora, OPI Warm and Fozzie, OPI Shimmery-chic



(L to R) OPI Warm and Fozzie, OPI Shimmery-chic, Sephora by OPI 212-Sephora, Sephora by OPI if you got it, haunt it

NOTD: Sephora by OPI: If you've got it, haunt it (swatches)

This nail polish is just....WOW!  My husband even grabbed the bottle and thought it was pretty awesome!  This polish is a dark charcoal shade with amazing pink, turquoise and silver microglitter.  It's beyond words and just gorgeous.  I'm debating getting a back up of this.  It's THAT unique!  I don't have anything similar at all in my collection (and I have over 300 polishes!)  The consistency was pretty thick and it was almost opaque in one coat.  I used 2 coats.  It also leaves a gritty finish, but a top coat will help with that.  ENJOY!

NOTD: Sephora by OPI: Under my trench coat (swatches/comparisons)

I love this polish in the bottle.  On my nails.....not so much.  It was opaque in 2 coats, but it made the imperfections on my nails very noticeable.   It is a beautiful taupe shade with micro fine gold shimmer.  It was very easy to remove.  I think this would be a gorgeous color on many skin tones.   Here are some swatches and comparisons.  ENJOY!

(L to R)Wet n Wild Shield, Butter London All hail the queen, Sephora by OPI Under my trench coat, Essie Chinchilly

(L to R) Sephora by OPI Under my trench coat, Zoya Jules, OPI Designer de better, Revlon Catty

(L to R) Wet n Wild Shield, Butter London All hail the queen, Sephora by OPI Under my trench coat, Sephora by OPI Metro chic, Zoya Jules, OPI Designer de better, Revlon Catty

NOTD: Sephora by OPI: Looks like rain, dear. (swatches/comparisons)

This polish is super opaque.  You could almost get away with 1 coat.  I was really impressed with the formula.  It does takes a few minutes longer to dry than most glitter polishes I've used.  It has a gritty texture upon drying.  This polish is pretty much amazing.  I don't have anything even close to it.  Here are some swatches and comparisons!  Enjoy!

Please see my other post comparing Looks like rain, dear to Sephora by OPI I found a pot of gold http://www.swatchapalooza.blogspot.com/2012/01/sephora-by-opi-looks-like-rain-dear-vs.html



(LtoR) China Glaze twinkle lights, Revlon Gold get 'em, Wet n Wild The gold and the beautiful, Butter London West end wonderland, Sephora by OPI Looks like rain, dear, OPI Designer de better



(LtoR)China Glaze twinkle lights, Revlon Gold get 'em, Wet n Wild The gold and the beautiful, OPI Looks like rain, dear.

(LtoR)China Glaze twinkle lights, Revlon Gold get 'em, Wet n Wild The gold and the beautiful

Butter London West end wonderland, Sephora by OPI Looks like rain, dear, OPI Designer de better

(LtoR)Butter London West end wonderland, Sephora by OPI Looks like rain, dear, OPI Designer de better

Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume Dupe?

When I did recent post on my favorite fall perfumes, I noticed that Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume and Fresh Cannabis Santal had many similar notes.  I have listed their notes below and underlined the ones that are similar.

Tom Ford Black Orchid

Notes:

Bergamot, Citrus, Mandarin, Black Gardenia, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lotus Wood, Orchid, Spicy Floral Accord, Orchid (Tom Ford Black Accord), Patchouli, Sandalwood, Incense, Vanilla.

Fresh Cannabis Santal
Notes:
Bergamot, Brazilian Orange, Black Plum, Patchouli, Cannabis Accord, Rose, Chocolate, Vetiver, Vanilla Musks.

So, today I sprayed one on each hand and my  husband and I put our noses together to see if these are really similar enough to call dupes. 

Upon initial spray, they don't smell a like at all.  Black Orchid is much spicier and stronger than Cannabis Santal.  Black Orchid is much more of an evening scent.  However, Fresh Cannabis Santal is light enough to wear during the day, even though it still a spicy scent.

After an hour we smelled them again and Black Orchid was still very strong and Cannabis Santal was barely there.  After they dry down, they are both still spicy, but I smell more of the orange notes in the Cannabis Santal.

Bottom line:  Are they dupes?  No.  Do they smell pretty similar?  Not really.  However, they both smell great and if you like one, you will probably like the other.  So, if you don't have the funds to shell out for Tom Ford Black Orchid, you might want to give Fresh Cannabis Santal a try.  I love them both, but Tom Ford Black Orchid is my favorite!

My Sephora by OPI Nail Polish Collection (Swatches/comparisons)

*****scroll to the bottom for updated swatches!  I will continue adding to this post as I get more Sephora by OPI polishes****

 I purchased these all from Sephora for $9.50/5ml.

My Sephora by OPI Nail Polish collection includes the following colors:

• Studs & Stilettos
• Under my trench coat
• Dating the drummer
• Going nude, eh?
• Metro chic
• Caught with my khakis down
• Just a little dangerous
• Shiny dancer
• Caribbean cocktail
• Club scene queen
• Looks like rain, dear
• Traffic stopper copper
• Chestnuts about you
• If you've got it, haunt it
• 212-Sephora
• My personal serpant
• I gotta blush on you
• That's my fuschia husband
• Violet's just get married
• Stop stocking me
• It's bouquet with me
• G-listen to your heart
• Indi-go with the flow
• I found a pot of gold
• Bare to be different
• Sample Sale
• Not enough shoes
• No-el if I know
• Already Famous
• Dear Diary
• How cute is that
• Natural Enivon-min
• It's Hippo to be square
• Access 24/7
• Ms. Can't be wrong
• Don't feed the hand models
• I'm with Brad
• Fiercely Fabulous
• Break a leg-warmer
• Bring on the Snowflakes
• Mermaid to Order
• I don't bite
• Eve-y on the eyes
• White hot
• Natural Beauty
• I only shop vintage
• Happy earth day to me

Here are photos and swatches of each!


(LtoR) Traffic stopper copper, studs & stilettos, under my trench coat, going nude, eh?, metro chic, caught with my khakis down, just a little dangerous, shiny dancer, caribbean cocktail, club scene queen

  

(LtoR) Traffic stopper copper, Studs and stilettos, Under my trench coat, Going nude, eh?



(LtoR)Traffic stopper copper, Studs and stilettos, Under my trench coat, Going nude, eh?

(LtoR) Metro Chic, Caught with my khakis down, Just a little dangerous, Shiny Dancer

(LtoR) Metro Chic, Caught with my khakis down, Just a little dangerous, Shiny Dancer



(LtoR) Caribbean cocktail, Club scene queen, Looks like rain, dear, Chestnuts about you



(LtoR) Caribbean cocktail, Club scene queen, Looks like rain, dear, Chestnuts about you

Sephora by OPI "If you got it, haunt it"

Sephora by OPI "212 Sephora"




Under my trench coat



Studs and Stilettos

My personal serpant

Looks like rain, dear

Sephora by OPI I gotta blush on you ( 3 streaky coats!)

Sephora by OPI That's my Fuschia husband

Sephora by OPI I gotta blush on you

(L to R) Studs & Stilettos, Dating the Drummer

Dating the Drummer (ring, index) Studs & Stilettos (thumb, middle, pinky)

Sephora by OPI Violet's just get married (index, ring) Revlon Perplex (middle finger)

Sephora by OPI G-listen to your heart

(L to R) Zoya Roxy, Sephora by OPI G-listen to your heart, Revlon Facets of Fuchsia

Sephora by OPI Indi-go with the flow

(L to R) Sephora by OPI Indi-go with the Flow, China Glaze Skyscraper

(L to R) Sephora by OPI Looks like rain, dear, Sephora by OPI I found a pot of gold

(L to R) Sephora by OPI I found a pot of gold, Sephora by OPI Looks like rain, dear





Bare to be different



Bare to be different (4 coats--YUCK!)



Sample Sale

Sample Sale



No-el if I know

 

No-el if I know



Never enough shoes



Never Enough Shoes



Already Famous



Already Famous



Access 24/7



Just a little Dangerous



Eve-y on the eyes



Mermaid to Order



Break a Leg-warmer



I'm with Brad



It's hippo to be square



Bring on the snowflakes



I don't bite



Ms. Can't be wrong



Fiercely Fabulous



(L to R) Already Famous, Looks like rain dear, Sample sale, Never enough shoes, No-el if I know, Bare to be different

 

(L to R) White hot, Natural beauty, I only shop vintage, Happy earth day to me



(L to R) White hot, Natural Beauty, I only shop vintage, Happy earth day to me

(L to R) It's my pink, Cartwheels on the catwalk, XOX Betsey, What's your sign?, It's totally karma, Bright as a feather