Comparison: Rescue Beauty Lounge IKB:2012 vs Revlon Royal

As I had both of these out due to recent posts, I figured I would do a comparison post...

This picture, and the one above it are both 3 coats of both polishes.  You can see just how much lighter IKB:2012 is than Royal.  Also, you can see some of the formula issues I had with IKB:2012.  It's quite uneven without a topcoat.

This picture is 2 coats of Royal and 3 coats of IKB:2012.  As I was taking pictures of both polishes at 3 coats, I realized that it would probably be good if I showed you a comparison between 2 coats of Royal and 3 coats of IKB:2012, and they are the closest in color at that number of coats.  

As you can see, Royal is a brighter cobalt blue jelly, whereas IKB:2012 is still bright, but it also leans a bit purple, and it has a dustiness to it, that Royal does not.

I know that Ji mentioned on Rescue Beauty Lounge's FB page and on Twitter that IKB:2012 is currently out of stock, pending filling all of the orders.  It may be back in stock after all orders are filled, but no guarantees.  

Revlon Royal is readily available on Revlon's website, as well as through other online outlets, and at drugstores and big boxes nationwide.

30 Days of Blues for Autism Awareness - Rescue Beauty Lounge IKB:2012

Today is Day 22 in my "30 Days of Blues".  I kind of flaked on a post today and then I realized about 30 minutes ago, that I hadn't posted a blue polish for today.  I had IKB:2012 sitting on my desk, so I figured I'd quickly swatch it and review it.  I had just enough battery power for just a few shots...

This is 3 coats of IKB:2012.  Back when Ji posted the nominations for the RBL Fan Collection, this one (inspired by Yves Klein blue) was my pick, and I've anxiously been waiting for it to come out.  However, recently, due to a aggressive, get-rid-of-debt, tight budget, I've been rationing my polish money, so I wasn't sure if I would even order any from the fan collection.  Finally, as blue is my most favorite polish color, I figured I'd splurge and go on and get it because I would probably regret it if I didn't.  That's usually the way things work with me and RBL polishes.  

So, needless to say, I had a lot of expectations for this polish.  When I pulled it from it's box (when did the red boxes happen, btw), I expected angels singing hallelujah, and I didn't get that reaction.  That is why I recently posted on Twitter that I was a little bit disappointed.  In fact, I've been swatching it off and on today thinking I'll like it more.  

I think the main reason is because I had been associating this blue, Yves Klein blue, with a cobalt blue.  It's not.  Cobalt blue is much more electric.  This blue is dustier, and ever-so-slightly purple  Once I took a step back and realized this wasn't my perfect cobalt blue, I started to appreciate it more.  Also, when I first put it on, it almost looks like a very bright periwinkle.  It took 3 coats (and on my middle finger, there's a fourth because I bumped my nail) to finally reach a fully-saturated blue.  It also takes several coats to reach the color that you see in swatches.  Until I applied my third coat, I kept thinking that everyone's camera was blowing out the color, and that the brighter periwinkle color that I was seeing was the true color.  It's definitely blue, though.

I'm a little unhappy with the formula, as it doesn't have the buttery quality that I associate with Rescue Beauty Lounge, and with a $20 polish in general.  I found it to be very stringy and at one point, I thought I had a hair in my polish.  I didn't.  :/  I found it to be harder-than-most to apply.  Ji mentioned on her Facebook page that this polish has pure pigment in it.  That is why it is stringy.  I get that.  The color does remind me of those tubes of pigments we used to use in art class in middle school.  However, it's still frustrating for the price.

I'm not unhappy I purchased it, per se, it's just not exactly like I expected.  You know how when something costs more, you expect it to be perfect?  Like when you spend $6000 on your dream DisneyWorld vacation at the Polynesian and your autistic son kinda flips out at all the stimulation and you have a lousy time, but yet the same behavior on a $1000 beach vacation doesn't ruin the trip?  (not that I've ever experienced that. LOL)  It's like that.  If this was a $5 polish or even a $10 polish, I could kind of overlook the issues I had with it.  However, on with a $20 polish, I don't want formula issues, if you know what I mean.  If you are a blue-lover you may still wish to pick it up for color alone, just keep in mind that it's not without it's issues.

Thank you so much for reading my 30 Days posts.  Tomorrow, I will be back with a full manicure.  I also will be posting the Blogger Round-Up tomorrow (I'm sorry for not getting to it sooner).  

Rescue Beauty Lounge Aqua Lily

Just a quick little review for you all, as I just received the 2 polishes I ordered from the Rescue Beauty Lounge Fan Collection.  Tonight, I will review one for you and then review the other one, IKB:2012, in the near future.  This is Aqua Lily...

Aqua Lily is a beautiful turquoise shimmer with pink micro-shimmer.  I have a lot of colors in this same vein and this one is completely unique.  The shimmer that you see in my picture is just the tip of the iceberg.  I find that it's not as pronounced on the nail, as it is the bottle, but it is still beautiful.  

Also, while this one applied incredibly well, it is, after all, a RBL, I also found it to be a bit thick.  Nothing out of the ordinary or hard to use, but it was a little thicker than I expected it to be.  The color is worth it though.  It makes me want to go on vacation.  :)

This picture is 3 coats, but honestly, 2 would have been fine.  I did 3 because I kept bumping my nails, as I was trying to polish them.

RBL polishes are $18-$20 with her new polishes being all $20 from this collection forward.  I read that now that all the pre-orders have been sent out, Ji will be offering the collection for purchase by the general public on 4/23/2012.  You can purchase RBL polishes at www.rescuebeauty.com.

30 Days of Blues for Autism Awareness - Zoya Phoebe with Rescue Beauty Lounge Locavore

Today is Day 18 in my "30 Days of Blues" and today I have for you Zoya Phoebe with Rescue Beauty Lounge Locavore as an accent nail...

This is 3 coats of Zoya Phoebe, a neon, matte cerulean blue, and RBL Locavore, a green, purple, gold, and blue glitter-bomb, on my ring finger.  

I normally put a topcoat over Phoebe, as I'm kinda over the matte thing, but I liked the contrast so much between the satiny finish of Phoebe and the sparkle of Locavore that I decided to leave it matte.  

Phoebe is available on Zoya's website, and Locavore is still available on Rescue Beauty's website.

Sorry this one was so short and sweet, but I have a busy evening and I wanted to post before I left.  Thank you so much for reading and participating.  You can always send comments and requests to megan@apolishproblem.com

Rescue Beauty Lounge Look Rich, Be Cheap

Due to some recent nail growth, I am trying to keep my nails polished, which means that I am polishing my nails everyday (I have the attention span of a gnat).  I've been mainly sticking to new releases, as that's what I've had on my desk, but tonight, I brought this one out of the depths of my storage container, and oh how happy it's made me.

RBL's Look Rich, Be Cheap was from the 2009 Spring glitter bomb collection, which in my mind was the catalyst for all the full-coverage glitters we've seen over the past 2 years.  I remember when I first saw swatches of this glitter and her sisters, Locavore and Frugalista.  I fell instantly in love, but still being a newb and balking at an $18 polish, I resisted until the half off sale in the fall of 2009, where I picked them up.  And my love for them has not waned, considering that the glitters and a couple of other colors were the only things I kept when I decided to part ways with my RBL collection (the formula just doesn't play nice with me).   Unfortunately, I just haven't worn them as much as I should have.  Well, lemme tell ya... that's gotta stop.  :P

This one is absolutely amazing.  It's varying shades of gold glitter with pops of bright, purple glitter, and as yellow and purple are opposites on the color wheel, the color combo is gorgeous.  The base is clear, and though it looks like there are bald/thin spots in my swatch, the coverage on the nail is actually quite good.  Any thin spots that are on there, don't show up to the naked eye.

This is 3 coats of Look Rich Be Cheap over a coat of CND Stickey.  I also had to apply 3 (!) coats of TC as it still seemed really textured at just 1, or even 2, coats.  Honestly, even with the 3 coats of TC, it's still not smooth, but that's pretty much par for the course with a dense glitter.

Also, I realize I have reviewed Look Rich, Be Cheap already in the past, but as that way back when my nails were recovering nubs and my camera was crap (and perhaps a lot of user error), I figured I'd give this one another showing. 

Look Rich, Be Cheap is the only glitter bomb still remaining in stock on RBL's website (though I think Locavore is coming back).  Price is $18.

this was purchased by me during RBL's half-off sale

Hi! My name is Megan and I'm a RBL reject.

Okay, I know Ji had a shit-ton of entries, and perhaps it's my neverending naivete, but I was still hopeful that my entry would be picked.  Alas, she posted the list of 11 hopefuls yesterday and my awesome idea was not part of the group.  Bummer.

Here she is...

















I'd been waffling about my entry ever since she announced the contest and I'd ultimately decided not to enter.  Then I saw this and fell in love.  Can you imagine?  I took this the day after Christmas while we were out letting the spawn spend their Christmas money.  We'd just had our first-in-who-the-eff-knows-how-long white Christmas and we were drying out the day after.  Who knew the dirty asphalt at a gas station would look so beautiful?

Having the effect of an oilslick has long been a dream of mine.  I know some polishes have come close, with OPI MPJ being the one that stick out in my mind.  However, more than a holo, I wanted a dark asphalt grey polish with subtle tonal shimmery that flashes blue, orange, yellow, pink, and green (or a combination thereof).  A multi-chrome, if you will.  :)  I know no nail polish could do the swirly effect above, but I thought a beautiful, shimmer multi-chrome could capture the message I was trying to convey.

Sadly, Ji just didn't like it or felt it couldn't be done.  Which I suppose is, ultimately okay, as I've fallen out of love with RBL as of late.  I finally decided I couldn't deal with trying to cope with the formula (which does not work with me), and blog-sold most of my RBL stash (I still have the 3 glitters, Plie, Smitten, and PH).

I've been trying to franken it, but I have no idea where to start.  I got the asphalt grey down (with a combo of Zoya Freja, black creme, CC Wild Orchid, and CC Pretty Platinum), but it's I try to add the other colors that things go to shit.  :\  I plan to keep on trying, but I dont' have faith.  If any of you franken goddesses want to try it, feel free.  :)

If you'd like to vote for your favorite of the 11, Ji has it posted on her blog.  Personally, I voted for #6.  :)

RBL Sale Haul

Okay, so three polishes don't exactly constitute a haul, but that's what I picked up at this last 1/2-off sale (as opposed to the 10 polishes I got in the 2009 sale.  See, I'm learning restraint.  :P).

You've already seen my pics of RBL Ani, so here are the other 2 polishes I picked up, Scrangie and Smitten...

Scrangie - Blue/green/purple multichrome shimmer.  RBL Scrangie is one of those polishes that I resisted for months.  It always looked pretty in pictures, but there was something about it that just didn't grab me.  And unfortunately for RBLs, with an $18 price-tag... grabbing is something that needs to occur.  But I'd read that this was one polish that had to be seen in person to be completely appreciated.  As, I had heard that SH Grape Going was a dupe, I thought I'd save myself some cash and see if I liked it.  I really didn't like Grape Going, so I figured I was going to have to bite the bullet and pick RBL Scrangie up for myself or just decide I was never going to get it.  When it became permanently OOS, earlier in the year, I figured I was out of luck.  But then Ji brought it back, along with No More War.  And yet, I still hesitated.  Finally, when the news of the 1/2-off sale broke, I once and for all decided that if Scrangie was still in stock, I was going to pick it up.  I finally put it on this morning and... *sigh*.  I have no idea why I waited.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  As you all know, the blogger Scrangie envisioned this polish to look like the wing of a beetle, and that is a dead on description.  My swatch above does it no justice, so don't let that sway you one way or the other, but if you are still waffling on this color... take it from another I'm-on-the-fence-about-RBL-Scrangie-er and pick this one up.  It's gorgeous and unique and totally shimmery and you won't be disappointed.  3 coats.

Smitten - Tea rose pink creme.  Rose pink in one of those lemmings I never even knew I had until I was browsing on the NB one day.  Someone asked for the perfect rose-pink and after I checked all those suggested, I still didn't find one that looked like the "rose pink" in my head.  So in browsing RBL swatches one day, I came upon Smitten, and well... I was just that.  The swatches were beautiful, but in actuality, the color is so much more.  I know Ji describes it as a "light lilac pink", but I get no purple tones in this.  To me, it's a perfect rose pink, with just a teensy hint of brown.  I love it.  3 coats.

RBL polishes are available at www.rescuebeauty.com as well as online beauty boutiques like Beauty Sak.

I purchased these polishes myself during RBL's sale

RBL Dead Calm

Wanna hear something funny?  I didn't purchase this in this year's RBL sale.  Nope.  I got Dead Calm in last year's sale.  You know... the one where I bought TEN (again, with the "I hate moderation" thing).  Why am I telling you this?  So you can call me stupid for keeping this in my untrieds for a year.  :O  LOL.

Now, I know the finish on this polish in the picture isn't the best.  RBLs and I sometimes don't play nice.  I think it's a body chemistry issue as I know just about everyone else and their mom has no problems w/ RBL's formula.  I usually have bubbles even before I add a TC.  Plus, my bottle of SH Insta-Dri is a thick mess, so I had to use Out the Door, which doesn't really get along with RBL, either.  Although, with my Qtica drops, I strong-armed it into dryness in about 5 minutes.  Love those drops.  :)  Aaaaand to add to the issues, when I took it off last night (I did some nail art on it that got old quickly) it gave me horrid Smurf hands.  Seriously.  It looked like I'd just killed one.

However, I can look past all of the yucky stuff because the color is so amazing.  It's a beautiful, almost jelly-ish, navy blue creme, meaning it has the squishy-ness of a jelly, but the color is completely opaque.  Also, it's a one-coater.  Woohoo!  Also, outside of the issues I have with my specific nails, application was great.  It practically flows on the nail.  That said, in terms of "awesome-formula" polishes, I think I prefer Illamasqua simply because I don't have the issues I can have with RBL.  Doesn't stop me from buying them though.  :P

RBL is available at rescuebeauty.com and also at online boutiques like Beauty Sak.  They are $18 each.

RBL Ani

Apologies for the crappy picture.  My index finger cuticle was being a complete PITA, so I did some creative picture-taking.  :P

Okay, I don't know what has gotten into me?  First I like Zoya Megan and now I'm liking another skin-tone neutral, RBL Ani.  Maybe my husband should start looking for the pod.  :P

For some reason, Ani was one of the 3 RBLs I was lemming the most when the sale rolled around.  Ani is a warm pearlescent beige, that looks slightly darker in the bottle than it does on the nail.  I was a little nervous when I pulled it out of the box, but on the nail, I liked it much, much more.  This is one coat of Ani, and it's still a bit sheer.  It covers the nail nicely, but you can still see nail lines.  This isn't something that bothers me with Ani, because the goal all along in purchasing it was to get a sheer-ish neutral.  And in that regard, Ani is a success.  If you are someone that can't stand the look of sheers and nail lines, and applies many coats of Ani to reach opacity, you may be disappointed, as due the heavily pearlescent finish, Ani can look very frosty past one coat.  That said, I really like this worn slightly sheer.  I don't love it, but I do like it.

I know in the past, Ji has mentioned on FB that Ani was being discontinued, and in fact, Ani was one of the polishes included in the "clearance" sale earlier in the year.  However, I get the feeling that it's being kept around for good.  Ani seems to have quite the following.

Ani is available at rescuebeauty.com for $18.  You can also find it at Beauty Sak.  It's the same price as on Rescue Beauty Lounge's website, but Beauty Sak offers free shipping at $50, rather than at $100.

Comp: RBL Locavore vs. OPI Glow Up Already

A few days ago, in my post about RBL's then-upcoming sale, KarenD mentioned that Locavore was one of her lemmings, and unfortunately Locavore has now been d/c'd by RBL.  I replied that Glow Up Already may be suitable substitute, so I figured I'd do a comparision for anyone wondering if Glow Up Already would kill your Locavore lemmings. 

Bottles.  Glow Up Already on left, Locavore on right

Locavore on index and ring fingers, Glow Up Already on middle and pinky fingers

Is Glow Up Already a dupe for Locavore?  Sadly, no.  However, it does hit all of the same notes, just perhaps in a different key.  :)  They are packed with glitter and have golden-green bases.  They both have blue and purple glitter.  Locavore is much brighter than Glow Up Already, though.  Plus, Glow Up Already has more colors of glitter than Locavore.  There's also a brighter green and a red-orange in the mix.  Though it takes longer to reach opacity, the OPI is a better formula and is easier to control (hence the Locavore on my cuticles.  :S).

For my money, I think Glow Up Already is a good substitute considering Locavore is d/c'd.  If you were waiting until the big RBL sale to get Locavore and it sold out out from underneath you... 1. you have my luck :P, and 2. Glow Up Already probably won't kill your lemming.  It may help to shut it up, though.

Ji has mentioned on FB that she is open to bringing back d/c'd colors, if there is enough of a demand.  Heck, that's the exact reason she brought back Scrangie and No More War.  So if you love Locavore, or any of the other d/c'd RBLs, definitely email Ji to campaign for them to be brought back.

PS - I know I have been teasing you for a few weeks, both here and on Twitter, with OPI's Burlesque collection, and I should have the full collection up for you soon.

Glow Up Already was sent to me for reveiw.  Locavore was purchased by me.

RBL Sale Update

I realize this is old news for some, probably all, of you, but for continuity's sake, I figured I'd post about this here as well.  Plus, the sale is now days away, so I wanted to do a quick blurb just in case some of you didn't know (or forgot... yeah, right). 

A few weeks ago, Ji mentioned that rather than offering the sale on Black Friday or Cyber Monday (both previously mentioned), the sale will be on November 1st.  As previously mentioned, the new Tudor collection will not be included (a fact that somewhat chaps my ass).  However, she has agreed to include the RBL bath and body products (is anyone intersted in these?).  Free shipping is not an option during the saleand US shipping will take 10-14 business days (I would contact her regarding international shipping times). 

Also, she said that all carts will be emptied prior to the sale going live.  So if you loaded up your cart, entered your information, and hovered your mouse over "place order" at the start of the sale (um, not me *blush* LOL), you won't be able to do that this go around, so be sure to have your list finalized and be speedy in placing your order.

As for lists, I went a little overboard at Sephora a few days ago (damn Friends and Family sale), so my RBL budget has been drastically cut.  I realized, however, that several of the colors, I was simply picking up because they were 1/2-off and not because I had any sort of attachment to them.  I've narrowed my list down to 3 polishes (Ani, Smitten, and Scrangie).  If they were 1/2-price, I'd totally get Jane and Catherine H, and I was honestly willing to pay regular price for them, but then I got more and more irritated the more that I thought about them not being included, so I decided to forego them all together.  (Megan = fickle and bitchy).

Are you guys narrowing down your lists?  If you need any ideas, please check out my RBL label.  If I had to pick favorites (of the ones I own that are not d/c'd), I'd say the 2 remaining glitters, Frugalista and Look Rich, Be Cheap, as well as Plie and 360. 

Update on the RBL 50% off sale

A few months ago, Ji mentioned that they were considering having the sale around Thanksgiving.  Based on her post today, I'm guessing that's still the case, though she didn't give an exact date.  Other key points:

- The Tudor polishes are not included.  You can probably order them at the same time to save on shipping, but Ji was quick to mention that they may not be around (because of this, I am getting the two I wanted, Catherine H and Jane, today).
- Free shipping is not valid during the 50% off sale. 
- Processing will be 10-15 days.

So, we've got about 2 months before the sale, so start making your lists.  I hauled like crazy last year, so my list will probably only be 4-5 polishes this year.  I know Bangin' and Ani are on there.

Also, all of the above points seem perfectly fine to me, though Ji did mention that she was getting "hate mail" regarding last year's sale.  I don't know if that is the reason or not, but she also said this will probably be the last sale (though this hasn't been written in stone).  Honestly, I can't imagine why someone would send nasty emails regarding the RBL sale.  Thing is, RBL is a small boutique brand.  Yes, the are expensive, but she doesn't have to offer any sale.  She can just say... "forget you, they are 18 bucks, like or leave it".  But she doesn't.  I'm sure there are benefits to her sales on her end as well, but judging from the sell-outs on preorders, she probably doesn't need to offer them to make ends meet, if you KWIM. 

I know it seems like I'm getting on my soapbox here, and it's just me venting because Ji doesn't know me from Adam.  I don't have any sort of relationship with her, other than I'm a fan of her polish and more appropriately, I'm a fan of her service.  Of all the brands that use social media sites to help promote their products, RBL (and Ji) is probably the most approachable.  Sure, Zoya, OPI, and now Orly have reps on Twitter and FB promoting their brands on a daily basis, but there's something about the owner of the brand personally representing the brand and addressing your problems and concerns. 

Plus, in a day where Orly and Essie are making etailers jack up their prices and OPI is suing etailers, it's refreshing to see a brand that is offering something to their customers.  I get that even at half price, these are not the most affordable polishes, but that's still not a reason to be nasty. 

Okay, I'm done.  LOL.  

Comp: Jessica Victorian Crush vs. RBL NMW

Just think of this post as a sign of things to come.  I haven't had a chance to finish the entire Jessica Muse collection, so I figured I'd post this, as I haven't seen a comparison post anywhere and I was dang curious myself.

RBL No More War on index and ring fingers, Victorian Crush on middle and pinky fingers

When I first saw this collection reviewed on Vampy Varnish, Kelly mentioned that Victorian Crush and RBL No More War were NOT dupes.  I believed her.  LOL.  But being from Missouri (not really) and Missouri being the Show Me State (really), I figured I'd swatch them side-by-side to see just how similar/not similar they really are.

Well, they are both in the olive/army green family, but within that family, they are actually much different.  NMW is a true olive green.  It's dirty, and murky, and it makes me want a martini every time I see it.  Victorian Crush, OTOH, is more of an army green.  It's also much clearer than NMW.  Army green, in and of itself has a sort of innate murkiness, but aside from that, it's a pretty straight-up color, especially when compared to the swampy, oliveyness that is NMW.

I lemmed NMW for months.  As soon as the 1/2 off RBL sale was over last year, I immediately regretted not purchasing it.  Like an answer to my NP prayers, Ji brought it, along with Scrangie, back out of retirement.  So, I bought it.  Paid 25 bucks for it after shipping, only to get it and realize that it's just too much for my pink skin.  It really brings out the redness.  Don't get me wrong, I love the color and will probably wear it more in the winter, but I'm pretty sure that NMW, like stinky cheese, is an acquired taste. 

Victorian Crush, however, is different.  Sure, it's a green, but if you like greens or if you are curious about greens, VC is much more approachable.  Plus, the price is more friendly as well.  Jessica retails for $7.50, whereas RBLs are $18 with $7.50 shipping.

EDIT: I had the price wrong on the Jessica.  They are $7.50 retail.  I also linked to VV's post about this collection.  :)

RBL Real Housewives of the Tudor Dynasty (press release)

Ji announced this press release on RBL's facebook page.  You can find it here.  Ji sent samples to the Nailphile, Scrangie, and ALU.  Currently, only Scrangie and the Nailphile have their swatches up.  Once ALU gets hers up, I will try to modify my post.

--
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE TUDOR DYNASTY INSPIRE A BROCADEHUED NAIL POLISH COLLECTION FROM RESCUE BEAUTY.


The opulent fabrics, quiet luxury and return of ladylike fashions brought to mind the British Royal family to Rescue Beauty Lounge’s Ji Baek. No, not the current resident of Buckingham Palace but the colorful (and often short-lived) wives of Henry the VIII.

“I fell in love with the Tudor dynasty in the novel Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel,” says Baek. “The more I learned of the queens’ wardrobes—the layers of embroidery, embellishments of pearls and fur and rich jewel toned fabrics—the more I saw a parallel with what’s going on in fashion this fall.”

“Givenchy’s intricate brocades, Lanvin’s feather-festooned metallics, and the strong, powerful neutrals at Celine all served as starting points for Rescue Beauty Lounge’s Autumn/Winter color collection. Each color has micro particles of pink, blue, green, gold, and silver to add iridescence similar the tiny colored threaded that give brocade fabrics their depth of color.”

Henry first married his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand who launched Christopher Columbus’ New World adventure. She was also Europe’s first female ambassador and a proponent of women’s education. Like this revolutionary free-thinker, Catherine is an intense royal purple with a pewter sheen.

Anne Boleyn was rumored to be a witch, with a tiny mysterious sixth little finger that she hid with long, pointed sleeves that ended above her middle finger. Draw attention to your own regal digits with Anne, a complex gray-green with a jewel-like pink shimmer finish.

Jane Seymour was thought to be Henry’s favorite wife as she was the only wife to give him a son, Edward VI. Sadly, she died soon after. Reputed to have created beautiful and elaborate needlework, her namesake polish Jane is at first glance a simple pale pearl. However a mere royal wave reveals washes of pale pink and lavender.

Catherine Howard was Henry’s teenage trophy wife, nineteen to his near 50. Said to be a “rose without a thorn,” this beguiling beauty unfortunately turned too many heads, resulting in the loss of her own. Her ethereal beauty is captured in Catherine H., a shimmering Wedgewood blue, with just a hint of a darkening sky.

“While their inspiration may be extraordinary women who lived over 500 years ago, this shades are perfectly modern with this season’s fashions—from the armor-like structure at Calvin Klein and Gucci to the sumptuous feminine silhouettes at Prada and Louis Vuitton,” says Baek. “This season marked the return of the ‘woman’ as opposed to the ‘girl/waif.’ Why be a sugar-coated princess when you can rule as a gorgeous Queen?”

Rescue Beauty polishes are available at www.rescuebeauty.com or at Rescue Beauty Lounge on Gansevoort Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. The polishes sell for $18 a bottle.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail polishes are created with resin and high molecular polymers to improve flexibility, durability and high shine. They contain no harmful or drying Touluene, Formaldehyde, or DBP.

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Back when I was a junior in HS, I memorized Henry VIII's wives in order.  I became fascinated with the period, and it's something that's stuck with me.  Unfortunately, due to an incident when I was 4, where snuck and watched "A Tale of Two Cities" from behinds my mom's chair, I can't watch any program where people get their heads chopped off.  :S  So I haven't seen "The Tudors" or more than 2/3rds of "The Other Boleyn Girl".  Nonetheless, I'm still in love with the time period, so I give Ji major props for her inspiration for this collection (and I'm seriously planning on reading "Wolf Hall" now). 

I have looked at the available swatches and Scrangie makes anything swoon-worthy.  However, as much as I love the inspiration behind the collection, I'm not so sure I'll be picking any of them up.    Catherine H is very pretty (y'all know me and blues), and I may end up picking it up if it's still available at RBL's fall sale.  However, as for the other 3, I just don't know.  Maybe the shimmer is something that has to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.  Don't know.  And while I realize that Zoya Julieanne and Edyta are not dupes for Catherine and Anne, the colors seem close  Becuase of this I don't know if I can justify the $18/bottle price.  Especially, when there are so many other polishes I want this season.  I do think the colors are beautiful, it's just that RBL is much more of a commitment than throwing a couple of bottles of ChG or Orly in my cart at TD.

Ji has mentioned these are LE with the pre-order date TBD.  She will announce via email at on FB when the pre-order goes live and I'll be sure to post it here when it happens.

NOTD: RBL 360

In anticipation of my new bottle of RBL No More War arriving sometime early this week, I decided to use one of my recently acquired RBL Surf colors, 360.

RBL's website describes this color as "...a gorgeous deep-water aqua blue polish", and I have to say that I agree.  However, it's so more than that.  It has a hazy, dirtiness to it, that just doesn't come through completely in pictures.  There is also a subtle shimmer that is mostly hidden unless you are looking for it.  I absolutely love this color.  It seems like there were a lot of teal-y blues out in recent months, but this one is totally set apart.  Although, there are a few issues with it, but they are just issues that I have with RBL in general, and not specifically with 360  While the formula is amazing, I find that RBLs are also very picky.  They do not play nice with Dermelect products, nor do they work with Out the Door TC, both of which are in my regular arsenal.  So, I have to use a sticky basecoat (I use a cheapy, Amour, from TD) and SH Insta-Dri TC, but I still sometimes have a problem with bubbling. It's not too evident in the pic above, but they are there.  That said, I deal with it because I love RBLs colors. 

BTW, in case you are wondering, here's an older pic of one of 360's companion polishes, Diddy Mow. 

Unfortunately, I don't have Bangin' to round out the collection (lately, I've become totally OCD about making sure I have complete collections, especially if they are small), but , if available, I do plan on picking that one up if Ji offers her 1/2 off sale again this November (she's said in the past on FB that it will be an annual sale on Black Friday).

RBL No More War and Scrangie Pre-Order

I just wanted to pass it along, in case you haven't heard, Ji is re-releasing both No More War and Scrangie.  This is response to clammoring fans, as well as eBay scalping  Keep in mind, however, these are limited edition and once the pre-order is over, I doubt if she's going to make them a part of the regular line-up, in any capacity.  The pre-order is going on now and according to the email, it will continue for 48 hours.  At one time, this re-release was to inclue Opaque Nude.  According to her Facebook posts, she nixed that and will be doing a re-issue of Opaque Nude, with a slightly different tone, at some point in the no-so-distant future.

So, if you've been kicking yourself for missing out on either color, now is the chance to pick them up.  Even though, I've been trying to watch my pennies lately, I went ahead and picked up NMW.  I'd been lemming it hard since the last 1/2 off sale, but thought I'd never get the chance.  But, unlike many other NP manufacturers, Ji actually listened to her fans and brought back 2 sought-after d/c'd colors.  It's been awhile since she announced the re-release and I'm still impressed.  Yes, the price-point of RBL is expensive for NP, but it's Ji's customer service that keeps me coming back.  If you aren't a fan of RBL on Facebook, you may want to check it out.

RBL Purple Haze Comps

As I mentioned in my NOTD post from yesterday, I was interested in comparing RBL Purple Haze to OPI Parlez-Vous OPI.  Here are the results.  I also threw in OPI Done out in Deco for good measure. 

Done out in Deco on index, RBL on middle and pinky, and Parlez-Vous OPI on ring.  BTW, I apologize for the skin around my index finger.  I can't keep my index fingers or my thumbs from peeling and it's driving me bonkers.

As you can tell, neither DoiD or PVO are dupes for PH.  Even though PH has a hazy-ness to it, PVO is just too smoky to be dupey for RBL.  It's also no where near the same color of purple.  PVO has more red in it.  As for DoiD, the colors aren't close, but they look like they could be related.  It looks like if you added a bunch of white to PH, you'd have DoiD.  It is dusty/hazy, but not to the same degree as PH.

All in all, I think if you are lemming Purple Haze, you aren't going to find a dupe in either of these.  I know Ji said it will be OOS soon, but I don't know it it will be d/c'd or just backordered for awhile. 

NOTD: RBL Purple Haze

I chose this one as my NOTD because I remembered a recent FB post in which Ji mentioned Purple Haze was on it's way to selling out.  I bought it back in the fall as part of my 50% off order, but I had yet to try it.  I was a little wary to try it, given my past issues with RBL's formula, but I used one coat of Amour Sticky Base Coat and one coat of SH Insta-Dri TC and it dried within 30 minutes w/ no issues.  This is 2 coats and there were no issues with application.  The formula was perfect.

As for the color, this one was a bit of a surprise.  I added this one on a whim to my order last fall.  I thought the color was going to be a softer version of vibrant purple creme, like RBL Mismas or ChG Grape Pop.  While it's true that it's a medium purple creme, there is also a smokyness to it that I didn't expect.  It really does have a hazy quality to it... hence the name.  LOL.  She's a clever one, that Ji Baek.  It reminds me of OPI Parlez-Vous OPI, though I think PH is a bit more vibrant.  I plan on doing a comp post with P-VO and PH in the near future.

If you are interested, Purple Haze is still available at rescuebeauty.com.  It's $18 and $7.50 which I know is nuts, but it's an amazing color with an amazing formula, but I'm going to hold off a "you have to get it" rec until I comp it w/ PVO.  BTW, Ji is now offering free shipping on $100 orders in the US and on $200 for international orders.

Previous KOTD: Chocolate and Roses

Pardon the tip wear, this was after 2 days.


Given my success with RBL Plie and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, I figured I’d try another RBL crème to see if it was a fluke. Au Chocolat was the RBL crème that gave me the most trouble. The first time I applied it, it bubbled and was slow to dry. This time around, I still had some bubbles and it dried slower than Plie, but compared to my previous application, it was tons better. Yay!

I’m quite happy that it’s playing nice with the Insta-Dri because Au Chocolat is the most amazing color. It literally looked like someone melted milk chocolate on my nails. This was 2 coats, one normal and one thin. Application was really easy on this.
My goal all along when applying AC was to create a Valentine’s Day konad. I realize Valentine’s Day is 2 weeks away, and when I created this mani, it was almost 3 weeks away, but I had a spark of inspiration and I had to go with itl LOL.
The idea I had was “flowers and chocolates”. Silly, I know… but I was probably sleep deprived when I thought of it. I used a large/small rose design from my recently acquired fauxnad plates. Again, if you are interested, I can look up the seller, just let me know. The colors are all a mix of ChG U&A and Romantique (Sugar High, Something Sweet, and Emotion).

KOTD: RBL Plie w/ Migi Black

The second picture is just the first one flipped over, so you can better see the design.

This is RBL Plie topped w/ Migi Nail Art Black.  The stamp is a fauxnad I picked up on eBay a few weeks ago.  I can look up the info if anyone is interested.

I think Plie is probably my perfect mannequin hands polish, but the entire "mannequin hands" trend kinda creeps me out, so I'm just going to say it's a great nude for me.  Also, I'd mentioned a few times that I'd been having bad luck with RBLs, but I think I found a TC that works with RBL (for me).  It's Sally Hansen Insta-Dri.  It's works so well, and my nails were dry within minutes.  I don't know what took me so long to try Insta-Dri.  I guess it was just my NP snobbery kicking in.