Comparision - Deborah Lippmann Private Dancer vs. Nails Inc Cheyne Walk

In my Nails Inc Cheyne Walk post, I had a comment by Mel, Glassflecked asking if it was similar to Deborah Lippmann's new purple chrome, Private Dancer.  As I had both, I figured I'd do a quick comparison...

When I saw them in the bottle, I thought they would be more different than they actually are.

On the nail, these are very similar, with Private Dancer being a little more reflective (it has more of a chrome finish that Cheyne Walk).  It also is a little brighter and it seems that Cheyne Walk has more red in the base.  Cheyne Walk also has more shimmer particles.  

All of that said, my husband couldn't tell these apart.  He stared at them for 2 minutes and couldn't say how they were different.  So, for those people that aren't "nail polish people" these probably could pass for dupes.  The formula on both was very similar, as it took 3 coats to reach opacity on both.  

Personally, I think they are very close, and unless you just have the need for both, I would say you would be okay with one or the other.  Nails Inc Cheyne Walk retails for $9.50 a bottle and Deborah Lippmann Private Dancer is $18.  The Lippmann is almost twice as much, but the Nails Inc is a 0.33 oz bottle and the Lippmann is 0.50 fl oz.  

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.

Comparison: Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow vs Nicole by OPI Brilliant Idea

In yesterday's review post, I mentioned that Nicole by OPI Brilliant Idea reminded me of Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow, so I figured I'd do a quick comparison for you (and for me. LOL).

I also mentioned a few days ago that I wore Nubar Honeysuckle with Boom Boom Pow on the tips and got tons of compliments, so I wanted to show you that look as well.  Well, I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone.  :P

This is Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow on my middle finger and pinkie and NOPI Brilliant Idea on my ring finger.

Tonally, though the NOPI is very green in the bottle, once you get it on the nail, especially layered, it really does look like a golden polish, so it's very similar to Boom Boom Pow.  The differences are that the NOPI has a thicker base which is tinted (the Lippmann base is clear, but full of gold dust) and the hexagonal glitter in the Lippmann is larger.  It's easier to layer with the Lippmann as there is no way you are gonna get that puppy opaque.  That's not the case with the NOPI, so while you can do 3 coats with the Lippmann, you can only do 1, possibly 2, with the NOPI.  Also, Brillant Idea doesn't contain the gold dust that Boom Boom Pow does, so it's lacking a bit of the brilliance, but again... it's still very close.

Honestly, if you are lemming Boom Boom Pow and just can't fork over $20 for a glitter topcoat, definitely consider picking up Brilliant Idea.  It's not identical by any means, but it's very similar and will probably kill the lemming, and I'm saying this as someone that LOVES Boom Boom Pow.  Plus, it's 13 bucks cheaper.  Cheaper is better.  :D

As for the look of Boom Boom Pow over Honeysuckle, I am love with this, and it's my new favorite thing to do with Deborah Lippmann's hexagonal glitters.  I'm actually planning more as I type this.

Nicole by OPI Brilliant Idea and Nubar Honeysuckle were sent to me for review.  Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow was purchased by me.

Comparison: Zoya Caitlin vs Zoya Kelly

In my review of Zoya Intimate post, Roberta commented that she didn't know if she needed both Caitlin and Kelly, as they looked similar.  So I figured that would be a great comparison post, and I have to say before I post the picture that they are similar, but by no means dupey...

Left is Caitlin, right is Kelly

Honestly, they looked more similar in my mind than they actually look on the nail.  Like I mentioned in my post, Caitlin seems like a springy interpretation of Kelly.  To me, Caitlin is more of a grey-blue and Kelly is more of blue-grey.  If that makes sense.  IMO, if you love blues and greys, then yes... you need both.  :)

Both of these were sent to me for review

Comparison: Zoya Valerie vs. OPI Tease-y Does It

I decided to compare Valerie and Tease-y Does It because when I was swatching them separately, I thought they looked similar and on paper... they do.  They are both brown-plum hybrids with golden shimmer.  However, in reality, they are much different.

Bottles

L-R: Valerie, TDI, Valerie, TDI

Tease-y Does It is more brown than Valerie.  It also is murkier (hazy, smoky, whatever) so the sparkle isn't as pronounced.  Pretty much, it's like comparing apples to monkeys, but I felt like it was necessary to post nonetheless.

The reason being... that if there is anyone else out there (like me) that just doesn't like Tease-y Does It, then Valerie would be a great substitute if you are looking for a shimmery browned-plum, but don't really like the murkiness of Tease-y Does It.  

Both are 2 coats.

FYI - this is a rare appearance of my right hand.  It's so hard to take pictures with my left hand.  :S  I had a bad break on my L index finger, so for the next few days, you'll either see my right hand or my left hand with the index finger hidden.

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.

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.  :)

Zoya Mimi/ Zoya Julieanne Comparison

I plan on having a big comp post for the Wicked and Wonderful collections within the next few days, but I wanted to go on and do this one, as I specifically mentioned Mimi in my review of Julieanne. 

Of course, I have to do my usual "it's purple, so it's not color accurate" disclaimer, but I'm pretty sure you can still see the difference in the 2 colors.

Bottle on the left is Mimi.  Bottle on the right is Julieanne.

L-R: Mimi, Julieanne, Mimi, Julieanne.  Please enlarge to see detail.

As you can see, they are both purple and sparkly, and both have some form of golden shimmer, but after that, the similarities end.  Mimi has a grape base and more vibrant shimmer, whereas, Julieanne has a charcoal base and more subtle (though still sparkly) shimmer.  The golden shimmer in Mimi is more of a bright gold and the gold in Julieanne is more of a burnished gold.  Julieanne is a much more complex color than Mimi, but they are both beautiful.  Bottom line, if you love purples... yes, you need both.

Pale Yellow Comps

In a post a few days ago, I mentioned that Orly Lemonade is very similar to ChG Lemon Fizz.  Here's proof...

Lemonade on middle and pinky, Lemon Fizz on ring, and, for good measure, Happy Go Lucky is on my index finger.

All 3 of these are 3-coaters and were streaky until you hit that magical third coat.  Also, they were all 3 a little hard to handle.  Thin coats is the way to go on these.

Both Lemonade and Lemon Fizz are pale lemon yellows, though IRL, Lemon Fizz is a very slight bit warmer, but it's so slight, no one would notice, or even care for that matter.  Happy Go Lucky, OTOH, is a brighter, sunnier yellow.  It's almost the color of the forsythias that are popping up everywhere right about now.  Of the 3, I would have to say that HGL is my favorite, but it's by a slight margin.  I love all three of them and can't wait to wear them more and more as we get closer to summer.

Misa Dirty Sexy Money comps

In an effort to help some of you squash the lemming that is Misa DSM, I did a couple of comparision swatches.  Unfortunately, IMO, lemmings will failed to be killed with these pictures, but they are good for comparision's sake nonetheless.

First up... DSM and Orly Gumdrop. 

Gumdrop on index and ring, DSM on middle and pinky

In the bottle Gumdrop looks very similar to DSM, albeit a little lighter.  However, that does not translate to the nail.  While Gumdrop has the same dustyness as DSM, the colors are nowhere near close. 

So then I decided to try DSM with OPI Jade is the New Black.

JitNB on index and ring, DSM on middle and pinky

Unlike with Gumdrop, the colors themselves are closer, however, JitNB is deeper and more vibrant and doesn't have the dusty/dirty-ness of DSM.

If you are dying for DSM, and don't want to pay $13 for it on eBay, you can consider getting JitNB or Gumdrop, but I don't think it's going to fix the lemming.  Sadly, DSM is d/c'd and sold out most everywhere, though a quick search found it on eBay (as previously mentioned) and at Misa's website, though you have to create an account to see the price (though IIRC, it's $7).

Hopefully, this has helped someone a wee bit, though I doubt it.  LOL

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. 

Adoree Harbour Blue vs. Essie Aruba Blue

Adoree is one of those brands that I've been interested in trying for awhile, but I would always hesitate before pulling the trigger on my haul because there just isn't much about the brand either on the NB, Nailgal, or various blogs.  A lot of the colors looked interesting to me, but since I couldn't find many swatches online, I never ended up placing an order.  Since they are gradually raising their prices, I figured I'd never get to try them.  Then, Esther's Nail Center (the only place, I think, to get Adoree in the US) ran a sale in which all of the Adoree polishes were $3.99.  At that price, I figured I could give them a shot.  Unfortunately, I don't think I did a good job of picking colors as I've already swatched one color and I've already found a dupe.  :/

This is Adoree Harbour Blue compared with Essie Aruba Blue

HB is on the index and ring and AB is on middle and pinky.  Can you tell the difference?  There is one, but it's very, very slight.  Aruba Blue has a bit more of a pearly finish, which lends itself to being a bit brushstroke-y.  Also, going on, Harbour Blue has more of a blue-green base, but after 2 coats, it is the exact same shade as AB. 

Now, I love AB, but I honestly have to say that I think I love HB more.  However, I will probably keep AB as it's one of my dautghters favorite colors and the Essie brush is easier to use on her nails. 

This is my first time using Adoree polishes and I really like them.  The formula is very nice, and the brush is easy to use.  I can't wait to swatch the other Adorees I picked up.  Unfortunately, the sale is now off and the polishes have been raised in price again, to $6.  According to Polish or Perish, Esther's Nail Center will sentd you brushstrock samples of polishes.  You can also get a gift with purchase if you mention you are a PoP reader (check PoP for more info).

ChG Dorothy Who? vs. Absolutely Alice

Pic first...

DW? on index and ring.  AA on middle and pinky.  Both of these are 3 coats.

Ever since I saw swatches of AA, I knew I wanted to see a comp with Dorothy Who?  Frankly, Alice kicks Dorothy's ass.  LOL.  I've seen pics of old formula DW?, and sadly the re-release just doesn't compare.  There's something missing from it.  What's sad about DW? is that it's a pretty color on it's own, but if you are a NP addict, you've definitely seen pics of the old formula DW? and this new one doesn't measure up. 

Alice, however, if absolutely amazing.  It's this bright blue glitter loaded with golden sparkle.  The base colors of DW? and AA are very similar, but Alice is awesome, whereas DW? just looks lackluster and watery.  For the first time in since I started collection, I'm planning on buying a back up. 

Here's a pic of Absolutely Alice on it's own and then bottle pics of Alice and Mad as a Hatter.

Sigh.  Suzi, you done us proud.  *sniff*

China Glaze Flyin High Comparisons

Last night, someone on the NB, asked for a comparison between ChG Flyin High and Custom Kicks.  Both Flyin High and Custom Kicks were hard to get true-to-life, but here's the pic I took, nonetheless. 

Even though, you can't see the true color of FH, you can definitely see that it's not dupish to CK.  They are cousins, but not twins.  Aside from the shimmer, CK is greener than FH. 

Believe it or not, to me, FH looks like a blue version of Misa Dirty Sexy Money.  Here's a comp pic. 

From left to right, this is Illamasqua Muse, ChG Flyin' High, Misa DSM, and ChG Aqua Baby.  You can see the dusty-ness of FH, even if you can't see the true color (which is a dusty, mid-to-light tone teal).  Behind Muse, it's my favorite teal.  Loves it.

Sinful Nail Junkie vs. ChG Atlantis

As you may be aware, Sinful Colors are B1G1F this week at Walgreen's.  And though I'm on a no-buy, I still allowed myself to pick up a few because they were essentially a buck each.  One of the colors I got was Nail Junkie.  As soon as I took it out of the display, I was reminded of ChG Atlantis, one of the new specialty glitters ChG put out a couple months ago.  So I figured it would be a good comparison post.  In fact, I remember someone asking on the NB how Nail Junkie compared to Atlantis.  I don't remember the responses though, so I just decided to do my own.  :)

Based on bottle pics alone, NJ and Atlantis look remarkably similar. 

Both are an aqua/teal base with glitter.  One of the main differences you notice in the bottle is that NJ has golden based glitter and Atlantis has silver based glitter.  Also, the glitter in NJ is different sizes, while it looks to be uniform in Atlantis. (EDIT: it's not uniform in Atlantis, you can see the difference if you enlarge the pics).   Lastly, Atlantis has holo glitter while NJ does not.  Those three differences aside (which I know to a NP addict seem like big differences), they do look like they would look fairly similar on the nail. Unfortunately, the bottle is where the similarities end.

I've already posted about the awesomeness of Atlantis, if you want to see a post about it alone (just click the link).  It really is an amazing polish.  NJ, however, not so much (on it's own, that is).  It looks so promising in the bottle, but alone, it just doesn't work, IMO.  The base is very sheer, unlike Atlantis.  Here's a pic of one coat of each polish:

Atlantis is on top, NJ is on bottom.  See how pigmented Atlantis is compared to NJ?  You can barely see base color in NJ.

Here's my final pic.  This is three coats of Atlantis and four coats of NJ:

NJ is on the left and Atlantis is on the right (sorry for all the turned pictures, blogger is not cooperating with me since I changed to the new editor). 

In this pic, you can see just how different they are.  They look like they would be so similar, but NJ is definitely a layering polish while Atlantis can be worn on it's own.  I know I used three coats of Atlantis in this pic, but it was pretty much opaque at two.

Also, I know I've pretty much complained about NJ in this post, but if you plan on getting and using one of these two for layering, I think NJ is your best bet.  It's very sheer, which on it's own is pain, but in layering, when you want the bottom color to show through, I think it would be ideal.  I think it would be beautiful over black or even a blue/green color like ChG TuT, Sinful Aqua, or OPI Teal the Cows Come Home.  You could also add a coat of ChG Fairy Dust if you wanted it holo like Atlantis.  For me, Atlantis is just too pigmented for layering. 

You can find Sinful Colors at Walgreen's, some Targets (mine just recently got them), and online both at Cherry Culture and Sinful's own website.  While Walgreen's doesn't have as big a collection as the online sites (Target's selection seemed smaller than Walgreen's), they do have the most sales and the cheapest everyday price point.  They are normally $1.99 at Walgreen's and like I mentioned above, this week, they are B1G1F.