Your Potions Master

Good morning!  Today's look is a simple double-accent manicure I did a while back, featuring Crows Toes Absolum - Your Potions Master.

I started with a base of LaCC 1999, two perfect coats for opacity.  My accent nails are topped with one dabbed coat of Absolum - Your Potions Master.  For my other two nails, I picked individual glitters out of the bottle and placed them on the nail.  The whole thing is smoothed out with a coat of Seche Vite, followed by a coat Essie Matte About You.  

I really enjoy wearing Crows Toes glitters matte - you can really see all the individual glitters that go into these complex polishes! 

Incidentally, this mani ended up perfectly matching both of my Agent P phone cases!  Yes, I am the cool kind of 18-year-old girl who has two different Perry the Platypus phone cases.  Unfortunately though, I only got photos of my mani with the one I was using at the time.  I love it!!  :)

Studded Milquetoast

CrowsToes Milquetoast is one of those polishes in my stash that doesn't get nearly as much love as it deserves.  A little while ago I pulled it out, and came up with this double-accent mani! 

On my index and pinky fingers I used two thin coats of Milquetoast over OPI My Vampire Is Buff.  It can be opaque alone in three coats, but that ends up a bit thick for my liking so I prefer to layer it.  The accent nails are two coats of OPI My Vampire Is Buff with a row of copper studs down the center to match the glitters.  All nails are topped off with a coat of Seche Vite. 

I'm usually not a huge fan of milky glitters, but this one is just so awesome!  My friend told me that it looked like pennies floating in milk, which seems like a pretty accurate description, haha!  What do you think?  Do you own this beauty?  :)

CrowsToes SpringTHIS Collection

As I've mentioned at least a few times over my last several posts, life is super busy right now and so on and so forth.  I'm still doing my best to try to post somewhat regularly though.  I've had swatches of the CrowsToes SpringTHIS Collection sitting in a folder for ages; I found them again the other day and was reminded how awesome this collection is!  I figured it was time I share, being in need of a quick post today.  :) 

Moderately picture-heavy, so read on after the jump for more swatches and a review!  

CrowsToes ValenCrows

I'm pretty excited about today's post, because it's the first post consisting completely of pictures taken with my new camera!!  I've got three of the four CrowsToes ValenCrows polishes today, and they're stunning!  Take a look!  :)

First is my favourite of the three, Heartless.  It's described as a mix of holographic and deep berry microglitters, but there's definitely a whole mix of colours in there.  I see pink, red, fuchsia, purple, and black at first glance.  

You're seeing one coat of Heartless over Butter London Queen Vic, with two coats of Seche Vite for a smooth finish.  Formula wass on the thick side, but pretty easy compared to the normal more-glitter-than-base CrowsToes formula.  I absolutely love this one!! 

Umm, No... He Went To The Pawn Shop is a mix of copper, gold, turquoise, and colour-shifting iridescent glitters in a clear base, though this is one of those tricky formulas with more glitter than base.  

I layered one dabbed coat over La Couleur Couture 1977, and topped with one coat of La CC 2013 top coat for swatches, though you'd probably need two coats of a thicker top coat for a smooth finish when wearing.  I think this is a really unique glitter, and would be great over lots of colours for different looks year-round!

Last for today is Love Stinks, a bright pink with a very strong colour-shifting shimmer that is mostly blue, but at certain angles will change to pink and sometimes red!  

I've shown three coats of Love Stinks alone, and it without question has the best formula of any CrowsToes polishes I've tried, it's great!  Realistically though, that's most likely due to the absence of glitter. This polish isn't very "me" and not something I'm likely to wear, but I think it looks pretty awesome in the photos!  

Actually, I think all the photos look pretty awesome.  I'm SO glad I invested in a new camera!  I know lots of bloggers take fantastic pictures with old cameras (case in point), but I would have needed my own camera eventually for when I move away next year anyways.  My parents obviously can't have me taking their old (and only) camera with me!  

CrowsToes ValenCrows polishes are available through Llarowe; some are out of stock, but check her Facebook page for restock dates and times so you can snag your own bottles of these beauties!  

What do you think of my new photos?  Can you tell the difference?  And most importantly, which of these polishes is your favourite?  ;)

Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent to me for review. 

Indie January: CrowsToes Gomez

Today's post is quite late... I'd like to say it's because I was busy this morning and honestly didn't have time, but in all honesty I was just procrastinating.  This posting everyday business is tiring, but tomorrow is the last day!  

Today's polish is CrowsToes Gomez,  a mix of differently shaped blue, black, gunmetal and gold glitters in a clear base.  I've layered it over two different polishes, take a look!  :)

First (actually second, I just like this one better) I've layered Gomez over Butter London Big Smoke, and topped with two coats of Seche Vite for a smooth finish.  

Being another super-packed glitterbomb, I applied Gomez how I described in this post.  This was my favourite of the two looks, it isn't as obvious in the photos but it was beautiful in person!! 

The first combination I tried was Gomez over Candeo Colors Laman Brisa, I like the contrast between the base and glitter in this one but my mom told me it looked like barf so off it came. 

I personally don't think this combination is too bad, but I much preferred the other one in person.  

CrowsToes polish is currently in stock on Llarowe, and follow The Polished Crow's blog for updates.

Which combination is your favourite?  One more day of Indie January left, any requests as to what brand to show?  And would you like to see a recap of the month?  :)


Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent to me for review.  

Indie January: CrowsToes Triple Black Diamond

**This is a scheduled post, as I'm out of town for a dance convention.  Where I can't wear nail polish.  Sad Emma. **

Today is Day 27 of Indie January, and I've got another huge crushed lemming to show you today.  CrowsToes Triple Black Diamond is a mix of small black, aqua, purple, and blue glitters in a clear base.  I've wanted this polish ever since I saw The Swatchaholic's pictures of it, and it didn't disappoint! 

I layered one medium coat of Triple Black Diamond over OPI Ink Suede.  The glitter is really packed in there as with the rest of my CrowsToes polishes, so application required some extra care.  Now take a guess at how many coats of Seche Vite are one there....

Four stinking coats and it STILL WASN'T SMOOTH.  It dried to the texture of sandpaper.  This polish is like Winnie the Pooh with honey.  Like those piranha plants in Super Mario Bros that just keep eating everything.  Like the honey badger who just takes what it wants.  It doesn't give a sh*t.  It'll eat your topcoat and then bite a cobra's head off. 

Sorry, got a bit carried away there.  But seriously, if you haven't seen the honey badger video, go watch it now.  CrowsToes polish is currently in stock on Llarowe, and follow The Polished Crow's blog for updates.

I hate how much top coat this one needs, but the final result is worth it.  Seriously, how amazing is that black glitter with glints of blue and purple?  :)

Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent to me for review. 

Indie January: CrowsToes Morticia

Hooray, it's Friday!!  I wanted to let you all know that the Indie January posts from today to Monday will be scheduled, as I'm out of town for a dance convention.  Where I can't wear nail polish.  Sad Emma.  

Anoywho, Day 25's polish is CrowsToes Morticia, a mix of red, black, and gunmetal glitters in a clear base.  I've layered it over two polishes for different looks, so keep reading!  :)

The first combination (which was actually the second I did, but whatever) is one coat of Morticia over Essie Macks.  This polish is packed to the brim with glitter and is therefore super goopy, so I applied it how I described in this post.  Two coats of Seche Vite, though I'd recommend one more for a completely smooth finish. 

I obviously liked this combination the best of the two (scroll down and you'll see why...)   I think that the mix of glitters worked really well with the rich red base. 

Below, I've layered one coat of Morticia over Orly Decoded.  Yea, this one just... isn't working for me.  At all. 

CrowsToes polish is currently in stock on Llarowe, and follow The Polished Crow's blog for updates.

Are you like me and prefer the glitter with the red base?  Or do you like the grey or something completely different? I won't judge, promise.  ;)

Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent to me for review. 

Indie January: CrowsToes Absolum - Your Potions Master

For Day 18 of Indie January, I've got a fabulous glitterbomb to  blind you with!  CrowsToes Absolum - Your Potions Master is a mix of blue, green, orange and black glitters in a clear base, with a little extra sparkle added.  I've layered it over two polishes, so you can get a better idea of it's versatility!

The first combination I used was one coat of Absolum over two coats of A England Jane Eyre.  Two coats of Seche Vite for a smooth finish.  This polish is super packed with glitter, so I applied it like I described in this post. 

I really love how the different colours of glitter all pop over the dark base, it was quite stunning!  

I also layered Absolum over A England Saint George for a different look.  Two coats of Seche Vite. 

This combination gives off a completely different look, which is more subdued and just overall glittery.  The slight holo base of Saint George was a nice compliment to the glitter, and the teal base blended nicely. 

Of course, I'm partial to this polish because of the name.  Absolum, as far as I know, is the caterpillar in Alice In Wonderland, and in Tim Burton's recent version is voiced by Alan Rickman.  This actor is, of course, known primarily (by my generation) as Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movies.  One of his most famous lines in The Philosopher's Stone is "I am Snape, your potions master."  Polish naming win. 

CrowsToes polish is currently in stock on Llarowe, and follow The Polished Crow's blog for updates.

How do you like this polish?  What is your favourite layering combination of these two?  Or if you own this polish, what do you like to layer it over?  :)

Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent to me for review. 

Indie January: CrowsToes Tangled Web

It's Day 9 of Indie January, and today's polish is an awesome glitter topper from CrowsToes!  Tangled Web is a clear base packed with black hexes, bars, and micro glitter, as well as blue duochrome hexes.  

I layered one coat of Tangled Web over two coats of Zoya Dove, and topped with two coats of Seche Vite.  Application required some extra work because it was super thick, so I dabbed it on like I described in this post. 

You're probably aware of my love for black glitter, and I really like the pairing of black and blue instead of the normal black and white!  It gave this really cool almost graffiti look to my nails, I had so many people grab my hand and ask me how I "did" the black, haha!   I find that most nuggles (nail muggles) have some mental block with the concept of matte or black glitter, ("But glitter is sparkly!") 

CrowsToes polish is currently in stock on Llarowe, and follow The Polished Crow's blog for updates.

Black glitter: Yes?  No?  Do you like the different pairing of colours, or prefer the normal black and white?  Comments make me happy!  :) 

Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent to me for review. 

Indie January: CrowsToes Cheshire

It's day 7 of Indie January, which is also my first day back at school and dance after Christmas break.  From here on out, it will really be a challenge to post every day; thank goodness for scheduled posts!  To make this sad Monday a little more cheerful, I've got a stunning glitter topper to show you!  (Castle Mani Mondays  will be suspended for the duration of Indie January.)

CrowsToes Cheshire is a perfect mix of purple, pink, silver holo, and yellow glitters with a few odd large matte magenta hexes thrown in for good measure.  That cat used to creep me out, but I'm in love with this polish!

I dabbed one coat of Cheshire over two coats of Zoya Savita, and they work perfectly together!  This polish is literally packed with glitter, so application was tricky.  To get an even coating of glitter, I started by wiping the brush off to remove as much glitter as I could; I then dipped only the tip of the brush into the polish to grab just a little glitter, held the brush parallel to my nail, and dabbed the glitter on using the whole side of the brush.  I found it much easier to get a perfect even coating of glitter this way without any patchiness or clumpy bits!  However, it still needs at least two coats of top coat (shown here.) 

This polish is so glittery, and it's my favourite colour too!  I love red-toned purples, and I think that Zoya Savita made a perfect canvas for the glitter to shine! (Sparkle?) 

CrowsToes polish is currently in stock on Llarowe, and follow The Polished Crow's blog for updates. 

Are you a fan of this polish?  Did the Cheshire Cat creep you out too when you were younger? Haha! :P

Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent to me for review. 

Indie January: CrowsToes A Christmas Crow

Day 6 of indie January brings the first CrowsToes polish of this month.  A Christmas Crow is a blackened-brown jelly base sprinkled with stunning orange/yellow/green colour-shifting microglitter. 

Shown here is three coats; it's a little thick to apply, but workable.  I've used two coats of Seche Vite for a completely smooth finish. 

Where do I start with this...? OMNOMNOMNOM!!  It's not often that I want to eat up a polish (I hear it's not good for my health) but... this one. Just. GAH.  The darkened jelly base is so vampy and rich and decadent, while the colour-shifting microglitter simply glows!

Gotta love a polish from a Christmas collection that is so wearable year-round! (Yes, I do occasionally wear dark colours in the spring and summer.)

CrowsToes A Christmas Crow is currently in stock on Llarowe, and follow The Polished Crow's blog. 

Also, I saw Les Misérables yesterday and didn't cry... Do I have a cold heart or what?  :P

Once again, lovely to see an indie polish that's not a total glitterbomb (as CrowsToes polishes usually are.)  Are you as in-love with this polish as I am?  Colour-shifting glitter FTW?  :D

Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent to me for review.