Barielle Gelt Me to the Party

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Today is the final installment of the Barielle Holiday Hustle Collection with Gelt Me to the Party.  Barielle describes it as "a copper bronze metallic," which is pretty accurate.  The finish on Gelt Me to the Party is not the same as Wrap Me in Ribbon (the other they describe as metallic), which was almost like a chrome.  As I applied Gelt Me to the Party, I thought that the finish reminded me of SpaRitual Steel Magnolia, where it's brush-strokey as it goes on, but once dry it's just a glowy shimmer.

Like the others in this collection, this one was easy to control, but the application was a little higher maintenance because of the finish, where if one brush stroke is at an angle it can show when it's dry.  That just meant being a little slower and more careful than usual.  However, Gelt Me to the Party is also a two coater, so the extra time is not significant.  Here's the finished, dry manicure under artificial light.

Barielle Gelt Me to the Party Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

As for the color, I think it's an unusual color and I like it, but not on me.  It makes my hands look kind of pink, and it just doesn't do anything for me.  I think this one might work really well next to brown skin, but I sure don't think it works with Irish skin.

That's the update for today, Dear Reader, and it wraps up Barielle's Holiday Hustle Collection.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  


*This polish was sent to me for review by the manufacturer.

Barielle Gelt Me to the Party

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Today is the final installment of the Barielle Holiday Hustle Collection with Gelt Me to the Party.  Barielle describes it as "a copper bronze metallic," which is pretty accurate.  The finish on Gelt Me to the Party is not the same as Wrap Me in Ribbon (the other they describe as metallic), which was almost like a chrome.  As I applied Gelt Me to the Party, I thought that the finish reminded me of SpaRitual Steel Magnolia, where it's brush-strokey as it goes on, but once dry it's just a glowy shimmer.

Like the others in this collection, this one was easy to control, but the application was a little higher maintenance because of the finish, where if one brush stroke is at an angle it can show when it's dry.  That just meant being a little slower and more careful than usual.  However, Gelt Me to the Party is also a two coater, so the extra time is not significant.  Here's the finished, dry manicure under artificial light.

Barielle Gelt Me to the Party Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

As for the color, I think it's an unusual color and I like it, but not on me.  It makes my hands look kind of pink, and it just doesn't do anything for me.  I think this one might work really well next to brown skin, but I sure don't think it works with Irish skin.

That's the update for today, Dear Reader, and it wraps up Barielle's Holiday Hustle Collection.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  


*This polish was sent to me for review by the manufacturer.

Barielle Wrap Me in Ribbon

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I'm still cranking my way through Barielle's Holiday Hustle Collection, today with Wrap Me in Ribbon.  In the promo pictures, Wrap Me in Ribbon looks like a pink frost, and in the bottle I thought it was kind of a dark rose frost, but it's completely different when dry.  Barielle says this is "a metallic raspberry with violet and copper pearl undertones," and I'd say that's an accurate description of the finished manicure with Wrap Me in Ribbon.  It's much more metallic than frost.

Like the others, this polish was a little on the thick side, but sufficiently pigmented so two very thin coats are all that I needed.  Here's Wrap Me in Ribbon in the sun.

Barielle Wrap Me in Ribbon Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

In the picture, there are slight brush strokes, but that's just because the picture's giant.  Just walking around normally, that doesn't show at all.  I was skeptical about this one, really, but now that I'm wearing it I quite like it.  The color is somewhat "safe," but the metallic finish makes it a really interesting combination.

That's just about all I have for you today, Dear Reader.  Until tomorrow, love and nail polish to you!  


*This polish was sent to me for review by the manufacturer.

Barielle Wrap Me in Ribbon

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I'm still cranking my way through Barielle's Holiday Hustle Collection, today with Wrap Me in Ribbon.  In the promo pictures, Wrap Me in Ribbon looks like a pink frost, and in the bottle I thought it was kind of a dark rose frost, but it's completely different when dry.  Barielle says this is "a metallic raspberry with violet and copper pearl undertones," and I'd say that's an accurate description of the finished manicure with Wrap Me in Ribbon.  It's much more metallic than frost.

Like the others, this polish was a little on the thick side, but sufficiently pigmented so two very thin coats are all that I needed.  Here's Wrap Me in Ribbon in the sun.

Barielle Wrap Me in Ribbon Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

In the picture, there are slight brush strokes, but that's just because the picture's giant.  Just walking around normally, that doesn't show at all.  I was skeptical about this one, really, but now that I'm wearing it I quite like it.  The color is somewhat "safe," but the metallic finish makes it a really interesting combination.

That's just about all I have for you today, Dear Reader.  Until tomorrow, love and nail polish to you!  


*This polish was sent to me for review by the manufacturer.

Barielle Coalest Day of the Year

Good morning, Dear Reader!

The next color I have to show you from Barielle's Holiday Hustle Collection is Coalest Day of the Year.  It's described by the manufacturer as "a carbon gray with white pearls," but I think it's charcoal with silver-white shimmer.  Probably six of one and a half dozen of the other, but that's what I'd call it.

Anyhow, the polish is a bit on the thick side, but thin coats make it really manageable.  Coalest Day of the Year is good in two coats, and I also found it to be quite durable.  After this manicure dried but before I'd taken a picture of it, something went wrong around the house that required a whole bunch of cleaning where my hands were in water.  I was certain it would be ruined when I finished tidying up, and there's just a small amount of tip wear, which impressed me.  Here's the manicure after being tested.

Barielle Coalest Day of the Year Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

Dangit, I just noticed the shadow over my pinky in the picture, but this one showed the polish best, so I'm keeping it shadow and all.  Please just ignore my pinky.

Back to the polish... I see where the folks at Barielle are coming from calling this "carbon gray."  It does look a little bit like pencil lead.  The really strong shimmer you can see in this Coalest Day of the Year is what differentiates it from other charcoal shimmers for me.  Since I'm often of the "The More, The Merrier" school of thought when it comes to shimmer, I like it a lot and would reach for this shade before most charcoals.

That's the update for today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  


*This was sent to me for review by the manufacturer.

Barielle Coalest Day of the Year

Good morning, Dear Reader!

The next color I have to show you from Barielle's Holiday Hustle Collection is Coalest Day of the Year.  It's described by the manufacturer as "a carbon gray with white pearls," but I think it's charcoal with silver-white shimmer.  Probably six of one and a half dozen of the other, but that's what I'd call it.

Anyhow, the polish is a bit on the thick side, but thin coats make it really manageable.  Coalest Day of the Year is good in two coats, and I also found it to be quite durable.  After this manicure dried but before I'd taken a picture of it, something went wrong around the house that required a whole bunch of cleaning where my hands were in water.  I was certain it would be ruined when I finished tidying up, and there's just a small amount of tip wear, which impressed me.  Here's the manicure after being tested.

Barielle Coalest Day of the Year Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

Dangit, I just noticed the shadow over my pinky in the picture, but this one showed the polish best, so I'm keeping it shadow and all.  Please just ignore my pinky.

Back to the polish... I see where the folks at Barielle are coming from calling this "carbon gray."  It does look a little bit like pencil lead.  The really strong shimmer you can see in this Coalest Day of the Year is what differentiates it from other charcoal shimmers for me.  Since I'm often of the "The More, The Merrier" school of thought when it comes to shimmer, I like it a lot and would reach for this shade before most charcoals.

That's the update for today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  


*This was sent to me for review by the manufacturer.

Barielle Snow Day

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Today I have Barielle Snow Day for you.  Barielle says Snow day is, "an ice blue metallic with silver undertones," and I think that's accurate.  In the bottle and when wet on the nail, Snow Day looks super frosty, but it's much more metallic when it's dry.

It applied easily, and it's a two coater.  Here's Snow Day with top coat, completely dry.  In person rather than in a blown up picture, the brush marks don't show at all.

Barielle Snow Day Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

That brings us half way through Barielle's Holiday Hustle collection, and I'm happy with them so far.  That's just about all I have for you today, so until tomorrow, love and nail polish to you!  



*This polish was sent to me by the manufacturer for review.

Barielle Snow Day

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Today I have Barielle Snow Day for you.  Barielle says Snow day is, "an ice blue metallic with silver undertones," and I think that's accurate.  In the bottle and when wet on the nail, Snow Day looks super frosty, but it's much more metallic when it's dry.

It applied easily, and it's a two coater.  Here's Snow Day with top coat, completely dry.  In person rather than in a blown up picture, the brush marks don't show at all.

Barielle Snow Day Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

That brings us half way through Barielle's Holiday Hustle collection, and I'm happy with them so far.  That's just about all I have for you today, so until tomorrow, love and nail polish to you!  



*This polish was sent to me by the manufacturer for review.

Barielle Holiday Hustle Swatches Winter 2010

Iwas sent the Barielle Holday Hustle collection....I love it!Barielle has a great way of avoiding the typical so again they make me so very happy!
All swatches are 2 coats no top coat, in lightbox lighting.Gelt me to the Party is an antiqued Copper/bronze/goldI really wish this looked better on me because I love the color a lot!
Coalest day of the year is a dark gray almost black with pearl

Barielle Elle's Spell

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Today I have another from Barielle's 2010 Holiday Hustle collection, Elle's Spell, which is the only non-frosty one.  As for availability, I got an email yesterday telling me the whole collection is on Barielle.com, so get 'em while they're hot.

Anyhow, Elle's Spell is described by the manufacturer as "a jelly red with multi-colored foil flakes," and I'd say that's accurate.  I'm much more impressed with Elle's Spell on the nail than in the bottle.  It looked interesting in the bottle, but it really comes alive on the nail.

It's much thinner than most Barielle nail polishes, but that's not all bad.  It applied really well, and the color builds nicely.  I used three coats to make it opaque, and it still retains the jelly quality and the flaky glitter isn't too dense in three coats.  Here it is in sunlight, the dry manicure.

Barielle Elle's Spell Nail Polish, Three Coats

Elle's Spell is a really nice polish, I think.  It's unique, holiday appropriate, and I just like it.  So far, so good for Barielle's Holiday Hustle... I'll try to have another for you tomorrow.  Until then, love and nail polish to you!  


*This polish was sent to me fore review by Barielle.

Barielle Elle's Spell

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Today I have another from Barielle's 2010 Holiday Hustle collection, Elle's Spell, which is the only non-frosty one.  As for availability, I got an email yesterday telling me the whole collection is on Barielle.com, so get 'em while they're hot.

Anyhow, Elle's Spell is described by the manufacturer as "a jelly red with multi-colored foil flakes," and I'd say that's accurate.  I'm much more impressed with Elle's Spell on the nail than in the bottle.  It looked interesting in the bottle, but it really comes alive on the nail.

It's much thinner than most Barielle nail polishes, but that's not all bad.  It applied really well, and the color builds nicely.  I used three coats to make it opaque, and it still retains the jelly quality and the flaky glitter isn't too dense in three coats.  Here it is in sunlight, the dry manicure.

Barielle Elle's Spell Nail Polish, Three Coats

Elle's Spell is a really nice polish, I think.  It's unique, holiday appropriate, and I just like it.  So far, so good for Barielle's Holiday Hustle... I'll try to have another for you tomorrow.  Until then, love and nail polish to you!  


*This polish was sent to me fore review by Barielle.

Barielle Jess' Champagne Toast

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Last night I finally changed my manicure, and it wasn't as bad as it could have been at all.  I think I'll be a little skittish about chunky glitter and any extra top coat for a while though!

What I changed to was Barielle Shades Jess' Champagne Toast from their 2010 Holiday Hustle collection, which was sent to me for review.  Since five of the six colors in this collection are frosts, it didn't seem like swatches would be a fair representation of them, since frosts look different when they're dry.  Instead, I figured I'd show you a dry manicure with them for each of the next six posts.

I used Jess' Champagne Toast first because it was the one that really caught my eye.  Barielle calls it "a metallic violet with rose gold glitter," and I'd agree with everything but calling it metallic - I think it's a frost.  Anyhow, I used two coats and it was good, but the polish is very thick so I had to really spread it thin.  I finished with one coat of top coat, and it's not perfectly smooth but not gritty.

Barielle Jess' Champagne Toast Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

I think it's a bit more impressive in the bottle than on the nail because the polish is opaque and covers the glitter from the first coat, so it look grittier than it is.  It's not as if that's a huge, obvious issue when it's not a magnified picture, so I'm still pleased with the polish.

That's the update for now, Dear Reader.  I'll try to get the rest of these posted quickly so I'm not wrapping up the collection just as Summer 2011 shades are coming out.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Barielle Jess' Champagne Toast

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Last night I finally changed my manicure, and it wasn't as bad as it could have been at all.  I think I'll be a little skittish about chunky glitter and any extra top coat for a while though!

What I changed to was Barielle Shades Jess' Champagne Toast from their 2010 Holiday Hustle collection, which was sent to me for review.  Since five of the six colors in this collection are frosts, it didn't seem like swatches would be a fair representation of them, since frosts look different when they're dry.  Instead, I figured I'd show you a dry manicure with them for each of the next six posts.

I used Jess' Champagne Toast first because it was the one that really caught my eye.  Barielle calls it "a metallic violet with rose gold glitter," and I'd agree with everything but calling it metallic - I think it's a frost.  Anyhow, I used two coats and it was good, but the polish is very thick so I had to really spread it thin.  I finished with one coat of top coat, and it's not perfectly smooth but not gritty.

Barielle Jess' Champagne Toast Nail Polish, Two Coats Dry

I think it's a bit more impressive in the bottle than on the nail because the polish is opaque and covers the glitter from the first coat, so it look grittier than it is.  It's not as if that's a huge, obvious issue when it's not a magnified picture, so I'm still pleased with the polish.

That's the update for now, Dear Reader.  I'll try to get the rest of these posted quickly so I'm not wrapping up the collection just as Summer 2011 shades are coming out.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Support World AIDS day with Barielle (Dec.1)

*Images from Barielle
In honor of World AIDS Day(December 1st), Barielle will be offering 10% off all products on Barielle.com.  Proceeds from  will be donated to World AIDS Day
So do some gift shopping or buy yourself a little gift to help support World AIDS Day!

Barielle Shades Ulta Exclusives Swatches Part 2

It's a busy day so let's jump right into the pretties!(Sunlight)Pink Sherbert is a sweet soft pink with amazingly glowy shimmer
(Shade)Magic shade makes her a nice work safe neutral pink
(Sun)Sailors Delight is a perfect baby pink with excellent streak free coverage in 2 coats(Shade)I just love the name of this one!
(Full sun)Expressive is a gorgeous lilac creme(Shade)I am addicted to purples and

Barielle Shades Ulta Exclusives Swatches Part 1 of 3

I was send the entire Barille Shades Ulta Exclusive collection to swatch andshare with you and well that is a lot of swatching so I will do this in 3 parts so as not to overwhelm.Barielle nail polish is available now at Ulta for $6.00 eachBarielle shades are certainly a brand I respect for their unique shades and abillity to stepoutside the standard pink and red box. You will notice that some

Barielle High Steppin' Collection

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I'm late showing you this collection, but samples from Barielle arrived, and so I have it for you today.  High Steppin' is the Shades by Barielle Summer 2010 collection.  It's all shimmers and glitters, not a creme to be found.

As for application, I thought it was above average.  The Shades by Barielle formula is quite thick, but the brush is good and the polish is very easy to control.  I know some people thin thicker polishes right off the bat, but I find no need to here.  All six shades are well pigmented, so each only took two coats.  The dry time varies on these - I've worn two, Electric Boogie and Freestyle, and Electric Boogie dried in normal time, Freestyle was a bit slower.  The color was worth the wait.

The pictures are all in natural light, and Electric Boogie is a full day-old manicure, with the other five being swatches.

Electric Boogie is a midnight blue shimmer with lighter blue glitter.

Shades by Barielle Electric Boogie Nail Polish, Two Coats

Slow Motion is a pinkish neutral frost.

Shades by Barielle Slow Motion Nail Polish, Two Coats

Night Moves is a foily silver shimmer along the lines of Orly Shine and Zoya Trixie.

Shades by Barielle Night Moves Nail Polish, Two Coats

Belly Dance is an especially cool one - it's the putty color we've seen so much of this year, but the twist is it's a shimmer.

Shades by Barielle Belly Dance Nail Polish, Two Coats

Passion Pirouette is a pinkish purple frost.

Shades by Barielle Passion Pirouette Nail Polish, Two Coats

Freestyle is another really good one.  Rather than the mint green that we've been bombarded with, Freestyle is more of a light spring green shimmer with glitter.

Shades by Barielle Freestyle Nail Polish, Two Coats

That is the High Steppin' Collection from Shades by Barielle.  I like the fact that the polishes are colors have a twist on them, for the most part, and I'm pleased with them.  I have to try Passion Pirouette on its own to see if the frostiness dies down a bit when it's dry, but to have one questionable polish out of six ain't bad.

These are Big Three Free, and they're $8 each on Barielle.com.

That's all for now, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Barielle High Steppin' Collection

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I'm late showing you this collection, but samples from Barielle arrived, and so I have it for you today.  High Steppin' is the Shades by Barielle Summer 2010 collection.  It's all shimmers and glitters, not a creme to be found.

As for application, I thought it was above average.  The Shades by Barielle formula is quite thick, but the brush is good and the polish is very easy to control.  I know some people thin thicker polishes right off the bat, but I find no need to here.  All six shades are well pigmented, so each only took two coats.  The dry time varies on these - I've worn two, Electric Boogie and Freestyle, and Electric Boogie dried in normal time, Freestyle was a bit slower.  The color was worth the wait.

The pictures are all in natural light, and Electric Boogie is a full day-old manicure, with the other five being swatches.

Electric Boogie is a midnight blue shimmer with lighter blue glitter.

Shades by Barielle Electric Boogie Nail Polish, Two Coats

Slow Motion is a pinkish neutral frost.

Shades by Barielle Slow Motion Nail Polish, Two Coats

Night Moves is a foily silver shimmer along the lines of Orly Shine and Zoya Trixie.

Shades by Barielle Night Moves Nail Polish, Two Coats

Belly Dance is an especially cool one - it's the putty color we've seen so much of this year, but the twist is it's a shimmer.

Shades by Barielle Belly Dance Nail Polish, Two Coats

Passion Pirouette is a pinkish purple frost.

Shades by Barielle Passion Pirouette Nail Polish, Two Coats

Freestyle is another really good one.  Rather than the mint green that we've been bombarded with, Freestyle is more of a light spring green shimmer with glitter.

Shades by Barielle Freestyle Nail Polish, Two Coats

That is the High Steppin' Collection from Shades by Barielle.  I like the fact that the polishes are colors have a twist on them, for the most part, and I'm pleased with them.  I have to try Passion Pirouette on its own to see if the frostiness dies down a bit when it's dry, but to have one questionable polish out of six ain't bad.

These are Big Three Free, and they're $8 each on Barielle.com.

That's all for now, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Shades by Bareille Summer 2010 High Steppin' Swatches

The Summer 2010 High Steppin' collection Shades by Barielle6 Groovy Metallic hues designed by celebrity manicurist Elle

Electric Boogie is a beautiful cobalt blue with scattered multi colored glitter.This is one coat and for those who fear the glitter, it removes very easily with no staining.The name is perfect! I do not own another color like this, it's a must have!

Slow Motion is a pinkish

Barielle High Steppin' News

Good evening, Dear Reader!

I just got a press release from Barielle about their Summer 2010 collection, High Steppin'.

Barielle High Steppin' Collection Promo Images

Here's what we know about the colors:

Electric Boogie—an inky metallic blue with teal glitter

Belly Dance—a nude taupe with shimmer

Night Moves—a sparkling metallic silver

Passion Pirouette—a grape metallic purple

Slow Motion—a light metallic lavender 

Freestyle—a cool metallic mint with silver glitter

Another promising collection for Summer 2010!

Until tomorrow, Dear Reader, love and nail polish to you!