Today's post has two manis that I did to try and recreate a love I found on Pinterest. In the end, I was unable to recreate the look from Let's Do My Nails, and so, the love remains, sadly... unrequited.
For my first attempt, I started out with this beautiful blackened teal - Nails Inc. Kensington.
It's really hard to get a dark blue without having it look black, but I think this one does a good job.
I picked up this polish from Essie's newer Luxe Effects release - Sparkle on Top. It's not a true flakie, more like the new 'flakies' I tried from Butter London - iridescent mylar shards.
It's pretty! But not what I was looking for. I tried it matte, which I think I like better:
Here's the bottle shot of my first attempt: Nails Inc Kensington, Essie Sparkle On Top, and Julep Matte Top Coat.
Imagine my surprise when I realized that I had the two polishes listed in the description of the picture! This is OPI Cuckoo For This Color, a metallic teal.
I topped with the true flakie topcoat, Essie Shine of the Times. Gorgeous. But it's not the same as the pix. Whomp, whomp.
Even with a matte topcoat, it still isn't as light or vibrant as the inspiration pix.
Bottle shot: OPI Cuckoo For This Color, Essie Shine of the Times, and Julep Matte Top Coat.
Now, I, too, have experienced the bitter disappointment of falling in love with a swatch and finding myself disappointed in the actual recreation. It's a special kind of heartbreak, a love that can never be fulfilled, because it only truly exists in special lighting and Photoshop.
