Tom Ford Spring 2014 Incandescent Nail Lacquer Review and Swatch

 So I thought I would start the first post of the year with some Tom Ford goodies so here we have the rather beautiful Tom Ford Incandescent nail polish. Packaged in the gorgeous old style of ivory and gold, it's a midtone rosy gold with silver shimmer, if anyone remembers Chanel Delight nail polish it is quite similar to that ( TF has less sparkles and is more pink toned) I do love this sort of shade- especially around summertime so I think I will be getting a lot of use from it this year! Onto the swatches!

Tom Ford Incandescent in natural light (left) and flash (right)

Chanel Delight (Left) and Tom Ford Incandescent (right)

I find the Tom Ford lacquers have standard lasting power on me (eg OPI, Chanel and so on). Photos above were with 2 coats and one layer of Seche Vite Topcoat as it wasn't particularly shiny on its own. You can just about make out a few brushstroke marks but nothing noticeable, if it wasn't applied in a hurry I'm guessing you could get it near on perfect.

Overall a big thumbs up. You can buy this at your usual department stores in the UK( Selfridges, Harrods etc...)but be quick as I hear it's limited edition and selling out fast!

Essie Punchy Pink 694 Swatch, Review & Dupes

This is probably my favourite pink nail polish of all time. Essie Punchy Pink 694 is a bright warm neon pink. It's lighter than most other neons which really sets it apart. I also like the way it makes me look a lot more tanned than I really am. It dries to a matt finish so you'll need a topcoat to get it glossy. My one is on the thick side but it's still easily applied.

Essie Punchy Pink (flash)

I used 2 coats here which is fine for real life (the camera picks up any unevenness). I get good wear out of these, approx 3-4 days before I get any tip wear. As for dupes Essie's Pink Parka is about the closest (a bit cooler in tone) or Models Own Bubble Gum (slightly darker and cooler in tone)

UPDATE: More Comparisons...

From Thumb to Pinkie: Models Own Bubble Gum, China Glaze Pink Voltage, Nina Pro Fuchsia Rage, Essie Punchy Pink, Essie Pink Parka

From Thumb to Pinkie: Models Own Bubble Gum, China Glaze Pink Voltage, Nina Pro Fuchsia Rage, Essie Punchy Pink, Essie Pink Parka

Bobbi Brown Neon Pink Lipstick Review, swatch and Dupe

Bobbi Brown Neon Pink Lipstick

Along with the Atomic Orange Lipstick, Bobbi Brown launched this Neon Pink lipstick in her Neons and Nudes collection. It's a vibrant but wearable pink with a pretty sheen. I can't detect any fragrance although it does smell a touch waxy. For me such a bright lipstick really feels a huge step from Bobbi, however she's made it so it's elegant, not garish and still very wearable. I hope we see more shades like this from her in the future!

I found a few similar colours in my kit, the best match comes from Yves Saint Laurent with it's Rouge Voulpte Lipstick in 10 Provocative Pink. It's almost identical, maybe slightly creamier and hence has a bit more slip so won't last quite as long as Neon Pink. Mac's Quick Sizzle is a touch more blue based and a matte finish.

From Left: YSL Rouge Volupte 10 Provocative Pink, Bobbi Brown Neon Pink, Mac Quick Sizzle

I purchased mine at bobbibrown.co.uk

Illamasqua Nomad Nail Polish Review and Swatches

From Illamasqua's new Human fundamentalism collection I have the Nomad nail polish. I was curious about this colour even though I rarely stray from red/neon coral/pink. It's a bright creamy jade green, almost neon looking. Opaque in 2 coats. I couldn't quite find a dupe for this one either, China Glaze Aquadelic was more blue, Essie Turquoise and Caicos was lighter, Chanel Nouvelle Vague again was more blue and China Glaze Four Leaf Clover was similar but slightly darker.

Also, once this was on my nails it kept reminding me of Grasshopper Pie...

You can buy this at illamasqua.com

Dior Rosy Glow Awakening Blusher Review and Swatches

Dior have launched a new blusher into their range, as far as I'm aware it's a permanent addition. It's a bright cotton candy pink embellished with the classic Dior logo. Very pretty mirrored compact which comes in a velvet pouch. All in all this is a lovely blusher and can be used with a light hand for a more natural effect. There are a few similar blushers out there - it's closest competitor would be Nars Gaiety which was also launched this Spring.

Swatches!

From left: Nars Gaiety, Dior Rosy Glow

And Comparions....

From Top Middle, anticlockwise: Dior Rosy Glow, Chanel Pink Explosion,Chanel Turbulent, Nars Gaiety (Centre), Mac Pink Swoon, Mac Alpha Girl