NOTD: Butter London 'Earl Grey'

Today's nail of the day is 'Earl Grey' by Butter London. This metallic gray has some pretty steely blue undertones that make it so fitting for this dreary NYC winter we're having. I like how smooth the application was on this nail polish (1 coat achieved full opacity) but it did begin chipping at my nail beds in just one day of wear.

Butter London is one of the more expensive nail polish brands out there at $15 a bottle, so it can be rather disappointing when the formula isn't quite up to snuff. I did enjoy this color immensely, however I think I can find a color dupe in a cheaper brand that won't chip so quickly!

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London 'Goss'

Today's nail of the day is Butter London's 'Goss' nail polish. It is a rose gold color that leans a little coppery in tone and I must say this is my favorite metallic polish I have ever worn. I tend to stay away from metallics since I tend to get ridges in my nails and metallic polishes can emphasize the ridges. It's not a cute look at all, but this polish managed to camouflage the ridges more than normal metallics do. 

This polish was also great because it was perfectly opaque in only 1 coat. It dried super fast and somehow the color hid application mistakes quite well so I think this would be a great out the door polish to apply on the run!

Butter London polishes are a luxury polish brand coming in at $15 a bottle. Try this color out if you're looking for a wearable and not distracting metallic rosey hue to sport on your nails this season!

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London 'Slapper'

Today's nail of the day is Butter London's 'Slapper,' a  teal blue color. The color is seriously pretty and I don't have another color similar to it.  It reminds me of the ocean and is more green than blue in certain lighting (the picture above doesn't do it justice!).  The formula is also one of the best formulas by Butter London in my opinion.  It's the perfect thickness making it super easy to spread around the nail with out pooling at the cuticles and leaves a super opaque first coat.

This color is not a color I often grab for because it's one of those unique colors that unfortunately I tire of quickly when it's on my nails. It doesn't chip very quickly which means I usually have to remove it after about two days. During the time it's on my nails it garners many compliments, though!
Obligatory Jake pic:

The dope blinked for his picture! I still love him anyway!

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London 'Fairy Lights'

Today's nail of the day is a Butter London color that definitely has a wow-factor, but I tire of it quickly. It is Butter London's Fairy Lights and I just can't seem to like this color for more than a couple hours time. This is a color I will sadly be leaving at home when I move to NY because, though it looks stunning in the bottle and when first applied, the metallic foil gets oh-so-tiresome to look at after a while.  

This bright pink foil polish literally looks like aluminum foil on your nails with a pink tint. In some lights, the pink can turn magenta and even appear purple. I think I would actually like this color much more if it was lighter. The brightness of the color mixed with the intense finish together make this color hard for me to swallow, I think.

The positives to this polish are the adorable name and the solid wear time (4 days chip free!). 

Butter London polishes are expensive ($15...yikes!). Though they are a 3-Free nail lacquer and thus apparently have all sorts of benefits for your nails, make sure you're in love with a color before making a purchase. This is one of those colors I unfortunately regret.

xxSJ

My Top Picks: Springtime Nail Polish!

The second installment of my Springtime beauty picks has arrived and it should be no surprise that I had to do a post about my favorite nail polishes for the season! Nail polish is like a mood ring for me... I change it often and it usually reflects how I'm feelin. I pull out the pastels and bright colors in the Spring since the mild weather makes me so happy! The following are my top picks for Spring with links to more detailed blog posts I've done on them:

-OPI's 'Kiss on the Chic' is a really soft pink that is opaque and easy to work with. Picture!
-Essie 'Fiji' is a cult favorite soft pink with purply undertones. Picture!
-OPI's 'Strawberry Margarita' is a bright pink that demands attention! It reminds me of springtime flowers :) Picture!
-Essie 'Off the Shoulder' is a perfect bright Barbie pink that is just so creamy and gorgeous. Picture!
-Butter London 'Trout Pout' is a more-orange-than-pink coral color that gets me so many compliments every time I wear it. Picture!
-Essie 'Fashion Playground' is a pistachio color that is more unique than your standard mint. This will be my most worn Spring nail color for sure. Picture!
-Essie 'Lilacism' is a long time favorite pure lilac. It is and will always be one of my favorite nail colors as it is easy to apply and always makes me smile when it catches my eye. Picture!
-OPI's 'You're Such a Budapest' is a periwinkle, purple-blue hybrid. It is bright and eye-catching!Picture!
-Essie 'Splash of Grenadine' is a magenta color that has the coolest gelly like finish. It is super soft appearing on the nails and an easy way to wear color. Picture!
-Essie 'Mint Candy Apple' is a perfect sky blue. This color is so gorgeous with a bit of a tan and is my favorite blue that I own. Picture!

So there you have it! My picks for a Spring mani are surely going to make you smile and feel Spring-y if you put any one of them on your nails!

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London 'Victoriana'

Today's nail of the day is of quite a complex nail color. It is Butter London's 'Victoriana:'

This light blue color is really neat and unique. It is a light blue with a hint of green with a ton of silver shimmer through out.  This color almost looks like velvet or denim on the nail.

This color is an amazing formula with full opacity in only two coats. It's incredibly easy to get on the nail but unfortunately is easy to chip off too! It only lasted a day with out chips.

This color is beautiful and unique so the price of Butter London polishes at $14 a bottle is right for this specific color, however just know this is a mani that won't last very long!!!

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London 'Trout Pout'

Today's nail of the day is an oldie but a goodie. It is Butter London's Trout Pout:

I consider this color the perfect coral and since Spring time is peekin' around the corner, I knew I had to bust this polish out! This color is seriously SO pretty when you're out in the sun. It turns the most gorgeous peachy pink shade. It can look a little orange under fluorescent or unnatural lighting but no worries, it mostly has this lovely pink tinge to it :)

The one down side to this product is that it is rather sheer upon application. It took me three coats to get opaque coverage. I will say though that the polish never got gloppy or unruly even with a three coat application so that says a lot for the formulation of the polish!

Butter London polishes are $15 a pop... yikes! They are a 3 Free polish so no controversial ingredients in this product if you mind that sort of thing. I would say splurge on a Butter London polish if it is a color you absolutely love! Otherwise, find a cheaper alternative and be nice to  your wallet:)

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London 'Pillar Box Red'

Today's nail of the day is a polish I've had for at least a year but I've never worn it...is that sad? I think it's kinda sad...welp. This little polish had its day recently when I plucked it out of its shelf and painted it on my nails! It's the color 'Pillar Box Red' by Butter London:

This is the type of red I refer to as Wonder Woman Red! Why? Because this is an orange-hued red that I connect with the bright comics and red bodice worn by Wonder Woman...duh.

Why haven't I worn this red ever, you may ask? Mostly because I gravitate toward deeper reds or blue-toned reds... I always am scared that orange undertones will look freaky on me! But then every time I put them on I'm like 'oh that looks nice actually...' As for this nail polish? I put it on and said 'oh that looks nice, actually....'

This polish is bright, shiny, and it has lasted absolutely chip free for 3 days. LOVE! I have bad luck with some Butter London polishes so the lasting power of this guy is awesome. The application of this polish was awesome. Two very thin coats was all it took to make a completely smooth and opaque finish.  think I will definitely grab this polish again next time I want to wear some red...I was pleasantly surprised by how nice this red looked on my fingers and the lasting power is stress and bother free!

Butter London polishes are $15 for 0.4oz of product. Expensive for sure, so pass on this polish if you already have a similar color!


xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London 'Fruit Machine'

Today's nail of the day is a favorite from Butter London's Sweetie Shop collection, 'Fruit Machine:'

2 coats, natural light

This polish is described on the BL website as a 'carnation creme.' I think that is the perfect description! This color is a blue-toned pink that I always refer to as a Barbie or Princess pink.  This color is super creamy (no sheen!) and applies very evenly for an easy application. It was completely opaque in two coats.

The only issue I have with this color is that it seems to chip rather quickly.  My top coat is getting old so perhaps I should blame it on that, but this color did not wear for as long as I would have liked.
I can see why this color was in the Sweetie Shop collection and why it was a favorite! It certainly looks pretty and 'sweet' enough to eat!

Butter London polishes are notorious for their high quality and for their carcinogen free formula.  They cost $15 a bottle which is pricey (particularly given that they have about an ounce less of product than other high end nail polishes, such as OPI).  The price is worth it if you are a nail polish enthusiast or if the color is not dupable. Otherwise I suggest finding a cheaper alternative to this pricey polish!

What do you think? Does Fruit Machine look like a color you would splurge for?
xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London's 'British Racing Green'

Hello everyone!
Its finals season which means I've been hunkered down studying for quite some time but I can do a quick nail of the day post!

This color is a forest green with some green microshimmer running through it. I am LOVING deeper colors on my nails for the fall and this green is just so festive!

SHINYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! The microshimmer in this polish is virtually invisible unless you're really lookin for it in the sunlight so I consider this color more of a creamy color rather than shimmery. Application of this polish was ultra smooth and two coats were needed for this glossy and opaque finish you see here.
This color gets me so excited for Christmas!

Butter London polishes can be found in department stores and at Ulta for $14 a bottle for .4oz of product. Steep price but you get what you pay for: smooth application and finish. Chip free fo dayzzzzz. Carcinogen free...don't want any nasties on your fingers!
I think I should make a rap about Butter London polishes since that's how obsessed I am.....
     'Butter London polish-ezzz, if you don't know lemme tell you it izzzzz
     They be lackin carcinogenzzzz and you'll be chip free cuz that's the nail biz.
     Don't want any nasties on my fingas, don't want any unwanted lingererzzz,
     Smooth application, it'll last ya all vacation! whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat'

I'm not going to lie. I'm extremely impressed with myself right now.

Anywhoooooo let me know if you would rock this green on your nails especially during the Holiday season!
Happy Holidays everyone!
xxSJ

NOTD: The Full Monty

Today's Nail of the Day is one of my favorite Butter London nail colors for the holiday season. It is the color 'The Full Monty', a pure gold:

This color looks like you've dipped your fingernails in liquid gold! The polish is a bunch of gold microshimmer in a clear base.  It only takes 2 coats to reach full opacity. I like that its made of microshimmer because I think the overall effect is much prettier than when the nails have a more metallic finish.

I think this color is perfect for Holiday parties and new years! Gold can be considered a neutral color so this will go with any outfit!
Butter London polishes are $14 for .4oz and can be purchased at Ulta. They are a 3Free nail lacquer so do not contain any carcinogens.

Would you rock this gold color on your nails?

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London's 'Trustafarian'

Okay everybody. Gird your loins for some awesomeness.

This nail polish is in the color 'Trustafarian' by Butter London.  It looks pretty unassuming in the bottle.  It looks like it would be a silvery green pastel color. I grabbed this one because I thought it would be a unique addition to my collection and I love wearing color on my nails. When I applied this though, I realized exactly what I had picked out:

THE COOLEST COLOR I'VE EVER BOUGHT!!!  This color is so ridiculously cool it shouldn't even be allowed. The left picture is the color in normal lighting.  It's a pastel green color with a TON of microshimmer and looks almost velvety. The magic really happens when you look at this color in the sun.  There are reflects of gold, blue, and orange in this stuff! AMAZING!!

 

Here's another pic so you can see the gleam of extraordinary light coming from this polish.  It's just incredible. As far as application is concerned, this polish took 3 thin coats to look opaque like this.  The multiple coats were awesome though because the different layers of shimmer gave a cool 3D effect.  

One warning about this polish though: It will DEFINITELY cause you to be extremely obnoxious when you're wearing it because you'll be shoving your fingers in your friends' faces going 'look at it! look at it!'

Sorry bout that!

As I've mentioned before, Butter London polishes are $14 each. This one might be worth the hefty price though because I can't think of anything else I've seen that's even close to this guy!

Would you rock this awesome green?

xxSJ

NOTD: Butter London's 'Come to Bed Red'

Today's nail of the day is a new polish I haven't tried yet! It's Butter London's 'Come to Bed Red.' It's a pure red color with more blue undertones than orange making it very appealing and a rather seductive color (tee hee).

See? It's gorgeous. I love Butter London polishes because they are so easy to apply making for a perfectly smooth manicure.  It leaves your fingers looking polished, clean, and professionally done. This is the first darker color I have worn in so long and I am SO READY for Fall so I can bust out the burgundies and purples!

Butter London polishes are 3 Free nail lacquers that cost $14 for .40z of product. They can be found at Ulta and department stores.
What's your favorite red to rock?
xxSJ

NOTD: 'Pink Friday' with a touch of 'Tart with a Heart'

Today's Nail of the Day is OPI's 'Pink Friday' from the Nikki Minaj collection. Also on one of my nails on both hands I painted a glitter over the top just for some fun and added oomph. We all could use some more ooomph every once in a while!

Pink Friday is a bright bubblegum pink. I always call colors like this one 'princess colors' because its what I imagine a fairytale princess would wear in a storybook :)
This color is super duper opaque and this look was achieved in two coats with my seche vite top coat to add some gloss (shiny! MUST. TOUCH!)

Butter London's 'Tart With a Heart' is a multi color glitter that is mostly beige toned. It's very pretty painted over basically anything because of the mostly beige glitter. It's glitter but still neutral. Keepin it classy.

a close up of the butter london polish so you can see the beige-ness.

aaaaaaand a close up of my glittery finger

I like this mani and I've gotten many a compliment on my 'princess nails' :)
OPI retails for about $8 and Butter London retails for $14

What's your favorite color and glitter combo???

xxSJ

Save or Splurge? Butter London Nail Polish

Today's Save or Splurge is on Butter London nail lacquer, a '3 Free' polish with English inspired (and super cute!) names:

From left: Tart with a heart, The full monty, Trout Pout, Primrose Hill Picnic, Victoriana, Bluey

Butter London polishes cost $14 for a .4 fl oz bottle. The price is due to them being non-toxic, and in fact the first non-toxic polish sold in the US.  The polishes are free of parabens, formaldehyde, and tuolene (all things we've heard before that are dangerous).
The packaging of this product is so pretty. The cap comes off to reveal the smaller brush handle inside:

 The brush itself is very small. Even smaller than an Essie brush:

For those girls that love OPI for the size of the brush may want to steer clear of this polish for that reason! As far as application is concerned, these polishes are amazing. It takes two coats (sometimes one) for full opaque color and it applies so creamy smooth. The polish also smells a bit better than normal! A little less alcohol-y if that makes sense.
I started buying these polishes because they are what is sold in my University's bookstore on campus, so they were just what was easily available. I probably would have never picked one up had it not been for that simply because they are expensive.
However, I do recommend these polishes. They are great quality and also non-toxic (always a plus!). I would recommend splurging on one. Just try out one of their more unique shades in a cream color. You won't be dissappointed and then you have a super nice polish in your collection. Save on more mainstream shades like red or baby pink though. You can find the same color at a cheaper cost.
http://www.butterlondon.com/

I hope this was informative and helpful! Look for future NOTD posts where I wear my Butter London colors!

What's your favorite Butter London color?

xxSJ