2 coats Miami Green 1 coat Indian Ocean

Layla Miami Green is a vibrant turquoise creme. I'm kind of in love with it! It has a gorgeous formula.



Models Own Indian Ocean was untried for too long. I lusted after it until I got it, and then it sat untried for almost a year. I have to stop doing that. Anyway, it's stunning!



Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

Barielle Elle's Spell, Layla Ceramic Effect 53, Deborah Lippmann Raspberry Beret

4 coats Elle's Spelle, 3 coats 53, 2 coats Raspberry Beret

I thought I'd start off the year with a Purge Wars post, since my one and only New Year's resolution is to take purging my stash more seriously. Hopefully it sticks because I'm running out of storage space!



Today, I've pitted different flakies with colored bases against each other. I also wanted to see if I could franken-layer to achieve a similar look.



First into the arena were Layla Ceramic Effect 52 and Nfu.Oh 51

Layla Ceramic Effect 52, Nfu.Oh 51

5 coats 51, 3 coats 52

The base colors of 51 and 52 are more similar than I anticipated. The biggest difference would be the opacity. I'd probably choose 52 to wear alone more often than 51 because I don't often have time for a 5 coat mani. I had no trouble applying either of these.



I used American Apparel African Violet as a base, and then layered Essie Shine of the Times and Milani Purple Neon for my franken layer. The purples I chose were too warm, and the flakie was too dense, but I do think it's possible to get close to 51 or 52 with a few corrections and maybe a coat of 230 or something similar. I think my next attempt will be more successful.



Battle Casualty: I'm keeping both of these because...just look at the pretty! Look at it!



Next up are Urban Outfitters Mystic and Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light

Urban Outfitters Mystic, Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light

3 coats Mystic, 3 coats Ray of Light

Mystic has larger flakes and its base more vibrant than Ray of Light. Mystic also looks a touch darker than Ray of Light, which is probably because it lacks that slightly dusty quality that Ray of Light has. The formula on both was a bit thick, so I thinned them both. No problems after than.



My franken-layer is a Revlon Royal base with Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure and American Apparel Moonlight Beach layered. I think Hidden Treasure was a better choice than Shine of the Times because it's less dense. I think I'd go for a darker jelly to achieve a more accurate look. Maybe Deborah Lippmann Rehab.



Battle casualty: Urban Outfitters Mystic. There's something missing here. Maybe some depth? Not sure, but I don't mind parting with it.





Is it bad that I prefer my franken layers over all of them, though? Maybe I'm just stroking me ego. :)



That's it for this round of Purge Wars. Stayed tuned for Battle of the Flakies 2:

They're more similar than you think

Barielle Elle's Spell, Layla CE 53, Lippmann Sweet Dreams, Raspberry Beret

In my head, I was sure Elle's Spell and 53 would be closer than this, but ES appears to have a much deeper base. I still think those two are worth a swatch comp, though. Sweet Dreams and Raspberry Beret are both pink, so there's that.

Layla CE 52, Nfu.Oh 51

In the bottle, 52's base looks a lot more blue toned than 51. 51 also has shimmer than 52 lacks. These two will definitely be swatch comp'd soon!

I'm taking a break from purging cremes to take a look at my ultimate vice: holos. I can't get enough of them! However, I thought it would make this whole process easier if I could purge from my beloved holo stash.

Layla Mercury Twilight, Gosh Holographic, Nfu.Oh 61

I only did comp pics because swatching each of these with aqua base would've taken more time than I had.

Pinky to middle: 2 coats Nfu.Oh 61, 2 coats Gosh Holographic, 3 coats Layla Mercury Twilight

I purchased my Nfu.Oh 61 October 2010, and it was one of the dud batches. I have a few other bottles that I'll have to compare it to.



Gosh Holographic is very holo, and out of these three, it looks the least dull indoors. I love how smooth this is.



Layla Mercury Twilight is the most holo of the bunch. It's gorgeous!



I think it's pretty clear that the battle casualty is Nfu.Oh 61. I think I've heard that 61 is back on track and no longer dud city, but I can't say for sure until I swatch my other bottles from more recent batches.



I'm going to keep Holographic and Mercury Twilight for now until I have a chance to comp them against some of my other silver holos.



Enjoy the rest of your weekend!