This week's battle features three mid-tone purple cremes. Surprisingly, I don't own a lot of these. The more examine my stash, the more I'm learning about what colors interest me. So far, coral is hands down the winner. What color dominates your stash?



Anyway, into the arena:

American Apparel African Violet, Barielle Grape Escape, OPI

Disclaimer: Purples are always a challenge to photograph, but I tried to
get the most color accurate photos (to my eye and monitor) that I could. I sacrificed focus for color, so sorry for any
blurriness you see.

2 coats

American Apparel African Violet has more of a red undertone than I expected. I think slightly warmer purples look better on me than the cool ones.



I thought African Violet would be on the thick and a one-coater like most of my AA's. However, its consistency is thinner and a bit tough to control on the nail. I was prepared for it on the second coat, though, and it was totally manageable.

2 coats

Barielle Grape Escape is just a touch cooler than African Violet, but it is almost negligible. They are pretty much dupes. The formula on this is quite similar to African Violet's formula as well.

3 coats

OPI Funky Dunkey is much cooler than both African Violet and Grape Escape. The formula is also superb compared to the other two. It practically applied itself, which is something that almost never happens with OPIs. Pleasant surprise.

3 coats of each

Battle casualty: Barielle Grape Escape. Another Barielle bites the dust!



I chose African Violet over Grape escape because I like the bottle and the brush better. Funky Dunkey's wonderful formula and cool undertone saved it from the purge pile.



Which polish(es) would you have purged?



Have a wonderful weekend!

Just a reminder that today to enter my giveaway, which is the full Layla Hologram collection and 1 bottle of Nfu.Oh Aqua Base.

Mercury Twilight, Coral Glam, Retro Pink, Ultra Violet, Jade Groove, Mermaid Spell, Ocean Rush, Flash Black

I'm re-posting the form here instead of linking t the original post. It is the same entry form, so if you've already entered, no need to do so again.







In other news, I should have a new Purge Wars post up later today.

2 coats

Nails Inc. Baker Street is a gorgeous cobalt blue creme. It is exceptionally vibrant but not a neon. The color is so rich, yet clean - it does not pull purple or green. Baker Street is just blue. What a perfect addition to my collection.



The formula is great. Smooth, self-leveling, and not too thick or thin

flash

Nails Inc. Baker Street retails for $9.50 and is available at Sephora stores and online.

3 coats

Nails Inc. Cheyne Walk is a purple to bronze orange duochrome. I also picked up some green in the photos, but it may have been my camera playing tricks on me. Cheyne Walk is similar in color and shift to Deborah Lippmann Private Dancer, but with more brushstrokes. I am not a fan.



This applied very well - smooth with a nice consistency.

Nails Inc. Cheyne Walk

You can see the flash of bronze and green in this picture. In person, the green is much more subtle.



This is not a keeper for me, especially since I have a very similar color with a better finish.



Nails Inc. Cheyne Walk retails for $9.50 and is available at Sephora.com

Since my last post, I have asked several Sally Beauty managers/SAs about whether these are core or not, and everyone seems to be in consensus that yes, these are core additions. However, I usually take what I hear from Sally workers with a grain of salt, so do with this information what you will.



Side note: in case you were wondering about my two-finger swatches, I
cut my middle finger pretty badly, so I'm just waiting for it to heal
and not look super gross before including it in swatches again.

3 coats

Finger Paints Silkscreen Green is a yummy lime green. It's gorgeous, but it unfortunately makes my hands look dirty.

2 coats

Finger Paints Pop Art Purple. It's purple, I swear. Neon purples always seem to photograph as this weird pink fuchsia color. Again, it is definitely purple.

2 coats

 Finger Paints Iconic Orange is a blinding orange. You all know how I feel about orange...

3 coats

Finger Paints Warhol Wannabe (sorry, the pic is labeled incorrectly) is a bubblegum pink that totally reminds me of a more neon version of Deborah Lippmann I Kissed a Girl.


All of these applied with no issues. It really is an awesome change from the normal finicky neons I have encountered in the past.



Finger Paints are still on sale for $3.99 until the end of May, so now would be a great time to pick these up from Sally Beauty.

My purging continues with some more corals. Seeing as I am addicted to all shades of coral, there will be many more coral battles to come.



Into the arena goes:

Finger Paints Circus Peanuts, Rescue Beauty Lounge Starfish Patrick, Barielle Blossom

2 coats

Finger Paints Circus Peanuts is such a pretty peachy coral creme. I like how bright and opaque this is, but the formula is thicker than I like.

3 coats

RBL Starfish Patrick is a more subdued coral due to its jelly finish. It is rare that RBL polishes have application issues, so it should come as no surprise that Starfish Patrick practically applied itself. My only gripe is I would need at least one more coat or underwear for opacity.

3 coats

Barielle Blossom is so pretty, but I just cannot hang with the formula. It was so streaky and goopy that I am pretty sure I got a bum bottle. I thinned it and tried again to no avail.





Battle casualty: Barielle Blossom. I haven't been this frustrated with a polish in quite some time.



I kept a creme and jelly coral - makes sense to me. :)



 Have a great weekend!