My EL Love Affair continues - Estee Lauder Smashed

I hope you're not sick of Estee Lauder polishes just yet...I'm having a love affair! (See Tempestuous and Molten Lava too!) 

Today I'm showing you Smashed - a lovely plum with some amazing glitter/shimmer that isn't too out there. I feel like the polish is *just* dark enough to carry  off this level of sparkle and still look sophisticated. The formula on this one was just as excellent as the others. Bravo, Tom Pecheaux, bravo.

Have you fallen in love with a new brand lately? Let me know!
kittytokaren

Another EL winner - Estee Lauder Molten Lava

Another Estee Lauder polish for you today...I've been really enjoying the brand as of late. This one is Molten Lava. A gorgeous dirgy plum with subtle coppery shimmer. (Subtle as in apparent but fine and not overly abundant...not subtle as in Chanel's not-at-all-visible version of subtle.)



Molten Lava is right up my alley! It's dark but not ultra dark. It's unique, but neutral. Color me happy! I actually love how this pairs with one of my favourite eye makeup looks - both have plummy/gold tones that I love, especially for fall. (If you want to see the eye look, check out my little makeup blog here.)

Is there a brand you've recently changed your mind about? I used to think EL was an "old lady" brand, but I can feel my mindset being altered...

kittytokaren

Let the vampy season BEGIN! - Estee Lauder Tempestuous

It's new that Estee Lauder polishes are starting to catch my eye... I'll have a few to show you coming up. I have to say they are MUCH more lovely than I anticipated - both in terms of colour selection and in quality. I've decided to jump into the fall/winter season full force, and I've been wearing a lot of almost-black vampy colours lately (like OPI Lincoln Park After Dark....yum). Tempestuous is a lovely twist on that theme, thanks to a healthy dose of multi-coloured shimmer...



And guess what? The shimmer is SUPER apparent in reality. You don't need a bright shiny light on this one to see the gorgeous sparkle. Still neutral enough to go with anything, but has a little something special. I think this would be a great holiday time/New Year's polish as well.

Have you tried any Estee Lauder polishes lately? Let me know which ones you like!

kittytokaren

Old NOTD: Estee Lauder All-American Blue

Another weirdly blurry photo from my camera that has decided to stop working. And another polish that dried reasonably quickly with the Supply Source topcoat... but then could still be dented half a day later. :(

Estee Lauder All-American Blue

I didn't know that Estee Lauder made such vibrant colors. Did you know that? Gorgeous, gorgeous shimmery blue that looks very, very blue in some lights and very teal in others. Bright, loud, love. Three coats (though there's still some VNL), application was a breeze, even with this small brush. The only thing I take issue with is the name: All-American Blue? As my SO noted, it's the color of an ugly polyester jacket that has the American flag on it. (Note: color itself is not ugly but if it were on an American flag, it'd most likely be one found on an ugly polyester jacket.)

The last day or two have been heavenly. I've been allowing myself to not have pressing concerns. Basically, blocking out thoughts of work or thoughts of impending unpleasantness or whatever. Sure, I woke up at 4:30am yesterday "morning" (it's NOT morning) and couldn't get back to sleep... but that meant that I could be up early for the early express bus to the town two towns over so I could go to a Sally Beauty where I picked up most of the FingerPaints holiday collection (all but Evergreen Dream!) and two 32fl oz bottles of acetone. (I go through these things fast.) I feel like I've been getting a lot of small errand-y things done and got to clean a bit. But mostly, I'm just luxuriating in not having to be anywhere in particular and not having to do anything in particular. It's a beautiful thing, having time to oneself.