(The offerings in this blog post were gifted to me in exchange for photos; all thoughts are my own)
Another month, another Polish Pickup opening! Each year, December’s theme is “Maker’s Choice”, where our indie polish makers choose their own inspiration to base their offerings on. I have offerings from Glisten & Glow and Kathleen & Co to show off today.
Glisten & Glow: Ice Castles
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 290 bottles
“Ice Castles” is a smokey blue based jelly polish loaded with shimmer that shifts purple, light pink, and yellow and green at extreme angles.
I am wearing it in 3 coats with Glisten & Glow Top Coat (gifted).
Application Recommendations:
- Coats: 3 for maximum coverage on the nail.
- Top Coats: Your normal glossy or matte top coat is all you need!
- Nail Art: Would be great as a base or used for sheer coloring.
- Time: Dries quick for a mani in a pinch!
“Ice Castles” is definitely what I would consider a Tori-polish: ethereal-like with beautiful shimmer! The shimmer almost looks pearlescent to me, but I think it is just because of the particle size of the pigment. It does not behave like a pearlescent finish where you have to be very intentional with your brush strokes. Instead, the formula is very forgiving and I found the application to be very easy-to-use.
While applying, I found I could still see my nail line at the second coat, so I would highly suggest going up to the third. Even at the third, I could still somewhat see my nail line if I was pointing a light through the back of my nail tip, but the base and shimmer obscures this otherwise.
The shimmer is also quite shifty, which I was not really expecting! One of the shots below shows the green you can see at extreme angles, but this is a little easier to see in person. All in all, I found this polish to be like a beautiful, frosty rainbow.
“Ice Castles” in indoor, studio lighting.
Glisten & Glow: Glitter Grabber
Price: $10.00 | Cap: none
Glitter Grabber is an amazing product that gets applied after any glitter or flakie dense manicure is done and it’s fully dry and before your top coat. It aids in creating a smoother surface for your top coat or matte top coat all while grabbing that extra texture!
*Please note that I did not use Glitter Grabber on my manicure of “Ice Castles” – the photos above are purely showcasing the bottle it comes in.
Have you ever wondered how there are beautiful, glittery manicures that look so smooth? You can get that same, glossy look without the salon with Glisten & Glow’s Glitter Grabber! Glitter Grabber will allow you a smooth base to put your glossy top coat on to make polishes with elements, like reflective glitter or large flakes, shine. I have also used this on nail art that is particularly textured – just make sure to put a nail art top coat on before Glitter Grabber, then you’re good to go!
This is a must-have in my collection as I can’t get enough sparkles in my life.
Glisten & Glow: Cuticle Oil & Remover Pen Duo
Price: $12.50 | Cap: none
The Cuticle Oil pen comes in the scent “candy cane”, which is a cool, minty blend of peppermint, spearmint and vanilla sugar. The Cuticle Remover pen is unscented.
If you have never used cuticle oil before, it is another staple that I have in my collection. In fact, I have random bottles and pens scattered around my house to oil wherever I am! (Yes, I probably have a cuticle oil problem). Here are some benefits to cuticle oil:
- Hydrates cuticles, nail plate, eponychium, hyponychium and proximal nail fold
- Soften and protect all the above areas
- Stimulate nail growth
- Improve texture of all the above areas
- Increase nail flexibility, preventing breakage
- Daily nail care maintenance
When I use the cuticle oil pens, I like to put plenty of cuticle oil on my nail, under my nail tip, and on the skin around my nails. I then massage it in with my fingers. I will usually soak up the excess with some hand moisturizer.
I can also personally vouch for the “candy cane” scent here. It smells absolutely delectable, and the mint notes aren’t overwhelming by any means (and I can easily get overwhelmed by mint).
The remover pen is also very easy to use and is very good at removing my cuticles. If you’ve never used Glisten & Glow’s cuticle remover before, you put a generous amount on the bottom of your nail and the around the edges, and allow it to sit for let sit for 60 seconds. Gently push back your cuticles with your favorite nail tool – I like to use a plastic one from Olive & June from the drugstore (purchased). Once you’re done, wash your hands with soap and warm water!
Kathleen & Co: Snow Capped Forest
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 350 bottles
“Snow Capped Forest” is a dark green (cold) to clear (warm) thermal with glowy blue shimmer and a sprinkling of holo microglitters.
I am wearing it in 3 coats with a glossy top coat.
Application Recommendations:
- Coats: 3 for maximum coverage, and evenness, on the nail.
- Top Coats: A good glossy top coat – this polish dries flat!
- Nail Art: Could be a cool base.
- Time: Dries EXTREMELY quickly!
I love a good thermal… I should buy more. “Snow Capped Forest” was such a treat to wear for a multitude of reasons. First, its formula dries so fast – if you check out my application reel on my Instagram, you’ll see it dry as I’m applying the first coat. Next, it transitioned so easily. It doesn’t need to be ‘super’-cooled to get activated, and it started transitioning right away as I applied it. Last, those holographic microglitters are so delightful! They’re hard to see in pictures, but in real life and in videos, it twinkles like beautiful rainbow-y dew.
Be aware that, like all thermals, “Snow Capped Forest” will dry super flat, so you’ll definitely want a glossy top coat if you want it shiny.
One thing I did notice is that the formula, although it dried fast, seemed to be a bit uneven on application. This may just be user error on my end, but I want to make that note regardless. By the third coat, everything evened out, including the clear warm state.
“Snow Capped Forest” in indoor, studio lighting.
I hope you love these as much as I did!
