(The offerings in this blog post were gifted to me in exchange for photos; all thoughts are my own)
March is coming quickly, and that means Polish Pickup opens soon for another amazing month of offerings! This month’s theme is sky creatures. I don’t remember a theme like this before, and I am very pleased with what the makers have come up with. I have offerings from Kathleen & Co and Glisten & Glow to share here today. You can also head over to my YouTube channel or Instagram to see swatch videos of these polishes.
Kathleen & Co: Roseate
Price: $14.00 | Cap: 750 bottles
“Roseate” has a berry jelly base and has a strong pink magnetic shimmer.
I am wearing 3 coats with a glossy top coat. From thumb-to-pinky: ring magnet, cat-eye, ring magnet, velvet, unmag’d.
Application Recommendations:
- Coats: 2-3; depends on how deep you want the berry base.
- Magnetization: Your preferred magnetization is perfect!
- Top Coats: Your preferred top coat is perfect!
- Nail Art: Would be beautiful served as the base or main nail art piece.
- Time: Length of mani is long, especially if magnetizing each layer (get a magnetizing top coat!)
I was so excited to see that Mia chose the roseate spoonbill as her inspiration! I grew up in Florida and we had these birds in the backyard often. They hold a very special place in my heart, and they are beautiful birds! Likewise, this polish is gorgeous. I don’t think I have any polish in my collection that is a pink-on-pink magnetic. The magnetic pigment is super shiny and bright, and any magnetization style will show it off beautifully. I also really like the larger particle size as I think it looks like diamond sparkles. The pigment is very easy to use, too, and I don’t think beginners will struggle getting it to look good.
The berry base is very much a jelly and starts off quite light and squishy. I definitely think you’ll want at least two coats, but past that, it depends on how deep you want that berry base color to be. Two coats lends the base to be more vibrant pink. You can’t go wrong! Once you’re done, top with your preferred top coat (and magnetize again) and you’re good to go.
“Roseate” in indoor studio lighting.
Glisten & Glow: Chasing Fireflies
Price: $14.00 | Cap: none
“Chasing Fireflies” is a dark navy jelly polish loaded with blue/purple color shifting shimmer and dancing firefly gold holographic micro glitters.
I am wearing 2 coats with a glossy top coat.
Application Recommendations:
- Coats: 2-3; your preference!
- Top Coats: A glossy top coat really gets those microglitters sparkling! No glitter smoother needed.
- Nail Art: Would be a beautiful base for nail art.
- Time: Dries quickly and you only need 2 coats for opacity – great for a quick manicure!
“Chasing Fireflies” was such a fun and beautiful polish to wear! The gold holographic microglitters really surprised me, and they are quite delicate on the nail. The rainbows are not overwhelming but add a beautiful twinkle. You can see the subtle twinkle in my swatch reel linked above the intro photos. I thought I would need a glitter smoother for the microglitters, but none was needed and it didn’t dry textured in the slightest.
It was definitely a bit sheer on the first coat, as it is technically a jelly formula, but builds up beautifully on the second. I chose to stop at the second coat, but if you prefer a thicker manicure, I think a third is totally normal. That just means more microglitters for you! It also self-levels very evenly, and you can see this when I apply the first coat. Because this is a jelly formula, I don’t know how great it would work as the nail art paint, so to speak, but I could see it as a beautiful starry nighttime background.
“Chasing Fireflies” in indoor studio lighting.
Glisten & Glow: Top Coat
Price: $10.50 | Cap: none
The Glisten & Glow Top Coat is an award winning fast dry glossy top coat.
The Glisten & Glow Top Coat is my go-to top coat! In my personal experience, it dries extremely quick and plump. If you experience shrinkage with this top coat, I would recommend waiting until your nail polish dries a bit more on your nails. That can give you some time to clean up around the edges with acetone, then you’re good to go!
In addition, you can also use this top coat for nail art! Say goodbye to using a stamping top coat in addition to your normal top coat. To top your nail art, wait a few minutes for it to dry, then “float” the Glisten & Glow Top Coat gently over it.
Glisten & Glow: Cuticle Oil & Remover Pen Duo (Scent: “Lemon”)
Price: $12.50 | Cap: none
“Lemon” scent: a soft floral blend with lemon, bergamot and lemon flower on a background of green leaves and tonka.
Glisten & Glow gets your priorities as a lacquerist and created a cuticle oil and remover bundle for your convenience! This package gives you one cuticle oil pen (in the scent “lemon” described above) and one cuticle remover pen (unscented). I usually prefer cuticle oil in a pen brush so that I can get underneath my free edge. Having a pen applicator for your cuticle remover also allows precision in getting hard-to-reach areas.
If you’ve not used cuticle remover before, it helps to make a clear area near the base of your nail for easy nail polish application. To use Glisten & Glow’s cuticle remover, apply generously to the cuticle area and let sit for 60 seconds. Next, gently push back with your favorite tool. Finally, wash hands and cuticles thoroughly with soap and water.
I also highly recommend that every lacquerist uses cuticle oil, as the benefits are numerous from hydrating to nourishing your nails. Glisten & Glow’s cuticle oil is a custom blend of Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, argan oil, castor oil, acai berry extract, tea tree oil and fragrance oil. Here are some named benefits:
- 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
♥ Tori
