The (Mis)Adventures of Orly Green Apple

I've been eyeing Orly Green Apple for a long time because it's a color I don't see very often. I just got it yesterday (along with Cashmere Cardigan) and couldn't wait to swatch it. Boy was I disappointed.

First, the brush is thin. Application was not easy at all. It doesn't help that second, the formula is also thin and streaky. See for yourself.

One coat

Two coats

Three coats

At three coats there were still bald spots and I really didn't want to add another one because it was hard to even everything out with that thin brush. So I looked at my case for something that I can layer and saw an old polish from The Face Shop in GR501 which alone would take about 28 coats to be opaque but is ace at layering.

+ one coat of GR501 indoors

with flash

I was still not satisfied, it was too bright to my liking. So I took out Kleancolor Madly Matte which is not the best matte topcoat in the market but is good enough for saturating down the colors a bit. One coat of that (and the brush in this one is perfect, just one stroke for each of my nail) and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

+ one coat of Madly Matte

Yep, satisfied at last.

Let me know what you think.

xo Nicia

Etude House - PP007

I've only discovered the Korean brand Etude House a week ago while I was strolling around the mall. I was instantly drawn to the colorful nail polish selection that they have. What I'm wearing right now is PP007.

with flash

indoor

PP007 is a purple polish with scattered holo glitter with a smooth and glossy finish. I put on three coats but could have gotten away with just two. Would you believe that I took these pictures FIVE days after I painted my nails, with no top coat! Pretty impressive, right? You can see very minimal tipwear, but that could have been avoided with a good top coat (which I am still yet to find, suggestions at the comment box please). This color is really hard to photograph as it looks really blue in some pictures. It's a muted mauve purple, not that bright and looks pink in under some lights.

Don't you just love how cute that bottle is? I have a few more nail polish from that brand to swatch when I get tired of this mani. I doubt that would be anytime soon, though. It is gorgeous!

xo Nicia