Put down that snow shovel, ladies, and grab your swimsuit, sunscreen and your stunna shades, because you and I are heading Poolside. 🙂
Don’t worry if you’re snowed in and/or haven’t shaved your naughty bits in months (yo, been there, done that), it’s not that kind of pool. For this pool, all you need is nails.
The six new summery shades in the China Glaze Poolside collection ($6.50 each) are available now, and to put it mildly, they’re BRIGHT!
For a look at the 2010 fall collection…
China Glaze Vintage Vixen
What’s brighter than bright?
Neons are notoriously streaky and can take forever to apply, but Kiwi Cool-Ada and Towel Boy Toy are a breeze to apply. They’re smooth (like Tabs) and apply evenly, only requiring two layers to look fully opaque. Definitely my faves of the bunch!
Kiwi Cool-Ada
Towel Boy Toy
As for Pool Party and Flip Flop Fantasy, I think they’re also relatively easy to apply, but getting opaque coverage with them seems to take a third layer. No problem at all, though, because I think they’re totally worth the time. Oh, hello there, muscular surfer dude telling me how great my hair looks and oh, sure, you can fetch me another piña colada and come back and have a seat beside me on the sand under my umbrella…
Sorry! Lost my train of thought! 🙂
Pool Party
Flip Flop Fantasy
Problem children
Sun Worshiper and Yellow Polka Dot Bikini gave me some trubs. They’re the most challenging of these colors for me, taking a whopping five — FIVE! — layers to look semi-decent, and even then I can still see streaks.
My toes don’t seem to mind, which is where I like to wear these last two shades (imagine them with hot pink strappy sandals!). But you’ll need to marshal every ounce of your patience and bust out that old copy of War and Peace to have enough to keep you busy through the process.
Sun Worshiper
Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
How to Get HOT Neon Nails
- Block out a little more time then you usually do for a home mani/pedi. Neons can require extra layers to reach a smooth, fully opaque finish.
- Don’t fret if your first layer looks streaky and thin. Most neons look that way to start.
- To prevent streaks and missing patches of color, let each layer dry before applying the next.
- Neons tend to look matte once they’ve dried; for a shinier look, add a clear top coat like Seche Vite.
The Poolside collection lets me go crazy buck wild with nail color, so I’m a fan. 🙂 Are you a neon nails kinda girl?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. The sun just went down out here in California… How’s it going out there? Are you doing anything tonight? I’m just making pasta for dinner, and then I’m firing up Hulu to finish watching What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
knownever says
February 15th, 2010 at 6:35 pmIt seems like neon nails are always in for summer, but I’m into it every time. Kiwi Cool-Ada and Pool Party are my favorites. Flip Flop Fantasy is like tending into Snooki from the Jersey Shore show territory.
.-= knownever’s last blog post… ACK! Life Attack! =-.
Karen says
February 15th, 2010 at 6:58 pmHa! Come to think of it, it’s a very Snookie color. I think one can avoid Snooks territory if it’s on short nails… the long acrylics take the color OTT!
Caitlin says
February 15th, 2010 at 6:43 pmI like a few of the colors, but I feel like we’ve seen most of them before, since most brands release neons for summer. I’m drawn to towel boy though, and for some odd reason, I’m liking Flip Flop Fantasy as well 🙂
Yellow Polka Dot Bikni reminds me of the neon yellow that essie released last summer (I think it was called limelight…) I tried wearing it a few times, and always ended up taking it off right away, there was just somethin’ funky about it!
anyway thanks for posting these!
Karen says
February 15th, 2010 at 7:01 pmYeah, Funky Limelight! That color’s a touch greener… more like a traditional yellow highlighter pen!
Jen says
February 15th, 2010 at 7:11 pmThey remind me of highlighters! Hehe! I don’t think I can rock these though. Not my style.
Karen says
February 15th, 2010 at 7:15 pmTotally! Especially the green and blue.
Y’know, I didn’t think I could rock the brights either, but I tried them on a whim and I really like them. Maybe do your toes?
Jen says
February 16th, 2010 at 12:56 amMaybe. The idea of bright yellow toes makes me giggle. Summer, come faster!
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:23 amIf I could I would put winter and spring on fast forward! I’m so over wearing sweaters and socks!
Steph B says
February 15th, 2010 at 7:32 pmI think Pool Party would totally rock on toes. Flip Flop Fantasy reminds me of Tart Deco. Maybe a little brighter?
Karen says
February 15th, 2010 at 7:35 pmKinda! And a bit more red. 🙂
Vanessa H says
February 15th, 2010 at 8:10 pmHow lovely! Sun Worshiper would look awesome with neutral clothes and bronze makeup.
The colors make me wish I had a pina colada on the beach right about now 🙂
.-= Vanessa H’s last blog post… No Frizz by Living Proof Review =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:07 amOh yah! Don’t forget the gold hoops and bangles… 🙂
Amy says
February 15th, 2010 at 9:03 pmI LOVE these colours!! Brights are so great in the summer. I have no idea where to find this brand tho.. any ideas for a Canadian??
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:09 amHi Amy, I’m checking right now… will let you know in a few.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:16 amHi Amy, You can get them at Sally Beauty Supply in Canada! I’ve been told that Chatters has it too, but it’s pricier there.
Amy says
February 16th, 2010 at 11:55 amThank you so much !! 🙂
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 1:14 pmYou’re welcome! I hope you can find them. 🙂
Jen says
February 15th, 2010 at 9:17 pmLOVE Sun worshiper.
Those are BRIGHT COLORS!
.-= Jen’s last blog post… Puppies… and Life. =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:09 amNo doubt!! They’re definitely NOT subtle.
Hyzenthlay says
February 15th, 2010 at 9:25 pmI’m not a neon nail polish girl . . . the brights from Up and Away will definitely carry me through the summer 🙂 Yay! More money I can *not* spend (I hauled a bit from the Spring Forecast collection Saturday, but I do love it!).
Before you ask, I got both Stacks, Beigeland ls, Rose Maiden ls, Fresh Salmon ls, and Hush Hush Rose lg. Ooo, AND Viva Glam Cyndi! I think I basically doubled the number of lipsticks I own in a single day . . .
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:10 amOhh, nice! How are you liking Cyndi?
emma says
February 15th, 2010 at 10:25 pmOMG that green is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
.-= emma’s last blog post… ♥ ♥ ♥ =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:10 amI love it too. It’s so fun and cheerful!
SilhouetteScreams says
February 15th, 2010 at 10:45 pmThe colours remind me of candy – like gummi bears or something 😀
*sigh* I wish someone would make decent easy-to-work-with neon yellows
.-= SilhouetteScreams’s last blog post… Furry Tails =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:11 amThe yellows are probably the toughest to work with. You definitely have to be in the mood to wait when you work with them!
amy says
February 16th, 2010 at 12:13 amI like Pook Party and I always love hot pink, but neons are a pain in the butt!
.-= amy’s last blog post… Dior 5 Couleurs Édition Dentelle Palette Fards À Paupières Coquette 743 Product Pictures, Swatches and Review =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:12 amThey aren’t the easiest polishes, that’s for sure… at least they’re easier than mattes!
kylie says
February 16th, 2010 at 12:27 amFlip flop fantasy is my fave outta the bunch 🙂
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:12 amLove that color, too!
diane says
February 16th, 2010 at 12:31 amWow, these are so beautiful! What I’d give to have them all!! :D:D:D
Also cooking pasta tonight, but it’s Tuesday here already 😛
kiss
.-= diane’s last blog post… Not another Valentine’s day outfit =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:13 amSounds good to me. What kind of dish are you making?
Lorna says
February 16th, 2010 at 1:35 amyikes. i liked the spring collection better.. i trie shocking pink and i learned my lesson that i will never go neon again. it’s just not my style.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:13 amThey seem to be either something you love or you hate…
Did you get anything from the spring release?
SoVeryFabulous says
February 16th, 2010 at 2:38 amI love neons, I can’t wait for these. Pool Party is so pretty!
.-= SoVeryFabulous’s last blog post… MAC Spring Colour Forecast Colour 3 & Colour 4 Quads =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:14 amWhen you look really close it has the cutest little sparkles… it’s very subtle, though!
gio says
February 16th, 2010 at 3:44 amWow, those are bright shades! They’re perfect for summer. Pool Party and Sun Worshiper are my favourites, they look gorgeous!
.-= gio’s last blog post… Gilty Pleasures Weekly Blog Tour, 14/02/10 =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:14 amI had a feeling you’d be into these! I know you love color.
Tiffany says
February 16th, 2010 at 4:12 amI like pool party and flip flop fantasy the best! do you know where a goof place to buy these would be? I don’t think I’ve ever seen china glaze in a store…
Frances says
February 16th, 2010 at 6:42 amHave you tried ULTA? I am pretty sure they carry that line.
Tiffany says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:09 amI will check there – thanks! I have only noticed essie and OPI there before, but I wasn’t really looking for this line so maybe I just overlooked it!
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:15 amI’ve seen them at Sally Beauty Supply… dunno if this particular collection is there yet, though.
Veky says
February 16th, 2010 at 4:54 amThough I’m not wearing any neons ever, I think I’ll grab any shade this time! They look so – OMG! 😀
.-= Veky’s last blog post… Poll: How often do you wear makeup? =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:17 amThese are fun! I hope you try a few.
Rita says
February 16th, 2010 at 5:18 amI really love these colours, except for the blue and light yellow ones. Today I’m wearing Essie Deco Tart, which is the lightest creme I have bought recently, and it looks like a traffic-orange against my winterly white-red-grey skin! Also High Hopes looks neon on me – I wonder why?
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:18 amIf you can wear that shade I bet you’d pull off Pool Party or Flip Flop Fantasy quite well.
NINA says
February 16th, 2010 at 5:47 amThe names sound like names of juice drinks LOL!!!
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:19 amHa! Or maybe drinks with umbrellas?
Cas says
February 16th, 2010 at 6:32 amWow these colors are LOUD!! Definitely attention seeking colors 🙂 I doubt I’d be able to pull it off nicely.
Frances says
February 16th, 2010 at 6:43 amI am not a neon girl. I think it’s just too young a look and too bright for me. I’m mostly a classics kind of girl. I also prefer edgier colors.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:20 amHi Frances, I understand. It’s not a look for everyone. Have you seen the Shu Uemura polishes for spring? They’re a combo of classic/edgy.
Katie says
February 16th, 2010 at 7:13 amI have to have sun worshipper!
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:20 amLove that color too!
Suji says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:20 amOhh I love these! They have me looking forward to summer, for sure. I’ll probably try layering the neons that are sheer over white to get them opaque with less coats!
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:23 amThat’s a great idea, Suji! I’ll have to try that soon!
yvette says
February 16th, 2010 at 8:50 amthese are revolting!!
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 9:09 amIt’s not a look for everyone. People tend to love ’em or hate ’em…
Sarah says
February 16th, 2010 at 12:47 pmHoly Cow!!!!! I love Kiwi Cool-Ada… I could picture that on my toes!
.-= Sarah’s last blog post… Cool Etsy Find: Spaghetti Stiletto =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 1:15 pmOh, that would be such a fun color for toes! Imagine it with bright yellow sandals… fun!
Marce says
February 16th, 2010 at 1:16 pmI like the middle two and Sun Worshipper, they’re FUN! I’m a bit shy of the blue and green, so it’s a big no for them…though they do look cool…
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Look – A Twist on Rihanna’s Grammy Makeup + Mini Tutorial =-.
Karen says
February 16th, 2010 at 3:38 pmFlip Flop Fantasy would look great with your skin! 🙂
Cas says
February 16th, 2010 at 4:39 pmWow talk about colors that will get you a whole lot of attention! These are super loud but definitely would look cool on those who can pull it off.
.-= Cas’s last blog post… My Valentine’s Day With Tiffany =-.
Karen says
February 17th, 2010 at 4:52 pmYes they are! They’re definitely not for the color shy.
Catherine says
February 16th, 2010 at 5:14 pmOMG… They look amazing! Especially Sun Worshipper, so sad it’s one of the “problem children” (lmao at the term).
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Valentine’s Day Fun in San Francisco Part 1 =-.
Karen says
February 17th, 2010 at 4:53 pmLOL… maybe you’ll have more luck with it! I dunno, it just seemed to take forever!
marisol says
February 16th, 2010 at 9:10 pmSo happy to say that none of these pictures capture my interest. Whew!
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Fun in the Snow =-.
Karen says
February 17th, 2010 at 4:53 pmYou are safe this time, my friend.
Andrea says
February 17th, 2010 at 11:58 amFlip Flop Fantasy and Sun Worshipper look fantastic !!!!
Karen says
February 17th, 2010 at 4:53 pm<3 Flip-Flop Fantasy!
Erica says
March 28th, 2010 at 11:01 amcant wait!!!!!!!!!!! I deff want pool party, flip flop fantasy, towel boy toy, but I can not decide if i want the green or the yellow. hm!
Lyss says
April 20th, 2010 at 1:28 pmThey are all so cute, my favorite is Flip Flop Fantasy. It´s a shame we don´t have china glaze here in Brasil
Ana says
July 17th, 2010 at 6:14 amHey Karen,
thx for this fabolous review.I love this bright colors,especially for my upcoming vacation 🙂
But could it be that you switched 2 swatches?I ordered “Flip Flop Fantasy ” and it’s a real bright,matte pink,like “Pool Party”.
Thank you for everything and greatings outta Germany
Ana