It takes a few layers of Milani’s new Jewel FX Nail Polishes ($4.99 each) to really get your sparkle going, but if you have the patience, they’ll reward you with dazzling tips and toes.
These three glittery gals just came out a little while ago. Each of them — Gems, Gold and Silver — is a clear base with big gobs o’ glitter swimming inside. Not only do they look spectacular worn by themselves, but they also accessorize the heck out of other polishes when brushed on like a topcoat.
Someone over at Milani must remember Deborah Lippmann’s breakthrough $18 Happy Birthday party from 2009. It was a gorgeous, multicolored glitter polish, and Gems could easily pass for a $5 dupe (truly outrageous!).
Can I get a what-what for affordable alternatives? 🙂
In these pics I’m wearing three coats, so as you can probably tell, it takes a few layers to really coax out the shimmer from these. The base itself is quite thin, but every subsequent layer increases the amount of and concentration of glitter.
The glitter applies unevenly, of course, but shaking it well helps. It takes forever, but by dabbing the tip of the brush on the nail, I can sort of direct where I want the glitter to go.
Like most glitter polishes, these last for a really long time — almost too long, in fact. I’m getting at least 7-10 days, and when it comes to removing them, I use this method here.
All that sparkle for a penny less than $5? You gotta love that.
PRICE: $4.99
AVAILABILITY: Available now at drugstores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Container Store, hear me roar!
Lately I haven’t been able to find jack squat in my makeup collection, and it’s driving me bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S. I loaded up on stackable, shoebox-size clear plastic containers from Container Store, and I told myself this morning that if I get everything organized, I can reward myself with a trip to the MAC store.
Wait — is it weird to reward yourself for organizing your makeup by getting more makeup? Shoot, maybe I should rethink this. 😀
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Heidi says
April 30th, 2011 at 8:08 pmI completely support the concept of rewarding yourself for organizing makeup by buying more makeup! Makes perfect sense to me.
These look like they would be really fun as a top coat. So many combinations possible!
Jessi says
April 30th, 2011 at 8:27 pmI love the idea of these polishes but i just don’t have the patience for them. I end up just globbing them on and they never dry. I recent bought a sterilite drawer tower thing for my makeup organization and it made a world of difference. I actually use all of my makeup now, instead of just what is on top of the pile, haha.
Jessi recently posted … MACs Fashion Flower Collection- Alpha Girl Beauty Powder
Courtney says
April 30th, 2011 at 8:46 pmI have the gold and multicolor. The multicolor flecks look really cool layered with a dove gray polish. As for the gold and silver, if you have a lot of patience you can do a really cool look (check out this girl’s super awesome pic on photobucket http://media.photobucket.com/image/milani%20jewel%20fx%20nail%20polish%20in%20gold/erinandpayton2/Nail%20Polish%20Swatches/DSCF3068.jpg?o=1).
As for dry time, try seche vite top coat. It dries super duper fast. Love it!
Beatrice says
May 1st, 2011 at 5:11 amoh my gosh….I would never have the patiance to do that but the pick looks AMAZING!!! I would have never thought to do that! WOW!
Beatrice recently posted … Is Victorias Secret Mineral Bronzer Gold Baked Into A Pan
Terri says
April 30th, 2011 at 8:57 pmI’ve been having makeup organization woes too! The light in my bedroom isn’t very good, so I’ve taken to storing my makeup in my bathroom, since that is where I apply it. That said, my bathroom is tiny and doesn’t allow for a lot of storage.
Beej says
April 30th, 2011 at 9:18 pmHow about a Helmer/Alex from IKEA? They’re small, fits anywhere, and organizes makeup great 🙂
Nina says
April 30th, 2011 at 9:28 pmholy sparkles batman! those are so cute! 🙂
Vicki says
May 1st, 2011 at 12:40 amTruly truly truly outrageous!
I have been trying to organise my make up too, not much success so far but I bought a series of desk tidies that have sorted my brushes out.
Emmaline says
May 1st, 2011 at 2:05 amHey Karen, when do you get to spill the beans about your mac secret? Did I miss it already? I saw the surf baby photo, and your tour photos, but I thought there was going to be something else.
Vonvon says
May 1st, 2011 at 2:13 amWow!!! Those are so glittery! It’s fun looking at them!
And I always have problems with my makeup organization, but since I started this A-Blush-A-Day project, at least most of my blushes are now in one container, well, not really a container, more like boxes that some of my Hubby’s shirts came in. Rectangular-sized boxes with a depth of about 3ins. So I can spread out most of my products, and I can see all of them at once! And at the same time, I am recycling too1 😉
Vonvon recently posted … A-Blush-A-Day- No 5- Burberry Light Glow Natural Blush Earthy Blush No 7 – Swatches & Review
Isa says
May 1st, 2011 at 3:25 amI love this glitter
Isa recently posted … Europagallerie Besuch
Beatrice says
May 1st, 2011 at 5:01 amMy friend had a nailpolish similar to the gold shade with a baby blue base underneath and it looked CRAZY good!
and i may need to take a trip to my nearest makeup counter to cheer myself up. I overslept and missed one of the last events at my school this year 🙁 i need some retail therepy for that one, i’m actually pretty upset lol
Beatrice recently posted … Is Victorias Secret Mineral Bronzer Gold Baked Into A Pan
Beatrice says
May 1st, 2011 at 8:52 amended up driving like a maniac and making it! now i need to go to the makeup counter as a reward 😉 lol
Beatrice recently posted … Is Victorias Secret Mineral Bronzer Gold Baked Into A Pan
Tiffany says
May 1st, 2011 at 6:35 amI love the idea of rewarding yourself with more makeup if you organize your makeup! I need to tidy up my area as well 🙁
I have gems – it also looks great UNDER a sheer shade. I used it under a sheer white to make the glitter look pastel-ish. Very cute.
Jennifer says
May 1st, 2011 at 7:32 amIf you go to QVC Laura Greiner had a Makeup organizer that swivels for under @25.00 it is AMAZING! It has a place to put lipstick, powders, blushes, BRUSHES, pigments, eyeshadows, samples, moisturizer, tinted moisturizer…ugh I am obsessed! Main point: It is a great investment 🙂
Rae says
May 1st, 2011 at 8:57 amOoh! These look awesome – thanks for bringing them to our attention, Karen! I’ll have to keep an eye out for Gems ^^
nidhi says
May 1st, 2011 at 10:23 amI don’t know why but I never like these glittery top coats…i always feel they look OTT on my fingers
nidhi recently posted … Zoeva 28 Nude Shimmer Palette
Emma RZ says
May 1st, 2011 at 12:41 pmI threw out a bunch of glitter polishes after Xmas because they were so hard to get off and left my nails in peeling tatters. I may have to try some new ones now that I’ve read your removal technique. These ones are pretty and that pic that Courtenay posted, OMG how much time and how many coats?!