[Sponsored/Press Samples – Post Disclosure]
Hey friends! Do I start each PPU blog post wondering where the previous month goes? That’s how I am feeling right now. Like where did October go and why have I been humming Christmas songs all day today?
So for November, the folks over at Polish Pickup were feeling the holiday vibes so the theme is Tis The Season. I am happy to report that the makers really gave us a variety of colors so it is not all red, gold and green.
The November Polish Pickup opens up this Friday. As always, I will have links and sale details at the end of the post. I also included some comparions in here as I have gotten some requests the past few days to include. If I missed any, as always feel free to drop a comment and I can put the comparison up for you!
Live Swatch Video
Polish Pickup aka PPU is a monthly collaboration of indie polish and other handmade product makers based on a chosen theme. There’s a new theme with new products each month from dozens of makers. Items are available the first Friday – Monday of each month for pre-order.
All Mixed Up Lacquers – Holiday Whoobe Whatty?
Inspiration: the Grinch
Description: A white/grey base with scattered holo flakies, holographic and metallic glitters in multiple different size and shape
Price: $12.50 for 15ml | Cap: 150
Holiday Whoobe Whatty? had a really great formula. This polish was on the thicker side but that is to be expected as there are *a lot* of glitters and flakies in here. You do not need to hold the bottle upside down or do any fishing to get out the larger flakies/glitters.
However, you will get more of the larger circle glitters out if you hold the bottle upside down between coats. I ran this through my nail polish shaker before swatching so it had a real good shake before I swatched it.
All of those components spread out very evenly and easily but they do dry down with some texture. I paired this polish with a glitter smoothing top coat before my quick dry top coat and that smoothed everything out nicely.
This is going to be one of those polishes that look amazing in all light sources. I found the glitters were super holo out in the sun and in the shade, the flakies came out to play.
My photos show Holiday Whoobe Whatty? in 3 coats plus 2 coats of top coat. Removal is going to be extremely difficult, I would suggest the soak off method or a peel off base coat
All Mixed Up Lacquers
15ml, 5 Free, Cruelty-Free
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
Bee’s Knees Lacquer – Perchta
Inspiration: Gilded by Marissa Meyer and the winter huntress, Perchta
Description: an icy sibling to A Lion With A Thorn In Its Paw with red to green shimmer and extra holo flakes
Price: $13.50 for 15ml | Cap: None
Perchta had a fantastic formula. This one applies like all of the Lion siblings polishes. I did find that this polish had pretty good opacity. I only needed 2 coats to reach opacity.
The flakies all spread out very evenly without giving off any texture. These are super holographic and look amazing out in the sunlight.
I know I was just saying how I felt the last batch of Lion siblings was too much of a good thing but I did really like how the shimmer looked in this polish. I think I also liked this one a lot more once I saw it out in the sunlight.
My photo show Perchta in 2 coats plus glossy top coat. Nothing in here will be overly difficult to remove but it will be messy if you scrub it off.
I have gotten a couple of requests to compare this polish to Guess What from the What We Do In The Shadows 3 collection.
As well as compared to Loyal Unto Death from the Only A Monster release.
No dupes but they are similar.
Bee’s Knees Lacquer
15ml, 5+ Free, Vegan & Cruelty-Free
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
Cameo Colours Lacquers – Tarnished with Ashes & Soot
Inspiration: A line from ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Description: A vibrant Santa suit red with a dash of holo sparkle and gold flash, full of gold metallic flakes, red holo micro glitter, a touch of small matte white glitter and silver holo micro flakes, plus a smattering of black flakes
Price: $11.50 for 15ml | Cap: 105 bottles
Tarnished with Ashes & Soot had a fantastic formula. SInce this one is in a jelly base, you will want to build it up for the most opacity. The base was very much the classic vibrant Santa red.
All of the flakies and glitters spread out very evenly without giving off very much texture. I only used 1 coat of top coat for my photos and that seemed to smooth it out nicely.
As someone who doesn’t generally love red polishes on me, I will say that I thought this was really pretty. Like many of the Cameo polishes, the holographic looks best/strongest out in the sun.
My photos show Tarnished with Ashes & Soot in 3 coats plus glossy top coat. Shorter nails might be good in 2 coats but if you want to cover up any VNL, you’ll want to use 3 coats.
Cameo Colours Lacquers
15ml, 5 free, Vegan & Cruelty-Free
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
Color Spectrum Polish – Make My Wish Come True
Inspiration: by Mariah Carey’s Christmas Album
Description: A white crelly with red to gold shimmer, red & gold holo glitters and holo
Price: $12.50 for 13ml | Cap: 115
Make My Wish Come True had a really nice crelly formula. The base didn’t feel overly thick and I found application pretty easy. Since this is in a crelly base, it’s a little bit uneven on the first coat. I found depending on thickness of coats this will be a 2-3 coater.
The glitters are super small in here so they do not give this polish much if any texture. I feel like the color mix makes this work well for both holiday manis and well as being not too Christmas-y the other 11 months of the year.
My photos show Make My Wish Come True in 3 ocats plus glossy top coat. Removal shouldn’t be overly difficult, I used a peel off base coat.
Color Spectrum Polish
13ml, 7 Free, Vegan & Cruelty free
Website | Etsy | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
Crystal Knockout – Tickle For A Nickel
Inspiration: Belsnickel, interpreted by Dwight Shrute
Description: A cranberry red jelly with black/red ultrachome micro flakies, matte black micro glitter, metallic color-shifting flakes in red and gold, and iridescent color-shifting flakes in red, orange, violet, and copper
Price: $12 for 15ml | Cap: None
Tickle For A Nickel had a great formula. It started off a little sheer but not surpringly so since this is in a jelly base. Color wise, I don’t love the base color but I do like how the flakies look within in.
The flakies and glitters all spread out very evenly with very minimal texture. One coat of top coat seemed to smooth this out completely. There are some larger flakies in here which I always appreciate! Also I loved this one matte.
My photos show Tickle For A Nickel in 3 coats plus both glossy and matte top coats. I do think this one will likely be a solid 3 coater to reach full opacity.
Crystal Knockout
15ml, 5 Free & Cruelty Free
Website | Etsy | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
Fair Maiden Polish – Holidazzle
Inspiration: A yearly festive lights parade we have in Minnesota in winter!
Description: Bright champagne golden yellow with violet-red-green shifting shimmer and silver reflective glitter
Price: $12 for 15mL | Cap: none
Holidazzle had a good formula. It was on the thicker side but I found application easy. The thickness was not surprising at all given that this is a light reflective glitter polish. Those glitters do give this polish some texture.
The shimmer in here is very strong and I was seeing the described colors. The base color is really interesting, I wasn’t aware that champagne yellow was a thing. I feel like it leans a little chartreuse-y from the shimmer.
My photos show Holidazzle in 3 coats plus 2 coats of top coat. Removal will be on the more difficult (and messy) side due the glitters, soak off method or peel off base coat will be your best bet.
Fair Maiden Polish
15ml & 5 Free
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
Heather’s Hues – That Glow Is Lit
Inspiration: the magical glow of Christmas lights
Description: a blue base with gold-green magnetic pigment, iridescent red-green glitters, and silver reflective glitters
Price: $12.50 for 15ml | Cap: 150
That Glow Is Lit had a really great formula. It was on the thicker side but I expected it since this has the silver reflective glitters. I didn’t have any issues with applicaiton.
I was tested out a new magnet with my swatches. For these swatches I used the KBShimmer Dual Ended Wave Zig Zag magnet. I found it magnetized very easily for me. The lines also stayed just as crisp the following day as they did for my photos.
The reflective glitters do give this polish some texture but I don’t think a glitter smoothing top coat is 100% necessary. For the nails that weren’t magnetized, I used a glitter smoothing top coat plus quick dry top coat. After 24 hours, the difference between my nails with 1 coat of top coat vs 2 was pretty minimal. The nails with 2 coats were smoother and more glossy but just slightly so.
My photos show That Glow Is Lit in 2-3 coats. For my nails that aren’t magnetized, I used 2 coats. For my nails that are magneitzed, I used 3 coats with the magnetized layer being the third coat.
Removal for this polish will be messy and a little difficult. I do think this one is a potential stainer as it is very pigmented. I filed this polish off so I don’t think I had any staining but I would reccomend base coat to prevent staining.
Heather’s Hues – Cutie-cle Balm in Christmas Wonderland
Description: a blend of festive scents of a Christmas morning (fir, fresh pine needles and woodsy cedar)
Price: $11.50 for 30ml | Cap: 50
Cutie-cle Balm is a product that I freaking love! I use it most when I am doing my live swatches for YouTube. I find it gives the perfect amount of hydration without looking/feeling greasy.
This month’s scent is not one for me. While I love the smells of a real pine tree, I don’t love it as a fragrance to wear. It smells exactly like what it says.
Heather’s Hues
15ml, 5 free, Vegan & Cruelty Free
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
KBShimmer – Snow Unique
Inspiration: snow flakes
Description: a shimmery shade that echoes the prismatic colors of an icy snowflake. A soft mint color in the bottle, when applied, this special shimmer blend takes on a soft blue hue that quickly boasts hues of pink, coral, green, yellow, and orange. Wear alone in two-to-three coats for a soft and delicate manicure, or layer over darker colors for a bolder multichrome look.
Price: $12 for 15ml | Cap: 1000
Snow Unique had a fantastic formula. This is a very sheer polish so you will want to build it up or use it as a topper if you want to reach full opacity. This polish just GLOWS like crazy.
The shimmer in here is super strong and glowy. I was able to see all of the described colors in person. As with all shimmers, you best see the color shifts in indirect lighting.
My photos show Snow Unique in 3 coats plus glossy top coat. Nothing in here will be difficult to remove but it will be extremly messy. If you are a sloppy polisher, cleanup is going to be very messy as well.
I had a request to compare Snow Unique to Bee’s Knees Lacquer’s Magic Is Life (These Hollow Vows collection). These two a very similar. I think the KBShimmer polish seems just a hair more opaque but I think that is due to the shimmer being a slightly different particle size. I think these two are similar enough that you probably don’t need both. I am just as shocked at that conclusion as you are haha
KBShimmer Sugar Scrub in Peppermint Marshmallow
Inspiration: Marshmallows
Description: sweet notes of sugary whipped marshmallow. A hint of vanilla blends perfectly with notes of fresh peppermint. Red swirls of color pop against a creamy background, while a dusting of biodegradable glitter on top sparkles like sugar crystals.
Price: $10 for 9.5oz | Cap: None
I love this scrub but this month’s scent is only for people who really like peppermint. And I am not one of those people. You do get some sweetness from the marshmallow fragrance but this is very minty
KBShimmer
15ml, 5 free, Vegan & Cruelty Free
Website | Etsy | Amazon | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
Night Owl Lacquer – Spread Love & Kindness
Inspiration: The spirit of the season
Description: a clear base filled with fuschia/peach/gold/green shimmer, turquoise flakes and holographic dust
Price: $13 for 15ml | Cap: None
Spread Love & Kindness had a fantastic formula. I was very surprised to read the description and see that this polish is in a clear base. It was very opaque on me.
The shimmer is incredibly strong and paired with the flakies, this polish seems to have a minty/tealy/turquoisey kind feels to it but all of the opacity comes from the components.
The flakies all spread out very evenly and without any serious texture. One coat of top coat smoothed them out completely for me.
My photos show Spread Love & Kindness in 3 coats plus glossy top coat. I think this will be 2-3 ocater depending on your nail length. I really liked coverage in 2 coats but added a third to bring it to full opacity
Poetry Cowgirl Nail Polish – Love Bug
Inspiration: Florida Love Bug Season
Description: A delicate taupe base tacked with red-black multichrome micro flakies.
Price: $13.00 for 15ml | Cap: None
Love Bug had a beautiful formula. The base was a little bit on the sheer side on the first coat but builds up really nicely.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t love taupe bases very much. Taupe is one of those colors where for personal wear, I usually steer clear of them. However, every time I swatch one I am surprised at how much I like how they look on me.
That is also the case for this polish as I was surprised that it did really look nice. The flakies defiently won me over. Those flakies are super tiny so they won’t dry textured or be difficult to remove.
My photos show Love Bug in 3 coats plus both glossy and matte top coats. This polish will likely be a 2-3 coater depending on your personal preference. Removal won’t be overly difficult.
Restored By Polish – Arctic Holiday
Inspiration: by the brand owner’s recent trip to Alaska
Description: a delicate silver white crelly with a slight purple shimmer, charcoal/lavender/black micro flakes & color shifting iridescent flakes
Price: $12.50 for 12ml | Cap: 100
Arctic Holiday had a fantastic formula. It starts off a little bit sheer and little bit uneven but not terribly surprising since this one is in a milky white crelly base.
The shimmer in here didn’t photograph well at all. It is delicate but shows up easily in person. The flakies all spread out evenly without giving off any texture.
My photo show Arctic Holiday in 3 coats plus glossy top coat. I think this will likely be a 2-3 coater depending on personal preference. Coverage is pretty even in 2 coats so it is passable.
Restored By Polish
12ml, 10 Free, Vegan & Cruelty Free
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Sassy Sauce Polish – Pinch My Grinch
Inspiration: a photo of Mr grinch with an ornament,
Description: Dark green thermal (cold) with a strong pinky red/copper/golden shimmer, red holo micro glitter and red flakies that fades away when warm leaving a stunning sparkling shimmer
Price: $13 for 15ml | Cap: 500
Pinch My Grinch had a really great formula. The thermal aspect started changing on me right away. I found the warm state looked like a pinky nude/neutral shade. Paired with the red flakies/glitters, it gave me some Halloween vibes. Honestly this polish in general reminded me a Freddy Kreuger.
The red flakies spread out pretty evenly but some of they do behave akin to glitter shreds. So depending on how they lay down, some of them do dry down texture. You may or may not need a second coat of top coat to smooth everything out completely.
My photos show Pinch My Grinch in 3 coats plus glossy top coat. This one will be a 2-3 coater depending on personal preference. Removal will be on the more difficult side due to the glitters and flakies.
Sassy Sauce Polish
15ml, 5 Free & Cruelty-Free
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
Sale Information
The November Polish Pickup shop opens up Friday November 4th at 11am Eastern time on PolishPickup.com. The website will close on Monday November 7th at 11:59PM.
Internationally shipping is available on the main website. Previous month’s there was a second website for international orders but now all orders will be going through the main website.
All items are sold on a pre-order basis and will ship in 3-4 weeks after the sale period closes.
Polish Pickup
Website | Overstock | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Chat/BST Group
