I DO think that Zoya’s “Lotus” looks better with a top coat. Particularly Essie’s “A Cut Above” pink glittery top coat would be my choice.
It draws attention to some of the pink undertones that Lotus has but are hard to see. I still feel like this isn’t a very spring color for some reason. Maybe because I’m personally interested in pastels, golds and neons for spring. :/ 🙂
Right to Left (reverse of what you’re probably used to): 1 coat of Essie “A Cut Above” then 3 generous coats, 1 coat of Wet N Wild “Sparked” then 3 generous coats, and the last one on the left is one coat of “A Cut Above” over 2 coats of Essie “A Crewed Interest.”
The color is almost identical but the application is totally different. I almost would say you shouldn’t compare the two and would not consider this a “dup.”
If you’re looking for a finer glitter I would go with the Wet N Wild but if you want a more confetti glitter look I would go with the Essie.
If I had to pick between the two and could only buy one, I would go with the Essie even though it’s more expensive because it just somehow looks a bit more upscale and classier. I did however get the Essie in the March “Teen Vogue” Birchbox.
There is also apparently a Revlon color that is, based on the swatches I see online, somewhere in between the two I’ve reviewed here. Revlon 261-Sparkling.
And Butter London also has a pink glittery color called “Rosie Lee.” B-you-tifullness via Pretty Project via High on Polish via Snappette (aka I saw it on Snappette and the source is B-you-tifullness) has a great example of a pink glitter and nude mani using the Butter London “Rosie Lee.”
I did a quick little video so you can see the two colors I reviewed just a little better.
Shiseido – Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Papers. I didn’t notice the perfume in the ingredients list for the Shiseido blotting paper which changes my mind on it. A blotting paper should be simple. May also contain parabens (the ingredient list on the package doesn’t match the ingredient list on Birchbox’s site.)
Annick Goutal – Petite Chérie perfume. You all know how I feel about perfume by now right? Synthetic is a no go. And my allergies make it hard to find even natural perfumes that work.
essie – Luxeffects in “a cut above” pink glittery top coat. Nice!
twistband – Hair tie in neon yellow. Yup.
tarte – Lipsurgence lip tint in “amused” a hot pink gloss stick. See video.
Modcloth promo code: take $10 off any $75+ order with code MODPROM vald 3/1 – 4/15 2012
I’m actually really happy with the contents of this box. What I got was a little more along the lines of things I will use (with the exception of the perfume.)
I do think it’s funny that both times that they’ve sent me nail polish, it has been super similar to something I already own. I will at some point do a side by side comparison of both the teals and both of the glittery pinks.
And sorry if I sound a little congested in this video. Also note – changed my mind on the blotting papers. See above.