SpaRitual Optical Illusion - Swatches and Review

Yuck!!! My highest form of compliment...There's nothing I love better than a fabulously "yucky" green and SpaRitual's Optical Illusion fits the bill.

I generally prefer cremes and that's no different with the yucky greens, but this one just spoke to me when I saw swatches and I had to have it. It was a good decision even though it turned out to be a jelly, which isn't usually my favorite. Yes, I said jelly. It's a murky, swampy olive green with what appear to be green/gold & aqua duochrome glass flecks.

Just a warning, being a jelly it's naturally a buildable polish. The first coat would scare the crypt keeper! (I'll show you that photo at the end. *giggle*) I used three coats for these photos, but after looking at the cropped photos, I can tell I probably need to apply the 3rd coat thicker or add a 4th next time. No top coat in the photos. (As always, photos enlarge when clicked.)

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

And the closeups (yes, I realize I probably need to pull out the manual and figure out the macro settings on my camera. Soon, I promise!)

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

SpaRitual Optical Illusion

And now the scary shot! LOL! This is one coat.

I'm all about EASY and jellies are never easy for me, but I like the color so well, I will wear this again for sure. As far as jellies go, it's one of the easier ones I've tried.

Visit SpaRitual's site to check out the myriad of colors and finishes they offer. They are available at several e-tailers and usually retail for around $10.00 or at your local spa. Their site has a "where to buy" locator for brick and mortar location availability.

Dior Holiday 2011 Nail Polish - Exquis and Merveille

Dior Merveille and Exquis

Just happened to run across these today and couldn't resist them!  I swatched them at the Dior counter over my (thankfully) somewhat neutral mani and ended up with these two:  Merveille and Exquis.  My first Dior polishes. (Edited to add: For Apparat Review, go here. I finally bought it!)

First up Merveille - It's in the red family, but it looks like a caliente tabasco color to me with glorious gold shimmer that makes it totally unique from any of the other 60+ red/orange shades I already have.  As usual, my photography skills, or lack thereof, do NOT do it justice.

Dior Merveille

Dior Merveille

Dior Merveille

It went on like a dream and could probably stand on one coat, but of course I applied two. The photos are before cleanup and topcoat.

Next is Exquis.  I ADORE this DIOR!!!  Again, at first glance, I thought it was probably too close to other brown/taupe/mushroom/murky colors that I already have a ton of, mais non!   It's a gorgeous coppery/mushroomy color with tons of gold shimmer and it even looks as if there are some green glass flecks too!  It even flashes that lovely murky green color I love so much! This one has Chanel Quartz beat - hands down!

Dior Exquis

Dior Exquis

Dior Exquis

Dior Exquis

The application was nothing less than awesome and I love the Dior brush!  Again, one coat would probably have done the trick, but I applied two and these photos are also before clean up and top coat.

Great formula and while not particularly unique at first glance in the bottle, trust me, you NEED them. *wink*

Edited to add comparison photos.

After I did a full mani with Exquis, I kept thinking that it reminded me of something.  Finally it hit me.  Cult Nails In a Trance.  They're NOT dupes and I am glad I have both, but you can certainly see similarities.

Full morning sun

Artificial lighting