Bundle Monster Fringe Benefits and Serendipty Collections

Press Sample Affiliate Links

Hello Loves!  I have two new collections from Bundle Monster to show you today:  Fringe Benefits and Serendipity.  I think we can file these under the indie-esque BMC Gel Polishes!  These are both very unique to the gel polish world and remind me very much of my beloved Indies.  I mean, really, what's not to love?  Between the two collections, we see mixed glitter in crelly bases and strip glitter in jelly bases.  *swoon*

Before we get to the swatches, how about a little life update?  In case you missed it on my facebook page, I went MIA last week for a very good reason.  I sat for and pasted both of my State Board exams last Thursday!  Now it's just a matter of waiting for my license to be processed.  Whoo Hoo!  This stage of my Nail School journey is officially over.  :)

Now how about those swatches?  Let's start with the Fringe Benefits Collection.  This collection consists of three jelly finishes that are loaded (and I mean LOADED) with various shades of matte neon strip glitter.  Since they all apply the same way, let's touch on that really quick.  When I say loaded, I mean there is so much glitter in the bottle that the brush comes out with clumps.  While that might sound like a bad thing, I assure you it is not.  The amount of glitter allows for full coverage in two coats, which is pretty impressive.  Of course, it does make the polish a bit thick, so you will need to do a little bit of glitter placement.  Also, remember to go thin and watch for heat spikes.  (Check out my last BMC post for tips on preventing or dealing with heat spikes).  Ready to see the swatches?

Tassel with Me is a bright pink jelly base that is loaded with neon pink, purple and orange matte strip glitter.  It gives a nice textured effect without the actual texture.  :)

Coachella Sun is a bright and sunny orange jelly base with neon pink and orange matte strip glitters.

Finally, Stay Frill is a purple jelly base that is loaded with neon purple and pink matte strip glitter.  I was expecting this one to be a little more saturated, but I love that it is softer.

Let's take a look at the Serendipity Collection.  This collection consists of three crelly polishes that are loaded with multiple sizes of glitter in various colors.  Application is easy enough for a glitter, but some glitter placement will be needed.  By that, I mean you might have to move the larger pieces around on the nail a bit.  I'm completely smitten with this collection.  Just look at them and tell me they don't remind you of the fabulous crellies from our favorite Indies!

First up is Pink Charming.  This soft pink crelly base is loaded with two sizes of neon pink hex glitters and has a healthy scattering of lime green hexes.  It could have used another coat, but I stuck with two for consistency.

Boy Meets Girl is a vibrant blue crelly base with tiny pink and orange hexes plus a scattering of larger pink and green hexes.

Finally, Teal We Meet is a minty teal green crelly base with tiny pink hexes and a scattering of larger green and purple hexes.  This one is a bit more green and more vibrant than it appears in my photos.  You know how it is...teals defeat me.

So there they are.  What do you think of these fab new collections from Bundle Monster?  Are you a fringe lover or more into the crellies?  I think I like the crellies best, but the fringes are pretty fun too!

If any of the beauties need a home in your collection, you can find them at the links below (or just click on the names throughout the post above.

The Fringe Benefits Collection can be purchased as a set or individually on Bundle Monster's Website here or on Amazon here.

The Serendipity Collection can be purchased as a set or individually on Bundle Monster's Website here or on Amazon here.

~Michelle

*The Collections featured in this post were provided by Bundle Monster for my honest review.  This post uses Amazon Affiliate Links.  Purchases through these links generate commissions that help fund this site.  All other links are courtesy links and do not benefit ManicTalons.com.  

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Revel Nail Spring Collection 2015: Part 1

Press Sample

Hello Loves!  Revel Nail has released 20 new colors in their gel polish line for spring.  This collection is unlike the other two Revel Nail releases.  How?  Well, the previous collections are creams and shimmers, many of which are opaque in two easy coats.  This collection consists mostly of jellies, crellies and glitters!  The 10 I chose to swatch for you today are the jellies and crellies.  Yes, that means Part 2 will be loaded with glitters.  ;)  The collection is also named after famous cities, which I think is kind of adorable.  Ready to go on a color packed journey?

The first stop on our little tour is Berlin.  Berlin is a gorgeous blue jelly base with scattering of silver glitter.  As is typical with a true jelly base, she starts out weak and builds to a rich color with additional coats.  I personally am not a fan of VNL (visible nail line), so I swatched three coats to minimize the visible line, though it is still there.  I have some wicked strong VNL anyway, so it might be opaque for you in three coats.  But look!  Isn't she incredible?  Like a night sky with twinkling stars.

The next stop on our little journey through the colors is Buenos Aires.  Buenos Aires is a beautiful hot pink jelly base that is so loaded with shimmer it becomes completely opaque in three coats.  This one positively glows!

I should probably mention now that I'm directionally challenged and the last person you would ever want to plan a multi-city trip around the world.  Yep, I admit it...I didn't break out a map or anything.  Nope, these babies are in alphabetical order.

So, where are we headed next?  How about Dubai?  I have to admit, I'm not in love with this one on its own (remember, I hate VNL), but it has huge potential for nail art.  Say it with me now..."Leadlight Stamping Technique".  Dubai is what I would call a highlighter yellow jelly.  I don't believe it would be opaque in any number of coats.  I have swatched three below. 

Let's hop on over to London.  London is what I would call a crelly with shimmer.  For those who are not familiar with the term, crelly is a cream/jelly combo.  It is sheer but builds to opacity and the result is amazing depth.  London is a medium, blue leaning purple crelly base with a subtle shimmer.  This is my kind of color!  Like the others, this is three coats.

Moscow is my personal favorite of this half of the Spring Collection.  This pink toned red jelly base is loaded with sparkle.  In one coat, it appears pink.  In two coats, it is a darker pink, but in three coats it becomes a nice shade of red.  I also love that it builds to almost opaque in three coats.  If you look closely, you can still see VNL, but it offers enough coverage that my heart is happy.  :)  And that depth!  Oh my goodness...it looks wet!

Moving on to Oslo.  Oslo is a frosty metallic pastel purple.  Got all that?  Like the others, Oslo is quite sheer and needs three coats for opacity.  Please excuse the brush strokes.  Careful application would help avoid those, but it's a swatch, so yeah...

Ready for the city of love?  Paris is a mostly sheer, milky white with a super soft pink tint.  In all honesty, this is one of those barely there colors that helps disguise imperfections in the nail while still allowing a very natural look.  I kind of love this one.  It also shows why I hate VNL so much...my natural smile lines are drunk.  It also shows off the staining under my nails from removing a black polish for a client last week.  Whoops.  lol  I swatched three coats below, but there was no difference between two and three.

Truth be told, Paris makes a great base for a french manicure.  I threw a few quick swipes of white over the tips on my previous swatch of Paris.  I then added another coat of Paris over the entire nail to soften the bright white just a tad.  Despite the thickness of the white tips (not my personal preference), I'm really happy with the resulting color.  This might be my new "go to" color for a french manicure base.  :)

Rio de Jenairo is a coral leaning pink crelly with no shimmer or glitter.  This is a bright and fun color that will easily transition into the summer months.  I found I needed three coats for full opacity, but you might be able to get away with two.

Stockholm is a neon green jelly.  Like Dubai, Stockholm is a true jelly but offers slightly more coverage in three coats.  I don't even have to tell you that I'm not a huge fan of this one on it's own, but I do love it over a white base.

We'll end our crazy journey in kangaroo country.  Sydney is an incredibly pretty, pastel mint green crelly.  Sydney is a true crelly finish in that it is slightly sheer and has that amazing wet look, but it does offer full coverage in three coats.  Oh, and you totally can't see it in my swatch, but Sydney has a very subtle shimmer as well.  If you look closely around the light reflection on the middle nail in the top picture, you can sorta see it.  It pops more in natural sunlight.

Since there are so many true jelly finishes in this collection, I decided to try a few of them over a white base to see if I would love them without the VNL.  The answer is yes.  I certainly do love them layered over white!  Of course, a little stamping makes this skittle even more lovable.  :)

The colors used are (starting with the thumb): Buenos Aires, Dubai, Stockholm, Berlin and Moscow.  I layered two coats of each over a white base.  You can see the pink tone of Moscow much better in this picture.

What do you think of this first half of the Revel Nail Spring 2015 Collection?  Are you a fan of jelly finishes?  They really do have amazing potential.  Try layering glitter between coats for an amazing look (I'll show examples in a future post).  If any of these shades captured your heart, you can pick up your own individual bottles here or the whole set of 20 new shades plus top and base for just $148 here.  That's a steal!

Stay tuned for the other half of the Revel Nail Spring 2015 Collection next week.  Trust me, you don't want to miss it!  :)

~Michelle

*The polishes featured in this post were provided by Revel Nail for my honest review.  All links are courtesy links and do not benefit ManicTalons.com. 

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