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April, 2010

  1. CONFESSION: Loco Over Coco

    April 30, 2010 by pam

    I’m not big on brands, I wouldn’t buy something just because of its logo so this new obsession came as a big surprise.

    In the beginning, it was the thrill of the chase.

    I wrote an article about the elusive Chanel Particuliere and my attempts to find a dupe for it.

    But two days after that article came out, Tatin ended my search by surprising me with this:

    Loot from Tatin :)>


    She found Particuliere at Takashimaya in Singapore.

    I love Particuliere.

    Chanel Particuliere


    Love it so much that when a 13-year-old asked why I chose to wear such a boring color, I said, “Are you kidding me?” And then gave a long speech about the wonders of Particuliere.

    Chanel Particuliere


    A week later, I found myself in Singapore and naturally, I went to the Chanel counter at Takashimaya.

    And that was the day I officially went loco for Coco.

    I left the counter with these:

    Chanel Nail Polish


    I returned to the Chanel counter a couple more times and bought bottles for a polish-loving friend.

    On our last night there, I went to a different Chanel counter in a different department store and walked away with Chanel Dragon.

    Loco Over Coco


    Chanel Nail Polish


    I know there are a lot of Chanel nail polish haters out there but I’m not one of them. I get their point about the price being steep but I am willing to pay good money for polish that I really love. I’d rather buy one good bottle that I’ll really use than several inexpensive ones that I’ll never get around to really wearing.

    Dragon, Rouge Noir, Particuliere, Black Satin, Blue Satin, Splendeur, Vendetta. I love these colors. I love the rich pigment, I love that they’re buttery smooth, I love that I love them so much I couldn’t decide which one to wear first.

    Chanel Nail Polish


    I went for Blue Satin. Five days now and no chipping yet. Amazing.

    And because I am an addict, I also ordered Black Velvet and Illusion D’Or.

    Chanel Summer 2010


    They will arrive in a few weeks.

    And I also can’t wait for Nouvelle Vague.

    Chanel Nouvelle Vague


    Rustan’s will be selling it soon.

    Chanel Haute Chocolat also climbed its way to the top of my wishlist but I can’t find it anywhere since it was a 2008 release. I will keep searching though.

    Chanel Le Vernis is available in the US for $23, at Singapore department stores for S$35 (S$28 at duty free shops but they don’t offer as many colors) and in Rustan’s for P1295.

    Category police files | Tags: ,,,,,,,, | 5 Comments

  2. INVESTIGATION: A time for mourning

    by pam

    It’s a very sad day for nail polish lovers.

    Melvel posted this comment about my previous entry:

    “Bad news, Transdesign no longer ships international through USPS. So the $18 rate is no more.”

    No freaking way, I thought. I just ordered OPI’s Shrek Forever After collection last week. Transdesign just sent me my tracking number.

    I quickly sent e-mails to Transdesign to ask if it was true. While waiting for their reply, I did a little Googling and found this blog entry.

    Apparently Karianne, a blogger who is based in Norway, tried ordering from Transdesign and she received this message:

    Hi,

    Sorry, your order #257682 has been cancelled.

    We don’t ship hazardous item(s) by US Postal Office, non-hazardous items is
    OK.

    Hazardous item(s) can be shipped by UPS and UPS Only.
    Ship by UPS: Shipping + $40 for hazardous item(s).
    OR
    You can search/find a forwarding shipping company in the United States (US)
    that offer less expensive on shipping.

    Hazardous items such as nail polishes, alcohol, acetone, primer, thinner,
    top coat, base coat, etc.

    Thank you,
    Trans D, Inc.

    Sob.

    I seriously want to cry.

    I love Transdesign. I’ve ordered from the site several times and I can’t believe the fun is now over.

    Maggie, I’m not sure if you were able to place your order for the matte top coats before this development but if not, don’t worry, I am trying to help you find a way to get them.

    No luck with Posh Nails. I also checked with Sprint Asia, the guys who bring in Orly, but they no longer have stocks of Orly Nails for Males anywhere, not even in their office.

    Rustans apparently carries a matte top coat from OPI. I’m not sure if they meant OPI’s Matte Nail Envy – all I know is that Rustans Makati doesn’t have stocks anymore. I’m still checking with the other stores.

    You might want to try 8ty8beauty.com, I’m just not sure how much they charge for shipping to the Philippines. I ordered from 8ty8beauty once and had my order delivered to Las Vegas and I was charged $10 for shipping.

    Ebay might be a good place to check out too. There are a lot of matte top coats being sold there – with some Essie Matte About You bottles going for just around $5.

    Good luck with the matte top coat hunt! And I’ll continue hunting with you.

    Category investigation | Tags: ,,,, | No Comments

  3. POLICE FILES: The search for a matte top coat in Manila

    April 26, 2010 by pam

    Maggie wants to know: Where can you buy matte top coats in Manila?

    Posh Nails in Timog Ave. used to sell bottles of Orly Nails for Males. I checked with them today but unfortunately, they’ve run out.

    I don’t think Rustans sells matte top coats – I didn’t see any during my last visit.

    I asked my brother to get me Essie’s Matte About You in the US.

    Your best bet would be to ask someone to buy your top coat for you or to order online.

    Transdesign is one of my favorite sites for online nail polish shopping.

    I checked and they currently sell three of the matte top coats that have been deemed the best by a lot of polish fanatics:

    Essie Matte About You ($10), CND Super Matte ($4) and China Glaze Matte Magic ($2.60).

    Transdesign offers a flat shipping rate of $18 for nine bottles of nail polish/nail treatments. It might be a good idea to order with other polish fans or order your chosen matte top coat with other nail polish bottles.

    You won’t run out of things to buy at Transdesign – they offer OPI, China Glaze, Essie, CND, Misa, Color Club and other brands at lower prices.

    A couple of tips – OPI’s Hong Kong Collection and Shrek Collection are now available for order at Transdesign.

    Happy shopping!

    Category police files | Tags: ,,,,,,, | 13 Comments

  4. POLICE FILES: Gumdrop and Pixy Stix from Orly’s Sweet Collection

    April 8, 2010 by pam

    I know I should be focusing on swatching the countless bottles of polish waiting for attention but these babies are just too adorable not to post.

    Say hello to Gumdrop and Pixy Stix from Orly’s Sweet Collection. Each bottle comes with a tiny lipgloss that smells like bubblegum.

    I’m normally not a big fan of pastels but these are too cute. I can’t wait to wear them.

    They will be available here in Manila by May.

    Love love love.

    Category police files | Tags: ,,,,, | 10 Comments

  5. POLICE FILES: The Easter Bunny came early

    April 1, 2010 by pam

    newpolish

    Clockwise from left, OPI You Don’t Know Jacques, Essie Chinchilly, Essie Midnight Cami, Essie Angora Cardi, Essie Mink Muffs, Essie Wicked, Essie Pink Parka, Essie Bright Tights, Zoya Casey.

    Hello, lovelies.

    Ordered these online a few weeks ago. I’m so glad they’re finally here.

    Swatches soon.

    P.S.

    I have two more shipments coming. I really should stop buying polish for now. But should and would are two different things.

    Category police files | Tags: ,,,, | No Comments