With the continued cool, actually cold, weather in Massachusetts, I am longing for the beach! Will beach days ever arrive?
I’m making up for it with mermaid nail polish.
Pure Ice “Watch Me Go”
Recently Influenster, a website that sends out themed goody boxes from manufacturers who wish to promote their brands among social media influencers, posted a contest on their site. Take an in-store photo of Pure Ice Nail Polish as well as the mani you create from one of the Pure Ice polishes and post it on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. Because I was going to Walmart anyway to buy stuff for my garden, I took the bait. There were two free-standing Pure Ice displays as well as a shelf of polish. I was surprised because this brand was new to me. Did I say that it was priced at $1.97? And they had a zillion enticing shades.
I had a difficult time choosing because there were so many that I liked. But I limited myself to one in spite of the low price. First time trying it, after all. I bought “Watch Me Go”, a deep teal with teal shimmer. It looked to me like an opaque polish with tiny pieces of shimmer throughout the polish.
I took it for a spin tonight. The first coat had me really concerned. It looked like sea water with shimmery bits, meaning almost transparent. Not what I expected. I thought it would have an opaque dark teal base. No, it doesn’t. However, it is buildable. Applying a second coat deepened the color significantly. Now it’s a smooth, shiny, medium teal with shimmer. Very pretty. It might have gotten even darker with the third coat, but it was very mermaid-like at two coats. Reminded me of Ariel a lot.
Pure Ice Nail Polishes come in over 100 shades, and many of them are very beautiful and certainly on-trend. I’ve heard that the brand is owned by Revlon. It is 3-free: free of toluene, DBT and formaldehyde. IMHO,”Watch Me Go” is a beautiful shade well worth $1.97.
Deborah Lippmann “Mermaid Dreams”
When I bought Pure Ice “Watch Me Go”, I forgot all about the fact that I owned Deborah Lippmann “Mermaid Dreams”, that came with the Holiday 2013 Limited Edition Collection that I bought on HSN in December and reviewed a while back.
Thankfully, when I got Pure Ice “Watch Me Go” back home and looked at the two bottles, “Mermaid Dreams” looked completely different. “Mermaid Dreams” is a much lighter shade, more like sea foam green, and it is contains tiny individual shimmer bits of deep blue, teal and gold. It’s gorgeous even in the bottle.
It also requires two coats, as do just about all polishes, to look the way it’s supposed to look. Because of the larger, more individualized shimmer/glitter pieces, it has a more textured surface than Pure Ice “Watch Me Go”, but with Deborah Lippmann Topcoat on top, it felt smooth and glossy though it retained its more textured look.
“Mermaid’s Dream” is cruelty-free, and 5-free. It’s priced at about $20, and it’s available at Sephora and Nordstrom. Deborah Lippmann polishes are also sold at Barney’s and Ulta.
Which do you prefer? They are actually completely different, and I like ’em both. Do you own any mermaid-inspired polishes that I should know about?
I like the Mermaid Dreams better but for the price Watch Me Go is worth trying.
The price and the shade variety alone, Laura, makes it worthwhile to check out Pure Ice next time you’re at Walmart, for sure!
That Lippmann is one of my faves
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Get the Look: MAC Alluring Aquatic Bronzers & Blush
I think that Mermaid Dreams is what got me to buy the LE Holiday Collection. It was so pretty in the bottle!
I love Mermaid’s Dream, I own it! If I bought Watch Me Go I’d probably layer it over a teal creme of some sort!
BeautyJudy recently posted…Jane Iredale Golden Shimmer Face and Body Lotion
That’s a good idea, Judy. I wish I owned a teal cream to try that out. But with two coats, Watch Me Go does give opaque coverage.
Such a cute polish. Love the specks.
Aleya Bamdad recently posted…Insta Natural Under Eye Treatment Review
Mermaid’s Dream is very pretty in person, too, Aleya!
I prefer the Lippman. The formula is just superb.
Cosmetics Aficionado recently posted…Smoky Eye Friday: Aqua, Purple, and Gold Smoky Eyes
DL Mermaid’s Dream really is a gorgeous polish. So different!
Mermaid’s Dream is so pretty!
Leelo R recently posted…Wearable smoky eyes with Urban Decay Naked 2 palette
Yes, it is! Thanks Leelo 🙂
I don’t wear nail polish, but this made me stop and think about it. I really like the way it looks.
:D, Sue! You should try it. Some gals paint on a solid color polish, including either white or black, and then paint designs or pictures on top with other polish or acrylic paints. As an artist, you’d be a natural at it!
Both are lovely colors! 🙂
Destany recently posted…KBShimmer No Whine Left and Shipwreck
I agree, Destany!
Pure Ice has some great polishes, regardless of price. I do have that DL, (and the Urban Outfitters dupe!) and I love it.
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…A Night at the Theatre
I didn’t know that Urban Outfitters did polish dupes. Thanks for telling me!
I like both of them, they are so mermaidy! 🙂
Anastasia recently posted…Memebox Global #10 Review, Pictures
I think so too, Anastasia!
Ah, both are really pretty! I guess it just comes down to price 🙂
Monica.
MonicaP recently posted…White jeans for the pear shaped gal
Or the look you’re going for, Monica, as they are actually quite different from each other: shiny vs. textured, darker vs. lighter, shimmer vs. color glitter etc. But you’re right, the price is certainly a key differentiator!
I own that Lippmann polish and I adore it. It’s gorgeous and the formula is fantastic. In my experience, Pure Ice can be a bit hit or miss but I have picked up a few real beauties. 🙂
Erika recently posted…Bargain Beauty Find! Revlon ColorBurst Lip Gloss in Bellini
This was the first Pure Ice polish I have ever tried, and so far I’ve had good luck with it, especially for the price. The DL polish is just gorgeous!
That Lippmann polish is so gorgeous!
gio recently posted…How To Easily Remove Silicone Buildup From Hair
Yes, it is, Gio!
Definitely love the Deborah Lippman polishes 🙂
It is pretty special, Norah!
The Lippman one is pretty
Phyrra recently posted…Black and Purple Nails
It is.
love the mermaid shade!
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…How To Get Texturized, Voluminous Hair With Drybar
DL polishes rock!
I love the Pure Ice shade!
Justina recently posted…L’Occitane Au Brésil, the Jenipapo & Vitória Régia Lines
I like it a lot too, Justine. It’s such a pretty polish and so cheap!
Both are lovely… but I think I prefer Mermaid Dreams!
Lisa Heath recently posted…Soft Holographic Stamping with OPI and Too Fancy Lacquer
I think that’s the consensus so far, but I’m glad I found Pure Ice. At that price, it makes a great inexpensive treat.
Gorgeous! You need a red accent nail for Ariel’s hair!
Miranda recently posted…How to Avoid Post Haircut Regret
You’re absolutely right, Miranda! Now why didn’t I think of that…maybe because I’ve got the red hair 😉
Hands down, hands up, Deborah Lippman
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…#FaceFriday :: Line It Ombre Blue and Pucker Up Fuchsia
😀 love it!
I love these kinds of colors and especially the Lippman polish!
Me too, Sheila. Aqua, teal, blue-green — they are all so peaceful, soothing and pretty!
Very pretty. I have never tried her nail polishes, maybe it’s time to change that!
Agata recently posted…Polka (dot).
You really should try the DL polishes. They have amazing formulas and the shades are gorgeous. Plus they’re 5-free.
Very pretty colours
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Thanks, Kimmi!
Looks beautiful!
Thanks, Kendra!
I don’t know why, but for some reason, I just can’t bring myself to purchase Deborah Lippman polishes. I have purchased a couple, but I can’t buy any unless it is absolutely compelling. I find it odd that I can’t, given I buy just about any other polish. I know I don’t have a dislike of DL polishes because I’ve purchased a couple.
Maybe it’s because I have so many others I have yet to actually try? I don’t know.
Well, that’s OK. DL polishes are expensive, and there are more affordable and equally wonderful alternatives!
I really like ice polishes
Me too, Betzy. What a steal and great shades!
It’s close, but I have a slight preference for the Deborah Lippman polish. They’re both pretty though.
Kiss & Make-up recently posted…Preview | Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand Collection 2014 Bronze Brightening Blush
I feel the same way, Kiss & Make-up!
Pretty Colors!
Melody recently posted…Zoya Bubbly Collection 2014 Nail Polish Swatches
Thanks, Melody 🙂
I love mermaid type shades!
Stepanie Louise recently posted…May 2014 Monthly Post Roundup
I agree, Stephanie. They’re so pretty and summery!