Sprinkling Stardust Everywhere

My very first Indie Polish... and one that I will always go back to,

STARDUST POLISH

Not only because the formula is great and the colors are inventive and make me drool, but because of Drema. She fits perfectly the description of any of the Indie Polish Makers I've interviewed; she's sweet and goes out of her way to make sure her customers are satisfied.

But I've done the interview, so now let's swoon over these colors.

Snazzy:

Saw it, wrote down the name and just knew I had to have it. A green-blueish gem with gold glitters. Yep, I love it.

Golden Orchid:

Usually I don't choose pinks but as I do, had to try something I don't normally try - if I didn't my nail polish collection would be made up entirely of BLUES.
This was a nice option. Again, with gold glitter, a bubblegum pink. It's fun and flirty and I really like it. I tried to stamp a golden flower to highlight the gold glow but alas, my pictures just don't do this beauty justice.

 

 

Harlot:

Vampy vampy vampy. Black jelly with red glitter....gah!!!!!! Cleans up oh so nicely too - I have gotten pretty good at painting my nails with minimum clean up but whenever I use a dark polish I worry about my cuticles looking stained. Not with Harlot. She may be a vamp, but she she's a lady on your nails... wait, what? did that even make sense? Who cares.

 

My smister sent this to me - as usual, she has made another perfect choice! (Love you Ang!!)

Back Seat Bingo:

B to the I to the NG mutha-effin' OOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Blue blue blue!!! Did I mention how much I adore blue nail polish?! Well this is THE blue. Blue with blue glitter, yes please!!!

Yes Your Majesty:

Another color I avoid, but this is a red I couldn't pass up. When I first saw it, I thought, ' wow that's nice for a red', and (steams up nails and polishes them on lapel) I was right.....again.
Some of you LOVE your reds so don't miss this one!!! Another nice clean up. No staining...yes, very nice.

Royalty:

Now this isn't her latest Royalty 2.0, this is my year old original. The deep deep holo - that's what made it a MUST have when I saw it and converted to the dark side obsession that I now have. All the holo ALL for ME!!! It's easy to see why I converted.....what a stunner!!

Polar Ice:

I wasn't even going to bother talking about this polish, I had thought after a year of some heavy use, and it being a white...well it had to be no good after a year...right? WRONG!! I gave it a try and it surprised me pleasantly by just gliding onto my nails.....aaaaahhhhhh! You just can't go wrong with a delicate white nail polish - it suits any occasion, especially this one.

I'm giving away a bottle of Snazzy and a bottle of Giggle Water - Giggle Water was a tough one to part with because it's.....BLUE!!! But hey, gotta share the polish love right? It's not one I own, so whomever gets it better love it like I would!!! Go find my post on Instagram for rules on my giveaway - ending November 1st.

If you can't wait for a giveaway - go buy these lovelies !!www.stardustpolish.com

September INTERVIEW WITH AN INDIE - STARDUST POLISH

Going back in a time warp to my very FIRST indie polish purchase....

STARDUST POLISH

Stardust came into my life back in July of 2013. Royalty was just one I HAD to have, it was indeed, my breaking point. I still LOVE Royalty. She's reformulated it but my "old" bottle still serves me well. I also purchased Polar Ice - unfortunately I pretty much used that one to death.

When I began these blogs, I knew it was inevitable that I would be talking about STARDUST. When I began the interviews, Drema was definitely on my list! But that was before the arrival of adORable Logan. (My gosh, those cheeks!) So with everything a polish maker is already doing, planning new lines, ordering supplies, labeling, mailing, making, mixing.....how could I bother Drema?








Apparently not a bother. What a great girl Drema is - again, a common thread amongst successful indie polish makers. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

The question I always ask, but is a good one....why "Stardust"?
 

As all my friends know I am a HUGE science/space nerd & I love everything science/space related. It took me weeks to come up with my business name and I decided on Stardust while watching an episode of Nova on PBS and it was about space and I learned that 93% of the mass in our body is stardust. I found that fact so interesting and it seemed like a natural fit for a business name for me.

Royals was one of my first indie polishes, why have you decided to reformulate it and what is the difference?

Royalty 2.0 is made with a different color base than the original one, they are very similar but different enough where I can't say it is the same. 

How long have you been making polish?

I have been making polish now for a year & a half.

Tell me about your 'wifey' Rica, how did that marraige happen and when?

Hahaha I'm not quite sure how it happened, it just kind of did. She was the first blogger I used consistently (before she started Rica's Polish) and we started talking all the time & we are so much alike. I talk to her every single day...99% of the time it's all day! 
 

I love the G.N.O.M.E. boxes! Will those be monthly?

The G.N.O.M.E. boxes will indeed be monthly and always include a polish from me & one from Rica & a different extra thing every month.

How are you managing with new baby and polish? Do you find it hard to make time for polish now? (to make it and to wear?)

I am not going to lie, it is hard managing being a new mom, owning my own business & making time for my husband. I try my best, but my family will always come first. My husband is very supportive of my business so that makes it easier but sometimes he just wants to spend time with me (I am lucky to have a husband who still likes spending time with me :P) I rarely wear polish anymore, mostly I don't have the time to paint them and Logan likes to stick my hand in his mouth :)

 

Tell me about YOUR favorites? - favorite polishes, main stream and indie???

My favorite main stream is OPI, and the only main stream I will buy. My favorite indies are Rica's Polish, Powder Perfect (Aussie) and Black Cat Lacquer

 

How many tattoos do you have? Any great stories behind any of them? (pics?!)

I have 10 tattoos, the only story behind them is the one on my foot. 5 Years ago my husband bought me a star & named it after me. I got the coordinates tattooed on my foot, along with a Phoenix (that is what constellation my star is in) I do not have any pictures :(

(note from aprilaura: I found a few pics of her tattoos, and I'm using these with permission - I'm crafty like that! I particularly LOVE her Alice in Wonderland tatts, look at those colors!!!)

Football fan? Who is your team? Why?

Broncos! I was born in Colorado and that is who I grew up watching.  

Do you have "swatchers"? If so who?

I try to use many different swatchers & bloggers but I would have to say Cho @cherubim is my favorite, her swatches are always stunning, no matter what type of polish I send her.

What's the hardest part of being "mom"?

The hardest part of being a mom is there is never any down time or alone time which can be mentally exhausting always having worrying about everything.

Best date night?

My best date ever was actually my first date with my husband Mark. He wouldn't tell me where we were going so I had no idea what to wear so that was kind of strange. But, the date was a couples massage, he got me naked on the first date without anything sexual happening :P and then we went to a restaurant called Rock Bottom Brewery where I ordered BBQ chicken pizza and one of those small bottles of Korbel champagne. I clearly am not a salad on the first date type of lady.

Favorite CAUSE?

My favorite cause is the World Wildlife Fund. I think it is important to protect our environment and animals that we as humans are causing to go into extinction.

What does hubby do?

My husband works for an environmental company called Clean Harbors, he is currently is contracted through DOW Chemical. What he does is help companies dispose of their hazardous waste correctly and legally.

Will Logan have siblings someday?

As of right now we plan on Logan being our only child. When he is 1 we will be making the final decision if it's just him or maybe another...but I can say with 98% surety he will be an only child.

Where are you located?

I am located in Midland, MI. It is about 2 hours north of Detroit.

What does your future hold??

I honestly have no idea! I try not to make any plans because life happens & things don't always go as planned :)

 

I especially love that she allowed me to get personal with her, it's always an option to answer my questions and she obviously didn't hold back, and I appreciate that. While I too, am guilty of wanting MY polishes RIGHT NOW, we all need to realize that these indie polish makers have lives too - they have families, pets, sometimes they have day jobs, or all day all night jobs like Drema caring for little Logan.

 

Support your fellow polish lovers/makers - she has recently released a BUNCH of new polishes - and I'll be doing my usual giveaway on Instagram so keep your eyes open for that!!! If you can't wait and need her polishes sooner than later; visit www.stardustpolish.com or www.stardustpolish.etsy.com she can also be found at IG@stardustpolish and facebook: www.facebook.com/stardustpolishllc
 

SWATCH OUT!!! An interview with an indie swatcher - TATTOOED NAIL GIRL/SHANEL

Hey there, it's your friendly interviewer once again.....
My head goes in several different directions. I presently can honestly admit, I have gotten way ahead of myself and I can't keep up with my ideas. That being said; I look at that fact in a positive light.

Here is my one of my recent brilliant ideas: what if I interview those lucky ladies we see modeling our favorite indies? I mean, to be totally honest - don't we secretly wish we ALL could be swatchers? Get the latest releases before anyone else and show them off? No? Just me? I'm betting I'm not alone.

So, no secret I love me some Liquid Sky Lacquer.
 (Thank you captain obvious!)

One of Carolyn's swatchers is Shanel (aka The Tattooed Nail Girl) - and well, what can I say? I love her claws dammit!
Shanel is awesome. I stalk her on FB too, and she's just darn cool, and I like cool people. So I asked and OF COURSE she agreed (didn't I mention she was cool?) and here is the result. Enjoy!

When/Why/How - did you become a swatcher?

Well I started my page last Oct. 2013 but I had already been "swatching" for about a year before that in a couple groups on Facebook that are no longer around and on my personal page. When I would buy an indie or a new polish in general I'd want to share it with everyone or the maker so I'd swatch it. I got a lot of compliments on my nails and everyone kept suggesting I start a blog. But to be honest I am horrible at writing. I didn't have enough things to say about each polish other than I think it's awesome you should buy it lol. So I decided to give in and start a Facebook page. So here I am!

If you don't mind saying what is your fav indie?

Favorite Indie is of course Liquid Sky Lacquer. I don't make it a secret that Carolyn is my favorite and I'm pretty sure she always will be.

Fav non indie?

Hmm that's a hard one. It's a tie between Zoya and O.P.I

What is your regular nail care routine?
I don't really have much of one I guess. Nightly I use California Mango, Mango Mend. Comes in this little container it's orange and smells amazing. It's a balm and I swear by it. In fact I have one in my purse and one in my room! I only use a glass file if I have to file or adjust my nails and I only file when I have polish on my nails that way I know they'll end up straight. And I only file one direction, that way I don't split my nails. I Also use California Mango Cuticle Remover once every other month. I buff my nails once every other month to remove ridges and I also use Nail Tek ll Intensive Therapy on my nails 3-4 times a week under my base coat. Nail Tek ll is for thin and split nails, it's really helped to strengthen up my nails and make them hard. I try to keep polish on them as often as I can and I keep my hands out of water as much as possible since water does tend to make them weak.

Any good advice for healthier nails?
Nail Tek ll Intensive Therapy 3-4 times a week under your base coat. Drink a TON of water!! Keep your hands out water. So if you have to do dishes, wear gloves!! Keeping polish on them will also help prevent them from splitting.
 

What do you do for fun?
For fun, I spent time with my Puggle Mika, I used to make jewelry for a living but sadly with the economy so slow, I had to close down my business. I read, I love to travel, love road trips (especially to Disney World), I love hiking, I love learning- Science and marine life is a big thing for me. I'm sure there is more, just can't think of it at the moment lol
 

Tell me about your Disney obsession? 

lol Not sure what there is to say about it. Disney is awesome!! Nuff said!! lol But seriously, my Boyfriend, Scott and I are HUGE and I mean H.U.G.E. Disney fans!! Like I mean our entire house when we move in together is already planned out to be Disneyified lol. Except his office, that's Galaxy and Star Wars lol. We love Disney because no matter your age, you get to be a kid. You get to be young and free. You get to believe the world is filled with magic, adventure, pirates, fairies, Princesses and that if you truly believe, than anything can happen.

Tell me about Alaska?!
Alaska is one of those places that you say "Someday I'd like to go there" And yet most people never do. Well I actually got to and it was AMAZING and breathtaking!! And a million other adjectives! I went for 9 days. We flew there and decided it was better than taking a cruise and being stuck at sea for days not doing anything but staying on the ship. We Did a day cruise for 6 hrs. Saw whales, Dall porpoises, Dall sheep, Puffins and glaciers. I got to be a co-pilot and fly around Mt. McKinley (Mt. Denali), Took a train all over a Alaska, took a bus tour through Denali National Park and saw a Mama Bear and her cub playing. Saw a Junior Bull Moose run up a ridge. I could go on and on with the things I go to see and experience but it would take up way too much space. I got to stay in some amazing lodges and meet people from all over the world. Alaska is a trip that everyone should experience and I truly mean that!! Don't just do a cruise, fly there and truly experience it!!! Heck I ate reindeer!! NOT some thing this city girl would normally do. lol.
 

Obviously you're tattooed, Pics? Which is your fav tattoo? Who does them?

My favorite tattoo is a matching one with my sister. It says You Are My Person and it's part of an Infinity symbol. It means that not matter what happens in this world, no matter what you do, where you go. I've got your back. I will always be there for you. I will always love you. I will always support you. You can count on me no matter what. I am your person for infinity!

How many do you have? Will there be more?
lol I currently have 16 and yes there are plans for at least 4 cover ups (tattoos done when I was young and stupid) and at least 15-20 new ones.

Favorite movie?  

Boondock Saints, The Notebook, Beauty and The Beast are my top 3
 

Future plans?
Move to Florida to be with Scott and become Annual Pass Holders to Disney World lol Hey don't judge. Long term for us is to buy property in Washington in the next 10 yrs or so. No kids, but have some dogs and a pygmy goat lol. I might try some nail art videos way down the road once I move to Florida and have my own nail room where I can have a better set up.
 

What do you hate?
I SERIOUSLY hate is people who neglect or abuse animals. I am extremely passionate and overly emotional when it comes to animals.

See? I told you she was cool. If you'd like to follow her, she is @tattooednailgirl on IG. I just love her nails and her nail art - she recently did a series of swatches using Zoya's latest releases and they are stunning!!! Check her out!

Thanks again for reading my blog, I will continue to brainstorm with new ideas to keep things interesting. xo Aprilaura

my pipe dreams have been answered !

I love the latest nail trends. Some of them more than others. Neons, well....I didn't really get super excited about those. Several different brands came out with their version and some were a bit of a temptation but I knew I wanted to interview April, and I knew she was coming out with neons so I decided THOSE were the ones I'd try.

a night in vegas collection...

wow

I like to think that my gradients look pretty cool - well with these polishes they popped like never before! I had so much fun that I just had to try every possible combination of gradient. Each one just stunning....

 Then maybe add my favorite holo top coat and viola!

















Then I had a little more fun with some nail art - stripes and polka-dots are about the best I can do..

 

 

....or maybe a glitter gradient accented with some

@teismom nailvinyls (I LOVE those things!!)

Everything I tried to do, this polish cooperated completely.

Just glided on my fingers - in some cases I probably even could have gone with one coat.

 

wow.

I've stated before that watermarble is my kryptonite. I totally gave up on it for a while, I was so frustrated. With these polishes, the formula was just so smooth and perfect, I just had to give it a try. Now try not to laugh this is actually a good job for me. I'm no Yasmeen (sloteazzy) but I was pretty darn proud of myself, I gotta tell ya.

Maybe it's become evident that I'm crazy about her polishes.
I tend to stay away from glitter polishes - don't really know why but it's just me. I do try to go out of my 'comfort zone' once in a while and give things like that a try. My first original order from pipedream was mas fina - and it's a stunner let me tell you. I knew I'd like it just because of the color combinations, but while I ordered that; I also threw in a mini of flip fantasia and I just kind of let that one sit untried. As I was preparing for this interview I pulled out these polishes to revisit my pipedream experience. I put on flip fantasia and flipped. Now I'm kicking myself left and right because I only have a mini. All jokes aside, if anyone knows where I can nab a full size of this polish I WANT IT!!! April cannot get the glitter she needs to recreate it so I'm SOL!! I have the perfect description of that polish - (start humming the "Happy" song by Ferrell) because it's HAPPY!!!.... It's bright, it's fun, the glitters lay perfectly, and it just plays that song to you all day long. I adore it and now I'm savoring each drop, saving it for emergency - when I need some happy.

I got this, it's called 'hanging on like a yo yo' because it reminds me of 'flip fantasia' but it just doesn't sing to me as nicely. I explain this one like this: Neony orange fun glittery to wrap up summer but pumpkin organgey to easily transcend into fall....as if that is an easy change - I go kicking and screaming into it while everyone else is like oooh pumpkin this and leaves and candles. I have 6 million acres of leaves around me....beautiful but....brrrr...it's coming....sigh.

So go buy these, and check out all the other lovelies I didn't even mention like cha-ching, and it's a mystery....and on and on....

www.pipedreampolish.com

An Interview with an Indie PIPE DREAM POLISH

 

When did you start pipe dream?

 pipe dream polish officially opened shop in March of 2013.

And WHY did you name it pipe dream?

I was bored with "basic" polishes and had developed a love for indie polishes. That love grew into wanting to create. At first I was just frankening with store bought polishes but eventually I bought some glitter and base and started making my own creations. I posted my creations on my personal FB and had a great response. When people asked about them, I would say "oh this is just a pipe dream." But the more I started playing, the more I knew I was going to go for it. I bought more glitter, more base, researched, and tested. Finally my "pipe dream" became reality. It can be scary to put yourself out there and hope people love what you are doing. Many people don't take the risk in fear of rejection, but you never know until you try. Life is too short not to follow your dreams.

How do you come up with your polish names?

I used to only use song lyrics but it gets harder to do as it's very time consuming searching for the perfect song and lyrics. I'm getting away from that for the most part but still do from time to time.

Who created your logo?

I created my logo. I also have a degree in graphic design.

What is your biggest challenge?
 Time is my biggest challenge. I worked fulltime as a dental assistant up until December. I decided to go back to school to be a nail tech and was in school fulltime up until a few weeks ago. Soon I will start work as a nail tech (I may be by the time of publication). I would love to do pipe dream fulltime but since it's self employment, you never know how steady the income is going to be. So trying to balance pipe dream, work, and family can be a huge challenge.

What inspires you?

Everything inspires me!

Any other collaborations in the future?

Maybe. Probably? I honestly never know myself...but I'm sure there will be something. The indie world is filled with many talented people.

How often do you paint your nails?

Unfortunately I don't get to paint my own nails as much as I'd like in between making polish and doing other people's nails, but I try to get to it at least once a week.

Favorite brand other than yours?

I love so many different polishes, I couldn't possibly choose a favorite.

Favorite color?

I tend to be drawn in by turquoises the most but I love to try all colors!

What did you want to be "when you grew up" when you were a child?

I wanted to be an actress or something flamboyant or creative - LOL - but all that got pushed aside when I had my son at a young age and was challenged with raising him by myself. He came first and with that I had to do something I knew would pay the bills.

Which of your OWN polishes is your favorite?

That's another hard choice! I don't create a polish that I wouldn't personally wear but I'm really loving 'cha-ching!' for the moment. It's just so fun and sparkly!

Congratulations on graduating Nail School, what's next for you?

I just want to be happy! I was a dental assistant for many years and was completely miserable doing that for way too long. I'm looking forward to finally being able to take my career into a positive direction...no matter what that may be.

Family? Pets? What does hubby think?

I have a son that's 18 and my chihuman mix, Harley. My husband is very supportive of everything I do but he would like more time with me. He helps me with pipe dream as much as he can, mostly labeling and packing.

We both share a somewhat unique name, I've never really had a nickname, have you? And if so, what was/is it?

I've never really had a nickname either!

How did hubby propose?

He proposed on a weekend trip to Atlanta. He made me pick the restaurant for dinner. I picked Thai - little did I know he was going to propose or I may have picked a different place! But it all worked out beautifully. The restaurant brought us champagne and took pics of us for their Facebook page. I was in a daze the rest of the night so it wouldn't have mattered where we were! :)


****PS - A fun fact you may want to include:
Many people don't know or haven't caught on but pipe dream polish and all the names of the polish are always lower case.

So there you have it, another interview, another amazing woman making her way in the world. I wish her so much continued success, she is a real sweetheart like ALL the indies I've interviewed. If you'd like to purchase her polishes please visit www.pipedreampolish.com

But then again....maybe someone is having a give away on IG and you could win them...?