Polish Pickup: National Parks and Landmarks (May 2022)

PR Sample

Available at Polish Pickup May 6-9 are some goodies from a variety of brands. I have items from Great Lakes Lacquer and KBShimmer to share with you!



Great Lakes Lacquer Kitch-iti-kipi
Inspired by the 'Big Spring' in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Nicknamed “Mirror of Heaven'' by ancient Chippewas, this must-see site reflects its surroundings year-round on crystal-clear waters.
A sheer lapis base with a vividly glowing lime green to aqua to cobalt shifting shimmer.
No cap

Lovely formula and such a gorgeous glowy shift! Shown in two coats with topcoat.



KBShimmer Superior Sunset
In the land of 10,000 lakes, it takes something great, superior even, to be called an awe-inspiring landmark. Lake Superior in Northern Minnesota is just that. The largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior boasts a stunning shoreline and crystal clear waters that allow you to see 27 or more feet down, making it a must-see, awe-inspiring landmark. Stunning during the day, it can be even more so as evening approaches, when the sun sets and waves on the lake reflect hues of pink, purple, blue and green. That breathtaking sight is the inspiration

A fuchsia-leaning magenta nail polish. This pink shade is amplified by a color-shifting shimmer that shifts through hues of green, blue, aqua, and sometimes hints of indigo. Gleaming bits of reflective glitter catch the light for an amazing sparkle, even in lower light.
No Cap

A shade I frequently wear is magenta, or what I like to call raspberry. I'm really drawn to the shift and reflective sparkle in this one. Shown in two coats with KBShimmer Smooth Moves and Clearly on Top topcoats.



With Flash



KBShimmer Mixed Up Mango Sugar Scrub
A tropical retreat in a jar. Indulge in this lush scrub scented with ripe and slightly floral mango, tart yuzu and juicy lychee berries. A hint of watery cucumber accents the hints of sugary vanilla and coconut cream, for a refreshing scent.

I thoroughly enjoy a fresh juicy mango or anything flavored like mango. I was excited about this when I read the label, and did not disappoint when I opened it. The scent of this scrub is one that I could sniff from the jar for hours. It smells absolutely delicious.



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Navni Beauty: Rhodolite Garnet

Rhodolite Garnet from Navni Beauty is my latest "treat" to myself. When I saw this polish, I had to have it. It's my favorite color, sparkly, and holo. It is everything I hoped it would be! Take a look:



It is described as a highly pigmented fuschia base with various purple microglitters and holo shimmer. It is part of the Hidden Gems collection, which has an array of shades with similar finish as this one.



I mean, just look at the close up!



What do you think of this polish? What's your favorite finish?


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What is indie polish?

This is really a loaded question, but I will do my best to give you clarity on the topic.




Indie by definition means independent, as a business type. The literal definition of this is: one that is not publicly traded on the stock market, and is generally owned by a very small group of individuals.

HOWEVER...

In the nail polish world, the above definition applies and the product has to be manufactured and packaged by the business owner, ie handcrafted. The more appropriate word we should have chosen as a community in 2009 is Artisan made. But we didn't, and here we are at Indie Polish. The term has stuck and will likely not be changed after 13 years of being called indie polish.

There is another flavor of polishes that are not considered as "Indie Polish" and are not "Mainstream." They are independent businesses such as Holo Taco, Mooncat and a few others. These are referred to as "boutique" or "lab made." The difference here is that the business owner may design what the polish will look like, but they do not manufacture or package (bottle, label, box) the polish themselves. They typically handle their customers themselves and the shipping and their products are typically only available online. (there are sometimes exceptions, for example, polish expos, and special deals a maker has made with a salon or handmade type shop) Both indie and boutique type polishes usually have a personalized customer experience where we can interact with the business owner directly. Most indies and boutique shops have only one employee (the owner) or a small number of people to help them. These companies utilize Nail Bloggers, IG swatchers, and YouTubers for public relations media to advertise for them.

Lastly is "Mainstream." Mainstream are the polishes found readily available at big box stores like Target, Walmart, some Salons, Drug Stores etc. These are mass produced, available in large volumes and are typically publicly traded. Because of their mass production, most mainstream polishes are less costly than indie or lab made/boutique polishes. (again, there are exceptions to cost, like Chanel or Hermes)

Hope that helps clarify! I have a glossary page in my blog's top menu bar that may be helpful with other acronyms you may come across in the indie polish community as well as a list of indie shops.


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