The Dior Birds of Paradise nail lacquer duo in Samba is a super cute set of two minis - one mint green creme and a metallic teal.

2 coats

This is the half of Samba that made me a little reluctant to get the duo. Aside from the fact that the color's not very unique, it's the kind of green I find myself avoiding. I think it's the slight yellow lean that throws me off. The application was great, despite having to deal with a smaller brush.



Here's a bottle comp with some other greens in my collection

Nails Inc Royal Botanical Gardens, Illamasqua Nomad, Dior Samba, Essie First Timer, Barielle Sweet Addiction

No dupes here, but definitely some alternatives, if you're not up for handing over $29 for the duo. To be honest though, the duo is totally worth it for the metallic teal alone (swatch coming soon).

2 coats

Nails Inc Baker Street is a fabulous cobalt creme. The color is so saturated and vibrant, which is why I think so many people love it. It also doesn't hurt that the formula is near perfection. Two coats that went on with no fuss.

2 coats w/ Butter London Lovely Jubbly

Nails Inc. Baker Street retails for $9.50 and is available at Sephora.

Do you have any colors you love a lot but maybe aren't the most flattering on you? That's Orly Glowstick for me.

2 coats over Illamasqua Scorch

Orly Glowstick is...ridiculous. No color description necessary. The formula is great for a neon. It's not at all streaky, so applying over white is a piece of cake.



So yeah, Glowstick looks absolutely awful on me, but I couldn't care less. It's just too awesome to purge. I actually can't wait to wear it again.



Also, side note: Illamasqua Scorch is the best white I've tried so far. It bumped Finger Paints Paper Mache from first place.

3 coats

Illamasqua Raindrops is a light grey with pearly flecked shimmer. This isn't the same as the original Raindrops (I ordered it from Sephora.com); it lacks the jelly finish that gives this polish real depth. I'm not a fan. A light grey creme diluted with clear and Sally Hansen Glass Slipper would make a great substitute, I bet.



Raindrops definitely won't be staying in my stash.

2 coats

Dolce & Gabbana Stromboli is deep olive green with gorgeous gold flecked shimmer. The formula is top-notch. It's a one-coater if you applied carefully. I applied two to get more of that awesome shimmer on my nails.



Stromboli also wore like iron on me. I used my typical bc/tc combo of Barielle HRF and DL Addicted to Speed, and I got a full week's wear with no chips and minimal tipwear. 



Dolce & Gabbana Stromboli retails for $24 and is available at Sephora.

3 coats

Dior Incognito is a rosy nude creme. It's such a classy, sophisticated color.  Incognito is a bit more sheer than most of the other Dior cremes, so that signature secret shimmer comes through just slightly in the right lighting. The formula is luscious, per usual.



Dior Icognito retails for $24 and is available at Sephora.