Wednesday, April 11, 2012

KNOCKED UP NAILS: Swatches & Review

Pin It I've been given the opportunity to review some polishes from a new polish brand called Knocked Up Nails! I'm going a little more in depth with this review since they are a newer brand and there is less information out there about it. Please don't skip this post just because of the brand's name, especially if you're into cruelty free polishes!!

Left: Mint Chip at Midnight, Right: Prenatal Princess

Here's a little bit about the Knocked Up Nails (KUN, as I'll refer to it) from their site:

"Our pregnancy-safe nail polish formula does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or camphor. Through our cheeky polish names we show a little extra lovin’ to the preggos, but Knocked Up Nails is also safe for allergy sufferers, cancer patients & children. Our hip, modern hues are long-lasting and chip resistant. All of our polishes are cruelty free and made in the USA."

Check out some more information, swatches and reviews after the jump!

Knocked Up Nails flyer

Don't let the cutesy mommy related polish names like Preggers in Pink, Prolific Pink, and O-Blue-GYN steer you away from trying these polishes! Plus, who doesn't love polishes that are cruelty free and not only 3 free, BUT 4 free!? Not to mention made in the good 'ol USA :]

They currently offer 20 different colors of polish and a base/top coat combo. When you think mommy polish, you probably wouldn't think about a lot of these colors! They carry colors ranging from hot pinks, reds, blues, purples, orange, nudes, and even some metallics/foils. (I must admit, I was even surprised by some of the colors they offer, but surprised in a good way.)

Knocked Up Nails flyer showing most of their polish colors.

The two colors I have for you guys today are Mint Chip at Midnight and Prenatal Princess, something a little modern and something a little girly. All swatches are done without a base coat or top coat, unless specified.

 Left: Mint Chip at Midnight, Right: Prenatal Princess

First I want to address the bottles and brushes, then I'll get to the good stuff! For refrence, the bottles are pretty similar to a Zoya bottle minus the shaping. The brush handle seemed short to me but it's the exact height of a Zoya brush handle. Personally if it's going to be a smooth handle, like KUN's I'd rather it be longer because it's easier to use when painting. I had no complaints about the brushes, here's a shot of them if you're interested in size:

Knocked Up Nails brushes.

NOW! Onto the swatches! Prenatal Princess is described on their site as "a gorgeous pink, glittery, foil hue". Here's some swatch shots for you, it was difficult to get an exact shot because it was so foil-like:

 Prenatal Princess, indirect sunlight

Prenatal Princess 2 coats, indoors

Prenatal Princess, indirect sunlight.

The 1st picture is the BEST shot I could get of this polish. It was so hard to capture, I think I took 50 shots haha. I added the other pictures to show the other dimensions of the polish. The 2nd picture shows the foil like shine this polish has, and I'd say the 3rd picture shows the PINK that is in the polish but the polish isn't that dark looking. This is a very smooth and blingy polish. It's very girly with tons of radiant, foil-like shine! It almost reminds me of a Sally Hansen Chrome I had back in middle school.

Okay, so about application and formula... No issues with application, it was a very smooth polish to apply. It was totally opaque in 2 coats. It does go on looking slightly streaky but, once it dries the streaks seem to fade quite a bit. I have to say I was impressed with how quick this one dried, and it does dry faster than Mint Chip at Midnight (I don't know if this is across the board for most foils but for me it is).

Next, Mint Chip at Midnight, how cute is this description? "Mama’s love a little mint chip at midnight – right out of the carton and on their fingertips! Mint Chip at Midnight has a crème finish". Or unless you're a fatty like me and eat ice cream out of the carton ;] Mwahahaha

Here are a few swatches:

Mint Chip at Midnight: 3 coats, indoor light

And to keep things constant in this post:

Mint Chip at Midnight, indirect sunlight

First off I want to say: WOW, this polish is GREEN! I knew it was green, duh, but it really packs a green punch! It's a bright green but still soft at the same time, I LOVE IT. This is a creme polish and it was totally opaque in 3 coats. I was kind of worried after I applied the first coat because it was so, so sheer. Once I applied the 2nd and 3rd this polish really took form! There were a few issues with balding in between the 1st and 2nd coat, but the 3rd fixed all the issues. The one issue I have with this polish is the drying time, it does not dry as fast as Prenatal Pink. I'd recommend waiting about a minute or two in between coats to make sure nothing slides around and dries evenly.

And here's a little stamping nail art for ya using both the KUN polishes I was sent:

 Knocked Up Nails Mint Chip at Midnight with Prenatal Princess
Bundle Monster stamping (plate 224) in indirect sunlight. (Top Coat)

Knocked Up Nails Mint Chip at Midnight with Prenatal Princess
Bundle Monster stamping (plate 224) indoors. (Top Coat)

Knocked Up Nails claims it to be long lasting and chip resistant, I haven't given it a run around yet but I'll let you know if I do. But, in past experiences with more natural polishes I get a longer wear time. I hope this holds true for this brand as well :]

You can find Knocked Up Nails' polishes on their website, http://www.knockedupnails.com. They currently go for $10/bottle and shipping begins as low $3.45. I think these would be super cute gifts for a mom to be who is a polish lover like some of you ladies are! ;] Not to mention just to buy for their cute colors and for being awesome 4-free polishes!

What do you think of this cute little brand? Not to mention ANOTHER cruelty free brand to add to the list! :] Are you ladies thinking about looking into or buying any of the colors? They have some nice ones!

Until next time,
Lacey

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These items were sent for review. My opinions of the brand are my own and are not influenced in any way. Please read the disclaimer tab for more information about my reviews.

5 comments:

  1. Awesome :) Definatily keeping it in mind :)

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  2. They don't look bad at all. They have some pretty colors. I well keep them in mind.

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  3. Pretty! I'm going to have to look into those :)

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  4. How did you find out about them? I love the combination with the stamping. You're very creative!

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  5. Prenatal Princess is awesome!! Love how shiny it is!

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