1.29.2014

Ciaté Mini Mani Month Set Review {Part 1}

Despite the fact that it was made as an advent calendar, the day after Christmas, I bought myself the Ciaté Mini Mani Month Set from Sephora {which is no longer available; but the one from Nordstrom, linked here, is almost identical}, because the sale price was too good to resist, and I had been coveting it for months. If you follow me on Instagram @cateyesandskinnyjeans you know that the last thing I need is more nail polish; but I'm a sucker for cute packaging and had to have it.

The collection includes 18 Mini Paint Pots, in addition to 6 Mini Effects Paint Pots {caviar pearls, sequins, glitter}. Today, I'm reviewing/swatching the first 8 days of the set, as well as a few of the effects Paint Pots {which are so much fun}.


Snow Globe {Day 1} + Sugar Plum {Day 6}

Snow Globe is a Holographic Glitter Top Coat. It's full of varying sizes of iridescent glass flecks that distribute evenly in just one coat. Snow Globe could easily be layered over any polish shade; but I loved how it looked with this pastel purple. I found the formula to be slightly thick - not unmanageable; but it takes a little effort to even out. This is 1 coat.


Boudoir {Day 2} + Dallas Dolly {Day 19}

Boudoir is your Classic Red. Perfect for the holiday season, or a sophisticated year-round look. I am not a red polish person; but I loved this color on. My only qualm was how sheer it was. Indoors, it looked opaque; but when I took these photographs in natural light, I realized that I had a lot of VNL - not a fan of that. This is 2 coats.

On the accent finger I am wearing Dallas Dolly {one of those Effects Paint Pots I mentioned earlier} which is a mix of loose hexagonal glitter in red and gold mixed with very thin strips of green/blue bar glitter. Again, this is loose; there is no base. To apply you paint your nail with the desired shade, then pour the sequins over the nail, and press gently to keep them in place. You don't have to use top coat over the sequins, but I did {and recommend doing so}.


Amazing Gracie {Day 3} + Caviar Metallic Pearls - Silver {Day 4}

Amazing Gracie is a Sheer Pink Creme. I love this color - absolutely love it. It is the quintessential girly hue. What I am not crazy about is the formula. It's very sheer. Buildable, yes; but sheer nonetheless. You have to add coat after coat after coat in order to make it opaque, which is just too time-consuming. On the other hand, if you like a clean, French Tip like mani, you'd be very happy with this shade. This is 4 coats.

Caviar Metallic Pearls - Silver...the name says it all. These are another Effects Paint Pot offering; and one of the things that put Ciaté on the map. Basically, this is a bottle of loose mini bead pearls. When I say mini...I. Mean. Mini. {I suggest using them over a disposable plate to minimize the mess - and there will be a mess}. Like with the Dallas Dolly Sequins, you simply pour these over wet polish, and push gently to stick. If you want them to last for more than 1 hour, use 2 coats of top coat {that is my secret for keeping them intact for a few days}. Gorgeous wedding nails combo, right?


Hoopla {Day 5} + Caviar Pearls Midnight in Manhattan {Day 8}

Hoopla is a Summer-Perfect Coral Creme. I keep seeing Hoopla described as peach, but I find that to be inaccurate - the orange base definitely makes it a true coral / salmon pink. Formula-wise, Hoopla is super easy to work with - just make sure you allow enough time to dry between coats, otherwise you'll create bald spots. This is 2 coats.

Midnight in Manhattan is another mini paint pot of caviar pearls - these ones being a mix of Black, White, and Iridescent shades {see those little purple-looking pearls? Those would be the iridescent bits}. I love this combo because it's all girly and then bam! a little bit of edge. Application is identical for all caviar pearls. Again I stress...use top coat to keep them intact.


Sugar Plum {Day 6}

Sugar Plum is a Pastel Lilac Creme. This is my new favorite lilac shade - one that will be getting a lot of use come springtime. Out of all of the Ciaté Paint Pots I have tried so far, the formula of Sugar Plum remains my favorite. It's a little bit thick, but very easy to control. This is 2 coats.


Main Stage {Day 7}

Main Stage is a Rich Magenta Creme. I was worried that I would encounter those sheer issues that plagued Boudoir with this shade, but it wound up being perfect. Main Stage is similar to Hoopla in terms of formula and dry time. It's not as thick as Sugar Plum, but still hearty enough to give amazing coverage. If you like the color pink, but want something more sophisticated and grown-up, you'll love Main Stage. This is 2 coats.


Do you have a favorite, or do you love them all?


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xx

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15 comments

ellie said...

OH what fun! They are all so gorgeous. Love the textures!

ivy said...

What fun surprises. Love the pinks and the art in this post too! I love this!

ellie's desk said...

Such an inspiring post! Now I want to get to some nail art! Some great special effect colors, too. Looks like a wonderful product!

k said...

what a great set!!!

Tiffany Kadani said...

That caviar is stunning!

FASHION TALES said...

What a great set, I think I'm in love with the pale pink caviar style. :) xx/M

Sam said...

These are such stunning shades, love the last four, stunning! Its always great hearing from you hun :)

Couture Carrie said...

Loving day 5!

xoxox,
CC

Sherin said...

Oh amazing. All the colours look so beautiful. I love the Ciate advent calendar but it's always sold out here.

Midnight Cowgirl said...

They're all so pretty!

MOSAMUSE said...

pretty purples!
xo
MOSAMUSE

www.MOSAMUSE.com

Bellas Shelf said...

I am beyond JEALOUS! I love them but the last 2 are awesome and I love the caviar nails too and day 1. I want them. I'll send you my address..lolz..
How do you keep your nails so darned healthy and long? Your cuticles too!
JEALOUS!

Harija said...

Love them all!!

My Lyfe ; My Story
@MyLyfeMyStory ♥ ♥

www.janetteria.com said...

What perfect colors!

Johanna L. said...

This might come as a shocker... But I absolutely love them all! I was so sad that I couldn't get one due to my budget, but seeing them now I'm not that sad as I have colors like that. Except for the Dallas Dolly sequins, but glitter is easy to buy ;) ♥

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