Models Own Mixed Up

I was thrilled beyond belief when I was contacted by Katie at Harlow & Co. to say that she had noticed Models Own Mixed Up was on my wish list; would it be OK if she sent me a bottle for review?  I couldn't reply to that email fast enough!  lol!  A hard to find brand (Models Own), with holo (love) glitter (love!) that sparkles like the night sky? This is the mani I came up with using it.

I didn't swatch Mixed Up before I went to do my nails, just went to apply it on my nails as the bottle, thinking it was a holo glitter in a black base as the bottle is so opaque.  But when I put it on my nail, I soon discovered  that it's an abundance of fine black glitter, with holo glitter, in a clear base and knew right away that it would take several coats to cover if I didn't do a dark base.  So I removed it and then did a base coat using FingerPaints Black Expressionism (no pix as I've shown basic black mani before...plus this post is pix heavy enough!).  Then layered one coat of Models Own Mixed Up. Yes, this is only one coat!

Mixed Up is a topcoat eater; these pix have one coat of SV on top to prep for stamping. 

When I was looking at my nails, I thought that they did look like the night sky so knew I had to stamp stars on them, but didn't want to hide the holo glitter up too much, so stamped the tips with Nicole by OPI Positive Energy using CH26.

This pix below, I topped my stamping with one coat of Gelous, then one coat of SV.

You can see from the pix that with two coats of topcoat that weren't left to dry in between, that it was a lot of liquid on the stamp so it wrinkled the stamping a bit.  However, the stamping flattened out nicely once it started to dry.

This pix was taken the next day outside...I'm memorized by the holo swirl near the star on my index finger!

This was a pretty eye catching mani and I received lots of compliments on it when I was out and about.  Next time I wear it, I think I'll do two coats of Mixed Up for more holo sparkle!......still memorized by the swirl!

Thanks so much Katie for fulfilling this wish list lemming!  For those of you not familiar with Harlow & Co., her e-store carries many brands not readily available like Layla, Glitter Gal, Models Own, Barry M, ...as well as independents  like Nerd Lacquer and piCture pOlish.  Looking back, this is the very first time I've worn this brand.....but I'm sure you'll be seeing more Models Own swatching here because when I went over to link up her site, I got a little sidetracked by all the pretties and may have just placed an order for some more Models Own and a few other goodies! 

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend!

Update May 1, 2012:  Just a quick note that I my order from Harlow & Co. arrived just two business days after I ordered!  Wow!  Now off to swatch a few of these new pretties!