My Favorite 20 Nail Polishes of 2016

This is it cookies, my last blog post! *tear* In case you missed it, please read this post as it explains my thoughts and feelings regarding retiring from the blog life. For today's post I wanted to share my favorite 20 nail polishes from this year.

Press Sample | Purchased By Me

There are way more than 20 that I loved of course, but these stood out just a bit more from the rest for one reason or another. The blog post where I reviewed each polish is linked with the shade name if you're interested. In no particular order, see all my picks after the jump!

My 25 Favorite Nail Polishes of 2015

Hey friends! What a long crazy ride 2015 has been eh? I blogged more this year than I have the past three, which was a big accomplishment for me. I'm really happy and proud of myself to still be going for more than six and a half years!

Press Sample | Purchased by Me

These are 25 of my favorite shades from this year, indies and mainstream brands. They're not in any particular order, that would be impossible for me haha. It was hard enough to narrow it down to these in the first place!

And of course, I loved many more shades than these this year, but they just stood out a little bit ahead for one reason or another. The blog post where I reviewed each polish is linked with the shade name if you're interested. See all my picks, after the jump!

My Nail Polish Community

Today I have something a little different. Check out this post by Elizabeth; it's about all the different "personalities" of nail polish that lacquer addicts have. Deborah over at Love, Varnish, Chocolate and More expanded on that idea and gave an example of each one of the "personalities", so that's what I'm going to do here!

The Tease: The polish that you love but you're afraid to wear because it's discontinued and you don't have a back up bottle.
OPI Mad as a Hatter - I picked this up when it was first in stores, without knowing it would soon become one of the most sought after polishes of all time! I never did a blog post on this collection, though I can't for the life of me remember why I didn't! I'll have to do that one of these days.

The Senior: One of the first polishes you owned. Now it's all thick and you don't really like the color anymore but you keep it anyway because it has memories.
OPI Don't Melbourne The Toast - It's not that I don't like this guy, but I don't think I've worn it since the first year I got it. It's one of the first OPIs I ever own. *sigh* Memories!

The Ugly One: The polish that you absolutely hate in every way but you keep it anyway to laugh at how weird it is.
BB Couture Kelly's Green - This is cheating, because I don't hate this in any way! I love it! But it definitely is "ugly pretty" and I don't think it's one that most people love when they see it. It is the best kind of crazy polish in my opinion!

The Superficial: The polish that looks fantastic in the bottle but is all kinds of crap when you try to put it on.
OPI Pepe's Purple Passion - This one is just sad times. That lovely shimmer looks like it's drowning, it sinks so badly and it ends up looking like mud on the nail.

The Rocky Road: The polish that always insists on being lumpy.
China Glaze Fortune Teller - One of my favorite polishes ever, but seriously chunk-tastic! Multiple coats of top coat is required to get it smooth.

The Multiplier:That one shade of polish color that you can't stop yourself from buying every time you see it.
Essie Cute As a Button - I'm a coral/pink girl! Just search for "pink" or "coral" on my blog and you'll find like a zillion posts. I even created my own coral/pink with Rescue Beauty Lounge called Kellie Gonzo!

The Ex: The polish that used to be your favorite but now sits in the back of your stash collecting dust.
Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle - I really love this polish but I haven't worn it in forever. Whenever I see DLs in a store, I always pick up Razzle Dazzle thinking it's some new and gorgeous color and I'm embarrassed every time to see what it really is and that I don't recognize it haha.

The Beast: The polish that you like but never wear because it's a giant pain in the butt to remove.
Zoya Charla - Ooh this one is so gorgeous but I never wear it because it's ridiculous to remove! Smurf fingers!

The Party Animal: The polish you can wear to any party or festivity, and it will always look good with everything!
Rescue Beauty Lounge Kellie Gonzo - Did I sneak this in a second time? What a shameless plug! ;) But for real, I feel like I can wear this anywhere, any time of year, and it always looks perfect!

The Socialite: The polish that caused quite a buzz at launch, but isn't as easy to get as one might think.
Cult Nails Toxic Seaweed - This one was a limited edition polish that quickly became HTF so I'm so glad I got it when I did. It's so pretty and unique!

I hope you thought these were fun and feel free to post your own in the comments or on your own blog if you have one! Thanks Elizabeth and Deb for the fun :) Also be sure to enter my 5th Blogiversary Giveaway if you haven't yet!


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Link Love

• diamonds with my polish? don't mind if I do. / cult nails


• emerald and gold deco / dressed up nails


• mondrian and mariah carey / manicurator


• pollock and polish / work play polish


• spun sugar skittles / accio lacquer


• love that wing dust / xoxo alexis leigh


• scrangie does nailpro / scrangie

Link Love

Happy New Year's Eve! Here are links to some great blog posts from some of my friends. See you in 2013!

• exclusive and stunning new cirque / fashion polish


• ready to party hearty / the nail network 


• beautiful attitude collaboration / very emily


• winter round-up / gotham polish 


• a cake inspired mani / the polished perfectionist 

Link Love

So a new thing I am going to do is put a list together of stuff that I like every so often. They might be new blogs I've found, particularly cool nail art, or just something I found to be neat-o. I tend to find new things via others' link lists so thought I might do a few of my own and pay it forward. Enjoy!

• glitter nail polish removal with no fuss? / nails by kayla shevonne


• color shifting nail polish oh yeah / chrissyai


• winter tights inspired nail art / coewless polish


• purp ombre like whoa / the nailasaurus


• cartoon inspired polish collection / chalkboard nails


• my favorite kind of salute / a polish addict


• the boy wizard lives / glitta gloves

Spring Favorites

Hey everyone :) I hope you had a lovely weekend! I want to start doing "Favorites" posts every few months so I can let you know the things I'm diggen' lately, there are so many things I love that come and go that I really am remiss in letting everyone know about. This will just be a round up of things, mostly nail related, beauty related, maybe a few miscellaneous things thrown in, I don't know I haven't quite figured it out yet.

Favorite Moisturizer as of now -  True Blue Spa Super Softening Hand Lotion Paraffin, Look Ma, New Hands. This stuff is awesome, I have it in the trial/travel size, 2.5 fl. oz and I definitely need to go back and stock up because it's amazing. I love it after I finish a manicure or just when my hands need a good drink. It smells like orange blossom. You can get it at Bath & Body Works.

Image via Bath & Body Works

Favorite Polish Remover as of now - Beauty Secrets Non-Acetone. This stuff isn't bothering my nose as much right now, it smells a little like blueberry candy maybe? And it's very cheap. I am dryer than usual and my regular acetone/glycerin cocktail remover was exacerbating the effects of the sun. This one is more moisturizing and the non-acetone isn't as bad at removing as most of the others that I've tried. You can get this at Sally Beauty. An honorable mention goes out to Butter London Powder Room Non-Acetone remover.

Image via Sally Beauty

Favorite Polish as of right now - I'm obsessed with getting all the China Glaze Kicks collection polishes. Idk why now, because they came out in Spring 2009, but I feel the need to have them immediately haha. I think I still need: B-Girlz, Breakin', Fly, It's Poppin', and How Street It Is. Also, my friend Kae has made some beautiful frankens I've shown you here and here. I still have one very SEXY special one to show you soon that will blow you away, hehe.

Image via China Glaze

Favorite Top Coat as of right now - I am back in love with my old standby Poshe. It really is superior to Seche Vite in my book. Applies better, lasts longer without getting thick, and doesn't shrink my polish.

Image via Amazon.com

Favorite Base Coat as of right now - To stop my nails from getting stains, the best base coat I've found is Lumos Instant Impact Bottom coat. I'll be doing a full review on this soon, so stay tuned.

Image via Famous Names Products

Favorite Nail Treatment - To get my tips longer and stronger than they've been in a LONG time, my secret is Nail Magic--a formaldehyde based strengthener. This won't work for everyone but it has gotten rid of my peels and give me healthy, hard tips. I've stopped using it for now to give my nails a break so they won't get too hard and brittle. You can get Nail Magic at Sally Beauty.

Image via Sally Beauty

That's all I have for this installment :) What are some of your current favorites? I'd love to hear them in the comments!!

Stylish Blogger Award

I have been tagged by the beautiful and talented Miss Dori from Kiss My Acetone (best polish blog name EVA, and just a damn fine nail blog anyway) for the Stylish Blogger Award :D *brushes dirt off ma shoulda* WOOT WOOT! Thank you very much girl! I am thankful for each and every one of my readers. I enjoy writing for you all and reading each comment I get. This blog has seriously been my saving grace for the past two turbulent years, and I've met some totally amazing women while doing it.

The rules for this award are to:
thank and link the person who gave it to you,
jot down 7 random facts about you,
to give the award to 15 other lucky bloggers
and let them know about it.

Now on to my facts!

1. I kind of really like dead bodies. I have legit considered going to school to be an mortuary tech. I wouldn't really do it because of all the sad things that go along with death, but I think it would be a fun and really interesting job. I'm currently reading the books "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" and "Down Among the Dead Men: A Year in the Life of a Mortuary Technician". I also took a class in my last semester of college called "Thanatology: Death and Dying". (I majored in Psychology, haha, I didn't take it just to take it.)

2. I think I have the palate of a five year old. I eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and grilled cheese. I like apple juice. That's about it.

3. Despite having almost no affinity for exotic food, I LOVE watching shows about food. I could watch shows like Chopped, Iron Chef, The Cake Boss, Cupcake Wars, Master Chef, Kitchen Nightmares, etc. all day long. I luuuuurve me some Gordon Ramsay!

4. I am totally infatuated with crocodiles and alligators. I have a little jelly plastic one on my desk named Jeffrey.

5. I think I might've said this one before, in another tag, but I name stuff. Like my Ipod is named Genevra Apple and my car is named Kyle (but she's female).

6. I think I can sleep more than any person alive. I can sleep through an entire Friday night, wake up to go to the bathroom on Saturday and maybe eat something, then go back to bed, maybe wake up again to pee, then go back to bed until Sunday around noon. Like Ralph Wiggum once said, ""Oh, boy, sleep! That's where I'm a viking!"

7. I love horror movies and really crazy paranormal ones that hardly anyone else likes. I can't wait to see "The Rite" which comes out at the end of the month!

Now I tag:
1. SeeCeeMe
2. All You Desire
3. Crystaliciousss
4. Dainty Darling Digits
5. Polish Chest
6. Scandalously Polished
7. Polishing the Nails
8. Magic Maid
9. Bright Lights, Big Color
10. Varnish Vixen
11. You've Got Nail
12. The Daily Nail
13. Sminkan
14. Lacquer Ware for Tips and Toes
15. Nouveau Cheap

^definitely check out all of those ladies' blogs, you NEED to sub to them if you haven't already!! They are almost as awesome as me....j/k ;)

xoxo,
kelliegonzo

tagged! happy :)

i was tagged for this by the beautiful ScandalousAnge :)
basically i write 10 things that make me happy and tag 10 folks to do the same

1.  naps
2.  a brand new bottle of topcoat
3.  getting in a short line at the grocery store
4.  waking up before my alarm goes off in the morning
5.  when Pandora plays exactly the music i'm in the mood for
6.  when someone else folds my laundry for me
7.  string music
8.  jellyfish
9.  raw almonds
10.  chick-fil-a

and i tag (probably everyone has done this already right?) anyone who wants to :D

last post of the decade

hmm. it's been a tough week. a tough year. a tough decade really. so far, i'm as old as i've ever been (haha). but this blog has given me a lot of joy and a hobby and a passion that i can turn to when things get rough. and i love it. i can only hope for amazing things in the next 10 years.

Miss Ange-Marie recently tagged me for the "Beautiful Blogger" award, thanks sweetie! and what better way to end the year and decade than to tell you some weird/interesting facts about me? haha, stuff that i've learned about myself over these last few enlightening years from adolescence to adulthood. i can't believe that 10 years ago i was 13! so weird :)

here goes!

1.  i will never be able to be satisfied with the knowledge in my head. i wish i could be a bit dumber to be honest, as they say ignorance is bliss. i fear i have too many thoughts in my head to ever be truly content. 
2. my favorite smell in entire world is clothes that are laundered with Tide brand laundry soap and then dried using Bounce dryer sheets. best combo ever.
3. i am a "by-myself-er". i'm beginning to find out that most of my immediate family is too and the people that i admire the most are as well.
   
4. i change my mind about 80 times a day. or more. about a million things.
5. i think high heels and boots are incredibly sexy but i NEVER wear them. my feet are permanently used to flip-flops and vans slip-ons. i'm very casual. my nails and makeup are the only fancy thing about me.
   
6. even though i love music almost as much as air, i think i would be ok if the only thing i could listen to for the rest of my life was string quartet music. there is nothing more soothing or exciting to me.
7. i secretly wish i was a little person (i.e. a dwarf). not for the attention, just because i really like being short. and i'm not short enough :)
   

i tag:
Emerald Sparkled
HappyBerryNaiad
Jellynat
and Polish Galore

HAPPY 2010 EVERYONE!!! 

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!

tagged!

this tag is courtesy of my bestest blogger friend, miss maria from denmark over at Polishign the nails!

5 guys I used to fancy when I was younger (and maybe still do a little!)

1. Devon Sawa

ohhh gosh, what can i say about this hottie? haha please, have mercy on my poor little adolescent self! he was my dream man when i saw "Casper" and "Little Giants" and seeing him in "Now and Then" sealed the deal. i was in llllooooovvveee hahaha. he looks like such a dork now! did you see "Final Destination"? ew.


2. JC Chasez from 'NSYNC

yep i was definitely an 'NSYNC girl, no backstreet boys for me! i had their concert videos, all their cds, everything. i would vote for their videos on TRL everyday! i taped all the old Mickey Mouse club shows that JC and Justin Timberlake were on when they came on special on the Disney channel one summer and I'd watch them over and over. haha, i think JC might be gay though...oh well! he did have the best voice!

3. Mark-Paul Gosselaar

saved by the bell = best show ever! i seriously wanted to be kelly kapowski. mostly so i could be with zack morris! i would do my hair like hers and everything haha. hey i got to be cheerleading captain, so theoretically i was halfway there? haha! this is one guy i definitely still crush on though, he's still hot!

4. Leonardo DiCaprio

what young girl didn't have a crush on leo? c'mon really? i think you're lying to yourself :) titanic was monumental for me, seeing that tragicness at the tender age of 12 can really mess with you! leo was my hero for YEARS after. plus, romeo and juliet? ummm YEAH. hotttttt.

5. Brad Renfro

so sad, but brad's life ended early last year. i loved him in "Tom and Huck" and "The Client" and "The Cure". he was so talented. seems like so many young and promising stars are taken so much earlier than they should.

also i wanted to say rest in peace for Brittany Murphy. she was always one of my favorite actresses and i can't believe she's passed on. the world is truly saddened by her loss.

reposting magnificence

read this list. i agree with almost everything. laughed my a$$ off.

DO IT, or my little alligator jeffrey will bite your butt.

tagged - what you're using right now

from miss CCee on OnSugar - my first encounter with nail blogging!! so she's pretty much the reason i started nail blogging *tear*

Shampoo: nuskin - balancing shampoo
Conditioner: nuskin - rich conditioner, nuskin - renu hair mask
Styling products: marc daniels - go curly styling serum, garnier fructis - curl scrunch gel, aveda - be curly curl control
Shower Gel: victoria's secret pink warm & cozy shower gel
Body moisturizer: hempz- herbal moisturizer
Deodorant: secret- fresh effects cucumber aloe
Perfume: ralph lauren - romance
Fake Tan: none
Cleanser: clean & clear- continuous control acne cleanser, clean & clear- morning burst shine control
Exfoliator: nuskin - extra gentle exfoliant scrub
Peeling: nuskin - 180 degree aha facial peel
Facial Moisturizer: nuskin - 180 degree skin mist, mark spf 15 lotion [old, discontinued]
Primer: usually none, but today revlon smoothing primer
Foundation & brush: bareminerals - matte spf 15 foundation with mini kubuki brush
Concealer: cover girl- fresh complexion
Powder: bare escentuals - mineral veil translucent
Blusher: none, i flush normally
Bronzer: none
Highlighter: none
Eyeshadow base: mac - paintpot soft ochre
Eyeshadow: today, just used nyx - jumbo eye pencil in black bean to do an easy smoky eye with my mac 217 brush and blended in a little mac - all that glitters
Eyeliner: styli-style - 24 hour power line & seal liner in black brown believe me nothing works better than this liner!!
Curler: i don't usually use my shu uemura, it makes them curl too much damn it. curse my curly hair haha. i actually wish my lashes were straighter.
Mascara: loreal - voluminous waterproof, but i am by no means faithful to any one type, i'm a mascara-junkie.
Lipstick: none, i never wear it
Lip gloss: shiseido - lip gloss in mango passion
Nail color: essie - cantaloupe

everyone is tagged!! ♥

tagged!

thanks for tagging me rijah!

Who are you in love with?
rob pattinson? haha, no one at the moment :)
Have you ever eaten a crayon?
i'm sure, when i was little probably
Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
post-its and my bath & body works lotion
When is the last time you went to the mall?
um like monday or something, had to drop by nordstrom :) probably going tonight to see a movie
Are you wearing socks right now?
hellz no, it's summer!
Does your family have a car worth over $2,000?
haha sure
When was the last time you drove out of town?
it's been a few weeks, to nevada
Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
nope, but going tonight. probably going to see "the goods" or "500 days of summer"
Are you hot?
pfft you KNOW it..oh if you mean temperature wise, no. i'm kinda chilly at my desk...HAHA.
What was the last thing you had to drink?
i'm drinking sugar free red bull, yuck haha.
What are you wearing right now?
american eagle jeans, rocket dog flip flops, and an old dropkick murphys concert t-shirt
Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?
haha i like never wash my car, but when i do i just go thru the wash
Last food that you ate?
i had panda express yesterday evening, yummy crispy shrimp and an egg roll
Where were you last week at this time?
here, work
Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
no, i rarely buy clothes
When is the last time you ran?
ran in this morning from my car to the job cuz i was gonna be late clocking in, does that count?? ;)
What's the last sporting event you watched?
i watched track & field on tv w/ the parentals the other day
What is your favorite animal?
crocodiles CHOMP!
Your dream vacation?
paris or italy
Last person's house you were in?
the justins' and casey's new apartment
Worst injury you've ever had?
i almost ripped my toe off when i was a kiddo trying to mimic the bike riders in the olympics on an old fashioned exercise bike while barefoot
Have you been in love?
*sigh* yeah
Do you miss anyone right now?
sure sure
Last play you saw?
i don't really watch plays....do people do that?
What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
my hot bod. j/k....no really.
What are your plans for tonight?
dinner and a movie and partying it up with the guys
Who is the last person you sent a facebook message or comment?
my cousin shanda to do my hair, but she can't cuz she's too pregnant haha
Next trip you are going to take?
to nevada for my cousin samantha's wedding
Ever go to camp?
cheerleading camp for 4 years
Were you an honor roll student in school?
always
What do you want to know about the future?
nothing
Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
victoria's secret warm & cozy lotion
Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?
i have a physical therapy appt. next week for my ankle. i fell down the stairs last winter. (please don't laugh too hard haha)
Where is your best friend?
work probably
How is your best friend?
busy?
Do you have a tan?
a farmer's tan from leaving my windows open when i drive, bah :(
What are you listening to right now?
the vitamin string quartet performs songs from twilight
Do you collect anything?
NAIL POLISH
Who is the biggest gossiper you know?
haha probably me
Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
about a month ago, cuz the cop was a wanker! but no ticket :)
Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
these questions are kinda dumb
What does your last text message say?
yeah! eff google and such
Do you like hot sauce?
not really
Last time you took a shower?
last night before bed
Do you need to do laundry?
how did you know?
What is your heritage?
german, danish on my mom's side and mexican on my dad's side
Are you someone's best friend?
of course
Are you rich?
i wish
What were you doing at 12AM last night?
watching intervention probably and painting my nails

i'm tagging anyone who wants to do this ♥

wishlist june 09

my big 23rd birthday is just around the corner on the 20th and i'm not super excited about getting older and not having anything significantly change in my life haha. but oh well, blah blah wah wah. i guess everyone feels like that huh. my sister-in-law mary (christmas is her last name believe it or not) is doing the whole cake making thing and she said she's going to try to make me an Edward Cullen cake. HAHAHA! i told her he has to sparkle. we will see how this turns out. i may have to send it in to cake wrecks haha. anyway, here is my current wishlist. not necessarily for my birthday presents, but just stuff i've been lusting after. mostly after i started reading blogs and such :( haha.

click to make bigger

clockwise: daisy by marc jacobs, iskin ipod case, nail tek treatment/mattifier, shiseido mango passion lip gloss, curl cloths, m.a.c. style warrior polishes, essie neons, rainbow hemp flip flops