Alter Ego I Huff and I Puff Swatches (Polish Pickup April 2020)

Aquatic Wonders month at Polish Pickup is just around the corner and Cynthia from Alter Ego has two wonderful offerings.

Alter Ego I Huff and I Puff was inspired by this image of a puffed up pufferfish shared in the group. It is fully how people see it so differently, I was imagining it would be a lighter blue with gold flakes or glitter. Cynthia created a mustard gold colour with holo, fuchsia and white microglitter. So on to the swatches

I Huff and I Puff by Alter Ego Swatches (Polish Pickup April 2020)

Let me start by saying that my photos do not do this polish justice. I just could not pick up the shimmer and holo well.  You can see it a little better in the bottle than on the nail here but in person, it shows a gorgeous red shimmer with a scattering of holo even in low light.

the best photo I got of the sparkle

Is it just me or has anyone else lost interest in doing their nails while cooped up at home? I am on day 8 now (came into contact with someone who said her doctor told her she should be in quarantine but she thought grocery shopping was a better idea) and while less busy than last week, I just don’t have the inspiration. I did however chip two nails doing nothing. Seriously, I took the corner off my pointer while brushing a cat? So I am back to rounded edges and a little shorter than last week to help keep the strength while handwashing.

Alter Ego I Huff and I Puff (Polish Pickup April 2020) Overview

• Coats required:  3 coats (two may be fine for most but that strong visible nail line was showing)
• Dry time:  Good
• Wear time: untested
• Issues: None
• Colour: mustard gold base with holo, fuchsia and white microglitter
• Buy It: Limited edition for Polish Pickup. $9.50 US / full size only (cap unknown)

Alter Ego Hit the Spot Trio (Indie Pickup April 2020)

I do love the polish, but on to something that excites me even more! This month, Alter Ego is offering a trio of Hit the Spot for Indie Pickup. You get an unscented and two scented ones for just $7US. Hit the Spot are mini pen format lotion bars that are made with Beeswax, Unrefined Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Grapeseed Oil. She regularly offers the unscented one in her shop (save 20% with TEANAILPOLISH if buying direct) but we talked her into some scented ones for Indie Pickup.

Cynthia recommends this for little itchy areas, they are great for where you have a bug bite or small cut. Because the ingredients are so simple, they are less likely to cause a reaction there too. But they make amazing matte swatching balms or barriers once your cuticle oil has soaked in. Seriously, my photos have this on every finger gently rubbed in (my polish is usually not 100% dry when I take photos so very gently rubbed in).

Twin Waterspouts: The morning mist kisses the freesia bud. The wind gently caresses the juniper. The meadow wears dewdrops as fragrant gems.

This reminds me of walking outside after a big thunderstorm. Freshness of the city smell washed away and a little heat still in the air. I think you can smell a little of the cocoa butter lingering under it too. Maybe that is just me craving chocolate and waiting for my Amazon order to show up though! Twin Waterspouts was offered as an acetone additive last year through IPU so if you loved it, grab this!

Pufferfish Pout: Feminine florals combine with sea salt, ocean mist, sea moss and geranium flower. This is laid on top of a bed of earthy vetiver, water mint and white cedarwood.

This is more aquatic smelling than Twin Waterspouts. Still very fresh with a slightly green and floral scent underneath. It is my favourite of the three (but it better be, I picked the scent). I find ocean scents can get a bit soapy? smelling but this has just the right amount of florals and green mixed in.

Alter Ego Hit The Spot Trio (Indie Pickup April 2020) Overview

• Description:  3 x 15ml tubes of Hit the Spot mini lotion sticks. Can be used as a matte swatching balm, cuticle barrier to seal in oil, on scratches or bites to sooth skin.
• Issues: None
• Ingredients: Beeswax, Unrefined Shea Butter, Unrefined Cocoa Butter, Grapeseed Oil (and fragrance oil in the scented ones)
• Scent: Unscented, Twin Waterspouts and Pufferfish Pout (you will receive all three)
• Buy It: April Indie Pickup. $7 US / only 35 sets available