Top 12 of 2012

The end of yet another year is here. Where did the time go? This will be my last post for 2012, and I think it's a rather fitting one. These are my top 12 polishes in my stash that were released in 2012. I'll be listing these in no particular order, it would be impossible to pick a favourite. You'll notice that a large majority of them are indie polishes. I'd like to point out that I have plenty of favourites in my stash that are 'mainstream' polishes, but sadly most of them weren't released this year. Before I start, I just want to quickly mention that I'll have my New Year's mani up tomorrow, as well as an exciting announcement, so make sure to check back then!

1.  Winter Hyacinth - Femme Fatale Cosmetics

Original post here
Pictured mani is one coat of 'Winter Hyacinth' layered over China Glaze's 'For Audrey'

First of all, I want to explain why only one Femme Fatale Cosmetics polish made it into my top 12 list. It's because I've actually only used one of Sophie's polishes, the rest are still sitting in my untrieds pile *hangs head in shame*. I'll rectify that soon! 'Winter Hyacinth' is a teal crelly (creme/jelly) polish with white diamonds and hexes, as well as fuchsia and rose hexes both in metallic and holographic finishes. I love the colour combination of this polish, and to make the deal a little sweeter 'Winter Hyacinth' had the easiest removal I've ever experienced from a glitter polish.

2. Sakura Matsuri - Rainbow Honey

Original post here
Pictured mani is one coat of 'Sakura Matsuri' over China Glaze's 'Secret Peri-wink-le'

Sakura Matsuri was the first Rainbow Honey polish that I ever tried, and I'll admit that it started what is now a bit of an obsession with Rainbow Honey polishes. 'Sakura Matsuri' is the namesake polish of it's collection, and it means 'cherry blossom festival' in Japanese. It is packed with pink and white blossoms, as well as holographic and iridescent glitters. When those glitter catch the light - WOW!

3. Lunairetic - Rainbow Honey

Original post here
Pictured mani is one coat of 'Lunairetic' layered over OPI's 'Glitzerland'. Feature stripe is OPI's 'Plugged-In-Plum', adorned with 2mm gold studs

'Lunairetic' is from Rainbow Honey's 'Chrono Cross' Collection, and for anyone who has played the game it's inspired by Harle's Level 7 tech and the gorgeously bright moon she eclipses. 'Lunairetic' contains red, gold, purple and magenta glitters as well as holographic hex and diamond glitters. Stunning.

4. Witches Britches - Gloss 'n Sparkle

Original post here
Pictured mani is one coat of 'Witches Britches' over OPI's 'Do You Lilac It?'

'Witches Britches' is Gloss 'n Sparkle's limited edition Halloween 2012 polish. I love that this polish doesn't scream 'Halloween' like some of the other Halloween polishes released, I'd feel quite comfortable wearing this even when it's not October. 'Witches Britches' is a purple crelly polish and is packed with black, green (almost teal) and orange glitters in varying sizes.

5. Unicorn Droppings and Unicorn Spawn - Gloss 'n Sparkle

Original posts here and here
'Unicorn Droppings' is two coats over Essie's 'Blanc'
'Unicorn Spawn' is one coat over Essie's 'Blanc', with Revlon's 'Blue Lagoon' tips

Ok so I cheated. I couldn't pick between these two so I've included them both. I think of these two as sisters though, so hopefully they don't mind sharing. Both polishes share the same shimmery white base with micro holographic glitter. The elder sister, 'Unicorn Droppings', is packed with vibrantly coloured rainbow glitters (in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple). The little sister, 'Unicorn Spawn', has pastel blue, pink and yellow glitters. Both are beautiful in their own right and create a completely different look.

6. Ode To The Elite - Emily de Molly

Original post here
Pictured mani is one coat of 'Ode To The Elite' layered over China Glaze's 'Man Hunt'

Lovers of all things holographic rejoice! I think I nearly wet myself when I finally got this polish on my nails, I was so excited and completely mesmerised. 'Ode To The Elite' contains silver holo hexes (of at least 3 different sizes), micro glitter, squares, bar glitter, butterflies, and stars in a clear base. Layer it over dark colours to witness it's full effect.

7. Blue Moon - Emily de Molly

Original post here
Pictured mani is one coat of 'Blue Moon' over China Glaze's 'Liquid Leather'

'Blue Moon' is an exclusive polish that Hayley created for a group of Aussie nail polish addicts, and I was extremely lucky to get my hands on it. 'Blue Moon' contains several different sizes of vibrant blue hexes, along with silver holo moons and stars, and tiny blue and pink glitters in a clear base. Those blue glitters are so eye-catching, I had plenty of comments when I wore this one.

8. Flutterby Garden - Emily de Molly

Original post here
Pictured mani is one coat of  'Flutterby Garden' over China Glaze's 'Light As Air' and topped with Essie's 'Matte About You'

'Flutterby Garden' was my first Emily de Molly love, I was lemming this one for ages before I finally gave in and bought it. Now I have a rapidly growing collection of Emily de Mollys. 'Flutterby Garden' has green, lime, lavender and pink hex glitters, along with pink squares and some delicate green bar glitters all in a clear base. To top off this lovely glitter combo there are holographic butterflies thrown into the mix too. I absolutely love the combination of colours and glitter shapes in this one.

9. Man Hunt - China Glaze

Original post here
Pictured mani is two coats of 'Man Hunt' topped with Emily de Molly's 'Ode To The Elite'

I'll admit that I never really loved blue polish until I came across 'Man Hunt'. Now my blue polish collection has doubled in the last month alone. 'Man Hunt' was released as part of the On Safari Collection, and is a bold navy/cobalt blue creme polish, although it does lean slightly towards being a Jelly. You'll need two thick coats, or three thin coats to create opacity. This is the perfect blue in my opinion.

10. Pirouette My Whistle - OPI

Original post here
Pictured mani is one coat of 'Pirouette My Whistle' layered over OPI's 'Barre My Soul' and Essie's 'Blanc'

'Pirouette My Whistle' was probably my first real lemming. This was released before I discovered indie polishes, and at the time I was sure it was the only glitter that I would be able to tolerate. Boy was I wrong! 'Pirouette My Whistle' is from the New York City Ballet Collection, and has matte white hexes and tiny silver glitters in a clear base. Looks amazing topped with a matte top coat too.

11. Don't Pretzel My Buttons - OPI

Original post here
Pictured mani is two coats of 'Don't Pretzel My Buttons' with stamping in China Glaze's 'Custom Kicks' and OPI's 'You're A Pisa Work' using Konad stamping plate Q1

OPI's 'Don't Pretzel My Buttons' was released as part of the Germany Collection. It's a honey-beige coloured creme polish, opaque in 2 coats. A perfect neutral shade and it's now a staple item in my stash.

12. The Spy Who Loved Me - OPI

Original post here
Pictured mani is two coats of 'The Spy Who Loved Me' with gold leaf detailing

'The Spy Who Loved Me' is part of the Skyfall 007 Collection (aka the James Bond Collection). There were at least 4 polishes that I wanted from this collection, but somehow this is the one only one I ended up with. I'm sure I'll acquire more over time. 'The Spy Who Loved Me' is a beautiful fiery red polish with a stunning gold shimmer through it. Two coats create opacity and it has a lovely fluid formula. Easily my favourite red in my stash.

So that's it kids! My top 12 of 2012. Enjoy New Year's Eve and I'll see you in 2013! Already it's looking to be a promising year, I have a few things in the works that I'm quite excited to share with you ;)