Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Best of Ulta3

Yet another post to reiterate my love and appreciation for Ulta3 nail polishes. I've collected over 30 of these and they only set me back around $60 in total, most bought for $2 at Pulse Pharmacy or Soul Pattison Chemist. Here is a definitive guide of swatches for what must be nearly every colour.

These are high quality polishes for the price, the cremes in particular are consistently impressive (perfect consistency, ultra smooth and only requiring 1-2 coats) and there are some seriously gorgeous shades. They're cheap enough that you can buy a few each time to just play around with and try out. Essence, the only comparable nail polish range I can think of in terms of price and colour range, only has 5ml in each bottle, compared with Ulta3's 13.5ml. However, Essence makes infinitely better glitter polishes (Ulta3 is more for cremes, metallics and foils).




My top 5 Ulta3 nail polishes: Allure, French Pink, Watermelon, Earl Grey, Envy

l-r: Earl Grey, French Pink, Watermelon

Earl Grey

I've featured Allure and Envy previously, so I won't swatch them again. I'd been searching for Earl Grey for what feels like years, so I was ecstatic when I randomly found it recently. Unfortunately the brush that came with it was defective, so I attempted to replace it with a brush from another Ulta3 polish which I was going to throw out. The problem was when I tried to get rid of the existing nail polish on the replacement brush. I thought all I needed to do was soak it in nail polish remover and clean up the cap as well. But after I dipped my "clean" brush into Earl Grey, I didn't factor in that the remnants of nail polish remover would mix with the nail polish and apply like oil and water to my nail. Minor setbacks aside, Earl Grey is an easy to wear, smoky/mushroomy/putty colour with just enough warmth and deviation from a straightforward grey to give it interest. It was difficult to photograph accurately on my nail, so I'd say the truest colour representation is in the picture of the 5 bottles. The lightness of the grey and the underlying taupe and beige tones give it a point of difference from the mainly blueish/purplish greys or darker taupe polishes I own. French Pink is a very pale pink which I love for a feminine, polished look. It'd be ideal as a base for light-coloured glitter (I'm definitely going to try it with Revlon Popular next time). Watermelon is an orange-based coral with slight salmon pink tones which should complement all skin tones. Bright but not neon, it's one of my favourite polishes for summer or to inject colour year-round.

43 comments:

  1. This is amazing, I love Earl Grey :)

    Laura xoxo

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  2. Dying because of how cute the colours are! The watermelon colour is adorable~~

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  3. Wow! What a beautiful collection you have there. I'm absolutely adoring the creamy neutral and bright shades, and of course, all your favourite shades too. I only have one Ulta3 nail polish in 'Natural Spring' and I'd have to say it's my favourite shade of all time.

    I don't think I can find them here anymore, but I'll just have to keep searching since I remember seeing at this pharmacy which, to my disappointment, has closed down now. There's a cheap replacement which they sell though that is called T.B.N - Totally Beautiful Nails, seems like such a mimic of O.P.I in the name right? I'm not sure if they have it over there but I'd say it was hardly any good and not worth my money spent. In my opinion, the application was alright but the drying and opacity was definitely a let down. Just thought you should know in case you come across them any time soon. :)

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  4. Ohhh, I love Ulta polishes. Watermelon and French pink are wonderful (especially watermelon) but my absolute favourite is Pink colada. It's the most gorgeous red (yes, the name does not match the colour!). Nice post!
    xxx

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  5. oh what a nice collection!!
    I've never tried Ulta nail polish before since they're not available here in germany T.T
    the earl grey color looks so pretty!
    xx

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  6. I love Ulta polish, they are so damn awesome for $2. It is dangerous working in a pharmacy, I pick them up all the time!

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  7. love your rainbow collection... Earl Grey is totally my favorite as well :)

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  8. I definitely need to invest in some more of these, you've got some lovely colours!

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  9. I have a fair few Ulta3 polishes myself and must say they are WELL worth the $2 haha.

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  10. Hey darling, I've given you two awards :)

    Here's the link:

    http://solonelyingorgeous.blogspot.jp/2012/04/wow-i-dont-know-what-i-did-to-deserve.html

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    Replies
    1. and the other link:

      http://solonelyingorgeous.blogspot.jp/2012/04/versatile-blogger-award-squared.html

      Delete
  11. I always start obsessing over my nails when the summer comes, awesome review!That Watermelon color is GORGEOUS!!

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  12. These are all so gorgeous! Def a new follower :) If you'd like to follow each other here's mine! You have an amazing blog, can't wait for more posts :) XO!

    http://thelittlebrightsides.blogspot.ca/

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  13. You have quite a big collection! I own a few Ulta 2 nail polishes and they've always impressed me. Watermelon is definitely my favourite - it has one of the best formulas I've tried. xx

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  14. amazing colours. and great photos!

    http://adoramehitabel.blogspot.co.uk/

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  15. You so a really good self-manicure! impressive!

    Love those three shades you picked...especially the water melon! We don't have Ulta here, but I might pick up a few next time I'm in the States.

    xo Courtney

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  16. Great pictures girl, loving the blog <3

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  17. Gorgeous picks! Earl Grey looks like something I need! x

    http://wewereraisedbywolves.blogspot.co.uk/

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  18. The creme ones are SO pretty!

    http://www.sandra-thepuzzleofmylife.blogspot.com/

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  19. I'm super impressed by the quality of these polishes for the price..I have tried essence nail polish and have to agree they have great glitter polishes. Wish Ulta was in Canada!

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  20. Nice collection you have !

    Turtle <3
    http://littleturtlethings.blogspot.fr/

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  21. You have a pretty big collection here! The earl grey looks beautiful! I'm on the look out for a gray polish similar to what you have shown. The quality for the price of these polishes are amazing - i wish Ulta can make their way to Canada sometime soon lol.

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  22. Love the watermelon colour! You've got such a great collection of polishes there!

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  23. Ohh so jealous, these colours are divine. I definitely want to check them out now. I love how nail colour can change the whole mood of your day so easily.

    So glad I found your blog. Just signed up as a GFC follower and on Bloglovin. Looking forward to your future posts. Keep up the great blogging girl :)

    Luc X

    http://loveluc.blogspot.com/

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  24. omg u got earl grey!
    i was looking for that for aaaaages but i found dupes so i got over it haha
    recently picked up "watermelon" from big w :D

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  25. They're all so cute! I love Watermelon :)

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  26. Nice colors!!! Great blog!!!
    If you want, check out my blog

    http://thescentofglamour.blogspot.com/

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  27. It's so funny that you should post this now. Until this week I had no idea this brand even existed. The other day I stumbled across them in the pharmacy and had a bit of a rummage. Then, later this week I received one in my Bellabox in the colour Enchanted. Now you've done a Ulta3 dedicated post! Definitely looking forward to giving it a try now.

    Courtney
    Such A Beautiful Sight

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  28. LOVE your ULTA3 collection! I can't believe they cost $2 each! Earl Grey is just perfect for Autumn!!

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  29. Oh such good timing! I just saw a bunch for sale at $2 but I didn't pick any up. I think I will go pick some up this weekend. =)

    Allure is my current favourite cause it's so sophisticated!

    ♡ M.May

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  30. wow, what a collection you have there!! I've never heard of these polishes but they seem awesome :)) love your blog!!

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  31. Wow nice collection! The watermelon color is so pretty and summery! <3

    ~ Yun

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  32. Insane collection but I ♥ it.

    xo-Chelise
    http://empirestatebeautyqueen.blogspot.com/

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  33. nice collection! the colors are gorgeous!

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  34. nice colours and they look amazing

    http://makeupbyelysa.blogspot.co.uk/

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  35. wow! I love your collection! :-) beautiful colors

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  36. Absolutely love Ulta3 polishes. I've been looking for Envy for a long time; can't find it anywhere. ): x

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  37. so many nailpolishes you´ve got :O I have only 4 nailpolishes haha..

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  38. those colors are so amazing!
    i shall now only buy glitter polishes from essence =]
    xx

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