Clinique A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins review + swatches

Clinique has decided to re-enter the nail polish world with their new A Different Enamel for Sensitive Skins. Yes, that is apparently its full and proper name xD.
From their promo material:

"Did you know a person touches their eyes on average 200 times a day? With all that comes in contact with
hands and fingers throughout the day, there are many culprits that can irritate the eyes. Did you know that
nail enamel can cause irritation and even contact dermatitis on the suspectibly thin skin around the eye?
Amongst the dermotological community, nail enamel is also considered a significant allergen source for
periorbital dermatitis - a facial rash that develops around the lower and upper eyelids. People who suffer from these conditions often-times do not realize the connection between touching and rubbing the eye area, and fresh manicures."

After 3 years of research and a further 3 years of product development, Clinique has finally debuted their Different Enamel for Sensitive Skin.  
I personally don't suffer from any sensitivity towards chemicals in nail polish so I can't really comment as to whether or not these polishes perform as claimed, however, the final formula underwent a 1 month trial on women with sensitive skin and eyes and is also approved by dermatologists and ophthalmologists.
Unfortunately my press samples did not come with an ingredient list for these polishes. I have made a request for them from Clinique's PR and will update this post when I receive them. Since majority of nail polishes nowadays are "3 Free", meaning they are free of Dibutyl Phthalate, Formaldehyde and Toluene, it would be interesting to see what other chemicals Clinique has eliminated from their version. 
Formula wise, the creme finish polishes verge slightly on the thick side, the jelly finishes are lovely and trouble free as always and the foil finish was even and streak free. All the shades I tested were 2 coat opaque. Unlike some of the organic/vegan polishes I have tested in the past *cough* Spa Ritual *cough*, these Clinique polishes all had a decent wear time. I was able to wear them for 5+ days with minimal tip wear.
There are 12 permanent shades and 9 limited edition shades for the Summer (my favourite is Really Rio!!!).
At $18 for 8.9ml/0.3oz of product it is on the pricey side, and I still don't really know how these differ from the other 3 Free polishes out there but if skin sensitivity is a concern of yours, or if you're trying to cut out harsh chemicals from your beauty products, then definitely check these polishes out.
Available from May 2013 for CAN$18 from Clinique counters, Clinique.com and Sephora

All swatches are done without topcoat.
Really Rio (Creme)

 Pinkini (Creme)

 Sweet Tooth (Jelly)

 Hula Skirt (Creme)

Red Red Red (Jelly)

Black Honey (Jelly)

Strappy Sandals (Metallic foil)

Shi-Nail Salon grand opening!

A.K.A.: "How 3 VERY under-dressed bloggers attended an opening event".
Conveniently located on Saba Road across from Richmond Centre, Shi-Nail is Taiwanese owner Shirley's biggest dream come true. With its minimalistic black and white decor, Shi-Nail fuses high tech nail salon with spa like serenity. Curl up in one of their space pod like chairs and surf the web on the provided netbooks while getting a pedicure or just lie back and take a snooze.
In addition to regular nail services, Shi-Nail also offers Japanese style deco nail - glitter, 3D flowers, pastries, cakes, crystals, you name it and they'll put it on your nails.
OPI, Gelish, Sparitual, Zoya and Qtica are just some of the brands they use in-house. For bling, they use only genuine Swarovski crystals for their unsurpassed shine.
A product catch your eye? Shi-Nail will order it for you and call you on its arrival! (usually the next day!!). We each hauled a bottle of the highly sought after and hard to find Zoya Remove+ after seeing it take off my China Glaze Atlantis in 2 swipes.
In addition to manicures and pedicures, Shi-Nail will also bling your fings! Bring your fing for them to bling!
Prices are really quite reasonable, $25 for a manicure, $36 for a pedicure, or get a combo for only $55! A full gel set plus extensions is $55 and an acrylic set plus extensions is $50. Deco nails start at $10 for French, glitter or gradation tips, 3D art is $1.50 and Swarovski crystals are $0.30 each.
Their address is: 115-8033 Saba Rd, Richmond, BC
Tel: 604-273-5888
Photos from the day:

This shelf. In my house. NAO!!

 Pedicure chairs worthy of Lady Gaga

Each pedicure chair is equipped with a netbook!

Noms supplied by Secret Garden

As always, a flower shot.

Blinged out iPhone case

Shirley the gorgeous owner

Shirley's nails. You can get these too if you go to Shi-Nail!

One of the nail technicians demonstrating a marble manicure

Ring finger: water marble Pinkie: hand drawn 2D nail art

Face full of chocolate eclair = blurry photo. Cameo, beaded chain and Swarovski crystals.

Sheila getting her nail blinged!!

The finished product

Obligatory NOTD. Notice how my fingers are the shortest and fattest. Kinda like the rest of me really.

Huge thanks to Ian of Special Design Unit and Shirley of Shi-Nail for inviting us to the fun filled afternoon!

My latest obsession

I've never been a nail girl, and I honestly don't know what set off this new addiction but lately I've just been buying bottles and bottles of nail polish. My friends haven't been helping either, instead they've been encouraging this addiction by sending me oodles of polish. A prime example being Rasilla, a fellow Canadian beauty blogger and dare I say friend sent me a GIGANTIC box stuffed with nail polish including the elusive Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure. I have yet to thank her properly but rest assured my dear, it will come back 3 folds. At least xD.
So in the space of one month I have gone from 5 bottles of nail polish to just over 50 bottles.
Yeeeah......
Anyway! moving on!
I promised my friend Jaq that I'll take photos of my stash once my 8ty8 Beauty order came in, so here it is, in all its glory.
I've previously received some flack for showing photos of my vanity collection, but Jaq taught me a great come back in the event that I receive more of those "you have too much stuff" comments.

It all fits nicely inside this wooden box xD

Yup, so there it is. It's not the biggest collection by a long shot but I'm sure it's a lot more than what most "normal" people have xD
For the Canadian girls, if you're wondering where I got all the China Glaze, I got it from an online shop called 8ty8Beauty. Prices range from $2.88 to $3.58 a bottle, shipping to Canada is $15 for 1 to 6 bottles of polish, $30 for 7 to 12 bottles, and $36 for 13 to 24 bottles via USPS Global Priority shipping. There is no sales tax and the seller is willing to mark the package as "gift" so you MIGHT not be charged customs.
This means if you order 24 bottles, you'll be paying $1.50 shipping for each bottle. This might sound rather hefty but considering  that a bottle of China Glaze from Sally's Beauty sells for $5.99 plus tax, you'll only be paying $4.50 a bottle. Obviously if you're only going to be buying 1 or 2 bottles, it's cheaper to go to Sally's. Keep in mind though that Canadian Sally's don't really stock much of the LE or special polishes.
In addition to 8ty8Beauty, there's also TransDesign (they still stock OPI polishes) and Head2toebeauty. Of the two, I've heard that TransDesign is the kindest in terms of Canadian shipping, although I haven't tried it out personally yet.
Expect to see lots of NOTDs in the future! and let me know if you'd like a swatch of anything you see in my stash xD

Extra NOTD pic:

O.P.I. At your Quebec and Call. This was part of Rasilla's gigantic gift package xD. It's a gorgeous shimmery golden olive which flashes more golden in the sunlight with dark olive corners. Formula was on the thin side, total opacity requires 4 coats. Brush is a wide flat brush which was very easy to control and required no clean-up.