The Secret Garden
"The Secret Garden is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was initially published in serial format starting in the autumn of 1910, and was first published in its entirety in 1911. It is now one of Burnett's most popular novels, and is considered to be a classic of English children's literature." - Wikipedia

How're you doing, lovelies?

This post is long overdue, and probably too late. Still, I'm proud to share with you a 'handmade in Singapore' polish collection by Susan of Star Trinkets (who also blogs under the pseudonym The Subtle Shimmer) - The Secret Garden. Urm, well, 3 of 4 polishes from the collection.

A collection inspired by a novel of the same name, the names of the polishes derived from distinctive quotes. When she released a preview of the collection, I was immediately drawn to these 3! Meet The Magic's in Me!, Silverbells & Cockleshells and It's Wick!

The Magic's in Me!
"The children described the things they could not explain as “magic” – nature, willpower, and love. Colin believed he will be able to start walking if he cast a spell by chanting “the magic is in me”. - Star Trinkets

This polish is described as being "full of holo glitter “hidden” in the sheer, shimmery reddish purple base" with "larger fuchsia and gold hex glitter".The specks in the macro inset aren't 'noise' but shimmer particles. The sheer jelly base is almost fluorescent, reflecting a purplish-blue glow. Perhaps it seems fluorescent to someone who isn't used to a bright fuchsia polish.
Initially, I layered it over a base colour, but later found it unnecessary. So I swatched this again another day.

Here's one coat of The Magic's in Me! (over a coat of Nail Tek Foundation III Ridge-filling base coat):

Yes, that much glitter spread over the nails, without any fuss! No glitter 'fishing' required. The formula went on smoothly. The consistency was not as thick as some glitter polishes.

A second coat, and I was done (finished with a layer of INM Northern Lights Hologram Top Coat, without the holo bits)!

The shade is brighter than what I'm normally comfortable with but the glitter mix is whimsically girly and adorable! I also posted on Instagram how pretty it remained even during removal.
Here's one more shot in the shade, with a hint of daylight:

Silverbells & Cockleshells
"When Mary got teased before coming to Misselthwaite, another child will recite the rhyme “Mary, Mary Quite Contrary” to her. The line “with silver bells and cockle shells” was what came to mind when this lacquer was created, so Silverbells & Cockleshells it became!" - Star Trinkets

This next polish is described as "a sheer dark greyish base full of micro silver glitter. There are also small gold and white squares, mid-sized gold and black glitter, and large white hex glitter."

New Year's Eve party immediately comes to mind when I look at this glitter mix. It's like a bunch of compressed confetti ready to be burst in the air at the stroke of midnight.
Again, I thought it needed to be layered over a base colour. The variations:

Over 1 coat of Nail Tek Foundation III, from left: 1 coat Ulta 3 Black Satin, 2 coats Jessica Iridescent Eye, 1 coat Silverbells & Cockleshells on both middle and index fingers.

After one more layer of Silverbells & Cockleshells over all 4 nails (finished with 1 coat of a-england The Shield top coat):

On its own, opacity is achieved in 2 coats (index and middle fingers). Over the ring finger and pinky, hints of the base colour is still visible.
Close-ups:
Left: 2 coats of Silverbells & Cockleshells
Right: 1 coat of Silverbells & Cockleshells over 2 coats of Jessica Iridescent Eye

Personally, I prefer it on its own. 2 coats allow for more of the glittery, shimmery goodness to spread onto the nails. Like The Magic's in Me!, the glitter content is dense and spreads itself really well, except for the larger hex and squares. Still, a decent amount went on the nails without having to fish for them.

It's Wick!
“Wick” is used the describe a plant that’s still alive. Dickon determined this by cutting away some of the bark to reveal the green beneath. The children were so excited to discover than many of the plants in the secret garden were wick." - Star Trinkets

Saved the best for last. It's Wick! is a "shimmery green base full of micro glitter in two different shades of blue. It also has gold squares and a sprinkling of fuchsia, silver, and blue hex glitter, as well as the occasional black hex." Hmm, I did not find the rare black hex (yet).

Again, check out the shimmer particles. There's a magical glow when the sunlight hits these particles. They're like pixie dust!
Not having learnt my lesson the third time, I started with a few base colours to see the effect when It's Wick is layered over them.

Over 1 coat of Nail Tak Foundation III, from left: 1 coat Ulta3 Black Satin, 2 coats Megan Miller Caribbean, 2 coats Megan Miller Pink Lily, 1 coat It's Wick!

Here's 1 coat of It's Wick over all 4 (finished with 1 coat of a-england The Shield top coat):

Close-ups:

Left: 2 coats of It's Wick!
Right: 1 coat of It's Wick! over 2 coats of Megan Miller Pink Lily

I commented on Instagram that this polish gives a flirty floral feel. Again, no problems getting a generous dose of glitter across the nails.
Which do I prefer? Tough call. But you can really get away with 2 coats of It's Wick on its own. It is rather gritty, so a top coat with thicker consistency, like Seche Vite or Poshe, is recommended. Or 2 coats of any thinner ones.

The fourth polish in this collection, which I did not get, is Fountains O' Roses.

The bottle and brush is identical to the mini bottles used by Girly Bits, which I've done a comparison with OPI minis here.

My only discontent - they only come in 5ml bottles. So I got a back-up for Silverbells & Cockleshells and It's Wick!
Star Trinkets will not be re-stocking these once they are sold out. And if I'm not mistaken, Silverbells & Cockleshells is sold out. So if they're calling out to you, head for Star Trinkets and grab them while they are still available. And they're on SALE too for SGD 7.00 each (usual: SGD 8.00). She ships internationally.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, lovelies!

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored/ endorsed by any of the above-mentioned companies. All opinions expressed are my own, and will always be. All products, with the exception of Ulta3 Black Satin (gifted by Kate of LacquerCareFactor) were purchased by me.