LacqueredMama: I,A.M...CustomColor - Ashes' Favorites {July and August Duos} & Birthday Duo (swatches and review)

**press sample**

Hi guys! Today I have the newest Ashes' Favorites Duos for July and August, as well as Ashlie's Birthday Duo! Below I have my thoughts on each polish, as well as Ashlie's notes regarding the inspiration of each one in italics....Let's jump right in!

July Duo

Ms. Dunham is gorgeous rose gold holo with an amazing formula! This was almost a one coater, but I did two thin coats for my photos!

This Polish was inspired by Katherine Dunham; she was an amazing dancer and Scholar. She helped pave the way and give legitimacy to Jazz dance which along with tap and Katherine's work in Afro-Caribbean cultures, spawned Hip hop and helped define African American/ Caribbean Culture, dance and identity in the early 30's. She introduced Afro-Caribbean dance to the US and created a field of legitimate Dance Anthropology, which if you know me, Anthro/Linguistics/Dance are my soul. For this Katherine Dunham is one of my inspirations. In her Later years, she returned Home to start dance and art programs for inner city children and adults. She stood up for civil rights, women's rights and social disadvantage, which was no easy task for a mixed woman to do in Hollywood in the 40's and 50's.You can read more about her amazing life here-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Dunham

Or watch about it here -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vyx6ue7K6o

3 Little Birds is teal, blue, violet, gold UCC flakies with silver micro holo flakies and is so awesome! This is buildable to be opaque on its own in 3-4 coats, but it looks absolutely amazing over a dark base. Here I did two think coats over Glitter or Die's Spier, plus topcoat!

This Polish was inspired by my favoritest Bob Marley Song! I literally love ALL Bob Dude, but this song, this song gets me every time! Smiling, Singing and Dancing! You can watch it here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGYAAsHT4QE

The July Duo comes with a pink shimmery Lil' Lux Medium Mani Fizz in Purely Seductive Scent!

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August Duo

Roberto is a white crelly holo with blue sparks and teal-blue-navy UCC flakies. So freaking pretty! If you love white crellies like I do, then you NEED this! This can be opaque in just two coats, but I chose to do three thin coats for my photos!

This Polish was inspired by Roberto Bolle, an amazing male ballet dancer!. Here is a little clip of this gorgeous Man Candy, I mean Dancer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3VNPsugWk
Here is a link to his Wiki Page-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Bolle

Sober is mauve, leaning nude holo with taupe micro flakies and a golden shimmer. This polish is so gorgeous! For my skin tone, it is the perfect pinky nude, but with a little extra something something...
Another wonderful formula, needing just two coats plus topcoat!

This Polish is inspired by the Tool Song Sober. I absolutely love this song and music video, Tool is one of my favorite bands and have been for over a decade and a half! You can watch the music video here-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hglVqACd1C8

The August Duo comes with a tropical paradise flavored lip balm that smells coco nutty and is really moisturizing!

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Birthday Duo

PCH (Pacific Coats Highway) is an awesome medium teal creme! Super opaque and covered completely in just two coats! My photos are a bit more green than it is in real life. It definitely has that hint of blue that is most seen in the full mani shot!

Cali Bombshell 2.0 is a gorgeous ultra gold holo! This is the reformulated version of Cali Bombshell, which was released last year. Not your typical holo as this has flecks of micro glitter throughout that gives that extra ooompf! This one was also just two coats plus topcoat!

The Birthday Duo comes with a mini topcoat, mini basecoat, cuticle oil and medium Mani Fizz, all in the scent of Pure Seduction!

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I loved all of the polishes, as always! I think my personal favs are Roberto, because I looooove white crellies with glitter and Sober, you all know how I love nudes! (not that way...pervs!)