Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Review & Rant: Lynnderella One Nutty Fruitcake

I'm a little 'over' Lynnderella polishes. Hear me out.

1. They are way too hard to purchase.

WAY too hard.

I've been trying for months and only managed to purchase 2 of them. Firstly, they weren't available for International sales. Then thanks to a third party they ARE made available but are put up for sale at random times, all of which are in the middle of the night Australian time, or they are put on a lottery system or competition where some get first pick and then sell out, or the shopping cart oversells and most orders are pulled......it's very frustrating.

2. The online fighting as a result of the above is also disheartening. Women are cracking it, beside themselves, saying nasty things to complete strangers and trolling the forum boards and Facebook pages. All this over a bottle of NAIL POLISH.  Kids are starving, people are losing their houses, Countries are in chaotic turmoil and some people's blood are boiling over how they can't purchase a bottle of glitter.

As a result I am 'over' trying to purchase said bottle of glitter. And the third reason?
3. I really didn't think One Nutty Fruitcake cut the mustard.


This was 3 coats of One Nutty Fruitcake over Essence You belong to me. Now, after 3 coats of something I am expecting OPAQUENESS.....but this is barely one coats worth of glitter compared with other brands.  After the 3rd coat, I even got the brush and fished out the large glitter and stuck them down individually. To me, this was not worth $15.  After a coat of Glitter tamer and another coat of Seche QD, my nails looked and felt half an inch thick.

Did I get a bad bottle? Because people RAVE about these glitters.....am I missing something? Am I being overly harsh? I'm a little baffled......


And here is 2 coats of You Belong To Me on it's own. Gorgeous color and it applied wonderfully.

I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on my Lynnderella rant.  Are they too hard to purchase?   Are they worth $14.95?  Am I the only one disappointed with my purchase?

65 comments:

  1. I completely 100% hear you on this. I like the concept of the Lynderella polishes way more than the actual product. I love that she's doing this on her own and is creating a product that people are going crazy for - that's an amazing accomplishment, but I just can't seem to get excited about the polishes themselves. I have a few that were gifted to me which I love, but I'm not going to pull my hair out trying to order more when it is so difficult.

    And you're right about the nastiness coming out in some women who can't get what they want. Sad. Really sad. At the end of the day, it's just a bottle of glitter.

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    1. Yes, I should have brought out that I agree with and always support Indie businesses, especially one woman teams. My frustration lies with the availability of the products.

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  2. Hear, Hear! The nastiness that the unavailability of these polishes cause is beyond baffling!

    The craziness it causes is even much more flabbergasting! Ohh yeah, I pulled out the big word.

    Some people have resorted to bidding for Lynn's polishes at outrageous prices on eBay!

    I Don't own a Lynnderella polish, and I can't say anything about the polishes, but I know that I have decided to hold my piece and I will NOT go crazy over trying to get one. I don't want all her polishes, because quite frankly, I don't think they're all necessary to own, but the few I'm lemming... like Connect The dots, I shall buy if I see at a reasonable price.

    The price seems fair for the size of the bottle. Considering that they are also "hand made", I understand the price because Lynn makes these herself and all the stuff that comes along with "hand made" products have to be factored in the price. So Yes, The price is reasonable, for 1-5 bottles when you're feeling like spoiling yourself.

    Is the price reasonable for owning every single Polish??! Well, That's up to each person, but for me.. I say NO. Lol....
    Are the polishes worth fighting for? Absolutely Not. Like I said, If they come to me, I'll gladly accept the ones I'm lemming. If not, I shall hold my peace.


    Sorry for your bad experience, and I also agree, this polish is not one of my favorites of hers.

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    1. Connect The Dots is the only one I am seriously lemming, but hve stopped trying to source one. I understnd she is overwhelmed but maybe it might be time to close things down for a couple of months until inventory is well and truly built up to a sellable level?

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  3. Oohh... so cute. It looks like a birds egg.

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  4. I don't own a single Lynn because of the insanity involved with obtaining one. I love, love, love many of her polishes, and from what I have seen she is very sweet and she works her butt off, but I just don't have extra energy laying around to obsessively check nail boards/blogs for the next 2-hour window of sale, then hover over my computer to try to get the ones I want, while trying to navigate through the thickets of cattiness. I think the price is reasonable in terms of what she is offering (handmade polishes with a huge variety and complexity of glitter that's not available in commercial polishes) but I simply refuse to touch the nuttiness (ha, ha) that's evolved around the sale of her line. It's a shame how mean people will get over a bottle of nail lacquer. I definitely covet some Lynderellas, don't get me wrong! A number of her polishes are triple-starred on my wishlist, because they are beautiful and unique. There are just other areas of my life where I choose to expend that energy, and I'm honestly disappointed that people are getting so rabid.
    One Nutty Fruitcake isn't on my wishlist, either. A nice polish but definitely not worth the stress for me. But if you wanted I bet you could swap your Lynn for something else really fabulous too :)

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    1. Exactly. If you sat on Facebook ALL day on the sellers page then you MIGHT have a chance o purchasing one. If you don't have the time to troll the boards, you have no hope of getting anything!

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  5. I was finally able to get Connect the Dots, but then received an email saying that they had oversold it. So now I am on a waiting list :( The whole thing frustrates me a lot.

    Also, I agree that they are (in and of themselves) not worth $15 but since Lynn is no large scale manufacturer, I can understand the price. I think some people are going overboard with these though. They only want them because they can't get them. I can't believe people would stoop so low for nail polish. Let's keep some dignity now

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    1. I can understand the pricepoint too, I just think One Nutty Fruitcake wasnt worth the price.

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  6. Having a very very tiny business myself, I can mostly understand the price. It's the craziness surrounding the intense demand that I can't handle. While I wouldn't wear each and every polish she's made, I do appreciate the variety of glitter in most of them, and there are a few that I would love to own at some point. But...while I'm happy for her and her business and I wish her all the best, I think for now I will just admire from afar. :)

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  7. There's a few Lynderellas I'd like to try, but with this latest lottery system I'm over it. It's a product, put it in a shop and let us buy it. If there's no stock then there's no stock but a lottery for a chance to get some is all a bit over the top for me.
    Must admit One Nutty Fruitcake looks a bit like my fingers after helping the kids with a craft project. Maybe next time I should help them with a wet base coat on.
    That's a nice colour Essence though. You can get a lot of Essences for the cost of a Lynderella :) You can even get half a dozen of the glitter Essences and mix them together to make your own glitter bomb.

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    1. The glitters in themselves are extremely easy to franken. You just need a suspension base plus a heap of different glitters and mix with 2 balls. You need to be able to be BOTHERED tho, which is where sellers like Lynnderella come in!

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  8. While I absolutely love my Lynnderella's I really dislike how vile people become trying to get what they want....this is also true of other small business too, recently a US boutique of children's wear had a pre sale and people went just as mad - makes me feel sad for the creators :-(

    Maybe swatch One Nutty Fruitcake over a different base you might like it more

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    1. You will get people going nuts over anything they cant seem to get. Just human nature. Rising above it all is being able to weight up and see that everything is relative and for some of us, going bananas over a bottle of polish just isn't going to happen.

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  9. 100% agree, tired of people who voice similar sentiments getting jumped on too... it's ridic.

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    1. I did contemplate poeple jumping all over me about this post, but I really just don't care. The ones who wont like it are the ones going freakazoid over these polishes anyway!

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  10. I agree 100%! Lynderellas are (in my opinion) overpriced and overrated. That light blue is gorgeous though :)

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    1. Only owning 2 of them, I cant 100% agree with you about them being overrated. My opinon is based on One Nutty Fruitcake at this stage.

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  11. This is so well said!! I totally am shocked by the attitudes of people regarding these polishes. I can understand the price ... I can understand the shortages as it's a hobby compared to a business but I can't understand how vile some people can be to get their hands on them.

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    1. Thanks Sarah. Reading everyone's rants is so draining, I never log onto the sellers Facebook page anymore.

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  12. love your post about this!!! agree 100%.

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  13. Life's too short to read nail boards. The drama and self-righteousness gives me hives.

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    1. Yep, I never log onto the sellers Facebook page anymore. It's full of too many spoilt brats and excuses why the polishes aren't available.

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  14. I totally agree. I mean, some Lynderellas look great but not $15 great. And they're a PITA to get, like you said. I'm quite unimpressed by most of them, to be honest. Meh. In other news, You Belong To Me is one of my favorite colors ever, and it looks FAB on your nails. :)

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  15. Esseence polishes are FAB and I am ecstatic that Australia has finally started stocking them! And a bargain at only $2.50!

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  16. I personally have never purchased that brand, and I don't intend to. I don't think they look that great for the price, and I don't like the way I've seen people act when it comes to them. It's draining and horribly immature. Great post :)

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  17. I have never purchased this brand partly cause it's always sold out and then I start reading about people being immuture. I really don't think a "Glittery Polish" is worth it. I kinda feel for the person that made the brand because I don't think they every thought people would act the way they have been about the product. Great post.

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    1. Yep, I feel sorry for Lynn too. I would probably pack it all up and give in so kudos to her for still going thru the crapstorm.

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    2. I think they really have to come up with a better way and I think your right with not selling for a while so she can stock pile because they must have some idea how many they have sold to get some idea how many she needs for each batch, they really need a better program that doesn't let them over sell as well.

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  18. I've been gifted and purchased Lynderella's and IMO they are certainly some of the best glitter polishes in my collection. I guess it depends if your a glitter hoe or not :)

    Re the price point, when I see Revlon in Target for $15, I think her price is excellent, especially as Lynn's price is $12, the Llrowe price is $15.

    I'm totally blown away by people's behavior about getting them, but I generally don't have time to read boards or hang out on facebook, so I'm not exposed to it too much. It makes me not want to post about my Lynns which is disappointing.

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    1. POst your Lynns Cathy, we still want to see them all!

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  19. Frustration or not, I still think your swatch looks great ^^

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  20. You echoed everything I have been thinking for the last couple of weeks. Thanks for a well thought out and professional post and review. I love your blog!

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    1. Thanks Stephanie for reading! I'm not sure about the professional part, mainly I'm just having a whinge!

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  21. I hate the whole situation around these polishes - I agree its frustrating that they're in short supply but I'm also very grateful that everyone has an equal chance to get them as so many polishes are restricted to certain countries. I'm also grateful for the lottery - I don't want to check a website all the time, but admittedly I'm not hell bent on getting these polishes.

    There are plenty of people out there who will visit lots of stores and potentially multiple times to get hold of a polish. And still they may not get it - I don't really see how this is different, it's just online so everyone is far more aware of it thanks to social media and the fact that its so much easier to visit an online store all the time than going out to a real store.

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    1. That's interesting Jen that you like a lottery system. I think the best attitude to have is yours, if e get one then that's great. But if not, it doesn't matter...coupla days! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. I am a polish stalker (can't help popping into random chemists to see if there's anything new), but I don't have the energy to stalk the net for these polishes. I have entered the lottery and if I win I'll buy one, but I'm not losing sleep over the fact that I'll most probably never own one, ever :)

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    1. Ditto. I'll do the stores if I'm out shopping but wont sit on Facebook waiting for an update.

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  23. I agree that these are way to hard to purchase, the whole lottery/form/email thing and stalking the facebook and shop it's just too frustrating.
    I managed to get five when they sold through Lynn's blog and I love them! There are several more I'd like, and if I have the chance to get them I'll do so happily and if not, well I'll live.
    Personally, I don't like the look of One Nutty Fruitcake so I wouldn't get that one, I love the look of the ones I have, they are beautiful. Sorry you were disappointed though!
    I just don't understand people's nasty attitudes, at the end of the day it's just polish and glitter, and there are so much more important things to worry about, I'm just enjoying the polishes I have and trying to avoid the drama as much as possible :)

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    1. Hi Susy, you were lucky to get 5! The buying process is frustrating...if only I cold make and sell them so I could do it differently!

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  24. the big thing with the lynnderella polish is someone got some from somewhere. I don't know if she purchased them or if she was sent them for free. She has a bunch of people who she has tricked into thinking she was a victim, so they pity her and would buy poo in a jar if she said it was "ZOMG!!!!! AMAZING!!!!" Thats what caused the hub bub. There is not a polish Lynnderella has that I have "needed" ever. And this whole issue with her not being able to keep up with orders...I would be more sympathetic if she did not just come out with a new 10 piece collection, and was already talking about another collection to come out in June.

    Having to win a lottery to be able to purchase a polish is ridiculous. I doubt it would be very fair, anyway. I have been VERY vocal about how ridiculous it is, I doubt I would ever be "lucky" enough to win the lotto to be able to purchase (obviously) the holy grail of polish.

    Thats my take on it.

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    1. This is a story I haven't heard or read about so can't comment on it. I havent been vocal with my frustration on the boards, I leave it for my blog. What did propel me to say something is the way people are behaving which I find very sad.

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  25. I had no idea there was so much drama about these polishes. I never go onto the nail boards. The few times I was on there people weren't very nice. Not nasty but just not friendly. Especially since I was a newbie & didn't know how to navigate the board. I've seen some of the polishes. They're pretty but I thought they were too much money. I understand they're hand made. I was disappointed that they always had to be layered. I thought for the price I would be seeing opaque polishes. I love glitters but won't go through all that for a polish.

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    1. Lucy, I never go onto them either. I just dont have thr time first and foremost. Secondly, I buy what I like and not what the hype is at the moment. I also have a zillion other essential items that need purchasing BEFORE nail polish so theres no point in getting hyped up about anything.

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  26. How the heck do people even buy these? I'm Canadian, with a 9-5 job, and the sales are always over before I know they start. And the snarkiness...wow. I actually love reading the heated discussions because they fascinate me for the EXACT reasons you have stated above. I just wish people would put things in perspective sometimes. First world problems...

    I only wanted "Very Pretty Vampire" but I think I will try to recreate the look on my own. Thanks for saying what I didn't have the guts to say. I felt like expressing this opinion was 'going against the grain' somehow, but I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way. I'm more of a 'subtle shimmer' kind of girl I am now realizing anyways.... Buy what you like, right? Great post and great honesty!

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    1. I dont know how to buy them! I managed to get 2 the lats time they were available on the website for sale, but it was a HUGE fluke that I just happened to look at the same time a few colors were uploaded.

      Very Pretty Vampire and Connect the dots were and still are the *only* 2 colors I want....maybe some day!

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  27. I can't remember the last time I wore nail polish.... Your blue nails look GORGEOUS & have me wishing for more time to spend on me.... :o)

    Now I'm off to see if I can find some of those tins you mentioned....!!

    Cheers,
    Tamarah :o)

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    1. I havent posted pictures of my collections here Tamarah, but I can email yu a few pictures....lemme know!

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  28. I do not own any Lynnderella polishes so I can make any comments about the polish itself... That being said you are absolutely right. It is nail polish. The world will not end if I never own a bottle of Lynnderella. Would I like to own one... sure. I am I willing to turn myself into a crazed lunatic to get one? absolutely not. Further your comments about how hurtful we have all become over bottles of polish is spot on. Everyone has been so hurtful to Leah Anne at Llarlowe because they have been unable to get a bottle. Do I agree with her business practices or the way she runs her business... no. But that does not give me the right to be rude and disrespectful to her. Helpful criticism from one business woman to another sure.... profanities and childish rantings over nail polish? absolutely not.
    That being said... It is a little ridiculous for The maker and sellers of these polishes to get mad that people are selling them at jacked up prices on ebay. There is a demand for Lynnderella polish... by creating limited stock and availability Lynnderella herself has created the market for sales and if people are willing to pay the higher prices who are they to tell them "no you can't sell these on ebay." That is just the society we live in and simple economics in a nutshell. If they really want to stop the ebay sales they either need to make the product more readily available or raise their prices so it is not worth it to sell the polish on ebay.

    That is my rant. On a side note your post was very well written! I think you eloquently expressed your opinions on this matter. I also really like the essence color you chose.

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    1. I agree with everything you have said. No, I am not of the dispoition to turn into a raving loony over a bottle of polish...no mater how exclusive or expensive they are.
      No, I dont agree with how they are being sold...I think there is a much better way, but I wont go into it as it's not MY business.
      And there will ALWAYS be someone ready to capitalise on something not readily available and sell it on eBay. As stated, to stop this you need the product to be stocked fulltime or have the promise of it to be restocked again in the future at a sellable level. Like Maria at Cultnails with Unicorn Puke. For a professional selling platform, she is an excellent example.
      Thanks for your comment!

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    2. I agree with so many of the comments you've made. I'm sorry if Lynn is getting slammed, but in some ways it seems she's brought it on herself. The only reason her polish was on my radar was because I saw it reviewed on a blog (with the this product was sent for review disclaimer, I might add). So she has polish to send off for publicity, but not enough to fulfill all of the orders she takes? Very bad business. Why advertise at all if you can't keep up with demand as it is?

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    3. Phunkymama. OK, another point I forgot to bring out. I *also* have noticed that a few blogs are featuring her polishes, that have been sent to them for review. This is a good point to bring out....if you are going to send stock out for advertising purposes, you should really have enough stock to fill orders with....or there is NO point in advertising at all. Again, another point that is vaild and would need adressing if I was in the polish selling business!!!

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  29. Glad to see these comments, you've expressed your views very well! As you said, I'm surprised there aren't more flames.

    I personally don't particularly like many of them (except for Connect the Dots) and the absolutely crazy behaviour of the 'fans' is quite disheartening. I'm happy for Lynn and her success and understand why they are hard to get (though perhaps a tad expensive?), but the way people are going about bitching about it, sending hate to poor Llarowe and marking them up on ebay is utterly ridiculous! I only see myself buying a bottle once the hype dies down, because otherwise I don't really want to be part of it.

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    1. Llarowe is doing the best she can with the way she is selling them. There are better ways of doing it, I just hope she works out something different soon. Leah-Ann is a lovely person and I feel sick that anyone is sending her email hate. Karma is a b**ch and will bite you back on the bum for what you dish out!

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  30. i really love a lot of them and don't care for some, like any polish brand really. i think the reason i like them so much is because of the originality in the designs when so many of the mass market brands can be so similiar. i honestly can understand the hype, as i am a crazy polish-head and i get crazy excited about all new shiny pretty things (haha). i do understand the price point, but it's not a thing i'd splurge on often if ever because of the difficulty purchasing them. great post and good talking points :)

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  31. I love the polishes, but seriously, Im so over how they are sold. I dont want to be nasty, but the fact that she advertises it, sends out products for review, makes it a minimum of 6 polishes per order (which I only wanted 3, so youre making me buy stock someone else might want.) out of stock, completely shutting down the shop and acting like we just have to "wait our turn" to order is just annoying. I know that sounds snotty, and I don't intend it to be at all, but it just seems if you're going to have a business, you need to think about your supply chain or dont do it at all. And don't make everything limited edition if you arent going to be able to fill orders! She's capitalizing on the collecting bug that most polish "hoarders" feel, but then seems offended that people get frustrated. And the ebay thing? Yeah, every brand gets ebayed. Why should hers be an exception? Though I hate paying more, Ive been known to when I really want something :)

    I feel that LLarowe is getting the brunt of something that isnt her fault. Essentially its Lynderellas, whether we like her, or her product, or not.

    That being said, I still lem me some connect the dots, and totally understand the price. :)

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  32. I agree about how people go crazy about them, I still have lemmings but I'll wait for people to calm down before even trying to get some oh her polishes. I make my wishlist public so I might have the chance to get a decant, etc...
    I wanted to share this link to you, because I think you got a wrong bottle, here is two coats of it:
    http://morenailpolish.blogspot.com/2012/03/lynnderella-one-nutty-fruitcake.html

    <3

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  33. Er, this is probably a long shot, but you don't by any chance happen to still have One Nutty Fruitcake and be willing to part with it? I am desperately trying to track down a bottle after mine broke, and can't find one anywhere. I'd be open to paying pretty much anything; it's my favourite polish, and I'm heartbroken.

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  34. I wanted to thank you for this post. I have just discovered indie glitter polishes and have been wondering if Lynnderella is worth the $20 a bottle that it now goes for at her eBay store. I think I'll pass! I don't begrudge self-employed artists and craftspeople a decent living, but $20 for a bottle of lacquer is out of my budget right now.

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  35. Some of her bottle of polish are now going for over $70 a bottle on Ebay. This is from deliberately only offering tiny quantities of it at a time. The bidder's identities are also kept secret, unlike other Ebay auctions. She could be bidding on them herself to drive the price up! I've been seriously looking into developing one of her polishes that is completely unobtainable from a Frankenpolish that I make myself.
    In looking at glitters out there, it would be completely doable. Really not that hard to copy. I refuse to pay $100 for an easily mimicked bottle of polish.

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Thanks so much for commenting! I read each and every one, even if I am slow to respond sometimes!