Last weekend Mr. G and I went to the local swap-meet here in San Diego called Kobey's. I hadn't been there in a while, but I remembered that the last time I went, there were beauty-supply vendors who sold cheapie polishes, so I kept my eyes peeled for some.
To my surprise, there was a vendor who had tons of KleanColor and Santee Plus polishes (I included a link to the KleanColor site, but I don't believe Santee has a website. I did find a decent assortment of Santee polishes on this site, though. FYI, I have not ordered from that site--I'm just including the link for reference). Both of these brands are impossible for me to find in local beauty supply stores and they were all $1 a piece at the swap-meet, so, SCORE! I picked up two KleanColor polishes and one Santee polish, and I wanted to show them to you in case you have access to these brands!
The first is a neon mint green by Santee:
Santee Plush Vikini Green
I sometimes have a horrible time applying light neon shades (they can be so streaky) but Vikini Green was a delight to apply. In these swatches, I'm wearing three coats, but I totally could have gotten by with two. This is by FAR the brightest light green of my collection.
On my ring finger, I'm wearing an "accent" color, which is a glitter by KleanColor:
KleanColor Sparkle Emerald (on ring finger)
Next up, I got a pretty rose-colored metallic foil from KleanColor:
KleanColor Pearl Fuschia
And because of the current crackle craze, I decided to put a coat of Barry M Instant Nail Effects (click here for my review and video of this crackle polish) over both the Vikini Green and Pearl Fuschia, just for fun:
Do you own any Santee or KleanColor polishes? I'm pretty new to both brands, so I'm definitely open to suggestions!
Maybe Kleancolor and Santee have the same parent company? I have a Kleancolor, in that same hue, called Vikini Green as well.
ReplyDeleteErin, are you serious??? Wow!! Then you must be absolutely right! That would just be too much of a coincidence, huh? Thanks for the great insight!
ReplyDeleteI can get Kleancolors for $1 at a funky, old beauty supply in my area. I like their glitters. Have you heard of Ruby Kisses brand? They're sold at the same store, also for $1, fun color selection.
ReplyDeleterosarita: It is so funny that you mentioned Ruby Kisses! I have reviewed a few of their polishes in the past, but I'm working on a big post because I stumbled upon a BUNCH of their new shades at a local beauty supply and bought about 5 of them (there's $1 each in my area too). I LOVE Ruby Kisses! Glad you have access to them too! :)
ReplyDeleteOhhh that neon green is amazing! So eyesearing O__O
ReplyDeletenice neon color! looks lovely over the crackle.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw this post, I was going to post the same exact thing as Erin. I also have that shade by KleanColor, which I got at a flea market about a year ago. Strange!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of Santee and Kleancolor polishes. It does take about 3 coats or so to get to the right shade you wanted but ideally they are a very good brand and super cheap. Lots of store nearby my house sells them.
ReplyDeletewow my eyes literally hurt when i looked at the green polish. that's how bright it is haha. i do like it though xx
ReplyDeleteI haven't run across any Santee polishes yet. However, I did find a beauty store that had Kleancolor polishes and I got skads! In fact, I just put on one with bar glitter (!!) and as much as I love it; damn, it is STINKY!!! Oh, I do love the colors you got! I, too, found Ruby Kisses at another beauty store. Love them too. :)
ReplyDeleteG or does anyone else know of a color that is close to that Santee Vikini Greene that you can get at the drugstore. They dont sell either of these product lines near me. But i love that color. You have to spend $25 on the Kleancolor website and all i see i wanted was the polish.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Kleancolor polish! I also get them from the neighborhood beauty supply stores for $1. My faves are their holos (modest holo effect), Firework (chunky multi-glitter), Fashionista (murky pea soup green), Vikini Green and Golden Nightmare (black w/gold glitter and shimmer). Ruby Kisses has the coolest blue (Caribbean), silvers (Silver Metal and Silver Bling) and a great brick red (Golden Red). For a buck, you can't go too wrong. :)
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ReplyDeletewhen i lived in the states i used to get santee polishes at this one-off dollar store that sold mostly asian stuff. so i always assumed they were an asian brand. anyway i was always impressed by the quality, very opaque and easy to apply. i think i still have a black and a dark red from them.
ReplyDeleteWow I have never heard of either of these brands but are so pretty...i wonder for the price if they are big 3 free?...Anyway the only beauty supply store we have that you dont need a hair or nail license is Sally so I will have to take a ride there and maybe these two will show up there. I havent been in there in forever!
ReplyDeleteLillian: Eyesearing is right! lol!!
ReplyDeleteTara: Thank you! :)
Katie: That IS strange! I guess that confirms they're owned by the same company, huh?
Saroun: Lucky you! :)
you nailed it!: I know, right? It's probably one of the brightest shades I own. lol!
Kimberly: Yay! Soooo glad you have access to KleanColor AND Ruby Kisses! :)
ashwillis83: Gosh, I'm trying to think of something that's close, and the only thing I can come up with is maybe one of the Sinful Colors Neons? I don't think there's an exact match, but I'd start by looking at those first. Sorry!
coco_fiere: Gah! You're making me wish I had better access to their full display! Thank you SO much for the great recs, honey!
Jane: Nope, I don't think they're an Asian brand, but you were so lucky to have good access to them!
robin: I don't *think* they're B3F, but I'd have to get my magnifying glass out to be sure (that darned print is SO small on the bottles!). :)
I found Santee's website: http://santeecosmetic.com/
ReplyDeleteA thrift/$1 store near me used to sell Santee but have since replaced them with Kleancolor, which I love a lot. The neon blue and purple are so great. Kleancolor also has some great eyeshadow palettes, too.