Author: Shannon Rae

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Essie Dive Bar 

 I’ve been dreaming about Essie Dive Bar ever since I saw it at Shoppers two years ago on clearance, and didn’t buy it. When I went back to get it because I had to have it it was gone. And I was sad. 

Thank goodness for Marshalls. A few weeks back I spotted it and suffice to say–it’s MINE! And I love it so much. 

  

 Started off with two coats of perfection (aka Dive Bar) and topped with top coat. I should have taken a picture but whoops! After it was dry, I grabbed my gold Stripr Rite striper and created a few geometric stripes.  I then Sealed everything in  with top coat again, and then thought “I bet this would look beautiful mattified”. I had to  grab my L’oreal The Matte Velvet top coat and… 😍. You can see the end result. 

Even more perfection! Is there anything that matte top coat doesn’t make more beautiful?! 

  

 

I even (unintentionally!) matched my dress to my nails because I’m cool like that.   
 
What is #1 polish on your I Need To Own That list? Now that I finally own Dive Bar I’ll need to find a new one! I’ve been on a serious quest for Essie Bell Bottom Blues from their Fall collection and it keeps slipping out of my grasp! I want it so bad! Let me know yours in the comments! 

Have a lovely day! 💗

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Floral nails Inspired by @just1nail and @wonderouslypolished

I just love floral. It’s kind of verging on obsession. 

 I saw this manicure on Instagram by @just1nail (who was originally inspired by @wonderouslypolished) and thought it would be the perfect floral for Fall. So naturally that meant that it needed to be recreated! 
  
The polishes I used for this mani were:

  • OPI Just Be-Claus
  • OPI I Canolli Wear OPI 
  • Essie After School Boy Blazer
  • Essie Where’s My Chauffeur!
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Mellow Yellow (original formula)
  • Quo by ORLY Striper in White. 
  • Seche Vite

I went with a darker blue (Essie After School Boy Blazer) for a more Fall toned manicure…. and I love them! Also I have rarely been wearing red polish lately and now that fall is here that is definitely about to change! This was my first time wearing Just Be-Claus since I picked it up, and it’s such a pretty berry red! 

 
Let me know what you think of this mani in the comments below, and I hope you have a fabulous Monday! 

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Purple and Silver Dry Marble. 

 I haven’t attempted a dry marble manicure since my failed attempted at the 31 Day Challenge last year, so I thought I was overdue for another go! This was actually attempt number 2… My first try was mega nail fail. But once I figured out the technique I needed to use, it was smooth sailing. And you can probably tell by my abundance of pictures that I absolutely adore these! 

  
 
The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Hard Candy Zombie
  • Finger Paints Wanna Gogh Dance?
  • Seche Vite
  • L’oreal The Matte Velvet top coat.

   
 
I love how different each nail looks. My Husband almost always goes to bed before I finish my nails at night, so this morning I literally shoved my fingers in his face and was like “LOOK!” 

I might need to start doing more of these manicures now that I don’t just make an utter mess! It’s just so pretty– especially all mattified! 

   
 
What do you think of my dry marble? Have you ever gone back and retried a manicure you weren’t so good at the first time? Let me know in the comments! And have a beautiful weekend lovelies. 😽

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Mani swap with @pawlished.kait

Finally… Some nail art!  I’ve been super busy the last couple days but I was excited to do some real nail art by joining @pawlished.kait in a mani swap!  
Kait recreated my purple polka dots, and I recreated her gorgeous blue and fushia leopard print. 

 
The polishes I used for this mani were: 

  • Sinful Colors Be Happy
  • Essie The Girls Are Out
  • Sally Hansen I Love Nail Art pen in Black. 
  • Seche Vite 
  • L’oreal The Matte Velvet top coat. 

   
I love how well these two colours go together! Also matte 😍😍😍 I was so excited to swap with Kait! She has so many amazing manis, and it was hard to pick just one to recreate! 

 
If you’re not following  @pawlished.kait on Instagram you definitely should be! Not only does she have AWESOME manicures, she is a fellow crazy cat lady and posts pictures of her adorable fur babies! 😸

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Fall Dry Brush

I’ve been super busy the last couple days post wedding so I’ve had no real time for nails! But I did this Fall themed dry brush a couple weeks ago which I really loved (but didn’t get a chance to post) so I thought I would share!    

  

The polishes I used for this manicure were: 

  • China Glaze Jungle Queen 
  • Essie After School Boy Blazer 
  • Essie Sable Collar
  • China Glaze Don’t Desert Me 
  • ACO by Ardene Golden Luxery
  • Essie As Good As Gold
  • The rhinestones are from Icing Stores. 
  • Seche Vite

 
I love how the different layers of colours come through with this design. I also can’t wait for life to stop being such a whirlwind and get back to nail art again!