Author: Shannon Rae

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Glitter Gradient featuring Essie’s The Girls are Out.

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Oh wow, we were having some seriously warm weather last week–a full Summer flashback even though it’s now September. I felt like doing something a little brighter on my nails, so decided to go with a glitter gradient as not only are they fairly easy, they’re also quick (but totally gorgeous.)

 

The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Essie The Girls are Out.
  • Color Institute unnamed gold polish.
  • Color Institute unnamed gold glitter polish.
  • Quo by ORLY Gold Rush Sparkle.
  • Nutra Nail Quick Dry Top Coat.

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Check out the holo bar glitter in Quo by ORLY Gold Rush Sparkle! Holy Moly–it’s another one of the mini polishes the boyfriend got me last Christmas as part of the holiday pack, and I’m still discovering how pretty these polishes are! I’m not usually a fan of bar glitters, but in Gold Rush Sparkle they’re more of an accent than front and center so I definitely love.

 

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So what do you think of this glitter gradient?

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SWATCH POST — Mirage by ACO by Ardene

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Today, I’m sharing with you a gorgeous polish I’m absolutely in love with. This is ACO by Ardene’s Mirage which is an absolutely stunning multi-crome polish which–depending on the light–flashes anywhere from purple, to gold, to green, to blue, to pink. You’ll remember before I mentioned that Ardene has been stepping up their nail polish game, and Mirage is a perfect example of that. For my swatches, I applied the polish over black undies, as it brings out the multi-crome aspect of the polish best. (I also applied Nutra-nail Quick Dry Top Coat for extra shine.)

 

 

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I really, really tried my best to try and capture all the different flashes of color this polish has to offer. It was not easy. I did my best, and the different colors definitely come through well. Even still, I kept looking at my nails all day, moving them around and staring in awe of them.

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See the flashes of gold and green? So, so, so pretty.

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Mirage is from ACO by Ardene’s fall 2013 collection of nail polish, although depending on the store you may still be able to find old bottles (mine doesn’t have any, but we do have other fall 2013 polishes remaining). ACO by Ardene polishes retail for $3.50 on their own, but can usually be combined in some kind of promotion that will save you a little bit overall. I think my next polish I’ll be picking up from work will be Mirage’s multi-crome sister, named Twilight Zone, so keep an eye out for that beauty coming up soon. =)

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Fall themed chevrons.

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Who doesn’t love a good fall nail polish? It’s officially September now, and there is no denying Fall it’s on its way–you can feel that little chill in the air, slowly creeping towards us. I can’t even complain. As much as I love Summer, I’ve been craving fall fashion–oversized sweaters, knit socks, layer after layer, and of course boots!

Today’s NOTD was my nod to fall fashion.

The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Essie Vested Interest (from the fall 2013 collection).
  • Stripe Rite Striping Polish in Pink.
  • Nutra Nail Quick Dry Top Coat with Green Tea.

 

First off, I absolutely love Vested Interest from last years Fall Collection from Essie which is this fabulous greenish grey. I scored a collection of four mini bottles last year from the collection at Winners, which all quickly became favorites. Vested Interest is just such a great color for fall. But I think adding my freehand chevrons with the pink just took these nails over the top. Both are dark, rich color so they compliment each other. (In my eyes at least). These are the perfect fall nails–all I need is to pair them with an oversized knit sweater, knee high socks, and a couple scarves.

 

 

 

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So what do you think of these nails? I’m really proud of how my chevrons turned out. I know a lot of people are rocking amazing chevron nails using those nail vinyls, but I’ve yet been able to invest in them. I don’t want to be out of the chevron loop though–thank goodness for Stripe Rite’s striping polish. I’m definitely going to need to take a trip to Sally’s and invest in some new ones–my black is on it’s last legs sadly and they just made freehand nail art so much easier!

Now it’s time to go spend my day off reorganizing my closet and drawers for Fall. Can you tell I’m excited?! I’m such a dork haha. =)

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August Manicure Favorites.

Well it’s official–Summer has sped by us, and it’s now September! What is up with that? Even though I’ve bee completely craving Fall, I am not looking forward to Winter in any way. The cold and I–we don’t get along very well. But! Since August is officially done with, I thought I would share my August Manicure Favorites.

 

 

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Clockwise, from left:

Yes, I’m featuring two very similar polka dot manicure, but I loved both of them so much. Also, check out the difference in length from the beginning of the month to the end! (Woo!) It’s kind of neat to go through my manicures at the end of the month and figure out which ones I loved the most.

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New polishes, and a perfect combo.

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This moon manicure was honestly just an excuse to wear multiple new polishes at once haha. On Payday I went out, and scored some new pretty beauties, and couldn’t wait to wear them!

The polishes used for this manicure were:

  • Essie The Girls are Out — found at the Dollarama of all places. For $3 how could I ever say no? (I also picked up Sunday Funday as well.)
  • Essence Color and Go Best Dressed — went to a Shoppers that wasn’t my usual shoppers and found the biggest collection of Essence polishes I’ve never seen before. As much as I wanted to buy them all, I went with this gorgeous purple with pink glass flecks. Sooooo pretty. I will have to do a full swatch post on this color because it’s so pretty.
  • Seche Vite Quick Dry Top Coat.

 

I realize this is not the first time I’ve rocked the pink and purple moon manicure, but The Girls are Out and Best Dressed just go so well together. I couldn’t stop staring at my nails all day, which is a little distracting when you’re supposed to be working. =)

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