Category: Aco by Ardene

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Born Pretty Store Review — Origami Pattern Stamping Plate Harunouta L040 item #39127



Happy Monday! Today I have a new manicure featuring another stamping plate so kindly sent to me for review from Born Pretty Store. This time, I’m reviewing the Origami Pattern Manicure Stamping Plate Harunouta L040 item #39127. This plate called to me because of all the gorgeous origami shapes. & the arrival of the plate was just in time that I could wear these nails to my sister in laws baby shower this past weekend! 


For this manicure, I used: 

  • Base Coat: L’Oréal All in One
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Revlon Gel Envy To The Chapel
  • Essie Chillato
  • Ardene Fluffy Tutu
  • Born Pretty Store Black Stamping polish (from this set)
  • Origami Pattern Stamping Plate Harunouta L040 item #39127
  • Born Pretty Store Clear Jelly Stamper

I think I’m finally getting the hang of stamping. The images are so delicate that you really have to move quickly (or the stamping polish dries) but I’m figuring it out! I’ve used Essence Back to Black for stamping before & it worked really well but my bottle was all used up so I’m going to get a new bottle & try stamping with that to see how it does. I definitely had more practice using this plate, so it went a lot easier. 

I love how adorable all of these images are! You have the hanging pictures, the individual pictures & then the cool geometric cloud images. So many different ideas & manicures that you can create! Like I mentioned, I wore these for a baby shower but I could see this being perfect for lots of occasions (or just for fun everyday). 

I still consider myself a stamping newbie, so while this plate was a little difficult for me after a little fiddling & practice I think I came up with a very pretty manicure! This plate could definitely be suitable for someone still new to stamping, as well as those pros out there I hope to someday join!

If you’re interested in ordering this plate (or something else) from Born Pretty Store feel free to use my discount code COFFK31 to save 10% off any regular price items! I’ve been ordering from them for years, & I love the wide variety of products you can find for all your nail polish addict needs! 

Stay tuned because I still have 2 more Born Pretty Store reviews coming your way! 

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Saran Wrap Splatter–Summer Edition!

It’s officially Summer, & even though the weather here in Halifax is being less than agreeable (go away clouds), I just want to wear pretty dresses & sandals & enjoy the sunshine. In the meantime, I decided some bright Saran Wrap splatter nails would be appropriate. Maybe it will even encourage the sun to stick around longer than a few hours! 


For this manicure, I used:

  • Base Coat: L’Oréal All in One Base Coat
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Hard Candy Coconut
  • Sally Hansen Boho Blue
  • Ardene Whacky
  • Maybelline Color Show Fiery Tulip

I seriously love how these turned out–the blues & purple work so well together. My barista even complimented me on my nails, which always makes me feel good when someone other than my husband notices. I am just never disappointed when I pull out the plastic wrap for this design! Sometimes it can be messy, but always easy to clean up (way easier than cleaning up a classic splatter manicure!) & the end result is just so much fun. 

What do you think of my Saran Wrap design? What’s your favourite Summer manicure design?  Let me know in the comments below! 

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Pretty & Prom Inspired!

It’s been a long, long time since my last prom expirence (10 years!) but I always find myself reminiscing when June comes around. I’ve been seeing a whole bunch of pretty dresses around as graduates get ready for their special night, so I thought I would do some pretty prom inspired nails! Back when I went to prom, my nails were always simple: a metallic, a red, some fresh tips. If I were a teenager now, I definitely would go with something more fun! 

I think this design would be perfect for someone going to prom that wants fancy nails that aren’t too over to top (don’t want to outshine that dress!) I went with a pretty peach shade, but you could tailor it to go with whatever colour matched your dress. 

For this manicure, I used:

  • Base Coat: Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat
  • Top Coat: Cutex Quick Dry Top Coat
  • ACO by Ardene Sorbet
  • ACO by Ardene Misty Love
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Buffalo Nickel
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Pretty Piggy
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Little Peony
  • Sally Hansen I ❤️ Nail Art Pen in green
  • Sally Hansen X-treme Wear Kiwi Bikini
  • Xroma Polish & Vinyls Small Moroccan stencil
  • Small dotting tool from Bundle Monster 
  • Small Nail Art Brush from Bundle Monster 


I’m so excited by these, I can’t lie. My floral seriously turned out perfect. & I love the subtle bit of shimmer of the metallic Buffalo Nickel with the pastel floral. Floral is definitely my favourite go-to when it comes to special occasion nails, but I promise it’s not my only go-to! But for special occasions like prom, floral is perfect! It’s like wearing your corsage right on your nails. 

What did you wear on your nails when you went to prom? Did you stay classic, go sparkly or not wear anything at all? Let me know what you think in the comments below! 

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Gold & Blue Holo X-Pattern Nails

After a bit of an impromptu hiatus, I’m back with some new nails! Today I’m showing off these gold & blue holo nails featuring more of the great vinyls from Xroma Polish & Vinyls. 

For this manicure I used: 

  • Base Coat: Perfect Formulas Pink Gel Coat
  • Top Coat: Cutex Quick Dry Top Coat 
  • ACO by Ardene La Luna mixed with Nicole By OPI Make A Comet-ment
  • Color Club Dirty Money 
  • Xroma Polish & Vinyls ‘X’ Stencil
  • Small dotting tool from Bundle Monster 


First can I mention how much I love this polish combination? ACO by Ardene La Luna is such a pretty cruelly, & it occurred that it would show off some holo really well so I took a risk & mixed it with some of my bottle of Nicole by OPI Make A Comet-ment. & it turned into an absolutely perfect blue scattered holo. I’m kind of in love. So I wanted to create a design that would compliment this colour & I think these x pattern stencils are perfect for that. 


I need to start coaxing myself into wearing colours other that blue. Maybe that will be my goal for June! Although I did just pick up Revlon To The Chapel which is… you guessed it! A pretty baby blue. Haha. But after I wear that it’s going to be a blue free month! Think I can do it? Guess we will have to see. 

What do you think of today’s design? What’s your favourite colour to wear? Let me know in the comments below! 💙

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Splatter Nails with @xromapolishandvinyls!

Happy Monday everyone! 

I was recently sent some nail vinyls to play with from @xromapishandvinyls & as soon as they arrived I couldn’t wait to pull them out & start creating. You know how much I LOVE my nail vinyls, & Xroma Polish and Vinyls have a ton of awesome creative designs available on their site. 

First design I grabbed to play around with was the splat stencils! 

For this manicure, I used:

  • Base Coat: Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat
  • Top Coat: Cutex Quick Dry Top Coat
  • Essie Butler Please
  • ACO by Ardene Ice Mist
  • Quo by ORLY mini unnamed pink
  • Quo by ORLY mini unnamed mint 
  • Xroma Polish and Vinyls Splat Stencil 
  • Small dotting tool 

Isn’t this pattern so much fun?! I’m sure I’m not the only person who loves splatter nails but hates the clean up. Plus even with filling in my splats individually, this manicure was easy & surprisingly quick to do! 

These were so much fun to do & even more fun to wear! They even matched my OOTD. I’d definite recommend checking out Xroma Polish And Vinyls site yourself, & all the amazing patterns available. They ship world wide from Australia, & mine arrived super quick! I think it took only 6 business days & I live on the other side of the world in Canada so I though that was really impressive. 

What do you think of this manicure? Let me know in the comments below!