Abstract Shorties

Hello lovelies & happy first day of Summer to those in the northern hemisphere! & it actually feels very Summer like today, which is very exciting. I’m definitely here for it, & all things Summer related.

Todays look is a quick abstract design I applied over my base of OPI I Cannoli Wear OPI from my Swatch Sunday post for this week. I wanted to extend my wear another day or so, & decided an abstract look was the perfect way to do that!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry
  • OPI I Cannoli Wear OPI
  • Essie Revenge’s A Beach
  • Essie Turquoise & Caicos
  • Essie Merino Cool
  • OPI Who You Callin’ Bossy?!
  • Small dotting tool — NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool

As you can see, I’m rocking extra shorties right now thanks to a break on my ring finger at work on Saturday.

Normally I would be upset about it, but I’m kind of enjoying shorter nails right now. I find when my nails are square, I prefer a shorter length to them. Plus I love showing off that you can rock fun nail art no matter the length of your nails!

What do you think of these abstract shorties? Are you a fan of looks like these? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below, & what colour scheme you would choose.

Have a lovely Wednesday ☀️

Glazed Donut Stars ✨

Hello lovelies & happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, & your Monday is off to a wonderful — or, at the very least, caffeinated — start.

Today I’m really excited because I have a really striking manicure to show off. I know glazed donut nails are so 2022, but you know what — I’m still loving them. I picked up a clearance bottle of Expressie FX Iced Out at Lawtons a few months ago, & have been itching to do some glazed nails with it. & oh boy — the results are stunning!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry
  • Essie Ballet Slippers
  • Essie Expressie FX Iced Out
  • Essie Dive Bar
  • Born Pretty Store Classic Patterns Stamping Plate BP-L006 (discontinued)
  • NailStuff.ca Clear Jelly Stamper Set

How freaking gorgeous is the glow on this look? I’m actually stunned by how well the shift hits. It actually looks like there is a blue light behind my nail polish & I can’t get over it. I decided to apply some stamped stars over this base (using Essie Dive Bar) & I like the fact they’re not quite opaque because the glow shows through them as well.

They look ethereal. I can’t get over it.

What do you think of this take on the glazed donut trend? I know glazed nails are still having a moment, so I feel like I’m not too behind on the times. Or maybe we need to come up with a new name for these — like alien glow nails?

Either way, I’m very much obsessed.

Have a fantastic beginning to your week loves!

Sparkly Glitter Gradient ✨

Good morning lovelies & happy Monday! A beautiful, sunny & warm Monday. It’s feeling like Summer today, & I’m loving every moment of it.

Today I gave a super simple, easy nail art look that anyone can do! I love a good glitter gradient, & it is such an easy way to spruce up a relatively plain manicure.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry
  • Essie Revenge’s A Beach
  • Sinful Colors Pride

What I love most about a glitter gradient is you don’t really need any tools. Obviously, you can sponge on the glitter, but I usually just apply it using the brush as I find it easiest (& least messy).

These are definitely the look you need to do if you have a special occasion you want fancy nails for, but aren’t too comfortable with nail art. I swear, anyone can rock this look easily! In fact, I’m already planning another one in my head featuring a few glitters I don’t use too often — stay tuned!

What do you think about this fun glitter gradient? Also yes — that is the same polish from yesterday’s Swatch Sunday post. Crazy how different lighting can make it look different! Natural light vs Light Box.

Have a fantastic beginning to your week loves! 🖤

Throwback Floral (Using Just a Dotting Tool)

Hello lovelies & happy Friday! I hope it’s a beautiful day wherever you are. It’s supposed to be sunny, & slightly warm today, so I’ll take it.

Today I’m sharing a design which is a recreation of a design I did many moons ago—like… 2013 at the beginning of my nail art journey & before this blog. I just always love revisiting old designs, & when this one popped up on my Facebook memories, I knew I needed to do an updated version!

2013 version
2023 version

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry Top
  • Essie Peach Side Babe
  • Essie Worth the Tassel
  • Essie Blanc
  • Essie Turquoise & Caicos
  • Small & Large Dotting Tool (NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio)

I didn’t have a list of the original polishes I used for my design, so I tried to go with what looked the closest to the colours — which was hard because my original photo is pretty poor quality. I think, though, I did a pretty good job on recreating the original look!

I know that was my first jump into “real” nail art after getting my first dotting tool. It was an Essence brand one that I found at Shoppers Drug Mart, & I got very excited to find something to do legit nail art.

What do you think of this floral nail art recreation? Do you remember what nail designs first got you into nail art? Let me know down in the comments below!

Have a fantastic Friday!

Subtle Red Dotticure

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! We’re half way through the week, & half way to the weekend. I hope everyone’s week is going well so far. We’ve had a pretty week & chilly week so far, but after all those wildfires swept across the province, I’ll take a little rain.

Today, though, I have a super easy & chic nail art look. I did another subtle red nail art look last Summer, & I really liked it, but I really wanted to do something with polka dots. We all know red & polka dots are my two favourite things!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry Top
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Cherry Delightful
  • Sally Hansen CSM Killer Heels
  • Small Dotting Tool  (NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio)

I really, really love how these turned out. Obviously, you don’t really notice the red unless you’re searching for it, but to me it takes it just a step above the usual plain red manicure. It also kind of reminds me a bit of a pond manicure, without having to worry about all the coats of polish.

Also I’m really loving this Sally Hansen red Cherry Delightful. It’s been in my stash for ages (5 years at least) but I don’t think I’ve worn it that frequently because I totally didn’t realize that it’s a one coater! I feel like a good one coat red polish is urban legend at this point, because trust me I’ve been looking. It also has this beautiful squishy finish which just makes me so happy.

Over all, I’m obsessed.

What do you think of this subtle red dotticure? Are you a fan of polka dots on your nail? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below.

Have a happy Wednesday loves! ♥︎