Beachy Gradient Nails

Happy Thursday lovelies! Who else can’t believe this week (month… year…) is speeding by as quickly as it is? Seriously, wasn’t it just Easter?

Today I’m sharing a recent gradient that is giving me beachy vibes! 🏝 The colours for this design was inspired by a recent trip to David’s Tea (for my mid-afternoon matcha fix) & their Spring colour scheme. I was loving all the gradients & the beautiful shades that I knew I had to create a gradient on my nails ASAP.

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Nailtek 2
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Bourbon Babe
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Sweet Tea
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Babe Blue
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Royal Hue
  • Icing Stores Mermaid Mint Shimmer
  • Latex Free Make Up Sponge
  • Edge Perfection Cuticle Barrier

Seriously, how fun are these? I loved the gradient just on its own, but adding the shimmer from Icing Mint Mermaid Shimmer really brought it over the top. Also I’m so happy with how the blend turned out in this design. Considering how awful my beginner gradients just to look (mostly because I was terrified of having to clean polish off my hands!) I’m really, really happy with them now.

Also these totally make me want to go to the beach. Hopefully it will be warm enough for those days soon enough!

What do you think of this design? Does it remind you of the beach? What are your favourite gradient tips & tricks? Share all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Neon(ish) Stars ⭐️

Happy Wednesday loves… I mean, I think it’s Wednesday. My days have been blurring into each other which has made it hard to keep things straight! I’m trying my best to keep to my posting schedule, but right now things are a wee bit hectic. & by wee bit, I mean life is all around insane. But just because I’m working 50+ hours a week doesn’t mean I don’t have time for pretty nails!

Who needs sleep anyways? That’s why they invented coffee!

Today’s nails were based on the fact I wanted pretty nails, with a pop of colour, that were relatively easy. I realized I hadn’t used my stamping plates in forever, so it felt like a good opportunity. Plus I love the look of a pop of colour over a neutral sheer base–@oliveandjune is always posting amazing inspiration on Instagram that I’m constantly saving, so I decided to try the look out. & I love it.

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Nailtek 2
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel In the Sheer
  • Sally Hansen Insta-dri Va-Va Violet
  • Born Pretty Store Image Plate BP-L006 (item #17924)
  • Born Pretty Store small clear jelly stamper
  • Edge Perfection Cuticle Barrier

I was in serious need of something bright & colourful to cheer myself (& my nails) up! Even with obsessive moisturizing, a ton of cuticle oil, & anything else moisturizing I can find, my hands have been hurting the last few weeks. The up & down temperature changes have been the main culprit I think, plus the fact that work is dry as heck. They’re not used to not being babied like they were! Plus paper cuts are seriously the devil. Still working on testing out my own hand pampering mask recipe, so once I find one I want to share I will make sure to post it! Also if you have any favourite hand treatments to share, let me know in the comments below!

What’s your favourite “cheer up” manicure to do when you’re feeling down? share it in the comments below!

Spring-y Saran Wrap Nails

Happy Saturday! I know I don’t usually post on Saturdays, but since this week has been a bit weird, I thought I would throw an extra post in! Today is a recreation of a design I did originally 4 years ago. I’m still trying to summon Spring through my nail polish choices (although it doesn’t seem to be working very well) so I though these Saran wrap nails were a perfect choice! Now if only they’d encourage some warmer, sunnier days. Just give me a little bit of sunshine!☀️

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Quo by ORLY Breathable Kiss Me, I’m Kind
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • Essie Mint Candy Apple
  • Essie Peach Side Babe
  • NailStuff.ca Mixed Decoration Nail Wheel in Gold
  • Plastic wrap (Saran Wrap) crinkled up
  • Edge Perfection Cuticle Barrier

How long has it been since I did any Saran Wrap Nails? A while for sure! I definitely love how bright & colourful these are! So Spring-y for sure. 🌸 Of course it looks nothing like Spring outside but at least my nails are ready for nicer days. Even if I’m still stuck wearing my Uggs outside because it snowed… again.

I also love how easy these were to do. I did used my Edge Perfection to protect my cuticles because I was in no mood for cuticle clean up! All I did was paint my base colour (Essie Mint Candy Apple) & then once it was dry-ish painted over top with my second colour (Essie Peach Side Babe) & dabbed my crinkled Saran Wrap into the wet polish to create the textured effect. So easy!

What do you think of these Spring-y Saran Wrap Nails? Do you love this colour combination. Working on doing a Spring polish pick post for this week’s Swatch Sunday post, so if you have any polish suggestions for your favourite Spring polish picks, let me know!

Happy Saturday lovelies! 💜

Spring Stamping

Happy Friday lovelies! & happy March! Can you believe another month is down? I definitely can’t. Our countdown to Spring is officially at 18 days…. can you tell I’m really excited? Especially since the last couple days have been so beautiful & warm! I can’t wait. Which also means my nails have to match.

Give me all the Spring polish picks!

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Quo by ORLY Breathable Kiss Me, I’m Kind
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • Essie In The Cab-Ana
  • Essie All the Wave
  • Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate BP-L026 (item #21812)
  • Born Pretty Store Clear Jelly Stamper
  • Edge Perfection Cuticle Barrier

I really love the blue on blue with the vine pattern. It reminds me of a Spring dress pattern! & you know how much I love my dresses & cant wait to wear them again. Hopefully maybe by Easter & the end of the month I’ll be able to wear a few. A girl can dream!

I’m so glad I bought this stamping plate from Born Pretty! There are so many beautiful patterns that are going to be perfect for Spring & Summer. Obviously I love freehanding Floral patterns, but something I just don’t have the time to do it so this gives me another option. Plus leaves have never been my strong suit–Roses I can do, but try & freehand a leaf & sometimes it just ends up looking like a green blob. If I’m feeling some greenery, this will definitely make me less frustrated, which I am so happy about.

What do you think of this Spring design? Are you as ready for Spring as I am? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! 🌿🌱

Matte Greyscale Ring Pattern Nails

Happy Friday!

Today’s nails are definitely matching the weather in Halifax–completely greyscale. Cloudy skies, rainy,  & lacking any colour what-so-ever.

I thought after all that pink & red for Valentine’s, a palate cleanser manicure was in order. Pink is nice, but I don’t think I’m used to wearing so much of it on my nails. I’ve also been doing house planning (figuring out room paint colours & putting together some prints for our walls) & completely obsessed with everything grey. So naturally that means it will end  up on my nails eventually!

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For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Quo by Orly Breathable Kiss Me, I’m Kind
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • Matte Top Coat: Butter London Matte Finish
  • OPI My Pointe Exactly
  • Essie Cashmere Bathrobe
  • Xroma Polish & Vinyls Ring Vinyls
  • Edge Perfection Cuticle Barrier
  • Latex Free Make Up Sponge

I love colourful manicures, don’t get me wrong! & I really enjoyed wearing all that pink for Valentine’s Day. But sometimes I just want to wear something a little more monochromatic & simple on my nails. Plus any time I get to wear Essie Cashmere Bathrobe–which is my ALL TIME favourite grey–is a good day & matte top coat just makes it look even better. To me, this design is just absolutely perfection.

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I feel like with all the stamping I’ve been doing, I’ve been neglecting my nail vinyls a bit! I’ve been organizing my nail room though, so hopefully I will be starting to use them more often. But not next week… next week I have a special theme planned for all my manicures, but you’ll have to stay tuned to see what it is!

What do you think of this greyscale manicure? What is your favourite palate cleanser manicure or polish? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!