Category: Essie

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Blue Geometric Colour Block

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! Sorry for my absence on Monday — this has been a rough month, creatively speaking. I’ve really had to push myself to want to do nail art, which isn’t like me at all. But today I have a fun nail art look I did on the weekend. This was actually the last nail art look I did before an epic nail break, so expect super short nails in upcoming posts!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top 
  • Essie Mint Candy Apple
  • Essie In My Cab-ana
  • Essie License to Thrill
  • Essie No Ex-pectations
  • Nailstuff.ca Mermaid Tail 7mm liner brush

This is such a fun look, & it was so easy to do. Like I said, I’ve been dealing with a lack of creativity when it comes to my nails, but a colour block look never disappoints. Usually I only stick to 3 colours, but I decided to do four for this one & I think it looks awesome!

What do you think about this colour block look? Are you a fan of this design? What is your favourite go to nail art look when you’re packing in inspiration— let me know in the comments below!

Enjoy your Wednesday loves!

🖤

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Mint Candy Apple

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! It’s a beautiful sunny Sunday here which is a nice change from the never ending snowstorms we’ve been having. & it has me thinking of Spring (or, wistfully wishing for it) so that means it’s time to break out some Spring nail polish! Today’s pick is a favourite of mine, & just screams Spring to me!

This is Essie Mint Candy Apple.

2 coats + top coat

I love a good pale pastel shade, & Essie Mint Candy Apple is just that. This is actually the updated version of Mint Candy Apple — the original shade leans more blue than the minty shade you see above. Chantal’s Corner has a fabulous post about the two versions & a comparison, if you’re curious!

The formula on this shade was easy to apply & smooth. It has the new wider brush that Essie releases with all its new shades, which makes application a cinch. The formula has a nice thickness to it, without being gloopy, but I did need 2 coats for a smooth finish.

Obviously a nice shiny top coat (I used China Glaze Fast Forward top coat here) helps with that glossy finish.

The colour is just so nice, & so Spring-like which is just what my mental health needs after a month of what feels like never ending snowstorms. Even if it’s freezing outside & 4 feet of snow, at least I can look at my nails & feel like Spring will be here soon….ish.

Essie Mint Candy Apple is one of their core shades, & available anywhere you buy Essie polishes.

What do you think of Mint Candy Apple? Are you a fan of pastel polishes like this? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below, & let me know what your favourite Spring shade is! 🌸

Have a beautiful Sunday!

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Dainty Pink & Blue Dotticure

Hello lovelies & happy Monday! A brand new week which is always exciting. It’s also Valentine’s Day this week, so I expect to be busy at work because who doesn’t want candy for Valentine’s Day?

Today though, I’m sharing my last design I did during my week break from blogging (& before I chopped my nails down short.) In my opinion, a dainty dotticure is always a good idea!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat
  • Essie License to Thrill
  • Sally Hansen I 💗 Nail Art Pen in pink

I am so ready to petition Sally Hansen to bring back these I 💗 Nail Art pens because they just make dotticure & polka dots so freaking easy! Like look at these! I could never get polka dots as clean & as perfect as these with a dotting tool, no matter how hard I try. I’m just absolutely obsessed & I really wish they would bring them back already!

What do you think about this dainty dotticure? Do you love a petite polka dot as much as I do? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Chocolate Cakes

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! It’s a blustery snow day here on the East Coast.

I apologize for my unannounced absence this week. The beginning of 2024 was a lot, & I didn’t realize I needed a week just to not do anything. But I’m back, & I have some new (shorter) nails to share with you to start off this new week. I’ve actually been loving darker shades a lot lately — January vibes.

For today’s Swatch Sunday pick, I grabbed an older shade from my stash — Essie Chocolate Cakes.

2 coats + top coat

This shade originally came to me in a set with Essie Ballet Slippers that I bought post-Christmas a few years ago. I remember loving the dark reddish brown shade, but being confused because I’d never heard of an Essie shade called Chocolate Cakes. I’m still not 100% sure which collection it was originally released with.

The formula though, is nice. This is two coats for full coverage. It was a bit thin, so I did find I needed the two to make sure I had no patchiness. It also pooled slightly at the cuticle line, so I had to make sure that I was careful with application. Mine came in what I think is an Expressie bottle, so it had the same wider brush which I always like.

I saw it described as a creamy dark chocolate shaded, but the red undertones really show up for me so I feel like it’s more a deep dark burgundy. We all know my love affair with red nail polish, so this is such a good alternative or option. Like I said, I’ve been wearing this shade for the last 3 days, so I’m really loving it.

I did find a few sites through Google that had this shade listed for sale, but I don’t know how reputable they are, so I’ll avoid posting them. However, I feel like this shade isn’t 100% unique, so you could definitely find a common dupe easily to get the vampy dark vibe this shade is giving off.

What do you think about Essie Chocolate Cakes? Are you a fan of this deep dark reddish brown? Do you remember this shade upon its original released? I always get excited when I find new to me shades, so I’m curious about the collection it was originally released with!

Have a lovely Sunday!

♥︎

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Pink & Purple Half Moons

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! I hope the week has been treating everyone lovely so far. Today I’ve got another nail art look to share, & this time we’re going bright!

I was really in the mood for some pink & purple half moons — kind of an early Valentine’s Day look — mostly because I love a good half moon design.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Essie Expressie IRL
  • Quo Beauty Show Stopper
  • Paper Hole Reinforcements

Gosh, I will never not love a half moon design — especially when it turns out this clean! Plus pink & purple are just the perfect combination. I thought about adding a little matte top coat as well, but I think the shiny is just too good together. 💜💗

What do you think about my half moon design? Do you love the pink & purple together as much as I do? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Enjoy your Wednesday loves! 🖤