Category: Freehand

Posted on

Moody January Stripes

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday! A busy Tuesday at that! Even though January can sometimes be the worst month, this one is definitely turning out to be a crazy one for me.

So my nail art is tending to fall on the easy side of things. As you could probably tell from my previous post, I did a big chop on my nails. Not only do I like to start a new clean with a fresh canvas, I also started a second job working at a cafe as a barista, so I wanted to trim back my nails as I get used to that (after 2 years being away!)

But just because I have short nails doesn’t mean I can’t have cute nail art!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Essence Colour Shield Top Coat (I ran out of my NailStuff one & need to make an order!)
  • Essie Expressie Take The Espresso
  • Essie Skirting the Issue
  • Essie Sable Collar
  • Londontown USA Opal
  • Quo by Orly Black Striper
  • NailStuff 4mm Micro Detail Brush  

**pr/gifted

How cute are these short little stripe-y nails? The colours are also kind of dark & gloomy, great for these gloomy days. & I do love a dark nail. The combination of Essie Skirting the Issue over Expressie Take The Espresso makes for such a dark Ox blood red. I adore it.

What do you think of these moody stripes on my new shorties? Do you like these darker manicures? We’re a month away from Valentine’s Day, so I’ll have to start thinking up some designs for that now!

Have an amazing Tuesday.

🖤

Posted on

Neon & Neutral Drag Marble

Hello loves & happy Thursday.

My posting is sporadic this week, as I started a new (second) part time job this week, so I’m trying my best to juggle everything as I get used to it. It’s a busy week for me! But I wanted to make sure I had another manicure to share, & I just love these neon drag marble nails that I did recently.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Nail Stuff Essentials Quick Dry Top Coat *
  • Essie Gel Couture Gossamer Garments *
  • Essie Throw in the Towel *
  • Essie Expressie Feel the Hype *
  • NailStuff.ca dotting tool from Dotting Tool Trio (tiniest one)

**PR/gifted

My idea was to do a sheer-ish base, with a neon drag marble. But then I decided to go with a little navy blue & sort of neon. It wasn’t originally the planned design, but I think it turned out nice. Drag marbles are just some of my favourite easy designs, & they look good on any nail length (which I love).

What do you think about these drag marble nails? A little break up from the dark & gloomy nail shades I’ve been feeling lately!

Also, I did a big chop on my nails for beginning my new part time job (as a barista), so look forward to seeing lots of short nail designs in the near future!

Happy Thursday loves

🖤

Posted on

January Monochrome Chevron Moons

Hello beauties & happy Tuesday. It’s a chilly, chilly here which is feeling very January. & January can be just so blah. So I thought I would make things more fun, with some monochromatic half moons with a little glittery twist.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Nail Stuff Essentials Quick Dry Top Coat *
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Hue There? layered over CND Vinylux Dark Dahlia
  • Essie Expressie Feel The Hype*
  • Essie Play Date
  • Quo by Orly Black Striper
  • NailStuff 4mm Micro Detail Brush  
    **pr/gifted

I love a good half moon look, & I think this design turned out very cool. I went into it not sure what I was doing — just knowing what colours I wanted to paint over my base — but what I created is a great look. Also, freehand painting these lines of chevrons was not as difficult as I thought it was going to be which I’m happy about.

What do you think about these monochromatic half moons, with a little glittery twist. I feel like I’m not quite ready to let go of my glitter, but I definitely am feeling drawn to darker colours right now.

What do you think of this design? Are you loving dark shades right now? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below.

Have a lovely Tuesday.

🖤

Posted on

Instagram Nail Art Collab — Ice Nails ❄️🧊

Good morning lovelies & happy 2025! I hope everyone had a lovely end to 2024 & are excited for whatever 2025 has to bring. Today, I’m starting off my new year by joining in on a fun Instagram Nail Art Collab.

The theme this month: Ice Nails. So I went with an icy waterfall look that (to me) resembles icicles.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Nail Stuff Essentials Quick Dry Top Coat *
  • Pahlish Seto Taisho (Teacup Soldier)
  • NailStuff Essentials Holographic Top Coat *
  • Starrily Space Debris
  • Starrily Cobalt (Co)
  • China Glaze December to Remember
  • Essie Making Spirits Bright
  • Dam Nail Polish Sapphire
  • NailStuff 4mm Micro Detail Brush  
    **pr/gifted

How beautifully chilly do these nails look? Are they not giving Elsa? They turned out exactly how I had pictured in my head, & I’m so happy about it. I just adore them!

If you pop on over to Instagram, you can view all the designs for this collaboration using the hashtag #icenailartmanicollab2025.

Even though things are about to get very very busy for me outside my nail life, I’m really excited for what is to come with this blog! I’m excited to continue to create fun nail art looks, & I hope you’re excited to see what I do!

Happy Friday

🖤

Posted on

GLAM NAILS CHALLENGE DECEMBER (2024) — Wrapping Paper 🎁

Hello lovelies & happy Friday in this crazy post-Christmas Day haze. Our days to the new year are very quickly counting down, & I’m just trying to survive these days on caffeine, Christmas goodies & (lactose free) cheese.

How is everyone else doing? The next prompt for Glam Nails Challenge December is wrapping paper, & I decided to create some icy abstract stripes that would have been the perfect Christmas wrapping paper! Seriously, I love all the Christmas themed papers you can find — we wrapped a lot of our kids gifts in Nightmare Before Christmas paper this year — but personally I would love to find a gift under my tree wrapped in this swirly designs.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Nail Stuff Essentials Quick Dry Top Coat *
  • Ardene Bonne Nuit
  • Joe Fresh Gold Rush
  • China Glaze Up All Night
  • China Glaze December to Remember
  • Essie Making Spirits Bright
  • NailStuff Essentials White Dove *
  • NailStuff 4mm Micro Detail Brush 
    **pr/gifted

I absolutely adore these. I know they’re not your typical gift wrap nails, but they’re so pretty! & after a lot of green & red, I wanted a more icy wintery feel — & I feel like these captured that. Plus they’re just so pretty!

What do you think about these wrapping paper inspired nails? Would you want a gift wrapped in this icy, swirly paper?

Only a few more days of Glam Nails Challenge December to go! Don’t forget to go to Instagram & see all the amazing designs using #glamnailschallengedec24. Only one more prompt to go.