SWATCH SUNDAY — Pure Ice Cookies ‘N Cream

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! The first Sunday of April at that — can you believe it? I mean, I feel like I’m always saying this, but I can’t get over how quickly this year is passing. I’m happy that we’re that much closer to Summer dress weather, but wow… this year is already 1/4 over! That is crazy.

Today I’m going old school though, with a polish from deep in my stash. I’ve been living for speckled nail looks lately, so obviously that means pulling out some from deep in the past. You might remember, a few years ago, the brand Pure Ice released a collection of speckled nail polishes that I think were based on nail polishes. Naturally, I bought three at the time. I don’t often pull them out, with the exception of this time of year because I feel like they’re absolutely perfect for Easter nails.

2 coats, no top coat.

As the name implies, Cookies ‘N Cream is a white base with multisized hex glitters that gives the impression of cookies & cream ice cream.

I applied 2 coats of polish for my application — a thinner first coat, followed by a thicker second coat which gave exactly the opacity I was hoping for. The base is thin enough that the black glitters show through perfectly, giving you the multi layered effect. It also dried down quickly. which left a semi textured in some places, thanks to the layered glitters, but this could easily be fixed with a thick coat of glossy top coat.

I really, really love the different sized glitters in this polish ( & its sister shades I own Boysenberry & Orange Sorbet) versus a speckled polish like Deborah Lippmann Polka Dots & Moonbeams. & it really does look like ice cream, which just makes me think of Summer, & I can’t wait for Summer days.

It also kind of makes me wish I had scooped up all 6 shades in the collection back in 2015 because every time I wear one I realize just how much I freaking love speckled nail polish, & this trend needs to make a comeback!

What do you think about Pure Ice Cookies ‘N Cream? Do you love these speckled polishes as much as I do? Are there any nail polishes you’re hoping the Easter Bunny brings you next weekend? Let me know down in the comments below!

Cotton Candy Saran Wrap Splatter

Good morning lovelies & happy Tuesday! It’s a chilly Tuesday morning here & not very Spring like unfortunately. I’m so over these cold, grey days.

But I do have a cute nail art look to share today. I recently added a few new polishes to my stash—which I acquired on some good deals—so I decided to combine a few in a Saran Wrap splatter look. It’s been a hot minute since I did one of these, so I was excited. & the fact it turned out looking a bit like cotton candy was even cooler!

The polishes I used for this manicure are:

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat
  • Essie No Ex-pectations
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Sugar Rush
  • L.A. Colors Gossip
  • Essie Expressie FX Iced Out
  • Crinkled up plastic wrap

I’m super in love with how this turned out. Essie No Ex-pectations turned out to be a bit more grey than I had expected, but it made for an excellent base for my splatters of colour to pop! Plus I really do think it gives off the effect of cotton candy. I also like the subtle shimmer from the bit of Expressie FX Iced Out. It gives off just enough sparkle.

What do you think of this Saran wrap splatter design? Do you like easy nail art like this? I really need to do a tutorial to show off just how easy this look is to do! Maybe when things slow down a bit, I can get that reel made!

Have a happy Tuesday. 🖤

Spring Speckled Egg Skittle Nails

It’s the time of year again lovelies, where I recreate one of my favourite Spring/Easter designs: mini egg/speckled egg skittle nails. I’ve been doing some version of this manicure since the early days of my blog, & it never gets old to me. There is something about a speckled egg design that just screams Easter & Spring. Plus it’s so easy to do!

Today’s look was especially on the easy side, as I chose a glitter top coat for my specks.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat
  • Matte Top Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Matte Top Coat
  • Sally Hansen MG Sun-Shower
  • Sally Hansen MG Sweet Pea
  • Sally Hansen MG Sugar Fix
  • Sally Hansen MG Lavendoor
  • Sally Hansen MG Orchid-ing Aside
  • ACO by Ardene Meteorite
  • Wet N Wild 2% Milk

When I saw this look was super simple, I mean it was super simple. I painted each finger a different colour, applied the glitter top coat, applied Wet N Wild 2% Milk for that faded look, then finished it off with my Seche Vite (because there was a lot of layers of polish) & then added my matte top coat after about 15 minutes. Everything did take a while to dry, but it was totally worth it! I just love a good speckled nail design.

What do you think about this speckled egg design? Do you like a look like this for Easter & Spring? Are you already feeling the Spring temps where you are? It’s just starting to warm up around us, so I’m excited. I’ll be wearing my Spring dresses in no time!

St Patrick’s Day Shamrocks 🍀

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday. & Happy St. Patrick’s Day Eve!

I feel like the older I get, the less I tend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — the 3 day hangover just isn’t worth it — but I am always here for a special reason to paint my nails! & St. Patrick’s Day is the one day a girl where my green nail polishes I rarely wear get their moment to shine. I’m not normally a green girl, with the exception of March 17th.

Today’s look is a simple St. Patrick’s Day look… but I was very excited for an excuse to pull out my shamrock nail vinyls I haven’t used in ages.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat
  • LA Girl Color Addict Urge
  • Essie Satin Sister
  • UR SUGAR Nail Vinyls shamrocks (What’s Up Nails has very similar ones available)

I’m not going to lie, these turned out messier than I intended — I’m not sure because I was rushing to get them done, or wasn’t feeling the colours. However, I do really like these little shamrock nail vinyls, & I think the whole look turned out simple but cute. It’s March Break here, & work has been very busy, so I’m feeling a bit run down at the end of the day. Hence a little more simple nail art this week. I literally fell asleep at 7:30 the other night after I got home.

I’m definitely looking forward to things going back to (slightly) normal next week. Hopefully it means I’ll have some more Spring nail art looks to share. & obviously, it’s time to get thinking about Easter nail art looks too!

What do you think of this St. Patrick’s Day nail art look? Are you a fan of holiday inspired nail art, or do you keep things simple with just polish colours? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

♣︎

Teal & Blue Colour Block French Manicure

Good morning loves & happy Thursday. It’s almost the weekend!

I hope everyone’s week is not too crazy. I’ve just been wistfully sitting here, wishing for Spring. Every time I look at the dresses in my closet, I can’t help but wonder… how much longer? So I decided another bright & colourful manicure was in order. But… I’ll be honest. I’ve been very wrapped up in all the Vanderpump Rules drama going on, so I also needed something not too involved.

So naturally I decided a bright & colourful colour block French design would be perfect. Quick, easy, & gorgeous!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel X FRIENDS The One With The Teal (PR/gifted)
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Beatnik

Okay, so I did this look completely 100% freehand, & even I can’t believe how clean & straight I managed these lines. Also, I really like the kind of asymmetrical look of this design, as opposed to my usual (similar) colour block looks. But the colours — the colours are definitely my favourite part. This pop of colour is exactly what I needed, & I didn’t even realize it. I’m obsessed.

It’s just a really fun, easy look with an endless possibility of colour combinations. I’m so happy with how they turned out.

What do you think about this colour block French manicure look? Do you think this is a great design & pop of colour for Spring? I’d love to know what colour combination you would choose for this look, so let me know down in the comments below!

Have a lovely Thursday! ♥︎