Category: Gold

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Giorgio Armani Nail Polish in Woodstone

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend so far.

Today I decided to dig deep into my stash, & pulled out a polish that was gifted to me back in 2015, & has been sitting in there, peaking my interest, for a long time. This is Giorgio Armani #214 Woodstone, which was originally released as part of the Fall 2014 Fade to Grey Collection. At least — I’m 99% sure this is #214 Woodstone. Mine didn’t have the official name on the bottle, but after some Googling, & seeing other swatches, it’s pretty clear that’s which shade this is.

2 coats, no top coat.

First up, this shade is such an unusual colour selection for me, but I was really really feeling this bronze-y brown shade, that I had to put it on. It’s such a deep, dark brown, but the gold shimmer really gives it another depth to it. For my swatches, I applied two coats of polish, but honestly it was pretty much opaque on the first coat, the second one was just to smooth things out fully.

Also, I really like the way the golden shimmer looks with this shade. With the matte finish, it really does almost give you the effect of being wood grain, which is really cool.

Just for fun, I wanted a comparison of the polish both matte & glossy. Top coat definitely takes it to a whole other level — I just love it!

I’m really loving this shade, & kind of sad it’s taken me 7 years to actually venture out of my comfort zone & try it out. It really is a stunning shade for Autumn & Fall. All is missing is a little bit of golden accent, maybe some leaves. A fantastic base for an Autumn inspired nail art look!

Sadly it looks like Giorgio Armani Beauty no longer produces nail polishes, which is a shame. If I had known how nice of a formula their polishes had, I definitely would have sought some out sooner. However, I’m glad to have this beauty in my stash, & I definitely won’t be waiting another 7 years to wear it again!

What do you think about this pretty bronzed brown? Do you ever wear brown nail polish? Do you prefer it with a matte or glossy finish? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

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Dainty Grey Dotticure Accent Nails

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday!

I hope everyone’s week is going swimmingly so far. It’s almost the weekend! Today I’m showing off a pretty, easy & dainty nail art look that I wore recently.

As you might have noticed, I have been rocking short short short nails lately, thanks to a break on my middle finger nail, & I’ve been waiting (impatiently) for it to grow out. So it hasn’t left me super inspired when it comes to painting my nails, which I think has been showing. However, you know what always looks good? Polka Dots!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Essie Merino Cool
  • Essie Cocktail Bling
  • Essie Mosiac On Down
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio

What do you think of this colour combination on this dotticure look? I love grey on grey, & I thought it would be a perfect Fall transition look. Plus the little hints of gold are a nice touch.

Also I’m super happy with how my polka dots turned out — sometimes super dainty polka dots can be a struggle, but I think these look so perfect.

Over all, this reminds me of an old school Coffee & Nail Polish look, circa 2015/2016, & I’m not made about it. Plus, like I said, it fancies up my itty bit nails just a little bit more.

What do you think about this nail art look? Are you a fan of these teeny, tiny polka dots? Would you wear this look? Let me known down in the comments below!

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Gold & Plum Splatter Nails

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday! A beautiful Autumn Tuesday at that.

Today I’m showing off yet another fun splatter look, this time inspired by a tutorial by @nailsdnt on Instagram. She used a stamper & cuticle oil to achieve a fun bubbly splatter look, & as soon as I saw her tutorial I knew I needed to give it a try! I just love a good splatter design, & this seemed like such an easy way to achieve it.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Matte Top Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Matte Top Coat
  • Color Club Twice Bitten
  • L’Oreal Feeling Kilty
  • Nailstuff.ca clear stamper
  • Revlon Cuticle Oil

So obviously, first thing is first: I apologize for my weird cuticle area. Between an older top coat, & some weird matte top coat effect, it kind of gave me a messy finish. I’m definitely due for a new bottle of top coat.

Second, as you can see my nails did turn out pretty cool, although there are some differences between my splatter finish & the original design. While the original tutorial used a nail cuticle pen, I chose to use my bottle of Revlon cuticle oil, which I think lead to too much oil on the stamper. Her’s had more of a bubbly effect, while mine reminds me more a classic splatter.

But either way I love the end result. It’s so pretty! & the matte top coat just makes it look even more beautiful — I think the matte top coat just completes the look.

What do you think about this look? Are you enjoying these splatter nails I’ve been wearing lately? Let me know down in the comments below.

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Vampy Deep Burgundy Dotticure 🍁

Hello beauties & happy Tuesday!

& happy Starbucks PSL release day for my fellow pumpkin spice lovers. I don’t care what anyone says, I feel like once the PSL is released, Fall is officially on its way. So honour of that, I thought why not go really hard on the Autumn colour scheme… & what is more Autumn than burgundy & gold?

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Revlon Color Stay Gel Envy Heartbreaker
  • L’oreal Feeling Kilty
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio 

Nothing like a little dotticure action to welcome a new season. I love a dotticure all year round, but especially in the cooler months, & especially when it involves a dark vampy base like this oxblood shade. Doesn’t this just make you want to curl up with a big infinity scarf & cosy knee high socks? I know it’s definitely making me excited to pull out all my Fall fashion favourites.

& there is just enough of a chill in the air to let me know it’s coming very soon!

What do you think about this vampy dotticure? Are you as ready for Fall as I am? Did you stop by Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice latte today? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

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Geometric Colour Blocking (Autumn inspired)

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far. The excessively humid heat we’ve been having here seems to have broken, & the weather has that hint of Fall weather that always starts around the end of August.

I’m so ready for Sweaters, scarves & my favourite knee high boots.

& Fall nail art, of course.

I’m already making plans for September nail art & joining in for next month’s Glam Nail Art Challenge. But, in the mean time, I’m feeling a little more creative than I’ve felt most of this Summer. & today’s nail art look is a fun nail art look that makes me feel like old school nail art Shannon (circe 2015-2016).

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Quo Beauty Tint of Mint
  • Quo Beauty Whistler
  • Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Zip Wine
  • Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Petal to the Metal
  • NailStuff.ca 4mm Micro Detail Brush

Okay, so I’m obsessed. Originally this look started off as just a Autumn themed colour block, but I felt like something was missing — which happens a lot. I added an outline of the rose gold (Petal to the Metal) & then decided to get risky & add a few chevrons over the mint. It looked so good, I did the same thing on the block of grey, & tada! Freehand nail art perfection!

& all done completely freehand.

What do you think of this Autumn toned geometric colour block? Are you feeling the Autumn shades yet, or are your strictly Summer until September? Let me know what you think, & what nail art/nail polish collections you’re looking forward to this upcoming season!