Christmas Ribbon Candy Swirls

Hello beauties & happy Friday! It’s almost the weekend, & not just any weekend, but Christmas weekend! That’s insane but exciting. I had to keep my holiday inspired nail art going with some more abstract nail art.

The first thing this design made me think of after I did it was the Ribbon Hard Candy you get around Christmas. I’m sure you know the stuff, but if not it’s this stuff.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • OPI I Cannoli Wear OPI
  • OPI Unfrost My Heart
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 5 Golden Blings
  • Red & Green Acrylic Paint
  • 16mm Striper Brush from Nailstuff.ca

I decided to use a combination of acrylic paint & nail polish for this design to make it a bit easier for me. Sometimes, I find when I’m doing bigger stripes, my polish starts drying a bit too quickly, but you don’t have the same issue with acrylic paint.

I really, really like how these stripes turned out. I know, I know — I say this every time. But I don’t think there is anything wrong with being proud about your nail art! For a long time, I was extra critical of my work, so I’m glad to enjoy what I do. & it is a little bit different from typical Christmas nail art.

What do you think about these ribbon candy inspired abstract swirls? Do you like the holiday vibes they are giving off? Would you wear these for any Christmas celebrations you’re partaking in this weekend? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Happy Friday 🎄

Easy Christmas Party Nails (with NailStuff.ca)

Contains PR/gifted product from NailStuff.ca

Good morning & happy Thursday! I hope everyone is having a lovely start to their day. It’s windy, cold, & icy here — so I’m probably going to skate to work!

I know I don’t usually post on Thursdays, but I decided I wanted to try & squeeze in a few more manicures before Christmas! Today’s look is a super simple one, using another set of nail art stickers I received from NailStuff.ca.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Dimension Nails Pygmy Sloth (c/o: NailStuff.ca) — such a good shade for Christmas
  • NailStuff.ca Merry Christmas (Gold & White) Nail Art Sticker

First off… yes my nails are super short again. I have a break on my thumb down super low, so I had to trim it down to avoid disaster, so I trimmed them all down for a fresh start. I swear, the same thing happened this exact same time last year too.

But HOW CUTE are these stickers?! I thought this gold & white set would be perfect over my red base, & I was right! These are perfect for last minute party nails, or any occasion for a little extra pizazz (without a lot of extra time!)

What do you think about these quick & easy Christmas party nails? Do you like easy nail art designs with stickers? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Stay warm today! 🖤

GLAM NAILS CHALLENGE DECEMBER — Christmas Presents 🎁

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! A damp, rainy, cold Wednesday here in Halifax… & I’m so not into it. Today was supposed to be my day to go & get all my Christmas shopping done as it’s my last day off before Christmas Eve… but I am not into the idea of getting caught in that weather. Ugh

Still trying to keep hold of some semblance of the Christmas spirit, so happy to share the next manicure for Glam Nails Challenge December. Today’s prompt is Christmas Present, & I really enjoy the design that I created for today.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • OPI Infinite Shine Bring Out The Big Gems
  • OPI Rolling in Cashmere
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Good as Gold
  • NailStuff.ca 4mm detail brush

Don’t these just look so classy? If only my wrapped presents looked as beautiful as this. At this point, if my presents even end up getting wrapped before Christmas morning, I will be happy. But I’m so happy with how these turned out, & I was excited to pull out this OPI shade I purchased last December again.

What do you think about these Christmas Present nails? Are you all ready for your holiday morning (if you celebrate)?

Don’t forget, you can see all the #glamnailschallengedec designs on Instagram. So many beautiful designs to see that have been done this month! Maybe you’ll even find some inspiration for your own Christmas morning design!

Happy Wednesday ♥︎

Winter Sweater Accent Nail

Hello lovelies & happy Monday! It’s a brand new week already, & December is looming. While I’m brainstorming all the nail art I’m planning for December, I thought I would throw things back with a simple accent nail that reminds me of my early nail blogging days (circa 2015).

I used to be obsessed with these freehand sweater/aztec inspired accent nails, so I thought it would be fun to do one — especially as I was struggling with nail art inspiration the other night.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Colour Grip Primer Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • Essie No More Film
  • Essie All The Wave
  • Essie Hors d’Oeuvres
  • Essie Blanc
  • Essie Bikini So Teeny
  • NailStuff.ca Mermaid Tail Nail Brush Trio (11mm liner brush, 7mm liner brush)

I feel like these are giving off fun sweater vibes, & I like the combination of blues together. I was just going to do a simple skittle look with the different blues, but I decided I wanted it to be more exciting than that!

The end result turned out so fun! I haven’t had as much time for freehand nail art lately, so I really need to start playing around more often. I miss my freehand nails, so I’m definitely going to make more of an effort. Maybe I’ll redo this design in December with a Christmas-y colour scheme, & call them Ugly Christmas Sweater nails.

What do you think of today’s nail art look? Are you a fan of these simpler accent nail designs? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

🖤 Happy Monday!

Holiday Inspired Red & Gold Velvet Dotticure

Hello loves & happy Friday!

It’s officially (pretty much) the weekend which means I’m in full holiday haze. It also means, I have been thinking about holiday manicures a lot. Even though I no longer attend many holiday parties — I’m more of a homebody these days — that doesn’t mean I don’t mind if my nails have somewhere special to go.

Today’s look is totally something I would wear to a fun holiday party, paired with the perfect little black dress.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Colour Grip Primer Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • Santee Magnetic 04 Metallic Tropical Rose
  • Starrily Magnetic Wand
  • Santee Magnetic 21 Sand Burst
  • Smallest sized dotting tool (NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio)

First off, I apologize for how difficult these were to photograph. Apparently using flash on these particular magnetic base gave it almost this blurry effect in some pictures.

I’ve had these magnetics in my stash for… a while haha. Apparently I picked them up for 99 cents at my local Lawton’s on clearance… & just never tried them out! I used my Starrily Magnetic Want, & it gave this red base the coolest crushed velvet effect. It’s absolutely gorgeous! I wish I had pulled them out sooner.

What do you think about these holiday nails — are they giving you Christmas vibes? We have our first Tax Free Event this weekend at work, & it’s going to be crazy, so I need all the festive spirit I can get! I would much rather be drinking egg nog & nibbling on Christmas cookies with my pretty nails.

Enjoy your weekend loves, however whatever you’ve got planned. 🖤