Criss Cross Freehand Pattern

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday. It’s definitely a very, very chilly Wednesday here on the East Coast, & I don’t think I’m quite ready for it! I’m naturally a person who is always cold, so when the weather shifts, there is not enough layers or tea in the world to keep me warm!

But even if I’m cold, I still have cute nails to show off! I picked up a couple nail art stripers on clearance at Lawton’s a while ago, but hadn’t really played with them, so I decided to play around with some line work. I originally intended to do a kind of x-pattern look, which so of shifted as I was doing it. I’m not sure what to call this kind of pattern, but I absolutely love it. & it’s a look that even looks good on nubby nails like mine!

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Matte Top Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Matte Top Coat
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Clean Slate
  • Color Club Art Club Pink Pastel

Oh man, I think this pattern turned out so neat! It actually wasn’t super difficult to do either; I started with painting an X on my nails, then when it each triangle section to repeat the same pattern over & over so you would get this interlocking/woven effect. It sounds complicated, but it really wasn’t. Just required a bit of a steady hand, & a little concentration, but the end result is totally worth it!

Also yes I’m totally obsessed with using my matte top coat again. I saw that Sally Hansen has a new Miracle Gel matte top coat, so I’m going to see if I can pick some up the next time I’m out. I also think I’m due for another “battle of the matte top coats”, so maybe I’ll have to add it to the mix!

What do you think about this look? Is this something you could see yourself rocking?

Also now that we’re hitting mid-November I was thinking of starting to post the occasional Winter/maybe Christmas look? Do you want to see that, or do you think it’s too soon?

Let me know down in the comments below!

Remembrance Day Poppies

Hello lovelies. Hope everyone is having a good week so far. We’re officially half way to the weekend! Today in Canada though, it’s Remembrance Day which a solemn day where we stop to remember those who have served in the military & sacrificed their own lives during War.

This year is strange because most of the Remembrance Day ceremonies that we would attend are now, understandably, being presented online because of COVID precautions. This is also the first Remembrance Day without my grandfather, who was a veteran. So I really wanted to do something special to mark the day, & I decided to recreate a poppy design I did a few years back.

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Essence Miracle Stone
  • Sally Hansen CSM Warm Regards
  • Sally Hansen CSM Red My Lips
  • Sally Hansen CSM Red Over Heels
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Get Mod
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Blacky-O
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio (COFFEE10 saves you 10%!)

I like this design because it’s subtle, respectful & not too in your face. The poppy can be such a controversial item to wear (& where you decide to wear it) so I didn’t want to paint a nail art look that could offend anyone. Coming from a strongly military family, I’ve always made sure to stop & acknowledge the day, & pay my respects to those whose sacrifices ensured my freedoms.

What do you think of this look? Do you honour Remembrance Day in your part of the world? Let me know in the comments below.

SWATCH SUNDAY — Revlon Iconic 390

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! & happy November 1st! We’re officially down to two months of this year, & here’s hoping the last two months of 2020 is a gentle ride.

Today I’m starting off this brand new month with some pretty grey nails: Revlon Iconic. The perfect November nail polish pick!

2 coats + top coat

This shade was (is?) part of the permanent Revlon nail polish collection, although Google has been less than its usual helpful self. As you can see, I scored my bottle on clearance for only 99 cents.

The polish itself is a dark grey with almost teal/ greenish undertones. The shade itself very much screams late Fall to me — it’s the perfect transitional shade as we leave the beauty of early Fall behind, but aren’t quite ready for our Holiday polish picks & designs yet! (Just a whole lot of sweater nails — get ready

I must say, the formula on this shade was pretty freaking flawless. It was almost completely opaque on the first coat, but I applied 2 just so no spots were missed. & finished off with some glossy top coat, just to give it some extra lasting power & shine.

I’ve always been a fan of Revlon nail polish, as they have great classic colours, & the formula seems to last well on my nails. Plus, they’re always a great affordable drug store brand to grab when you’re out & about. It’s not often they’re not on some kind of deal at one of our local drugstores!

What do you think about this beautiful grey shade? Do you own Revlon Iconic in your nail polish stash? What polishes do you usually reach for during this month? Are you starting your Christmas looks early this year?

Let me know in the comments below!

NailStuff.ca Exclusive Cadillacquer Duo: Mystical Fog & Enchanted Woodland

-gifted/PR sample-

Hello lovelies & Happy Friday!

Today I’m breaking with my usual Friday content because I have the most exciting nail polish news to share with you: NailStuff.ca is releasing a exclusive duo with Cadillacquer tomorrow (October 3rd) at Noon EST!

I absolutely love how Victoria has described this nail polish duo:

Both of these beautiful shades are reminiscent of a tranquil, misty autumn forest. The flecks and glitters represent the changing foliage and all of the magical things which may be hiding in it’s depths.

So let’s take a look at these gorgeous shades!

Continue reading “NailStuff.ca Exclusive Cadillacquer Duo: Mystical Fog & Enchanted Woodland”

Blue Plaid Nails

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday!

Here in Halifax we’re currently bracing for a big tropical storm to hit, but I still wanted to share some fun Fall nails I did recently. My posting has been a bit sporadic the last few weeks because of work, & family stuff, but I’m really trying to get back into regular posting again! Especially since next month is my favourite Month of the year!

But first: nail art. I always like to do a plaid design at least once a year, & I was really feeling this dark blue shimmery shade that I found hiding in my stash. It was just screaming for some nail art! After glancing at my favourite Fall dress hanging in my closet, I knew exactly what design I wanted to recreate on my nails. I was a little nervous about free-handing stripes, but I was so happy with how they turned out!

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • China Glaze New Year, New Boo
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Grey Area
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Get Mod
  • Essie Mosaic On Down
  • Quo By Orly Breathable The Antidote
  • NailStuff.ca 16mm Striper Brush (COFFEE10 saves you 10%!)

How gorgeous is this China Glaze shade? It was original released as part of the Glam Finale 2017 Holiday collection. it’s so stunning, & it’s the first time I’ve ever worn it. I can definitely see myself wearing this shade a lot in the new few months — can you imagine it paired in a gradient with some silver holo glitters! Ahhhh, it’ll be so pretty for the holidays.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Because we still have so many Fall & Halloween looks to come!

Down below: a shot with my favourite Fall plaid dress & the inspiration behind this nail art look. They go so perfectly together!

What have you guys been wearing on your nails lately? Do you have a particular shade or design you’re loving right now? Let me know down in the comments below!