Category: Holiday

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Silver Snowflakes ❄️

Is it too early for snowflakes? Probably (& I’m definitely not trying to encourage Mother Nature in any way) but my few Christmas/Winter plates were sitting on my desk the other night looking so lonely so I decided maybe some snowflakes would be pretty. 

I do a variation of this design pretty much every year, with varying levels of success haha. I love how it looks a bit like wrapping to me. Honestly, the only time I like snow is between December 20th & January 2nd, or when it’s painted on my nails. 

For my manicure, the polishes I used were: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Grow Stronger
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • Zoya Yves
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Buffalo Nickel 
  • Born Pretty Store Clear Jelly Stamper
  • Born Pretty Store Snowflake Stamping plate (no longer available) — this one (also Born Pretty) could be a good alternative. 
  • Edge Perfective Cuticle Barrier 

I was really impressed with how well Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Buffalo Nickel stamped. I find metallic shades can be so hit or miss when it comes to how well they stamp, but it turned out awesome! I thought about adding a bit of glitter in the middle of my snowflakes, but decided against it just in case I hated how it looked. 

We’re slowly creeping into the holiday season. We were at the grocery store yesterday & you could already hear Christmas carols being played! Trying my best to like Christmas this year, especially because it’s baby’s first Christmas (& my husband’s absolute favourite holiday!) so wish me luck. Maybe if I do enough Christmas manicures, it will subconsciously make me love it? 

What do you think of these snowflakes? Do you think it’s too early for Snowflake/Christmas/Winter designs? Let me know what you think in the comments below! 

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SWATCH SUNDAY— Joe Fresh Gel Look 2017 Holiday Collection

Happy Sunday everyone! It’s one of the best days of the week… Swatch Sunday! & I have not one but EIGHT polishes to share with you today from the Joe Fresh Gel Look Holiday 2017 collection. For my thoughts on the other Joe Fresh shades I’ve featured, feel free to check them out here. 

Like all Joe Fresh Gel Look shades, these polishes are designed to need no base or top coat, easily removes with nail polish remover, & is designed to last up to 14 days. 

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Mauve-ulous

 

First shade I have on my swatch fest is Mauve-ulous a taupe-y grey that leans a little brown. This is 2 coats for full opacity, with no base or top, & you can really see the flawlessness of the formula. This isn’t a shade isn’t one I would normally reach for, but it is a great neutral shade. 


Frosted

Next up is Frosted which is the perfect way to describe the pearl white polish. Again, I used two coats but I feel like 3 would be better to hide any patchy-ness. This shade feels very retro & brings me back to my love for white polishes just like this in the early 2000s, & I love it. Perfect white polish for the impending Christmas season. 


Soul Train

Soul Train is a two coat black polish that is dark & vampy & applies flawlessly. I don’t usually associate black nails with the holidays, but with some gold polka dots added (maybe using a few of the others from this collection) you’d have a great New Year’s Eve manicure. 


Pink Wish

Another frosty shade from this collection, Pink Wish is also 2 coats. This pale frosty rose gold applies a bit better than the other frosted shade in this collection. I’ll be honest—this is not a shade I would probably wear on its own (I don’t often wear golds alone) but it would be great as part of some nail art. 


Lover’s Kiss 

This crelly red shade is Lover’s Kiss & it was the only shade that needed 3 coats. You could probably survive with 2 if you don’t mind a bit of visible nail line but I prefer full coverage. This red screams Christmas to me & no holiday collection is complete without a little red. 


Sparkling Glitz

Next up we have another gold, this time with a metallic finish. Sparkling Glitz took 2 coats for coverage with minimal brush strokes when the polish dries down. You definitely want to let your polishbdry down before you’re second coat to avoid pulling your first coat. 

Dark Pine

Okay can we talk about this polish? Dark Pine is another vampy shade that fits in so perfectly with a holiday collection. Again, 2 coats was all that was needed for flawless application. & this shade is just… it’s so pretty. & it’s not your typical holiday green which makes me like it even more!


Gothika Blue

Last, but definitely not least, we have my absolute favourite shade from this whole collection! Gothika Blue is a deep shimmery blurple that took 2 coats for application. & it’s beautiful—it’s just straight up gorgeous. Like I don’t think I’ve seen a more beautiful polish. I’m going to need a couple back up bottles for sure. 


& that is it for the Joe Fresh Gel Look Holiday 2017 Collection! These shades are available to buy at your local Loblaws & Real Canadian Superstores for $5 each. 
Which of these 8 polishes are on your “have to have” list? Let me know your thoughts on this collection in the comments below! 

*PR SAMPLE* Some of these items were sent to me for review. However, all opinions are my own. 

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Happy Halloween with Wonder Woman Nails! 💫

Happy Halloween everyone! I can’t believe it’s already Halloween 🎃 — how crazy is that? This year I was dedicated to doing a family Justice League costume with the hubs & our little Bubs so I could wear my Wonder Woman costume again! & obviously that means I needed to have nails that matched. 

Originally I was going to try for full on Justice League Nails with all the hero symbols but… my freehand skills are just not that good. I started & realized it would probably take me 14 hours & multiple attempts so I decided to go the easier route & just go Wonder Woman. 

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • Boho Green Make Up Pacific Ocean
  • L’Oréal Color Riche Carmin Parisien 
  • Color Club Almost Famous
  • Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Black Heart
  • Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hard To Get
  • UR Sugar Star Nail Stencil item #AUB39877 — Click to buy
  • NailStuff.ca gold triangle studs — Gold Mixed Decoration Nail wheel 
  • Small detail brush from Bundle Monster 

I love, love, love how these turned out. I had a bit different idea going into this mani but even though these are different than who I originally planned, I think they turned out WAY better than what I was thinking I was going to do… & say Wonder Woman much more! I was super scared to attempt that W symbol, but I think it turned out great. & these are going to compliment my costume perfectly. 


 🎃 whether you plans involve trick or treating, handing out candy or just hiding inside with a box of mini candies (or anything else!) I hope you have the best Halloween ever. For those who follow me on Instagram I’ll make sure to post a picture of my nails & my costume together later on! 

🖤

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Halloween Glitter Gradient 

Who else is super excited for October? I am! Obviously I love Fall & the fact the weather has cooled down to much more seasonable temperatures (I got to wear my Uggs the other day!) has me pumped for the month to come. Thanksgiving, my birthday, & especially Halloween! 🎃 October is full of lots of fun, & I’m ready for all the accompanying nail art designs. So I thought I would start off with a quick & easy Halloween-esque glitter gradient. 

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
  • Top Coat: Sally Hansen Diamond Flash
  • OPI Lincoln Park After Dark
  • Sinful Colors Pumpkin Spice
  • Latex Free Make Up Sponge

Please excuse the bubbles in my mani… my top coat is reaching the end of its life & starting to get a little thick & bubbly. Thankfully the glitter hides a lot of the bubbles. Even still, I love this combo—it just screams Halloween to me without being too over the top! It’s also a super easy design that anyone can do without too much fuss. 

Sinful Colors Pumpkin Spice is such a great Fall glitter shade, & not just because it caters to my latte loving inner basic white girl! I bought my bottle a few (I think close to 3) years ago, but I saw it at my local Lawtons yesterday so definitely check in store if you’re looking for it! I believe it’s a seasonal shade that Sinful Colors releases every year. 

I have a whole list of Halloween manicures I’m planning (thank you Pinterest!) so stay tuned for lots of fun nail art designs. Also still trying to come up with something fun to wear on my birthday. So if you have any design suggestions, let me know in the comments below! 

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Happy Birthday Canada Day Nails 🇨🇦

Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦 Today is an important birthday for my country–it’s the 150th birthday of Canada’s Confederation. & in honour of the occasion I created these festive nails using maple leaf stencils I received in honour of the occasion free from Nail Polish Canada (& thanks so a discount code @jennieshaw posted a few weeks back). 

For this manicure I used:

  • Base Coat: L’Oréal All In One
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Essie Too Too Hot
  • China Glaze Ruby Slippers
  • Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hard To Get
  • Xroma Polish & Vinyls Skinny Waves Vinyls
  • What’s Up Nails Canadian Flag Nail Stencils c/o: Nail Polish Canada

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Canada Day (& it’s not too rainy where you are!) Myself & the baby are heading on vacation tomorrow so we’re keeping our plans low key today since he’s a little too young for fireworks this year. We are however having a fun Canada Day supper with my inlaws before we leave. Whatever your plans are today, I hope it includes a little red & white (& maybe something maple flavoured). 

How are you celebrating Canada’s 150th Birthday?! Let me know in the comments below!