Category: L’Oreal

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Black Holo & Pink Ring Pattern Nails


Is anyone else amazed by the fact that June is almost over? It’s crazy how quickly time to flying by! Before you know in, we will all be rocking Christmas manis again! But in the mean time, I have some Summer worthy nails to show off. I pulled out more of my Xroma nail vinyl stencils because I’m kind of obsessed. I really like these ring stencils because they seem kind of Art Deco to me. 

For this manicure, I used:

  • Base Coat: L’Oréal All In One
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • OPI Two Timing The Zones
  • Layla Cosmetics Hologram Effect Black Flash 
  • Xroma Polish & Vinyls Rings Stencil

Is there anything better than holo nails on a sunny day? I’ve been pulling out my holo polishes a lot lately to embrace the sunshine we’ve been having. The Layla polishes I own especially show off the rainbow effect (which I love). I also really love using the dark holo over the right pink.  I was going for a kind of Art Deco look, & I feel like I was successful. 

What shades do you love wearing on Summery days? What do you think of these ring pattern stencils? Let me know in the comments below! 

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Polka Dots! Featuring Essie’s New Speed Setter Top Coat

You know, I don’t think there is anything that I enjoy more (aside from my daily caffeine) than discovering a new quick dry top coat to make my life easier. While some people are top coat loyalists, I am always on the look out for what’s new! & if you go back through the archives I’ve been varied in my top coat love, but one brand I’ve always seem to return to is Essie. So when I saw they had a brand new quick dry top coat coming out–touting 60 second dry times!–I knew that I was going to need to give it a try. 

A few weeks back I found it hiding on the shelves at my local pharmacy, & I quickly snatched it up so I could see if it was worth all the hype. Now that I’ve used it on quite a few manicures, I felt safe giving it an honest review!

For this manicure, I used:

  • Base Coat: L’Oréal All In One
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Essie Peach Daiquiri
  • Essie Butler Please
  • Small dotting tool from Bundle Monster 

I have to say the Speed Setter dries impressively fast. You won’t be applying nail vinyls after 60 seconds, but there is definitely a serious increase in dry time as opposed to Essie’s Gel Setter or Good To Go. Within 15-20 minutes my nails were dry enough to apply nail vinyls without having to worry about ruining my base colour. & when you have limited time to get your nails dry, that comes in handy! It also adds a good amount of shine to your manicure. As far as lasting time, I rarely leave on a manicure for more than 2-3 days but it held up with minimal tip wear.  

After a few weeks of using this top coat, I’m impressed enough to buy a second bottle. Unlike a lot of quick dry top coats, I haven’t noticed it thickening up towards the end of the bottle which is a plus. Nothing worse then trying to scrap those last few sticky drops of top coat out of the bottom of the bottle. But my only complaint with Essie’s new Speed Setter is the fact it smears nail art if you don’t apply it carefully (or, sometimes, even if you do.) But with all the pluses, I’m willing to overlook the smearing issue. Having to wait an extra couple minutes to apply my top coat still doesn’t take as long over all as some other to coats I’ve used in the past. As long as it keeps impressing me, I will definitely keep using it as my #1 top coat of choice. 

Have you tried Essie’s new Speed Setter top coat yet? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below! & if you haven’t given it a try yet, let me know which top coat is your holy grail top coat of choice. 

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Happy National Sunglasses Day with #thenailartsquad 🕶

Good Morning! Today I’m sharing some fun sunglasses themed nails I did after teaming up with my fellow girls in #thenailartsquad in honour of National Sunglasses Day. 😎 Quick fact about me: I LOVE Sunglasses. In fact I usually have at least 3 pairs in my purse at any time. My favourite are those big bug eye classes (think Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen circa 2004) but coming in second? My pink sunglasses! & those are what I used as my inspiration for my sunglasses mani!

For this manicure I used:

  • Base Coat: L’Oréal All in One
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Essie In the Cab-ana 
  • Sally Hansen Hard to Get
  • Maybelline Audacious Asphalt 
  • OPI Two Timing the Zones
  • Sally Hansen I ♥️ Nail Art Pen in Fine Black
  • KaylaRayLoves Zig Zag Nail Stencil 
  • Small Nail Art Brush from Bundle Monster

I actually have 3 pairs of pink sunglasses I wear on the regular–my generic pink sunnies, my Hello Kitty pink sunnies & my Starkid pink sunnies. This particular design makes me think of the beach–the grey & white zig zags on my accent nail make me think of a beach towel which I love. I haven’t yet had the chance to go to the beach, but little Bubs & I are going on vacation next week to my parents so maybe I’ll get a little beach time! & of course I will have my pink sunglasses handy for the occasion. 

Are you celebrating National Sunglasses Day? Do you have a favourite pair of Sunglasses you can’t live without (or would inspire your own mani)? Let me know in the comments below! 

& don’t forget to get out the other amazing manis by my fellow girls by checking out the hashtag #thenailartsquad. 🕶 

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Born Pretty Store Review — Origami Pattern Stamping Plate Harunouta L040 item #39127



Happy Monday! Today I have a new manicure featuring another stamping plate so kindly sent to me for review from Born Pretty Store. This time, I’m reviewing the Origami Pattern Manicure Stamping Plate Harunouta L040 item #39127. This plate called to me because of all the gorgeous origami shapes. & the arrival of the plate was just in time that I could wear these nails to my sister in laws baby shower this past weekend! 


For this manicure, I used: 

  • Base Coat: L’Oréal All in One
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Revlon Gel Envy To The Chapel
  • Essie Chillato
  • Ardene Fluffy Tutu
  • Born Pretty Store Black Stamping polish (from this set)
  • Origami Pattern Stamping Plate Harunouta L040 item #39127
  • Born Pretty Store Clear Jelly Stamper

I think I’m finally getting the hang of stamping. The images are so delicate that you really have to move quickly (or the stamping polish dries) but I’m figuring it out! I’ve used Essence Back to Black for stamping before & it worked really well but my bottle was all used up so I’m going to get a new bottle & try stamping with that to see how it does. I definitely had more practice using this plate, so it went a lot easier. 

I love how adorable all of these images are! You have the hanging pictures, the individual pictures & then the cool geometric cloud images. So many different ideas & manicures that you can create! Like I mentioned, I wore these for a baby shower but I could see this being perfect for lots of occasions (or just for fun everyday). 

I still consider myself a stamping newbie, so while this plate was a little difficult for me after a little fiddling & practice I think I came up with a very pretty manicure! This plate could definitely be suitable for someone still new to stamping, as well as those pros out there I hope to someday join!

If you’re interested in ordering this plate (or something else) from Born Pretty Store feel free to use my discount code COFFK31 to save 10% off any regular price items! I’ve been ordering from them for years, & I love the wide variety of products you can find for all your nail polish addict needs! 

Stay tuned because I still have 2 more Born Pretty Store reviews coming your way! 

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Saran Wrap Splatter–Summer Edition!

It’s officially Summer, & even though the weather here in Halifax is being less than agreeable (go away clouds), I just want to wear pretty dresses & sandals & enjoy the sunshine. In the meantime, I decided some bright Saran Wrap splatter nails would be appropriate. Maybe it will even encourage the sun to stick around longer than a few hours! 


For this manicure, I used:

  • Base Coat: L’Oréal All in One Base Coat
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Hard Candy Coconut
  • Sally Hansen Boho Blue
  • Ardene Whacky
  • Maybelline Color Show Fiery Tulip

I seriously love how these turned out–the blues & purple work so well together. My barista even complimented me on my nails, which always makes me feel good when someone other than my husband notices. I am just never disappointed when I pull out the plastic wrap for this design! Sometimes it can be messy, but always easy to clean up (way easier than cleaning up a classic splatter manicure!) & the end result is just so much fun. 

What do you think of my Saran Wrap design? What’s your favourite Summer manicure design?  Let me know in the comments below!