Category: Manicure

Posted on

SWATCH SUNDAY — China Glaze Shocking Pink

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday!

It’s the first week of June, which means it’s only a couple weeks of Summer here in this part of the world. & that means I want all the neon I can get my hands on!

Todays Swatch Sunday pick is a classic from my stash: Shocking Pink. Yep… we’re all about the pink again!

3 coats, matte top coat

First things first, the formula on this shade was a bit complicated to work with. I ended up needing 3 coats for full coverage, but it was a bit thick, & had a little bit of trouble smoothing (you can see it a bit in some of the pictures.) Like many neons, it does dry to a soft matte on its own. I added matte top coat to smooth things out while keeping the matte finish the polish has.

The colour is definitely tricky to photograph. If you look online, I feel like everyone’s swatches of this are just a little bit different. It looks lighter, or darker, depending on the lighting. The colour though, is definitely Summer in a bottle. It’s bright & blinding, & the kind of pink you throw on your toes while laying on the beach, sunglasses on, soaking in the Summer (while wearing a high SPF, don’t get too crazy!)

This was the first time, that I can remember, I’ve put this shade on as a full manicure — I’ve usually only grabbed it for nail art accents. With the bit of trouble I had applying it, I’m not 100% sure it would be my first pick for my nails, as I change them so often. But I definitely think it is a great pedicure choice, & I’m definitely saving it for my next one.

I found a few places where you can purchase Shocking Pink:

Do you have China Glaze Shocking Pink in your stash?

Let me know what you think about this shade down in the comments below, & share your favourite neon shade for Summer!

Posted on

Red Sparkle & Daisies (My Nails for National Nail Polish Day)

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday! It’s almost the weekend! I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far.

Today I’m excited to show off the manicure I was wearing for National Nail Polish Day — & yes, that more red nail polish haha. I figured I wanted to wear nails that were all encompassing of my personality, & red nails with daisies just did that!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine
  • Top Coat: Essence Extreme GEL Top
  • Essie Too Too Hot
  • Essie Shine of the Times
  • Essie Blank Page
  • Essie Check Your Baggage
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio
  • NailStuff.ca 4mm Micro Detail Brush

First off, check out how long my nails currently are! I know I’m enviably due for a break, just because I work a job that is not the kindest of hands/nails, but for right now I’m just going to bask in how long & beautiful they are right now.

Second, I’m so excited for beautiful sunny outdoor shots. I’m living for the sunshine. Not only does it make my nail pictures look lovely, but it just makes my mood so happy.

Third, I adore this Essie-centric manicure for National Nail Polish Day yesterday. I think this is the first time I’ve done a manicure with Essie Too Too Hot & obviously I had to top it with Shine Of The Times. Then, I added some daisies because if I’m celebrating a day dedicated to nail polish, I need some floral (my favourite).

What do you think about this vibrant red look? Did you do your nails special for National Nail Polish day? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below!

Posted on

Pink & Purple Leopard Print

Hello lovelies & happy end of May!

Can you believe this month is officially on its way out? Summer is here — & I’ve been living for these warm Summer dress worthy days. Today I’m showing off a fun, bright look to perfectly compliment the weather: a pink & purple leopard print.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine
  • Top Coat: Essence Extreme GEL Top
  • LA Girl Extreme
  • Essence Lilac Vibes
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Blacky-O
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio
  • NailStuff.ca 4mm Micro Detail Brush

I love how this pink pops against this grey-ed out purple. It makes it look really vibrant. I featured this purple base for Swatch Sunday a few weeks back, & I’m glad I decided to do some nail art with it! It was the perfect base for this leopard print. This colour scheme is great!

What do you think of this leopard print look? Are you a fan of the pink against the purple base? What are you wearing to celebrate Summer days? Let me know in the comments below!

Posted on

SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie x Révolutionnaire Expressie Collection

Features Gifted Product in Exchange for Content

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! I’m super excited to share some beautiful PR I received recently! As I mentioned in this post, this collection is a collaboration between Essie & Révolutionnaire.co, a brand & platform committed to celebrating diversity and inclusivity, and fighting for social justice.

The two gave teamed up with Essie for a beautiful collection of Expressie shades — Take the Espresso, Cold Brew Crew, Buns Up, Millennium Momentum, Daily Grind, & Always Transparent. This was my first experience with the Expressie line, which is an 8-free, vegan formula, formulated without any nasty ingredients that can sometimes be found in nail polishes.

So let’s look at some Swatches!

Continue reading “SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie x Révolutionnaire Expressie Collection”
Posted on

Summery Floral

Features Gifted Product in Exchange for Content

You know what it’s been a while since? The last time I wore my my nails! So naturally I needed to pick some of my newer shades I’ve received lately (& a few oldies from my collection) & incorporated them into a beautiful floral look.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine
  • Top Coat: Essence Extreme GEL Top
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Blue Moonstone
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Love You Lotus
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Peony Origins
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Pink Cardamon
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Black Stone
  • OPI Nature Strong Emflowered
  • OPI Nature Strong Cactus What You Preach
  • OPI Nature Strong Daisy Strong
  • Essie Off Tropic
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio
  • NailStuff.ca 4mm Micro Detail Brush

I love love love this bright blue base of Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure in Blue Moonstone. Like I mentioned in the swatch post, it’s definitely my favourite of the shades I received. The colour is so perfect for Spring… Summer… everything! & it really makes the flowers pop.

What do you think about this floral design? Do you like the pairing of these colours? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below.

Products featured in this post were provided in exchanged for content.

All thoughts are honest & my own.