Category: nail polish

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie High Class Affair

Happy Swatch Sunday lovelies. I realize this is probably the latest I’ve ever posted my Swatch Sunday post but it’s been a crazy day… & it’s still before midnight, therefore still Sunday, so this post still counts!

Today’s Swatch post is another polish I scored at Lawton’s on clearance. You know how much I love a good polish find, especially when it’s a limited edition shade I missed the first time around. Today’s polish is Essie High Class Affair, which was originally released as part of the Spring 2016 collection.

Originally I thought this shade was going to be a bit more pink-y, but it turned out to be more of a peach nude. Which I can get behind! I’m always looking for more neutrals in my stash, so when I find a great shade like this (especially from one of my favourite brands!) then I jump at the chance! They are great on their own, or perfection as a base for other nail art. I mean, how amazing would this polish look with some floral painted over top!? Although I did something a little more fancy with my swatches.

For my above swatches, I used 3 coats + Essie Speed Setter Top Coat. Honestly, I prefer polishes which go on in less coats but I think it was because of how thin my coats were. It really needed that extra coat to hide any bald spots. Also adding top coat definitely levelled out the polish & left it with the flawless finish you see above. But that’s kind of typical with these kind of shades, regardless of brand. At least that’s been my experience with application.

Do you have this gorgeous Essie shade in your stash? What are your thoughts? Share below 👇🏻 what your favourite nude shade is!

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Mani Swap with @mugglenails

It feels like forever since I had to opportunity to join one of my fellow nail art addicts in a mani swap. So I was super excited to be able to team up with a fellow Canadian nail polish addict @mugglenails in a fun design swap. Meghan always comes up with such creative nail art patterns & colour combinations. So it was really fun to scroll through her feed to pick a design to recreate!

I had narrowed it down to two designs of hers, but in the end I kept coming back to this blue & aqua design. There is something about the colour combination which felt so nautical, I just couldn’t get it out of my head. Very, very Summery! For her design, Meghan recreated my green vine design from a few months back.

For this design, the polish I used were:

  • Base Coat: OPI Nail Envy
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Essie First Timer
  • Icing Stores Mermaid Mint
  • Essie All the Wave
  • Born Pretty Store Aurora Rainbow Nail Striping Tape (item #40423)
  • Medium sized dotting tool

There is something about this colour combination that just makes me swoon. Maybe because it feels so Summer-y & reminds me of the ocean. I mean, I’m an East Coat Girl… the ocean is in my veins. I will always adore a nail design with a nautical theme. All this design needs is a quick accent anchor for it to go full nautical. But I kind of like the fact that it’s kind of subtle–it makes this design a much more everyday look. This colour combo isn’t my everyday choice, & yet I’m completely obsessed with it!

What do you think of this mani swap? Do you think my recreation was successful? Share your thoughts down in the comments below!

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Floral & Holo

Holy how is it July already? Seriously, it feels like just yesterday I was posting Christmas designs & now it’s hot & humid & I’m so excited I can finally pull out all my fun Summer dresses to wear without needing leggings underneath. I’ve been rocking a lot of floral lately… especially on the nails.

I know that it doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I’m pretty much always going to rock floral. But when the sun is shining & the temps are climbing, wearing floral just feels right!

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: OPI Nail Envy
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • NailStuff.ca holo powder (applied over Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Rose to the Occasion)
  • Essie Playdate
  • Color Club Pucci-licious
  • Sally Hansen CSM Killer Heels
  • Sally Hansen CSM Red It Online
  • Sally Hansen CSM Rose To the Occasion
  • Sally Hansen CSM Blush Against The World
  • Sally Hansen I ♥️ Nail Art pen in green
  • Quo by ORLY Second Hand Jade
  • Bundle Monster small detail brush
  • Bundle Monster small & large dotting tool

Oh man, this holo powder from NailStuff.ca is one of my all time favourites. Easy to apply & such a strong holo look. I never thought of using it as a base for nail art, but it was the perfect base for this floral. Plus in the sunlight…. oh, in the sunlight. I’ve been obsessing over wearing holo nails on good days because it’s so distracting! I would be lying if I said I didn’t get caught staring at my nails once or twice (or five times) while wearing this mani!

what do you think of this design? Are you a fan of a holo base for nail art? Share your thoughts in the comments below & let me know what you think. ♥️

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Summer Vibes Magazine Spread & My Summer Inspired Nails

You may remember back in December, Sarah from @25sweetpeas created the most amazing holiday magazine. While once again she has gathered together some of her blogger friends to create another awesome magazine, this time focusing on all things Summer. There are recipes, pretty nails, & even a travel guide!

The magazine has been broken up into two parts for you — part one, which holds the recipes (including 2 of mine) & pretty nails! Part two has some awesome fun things including places to travel this Summer & other bonus goodies!

You can click below to go to the PDF & download!

For my nails, I decided to create a pretty & bright tropical leaf pattern design which was inspired by a mix-n-match bikini I saw few months back (& didn’t buy sadly). Once if my favourite things about Summer is the colour! I love pulling out all the colourful clothing that has been sitting way back in the depths of my closet, waiting for sunnier days.

Continue reading “Summer Vibes Magazine Spread & My Summer Inspired Nails”

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Rustic Floral Pattern Nails

Can you never have too many floral manicures in your life? Personally, I don’t think so. We all know how much I adore flowers–from clothes, to shoes, to cellphone cases to my nails, I can never have enough! Recently I found a Rifle Paper Co. phone case at Winners on payday, so I decided to attempt to recreate said pattern on my nails.

My attempt definitely turned out a little more rustic than its inspiration, but I think that is why I love the end result so much!

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: OPI Nail Envy
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Boho Green Make Up Moonlight
  • Quo by ORLY Breathable Pep in my Step
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Pretty Piggy
  • Sally Hansen MG Pretty Peony
  • Sally Hansen MG Off the Shoulder
  • Essie A-List
  • China Glaze Sun Upon My Skin
  • China Glaze Metro Pollen-tin
  • YSL Vert D’Orient
  • Sally Hansen Insta-dri Thyme is Money
  • Essie First Timer
  • Sally Hansen I ♥️ Nail Art pen in Black
  • Bundle Monster detail brush

I’m kind of excited for Summer because it means I can change up my backgrounds & use outside. How lush does this design look with green grass in the background? Definitely throwing my pictures back to my pre-light-box days with these photos & I’m loving it! Seriously, staged photos are awesome but something about natural light makes your manicures look that much better.

If that doesn’t say Summer, I don’t know what else does! Also I’m never, ever going to get sick of doing floral. Never. How could you ever get sick of something so pretty! Hence why I keep filling my closet with more & more floral clothing pieces. The obsession continues! 🌿🌼🌱

what do you think of this design? Are you feeling Summery? Leave a comment down below & let me know!