Category: nail polish

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Giorgio Armani Nail Polish in Woodstone

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend so far.

Today I decided to dig deep into my stash, & pulled out a polish that was gifted to me back in 2015, & has been sitting in there, peaking my interest, for a long time. This is Giorgio Armani #214 Woodstone, which was originally released as part of the Fall 2014 Fade to Grey Collection. At least — I’m 99% sure this is #214 Woodstone. Mine didn’t have the official name on the bottle, but after some Googling, & seeing other swatches, it’s pretty clear that’s which shade this is.

2 coats, no top coat.

First up, this shade is such an unusual colour selection for me, but I was really really feeling this bronze-y brown shade, that I had to put it on. It’s such a deep, dark brown, but the gold shimmer really gives it another depth to it. For my swatches, I applied two coats of polish, but honestly it was pretty much opaque on the first coat, the second one was just to smooth things out fully.

Also, I really like the way the golden shimmer looks with this shade. With the matte finish, it really does almost give you the effect of being wood grain, which is really cool.

Just for fun, I wanted a comparison of the polish both matte & glossy. Top coat definitely takes it to a whole other level — I just love it!

I’m really loving this shade, & kind of sad it’s taken me 7 years to actually venture out of my comfort zone & try it out. It really is a stunning shade for Autumn & Fall. All is missing is a little bit of golden accent, maybe some leaves. A fantastic base for an Autumn inspired nail art look!

Sadly it looks like Giorgio Armani Beauty no longer produces nail polishes, which is a shame. If I had known how nice of a formula their polishes had, I definitely would have sought some out sooner. However, I’m glad to have this beauty in my stash, & I definitely won’t be waiting another 7 years to wear it again!

What do you think about this pretty bronzed brown? Do you ever wear brown nail polish? Do you prefer it with a matte or glossy finish? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

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Dainty Grey Dotticure Accent Nails

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday!

I hope everyone’s week is going swimmingly so far. It’s almost the weekend! Today I’m showing off a pretty, easy & dainty nail art look that I wore recently.

As you might have noticed, I have been rocking short short short nails lately, thanks to a break on my middle finger nail, & I’ve been waiting (impatiently) for it to grow out. So it hasn’t left me super inspired when it comes to painting my nails, which I think has been showing. However, you know what always looks good? Polka Dots!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Essie Merino Cool
  • Essie Cocktail Bling
  • Essie Mosiac On Down
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio

What do you think of this colour combination on this dotticure look? I love grey on grey, & I thought it would be a perfect Fall transition look. Plus the little hints of gold are a nice touch.

Also I’m super happy with how my polka dots turned out — sometimes super dainty polka dots can be a struggle, but I think these look so perfect.

Over all, this reminds me of an old school Coffee & Nail Polish look, circa 2015/2016, & I’m not made about it. Plus, like I said, it fancies up my itty bit nails just a little bit more.

What do you think about this nail art look? Are you a fan of these teeny, tiny polka dots? Would you wear this look? Let me known down in the comments below!

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Gold & Plum Splatter Nails

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday! A beautiful Autumn Tuesday at that.

Today I’m showing off yet another fun splatter look, this time inspired by a tutorial by @nailsdnt on Instagram. She used a stamper & cuticle oil to achieve a fun bubbly splatter look, & as soon as I saw her tutorial I knew I needed to give it a try! I just love a good splatter design, & this seemed like such an easy way to achieve it.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Matte Top Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Matte Top Coat
  • Color Club Twice Bitten
  • L’Oreal Feeling Kilty
  • Nailstuff.ca clear stamper
  • Revlon Cuticle Oil

So obviously, first thing is first: I apologize for my weird cuticle area. Between an older top coat, & some weird matte top coat effect, it kind of gave me a messy finish. I’m definitely due for a new bottle of top coat.

Second, as you can see my nails did turn out pretty cool, although there are some differences between my splatter finish & the original design. While the original tutorial used a nail cuticle pen, I chose to use my bottle of Revlon cuticle oil, which I think lead to too much oil on the stamper. Her’s had more of a bubbly effect, while mine reminds me more a classic splatter.

But either way I love the end result. It’s so pretty! & the matte top coat just makes it look even more beautiful — I think the matte top coat just completes the look.

What do you think about this look? Are you enjoying these splatter nails I’ve been wearing lately? Let me know down in the comments below.

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Autumn Fan Brush Splatter Nail Art

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday! We’re officially a full week into September, & the Autumn vibes have been strong — with the perfect early September weather to match. I’ve been fully immersing myself in all things pumpkin spice, while wearing my absolute favourite knee high boots.

So obviously, I need some nail art to match.

I’ve been rocking some serious shorties lately, thanks in part to a wicked break on my middle finger (hence why it’s so wonky). So I’ve been feeling a bit… uninspired nail art wise. One nail art look I have been loving though is splatter nails! They’re easy, fun, & I’ve never done one that I didn’t love.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Know The Espa-Drille
  • Sally Hansen InstaDri Cinna-snap
  • Sally Hansen InstaDri Zip Wine
  • Sally Hansen InstaDri Midnight Drive
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Golden Glow
  • Fan Brush Nail Art Brush (mine was purchased at either Claire’s or Icing)

How funky are these? I just love how fun this colour combination is together, & it’s combining all the colours I love for Autumn — but on a light base. I usually go with the Saran Wrap technique for my nail art, but I thought I would try out with a fan brush, & I’m really happy with the end result. They’re just so much fun!

What do you think about these splatter nails? Do you like this fun splatter design? Let me know what Autumn nail art you’re rocking right now — or if your holding onto Summer nails as long as possible.

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SWATCH SUNDAY — A Color Club Mystery

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday… the first Sunday of September. The weather has been absolutely beautiful the last couple days, & I even had a chance to break out the knee high boots & my favourite tights. & I’ve been perusing through all my deeper nail polish shades, looking for fun dark shades that are calling my name.

Today, though, I have a bit of a nail polish mystery featuring Color Club. I’ve mentioned before I’m a huge fan of buying polish at Winners, & I found this beauty in a set of 6 at my local Winners — with no name or codes or any distinguishing information. A real nail polish mystery!

2 coats + Essie Speed Setter top coat

The formula on this beautiful dark plum is super rich. I probably could have gotten away with just one coat of I had been a bit more careful — the opacity is stunning.

The colour is beautiful & dark, & perfect for Autumn. In fact, this is the exact shade I’m thinking about putting in my hair for Fall.

So after some perusing on Google, & Veronica Mars level sleuthing, I think I’ve figured out this shade is Color Club Twice Bitten from the 2016 Under My Spell Holiday collection. There were a couple I thought it might be, but after reviewing bottle shots & other swatches, I definitely think it has to be that one!

The only downside I found to this polish — it stained my nails (& fingers) really badly upon removal. Like… my finger nails & cuticle area were seriously red. Which is a shame, because the colour itself is beautiful & I love a deep dark shade like this.

What do you think about this mystery shade? Do you think I was correct in surmising that it’s Color Club Twice Bitten? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below, & if you like these mystery shade posts?

Have a great Sunday!