Category: Nicole by OPI

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Nicole by OPI Shoot for the Maroon 💫

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! A beautiful Sunday at that — although, still desperately waiting on some rain in this part of the country (we really need it!) So today I thought I’d wear something a little moodier, a little cooler in hopes of encouraging some rainy weather.

I also thought it would be fun to pull out a polish from my stash from a now discontinued brand: Nicole by OPI. In my earlier nail polishing days I was absolutely obsessed with the Nicole by OPI days, so I’m sure you can imagine how many shades of I have in my collection. This is Shoot for the Maroon.

2 coats + top coat

This beautiful flakie purple has a deep dark base, with a metallic micro flakie effect that gives it beautiful dimension. Depending on how you move your hand, it shifts pink, purple, golden & even a little green. Super beautiful!

You can really see those micro flakies. I love the shiftiness of this shade & the dark jewel like tone. It’s a beautiful polish that just says Autumn & I’m here for it.

Sadly, the NOPI line was discontinued in the latter 2010s, so they’re no longer available in stores. I have seen some bodies available online, but not sure how easily you can find them. It’s a real shame, because I feel like this line was a great mainstream line for more specialty formulas — like this shade!

What do you think about Nicole by OPI Shoot for the Maroon. Do you still own any of the NOPI shades? What were your thoughts on the brand — let me know what you think down in the comments below!

Happy Sunday!

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Glittery Chevron Claws

Hello beauties & happy Friday. It’s kind of a miserable day here in Halifax, with another rainfall warning. Blah. But I’m not going to focus on the drab weather — instead I’m going to obsess about a fun manicure I wore this week!

It’s been forever since I last rocked some chevron claws. Once upon a time chevron moons/claws were my manicure go to, & I kind of miss those days. So I was happy to pull out this old favourite to rock once again!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Colour Grip Primer Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Glossy Top Coat
  • Essie No Ex-pectations
  • Nicole by OPI Kendall on the Katwalk
  • Snail Vinyls Deep Chevron Vinyls

Look at that sparkle! I kind of like how it’s sort of a peek-a-boo look because the purple in the glitter matches pretty closely with my base shade. I probably could have went with something with more of the bang, but I like this look better!

& yes, my shade selection lately has definitely been going more cooler/Autumn toned. I tried to fight it, but the pumpkin spice is just calling to me. I’m already using my Halloween reusable cup, & I’ve been wearing tights with dresses. I’m a Fall girlie at heart, always. 🖤🎃

What do you think of my chevron claws? Do you like the subtlety of the glitter over the similar toned based shade, or do you prefer more of a pop? Let me know all your thoughts down below!

Happy Friday!

Enjoy your weekend!

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GlamnailschallengeOct—Spiders 🕸

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We are almost halfway through the month, can you believe it? & Happy Thanksgiving to all my Fellow Canadians celebrating today with Turkey, Tofurky or whatever else you’re making for the occasion.

Today I have another look for GlamnailschallengeOct! Today’s prompt is Spiders, which is quite possibly my least favourite thing in the whole wide world, but a popular choice this time of year for nail art. & I do seem to do some kind of Spider web look each year, as it’s a time honoured Halloween classic.

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For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Quo by ORLY Bonder
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Nicole by OPI Totally in the Dark
  • White Acrylic Paint
  • NailStuff.ca 16mm Striper Brush

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Okay, so regardless of my phobia toward legit spiders (& their sticky webs), I am really loving how these turned out. These turned out much more delicate than some of my previous spider web attempts, which I’m very happy about. Turns out good nail art brushes really make a huge difference in how nail art turns out! My nail art brushes from NailStuff.ca has really improved how my nail art looks & has brought my freehanding to another level… even when I’m on a nap time time crunch. Also I fought it for a longtime, but using acrylic paint also really helps with upping the look, probably because it doesn’t dry as quickly as nail polish does.

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Halloween manicures make me so happy, even ones involving spiders (ick). This would definitely be a fun manicure to wear for a witchy Halloween costume, or something like Mortica. I have quite decided what I’m being for Halloween, although Kenneth tells me I’m being a princess, but if I go with a spooky look I may have to recreate this! I did end up wearing this manicure for a good 5 days.

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What do you think about this spider design? Are you already planning your spooky Halloween designs? Don’t forget to keep checking out #glamnailschallengeOct on Instagram for everyone else’s amazing designs this month!

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Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month 💜

The month of November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, & my fellow girls in #thenailartsquad & I wanted to create some manicures to bring awareness to this terrible disease that has touched so many of us. 

The color for Pancreatic Awareness Month is purple, so we grabbed a selection of our favourite purples. 

 For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • China Glaze Plur-ple 
  • ACO by Ardene Ice Mist
  • Nicole by OPI One Less Lonely Glitter
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Lacey Lilac
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Trouble Maker
  • Essence Nail Art Stampy Set stamping plate. 

For my design, I picked to go with purple hearts. Like so many, I’ve lost someone I loved to this terrible disease—-when I was just a little girl, my Poppy was diagnosed & passed away from pancreatic cancer. I don’t remember much about him sadly, except from pictures & home movies. 

This is why I think it’s such an important cause to bring attention to because I feel like so many people have lost someone they love way too soon. 

We’d love for anyone out there who would like to bring awareness to Pancreatic Cancer to join us in posting a purple design using the hashtag #pancreaticcancerawarenessmonth

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 Silver Chevron Claws 

I did not fall off the face of the planet, I swear. This weekend was busy with family Thanksgiving, trying to get our apartment ready for showing (we’re moving soon!) & dealing with a super upset stomach that left me with no energy for blogging. I decided to take a little break to recoup, wear some glitter on my nails. I’m finally feeling a little bit better, so I wanted to get a blog post up! & what’s better to blog about than chevron claws! 

For this manicure, the polishes used were:

  • Base Coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Cutex Quick Dry Top Coat
  • Nails INC St Martian’s Lane
  • Nicole by OPI Phil’s Paradise 
  • Kiss Products Nail Art Striper in Black
  • Snail Vinyls Deep Single Chevron Nail Vinyls

This design is very reminiscent of my very first chevron moon design, colour wise. Comparing the two, I’ve definitely come a long way since those early days! Thank goodness for nail vinyls—I no longer have to create my own triangles in order to get the design right! But hey… it worked. & those first chevron moons are what started my all out obsession with the design, which has obviously lasted all this time! 

I’m feeling like I’m in a bit of a nail art lull right now. Even with Halloween approaching, I’m just struggling to be in the mood to paint my nails anything other than a solid colour (&, even then, I can barely make up my mind on what to wear.) My birthday is coming up on Sunday, so I’m dedicated to doing a fun design in celebration—maybe birthday cupcakes? Good thing I have 5 days to make up my mind! Off to Pinterest I go. 


What do you think of these chevron claws? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! & if you have any birthday nail suggestions for me, please share! 💜