SWATCH SUNDAY — Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Hot Cocoa Cuddles (Holiday 2024)

Good morning, & happy Sunday.

I don’t know about where you are, but here on the East Coast we’ve gone from balmy & hot to crisp sweater weather almost overnight. Which, as a girl who dreams of wearing her knee all boots, all year round, I couldn’t be happier!

So naturally that means I want to wear all the Autumn colours — or Autumn adjacent — all the time. Today’s polish pick is actually from last Winter’s Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Holiday Collection, but I feel like this colour fits in perfectly for this time of year. This is Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Hot Cocoa Cuddles.

2 coats + top coat

So I actually got this shade at my local Shoppers Drug Mart during a promotion for their Beauty Mingle Event. You pay $5 for a spin on their wheel, & you can win a prize. My Mum was playing, letting my kids each have a spin, & my daughter landed on FREE NAIL POLISH. There was a few beauties left from previous collections, but ultimately I landed on this beauty as it was the one from last year’s Holiday collection I had been most fixated on.

The formula on Hot Cocoa Cuddles is a beautiful chocolate brown shimmer, densely packed with holographic scattered glitters. It reminds me a bit of OPI My Private Jet, although the base colours are definitely different (& the scattered holographic glitters in the latter definitely apply to the nail much more densely.)

You can see the beautiful copper shimmer that comes through, with those scattered holographic glitters. I do wish the holo glitters were as dense on the nail as they are in the bottle, but you do still get those flashes of rainbow. Personally, I think this colour is perfect for Autumn! Deep reds, burnt orange, bronze-y browns, & any jewel tones — those are the shades I love for September! & Hot Cocoa Cuddles fits perfectly into that colour palette — plus the time is just too cute!

What do you think of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Hot Cocoa Cuddles? Do you remember this shade from last year’s Holiday collection? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

&, as always, I would love to hear what you’re wearing on your nails right now, & what colours your loving right now.

Happy Sunday

♥︎

SWATCH SUNDAY — Sally Hansen InstaDri Just In Wine 🍷

Good morning lovelies & happy Sunday! What a beautiful last day of August. Can you believe that tomorrow is September 1st, & the (unofficial) start of all things Autumn! Give me all things pumpkin spice, cinnamon, apple crisp, knee high boots & crunchy leaves.

Today I’m keeping with that theme with a very on season nail polish colour. It’s also from my favourite colour family: red. This is Sally Hansen InstaDri Just in Wine.

2 coats + top coat

If you’re looking for a stunning red adjacent shade to wear this Fall, look no further than this gorgeous cream that falls somewhere between a burgundy & a cranberry. The formula goes on smooth, & dries to a nice finish. & a swipe of top coat gives it a beautiful extra glossy finish.

I looked this beauty up online, & it looks like it’s no longer in circulation which is a shame. It’s such a stunning colour, & I love the Autumn vibes it gives off. Sally Hansen InstaDri certainly has a few dupe-worthy shades that fit this Autumn aesthetic, so definitely check out the others in the line!

What do you think of InstaDri Just in Wine? Are you a fan of this Autumnal shade? Would you wear it? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below, & let me know what shade you’re excited to wear!

🖤

Burgundy Strip Accent Nails

Hey Beauties & happy Friday. I hope you’ve had a beautiful week. It feels like the world is on fire right now — literally —so it can be so hard to sit back, & feel any semblance of happiness. Here is hoping for calmer & peaceful days ahead.

I was feeling something Autumn-ish. I know, I just can’t help myself! But I tried not to lean too hard onto the Autumn aesthetic — well, not yet at least.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat
  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
  • Sally Hansen InstaDri Cinnasnap
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Love You Lotus
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Black Stone
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Almond Tan
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Clean Slate
  • Sally Hansen CSM Ruby Do
  • NailStuff.ca Mermaid Tail Brush Trio (I used the 7mm liner brush)

A little rustic looking close up, but kind of gives that hand knit sweater feel to them. & even though I’m probably a month & a half away from needing any kind of knit sweater — I’m dreaming of those days! — it doesn’t mean I can’t wear a version on my nails!

Can’t you just imagine wearing this look while perusing the Halloween aisle & sipping on a pumpkin spice latte? I can. & it gets me so excited!

What do you think of these Autumn-esque accent nails? Would you wear this design on your own nails? Please share all your thoughts in the comments below — I love hearing what people think!

Happy weekend

🖤

Pastel Marble Sponging

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday. A brand new week — & this month is certainly speeding quickly by. It’s already the 13th of August, & while that means I’m that much closer to PSL season, the velocity at which this Summer is passing can slow down just a smidge.

Today’s nail art look was kind of a happy accident. Originally I was going to try to create some pastel galaxies, but it turned into more of a marble effect. Either way, I think they turned out absolutely stunning. & I love them.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat
  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
  • Sensationail Nailtural Born to Explore
  • Essie Mint Candy Apple
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Beatnik
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Feelin’ Grape
  • Essie Separated Starlight
  • Latex free Make Up Sponge

Such a neat effect. & I added the little bit of sparkle to give it a more dimension effect & I really think it looks cool. Like little geodes on my nails.

What do you think about this marble nail effect? Do you like the combination of colours? Let me know what you think down in the comments below! I’ve been really trying to switch up & do some new nail art looks I haven’t done in a while — so please share any old designs you’d love to see me recreate!

Happy Wednesday

🖤

SWATCH SUNDAY — Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Ruby Do

Good morning lovelies & happy Sunday! I hope you’re having a beautiful start to your day. It’s been a busy couple of days, so I’m really relishing my cup of coffee this morning.

It’s Sunday! & the first swatch Sunday of August. I was perusing my nail polish stash, & realized I have quite a few shades I’ve never shared on here! So I decided pick one of those shades to share with you, & the one that caught my eye first was Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Ruby Do.

2 coats + top coat

This beautiful dark berry shade is a current member of the Sally Hansen CSM core line up, so it is available anywhere you purchase Sally Hansen nail polish. I do love the cream formula, & it applied quite smoothly. I believe my bottle was gifted by my Mother in law around 2017, so it’s going strong after almost 8 years. Love that!

The colour is very Autumn-esque, but I think it’s a great August transitional shade, before I really dive into the Autumn colours. It’s not too dark or jewel toned. (& you could pair it with some brighter purple & turquoise for some fantastic nail art!)

Give me any red & I am a happy girl.

What do you think about Sally Hansen CSM Ruby Do? Are you a fan of this beautiful berry shade? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below! I’d love to know what you think.

Happy Sunday

🖤