GLAM NAILS CHALLENGE MARCH — Dots

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday!

I am a day late on posting the next prompt for Glam Nails Challenge March. I worked long shifts for the last few days, so I was too exhausted to get up this prompt so I apologize! But the next prompt for Glam Nails Challenge March is dots, & we all know that I adore a dotticure. I decided to go with a gradient dotticure for this look, as I haven’t done one in a while.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top 
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manciure Cherry Delightful
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel A Moo Point
  • Sally Hansen MG Blacky-O
  • Sally Hansen MG Can’t Beet Royalty
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio

I’m obsessed with this red from Sally Hansen — it was released years ago as part of the Sally Hansen RED/esign collection. The black, white & dark red dots remind me a bit of Mini Mouse too, which is fun.

A gradient dotticure was one of my first nail art looks that I learned to do, & became obsessed with, so I always return to it. It’s the easiest way to jump into nail art if you’re kind of scared–it’s really hard to mess it up!

What do you think of my dotticure for Glam Nails Challenge March? Are you a fan of a gradient dotticure like this? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Simple Peach Floral

Hello lovelies & happy Monday! It’s a sunny, albeit chilly, Monday here which gives me hope that maybe Spring isn’t as far off as it feels. Today, I’m summoning Spring with a pretty floral design because…. I’m so over Winter.

I painted this look over yesterday’s Swatch Sunday pick, & I have to say even though it’s not blatantly a Spring colour scheme, I love how it came out.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top 
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear With The Beet
  • OPI A Great Opera-tunuity
  • Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure Rock Steady
  • Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure Almond Tan
  • Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure Black Stone
  • OPI Life Gave Me Lemons
  • Essie Willow in the Wind
  • Essie Satin Sisters
  • Nailstuff.ca Mermaid Tail 7mm liner brush
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio

I just love how these turned out. Usually, my go to floral is a rose design, but I’m trying to brand out of my comfort zone. Originally, I had planned just to do a few accent nails, but it looked so good I did all 10 nails instead! I really like this light peach over the dark base — it really makes it pop!

Over all, one of my absolute favourite designs I’ve done in a while.

I’ve been feeling so stupid & meh when it comes to my nails lately — especially after my serious nail break — but as soon as I did these I just few renewed again. It’s true, floral makes everything better.

What do you think of this floral design? Are you as ready for Spring as I am? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below, & what design you turn to when you’re feeling meh about your nails!

Have a fantastic Monday loves.

♥︎

SWATCH SUNDAY — Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear With The Beet

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! I hope you all survived your week okay. Can you believe that February is almost over? This year is speeding by quickly, which is kind of insane — but I’m definitely looking forward to Spring.

Today though, I’m sharing a shade that has been in my stash for ages but I’ve never swatched. This is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in With The Beet.

2 coats + top coat

I wish I knew when this shade was originally released (I know I’ve had it for a few years) but it is still in current rotation as part of the Xtreme Wear core collection.

This beautiful berry shade has a great glossy formula that builds to full opacity in 2 coats. This dark shade is a nice mix between a purple & a burgundy, which is kind of the best of both worlds in terms of shades I love.

Look at that colour! It’s just beautiful! I don’t know why, but when my nails are extra short like this I tend to feel more drawn towards darker shades as I just feel like they look more classy, or something. I did end up painting some really pretty floral over this base that I can’t wait to share with you, so stay tuned for that!

What do you think about this beautiful shade from Sally Hansen? Are you a fan of the Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear line? What is your favourite shade? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Have a beautiful Sunday 🖤

Half Moons on Ultra Shorties

Hello lovelies & happy Friday. I hope everyone is having a feel good Friday so far. We’re currently awaiting another storm — this time rain. Is it Summer yet?

Today I have a classic nail art look on my new ultra shorties. I had a couple terrible breaks recently, which hasn’t helped with inspiring me to paint my nails, but I decided to go with a favourite design — half moons — to cheer me up.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top 
  • Ardene La Luna
  • OPI Infinite Shine Mariachi Makes My Day
  • Paper Hole Reinforcements

I’ve been really feeling the blue nails lately, if you haven’t noticed. They’re just the colours I’ve been reaching for most often. But I love this light & dark colour combination. Plus, I found the best natural lighting at work against this green wall so I had to take my pictures there!

What do you think about these half moons on my ultra short nails? What kind of nail art would you like to see me attempt on these shorties? Let me know down in the comments below, & I’ll try my best to make it happen!

Enjoy your Friday loves. 🖤

Christmas Ribbon Candy Swirls

Hello beauties & happy Friday! It’s almost the weekend, & not just any weekend, but Christmas weekend! That’s insane but exciting. I had to keep my holiday inspired nail art going with some more abstract nail art.

The first thing this design made me think of after I did it was the Ribbon Hard Candy you get around Christmas. I’m sure you know the stuff, but if not it’s this stuff.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • OPI I Cannoli Wear OPI
  • OPI Unfrost My Heart
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 5 Golden Blings
  • Red & Green Acrylic Paint
  • 16mm Striper Brush from Nailstuff.ca

I decided to use a combination of acrylic paint & nail polish for this design to make it a bit easier for me. Sometimes, I find when I’m doing bigger stripes, my polish starts drying a bit too quickly, but you don’t have the same issue with acrylic paint.

I really, really like how these stripes turned out. I know, I know — I say this every time. But I don’t think there is anything wrong with being proud about your nail art! For a long time, I was extra critical of my work, so I’m glad to enjoy what I do. & it is a little bit different from typical Christmas nail art.

What do you think about these ribbon candy inspired abstract swirls? Do you like the holiday vibes they are giving off? Would you wear these for any Christmas celebrations you’re partaking in this weekend? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Happy Friday 🎄