Category: Summer

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Pucker Up (Summer 2021 collection)

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday!

Another week has gone by, & somehow we’re almost in July? Half way through 2021… how did that happen? That means we’re in full Summer mode, which means I’m in full give-me-all-the-bright-nail-polish-now mode. So I thought I would actually share a fun, Summery shade that is actually from this year: Essie Pucker Up from the Summer 2021 collection. As you might remember I was gifted this beautiful shade as part of the National Nail Polish Day PR package I received, but haven’t had a chance (okay, I kept forgetting…) to share the shade until now!

2 coats + Essie Speed Setter top coat

How to describe this polish… so this beautiful bright coral leaning pink which is a pop of colour. My favourite part of, though, is this fuchsia shimmer. The colour is blindingly bright, which makes me happy in ways I can’t even describe. Like, you need sunglasses while staring at your nails. However, this is also one of those shades that looks very different depending on what light you look at it in–under my daytime light, you definitely get more of that fiery coral shade, but if you are taking pictures outside, in indirect light, then you’re going to see more of that fuchsia undertones.

Over all, the formula was pretty easy to work with. 2 easy coats, with a little bit of Speed Setter (because it was 11:30 at night 1am, & I was going to bed right after). The shade itself is very bright, & reminds me a bit of Ardene 80s Prom Dress which I swatched here, only more poppy. Obviously, being from Essie & not like 6 years old, means you can totally snag this beauty for yourself!

What do you think about Pucker Up from the Summer 2021 collection? Are you feeling these Summer vibes? What shade are you living for right now? Let me know in the comments below.

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Peach Herringbone Nails

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday!

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend. I worked all weekend, but the weather is beautiful. It’s officially Summer as of yesterday, which is also very exciting. Of course, here on the East Coast we’re awaiting the remains of a Hurricane which means it’s soggy & gross.

But at least my nails look cute! I did these herringbone nails last week, when I wanted nail art but I was short on time (& inspiration). I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of line work like this lately because I can do it without having to wait for my base to be fully dry.

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Essie Lounge Lover
  • Starrily Vantablack
  • Essence Outta Space Stories We Will Spock You
  • NailStuff.ca 16mm Striper Brush

Ah, like riding a bike. I’ll be honest, at night when I first did these I wasn’t 100% sure if I liked how they turned out; they seemed messy & awful at 10pm. But I was tired, so I left them on, because awful nails are better than no nails at all (& I was way too tired to repaint them). But as soon as the sun came up, & I took another look I actually really liked how they looked, & they didn’t seem as messy as I originally had thought.

& I really kind of love them.

What do you think about this herringbone look? What nail art designs have you been living for lately? Let me know in the comments below!

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Simple pink & blue floral.

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday.

Can you believe it? we’re midway through June! Which means I’m in full all-floral-all-the-time mode. I’m sure you’re not surprised. Today’s nail art look was actually a quick nail art design. I had painted my nails, & wanted to add a little something using my nail art pens, which turned into a full floral mani. Sometimes, I just can’t be stopped haha. But I actually really like how these turned out; usually I go for a more rose centric floral design, but I wanted to create these almost daisies, & I think they turned out really beautiful. & I did them completely without any true nail art brushes.

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Zoya Blu
  • Sally Hansen I ♥️ Nail Art pen Fuchsia
  • Sally Hansen I ♥️ Nail Art pen Purple
  • Sally Hansen I ♥️ Nail Art pen Green
  • Sally Hansen I ♥️ Nail Art pen White
  • Art Club Nail Art Duo Neon Green
  • OPI Where Did Suzi’s Man-go

First off, I know these are not my most perfect floral, but I’m really kind of digging them. My little daisies turned out so colourful & cute. I would totally wear this pattern as a full sundress too. It’s all floral, all the time over here. Also, I feel like these nail art pens are so underrated & deserve a comeback. While my nail art brushes will always be the best for nail art, using these pens can still create an awesome pattern! Also they are still number one for dotticures.

What do you think about this cute little floral design? Is there anyone else who loves these nail art pens like I do? The Sally Hansen ones were always my go-to (I have so many), but I haven’t found them for sale in a very long time. Does anyone know of any else nail art pens you can buy? I’d totally be down for adding more to my collection for quick designs like this! Let me know down in the comments below.

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Blanc

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday!

It’s been a while. I feel like this past week I have not been feeling like myself, so I didn’t feel much like posting. But I’m back, I’m feeling slightly refreshed, & I’m actually really really excited for this week’s Swatch Sunday. If you’ve been around a while, you’ve probably heard me mention my love for white nail polish. It’s what started my love affair with nail polish in the first place. So I’m really excited to share what I think might be the most perfect white nail polish I’ve worn in a while: Essie Blanc.

2 coats + Essie Speed Setter Top Coat

I kind of feel silly, because Essie Blanc has been around forever, & somehow I have not added it to my stash. But as you know, I recently participated in an Essie virtual event, & one of the perks was that those attending were gifted a few Essie shades, including Blanc. & I was quite excited, because I’ve been thinking about buying this shade for a while, but hadn’t (for whatever reason—truthfully I’m not even sure why!)

Formula on this shade is great—it’s smooth, creamy, & not chalky at all. Coverage is pretty good in one coat, but obviously it needs that second coat for ideal levelling. The colour is a nice, bright white without verging on white-out. The brush for my bottle was also the new, wide Essie brush which I really like, but is especially good for application on this shade. Covers the whole nail in almost one swipe. Very, very nice.

Is there anything more satisfying than a bright, clean white manicure?

It’s actually been a while since I rocked basic white nails, & I’ve missed them. First off, they’re great against even the hint of a tan, which is perfect for this early Summer season. Second, they’re very Buffy season one. All I need are a few butterfly clips, & a patterned skirt & tank top combo, & I’m instantly transformed back to Sunnydale High circa 1997. & I’m very, very okay with that.

I’ve actually been rewatching Buffy from the beginning again (it’s my guilty pleasure TV show, what can I say?) & it’s making me want to do a deep dive into the many manicures of Buffy Summers. It would be a big endeavour, but maybe I could break it up into a few posts. We will see if I can make it happen!

What do you think about Essie Blanc? Do you have this clean white polish in your collection? Is there a classic nail polish that you keep meaning to buy, but haven’t got around to getting yet? I have a few, but this was definitely a big one! I’d love to know if anyone else is the same way.

Let me know in the comments below!

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Pink & Cactus 🌵🌸

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday! It’s hot & balmy here on the East coast (our second day of heat warnings) but that’s exactly my kind of weather. As someone who is always cold, I live for this kind of weather! So I though, why not paint some bright, poppy nails to match the weather!

It’s been way too long since I rocked some cactus print nails, & I thought they would look gorgeous over a base of Essie Pucker Up.

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Essie Pucker Up
  • Essie Off Tropic
  • Essie Mint Candy Apple
  • Essie Watermelon
  • NailStuff.ca 7mm detail brush

Oh man, these are so bright & colourful! They are definitely giving me Summer vibes. I got so many compliments on them at work as well (which always makes me feel awesome). I’m also not sure why I haven’t painted any cactus nails in a while, but it was definitely an oversight. I won’t be waiting this long again!

What do you think about this cactus pattern look?

I’m absolutely loving this Essie shade, which is from their Summer 2021 collection! I had planned to share swatches this past Sunday, but real life got in the way. So hopefully this coming weekend!