Category: Swatch Sunday

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SWATCH SUNDAY — ‘Ard As Nails Fairy Flakes

Good morning lovelies & happy Sunday!

Sorry for the quiet on the blog this week. Last weekend, I got the devastating news that my Grandad had passed away, so I’ve really been struggling with posting. But prior to that, I had taken advantage of the Canada Day sale at NailStuff.ca & splurged on a whole slew of new polishes (including some new to me brands) so I’m really excited to share them with you over the coming weeks!

First up, let’s start with some holo & flakies! I’ve never owned a ‘Ard As Nails shade before, but as soon as I saw Fairy Flakes I knew it was the nail polish I’ve been missing all my life.

2 coats over Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Lilac Insomniac plus top coat

Look at that close up in the bottle. ‘Ard As Nails Fairy Flakes is chalked full of holo glitters & chameleon flakies. I love the combination of the two, because you get that amazing holo but also the shift from the flakies. & depending on what colour you layer this over, it changes the over all look. It’s just absolutely stunning!

I picked this base shade to test it out first, because it was nice & bright & summery, but also brought out the fuchsia tones in the flakes. I definitely want to try it out next with like a deep, dark plum or purple, or maybe a beautiful dark teal. I feel like it will be perfect come Fall as well.

& for fun, a macro shot. Look at that holo. I’m in love.

& of course, I wanted to get a sunshine shot. I wish this had captured the holo a bit better, but I do think it’s so beautiful. Holo always looks the best in the sunshine.

What do you think about this beautiful holo flakie topper? What is your favourite nail polish topper/transforming top coat? Let me know in the comments below!

& if you’re looking to add this shade to your collection, NailStuff.ca currently looks to be sold out. But they do have a ton of gorgeous other shades from ‘Ard As Nails to choose from! &, as always, you can use my code affiliate COFFEE10 & save 10% off your purchase. & stay tuned, because I have even more polishes to share with you from my Canada Day shopping spree.

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Untried Essie Shades

PR sample

Happy Swatch Sunday lovelies! I hope everyone is having a lovely Father’s Day. It’s been a serious minute since my last Swatch Sunday post. Honestly, the seriousness of the world made me take a minute to pause, & reflect, & spend some time just being with family. But I’ve really, really missed posting & I recently received some awesome Nail Mail from @macintyrecom on Instagram featuring some awesome Essie shades (& a few treatments as well!) I absolutely adore Essie nail polish, so I’m always excited when I receive shades I don’t already own!

So without further ado, let’s check them out!

Continue reading “SWATCH SUNDAY — Untried Essie Shades”
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SWATCH SUNDAY — Fingerpaints Gorgeous Graffiti

Hello lovelies & Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. The weather here has been a bit grey (at least compared to the balmy weather we’ve been having) so I felt like I needed to make up with it on my nails! & the best way to do it is a good neon polish! So for today’s Swatch Sunday pick, I knew we needed neon.

Today’s pick is FingerPaints Gorgeous Graffiti, a neon fuchsia with blue flakie microglitters. This guy was one of the first FingerPaints shades I ever picked up back in 2015 (I think) so sadly I don’t think still available, at least online. But there are definitely similar shades to be found.

2 coats (no top coat)

I really wanted to show off this shade in its natural glory, which is this beautiful satin matte finish. It took two coats for full opacity, & like any matte shade, it dries quickly so you want to apply your coats quickly. The formula is a bit trickier, but again, that’s a matte polish thing. Usually what I would do is apply my polish, apply a thick top coat (like Essie Gel Setter), & then finish everything with matte top coat. That would smooth out those bumps & lumps you can see, & give you a smooth finish.

Ahhh, I just love this shade! The fuchsia shade is pretty on its own, but then you add in those blue micro flakes, & it just takes it to another level. I love it! It’s one of those shades which is just so striking on its own. I’m actually a little sad my bottle is getting low.

& a close up of this look because I think it’s absolutely stunning. Just look at those flakes! I’m obsessed. I need a topper with those flakies I can add to every manicure!

What do you think about Gorgeous Graffiti by FingerPaints? Would you wear this vibrant shade? Tell me what you think in the comments below! & share your favourite neon.

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Check Your Baggage

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We’ve had some beautiful weather the last few days, so I’ve been soaking in the sunshine wherever I can. So when in at Shoppers recently & saw some pretty Essie shades, I decided I needed to get something bright & sunny for my nails too! & you can’t get more bright & sunny than this beautiful yellow from the Essie Flying Solo Collection: Check Your Baggage.

2 coats + Top Coat

You know, yellow nail polish isn’t always my first choice, but as soon as I saw this bright & cheery shade, I knew I needed to add it to my collection. The formula is really nice, & levels out perfectly with two coats. I added top coat, naturally, which gave it an extra little boost of shine. I’m also liking the new wider brushes that Essie has introduced, because it means less strokes of polish are needed on the nail. My one & only complaint about this shade is the fact that it gives me a bit of red hands, but that’s more the yellow colour itself & has nothing to do with the actual polish.

Oh man, I just have to say sorry about the cuticle/hand dryness. Even with a ton of hand cream & cuticle oil I am hurting. But never the less my nails look pretty, & that’s what is most important — right? Unless of course you have some suggestions to help the dry hand situation, because I am always open to suggestions.

What do you think about Check Your Baggage from Essie? Do you have this beautiful yellow in your collection? Let me know what you think down in the comments below!

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Bikini So Teeny

Hello lovelies & Happy Sunday. I feel like it’s been forever since my last post! So far this month has been fairly busy, but it feels good to be posting. Today I decided to share one of my most favourite nail polishes, which just happens to be perfect for Spring: Essie Bikini So Teeny.

This shade was actually one I coveted for a very, very long time before I finally bought it, & 5(ish) years later, it’s still one of my all time favourite blues. & good news: it’s part of the core Essie collection, so you can own it too!

2 coats + Essie Speed Setter Top Coat.

How pretty is this cornflower blue? The formula is pretty good–you need two coats for perfect opacity, & a coat of top coat will smooth everything okay perfectly. There is a subtle silvery shimmer, but it was hard to capture in the light of my lightbox. I find that you can see it much better in natural light.

I just love love love this blue! It’s so pretty. I think I first bought this blue because I wanted to wear it for my Wedding, but it’s come to be a repeated favourite. This is my second bottle I’ve gone through, & I can’t think of very many other polishes I’ve done that with.

Like I mentioned, Bikini So Teeny is part of the core Essie collection, so you can find this beauty where ever Essie is sold!

What shade was the first you ever really coveted? Let me know down in the comments below! & let me know which shade you’re currently wearing on your nails.

💙