Red Sideways Swoop Nails

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Hello lovelies & happy Monday! & happy last day of July!

How was everyone’s weekend? I actually had an amazing weekend, catching up with my teenage best friend — she’s visiting for a few weeks, & it was just what my heart needed.

Today’s look is feeling kind of Autumn-esque, but I swear that was not intentional! Usually by this time in the year, I start feeling the call of pumpkin spice, but I’m making a point not to jump too quickly into Fall vibes too soon. Spooky season is my favourite season, but I still want to enjoy August, & what’s left of Summer.

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 Spice It Up
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Moonlit Top Coat
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Red It Online

I wasn’t sure exactly what to call these nails. I know people used to refer to these as sideway French nails, but I feel like sideways swoop nails feels like a better descriptor. Either way, I really like how these turned out — & I got a few compliments at work too!

I was originally just wearing the base of Essie Spice It Up & Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Moonlit Top Coat, but it was looking a little rough. However, I didn’t have quite enough time to completely redo my nails, so I decided a little last minute nail art over my base was the perfect solution. & there is nothing better than red nails, in my opinion. We all know red nails are my favourite, no matter what time of the year.

What do you think of this subtle nail art look with sparkle? Do you have do some second/third day nail art to extend the life of your manicure? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below.

Barbie Glitter Nails 💗

Hello lovelies & happy Friday!

It’s a beautiful sunny Summer day here, & I feel like these nails are perfect for a Summer day. I actually wore this look most of the week, which is very unusual for me, so I figured I had to share! It’s a simple look, but also is a little extra fancy compared to just a plain design. & it’s giving me serious Barbie vibes.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry
  • Essie Worth the Tassel
  • ACO by Ardene Pop To It

I was actually debating which glitter I should apply over Worth the Tassel, as I have a few neon glitters from Ardene. But as soon as I applied this pink, I knew I made the right decision. & come on, you can totally picture Malibu Barbie wearing this manicure!

What do you think of this glitter look? Would you rock a Barbie-esque manicure like this? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below.

& enjoy the weekend vibes!

Glazed Donut Stars ✨

Hello lovelies & happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, & your Monday is off to a wonderful — or, at the very least, caffeinated — start.

Today I’m really excited because I have a really striking manicure to show off. I know glazed donut nails are so 2022, but you know what — I’m still loving them. I picked up a clearance bottle of Expressie FX Iced Out at Lawtons a few months ago, & have been itching to do some glazed nails with it. & oh boy — the results are stunning!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry
  • Essie Ballet Slippers
  • Essie Expressie FX Iced Out
  • Essie Dive Bar
  • Born Pretty Store Classic Patterns Stamping Plate BP-L006 (discontinued)
  • NailStuff.ca Clear Jelly Stamper Set

How freaking gorgeous is the glow on this look? I’m actually stunned by how well the shift hits. It actually looks like there is a blue light behind my nail polish & I can’t get over it. I decided to apply some stamped stars over this base (using Essie Dive Bar) & I like the fact they’re not quite opaque because the glow shows through them as well.

They look ethereal. I can’t get over it.

What do you think of this take on the glazed donut trend? I know glazed nails are still having a moment, so I feel like I’m not too behind on the times. Or maybe we need to come up with a new name for these — like alien glow nails?

Either way, I’m very much obsessed.

Have a fantastic beginning to your week loves!

Sparkly Glitter Gradient ✨

Good morning lovelies & happy Monday! A beautiful, sunny & warm Monday. It’s feeling like Summer today, & I’m loving every moment of it.

Today I gave a super simple, easy nail art look that anyone can do! I love a good glitter gradient, & it is such an easy way to spruce up a relatively plain manicure.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry
  • Essie Revenge’s A Beach
  • Sinful Colors Pride

What I love most about a glitter gradient is you don’t really need any tools. Obviously, you can sponge on the glitter, but I usually just apply it using the brush as I find it easiest (& least messy).

These are definitely the look you need to do if you have a special occasion you want fancy nails for, but aren’t too comfortable with nail art. I swear, anyone can rock this look easily! In fact, I’m already planning another one in my head featuring a few glitters I don’t use too often — stay tuned!

What do you think about this fun glitter gradient? Also yes — that is the same polish from yesterday’s Swatch Sunday post. Crazy how different lighting can make it look different! Natural light vs Light Box.

Have a fantastic beginning to your week loves! 🖤

Throwback Floral (Using Just a Dotting Tool)

Hello lovelies & happy Friday! I hope it’s a beautiful day wherever you are. It’s supposed to be sunny, & slightly warm today, so I’ll take it.

Today I’m sharing a design which is a recreation of a design I did many moons ago—like… 2013 at the beginning of my nail art journey & before this blog. I just always love revisiting old designs, & when this one popped up on my Facebook memories, I knew I needed to do an updated version!

2013 version
2023 version

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry Top
  • Essie Peach Side Babe
  • Essie Worth the Tassel
  • Essie Blanc
  • Essie Turquoise & Caicos
  • Small & Large Dotting Tool (NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio)

I didn’t have a list of the original polishes I used for my design, so I tried to go with what looked the closest to the colours — which was hard because my original photo is pretty poor quality. I think, though, I did a pretty good job on recreating the original look!

I know that was my first jump into “real” nail art after getting my first dotting tool. It was an Essence brand one that I found at Shoppers Drug Mart, & I got very excited to find something to do legit nail art.

What do you think of this floral nail art recreation? Do you remember what nail designs first got you into nail art? Let me know down in the comments below!

Have a fantastic Friday!