Tag: Essence

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#GlamNailsChallengeDec — Wrapping Paper

Hello lovelies & happy Monday! Hope everyone had a lovely & not too stressful weekend. We went out on a family (car) adventure to look at Christmas lights, which was lovely, & one of my favourite Christmas activities!

Today I’m sharing another beautiful Christmas-y look for #GlamNailsChallengeDec: Wrapping Paper.

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails
  • Top Coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Glossy Top Coat
  • Essence Give Me Nude, Baby
  • Essie Sparkle On Top
  • Zoya Ray
  • Essie Mosaic On Down
  • Deborah Lippmann Through The Fire
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Get Mod
  • NailStuff.ca 16mm Nail Art Striper Brush (COFFEE10 to save 10%)

I loved how open this prompt was, because there were so many options! I decided I wanted to go with a nude-ish base, a little sparkle, & some Christmas-y stripes. It’s the kind of wrapping paper I would love to see my gifts wrapped under the tree. I loved the shimmer from the glitter (Essie Sparkle On Top) & the bit of shimmer in the nail polish.

There is just something about the subtle ness of the nude base, the bit of sparkle & the stripes that I just love.

What do you think about my wrapping paper inspired nails? Would you rock this design? Have you figured out your Christmas nail look? Let me know in the comments below!

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Remembrance Day Poppies

Hello lovelies. Hope everyone is having a good week so far. We’re officially half way to the weekend! Today in Canada though, it’s Remembrance Day which a solemn day where we stop to remember those who have served in the military & sacrificed their own lives during War.

This year is strange because most of the Remembrance Day ceremonies that we would attend are now, understandably, being presented online because of COVID precautions. This is also the first Remembrance Day without my grandfather, who was a veteran. So I really wanted to do something special to mark the day, & I decided to recreate a poppy design I did a few years back.

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Essence Miracle Stone
  • Sally Hansen CSM Warm Regards
  • Sally Hansen CSM Red My Lips
  • Sally Hansen CSM Red Over Heels
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Get Mod
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Blacky-O
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio (COFFEE10 saves you 10%!)

I like this design because it’s subtle, respectful & not too in your face. The poppy can be such a controversial item to wear (& where you decide to wear it) so I didn’t want to paint a nail art look that could offend anyone. Coming from a strongly military family, I’ve always made sure to stop & acknowledge the day, & pay my respects to those whose sacrifices ensured my freedoms.

What do you think of this look? Do you honour Remembrance Day in your part of the world? Let me know in the comments below.

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Freehand Moroccan Tile Accent Nails

Hello lovelies & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning to their week. Today I’m sharing a nail art look I did last week on a whim. I was just playing around with some lines, practicing, & ended up dreaming up these black & white Moroccan tile inspired accent nails.

& honestly, they turned out even more perfect than I had imagined!

  • Base Coat: OPI Nail Envy
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • L’Oréal Totally Turquoise
  • Sally Hansen CSM Let’s Snow
  • Essence Black Is Back
  • NailStuff.ca 4mm Micro Detail Brush (COFFEE10 saves you 10%!)
  • Small dotting tool (NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio)

First off, I have to be honest & say that while this L’Oréal shade Totally Turquoise is beautiful, oh boy is she a stainer upon removal. Which sucks, because she’s such a beautiful colour! Secondly, I am so so so happy with how these accent nails turned out. They’re definitely a little bit different for me, but that’s why I love them! Especially the pinky, & they totally turned out like what I imagined in my brain.

Ahhh, they look so cool! & even though my line work isn’t 100% perfect, I think it adds to the design. They looks a little rustic, which is neat!

What do you think of this accent nail design? Do you like the black & white against the turquoise? Share all your thoughts down in the comments below!

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Blue & Silver Holo Chevron Moons

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday. Hope everyone is doing well — don’t forget to wash your hands!

How is life where you are today? We got snow, so it feels like Winter is back again & I’m so unimpressed. But you know what does make me happy? Holo. I did these nails a few weeks back, before chaos really ensued because I was really craving some holo, & I’m glad I did because look how beautiful they turned out!

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Hardener
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Essence Out Of Space Stories We Will Spock You
  • Color Club Crystal Baller
  • TheBaseCoat Stacked Chevron vinyls

I love chevron moons. I love chevron moons. I love chevron moons! 🌙 Next up maybe some holo chevron claws. The possibilities are endless, & I definitely have lots of time to paint my nails right now (& it keeps my brain calm.)

Gah, I just love holo. Look at those rainbows! 🌈 Way better than drab & grey & yucky like today’s weather we’re currently experiencing. We’ve been trying to get as much sunshine & fresh air as we can, mostly in our own backyard. Tomorrow is supposed to be bright & sunny, & somewhat warm, so we should be able to hang out outside for a good portion of tomorrow. Maybe I’ll pull out some more holo for tomorrow!

What do you think about this mani? What are you wearing on your nails right now?

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essence You Belong To Me

Hello lovelies & Happy Sunday.

I’m finally starting to feel a little better from my awful, awful cold last week, so I’m hoping to get some good blog content done this week! Especially since we’re going to keep as close to home this week with March Break & the fear of Covid-19 looming. I hope everyone is staying healthy — both physically & mentally!

But in the meantime, let me distract you with some pretty nail polish… because that’s what I’m doing to distract myself!

Today’s Swatch Sunday pick is over 8 years old–this is Essence You Belong to Me. I picked up this Essence shade from their Colour & Go line back in 2012, when they were still in these cute little round mini bottles. I do believe this was one of the first Essence nail polishes I ever bought, this & Wake Up! & yep… it’s another blue-ish shade because that is just what I’m loving right now!

For these swatches, you’re looking at 2 coats of polish plus top coat (Essie Gel Setter). & I’m not going to lie: application was not easy. First coat on each nail went on really easily, & I thought I was in the clear, but as soon as I attempted my second coat everything went lumpy & thick. & it took FOREVER to dry, even with my quick dry top coat. But given the age of this polish & the size of the bottle, I feel like that isn’t really it’s fault. & while it did take a bit of work to get on, the end result it a beautiful shade. I’m obsessed with a good robins egg blue, & this shade is no exception. Hello Spring!

There is also a really pretty shimmer you can see in the bottle, (& if you look closely at your nails), but was pretty much impossible to pick up on camera. It’s very very subtle. But this doesn’t stop this shade from still being absolutely beautiful & very perfect for Spring!

Sadly, this shade is way way way discontinued, & I doubt you’d likely to be able to find it online, but I did see some posts online saying it was a dupe for China Glaze For Audrey, so if you absolutely need this blue in your life, there is an easily found alternative! I didn’t paint them side by side on the nail, but I did hold the two bottles up beside each other & the only difference seems to be that For Audrey doesn’t have the subtle shimmer that You Belong To Me does.

 

What do you think about this shade? Have you started breaking out some lighter shades to rock on your nails (& maybe cheer yourself up during the hectic scary time?) Let me know what you think, & what colour family you’d like me to grab from next! Also for anyone who might be struggling with high anxiety during this scary time, here is a picture of our floofy boy sticking out his tongue to distract you, even for a minute. ♥