Tag: Essie

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Starry Starry Night (2016 Re-release) 🌌🌠

Hello loves & happy Sunday. It’s a rainy, miserable Sunday here but I guess it beats snow. Today I decided to take a little trip to the past… all the way back to early 2016 when life was just simpler & all the crazy in the world seemed manageable.

Today’s Swatch Sunday pick is Essie Starry Starry Night from the 2016 Retro Revival Collection.

2 coats + 2 coats top coat

I’ll start off with this shade has definitely had a hard go since I bought it in 2016. While I have lots of shades over a decade old that apply perfectly, this was took some trick & finese to get a good looking application (& top coat… lots of top coat.) A little polish thinner, & I feel like she will be back to normal again.

The polish itself is a dark navy jelly base, with small silver glitters layered inside. The coats are thin enough that the glitter still peaks through, even with multiple coats.

I really like this colour & layered glitter look, which was why I originally bought it. I had no experience with the previous (original) version of this shade, but saw later people were upset about how different it was. Here is a great comparison post of the two different shades. While I love the revival version, I can see why lovers of the original could be upset, especially with change in colour & glitter size.

Do you remember this Essie shade? I kind of wish they had kept this one around rather than making it a limited edition release, but I suppose that’s how they build hype. I just find it so much more fun than a lot of the shades you see in the core collection.

What do you think? Should Essie bring this shade back (again)? Let me know what you think down in the comments below.

Happy Sunday

🖤

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Moody January Stripes

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday! A busy Tuesday at that! Even though January can sometimes be the worst month, this one is definitely turning out to be a crazy one for me.

So my nail art is tending to fall on the easy side of things. As you could probably tell from my previous post, I did a big chop on my nails. Not only do I like to start a new clean with a fresh canvas, I also started a second job working at a cafe as a barista, so I wanted to trim back my nails as I get used to that (after 2 years being away!)

But just because I have short nails doesn’t mean I can’t have cute nail art!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Essence Colour Shield Top Coat (I ran out of my NailStuff one & need to make an order!)
  • Essie Expressie Take The Espresso
  • Essie Skirting the Issue
  • Essie Sable Collar
  • Londontown USA Opal
  • Quo by Orly Black Striper
  • NailStuff 4mm Micro Detail Brush  

**pr/gifted

How cute are these short little stripe-y nails? The colours are also kind of dark & gloomy, great for these gloomy days. & I do love a dark nail. The combination of Essie Skirting the Issue over Expressie Take The Espresso makes for such a dark Ox blood red. I adore it.

What do you think of these moody stripes on my new shorties? Do you like these darker manicures? We’re a month away from Valentine’s Day, so I’ll have to start thinking up some designs for that now!

Have an amazing Tuesday.

🖤

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Neon & Neutral Drag Marble

Hello loves & happy Thursday.

My posting is sporadic this week, as I started a new (second) part time job this week, so I’m trying my best to juggle everything as I get used to it. It’s a busy week for me! But I wanted to make sure I had another manicure to share, & I just love these neon drag marble nails that I did recently.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Nail Stuff Essentials Quick Dry Top Coat *
  • Essie Gel Couture Gossamer Garments *
  • Essie Throw in the Towel *
  • Essie Expressie Feel the Hype *
  • NailStuff.ca dotting tool from Dotting Tool Trio (tiniest one)

**PR/gifted

My idea was to do a sheer-ish base, with a neon drag marble. But then I decided to go with a little navy blue & sort of neon. It wasn’t originally the planned design, but I think it turned out nice. Drag marbles are just some of my favourite easy designs, & they look good on any nail length (which I love).

What do you think about these drag marble nails? A little break up from the dark & gloomy nail shades I’ve been feeling lately!

Also, I did a big chop on my nails for beginning my new part time job (as a barista), so look forward to seeing lots of short nail designs in the near future!

Happy Thursday loves

🖤

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January Monochrome Chevron Moons

Hello beauties & happy Tuesday. It’s a chilly, chilly here which is feeling very January. & January can be just so blah. So I thought I would make things more fun, with some monochromatic half moons with a little glittery twist.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Nail Stuff Essentials Quick Dry Top Coat *
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Hue There? layered over CND Vinylux Dark Dahlia
  • Essie Expressie Feel The Hype*
  • Essie Play Date
  • Quo by Orly Black Striper
  • NailStuff 4mm Micro Detail Brush  
    **pr/gifted

I love a good half moon look, & I think this design turned out very cool. I went into it not sure what I was doing — just knowing what colours I wanted to paint over my base — but what I created is a great look. Also, freehand painting these lines of chevrons was not as difficult as I thought it was going to be which I’m happy about.

What do you think about these monochromatic half moons, with a little glittery twist. I feel like I’m not quite ready to let go of my glitter, but I definitely am feeling drawn to darker colours right now.

What do you think of this design? Are you loving dark shades right now? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below.

Have a lovely Tuesday.

🖤

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Instagram Nail Art Collab — Ice Nails ❄️🧊

Good morning lovelies & happy 2025! I hope everyone had a lovely end to 2024 & are excited for whatever 2025 has to bring. Today, I’m starting off my new year by joining in on a fun Instagram Nail Art Collab.

The theme this month: Ice Nails. So I went with an icy waterfall look that (to me) resembles icicles.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Nail Stuff Essentials Quick Dry Top Coat *
  • Pahlish Seto Taisho (Teacup Soldier)
  • NailStuff Essentials Holographic Top Coat *
  • Starrily Space Debris
  • Starrily Cobalt (Co)
  • China Glaze December to Remember
  • Essie Making Spirits Bright
  • Dam Nail Polish Sapphire
  • NailStuff 4mm Micro Detail Brush  
    **pr/gifted

How beautifully chilly do these nails look? Are they not giving Elsa? They turned out exactly how I had pictured in my head, & I’m so happy about it. I just adore them!

If you pop on over to Instagram, you can view all the designs for this collaboration using the hashtag #icenailartmanicollab2025.

Even though things are about to get very very busy for me outside my nail life, I’m really excited for what is to come with this blog! I’m excited to continue to create fun nail art looks, & I hope you’re excited to see what I do!

Happy Friday

🖤