Negative Space & Pastel Abstract Stripes

Good morning loves! I hope everyone is having a great start to their Thursday so far. Mine is involving coffee, so that’s always a good start. Plus I have the whole day off to do my laundry & fold it, & put it away — so I’m pumped.

Today I’m sharing a recent manicure I did in the hopes of summoning Spring. Real Spring, not the fake “oops-just-kidding-it’s-still-Winter” Spring we get teased with around the end of March. I know, it’s January, & we’ve barely even had Winter…. but I’m over it. So how about some pastel?

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Royal Hue
  • Essie Mint Candy Apple
  • Color Club Art Club Striper Pink Pastel
  • Color Club Art Club Striper Passion Flower

First off, let me acknowledge that my cuticles are looking rough. I’m trying my best to keep up with my nail art regime, but the last couple months have had some struggles, & the weather has been full of extremes, & it’s taking me a while to get my nail health back to where it was. But I’m going to save that for another post, because I know you’re all here for the nail art today!

This look was really easy to do, mostly because it takes zero skill. You just need to draw the initial swoop, & then use your other colours to trace the same lines. It sounds more complicated than it is, but I swear it’s really easy. Which is why I love this kind of look so much. I decided to go with a negative space base, because I’ve been struggling with using my bottle of Seche Vita & I wanted to avoid the weird shrinkage at my cuticle line.

What do you think about this nail art look? I know it’s probably a smidge too early for Spring nails, but you know what? Yesterday it was like 11 degrees (Celsius) & that is Spring weather. I could have worn a dress with only one pair of tights it was so warm. So I guess these nails are kind of fitting.

What do you think about this manicure? Let me know down in the comments below!

♥︎

Autumn Fan Brush Splatter Nail Art

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday! We’re officially a full week into September, & the Autumn vibes have been strong — with the perfect early September weather to match. I’ve been fully immersing myself in all things pumpkin spice, while wearing my absolute favourite knee high boots.

So obviously, I need some nail art to match.

I’ve been rocking some serious shorties lately, thanks in part to a wicked break on my middle finger (hence why it’s so wonky). So I’ve been feeling a bit… uninspired nail art wise. One nail art look I have been loving though is splatter nails! They’re easy, fun, & I’ve never done one that I didn’t love.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Know The Espa-Drille
  • Sally Hansen InstaDri Cinna-snap
  • Sally Hansen InstaDri Zip Wine
  • Sally Hansen InstaDri Midnight Drive
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Golden Glow
  • Fan Brush Nail Art Brush (mine was purchased at either Claire’s or Icing)

How funky are these? I just love how fun this colour combination is together, & it’s combining all the colours I love for Autumn — but on a light base. I usually go with the Saran Wrap technique for my nail art, but I thought I would try out with a fan brush, & I’m really happy with the end result. They’re just so much fun!

What do you think about these splatter nails? Do you like this fun splatter design? Let me know what Autumn nail art you’re rocking right now — or if your holding onto Summer nails as long as possible.

Red Sparkle & Daisies (My Nails for National Nail Polish Day)

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday! It’s almost the weekend! I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far.

Today I’m excited to show off the manicure I was wearing for National Nail Polish Day — & yes, that more red nail polish haha. I figured I wanted to wear nails that were all encompassing of my personality, & red nails with daisies just did that!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine
  • Top Coat: Essence Extreme GEL Top
  • Essie Too Too Hot
  • Essie Shine of the Times
  • Essie Blank Page
  • Essie Check Your Baggage
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio
  • NailStuff.ca 4mm Micro Detail Brush

First off, check out how long my nails currently are! I know I’m enviably due for a break, just because I work a job that is not the kindest of hands/nails, but for right now I’m just going to bask in how long & beautiful they are right now.

Second, I’m so excited for beautiful sunny outdoor shots. I’m living for the sunshine. Not only does it make my nail pictures look lovely, but it just makes my mood so happy.

Third, I adore this Essie-centric manicure for National Nail Polish Day yesterday. I think this is the first time I’ve done a manicure with Essie Too Too Hot & obviously I had to top it with Shine Of The Times. Then, I added some daisies because if I’m celebrating a day dedicated to nail polish, I need some floral (my favourite).

What do you think about this vibrant red look? Did you do your nails special for National Nail Polish day? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below!

Bright & Summery Saran Wrap Splatter

Features Gifted Product in Exchange for Content

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday! It’s a beautiful sunny Thursday here, which is super exciting! It’s actually supposed to be warm & sunny. So naturally that means I need nails that are bright & fun to match.

Recently I teamed up with TradeSecrets.ca, which is a Canadian based online seller, & I picked a few new fun Spring/Summery nail polishes to add to my stash (along with a base coat & top coat). While I’ve followed along with TradeSecrets on Instagram, mostly for their hair products — because we all know I’m hair product obsessed — I was really excited to see all the fun nail related items they sell as well. They also have free shipping on all orders.

For my first look using these shades, I decided to go with a fun & easy Saran Wrap Splatter look.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
  • Top Coat: OPI Nature Strong Top Coat
  • OPI Nature Strong Make My Daisy
  • OPI Nature Strong Cactus What You Preach
  • OPI Nature Strong Emflowered
  • Saran Wrap or some kind of crinkled thin plastic (I used some of an apple bag)

I really, really need to do a video tutorial for these, but I keep forgetting I want to until after I’ve painted my nails. But how fun did these turn out? I’m really loving these three shades! When I was browsing the TradeSecrets website, these were the three colours that screamed Summer to me most, so obviously I needed them in my life!

I definitely suggest trying out TradeSecrets.ca if you’re looking for a new place to easily pick up nail polish. They have a huge selection of OPI polishes, but also sell ORLY & Dip polish kits for those who like a longer lasting manicure. They were also kind enough to send along some hair products my way, so let me know if you’d like to see my thoughts on those as well!

What do you think about this cute design? Are you feeling these bright summery colours? Let me know what you think down in the comments below!

Products featured in this post were provided in exchanged for content.

All thoughts are honest & my own.

Festive Glitter Gradient ✨🎄

Good morning lovelies & happy Thursday! & happy Christmas Eve Eve. I hope everyone is ready for their holidays, & for those still working long hours & not sure how they’re going to be ready — I feel you! Hopefully everyone is also staying safe with everything quickly changing in the world.

I said I was dedicated to 5 nail art looks this week in preparation for Christmas, & I wasn’t lying! Today is day four, & I went with a classic look that I do some incarceration of every year: a Christmas glitter gradient. Last year’s was very similar to this years, but that’s okay! When you find a classic that works for you, you go with it! (Plus my nails are so much longer this year!)

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie First Base
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive
  • Icing Emerald City
  • Icing Tis The Season

Hello Christmas sparkle! I was actually going to use my other Christmas-y glitter from Icing, Santa Baby, but unfortunately it’s on the goopier side, so I decided to go with my other very Christmas-y glitter for this look. I’ve mentioned before how I love the speed & ease of a glitter gradient, plus the versatility, so I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of them.

What do you think about my glitter gradient? Do you like this years version, or last year’s shorty version? Let me know what nail art design/style you repeat year after year & never get tired of!