Tag: Manicure

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear With The Beet

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! I hope you all survived your week okay. Can you believe that February is almost over? This year is speeding by quickly, which is kind of insane — but I’m definitely looking forward to Spring.

Today though, I’m sharing a shade that has been in my stash for ages but I’ve never swatched. This is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in With The Beet.

2 coats + top coat

I wish I knew when this shade was originally released (I know I’ve had it for a few years) but it is still in current rotation as part of the Xtreme Wear core collection.

This beautiful berry shade has a great glossy formula that builds to full opacity in 2 coats. This dark shade is a nice mix between a purple & a burgundy, which is kind of the best of both worlds in terms of shades I love.

Look at that colour! It’s just beautiful! I don’t know why, but when my nails are extra short like this I tend to feel more drawn towards darker shades as I just feel like they look more classy, or something. I did end up painting some really pretty floral over this base that I can’t wait to share with you, so stay tuned for that!

What do you think about this beautiful shade from Sally Hansen? Are you a fan of the Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear line? What is your favourite shade? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Have a beautiful Sunday 🖤

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Half Moons on Ultra Shorties

Hello lovelies & happy Friday. I hope everyone is having a feel good Friday so far. We’re currently awaiting another storm — this time rain. Is it Summer yet?

Today I have a classic nail art look on my new ultra shorties. I had a couple terrible breaks recently, which hasn’t helped with inspiring me to paint my nails, but I decided to go with a favourite design — half moons — to cheer me up.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top 
  • Ardene La Luna
  • OPI Infinite Shine Mariachi Makes My Day
  • Paper Hole Reinforcements

I’ve been really feeling the blue nails lately, if you haven’t noticed. They’re just the colours I’ve been reaching for most often. But I love this light & dark colour combination. Plus, I found the best natural lighting at work against this green wall so I had to take my pictures there!

What do you think about these half moons on my ultra short nails? What kind of nail art would you like to see me attempt on these shorties? Let me know down in the comments below, & I’ll try my best to make it happen!

Enjoy your Friday loves. 🖤

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Blue Geometric Colour Block

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! Sorry for my absence on Monday — this has been a rough month, creatively speaking. I’ve really had to push myself to want to do nail art, which isn’t like me at all. But today I have a fun nail art look I did on the weekend. This was actually the last nail art look I did before an epic nail break, so expect super short nails in upcoming posts!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top 
  • Essie Mint Candy Apple
  • Essie In My Cab-ana
  • Essie License to Thrill
  • Essie No Ex-pectations
  • Nailstuff.ca Mermaid Tail 7mm liner brush

This is such a fun look, & it was so easy to do. Like I said, I’ve been dealing with a lack of creativity when it comes to my nails, but a colour block look never disappoints. Usually I only stick to 3 colours, but I decided to do four for this one & I think it looks awesome!

What do you think about this colour block look? Are you a fan of this design? What is your favourite go to nail art look when you’re packing in inspiration— let me know in the comments below!

Enjoy your Wednesday loves!

🖤

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Mint Candy Apple

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! It’s a beautiful sunny Sunday here which is a nice change from the never ending snowstorms we’ve been having. & it has me thinking of Spring (or, wistfully wishing for it) so that means it’s time to break out some Spring nail polish! Today’s pick is a favourite of mine, & just screams Spring to me!

This is Essie Mint Candy Apple.

2 coats + top coat

I love a good pale pastel shade, & Essie Mint Candy Apple is just that. This is actually the updated version of Mint Candy Apple — the original shade leans more blue than the minty shade you see above. Chantal’s Corner has a fabulous post about the two versions & a comparison, if you’re curious!

The formula on this shade was easy to apply & smooth. It has the new wider brush that Essie releases with all its new shades, which makes application a cinch. The formula has a nice thickness to it, without being gloopy, but I did need 2 coats for a smooth finish.

Obviously a nice shiny top coat (I used China Glaze Fast Forward top coat here) helps with that glossy finish.

The colour is just so nice, & so Spring-like which is just what my mental health needs after a month of what feels like never ending snowstorms. Even if it’s freezing outside & 4 feet of snow, at least I can look at my nails & feel like Spring will be here soon….ish.

Essie Mint Candy Apple is one of their core shades, & available anywhere you buy Essie polishes.

What do you think of Mint Candy Apple? Are you a fan of pastel polishes like this? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below, & let me know what your favourite Spring shade is! 🌸

Have a beautiful Sunday!

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Valentine’s Day Hearts ❤️

Hello lovelies & happy Valentine’s Day! 💗 I know today is not a day everyone enjoys, especially if you’re not currently in love, but it is a great day for nail art, & naturally I needed to do something themed for today. I really, really wanted something red & pink to wear, & this was the look I decided on!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifer
  • Top Coat: China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat
  • Butter London Saucy Jack
  • Sally Hansen 90s Nostalchick
  • Ardene Glitter Me Pink
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio
  • Nailstuff.ca Mermaid Tail 7mm liner brush

How cute are these little cuticle hearts? This is definitely a simpler Valentine’s Day nail art look, but I think that’s why I love it so much. It gets the point across, but isn’t over the top. Simple & chic, which is what I feel like my nail art has really been leaning towards lately! I think I’m due for some fun over the top nails soon.

What do you think about these Valentine’s Day nails? Do you like the simplicity of these single hearts? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below!

& happy February 14th!