SWATCH SUNDAY — Sally Hansen InstaDri Holo-Glow Euphoric

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday. It’s a very rainy Sunday here which seems to be the trend for this April so far. But at least it’s not snow!

Today I’m sharing a new nail polish I recently picked up from my local Shoppers Drug Mart — Sally Hansen InstaDri Euphoric from their Holo-Glow line.

2 coats + top coat

You might remember I shared another one of these Holo-Glow shades back in September. The InstaDri line is one of my favourite to shop because they always have a fun selection of different shades & finishes to choose from. They also boast a 60 second dry time, although I find it a bit longer than that.

Lately I’ve been obsessed with perusing the Holo-Glow line, because holo makes everything better. I ended up purchasing two new shades: Euphoric & a purple from the Galactic Line called Planet Purple.

Check out that scattered glitter. The interesting base colour was what initially caught my eye: is it silver, is it lilac, is it a pale mint? It’s so shifty & pretty, & different from other holographic polishes in my collection. & when you own as many nail polishes as I do, that’s what you want: something different.

Formula was also very nice. On top of being a quicker dry, it was opaque in two coats. The glitter is scattered, but also very dense which I like. Will it suck for removal? Maybe. But the glitter pay off is worth it!

What do you think of Sally Hansen InstaDri Euphoric? Have you tried any of the Sally Hansen InstaDri Holo-Glow shades yet? What do you think? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below.

🖤

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!

Itty Bitty Gradient Dotticure

Hello lovelies! Yes it’s me — only we’re rocking some shorties again. (Okay, & I’m drinking a matcha lemonade — my other drink aside from coffee!) I mentioned I had a patch on my middle finger nail of a bad crack. I finally decided I was over trying to keep it from cracking worse, & decided to chop my my nails down.

Today I went with a simple but fun look to wear. I love a good gradient dotticure, but I realized it’s been a long time since I actually did one. This design was actually inspired by this look from 2016. I thought since we were back down to shorties, why not find some fun nail art to do on short nails!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Londontown KUR Nail Hardener & Base Coat
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry Top
  • Londontown KUR Mint No Chip
  • Sally Hansen I ❤️ Nail Art pen in purple
  • Sally Hansen I ❤️ Nail Art pen in turquoise
  • Sally Hansen I ❤️ Nail Art pen in pink
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Get Mod
  • Itty Bitty Dotting Tool (NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio)

How absolutely adorable as these itty bitty polka dots? You could definitely do this with a tiny dotting tool & an assortment of polishes, but I love those Sally Hansen I ❤️ Nail Art pens because it makes it so easy! I really wish Sally Hansen would bring them back, because they’re amazing for nail art — & mine are starting to empty out after all these years.

What do you think about this Gradient dotticure? Do you think you’d wear this fun (& easy!) look? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below.

& feel free to share any nail art you’d love to see me do on my new short nails!

Happy Friday! 🖤

GLAM NAILS CHALLENGE APRIL — Ladybug 🐞

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! Is Spring sprung for you (well.. for those in the northern hemisphere). It’s been a beautiful week here so far, & very warm! I even wore bare legs yesterday with a dress. It was a very exciting moment.

Today I’m all about the next prompt of Glam Nails Challenge April. This is #4, I think. & the prompt is ladybug, which is actually a design I don’t think I’ve ever done on my nails. & naturally, I decided to break out my stamping tools for this particular look.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vive Fast Dry Top Coat
  • Essie Mint Candy Apple (new version)
  • Starrily Vantablack
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Pucker Up!
  • Nailstuff.ca clear stamper & scraper set
  • Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate BP-L026
  • Harunouta Potted Garden stamping plate L036 (lady bug image)

First off, yes to this beautiful blue! I always forget how good Mint Candy Apple looks on the nail! I own both the old version & the new version & I adore both.

Secondly, how freaking cute is this lady bug?! I totally forgot, however, how impossible it is the pick images up off that stamping plate. This took a few tries to actually get on my nails, & I had to do some freehand touch ups, but I’m super happy with the end result! It’s the perfect little pop of colour. 🐞 & it’s lovely Spring vibes.

What do you think of these pretty lady bug nails? Do they scream Spring to you? Let me know all your comments & thoughts down below!

Happy Wednesday lovelies — it’s almost the weekend!

Spring-y Chevron Accent Nail (Featuring Quo Beauty)

Hello loves & happy Tuesday. I hope everyone is having a lovely start to the week. It’s March Break here which means work has been insane — but at least it makes the day go by quickly! They’re also calling for another Winter storm over night, so that’s fun.

But regardless of what it’s doing outside, I’m going to be wearing some Spring-y designs & colours on my nails. & today is no different!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat
  • Quo Beauty Tint of Mint
  • Quo Beauty Birthday Suit
  • Quo Beauty Just Peachy
  • Quo Beauty Heaven Sent
  • Snail Vinyls Stacked Chevron Vinyl
  • Small dotting tool

I had this idea in my head of a Springy colours chevron accent nail, & I think it turned out pretty spot on to what I had imagined! The pop of peach/orange are so much fun against the pale pastel of the mint & baby blue. I am pretty much in love with the whole colour pallet!

& I forgot how much I love playing with my nail vinyls. I definitely need to use them more often. I have a pretty big collection, & it makes me sad I don’t use them nearly as much as I should.

What do you think of this Spring-y accent nail? Do you think I should have done all 10 fingers with this pattern? Let me know what you think down below.

Have a killer Tuesday guys! 🖤