SWATCH SUNDAY — Nicole by OPI Shoot for the Maroon 💫

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! A beautiful Sunday at that — although, still desperately waiting on some rain in this part of the country (we really need it!) So today I thought I’d wear something a little moodier, a little cooler in hopes of encouraging some rainy weather.

I also thought it would be fun to pull out a polish from my stash from a now discontinued brand: Nicole by OPI. In my earlier nail polishing days I was absolutely obsessed with the Nicole by OPI days, so I’m sure you can imagine how many shades of I have in my collection. This is Shoot for the Maroon.

2 coats + top coat

This beautiful flakie purple has a deep dark base, with a metallic micro flakie effect that gives it beautiful dimension. Depending on how you move your hand, it shifts pink, purple, golden & even a little green. Super beautiful!

You can really see those micro flakies. I love the shiftiness of this shade & the dark jewel like tone. It’s a beautiful polish that just says Autumn & I’m here for it.

Sadly, the NOPI line was discontinued in the latter 2010s, so they’re no longer available in stores. I have seen some bodies available online, but not sure how easily you can find them. It’s a real shame, because I feel like this line was a great mainstream line for more specialty formulas — like this shade!

What do you think about Nicole by OPI Shoot for the Maroon. Do you still own any of the NOPI shades? What were your thoughts on the brand — let me know what you think down in the comments below!

Happy Sunday!

Burgundy Strip Accent Nails

Hey Beauties & happy Friday. I hope you’ve had a beautiful week. It feels like the world is on fire right now — literally —so it can be so hard to sit back, & feel any semblance of happiness. Here is hoping for calmer & peaceful days ahead.

I was feeling something Autumn-ish. I know, I just can’t help myself! But I tried not to lean too hard onto the Autumn aesthetic — well, not yet at least.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat
  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
  • Sally Hansen InstaDri Cinnasnap
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Love You Lotus
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Black Stone
  • Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Almond Tan
  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Clean Slate
  • Sally Hansen CSM Ruby Do
  • NailStuff.ca Mermaid Tail Brush Trio (I used the 7mm liner brush)

A little rustic looking close up, but kind of gives that hand knit sweater feel to them. & even though I’m probably a month & a half away from needing any kind of knit sweater — I’m dreaming of those days! — it doesn’t mean I can’t wear a version on my nails!

Can’t you just imagine wearing this look while perusing the Halloween aisle & sipping on a pumpkin spice latte? I can. & it gets me so excited!

What do you think of these Autumn-esque accent nails? Would you wear this design on your own nails? Please share all your thoughts in the comments below — I love hearing what people think!

Happy weekend

🖤

Pastel Marble Sponging

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday. A brand new week — & this month is certainly speeding quickly by. It’s already the 13th of August, & while that means I’m that much closer to PSL season, the velocity at which this Summer is passing can slow down just a smidge.

Today’s nail art look was kind of a happy accident. Originally I was going to try to create some pastel galaxies, but it turned into more of a marble effect. Either way, I think they turned out absolutely stunning. & I love them.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat
  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
  • Sensationail Nailtural Born to Explore
  • Essie Mint Candy Apple
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Beatnik
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Feelin’ Grape
  • Essie Separated Starlight
  • Latex free Make Up Sponge

Such a neat effect. & I added the little bit of sparkle to give it a more dimension effect & I really think it looks cool. Like little geodes on my nails.

What do you think about this marble nail effect? Do you like the combination of colours? Let me know what you think down in the comments below! I’ve been really trying to switch up & do some new nail art looks I haven’t done in a while — so please share any old designs you’d love to see me recreate!

Happy Wednesday

🖤

SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Throw in the Towel 🕶️ (2020 Sunny Business collection)

Contains PR

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! It’s a sunny, hot & humid Sunday here — & we are still without some much needed rain unfortunately.

Today though, I’m sharing a bright & summery nail polish shade with you, that I kindly received gifted from Essie. This is Essie Throw in the Towel.

2 coats + top coat

This beautiful bright coral pink is gorgeous Summery shade! The formula was a bit on the thin side, but built easily to opacity. My nails are on the shorter side right now, so if they were longer I would probably do three coats to avoid visible nail line.

The colour is very vibrant & eye catching, which I love. I used to be all about the corals on my nails in the early days of my nail addiction, but started leaning towards more blues & purples — & I’m realizing now how much I love a bright coral on me!

You can definitely see in my close up that this shade is a big on the sheer side, but it doesn’t make me love it any less. It’s light enough I don’t find that too distracting.

Essie Throw in the Towel is part of the Essie core collection, so you can purchase it anywhere you buy your Essie nail polishes. In Canada, it usually ranges anywhere between $9.99 CAD to $14.99 CAD.

What do you think about Essie Throw in the Towel? Do you love this bright coral pink as much as I do? Doesn’t it just scream Summer? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below!

Happy Sunday!

🖤

Pink Glitter Placement 🩷✨

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! How is everyone’s week going so far? Enjoying the balmy weather? Our days have been hot hot hot which means the grass is crunchy & the fire risk is extremely high. I don’t usually wish for rain, but we could definitely use some.

Today, though, let’s share some pretty nails.

& you know what’s pretty — a flakie glitter placement. Especially when it is as easy as this one was to do!

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat
  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
  • China Glaze Glow With The Flow
  • ‘Ard As Nails Fairy Flakes

Look at those pretty sparkles! They’re just so pretty, & girlie & sparkly. I love it. This was also a super simple design to do, with no tools needed. & it’s just the right amount of sparkle — especially over a vibrant base like Glow With The Flow.

What do you think about my pretty pink glitter placement? Do you like this glittery combination? I’m still on the hunt to add more glitters to my collection for glitter placement looks — especially come to Autumn months. So please let me know your favourites!

Happy Wednesday.

♥︎