SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Gel Couture Rock The Runway

*contains PR

Hello beauties & happy Sunday.

I hope everyone has had a lovely week so far. Mine has been non-stop between my two jobs, hence the lack of posting on my part. I’m really hoping I can figure out a better schedule for posting, as I miss sharing my nails with you! Today, though, I thought I would grab one of the beautiful polishes I was gifted courtesy of Essie & L’Oreal — especially since it’s the perfect Valentine’s Day red. This is Essie Gel Couture Rock The Runway.

2 coats + top coat

Okay, we know… we know. I love red nail polish. So whenever I add a new red to my vast collection, I get excited. This one, which is part of the Gel Couture Line, is a smooth to apply bright red, which actually has very nice coverage in two coats. It has a bit of an orange undertone, which kind of brings out the yellow in my skin tone — depending on the lighting you’re looking at the polish in. This is a red that I think would be very complimentary on many different skin tones — which is kind of the beauty of a red nail. It truly looks good on everyone!

Essie Gel Couture Rock The Runway was one of the original shades released as part of the Gel Couture line, & it remains part of the core collection. I actually really love this line; it took me a while to introduce myself to it, but I’ve been impressed with every shade from the line that I’ve tried. The top coat is also great, & I know a lot of nail bloggers consider it the GOAT.

Essie Gel Couture Rock The Runway can be purchased wherever Essie nail polishes are found. In Canada, they tend to retail for around $11 – $17 CAD depending on where you’re shopping.

What do you think about Essie Gel Couture Rock The Runway? Are you a fan of this shade, & this line? Which colour is your favourite? Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below!

Happy Sunday

♥︎

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.

🖤

GLAM NAILS CHALLENGE DECEMBER (2024) — Wreath 🌲

Hello lovelies & happy Christmas Eve Eve! Today we have another fun prompt for Glam Nails Challenge December — Wreath.

I can’t believe how quickly we’re speeding through these designs!

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 Xtreme Wear Red Carpet (one coat layered over China Glaze Slay Bells Ring)
  • Essie Off Tropic *
  • Essie Expressie Main Character Moment *
  • Color Club What’s The Matte-r
  • Essie Gel Couture Rock the Runway
  • Nailstuff.ca Mermaid Tail 7mm liner brush
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio 

    *pr/gifted

I had this idea about half moon wreaths with one big wreath accent. I think this is a cute & easy look you can get done easily. The bow on my big accent finger is a little wonky, but I still think they turned out really cute. The green pops on the red, & gives off big Christmas-y vibes.

What do you think about these wreath nails? Are they give big Christmas vibes? Let me know what you think? & don’t forget that you can see all the beautiful designs using the hashtag #glamnailschallengedec24 on Instagram.

🖤

GLAM NAILS CHALLENGE DECEMBER (2024) — Christmas Plaid

Hello loves & happy Monday! It’s a sunny albeit chilly Monday here. Definitely feeling like December — although a sprinkling of snow might have been nice. But today is the next prompt for Glam Nails Challenge December, & it is Christmas plaid.

I’m not 100% sure what a Christmas plaid is, though I would assume one done in your typical Christmas colours would make sense. So that’s what I did for today’s look! & they are certainly feeling Christmas-y.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: NailStuff Essentials Base Coat *
  • Top Coat: Nail Stuff Essentials Quick Dry Top Coat *
  • Santee Magnetic Nail Polish Sandburst
  • Essie Bordeaux*
  • Essie Off Tropic *
  • NailStuff Essentials White Dove *
  • Quo by Orly Black Striper
  • Nailstuff.ca Mermaid Tail 7mm liner brush
  • Largest size from NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio 

*PR/gifted

Ooooh I love how these look. I tried to give this magnetic shade a velvet finish. Honestly think I might have to invest in one of those fancy U-shaped magnets in the new year if I’m going to be playing with my magnet shades more frequently.

I love the hold with the plaid pattern over top, as opposed to using the gold as an accent.

What do you think about my Christmas plaid nails? Are you a fan of this look? Let me know all your thoughts on this look, & if it feels Christmas-y to you.

Don’t forget to pop on over to Instagram & follow all the amazing designs using #glamnailschallengedec24.

🖤

GLAM NAILS CHALLENGE DECEMBER (2024) — Santa Claus 🎅

Hello lovelies & happy Friday! Today is exciting because it’s our second prompt of Glam Nails Challenge December!

Todays prompt is Santa Claus & I’m laughing at myself because I thought this look was totally a genius idea — turns out it’s exactly the same as the Santa Claus look I did last year (only with a bit more sparkle added!) I guess what they say is true — if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!

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 Good Cheer-y
  • NailStuff Essentials White Dove *
  • Essie Making Spirits Bright
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio 

*PR

Please excuse the red staining of the negative space part of my nails — a leftover from the pink polish in my previous post. But I love these regardless — even with the déjà vu of it all. I do think I’m more drawn to the shimmer & sparkle this year though. Just give it a little more Holiday Magic!

What do you think of my Santa nails for Glam Nails Challenge December? Don’t forget that you can follow along with all the designs this month with the hashtag #glamnailschallengedec24.

Happy Friday!

🖤