SWATCH SUNDAY — Orly Buried Alive (2012 Dark Shadows Collection)

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! A sunny, but chilly, Sunday. The roofs are all frosted over this morning, & it’s definitely feeling like Winter lately. However, I’m just not quite feeling that holiday nail spirit yet. Usually by this time, I’m already planning Christmas manicures — but I haven’t been feeling any Christmas vibes yet this year unfortunately.

It’s Swatch Sunday, though, & I was going through my stash & found a beauty from 2012 that I don’t think I’ve ever worn! This is Orly Buried Alive from the 2012 Dark Shadows Collection.

2 coats + top coat

This beautiful shimmery chocolate brown polish is packed full of golden flakie shimmer. I am actually so sad it’s taken me this long to wear this polish, because it’s absolutely stunning! It’s the most perfect Autumn brown. It’s shimmery on its own, but then you add in that golden shimmer & it just adds the whole other dimension to it.

The formula on this one was actually really easy to use considering it’s a 10+ year old nail polish. Maybe it’s because I haven’t cracked the bottle since I bought it.

Wow! Look at that close up!

I’m actually really sad I have dropped the ball on this shade. I guess I thought “brown polish, not going to like it” but oh boy was I wrong! I love it! The application was flawless, the colour is stunning, & it’s just such a lovely Autumn shade I wouldn’t think to reach for.

What do you think about Orly Buried Alive? Do you remember this shade, or this collection? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below — I’d love to know what you think.

& if you have any tips for getting me in the holiday spirit, I will take all the ones I can get!

Happy Sunday

♥︎

SWATCH SUNDAY — Milani 17A Deep Thoughts

Good morning lovelies & happy Sunday! How are we already the second Sunday into November. I should probably start thinking about Christmas shopping soon!

Today I found a super forgotten shade in my stash, that I hadn’t realized I’d never swatched! This is Milani 17A Deep Thoughts.

2 coats + top coat

Oooooh boy this is a beautiful deep, dark purple with a stunning purple/pink shimmer. It does appear darker on my nail than in the bottle—I’m scared maybe I didn’t shake it enough to get the shimmer to show up. It’s there — it’s just a little more subtle than I would like.

But, for a 13 year old polish this beauty is still looking amazing & applying amazing! I was actually really impressed with just how flawlessly the formula applied! This shade was released sometime in 2012 (according to my internet—Google—research). Sadly, Milani has since discontinued their nail polish production, which is a shame because they did it very, very well!

Close up! One of the things I love about this colour is that from far away, it almost looks black. & then when you get closer you can see it’s dark purple colour & the subtle shimmer, & it’s really just so beautiful. I’m quite obsessed with the overall package.

What do you think about Milani 17A Deep Thoughts? Do you love this deep dark purple shade? Do you remember Milani’s line of nail polishes?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below!

🖤

Neutral Sparkle Colour Blocking

Hello loves & happy Friday. I’ve been pretty quiet this week on the blogging front — end of Summer kind of does that to me. But I didn’t want to end this week without posting at least one nail art look, & I think this particular design is perfect.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat
  • Base Coat: Essie Hard to Resist (purple)
  • Beyond The Nail Glistening Fairy Nails
  • Essie Merino Cool
  • Essie Light as Linen

I love the mixed finished of this colour blocking look. You have the flakie look of Glistening Fairy Wings, the shimmer of Light as Linen & the cream finish of Merino Cool. Usually when I do my colour blocking, I stick to one — sometimes two — finished but I’ve never done anything so contrasting before (I don’t think, at least). I also really like the neutral colour palate— it’s not as eye catching as some colour blocks I’ve done, but it is so beautiful in its cooler tones.

I just really love how this looks, & I got so many compliments on them when I wore them to work.

What do you think about this neutral colour blocking look, with a touch of sparkle? Do you like how I mixed up the polish finishes? Would you wear this design?

Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments below & share what you’re wearing on your nails right now!

Happy Friday

🖤

Villain-esque Half Moons

Hello loves & happy Friday! & happy first day of August — how crazy is that?

How is everyone enjoying their week so far? I’ve been enjoying the very warm temperatures while simultaneously dreaming about pumpkin spice lattes & Halloween costumes. I’m a complicated girl, what can I say. I’ve also found myself thinking about Autumn-y nails & nail designs.

Today’s look, I guess, you could call somewhat Autumn inspired. I was thinking about a red on red half moon idea… but then added some shifty top coat, & they turned into something different entirely. I’m calling them villain-esque, because they totally look the part.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Top Coat: Essie Good To Go Top Coat
  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
  • Butter London Saucy Jack
  • Essie Tailored By Twilight *pr
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat Moonlight
  • Paper hole reinforcements

What do you think about this combination? I really like the dark red over the light red, but the addition of the golden shimmer topper really gives it an extra something. Obviously, this look is a little dark for the hot days of August… but I’m a risk taker.

Also I will never not love a half moon manicure. It’s also reminding me I really, really need to play with my nail vinyls more. I have so many just sitting untouched in my folder, waiting to be used. I need to rectify that soon (&maybe get some new ones that are fall themed for the ‘ber months.)

What do you think about these half moons? Do you like this design as much as I do? Are you a fan of the half moons for easy nail art?

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!

♥︎


	

Lover Inspired Nails (in honour of my little birthday Swiftie)

Hello lovelies & happy Wednesday! Today is a very special Wednesday because it is my baby girls 6th birthday. 🎉 🎂

So crazy to believe that she’s 6 already!

I wanted to create some special nails in her honour, & since her favourite thing right now is Taylor Swift — well obviously taut is where my inspiration came from. She also told me I should do nails that were pink, blue & yellow with hearts — & as soon as she told me that, Taylor’s Lover era popped into my head. & since Cruel Summer has been playing on repeat at our house, it fit perfectly.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter Top Coat
  • Base Coat: China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
  • Essie Bikini So Teeny
  • Butter London Coming Up Roses *pr
  • Claire’s Scented Nail Polish Orange
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Violet Voltage
  • Essie Gel Couture Gossamer Garments *pr
  • Nails INC Heartfelt Holidays
  • Claire’s Mini Glitter Shade (no name)
  • Nailstuff.ca Mermaid Tail 7mm liner brush

How pretty does this manicure look? I love the Lover vibes it’s giving. If this isn’t the perfect manicure to wear while belting out Cruel Summer, I don’t know what is.

& my little girl was so excited to see these nails! She’s having a Taylor Swift inspired birthday party with her friends next month, & she is already planning her nails for the occasion.

What do you think about these Taylor Swift inspired birthday nails? Do you love them as much as I do? Would you wear them? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below!

Happy Wednesday lovelies — enjoy some cake today in honour of my little girl.

🖤