Tag: White

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Pure Ice Cookies ‘N Cream

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday! The first Sunday of April at that — can you believe it? I mean, I feel like I’m always saying this, but I can’t get over how quickly this year is passing. I’m happy that we’re that much closer to Summer dress weather, but wow… this year is already 1/4 over! That is crazy.

Today I’m going old school though, with a polish from deep in my stash. I’ve been living for speckled nail looks lately, so obviously that means pulling out some from deep in the past. You might remember, a few years ago, the brand Pure Ice released a collection of speckled nail polishes that I think were based on nail polishes. Naturally, I bought three at the time. I don’t often pull them out, with the exception of this time of year because I feel like they’re absolutely perfect for Easter nails.

2 coats, no top coat.

As the name implies, Cookies ‘N Cream is a white base with multisized hex glitters that gives the impression of cookies & cream ice cream.

I applied 2 coats of polish for my application — a thinner first coat, followed by a thicker second coat which gave exactly the opacity I was hoping for. The base is thin enough that the black glitters show through perfectly, giving you the multi layered effect. It also dried down quickly. which left a semi textured in some places, thanks to the layered glitters, but this could easily be fixed with a thick coat of glossy top coat.

I really, really love the different sized glitters in this polish ( & its sister shades I own Boysenberry & Orange Sorbet) versus a speckled polish like Deborah Lippmann Polka Dots & Moonbeams. & it really does look like ice cream, which just makes me think of Summer, & I can’t wait for Summer days.

It also kind of makes me wish I had scooped up all 6 shades in the collection back in 2015 because every time I wear one I realize just how much I freaking love speckled nail polish, & this trend needs to make a comeback!

What do you think about Pure Ice Cookies ‘N Cream? Do you love these speckled polishes as much as I do? Are there any nail polishes you’re hoping the Easter Bunny brings you next weekend? Let me know down in the comments below!

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Glam Nails Challenge December — Gingebread

Hello loves & Happy Thursday!

Technically I meant to post this manicure yesterday, but between crazy busy Christmas rushes at work, & Bubba’s first Christmas concert, my mind got a little displaced. Whoops! I’m excited, though, to share this gingerbread look I did for the next prompt of Glam Nails Challenge December.

This is officially the half way point of the challenge, &… even crazier, we only have a week & a half left until Christmas. I’ve literally done no baking, our tree isn’t up… this year is definitely getting the best of me. But at least I’ve managed a few cute festive designs so far this month.

The polishes I used for this manicure are: 

  • Base Coat: Essie Hard To Resist Glow & Shine 
  • Top Coat: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-chip Top Coat
  • Sinful Colors Essenchills Coffee Drip
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Ski Bunny
  • NailStuff.ca Mermaid Tail Nail Brush Trio (11mm Liner Brush)

This look was inspired by this look that I found on Pinterest. I loved the idea of turning your nail into the gingerbread cookie itself. Mine came out a bit more… rustic than my inspiration. But I still think it was a cute idea, & I especially love my ring & pointer finger. I went into this design without a clear vision of what I wanted to do, & I think that’s where my nail art went a bit sideways. Either way, I love this overall look, & I think it’s a fun take on this prompt!

What do you think of this Gingerbread inspired design? Have you been busy with Christmas/Holiday planning? Have you gotten any baking done yet? Let me know down in the comments below. &, as always, I encourage you to check out all the beautiful designs for this month’s  Glam Nails Challenge December on Instagram!

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Essie Blanc

Hello lovelies & happy Sunday!

It’s been a while. I feel like this past week I have not been feeling like myself, so I didn’t feel much like posting. But I’m back, I’m feeling slightly refreshed, & I’m actually really really excited for this week’s Swatch Sunday. If you’ve been around a while, you’ve probably heard me mention my love for white nail polish. It’s what started my love affair with nail polish in the first place. So I’m really excited to share what I think might be the most perfect white nail polish I’ve worn in a while: Essie Blanc.

2 coats + Essie Speed Setter Top Coat

I kind of feel silly, because Essie Blanc has been around forever, & somehow I have not added it to my stash. But as you know, I recently participated in an Essie virtual event, & one of the perks was that those attending were gifted a few Essie shades, including Blanc. & I was quite excited, because I’ve been thinking about buying this shade for a while, but hadn’t (for whatever reason—truthfully I’m not even sure why!)

Formula on this shade is great—it’s smooth, creamy, & not chalky at all. Coverage is pretty good in one coat, but obviously it needs that second coat for ideal levelling. The colour is a nice, bright white without verging on white-out. The brush for my bottle was also the new, wide Essie brush which I really like, but is especially good for application on this shade. Covers the whole nail in almost one swipe. Very, very nice.

Is there anything more satisfying than a bright, clean white manicure?

It’s actually been a while since I rocked basic white nails, & I’ve missed them. First off, they’re great against even the hint of a tan, which is perfect for this early Summer season. Second, they’re very Buffy season one. All I need are a few butterfly clips, & a patterned skirt & tank top combo, & I’m instantly transformed back to Sunnydale High circa 1997. & I’m very, very okay with that.

I’ve actually been rewatching Buffy from the beginning again (it’s my guilty pleasure TV show, what can I say?) & it’s making me want to do a deep dive into the many manicures of Buffy Summers. It would be a big endeavour, but maybe I could break it up into a few posts. We will see if I can make it happen!

What do you think about Essie Blanc? Do you have this clean white polish in your collection? Is there a classic nail polish that you keep meaning to buy, but haven’t got around to getting yet? I have a few, but this was definitely a big one! I’d love to know if anyone else is the same way.

Let me know in the comments below!

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SWATCH SUNDAY — China Glaze Friends Forever, Right?

Hello lovelies & happy Swatch Sunday.

Today I am feeling something refreshing, & that can only mean one thing: white nails. Anyone who has been around a while knows my obsession with white nail polish, so I own quite a few of them. Today I’m all about this beautiful creamy off white from China Glaze — Friends Forever, Right? was originally released Fall 2014.

2 coats + top coat.

Whenever I’m feeling uninspired for nail art, my favourite polish to wear for a refresh is white. Anything white. What is lovely about Friends Forever, Right? is that it’s not quite white — it’s got a pinky undertone that keeps it from mimicking white out on your nails.

I was quite pleased with how easy this polish was to apply, even after all these years. I usually use it as the base for nail art, but I really do enjoy it all on it’s own. & obviously, it reminds me of my teenage love affair with Buffy & her fabulous nails, & who doesn’t love a little bit of nostalgia.

& in case you’re wondering, Sparkle Canada has a bottle of Friends Forever, Right? so if you don’t have this shade in your collection, & you’re realizing you need it, I would definitely pick it up! It makes such a good nail art base, or all on it’s own.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday (I know this post is going up later than normal.) I also hope everyone is feeling happy & healthy & staying safe in all this craziness. I plan on enjoying another coffee, maybe a social distanced maple latter now that our favourite small cafe is open for take out!

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SWATCH SUNDAY — Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Let’s Snow

Good Morning Lovelies! It’s Sunday, so you know what that means… it’s Swatch Sunday! & today I’m sharing one of my favourite white polishes at the moment: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Let’s Snow.

I picked up this polish at my local Lawton’s (another clearance find) for the amazing price of only 99 cents! I thought maybe that meant it was a discontinued polish because of the amazing price, but you can still find it on Amazon & Sally Hansen so I’m not 100% sure. I think maybe I just got really lucky, which I’m happy about because I’m definitely going to need back up bottles of this shade in my stash.

For today’s swatches, I used 2 coats + top coat. (Right now my top coat of choice is Essie Speed Setter.)

I find white polish can be tricky, because it can come off looking streaky or chalky. Let’s Snow definitely needs two coats for opacity & adding top coat just levels it perfectly. Before top coat, I found if slightly streaky. A third coat of could have fixed that out, but I figured top coat would be an easier option & it was.

Also the brushes on the Complete Salon Manicure bottles are love. Seriously. I need every bottle of nail polish to apply so easily & perfectly.

Let’s Snow is definitely a true white, with no other undertones. I would call it a paper white, which is probably why it’s my current favourite go-to white for nail art–it’s the perfect black canvas. But I also like the fact it’s a very wearable white! You can use it for creating beautiful nail art, or you can just wear it on its own. From my own personable experience, that is a fine line to achieve. So when I find a white that does both, I automatically fall in love with it. Hence my current obsession with this shade!

If you’re looking for a great white in your life, I definitely recommend searching out this Sally Hansen shade & adding it to your stash. The formula is easy to apply, the brush is perfection, & this is a white that isn’t going to be chalky or streaky once applied. I definitely do recommend adding top coat though, just because it leads to a more perfect finish.

So what’s your favourite white nail polish? Do you prefer white polish on its own or as a base for nail art? Let me know what your favourite is down in the comments below!