Faux Watermarble with KBShimmer In Bare Form

I've been wanting to try a faux watermarble. The design on my Bundle Monster BM-320 gave me the idea, and I've seen other mani's using stamps to give a watermarbled look. (For those of us that are watermarble dunces, haha!)

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Zoya Delight: Butterfly Gradient

✯ PR Samples Mentioned ✯

I've seen some really amazing nail art with the Zoya Delight collection lately, (See: Polish Hound, Painted Nubbs, and Manna's Manis!) And I wanted to try my hand at some as well.

I decided to do a gradient with the Zoya Delight Collection (press sample). I started with a a base of OPI Alpine Snow, and then sponged on Zoya Lillian, Leslie, and Eden. China Glaze Fairy Dust was applied, before using the butterfly water decals (XF1438) I was sent by the Born Pretty Store, and I dotted on Zoya Tomoko with the nail art brush BPS also sent me. I used Seche Vite topcoat.

The water decals are very easy to work with. You cut out the decals you want to use, then fill a bowl or cup with lukewarm water. For me, I hold the decal with my thumb & index finger in the water- you will start to feel the decal slide off onto your finger when it's ready. Then I flip it around and place on my nail. Don't be afraid of ruining the decal, they aren't that delicate- so it's easy to maneuver them. Once the decal is placed on my nail, I dab the excess water off with a napkin or tissue before top coating.

The rhinestone nail art brush is surprisingly well made. It's got some heft to it when you hold it in your hand. The rhinestones in the handle are purely for decoration. I like that it comes with a lid to protect your brush. The brush itself has a very fine tip. 

Please use code: YDG10 for 10% off your Born Pretty Store order! 

(Coupon code is not valid on sale items).

The Born Pretty Store has free worldwide shipping. They are based in Singapore, so it usually takes about 3-4 weeks to receive an order from them. I have ordered from them before, besides receiving items to review, and definitely recommend them for their cheap prices, and cute nail art selections.

China Glaze: Capacity to See Beyond, Feather Mani

Last summer Lavish Layerings did a gorgeous manicure with feather decals from the Born Pretty Store, and I've been dying to recreate it ever since. So, when I placed a large order to the Born Pretty Store in December, I ordered a pack of these feather water decals: #1724.

For these nails, I started with China Glaze, Capacity to See Beyond, (from The Giver's Collection), a gorgeous bright aqua cream. The formula on this is rather thin and runny, it's very easy to flood your cuticles, so be careful. It worked best for me to apply it in 3 thin coats. I did my accent nail with 2 coats of Zoya Tomoko. Perfect gold texture polish.

The water decals are very easy to work with. You cut out the decals you want to use off the sheet. Then fill a bowl or cup with lukewarm water. For me, I hold the decal with my thumb & index finger in the water- you will start to feel the decal slide off onto your finger when it's ready. Then I flip it around and place on my nail. Don't be afraid of ruining the decal, they aren't that delicate- so it's easy to maneuver them. Once the decal is placed on my nail, I dab the excess water off with a napkin or tissue. (I finished one hand, before I started the other).

I wanted to add some gold detail. So with my very thin brush (also from the BPS), I lightly dabbed Zoya Tomoko along the feather line. I topped everything off with Seche Vite topcoat. I love everything about these!

Please use code: YDG10 for 10% off your Born Pretty Store order! 

(Coupon code is not valid on sale items).

The Born Pretty Store has free worldwide shipping. They are based in Singapore, so it usually takes about 3-4 weeks to receive an order from them. I have ordered from them before, besides receiving items to review, and definitely recommend them for their cheap prices, and cute nail art selections.

Polar Bears, and Penguins... Oh My!

✯ PR Sample's Mentioned ✯

If you know me, I don't normally do free hand nail art, I usually stamp. But since I got a new brush set, I thought I would attempt some free hand. I have been seeing these cute holiday polar bears, and penguins on Facebook and Instagram a lot lately- so I decided to try my hand at them too. (There are quite a few tutorials online, or on youtube).

I started with a base of Nubar Rockin' The Garden. (Very sheer polish... opaque in 3-4 coats.) For the white I used OPI Alpine Snow. The black is Zoya Willa, the orange is Zoya Cole. I also fairy dusted the "snow", to add a more festive touch. I also used Seche Vite topcoat.

For the nail art, I used my brush set, and dotting tool that I purchased myself awhile ago from the Born Pretty Store. For the stamped snowflakes, I used stamp plate QA19 that the Born Pretty Store sent me for review.

It kind of looks like Mr. Polar Bear is checking out the Penguin there, huh? 
And that Penguin sure looks like he's up to something! :-p

Please use code: YDG10 for 10% off your Born Pretty Store order! 
(Coupon is not valid on items already marked on sale).

Strawberry Margarita Nails, & A Giveaway! [Closed]

✯ PR Sample ✯

The Born Pretty Store was kind enough to send me some more nail art items to review. Today I will be reviewing 20 Pcs Mini Colorful Fresh Fruit: #7

I started with 3 coats of China Glaze Strawberry Fields, plus Seche Vite Topcoat. I stuck my Strawberry Fimo pieces on while the topcoat was still wet. My nail tips are Ellagee Crushed Garnet glitter. I think if I were to redo these, I would use a pink cream, and silver glitter to make them a little less busy, haha! :-p My prop drink is pink lemonade. 

Please click below to see the rest of this post, and to enter the giveaway!

Halloween Nails, with Zoya Savita & Loredana

 ✯ PR Sample's Mentioned ✯

Today I have some Halloween nails featuring Zoya Matte Velvet, Savita & Loredana. (The little pumpkin, I picked up at Wegmans grocery store last Halloween).

I started with 2 coats of Zoya Savita, and then dabbed on Loredana with a sponge. I stamped with Sally Hansen Insta-dri in Silver Sweep. I also dabbed on a little of China Glaze Golden Enchantment, and topped everything off with NYC Matte Me Crazy topcoat. The stamping plates I used for these nails are Bundle Monster: BMH07, and Winstonia Store W116, and W221.

Butterfly Wings with OPI & Fairy Dust

We interrupt our regular programming of Fall and Halloween nail polish to bring you... butterfly nails! :-p

I had some eBay bucks recently, so I decided to pick up three OPI colors I've always wanted to add to my collection. Can't Find My Czechbook (I had a mini bottle of this before), Do You Lilac It?, and Vant To Bite My Neck?

I thought these colors would make a really pretty gradient together, and I was right! :) I topped it off with China Glaze Fairy Dust. I stamped the butterfly wings with Bundle Monster BM-424, Konad Black, and Seche Vite Topcoat.

I recently picked up 5 stamp plates from Bundle Monster, and I'm pleased with how the images transfer, how cheap they are, and how quickly they ship. (I got my order within 4 days). I just placed my 2nd order a few days ago.

Also, during Winstonia Store's Columbus Day sale I picked up their new 'Blue Envy' stamp plate organizer. It fits my Winstonia round plates, Konad, and Bundle Monster plates perfectly. I also love the little mesh pocket on the inside cover, so I can store my other miscellaneous plates that don't fit. My Born Pretty Store plates didn't fit, but I just decided I would slit the very last page to make them fit, since they are just a tiny bit larger.

China Glaze Release & Orly Mirrorball.

One of my cousins sent me an Amazon gift card for my birthday, so I ended up getting two nail polishes with it. China Glaze Release, and Orly Mirrorball. Release is from The Giver Collection. Orly Mirroballis part of the Holiday 2014 Collection.

I decided to pair them together for this manicure. Release is a purple gray cream. Formula was really nice, not runny at all. China Glaze can sometimes be hit or miss, but this is a hit! Two coats, plus Seche Vite topcoat.

Orly Mirrorball, has a silver linear holographic base, with small holographic glitters throughout, so it looks like it's twinkling. Formula is sheer, but builds up to opaque in 3 coats. The linear effect isn't as strong as some of the indie holographic polishes I've seen, but it's nice for a mainstream polish.

And boo.... me contemplating doing this manicure. I was tagged to play #stopdropandselfie on Instagram, and if you know me, I just don't DO selfies very much, hehe. :-p

Leadlight Stamping with OPI Sheer Tints

I've been wanting to attempt leadlight stamping for awhile. Leadlight stamping is a technique that was created by Julia from Messy Mansion. (Yes she makes those awesome stamping plates!) Leadlighting is basically just filling in a stamped design with sheer jelly polishes for a colorful artistic effect.

So for my first ever leadlight design I used Winstonia Store W216.I started with OPI Alpine Snow, stamped with Konad black, and then filled in the blank spots with my mini set of OPI Sheer Tints. I didn't use any special brushes. And of course a little China Glaze Fairy Dust! (Can never have enough of that!) I also used Seche Vite topcoat. I really like how colorful these turned out! I can't wait to try some other designs with this technique. My husband said they could hypnotize you! :-p

Edited to add: Speaking of honest blogging! I forgot to mention, the aqua OPI Sheer Tint- STAINS your skin. So be careful when using it. 

I have a few more things to share after the jump below!

Press Release: China Glaze The Giver Collection

✯ Press Release ✯

It’s time to “Color Your Destiny” with the bright colors and rich textures of China Glaze’s exclusive The Giver nail polish collection.  Inspired by the most anticipated movie release of the summer, the collection combines bold and neutral crèmes, and a gorgeous glitter to create 12 limited edition shades. 

Influenced by the powerful themes and message of the story, The Giver collection by China Glaze brings key moments and characters to color, particularly the main character Jonas (portrayed by Brendon Thwaites) and his friend Fiona (portrayed by Odeya Rush) as he struggles to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his seemingly ideal community. The film will open in theatres Friday, August 15, 2014.  

China Glaze, The Giver limited edition nail polish collection is available now at beauty supply stores nationwide including Sally Beauty and Ulta stores.  Individual shades retail for $7.50 MSRP.

Review of Sinful Colors: Anchors Away

✯ PR Sample ✯

I was recently sent the Surfs Up Voxbox from Influenster. Included in my box was Sinful Colors, Anchor's Away. It's a bright orange yellow color. Immediately I had thoughts of doing some sort of sunset gradient.

This was my first time trying Sinful Colors polish. The formula was really nice. I tested the color alone on my pinky, and it was opaque in two coats. For the gradient design I used OPI Suzi's Hungary Again, and dabbed on Sinful Colors Anchor's Away. I topped it off with China Glaze Fairy Dust, and Seche Vite. For the stamping I used Konad white, and Winstonia Store W-04.

Here's how the gradient looks without stamping:

Have a Happy 4th!

Have a Happy and safe 4th of July tomorrow! My husband and I will be heading up to my parents new place tomorrow (2 hours away), to celebrate.

This years 4th of July design, I created with OPI Solitare, Zoya Chyna & Liberty, and Painted Polish Drunk on Holo. I stamped with Konad white and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Brisk Blue. I used Winstonia Store stamp plates W107 & W110.

And... since this was stamped over texture, I decided to fairy dust & topcoat my design. Stamping over texture looks pretty, but it usually only lasts a day at the most.

Mwahahaha. If you haven't read The Mercurial Magpie's blog post on China Glaze Fairy Dust, you need to. I made the above graphic for her, in honor of how popular her catch phrase has become! ;-)

Matching Chevron's!

I got a new case for my Samsung Galaxy SIII. Aqua & Chevron's! I ordered it online on Amazon.com from a store called Heartstore. The only thing I didn't realize was that it ships from China, so it took two long weeks to get here. But it was cheap & it's pretty cute. (They have plenty of similar chevron ones for different phones).

Since I also own a Chevron stamp plate from Messy Mansion. I thought I would do matching nails! I used China Glaze For Audrey & white Konad stamp polish, with my MM12 plate, and Seche Vite topcoat. :-)