I've finally attempted stamping with multiple colors... and I am in love! I foresee a lot of different color combinations in my future with this technique. For my first attempt I wanted something bright and summery, and rainbow-licious. Is that a word? Hehehe. :)

I changed nail nail shapes a few months ago from square to round. And, for awhile my nails were growing like weeds and super strong. Then over the past month or so suddenly my nails started peeling again, which hasn't happened in awhile. :( I broke three nails last weekend, and two this week. My cuticles have also seemed like they want to peel for no reason despite my almost religious use of cuticle oil and butters, and the occasional mani bomb every other week. Blah.... needless to say I am not feeling the nail thing right now....

I'm not sure what has caused the current peeling. Maybe the transition to round tips freaked them out, or the weather changing, or the fact I hadn't used any nail treatment in months and months, (besides, my Orly Bonder base coat). I also know a few weeks ago I used a peel off glitter base coat, which ended up leaving white marks on the top of three different nails. So maybe I damaged my nail beds somehow with that. It was Glitter-a-peel, and I've used it in the past with no issues... maybe it's just a combination of things. :(

I ordered some more OPI Nail Envy since my last bottle pretty much dried up with what little was left. Decided to try the sensitive and peeling formula this time. Has anyone used that one? Hopefully it helps. I have used Nail Envy in the past, on and off and it always seemed to make the peeling go away and make my nails stronger. So hopefully it helps.

I posted this on my blog's Facebook page on Sunday, but I wanted to share it here too. I got my inspiration from Amanda Loves Polish who also did some awesome holographic gradients this past week with Chaos and Crocodiles nail polishes. I used Protocol & Reconnaissance for my gradient, and stamped in Konad white with Winstonia Store stamp plate W-04. My stamping isn't perfect, but I still love how they turned out. 

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentines Day! I used Zoya Ariana, and Alix for this look. Konad white, and Winstonia Store plate W102, Bundlemonster BM-411.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year later tonight! I don't usually do year end posts, or top polish posts, but I did decide to make a collage of my favorite nail art from this year. :) Thanks for reading, and for all of the comments you leave, it is much appreciated. I look forward to sharing more blog posts with you all in 2015!

I have been slacking on Holiday nails this year. I've just been feeling a bit "blah" this holiday season. I didn't even put out my Christmas decorations until December 22nd!

Anyhow, to get in the holiday mood, I decided to start off with some simple stamping. I painted my nails with Chaos & Crocodiles: Security Breach, Night Vision, and Orly Mirrorball on my ring finger. Then I used MDU Avocado, Maybelline Metallics Bold Gold, and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Redio Active to stamp with. The stamping plates I used are: Winstonia Store W222, and W120.


Oh yeah! I recently picked up some Mundo de Unas stamping polishes. They come from Mexico so it took exactly one month before I received them. I decided to order the minis, since I didn't want any of them to break during shipping. People have complained they have a strong odor, but I didn't find them any stronger than say, Seche Vite or Klean Color nail polish. If you're sensitive to strong scents though, then these probably aren't for you. But... boy do they ever stamp amazing! Now I understand why so many people who stamp, rave about MDU.

✯ PR Sample ✯

 ✯ 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).

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.


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.

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. 

✯ PR Sample ✯

Today I have the Zoya Naturel Deux Collection. This collection is meant as a palette cleanser as we transition from summer into fall. The Naturel Deux Collection is darker than the first collection. (Click here to see last years Naturel Collection). All of the colors in this collection go on smoothly and evenly in two coats. I used Seche Vite topcoat on all the swatches below.

✯ 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 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! ;-)

✯ PR Sample ✯

Winstonia Store recently gave me the opportunity to review some of their new nail wraps. A few weeks ago I reviewed the 'Americano' design. Today I'm reviewing the 'Pastel Impressions' nail wraps. 

Honestly, I think these nail wraps are best for a evening out, or a one day event. They are affordable and there are many designs to choose from, without going through all of the trouble to paint your nails yourself. It could just be nail chemistry, but these do not last me 14 days. If I had to choose, I would say I liked the 'Americano' design better. I also think that particular design helped hide the imperfections better. 

Pro's:

• Price is much cheaper than Sally Hansen Salon Effects.
• Lot's of pretty designs & colors to choose from.
• Strips are thicker, so if you align it incorrectly you can fix it easily. 
• Plenty of extra strips to find the right fit for your nails, (or in case you mess up).

Con's:

• Even though I followed the instructions exactly, and used a regular topcoat, the strips creased, and started peeling up after only one day of wear. 
• Because the strips are thicker, I had to be very gentle when using the emery board to file off the excess. As you can see from the photos the 'Pastel Impressions' seemed to tear more easily, so I am missing some at my nail tips.