Stash Swatch Initiative: Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life

Hello!

Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I could not wait to wear the polishes I received at Christmas, so here's the first one I tried. This is Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life.

Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

A Toast to the Good Life is a gorgeous mix of fine holographic gold glitter and small iridescent black hexes in a grey-tinted base. Pictures hardly do this one justice as it sparkles and flares rainbows like a diamond-encrusted ring. My camera just can't translate the beauty into digital form. The best I could do was some intentionally blurry captures.

Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Duri Rejuvacote, one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener, two coats of Zoya Normani, one coat of A Toast to the Good Life, and one coat of Seche Vite. I chose to layer this, but I'm not sure I needed to. I think two coats on it's own would have been sufficient now that I've used it. This polish applies wonderfully. It dries surprisingly smooth, and I only needed a normal topcoat to finish it off.

Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life. Indoors, filtered sun light, no flash.

This polish was part of a limited-edition holiday collaboration set between Polished by KPT, Lacquer Lust, and Serum No. 5 for the 2014 holiday season and was given to me by my awesome parents. This is not available any longer, which is a shame. I'm sorry to be a tease! But take a look at some of their other offerings - my goodness some of those look incredible!

A Toast to the Good Life is my first Lacquer Lust polish, and I'm quite pleased with it. The logo is adorable too!

Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Dance Legend Be Mine

Hello!

Today's polish is Dance Legend Be Mine from the Mist Way collection.

Dance Legend Be Mine. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Be Mine is the softest lilac jelly with translucent gold flakies. This is so delicate and wonderful.

Dance Legend Be Mine. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Duri Rejuvacote, one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener, three coats of Be Mine topped with one coat of Seche Vite. This polish is rather sheer and will bald if not dry enough. It does need a little patience during application, but otherwise, a beautiful polish.

Dance Legend Be Mine. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I purchased my bottle from Llarowe.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: L'Oreal Sexy in Sequins

Hello!

I'm back with a few swatches this week finally! Here is one from L'Oreal's Hidden Gems Collection from fall of last year. This is Sexy in Sequins.

L'Oreal Sexy in Sequins. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Sexy in Sequins is a deep purple texture polish with small silver hex glitters (which show up purple on the nail from the purple-colored texture base tinting them). It also has the most incredible shimmer of any texture I think I have. It's got gold, orange, and purple shimmer bits that make this polish so interesting to wear.

L'Oreal Sexy in Sequins. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are simply two coats of Sexy in Sequins over a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote. Formula was not problematic, and application was a breeze.

L'Oreal Sexy in Sequins. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I am pretty sure I bought this at CVS back in Maryland well over a year ago now. It disappeared from shelves out there quickly, but I have actually seen the display here in the Midwest recently (at ShopKo, I think!). So, if you missed out on any of these, they are still out there, but by now, are probably pretty elusive. Good luck!

L'Oreal Sexy in Sequins. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Haul: December!

Hello!

Another year has nearly come to a close. I spent some time today reading through the last two years' worth of haul posts, and I'm glad to have them. As I read them, I remembered the days around those posts and they're perfect little snippets of the way every day life was at that point in time.

This year has seen a lot of change for us here outside of the blog, and, sadly, my posting has been neglected as a result. We made the big move from Maryland to Minnesota, I changed jobs, my husband went through a crazy five-month long 'ordeal' over whether or not he would get the job he's waited three years for (We basically put everything on hold until we new the answer, so we are very happy to report that he has accepted the position and finally started!), celebrated our one year anniversary, said goodbye to one of the best dogs anyone could ask for, and have just started the process of building our new home. It's been a roller coaster of a year. I am excited for 2015, and I hope that in the next year I will be able to pick back up to more frequent postings.

For now, here is December's haul!

First, Rainbow Honey's Mystery Bag for December included larger mini polishes, lotion, solid perfume, and a jumbo cuticle balm (not pictured because I gifted for Christmas).

RH's mini Mystery Bag for December.

Second, I received the holiday collaboration gift pack from Serum No. 5, Polished by KPT, and Lacquer Lust as a Christmas gift. This included three polishes, one from each brand represented that showcased the type of polish they are typically known for (For example, Polished by KPT is known for thermal polishes, which is the type of polish in this set.) and another product from each brand. Polished by KPT made a lavender salt soak, cuticle balm from Lacquer Lust, and a lip serum from Serum No. 5.

2014 Holiday Collaboration Set.

I was so excited about these polishes! They are so pretty! Here is a better shot of the three polishes, Serum No. 5 New You, Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life, and Polished by KPT Live the Night:

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Finally, I came across Sally Hansen High n' Dry in a clearance bin at Shopko. This is from the Insta-Dri line, which I've read is good for stamping, so we'll see if this one is as well.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

That's all for now!

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Two Weeks of Jamberry Christmas!

Hello! Merry Christmas! I hope you are enjoying the holidays!

I have two different looks to share with you today that I did while wearing some Jamberry nail wraps as accent nails.

The first, is this peppermint candy look I wore last week:

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I used Zoya Elisa and Orly Au Champagne here over my base coat of Duri Rejuvacote plus Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. I stamped the candies with Zoya Elisa and Bundle Monster plate BM-213. The candy cane stripes are nail wraps from Jamberry. I was a little sad to see that the red on the wrap was much more orange-toned than my polish, which made this one my least favorite of the two designs.

The second, is this festive little number I'm currently wearing:

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This mani features OPI The Color of Minnie over my basecoats, which is a punchier, brighter, and more orange red than Zoya Elisa. While it still doesn't match the red on the nail wrap perfectly, the colors do play nicer together. After that was topcoated and dry, I used one dabbed on coat of KBShimmer Kringle All the Way to add some sparkles to my middle finger and double-topcoated it smooth.

I hope your holiday is bright and cheery!

More soon I hope. ^_^

NOTW: Classy Christmas Skittle

Hello!

I'm excited to share these nails with you today! I absolutely love the burnished, rich colors.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote and then painted two coats of OPI Sleigh Ride for Two, the burgundy shimmer, and Zoya Hunter, the deep green creme. The gold glitter is Sinful Colors All About You, and the silver hex glitter is Essie Set In Stones. I stamped the various gold snowflakes with Orly Luxe from Bundle Monster plates, BM-323 and BM-H01, and then I added individual glitters picked out of Set in Stones. Two coats of topcoat followed that.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Nicely festive, yet not over the top.

More soon! ^_^

Copycat NOTW: Sweet and Cozy

Hello!

I wanted to share with you this sweet, cozy, wintry mani I've been wearing all this week. I was inspired by this pin.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with my base coats - Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. To that, I added two coats each of Sally Hansen Wet Cement, the light grey creme; Zoya London, the medium grey texture; and OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around, the greyed-out pink creme. Once dry, I embellished the look with delicate dots in Wet Cement and Konad Special Polish white over the Don't Bossa Nova Me Around on my middle finger, a snowman stamp from plate BM-318 over the Wet Cement on my pointer finger, one coat of OPI Muppets World Tour over the Wet Cement on my pinkie, and, finally, a clear rhinestone on my thumb. Everything but the textured polish got one coat of Seche Vite to finish.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I loved this look and got plenty of compliments on it.

More soon! ^_^

Haul: Catch Up - September, October, and November!

Hello!

So, life has been a bit crazy for me lately oscillating between some really happy and some really sad things for the last couple of months, and it's kept my attention focused elsewhere. I'm not sure when regular posts will be back, but I'm starting to pay more attention to the nail world again. ^_^ But, for today, let's play some catch up and take a peek at the little bit of hauling I've done since the last time.

I've been really keeping to a low-buy, partially due to life circumstances at the moment, but also because there hasn't been really anything new out lately that's really called to me.

September - Just Rainbow Honey's September bag:

Rainbow Honey September Mystery Bag - mini.

Here is October's:

Rainbow Honey October Mystery Bag - mini.

And, finally, November's:

Rainbow Honey November Mystery Bag - mini.

Along the way, I also picked up Orly Ablaze and Zoya Harlow:

Hopefully, more soon! ^_^

Copycat NOTW: Bat Swarm!

Why hello there!

Here's what I've been wearing this week! I was inspired by this pin.

Halloween Nail Art. 

I started with one coat of Duri Rejuvacote and one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. After that I used two coats of Color Club Fashion Addict sealed with one coat of Seche Vite. Once dry, I created a gradient with Color Club Fashion Addict and Wild at Heart. After another coat of Seche Vite, I used Konad Special Polish in Black to stamp my bat swarm from image plate, BM-H08. Everything was then topped with NYC In a New York Minute!

I've missed the blog -- if I can, I'll play some catch up with hauls and story-time this weekend. Life has been like a rollercoaster this past month leaving little time for nails. I'm a bit out of practice, so my right hand, pictured up there, turned out much better than my left. Even my nails have been in sorry condition lately, so I definitely need to refocus on moisturizing before we get back to swatches! Offda.

Hopefully, more soon! ^_^

NOTW: Luminous!

Hello!

This week's nails are a simple combination of OPI Don't Touch My Tutu and AEngland She Walks In Beauty. These were beyond gorgeous and full of light. I adored this look, and I definitely stared admiringly at my own hands quite often this week.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I feel like pictures don't do this justice - it looks very luminous and ethereal in person. I need to do swatches this weekend, but I don't want to take this polish off!

Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

I started with one coat each of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Then, I used three coats of OPI Don't Touch My Tutu. My middle finger, ring finger, and thumb each got one coat of AEngland She Walks In Beauty. I finished this off with one coat of Seche Vite.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Elevation Polish Stay Behind, Catch a Wave

Hello!!

Today's polish is a glitter topper from Elevation Polish. This is Stay Behind, Catch a Wave!

Elevation Polish Stay Behind, Catch a Wave. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Stay Behind, Catch a Wave has super shiny blue circles in two sizes, smaller satin blue circles, and iridescent flecks and shimmer. The metallic glitters are incredibly shiny, so shiny, in fact, that three people commented on that when I wore this out and about in one day. It's certainly eye-catching!

Elevation Polish Stay Behind, Catch a Wave. Indoors, artificial light, no flash. Those glitters are so shiny, they're reflecting my camer'a red exterior.

Swatches today are just one swiped on coat of Stay Behind, Catch a Wave over yesterday's OPI Toucan Do It If You Try swatch. I used two coats of topcoat for a smooth finish. I had no problems with this polish. I think one swiped coat provides a good amount of glitter, and it was easy to apply.

Elevation Polish Stay Behind, Catch a Wave. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Unfortunately, this lovely polish has been discontinued. I purchased my bottle over a year ago from Elevation Polish.

Elevation Polish Stay Behind, Catch a Wave. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: OPI Toucan Do It If You Try

Hello!!

I have OPI Toucan Do It If You Try swatched for today!

OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Toucan Do It If You Try is a very orange-leaning, coral creme. It's simple and bright.

OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Sinful Colors Base Coat, two coats of Toucan Do It If You Try, and one coat of NYC topcoat. This polish is fantastic. It applies nicely and is very pigmented. I've used it for stamping, and it does well.

OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

I purchased my bottle from Sally Beauty.

OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Powder Perfect Fading Tapestry

Hello!

Today's polish is another from Powder Perfect's Abandoned Mansion collection. This one is Fading Tapestry.

Powder Perfect Fading Tapestry. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Honestly, I wore this about a month ago, and I thought I'd posted it already. Guess not, so here it is!

Powder Perfect Fading Tapestry. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Fading Tapestry is a gorgeous red holo with gold flecks. It is saturated and bright. You can't really go wrong with this one any time of the year. It is beautiful!

Powder Perfect Fading Tapestry. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches today started with one coat of Duri Rejuvacote plus one coat of Sinful Colors nail hardener. Then, I used two coats of Fading Tapestry topped with one coat of Seche Vite. This went on really nicely, and I didn't have any problems with it at all.

Powder Perfect Fading Tapestry. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Like yesterday's polish, I purchased this bottle from Harlow & Co. So pretty!!

Powder Perfect Fading Tapestry. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Powder Perfect Widow's Walk

Hello!

Today's swatch is Powder Perfect Widow's Walk from the Abandoned Mansion collection.

Powder Perfect Widow's Walk. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Widow's Walk is a gorgeous, deep, saturated purple with holo shimmer. I was lemming this from the first swatch I saw!

Powder Perfect Widow's Walk. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Sinful Colors Base Coat, two coats of Widow's Walk, and one coat of NYC topcoat. Formula is nice on this polish. It glides on smoothly and covers evenly in two quick coats.

Powder Perfect Widow's Walk. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Powder Perfect is an Australian indie brand, so it was a little hard for me to find. I tried a few places with no luck (they only ship within Australia from their Etsy site, and a U.S.-based retailer I'd never heard of had website issues every time I attempted to buy this polish so I eventually gave up there). I ended up purchasing this bottle in a little haul from Harlow & Co where it was still in stock at the time of publishing this post!

Powder Perfect Widow's Walk. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Copycat NOTW: Turquoise Stone Nails

Hello!

This week, I was smacked in the face by this awesomeness from the Nailasaurus, and I absolutely had to try it out!

I started withbase coat - Duri Rejuvacote plus Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Then, two coats of China Glaze For Audrey, one coat of Zoya Gilty, and one coat of Seche Vite. Once dry, I used this tutorial's method for the black marbling.

I had some trouble with this method. Frustratingly, when I tested this over a bare nail, it worked perfectly the first time. By the time I had the rest of the mani done and dry, something must've changed, and the rest of this did not go as smoothly. I couldn't get the polish to spread out in the water, and once I did (by switching to a cheaper, thinner black), then it wouldn't do anything when spritzed. I ended up settling on Sally Hansen Black Out for my polish and a sample perfume for my spritzer. My little nail polish corner got mighty smelly, and I'm not sure I ever want to smell that perfume again!

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: OPI Magazine Cover Mouse

Hello!

This is OPI Magazine Cover Mouse!

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Magazine Cover Mouse is a saturated red texture polish with a heavy gold and pink shimmer. It's gorgeous! It does give off a Christmas-y feel though.

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today started with one coat of Duri Rejuvacote and one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. After that, I applied two easy coats of Magazine Cover Mouse and was on my way. I had no problems with this polish, and one coat was almost enough.

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse. Indoors, natural light, no flash.

I found my bottle dusty-hunting at K-mart recently.

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^