NOTW: Ready for Fall with Cozy Plaid!

Hello!

This week's mani was definitely ready for Fall! I used two coats of Powder Perfect Widow's Walk on my thumb, pointer, and pinkie. My middle and ring fingers got three coats of Sally Hansen Big Smoky topcoat before I stamped the plaid image from Konad plate m60 with Konad Special Polish in Black. I used one coat of Seche Vite over everything to complete my cozy look!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Even though temperatures this summer have been really quite nice and mild, I am definitely ready for fall and snow! I'm so glad to be back in Minnesota--here's to a proper winter! I've missed it!

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: OPI Black Shatter

Hello!

I picked up OPI Black Shatter a long time ago, and now it's turn on the blog has finally come.

OPI Black Shatter. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Black Shatter is exactly that - a black, shatter effect polish. I'm not super in love with shatter/crackle polish, so I usually only whip this baby out around Halloween. For some reason, it has an eerie feel to me.

OPI Black Shatter. Indoors, artificial light, no flash (natural finish).

Swatches today are one thin coat of Black Shatter over yesterday's Sally Hansen Lava swatch, which I thought worked out nicely. In the above picture, I left the natural finish, and the rest have the combination topped with NYC In a New York Minute. Depending on how you apply this, you can get different shatter patterns. A thin application will look like my swatches -- with thin shatter lines. Use a thicker coat, and it will look more like the design on the cap, which you can start to see on my ring finger where I used a bit more polish. This is easy to use, but you do need to be quick since it will crackle as it dries, and it dries pretty fast.

OPI Black Shatter. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I really don't remember where my bottle came from, but I have seen it recently for sale in the independent salon I go to.

OPI Black Shatter. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: China Glaze Bat My Eyes

Hello!

This is China Glaze Bat My Eyes from 2013's Halloween Collection, Monster's Ball.

China Glaze Bat My Eyes. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Bat My Eyes is a fun mix of burnished gold glitters in a black jelly base. There are tiny, extra small, and small hex glitters, plus a sparse sprinkling of iridescent bar glitter. It makes for a dark and intriguing polish.

China Glaze Bat My Eyes. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one coat of Sinful Colors Base Coat, two coats of Mat My Eyes, one coat of Gelous, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. The formula here is a little thick, so thicker coats are necessary. I dabbed on my first coat and found that if it wasn't dry, the second coat caused some balding. But, I only needed two coats total for this look today.

China Glaze Bat My Eyes. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I'm loving the complexity and tone of Bat My Eyes. I do think I might like it layered even better, but either way it's unique and marvelous!

I purchased my bottle directly from Sally's when this collection was new, however, Head2Toe Beauty still has it available.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Essence Jacob's Protection

Hello!

Today's polish is Jacob's Protection from Essence.

Essence Jacob's Protection. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Jacob's Protection was a part of what I assume was a special edition collection for the second Twilight movie (third? I didn't fall victim to that particular craze.). It is a black jelly base loaded with shimmer. It's either iridescent shimmer that flashes blue, purple, and green or a mix of shimmers in those colors. It's hard to tell, but either way, it's really pretty.

Essence Jacob's Protection. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are a base coat of Seche Clear, two coats of Jacob's Protection, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. I didn't have any problems with the formula, but I hate the brush! It's wide and flat, and I found it a bit difficult to use with precision.

Essence Jacob's Protection. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

So, I actually ended up wearing this one for our out-of-town trip last weekend. This swatch was so gorgeous, I couldn't wait to get this back on my nails. I was in a rush to do that mani before we left and must've used thicker coats than I did here. I think because of that is why this fell completely flat and dull on the nail. I was so mad and disappointed! I was stuck with what looked like pitted black polish on my nails all weekend instead of the glowing, navy sparkle-fest I was expecting! So, make sure you use a final thin coat to get this look!

I purchased this bottle a long while ago at Ulta. I doubt you can still find this one... sorry!

Essence Jacob's Protection. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Copycat Tape Mani for New Year's!

Hello! I hope you all had a fantastic New Year's Eve! My blogging resolution this year is to finish the Stash Swatch Initiative, so to meet that goal faster, I'm going to try to post more than four swatches each week!

But for today, here's what I've been wearing this week.

NYE Tape Mani. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I've been wearing the super sparkly Color Club Magic Attraction since I swatched it for Tuesday's post. For New Year's Eve, I dressed it up a bit with this tape mani Sammy at The Nailasaurus did awhile back. I thought this look was so simple and gorgeous - I had to try it for myself!

NYE Tape Mani. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I used striping tape and Cult Nails Nevermore, a black rhinestone, plus a coat of NYC In a New York Minute to finish the look.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Dovima

Hello!

The Zoya Matte Velvets returned for a short time at the end of November, one of my picks is the lovely, Dovima.

Zoya Dovima. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Dovima is a matte black polish with a hint of shimmer.

Zoya Dovima. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are just three coats of Dovima. This polish is surprisingly sheer. It dries quickly, but streaky on the first coat. I needed three coats to even it out. Dovima will show any imperfections on the nail, from ridges to fuzzies!

Zoya Dovima. Indoors, filtered sunlight (window), no flash.

I added topcoat to this and whoa! I think I like it better shiny! It has a fine, gorgeous shimmer that flashes teal and purple. With this finish, Dovima is eye-catching.

Zoya Dovima. Indoors, filtered sunlight (window), no flash.

I purchased this bottle, along with two others, directly from Zoya's website. Unfortunately, if you missed them, they're sold out already. Zoya is really great about interacting with customers and announcing new collections and promos via their social media -- follow them and you'll know beforehand if these ever make a third return!

Zoya Dovima. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Maybelline Clearly Spotted

Hello!

Quick swatch post today for Maybelline's Clearly Spotted.

Maybelline Clearly Spotted over Model's Own Pink Punch. Indoors, artificial light, no flash. What a snazzy bottle!

Clearly Spotted is a black and white glitter topper in a clear base. There are small and medium white hexes, and tiny, small, and large black hexes. This provides the perfect glitter coverage with one coat.

Maybelline Clearly Spotted over Model's Own Pink Punch. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are one swiped on coat of Clearly Spotted over yesterday's Model's Own Pink Punch swatch plus one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. This polish is easy to apply. The formula is great, and all you need is one coat.

Maybelline Clearly Spotted over Model's Own Pink Punch. Indoors, artificial light, no flash. I loved this combination with a matte finish!

I snagged this a few months ago during a shopping trip at Target. I think I've seen this collection around at places like CVS and Walgreens too,

Maybelline Clearly Spotted over Model's Own Pink Punch. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Cult Nails Nevermore

Hello!

A quick post today for Cult Nails Nevermore!

Cult Nails Nevermore. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Nevermore is a basic, black creme, but it is a fantastic black creme. The formula on this is superb. It self-levels perfectly. Swatches today are a base of Duri Rejuvacote, one coat of Nevermore, and one coat of Seche Vite. One coat! This is by far the best black polish I've tried. It is opaque and creamy and applies without streaking. I'd have to say the exact opposite of my other black polish, Sally Hansen Black Out.

Cult Nails Nevermore. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

We all need a black creme, and Cult Nails Nevermore is THE black polish to have. I purchased mine recently from their store.

Cult Nails Nevermore. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Color Club Revvvolution

Hello!

Quick post to show you and oldie but goodie. This is Color Club Revvvolution.

Color Club Revvvolution. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Revvvolution is a near-black, charcoal polish loaded up with fine holographic shimmer. It does produce a slight linear effect out in direct sunlight.

Color Club Revvvolution. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches today are a base of Seche Clear, two coats of Revvvolution, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute fast dry top coat. Formula is quite nice. It is well pigmented and applies easily.

Color Club Revvvolution. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I'm pretty sure I snagged this from Head2Toe Beauty, where it is still available.

Color Club Revvvolution. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Storm

Hello!

This is Zoya Storm!

Zoya Storm. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I've been meaning to swatch this beauty forever! Storm is a gorgeous black jelly with scattered holo flecks.

Zoya Storm. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches today are a base coat of Seche Clear, two coats of Storm, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. As usual for Zoya, this has a great, no-issue formula.

Zoya Storm. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I love how this has a nice holo effect, but the base polish is a deep, true black.

Zoya Storm. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

I bought this bottle directly from Zoya.

Zoya Storm. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: China Glaze Smoke & Ashes

Hello!

Today I have a quick post on China Glaze's Smoke & Ashes from last year's Colours from the Capitol Collection.

China Glaze Smoke & Ashes. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Smoke & Ashes is a black polish packed with green glass fleck. This one is a bit tricky. The first time I wore it, it just looked like a black creme. No pretty green flash showed up. I don't know what I did differently this time, but the green flash showed up beautifully! It was hard to capture on camera, but in person, it was quite apparent.

China Glaze Smoke & Ashes. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Swatches today are a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, two thick coats of Smoke & Ashes, and one coat of Seche Vite. No issues with the formula.

China Glaze Smoke & Ashes. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

If you're after this black polish with a unique twist, Head2Toe Beauty still stocks it! I'm pretty sure I bought this bottle from Sally's when the collection was newly released.

China Glaze Smoke & Ashes. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Pink and Black Skittles

Hello!

Here's what I had on my nails all of last week. It wore like iron!

So, this crazy mess of a mani started with a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote and two coats of China Glaze Smoke & Ashes finished off with one coat of Seche Vite. To my pointer and pinkie, I stuck on some heart shaped plastic chits from a nail art wheel and topped those off with one coat of INM Northern Lights. My middle finger got one lovely coat of Elevation Polish Daisen topped off with the usual, Gelous plus Seche Vite. Thumb got the same treatment but with Dollish Polish Crystal Empire. Finally, my ring finger got stamped with the starts from BM-14 using Pure Ice Gossip, which then got some Northern Lights love as well.

Aren't those two glitters awesome?! If you want Daisen, get it now. Elevation Polish announced Daisen, along with Stay Behind, Catch A Wave, will be retired in September. Check 'em out here!

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: China Glaze Stone Cold

Hello! 

China Glaze Stone Cold. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Quick post today! This is China Glaze Stone Cold.

China Glaze Stone Cold. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Stone Cold came out in March of 2012, I believe, as part of the Capitol Colours collection. This one is a matte polish, and that's what made it a "must have" for me. 

Swatches today are a base of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener and two coats of Stone Cold. No issues with the formula. As with most mattes, it dries super quick, but it doesn't last long. I only got about 24 hours out of this mani before it started chipping. 

China Glaze Stone Cold. Outdoors, natural light, no flash.

The matte black has some silver shimmer, which gives an overall charcoal appearance on the nail. It's an edgy look, and I love it! 

China Glaze Stone Cold. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Wet n' Wild Night Prowl

Hello again!!

Just a quickie post to show you Wet n' Wild Night Prowl.

Wet n' Wild Night Prowl. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is a black jelly with a ton of purple micro-glitter. Swatches are a base of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener, three coats of Night Prowl, one coat of Seche Vite, and one coat of NYC In a New York Minute Fastdry Topcoat.

Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

I needed three coats to get this even. It was a little patchy still at two coats. Due to all that glitter, this dries gritty and necessitated two coats of topcoat to get smooth. Small issues aside, I think it's worth it. This is a great dark, brooding polish--perfect for Halloween, which was when I had this one on.

Wet n' Wild Night Prowl. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

From pictures around the internets, I'm thinking this might be close to AEngland's new polish, Ophelia, but I don't have that one to compare it to. What do you think? Potential dupes? For less than $1 (got mine on sale for 70 cents!), is this close enough for you? I think it is for me!

I found mine at Walgreens! Happy hunting if you're looking to try it out!

Wet n' Wild Night Prowl. Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

More soon!! ^_^

"This is Halloween" Nail Art Challenge: Graveyard

Hello again!! Ugh, Monday!

Today's "This Is Halloween" Nail Art Challenge prompt is"Graveyard".

I had such high hopes for this mani. I had envisioned a neat outline manicure, but alas, my nail art skills are lacking. It's pretty terrible, definitely not my best work.

Tombstone Nails. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with my go-to base of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Then I used one thick coat of Sally Hansen Wet Cement. At one coat, it was still a bit uneven, but I was going to layer it up anyway. Once this was dry, I used a corner of a make-up sponge with Sally Hansen Grey Area to sponge a marbled look onto my nails. I then used Butter London's Matte topcoat to give this a stone look. Once that was good and dry, I used Sally Hansen Black Out with a nail art brush to outline my nails and create a french tip. I was hoping the leftover grey would look like tombstones.

I then used Bundle Monster plates BM-01 and BM-13 for the crosses and "words" (Let's just pretend they say things like "RIP" I was really not up to writing on my nails with a brush lol).

Here's the final look. Messy, but maybe you can tell where I was going with this?

Tombstone Nails, Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

 See what the others did below!



More soon!! ^_^