OPI How Great is your Dane and foil stamping

Hi all,

I can't believe it's been a full two months since I've last posted anything. I've only just checked my blog email account for the first time too.  Even my actual digits are feeling neglected, barely getting re-done every week.

I still have a monster back-log of manicures to post that need editing etc etc, and since moving in with my boyfriend I feel like majority of the photos have been taken on my iPhone so the quality isn't great.

Maybe some time this year when we've moved house, have gotten settled and have a little Frenchie pup I'll manage to catch up with everything and start fresh!

Until then, here's some wintery nails which I think are from September October time, when I had started growing my nails into a long almond shape, but after a bad break after much filing/growing/care I soon went back to the usual, and easy square shape.

Base Coat: CND Stickey

Base Colour: OPI - How Great is your Dane

Stamping Colours: Barry M - Gold Foil, Revlon - Copper Penny

Image Plate: Moyou Bridal number unknown

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails 

And here's a swatch of the lovely How Great is your Dane:

It usually takes a lot for me to love a brown, and this shade ticks every box.

Until next time!

Green Jelly and Hot Pink Chrome Stamping...

Hi guys, every time I post these days I feel like somewhere in the text is an apology!

I don't want to be one of those people who's full of false promises, or always saying I'm planning to do certain things by a certain time.  I'm doing my best. The truth is, my love for blogging and nail art just isn't the same.  Don't get me wrong, I still love sharing what I've done with my nails, and I've even bought some new stamping plates recently.  However, as life is a mushy haze of work, driving lessons, gym (no matter how short my visit :P) and people I love, the effort I put into my nails comes after that.

At the moment I'm actually letting my nails grow slightly, and they're oval/round rather than the mostly natural square they grow in.  I'm debating going for slightly more of an almond shape in a week or so too.

Anyhoo... onto the nails rather than the tiny rants.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Barry M - Watermelon#

Stamping Colour: NYC - Foil'er Up

Image Plate: Cheeky Jumbo Viva Mexico

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

So this was a little bit of an odd combination, and I'm not 100% how it came about as this was about two months back now.  I think it may have came from not owning many stamping polishes other than chromes that can stamp over dark colours.   Now, Barry M - Watermelon is not the darkest, but it is a very strong bold colour.  I think NYC - Foil'er Up sort of works.  Sort of.

Here's a swatch shot of Watermelon in case I haven't shown one before.  Lovely Deep Green that's almost muted.

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend. Mine was another lazy one, snugged up in bed or the sofa watching TV. Bliss.

Orange & Purple Gradient with Black Stamping

Hi guys,

Two posts in the same week (sort of) what's going on?! I think I may have slightly gotten back into the swing of editing photos & posting, still not back into the swing of looking at other people blogs and feeling inspired, but it's a start.

Today I have an orange to purple gradient stamped with BYS - Black Satin and Bundle Monster BM404.  I really enjoy doing gradients like this with a creme and a fleck shimmer polish.

Base coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colours: 2true - Mila & Sally Hansen - Pink Force

Stamping Colour: BYS - Black Satin

Image Plate: Bundle Monster BM404

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

And here's a pic of the base with a flash:

Hope you're all having a good week so far, hopefully I'll have some more nails for you this coming weekend.

Nude & Navy

Hi all.

It's been quite some time now since I've last posted, been doing a lot a lot of stuff, and haven't had much time for chilling or blogging, nor the energy.  Some of the highlights from the last month of no-posting: I've started to take driving lessons, and I experienced my first ever festival, so no apologies from me!

Today we have some nails I did back in Easter.  These were done using the Holiday Plates from Bundle Monster, and these are actually Easter egg designs, but as my nails are small, and the images quite large it's pretty easy to just see these as a pattern.

I started with two coats of Barry M - Vanilla on the ring and thumb, and two of Barry M - Blackberry. From the few polishes I own from the Gelly line which Blackberry hails from I bloomin' love them, their opacity and formula are really great.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colours: Barry M - Vanilla & Blackberry

Stamping Colours: Barry M - Vanilla & Blackberry

Image Plate: Bundle Monster BMH10

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

The lighting at work really shows the true navy beauty that is Blackberry. Here's the base before stamping:

Hope you've all had a good weekend so far :]

Lovehearts

Hi guys,

I know it's been a while, but to tell you the truth I've been doing some thinking recently about maybe just posting things on my instagram account instead of keeping this blog.  I'm doing an exceptionally bad job of being part of the blogging community these days, which is very sad, but it seems to be just how it's happened.  I haven't fully decided, and I still have a huge backlog of photos, and i'm still continuing to do my nails, but these days I'm just not into it as much as I used to be.  I blame the fact I'm a lot more sociable than I used to be, but when I decide what I'm doing I'll post about it.

Today we have my nails I wore for Valentines Day.  I've never been one to really celebrate Valentines Day, always just using it as an excuse to definitely do something with the person I care about.  Last year was a solo one for me, and although this year I had a partner for it, it was considerably worse than being alone haha; but that's another story!

Less ranting, more photos:

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Liz Earle - Knockout

Stamping Colour: Konad Special White

Image Plate: Bundle Monster Holiday Collection BMH16

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

Matte: Rimmel - Matte Effect

This lovely polish was actually part of a present that I received at Christmas from one of the Psychologists that I work with, so thank you Dorothy =]

This was my first time trying any Liz Earle products, and was very pleasantly surprised at the formula on this very creamy polish, two coats and it was perfect coverage, which for some reds (and my nails) is hard to come by as I have a slight dip in my nails where the free edge begins, and reds tend to make that obvious for some reason.

I'll be posting more soon. Hope you all have a good weekend :]

Red & Gold Aztec Using Bundle Monster

Hi all,

I thought I was going to have a load of time this weekend to blog, but as it turns out, loads of plans occurred, and I've only just had time to do my nails/blog tonight (Monday).

These are some nails I did quite a while ago, as are most of my mani's so far this year.  These were some quickie nails midweek at some point back in January.  Orly - Naughty is a really lovely super dark red polish, it dried really well, but after stamping with Barry M - Gold Foil and adding a top coat, it pulled through some of the colour and made some of the stamping look pink-ish.  I had heard of this before, but never actually experienced it.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Orly - Naughty

Stamping Colour: Barry M - Gold Foil

Image Plate: Bundle Monster BM410

Top Coat: Sally Hansen - Advanced Hard As Nails

Interview Nails, Barry M Vanilla & White Stamping

Hi all,

Yay Wednesday. I say yay as It's a four day week for me, with a four day weekend, followed by another short week, and yet another long weekend! Thank eff for Bank Holidays!

I'm still working through a backlog of manicures I've done over the last four months, and today is the turn of the nails I wore for my interview at the end of January. Interviews are one of those lovely times I do a nude or peach base with subtle stamping. This isn't because I don't like the combo, but I'm such a fan of bold manis. Oddly enough as I already knew the people I was being interviewed by, and they both love nail art themselves (now!) I still chose to do a nude to go with my outfit.

On to the pics:

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Barry M - Vanilla

Glitter: Nails Inc - Electric Lane

Stamping Colour: Konad Special White

Image Plate: Bundle Monster BM419

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

Everytime I look at this particular stamp all I want to do is stamp it in a blue over white and have china nails!

Please excuse the dry hands, Winter was taking it's toll on me! Hope you've all had a good week so far :]

Born Pretty Foil Review

Hi all.

Hope you've all had a good weekend, I've had a pretty decent one so far, and I'm planning on doing a massive spring clean of my clothes and shoes this evening so I'm sure I'll be feeling marvelous when there's less clutter.

Today I have my first ever experience with nail foils. I was contacted recently by the Born Pretty Store and I decided It was time to finally try nail foils. I was sent numbers 76, and 1, and these can be found here, there's so many designs to choose from though, so good luck trying to pick!

Now, I'm not saying I'll never try foils again, but I had such a hard time with the timing of waiting for the polish to be tacky, but not too wet.  Trying to get the holographic part of the foils to show through was also quite a tough task, and although the nails below were my second attempt at using foils (the first attempt at these was so bad I didn't even take pictures), you can still only see the holo part on the ring finger.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Barry M - Blackberry

Foils: Born Pretty Store

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

So although I struggled with these, and really struggled with the other colour I tried I love the effect nail foils can give.

If you're interested in any of these foils, or any other products the Born Pretty Store offer use coupon code DS5X31 for 10% off.

**These nail foils were sent to me for review**

Ciaté - Loop the Loop & Bronze Stamping

Hi all,

Today I have a really simple mani, really simple stamping, that as always looked better in person.  This was actually my first ever Ciaté polish and I really loved the formula, though as it's a mini, I disliked the brush.  A thank you goes out to one of my managers for getting this for me for a little christmas pressie :] I also got a Ciaté christmas mix glitter (can't remember the name now).

On to the mani:

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Ciaté - Loop the Loop

Stamping Colour: Revlon - Cooper Chrome

Image Plate: Bundle Monster BM410

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

Sadly I forgot to take any swatch shots, but it's a gorgeous creamy pastel yellow. I'll definitely be using this again soon as the Spring weather is making me excited for sunny days!

I really love this image too, I think I may use it next time over a tie-dye type base so it shows through the "arrow head" like space.

That's all from me today, hope you've all had a good weekend :]

Gradient and Aztec stamping with Cheeky Viva Mexico

Hi guys, hope you've all had a good weekend, I've not had the most productive but I thought that after a very stressful two weeks worrying about the interview I mentioned in last post I thought a long chilled weekend was the best call.  Especially as I've been in a particularly good mood as I totally nailed the interview =D so after I write this post I'm going to watch a film and maybe colour in, carry on the chilling.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colours: Cliché - Opala, Alessandro international - Pomegranate

Glitter: Essence - Space Queen

Stamping Colour: Konad White

Image Plate: Cheeky Viva Mexico

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

 

Not the best quality pics as these were taken on my phone, but you get the idea :] Here's a picture of the base pre-stamp:

Purple - 49 & W7- Mauve Suede Cheeky Stamping

Hi all, happy Wednesday yayyy. This means I have today, and interview tomorrow and then a couple of days off :D Happy days!

Today I have some simple stamping for you. I love stamping with a polish like W7 - Mauve Suede over a creme, I love the little flecks of silver shining in the stamping.

The base is a polish brand called Purple Professional, and this particular polish is shade 49, which is a very very fair lilac. I then stamped it with W7 - Mauve Suede and Cheeky plate CH44 and added a top coat.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Purple Professional - 49

Stamping Colour: W7 - Mauve Suede

Image Plate: Cheeky CH44

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

 

Above is three thin coats. no top coat.

Hope you've all ha a good week so far :]

Candy Coloured Splatter With Skull Stamping

Hi all.

How's everyone doing this murky Sunday? I'm particularly gloomy, and still feeling rough with this horrid cold, but I'm going to try and be productive and maybe even get some Christmas themed nails done later!

This mani is something I did back in August, and I loved these, quite a lot. I'm a little obsessed with the using the method of using the rough side of a sponge to "splatter" colours on for a base before stamping.

The base colours for this mani were all from the Nicole by OPI Selena Gomez range. I used Selena, Love Song and Pretty In Plum, and used Konad White and the Cheeky Viva Mexico Plate for stamping.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Nicole by OPI - Selena

Splatter Colours: Nicole by OPI - Pretty In Plum, Love Song

Stamping Colour: Konad White

Image Plate: Cheeky Viva Mexico

Top coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

 Here's the splatter mani:

And here's a picture of the pretty Selena

I think I'm gonna settle myself in bed with some nail supplies and a film and see what I come up with! Hope you've all had a good weekend.

NOPI - Love Song & Barry M - Gold Foil Stamping

Hi all, happy Monday, can you believe there's only just over two weeks left until Christmas?!

I'm hoping I may get the chance to post some festive manicures before Christmas rolls around but I don't hold high hopes - so I may not even do any, and how crazy is that?!

Today I have a little post showing the lovely NOPI - Love Song with some stamping from the Viva Mexico Cheeky Plate using Barry M - Gold Foil.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Nicole by OPI - Love Song (Selena Gomez collection)

Stamping Colour: Barry M - Gold Foil

Image Plate: Cheeky Viva Mexico

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

And here's a swatch shot of Love Song.  It's a really gorgeous Lilac shade, with very slight shimmer, which is mainly hidden on the nail but it definitely lightens up the whole thing.

Hope you've all had a good Monday so far.  I think by the time this posts I will be setting up the Christmas tree in the office :]

*This NOPI polish was sent to me for consideration of review*

Nautical Mix Up - Double Stamp - We Stamp On Sundays

Hey all :]

Happy Tuesday woooo! Not really woo, but I've only got a four day week so i'm looking forward to that.

I almost feel like these shouldn't really have been posted as part of the Double Stamping challenge by Adventures in stamping. Again my stamping is so subtle it almost totally fails!

The other part of the challenge was to do something called shadow stamping, where you stamp in one colour, and stamp in another over slightly to the side to create a shadow effect. I did try this, with each different image but it just really didn't work out!

That being said I really love these, I'm going to be so sad when they start to chip. I also feel like it's been quite a while since I've done a really lovely mix up/pick n mix/skittles mani.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Models Own - Blueberry Muffin

Thumb: Glitter

Stamping Colours: W7 - Suede, George - Boom, Jacava - Passion, BYS - Black Satin, Cliché - Opala

Stamping Plates: Cheeky CH36 Ch49, Bundle Monster BM312

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

Here's the glitter in the shade.. this is in the shade people!!!

Below are 5 little vials of glitter that my friend gave me, so far I've done a full mani with the blue glitter and freaking loved it, and for this mani I used the second from the left.

Here's what I used:

And that's from me until next time!

Matte Aqua & Gold Nautical

Hi all, happy Wednesday yayy, half way though the week already :]

Quick post today, cause I've been busy this past weekend, and also extremely lazy when I wasn't busy opting to laze in the sun and listen to music, and even take some hangover naps!

The base is W7 - Aqua Suede is a gorgeous matte polish from the same line as Night Suede. There's a few other colours from this range, a purple, gold, silver and bronze I believe. I'm tempted to try them all as the formula is pretty amazeballs. If I don't try the rest I'm definitely going to try and pick up another Night Suede, as I've been using this on everything.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: W7 - Aqua Suede

Stamping Colour: Barry M - Gold Foil

Image Plate: Cheeky CH49

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

And here's some swatchy swatches

 These are two coats, no top coat, the flash washes out the colour a little.

Barry M - Lychee - Grey and Aqua Horses & Cowboys

Hi all. Happy Monday :]

Barry M - Lychee is a polish I was lusting after for a while, but every time I'd call in to a shop to see if they had it, nowhere did. Until a few weeks ago when I called into Boots on the morning before work to pick up some lunch. Since then I must have used it about 4 times already. I love it. The formula's so so nice, and the colour (although it doesn't really look it in the pictures) is quite a nice nude for me.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour: Barry M - Lychee

Stamp Colours: W7 - Night Suede & Aqua Suede

Image Plate: Cheeky CH34

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

Such a pretty nude!

When I first bought the Cheeky plate set I thought this was a really cute image, but wearing these I totally fell it love with it. From afar it looks like some sort of dog tooth pattern, and then when you stop and look you see that it's actually horses with cowboys. Well I say cowboys cause that's what I want them to be, but they're probably just jockeys.

Have a good day ^-^

Cliche - Maldivas & Psyche Pink UFO Stamping

Hi hi all. So Happy It's Friday.

Although I'm currently back to half time at work I'm really looking forward to this weekend as getting things sorted for my new contract for work have been a little stressful this week, and it should be sorted after today, so looking forward to chilling!

I have a little bit of a odd combo today. Cliché - Maldivas is a lovely Orange creme that looks a little peachy in certain lights. The formula isn't that great though, still having visible nail line after two medium coats. I decided to pair it with Konad Special Polish in Psyche Pink, which made the stamping hard to see from afar, but the shimmer against the creme was really pretty. And the bright colour combination really perked me up a bit when I wore this a few weeks back.



Base coat CND - Stickey
Base Colour: Cliché - Maldivas
Stamping Colour: Konad Special Polish - Psyche Pink
Image Plate: Cheeky CH46
Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

 

Looking at these kind of photos, where all I have is overcast light giving me a corpse look, or using crazy flash it makes me so so happy that I'm actually starting to get daylight before and after work. It's even been sunny the past few days!

Hopefully by the time Autumn and Winter roll around this year I'll be prepared and have a light box all set up!

Have a great weekend ^-^

Purple and Gold Matte Bananas

Hi all, happy Wednesday.

By the time this posts I'll be on my way home, to the cinema, or to finally get the new piercing I want!

These were kind of a pleasant surprise, I'd done the base coat and the glitter to just wear for work, and then after work I was going through my Cheeky plates trying to see which ones weren't working and I decided to stamp with Barry M - Gold Foil, with these really cute bananas.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey

Base Colour:  Miss Sporty - Fatal Plum

Glitter: LA Colors - Sassy Sparkle

Stamp Colour: Barry M - Gold Foil

Image Plate: Cheeky CH42

Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

Matte: Rimmel - Matte Finish

Here's it with a top coat:

And here's a shot of the pretty glitter in action.

Unfortunately the glitter was super gloopy, so I had to thin it out loads before use, and that's all from me today :]

White Dogtooth over Multicoloured base

Hi all. Happy Wednesday. I say that knowing that there's only one and half days left to work! Can't wait for a little break!

Today I have some more "sandwich bag" method where you dab colours onto your nail and use plastic to gently mix the colours. Unfortunately for me, I didn't re watch the video, or do any googling before I tried this, and I actually mixed the colours on the plastic, and then transferred to the nail, which seems a lot messier than the original idea. After trying this method out for these nails I wanted to do a more purple and teal mix.

Base Coat: CND - Stickey
Base Colour: Rimmel White
Other Colours: Sally Hansen - Fairy Teal, Color Club - Hydrangea Kiss, Beauty UK - Jelly Bean & W7 - Pink
Image Plate: Konad M65
Stamping Colour: Konad Special White
Top Coat: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails

 And here's the base before stamping.

I like the way these turned out, so I'm going to try it again, perhaps even the "right" way so I don't get covered in excess polish!

Have a good day!