Nail Art - Multi Coloured Polka Dot Manicure

Hello! I wanted to share with you another nail art post.... polka dots! I think this manicure is so fun and versatile, you could have multi coloured dots on a colourful background for a fun, easy-going look like I had, or gold dots on a neutral beige base for a more simple, elegant, office appropriate look. So versatile, you could easily change and switch the colours for your preferences and create a totally different style. I do have to give credit for MissJenFABULOUS on YouTube, she has a tutorial on her called "Cute and Easy Polka Dot Manicures". I used her third design in the video,  I've also done her second design, I will also post that in the near future. 

I created this design starting with Essie Fiji as my base. Then, I used Essie Fifth Avenue, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Lickety-Split Lime, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Blue-Away, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Pronto Purple, and Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Terracotta. After placing my dots how MissJenFABULOUS showed, I decided I wanted a little bling, so I added OPI Which is Witch on two or three of the dots on each nail. The extra sparkle really pulled the manicure together and gave it more of a nail applique (a.k.a nail sticker) look. Awesome! Let's get on with the manicure...

Left to Right: OPI Which is Witch, Essie Fiji (Base), Essie Fifth Avenue, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Lickety-Split Lime, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Blue-Away, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Pronto Purple, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Terracotta

What I used:

Base Coat: 1 coat of Pro FX Epoxy Bond Base Coat
Polish: 2 coats of Essie Fiji as base, 1 coat each of polishes used for polka dots
Top Coat: 1 coat of INM Out the Door Dry Fast Top Coat

I think this design is perfect for summer, but you can easily switch the colours I used for this design for darker colours during the autumn and winter. Thank you for reading and have a great day!

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Swatch and Review - OPI Smok'n In Havana

Happy Sunday! Today I'll be showing you an older OPI polish in my collection, Smok'n In Havana. After reading other blogs about this polish (credit to "The Daily Varnish), it originally came out in the 1996 Caribbean Collection. I don't think the polish I have is from 1996 because considering the bottle I have has a green label, which only newer bottles have, I think my bottle of Smok'n in Havana is a re-release of the discontinued polish. Smok'n in Havana is a medium-dark red polish with a strong gold shimmer. It's very pretty, kind of reminds me of red velvet when it's dry. This is also going to be my first post showing my nails, the previous posts have been my mom's nails, so, enjoy!

Natural sunlight

Indoors with a artificial lighting

Indoors with artificial lighting

Natural sunlight

What I used:

Base Coat: 1 coat of Pro-FX Epoxy Bond Base Coat (review coming soon)
Polish: 2 coats of OPI Smok'n In Havana
Top Coat: 1 coat of OPI RapiDry Top Coat

This polish is very pretty, but I do have to comment on the wear time. I'm not sure if it was the polish itself, or something that I did during application, but it chipped within 24 hours of application. Usually, polish will last anywhere from 3 days (72 hours) to 6 days, without chipping and little tipwear. Some polishes may last even longer than that, but I usually change my polish anyways because of new nail growth. This polish chipped and showed tipwear soon after application. That's just something to keep in mind if you are looking for a long-wearing red polish.

He's back! For your information, he is under his favourite blanket, for some reason, he really likes to sleep under the covers! Smile! More eye candy coming soon!

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Nail Art - Pink Piggies

Hi! Today I'll be showing you some piggy nail art. I'll come up with a tutorial in the near future. I think they are so, so cute, every time I look at them, I can't help but smile. So adorable and fun!

What I used:

Base Coat: 1 coat of Pro FX Epoxy Bond Base Coat
Polish: 2 coats of OPI Don't Talk Bach to Me (base), 1 coat of Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Posh Pink (nose and ears), 1 coat of Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Black Satin (eyes), 2 coats of L'oreal Penthouse Pink (head), and 1 coat of OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls (eyes)
Top Coat: 1 coat of INM Out the Door Dry Fast Top Coat

Have fun! 

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Swatch and Review - OPI Jinx & OPI Tiffany Case

Hello! Today I'll be showing two polishes from OPI's new Liquid Sand summer collection, Jinx and Tiffany Case. The Liquid Sand polishes are textured polishes that dry matte and clumpy, and they feel sandy and rough. Jinx is a lovely, shimmering coral red. Tiffany Case is a medium sky blue, with blue hexagon glitters a similar, if not identical colour to the polish. Both polishes applied very smoothly, better than I expected, not one bit chunky or gritty. Removal was also easier than I expected, a bit longer than a cream polish but much simpler than a glitter polish, no foil method needed! On with the photos!

What I used: 

Base Coat: 1 coat of Pro FX Epoxy Bond Base Coat
Polish: 2 coats of OPI Jinx and 2 coats of OPI Tiffany Case (accent nail)
Top Coat: None, it's a Liquid Sand!

I will post more swatches of the remaining polishes in this collection soon, they're all so pretty! Enjoy!

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Swatch and Review - OPI Y'all Come Back Ya Hear?

Hi! Happy Tuesday! Today I'll be doing a swatch and review of Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? from the 2011 Texas Collection of OPI. Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? is a sheer medium orange, or as OPI calls them, a jelly polish. "Jellies" are sheer polishes that build up opacity nicely, though they will never be fully opaque no matter how many coats are used. In the following photos, I used 3 coats, and you can still see a visible nail line (VNL). YCBYH was sheer, almost clear on the first coat, was pretty nice on the second coat, and a perfect jelly on the third. I must applaud OPI for the smooth application though, some sheers, (most of them), can be incredibly streaky and patchy to the point of utter frustration, but the sheers I've tried from OPI have been perfect! Let's get on with the photos!

What I used: 

Base Coat:  1 coat of Pro FX Epoxy Bond Base Coat
Polish: 3 coats of OPI Y'all Come Back Ya Hear?
Top Coat: 1 coat of OPI RapiDry Top Coat

I enjoyed Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? a lot, it's perfect for spring and summer. For some reason, tis polish reminds me of orange popsicles, or carrot juice..... Ha! Enjoy!

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Perfect Manicure Series

Hi! I've decided to start a "Perfect Manicure" series, which will cover all the skills needed to achieve that salon manicure you've been wishing for. 

Here's an outline of upcoming posts in this series, to open, simply click on the step you want to see:

1) File and Shape Nails

2) Hand, Nail and Cuticle Care

3) Base Coat

4) Application of Polish

5) Top Coat

6) Speed Up Dry Time

7) Nail Polish Remover

If there is anything else you want me to talk about, please feel free to comment. I will definitely add that onto my list!

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Swatch and Review - Don't Mess With OPI

Today, I will be showing you an OPI polish from the 2011 Texas Collection, Don't Mess With OPI. Don't Mess with OPI is a medium toned green creme with a grey tint. The formula was pretty nice, perfectly opaque in 2 coats. The first coat was a bit streaky, but the second coat evened everything out. It's just creamy green perfection. I like how it has more of a grey tint and not just straight up green.
 Just as a side note, the nails in the pictures below are not my nails, they are my mom's. I have a warm skin tone and blues/greens just don't look good on me. Let's get on to the pictures!

What I used:

Base Coat: 1 coat of Pro FX Epoxy Bond Base Coat
Polish: 2 coats of OPI Don't Mess with OPI and 2 coats of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Celeb City (accent nail)
Top Coat: 1 coat of OPI RapiDry Top Coat

I also decided to go for an accent nail on my ring finger. For that, I used Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Celeb City. It's a lovely, metallic silver with full coverage in 2 coats. I was surprised to find such a quality polish at such a low price. I do have to say though, not all polishes from this series (?) are as good as this. I think it was only 2 or 3 dollars....

I would also like to introduce someone who's very important in my life, you should expect to see him every few posts.......

He's my favourite kitty, Oreo! His fur is just addicting to pet, I cannot explain it. Once your hand touches him, you find your hand is drawn to his fur! He'll be the occasional guest on this blog!

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