Oh, and I bought a cheap stamping kit (to see how I liked it before forking out the big bucks for the good stuff). I likes it A. LOT.
Check these out! And I'm only just getting started . . . .
NN
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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Back from hiatus
Hi Kids! Just a short post to let you know that I am back and I have some interesting posts coming real soon. A recent trip to Brisbane unearthed a couple of discontinued "gems". A change in seasons has also meant that winter 2012 polishes are discounted and there are some new and exciting shades coming through for Spring 2012.
Oh, and I bought a cheap stamping kit (to see how I liked it before forking out the big bucks for the good stuff). I likes it A. LOT.
Check these out! And I'm only just getting started . . . .
NN
Oh, and I bought a cheap stamping kit (to see how I liked it before forking out the big bucks for the good stuff). I likes it A. LOT.
Check these out! And I'm only just getting started . . . .
NN
Monday, September 10, 2012
L.A. Colours - Force
Just a real short one tonight. Yet another from the L.A. Colours, Colour Craze range - Force.
Nice formula, nice colour, nice smooth feel once dry, and nice to your nails when you finally take it off. Apologies for the tip wear - forgot to take a photo before I wore it to work!
Artificial light:
Flash:
NN
Nice formula, nice colour, nice smooth feel once dry, and nice to your nails when you finally take it off. Apologies for the tip wear - forgot to take a photo before I wore it to work!
Artificial light:
Flash:
NN
Mates Rates
I've mentioned many times before that I'm not a green polish fan. I don't have the skin tone to pull it off, nor am I fond of the colour.
Why I bought Australis' - Mates Rates, I'm not entirely sure. I have recently been looking for polishes that are out of the ordinary, and this one caught my eye, so I think that's the reason.
I'm not saying I don't like it. I'm just saying it's not a favourite. But it is different to anything that I've seen. The polish itself is nice enough - a dark shimmery green with a slight gold tinge.
Similar to my Australis Crystal Top Coat, Mates Rates takes soooo long to dry. The formula is a little gluggy/heavy/sticky, and I don't rate it, but it only needs two coats to be opaque.
My opinion on it is that it's a good colour for winter, or for those with darker complexions.
Artificial light:
Flash:
NN
Why I bought Australis' - Mates Rates, I'm not entirely sure. I have recently been looking for polishes that are out of the ordinary, and this one caught my eye, so I think that's the reason.
I'm not saying I don't like it. I'm just saying it's not a favourite. But it is different to anything that I've seen. The polish itself is nice enough - a dark shimmery green with a slight gold tinge.
Similar to my Australis Crystal Top Coat, Mates Rates takes soooo long to dry. The formula is a little gluggy/heavy/sticky, and I don't rate it, but it only needs two coats to be opaque.
My opinion on it is that it's a good colour for winter, or for those with darker complexions.
Artificial light:
Flash:
NN
Saturday, September 8, 2012
BYS Colour Change - with top coat options
As promised, I played around with BYS Colour Change - Blue.
Warm Hands
Pinky: Jordana - LA Nights, Ring: OPI - Pink Shatter, Middle: Sally Hansen - Antiqued Gold, Index - OPI - Blue Shatter, Thumb: Mode - Diamante
Cool Hands
Pinky: Jordana - LA Nights, Ring: OPI - Pink Shatter, Middle: Sally Hansen - Antiqued Gold, Index - OPI - Blue Shatter, Thumb: Mode - Diamante
You can definitely see the colour change, especially on the thumb nail. I was sceptical about using the Blue Shatter, as I wasn't sure you'd be able to see the colour change underneath, but on second look, I don't mind it.
Cool Hands
Thumb: PUP, Index, Australis - Crystal Colour Top Coat, Middle: Sally Hansen - Fractured Foil, Ring: Jordana - Lunar Lights, Pinky: Jordana - Celestial
Warm Hands
Thumb: PUP, Index, Australis - Crystal Colour Top Coat, Middle: Sally Hansen - Fractured Foil, Ring: Jordana - Lunar Lights, Pinky: Jordana - Celestial
The colour change isn't as evident here - you can see it slightly on the index finger. You can hardly see Colour Change under PUP, so that's definitely not a winner (though, PUP is pretty over anything). I quite like the Crystal Top Coat/Colour Change combo. You can't really see it in the photos, but the flakies show up really well against the teal of Colour Change.
NN
Warm Hands
Pinky: Jordana - LA Nights, Ring: OPI - Pink Shatter, Middle: Sally Hansen - Antiqued Gold, Index - OPI - Blue Shatter, Thumb: Mode - Diamante
Cool Hands
Pinky: Jordana - LA Nights, Ring: OPI - Pink Shatter, Middle: Sally Hansen - Antiqued Gold, Index - OPI - Blue Shatter, Thumb: Mode - Diamante
You can definitely see the colour change, especially on the thumb nail. I was sceptical about using the Blue Shatter, as I wasn't sure you'd be able to see the colour change underneath, but on second look, I don't mind it.
Cool Hands
Thumb: PUP, Index, Australis - Crystal Colour Top Coat, Middle: Sally Hansen - Fractured Foil, Ring: Jordana - Lunar Lights, Pinky: Jordana - Celestial
Warm Hands
Thumb: PUP, Index, Australis - Crystal Colour Top Coat, Middle: Sally Hansen - Fractured Foil, Ring: Jordana - Lunar Lights, Pinky: Jordana - Celestial
The colour change isn't as evident here - you can see it slightly on the index finger. You can hardly see Colour Change under PUP, so that's definitely not a winner (though, PUP is pretty over anything). I quite like the Crystal Top Coat/Colour Change combo. You can't really see it in the photos, but the flakies show up really well against the teal of Colour Change.
NN
L.A. Colours - Magnetic Force
Magnetic Force, another L.A. Colour polish from my recent haul.
With flash:
Without flash, artificial light:
I really like this colour. It makes me feel summery. Not only is coral super-super hot right now, but this also has a slight gold shimmer through it. A work colleague suggested the finish was almost matte. I think it's more satin-y. It's not eye-blindingly shiny, but with the subtle gold shimmer through it, it picks it up a little.
I am a big fan of the L.A. Colours Colour Craze polishes because they are easy to apply (they just glide on) last really well, and when I finally remove them, my nails seem, well, almost nourished or conditioned. It's difficult to explain apart from to say that my nails seem better for having worn it.
The only gripe I have with them is that sometimes the brushes are a bit rough or unevenly cut, and with this polish's brush in particular, I ended up with polish on my fingers. However, I can't complain (well I can, but I shouldn't), $2 is a bargain price to pay for such a lovely colour and formula.
NN
With flash:
Without flash, artificial light:
I really like this colour. It makes me feel summery. Not only is coral super-super hot right now, but this also has a slight gold shimmer through it. A work colleague suggested the finish was almost matte. I think it's more satin-y. It's not eye-blindingly shiny, but with the subtle gold shimmer through it, it picks it up a little.
I am a big fan of the L.A. Colours Colour Craze polishes because they are easy to apply (they just glide on) last really well, and when I finally remove them, my nails seem, well, almost nourished or conditioned. It's difficult to explain apart from to say that my nails seem better for having worn it.
The only gripe I have with them is that sometimes the brushes are a bit rough or unevenly cut, and with this polish's brush in particular, I ended up with polish on my fingers. However, I can't complain (well I can, but I shouldn't), $2 is a bargain price to pay for such a lovely colour and formula.
NN
BYS Colour Change #2
The second installment to the BYS Colour Change range is: Blue
One coat:
Two coats, plus water!
Two coats, dried
The formula is a little gluggy and streaky on first application, so you definitely need two coats +, but once applied, it dries to a matte finish, which is an odd, but nice sensation on your (my) nails.
As with the Glitter Purple, heat makes the polish lighten (hence using water to show the "colour change").
I have a beef about the naming of this one. BYS have called it "Blue", but there's nothing blue about it. Clearly, its teal. That said, I'm quite partial to it, though, I feel like it needs something over top. Watch out for upcoming posts where I'll play around with it. I am tempted to try a PUP combo . . .
NN
One coat:
Two coats, plus water!
Two coats, dried
The formula is a little gluggy and streaky on first application, so you definitely need two coats +, but once applied, it dries to a matte finish, which is an odd, but nice sensation on your (my) nails.
As with the Glitter Purple, heat makes the polish lighten (hence using water to show the "colour change").
I have a beef about the naming of this one. BYS have called it "Blue", but there's nothing blue about it. Clearly, its teal. That said, I'm quite partial to it, though, I feel like it needs something over top. Watch out for upcoming posts where I'll play around with it. I am tempted to try a PUP combo . . .
NN
For Princess Ada
Ada, in honour of your coming into the world, Auntie has created this mani, just for you.
Rimmel - Star Kissed with Essence - Space Queen over top.
No flash:
Flash:
I'm not big on lolly-pink polishes, but for you Ada, I'll make an exception.
Your Daddy tells me that you have very long digits with very long nails . . . Auntie is very proud!
NN
Rimmel - Star Kissed with Essence - Space Queen over top.
No flash:
Flash:
I'm not big on lolly-pink polishes, but for you Ada, I'll make an exception.
Your Daddy tells me that you have very long digits with very long nails . . . Auntie is very proud!
NN
Thursday, September 6, 2012
And then there was . . . LIFE!
Tonight, I sit here typing this blog post as a very proud Auntie! My sister-in-law gave birth to a bonny baby girl, Ada, today just before 12.30pm (AEST).
I am told mother and baby are well. The father (my younger brother) is over the moon!
I can't wait to meet you, Ada! Welcome to the world.
Luv always, your Auntie xoxoxoxoxoxo
I am told mother and baby are well. The father (my younger brother) is over the moon!
I can't wait to meet you, Ada! Welcome to the world.
Luv always, your Auntie xoxoxoxoxoxo
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Fantasy Fire - layering options #7, 8 & 9
PUP over top of China Glaze - Tempest
PUP over top of China Glaze - Awakening
PUP over top of China Glaze - Flying Dragon
The Flying Dragon combo turned the purple colour a completely different shade of purple - it was awesome. The Awakening combo turned out to be more of a subdued purple. The Tempest combo was rully perty - like jewels on my fingers. Needless to say, I'm having a fun time trying to see what looks good with PUP on top, and what looks fantastic. I'm also open to any suggestions . . .
NN
PUP over top of China Glaze - Awakening
PUP over top of China Glaze - Flying Dragon
The Flying Dragon combo turned the purple colour a completely different shade of purple - it was awesome. The Awakening combo turned out to be more of a subdued purple. The Tempest combo was rully perty - like jewels on my fingers. Needless to say, I'm having a fun time trying to see what looks good with PUP on top, and what looks fantastic. I'm also open to any suggestions . . .
NN
Monday, September 3, 2012
Fantasy Fire - layering options #5 & 6
Carrying on with the different colour bases for PUP . . .
BYS - Shimmer Blue Hawaii (before PUP). Isn't it pretty just on its own?
Shimmer Blue Hawaii and PUP top coat
I'm really liking PUP on the blue bases. What I like is how it makes the blue seem neon, and the blue brings out the red "fire"against the blue. But that's just my opinion.
NN
BYS - Shimmer Blue Hawaii (before PUP). Isn't it pretty just on its own?
Touch Blue Make It True (TBMIT) with PUP top coat. (TBMIT is also nice on it's own, but I forgot to take a photo)
I'm really liking PUP on the blue bases. What I like is how it makes the blue seem neon, and the blue brings out the red "fire"against the blue. But that's just my opinion.
NN
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