Halloween 2017: Holographic Glitter Ghosts + Tutorial!

Happy Tuesday stamp champs,

Purchased by Me

Its Halloween in case you missed my posts on my favorite plates for the holiday.  Let me say it again its mutha-f-ing Halloween!  Ok pause.  It is not Halloween at least not yet, but my nails don't know the difference and I wouldn't care if they did.  Let me pause again to say thank you to those of you who reached out to me after coming back.  Honestly at times I feel like my readers don't care or don't notice and move on.  In some ways it makes it harder to come back, but when I see the comments it makes me grateful and humble that maybe across the world across the nation I have bonds with women that I have never met over something as trivial as nails.  It's a joy and I thank you all for it. Ok so enough sap let's talk about these holographic ghosts!

Spring Plaid and Floral Nail Art + Tutorial

Hey stamp champs,

Purchased by Me

Who's ready for the spring?  I am!  Trying out new colors and new techniques.  You haven't seen me use the "placement" style plates yet though I own many times of these plates.  Mostly I'm just "in the mood to stamp" these days and so this is the result.  Btw I was so ready for spring.  It's still cold here but my nails are already for spring and I feel the ensuing craving for neons that I always have as the thought of the upcoming summer approaches.

Slurred Overlapping Holographic Dotticure Nail Art + Tutorial!

Hey stamperistas,

Purchased by Me

Ugh I've been dead.  Ok not dead but it felt like I was dying because of overnight coverage and disaster shitz.  Cray!  I could not wait to get back to my nails.  In the interim I did about 1 million failed Valentine's Day nail art.  It was like I could not get things right which is why I ended up posting nothing.  Everything looked fugly - geh! I decided my first nail art once free was going to be dark, blingy and layered.   I also decided I was going to use plates from one of my absolute favorite MoYou London collections - Holy Shapes. I wanted the stamping blingy too.  Normally that means cue in the Llarowe Holo stamping polishes or Liquid Sky Lacquer but I got schooled hard when I took out my recently purchased SuperChic Lacquer holo's.

Holographic Rainbow Sharpie Swirls + Tutorial

Hey stamp champs,

Press Sample

Purchased by Me

They say when you love something you should set it free.  I say beat it to death with a stick lolol. Kidding!  But seriously the Sharpies are back they come with yet another delicious holographic polish and shockingly another UberChic related nail art.   I swear it wasn't intentional.  I was actually making a promo for the new UberChic Beauty Jumbo CJS when I realized I should just create a whole tutorial using the nail art instead of showing one single nail.  The rest just kinda fell together as they say.

Holographic Sharpie Rainbow Geometric Nail Art + Tutorial

Holo everything!

Purchased by Me

Lol seriously how many holo mani's have I posted lately?  Am I posting too many - are you getting sick of it? Don't worry I'm getting ready to post a few more of my more complex mani's soon i.e. heavily detailed.  I realized I haven't been trying them of late.  BUT today it's holo rainbows and geometric stamping!  I actually got this idea from looking at a video from Simply Nailogical though I didn't use liquid sharpies it still came out really nicely once I added more alcohol to the scribbles (see tutorial).

Holographic Waves and Whirls Nail Art + Tutorial

Hey stamperistas,

Press Sample

Purchased by Me

It's been a weekend of fails :(  I made so many nail arts that did not turn out I thought I was going to go crazy.  Either the photography was really off or my sense of color wasn't really there.  I ended up scraping two whole creations + tutorials before I got to this pretty mani.  Was it worth it? Who knows, but I sure love how this one turned out!

Holographic Leaves feat Colors by Llarowe Stamping Polish + Tutorial

Hey stamperistas,

Press Sample

Purchased by Me

Get ready for it today! Usually I will post my mega reviews of a new product on my blog first but in this case I have so many polishes that are so irresistible that I felt I had to at least do a quick mani for these pretty babies. Plus two of my nails popped off so...  Yup I got the new Colors by Llarowe stamping polishes that will be releasing on the 19th of March for preorder.  These polishes are beautiful and double up a regular polishes too.  I can't wait to share them all with you, but for now here's a taste of what's to come.

Cupcake Polish Unicorn Collection Holographic Glitter Ribbon Nail Art + Tutorial

Hey lacqueristas,

Today I'm embarking on my journey of loving the crap out of my new Cupcake Polish's from the Unicorn Collection.  Yes - I know exactly how that sounds but I really don't care.  These polishes are awesome.  If they were candy I would gobble them up if they were clothing I'd wear them every day until they fell apart.  The obsession is REAL darlings!  On that note let's get into it...

Pet'la Plate & Liquid Sky Lacquer Holographic Abstract Snowflake Nail Art + Tutorial

Hey stamperistas,

Happy 2016!  The year went quickly and a lot has changed around here.  If I think of all the changes I made I'd get overwhelmed - but the blog setup, my lighting, my camera, my filmography software and photography software has changed so much!  It's crazy to think of it all and how much I've learned and still have to learn.  But what do you think? Is it just me who thinks a lot has changed? Has a lot changed in your nail art or set up? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

New Year's Eve Holographic Watermarble Nail Art

Hey stamperistas,

Ring a ding ding its almost 2015! Or some jazz like that right? Lol the new year never excites me.  It reminds me of drunken brawls, inappropriate behavior, and mechanical falls with simultaneous lacerations.  Yeah all of that and let me tell you now I'm not talking about my own personal experiences rather those of the people I take care of.  Lol, but New Years does offer me the opportunity to post theme related nail art so of course I gotta love that!

Paisley & Lace Loja BBF Nail Art

Hey lacqueristas,

Happy hump day such as it is...I know we are all looking forward to the weekend especially if it brings some much needed warmth along with it!  What's crazy is that even though it snowed here the sunlight today was spectacular.  So awesome in fact that I decided to break out a holo and celebrate the sun along with my Loja BBF plates.  Remember you can read about my review of the Loja BBF plates here. 

You should already know from following me that there is no such thing as too much holo in my world.  I will say I've become more selective when buying simply because of the large abundance out there these days, but I still really love a great holo.  Today I decided to use Fancy Gloss Sparkling Rose.  This was a limited edition polish that released 2 weeks ago.  Its inspiration I guess is supposed to be Rose wine, however I didn't get the same blush I'm used to seeing in the wine.  Instead I got a very copper leaning color that blew me away!  The best part about this polish is it's practically a one coater.  Drying time on this beauty was also maybe 4 minutes total with topcoat!

Mani-louge

Basecoat/Topcoat: CND Stickey / Sally Hansen Diamond Flash

Base color: Fancy Gloss Sparkling Rose (LE)

Stamping polish: Mentality Polish Temperance

Stamping plate: Loja BBF 18

Studs: Daily Charme

I also decided to break out my one and only Mentality polish called Temperance - this is a deep plummy red matte polish.  It actually stamped very opaque, matte, which I found fascinating, and transformed over Sparkling Rose to a deep brown color.  I am so impressed by this polish that I have a feeling I will be ordering a few more Mentality polishes soon.  I'm just waiting for her to release her version of the Leadlight polishes before ordering :)

So what do you think?  This is really not a very spring inspired mani, but when it's 20 degrees outside it's a bit hard to get there.  I am looking forward to some warm weather soon and I do have some spring nail art coming so don't fret, but sometimes it's nice to mix it up too!  You can find Fancy Gloss polishes here.  Loja BBF plates can be ordered via Cris on Facebook, and Mentality Polish can be found here.  Thanks so much for reading and see you next post!

Liquid Sky Lacquer Sleigh Me and Ever Green Christmas Nail Art

Happy holidays lacquer ladies,

Today I'm back with some Liquid Sky Lacquer holiday polishes and Apipila Cosmeticos nail art!  I've actually had the holiday holographic trio by Liquid Sky Lacquer since the end of November, but I haven't had a chance to capture their beauty until just now.  Honestly I think you all know by now I love every single polish Carolyn makes particularly her holographics.  They are intense and gorgeous, but I bet you didn't know that I have been in search of the perfect arterial blood red holographic polish for a very long time.  While I'm still waiting for it I have to admit Sleigh Me is a nice step in the right direction ;)

Mani-louge

Base coat/Top coat:  CND Stickey & Sally Hansen Diamond Flash

Base Colors: Liquid Sky Lacquer Sleigh Me and Ever Green

Stamping Polish: Konad Special Polish in White, Essie No Place Like Chrome,

Stamping plates: Apipila 05

This mani is pretty straight forward. It was quick and easy with the right amount of Christmas cheer.  I have to say I have neglected this Apipila plate for far to long.  It's probably one of the best Christmas plates I have and to be honest a lot of plates that have come out recently have only just started creating themes that Apipila has been creating for a while now.  It's probably too late to pick up this plate for Christmas mani's but it does also have some New Years themes that might be nice. 

You can buy your Apipila plates here and as to the oh-so-stunning holographics snap them up here after all there is no such thing as too much red or green polish in my universe.  However Carolyn's shop won't be open again until the 28th so plan accordingly. Thanks so much for reading and see you next post!

Stardust Polish Sweet Pea Holiday Nail Art

Polished prisoners,

Ok for reasons I can't fathom Blogger deleted my original post of this nail art!  I have no freaking clue why, but what a major bummer.  In any event I wanted to put up my last nail art featuring Sweet Pea from Stardust Polish.  This one is absolutely stunning IRL and so pretty I tried not to create art that would crush the light out of the polish.  I think I got the balance just right while staying true to my sense of artistry.  So blogger you better not auto-delete my post this time!

Isn't this polish so pretty?!?  I took the liberty of once again taking my Apipila Cosmeticos plates out for a spin.  I pray my manilouge is right since it was also deleted and I wasn't sure which plate I used

Mani-louge

Base coat/Top coat: CND Stickey and Sally Hansen Diamond Flash

Base: Stardust Polish Sweet Pea

Stamping Polish: Konad Special Polish in Black

Stamping Plate: Apipila P.10

 

I'm so please with how these turned out! You can find Stardust Polish here and it's my understanding that Drema just restocked her shop today so even though my post was deleted it's in perfect time for you to scoop all the pretties you want!  Thanks so much for reading and see you next post!

Stardust Polish Lavender Dream Winter Nail Art

Hey lacqueristas,

As promised I'm back with some nail art for the Stardust Polishes I reviewed yesterday.  If you didn't see my swatches and post check it out here first.  Normally when I create nail art for a brand I swatch I tend to push them together into one post and it's hard to figure out whether to give swatches or art priority and because of that I decided it's probably best to give each an equal billing especially when I love the polish and the art so much in different ways.  So here I am and here we go!

Lavender Dream Mani-louge

Base: Lavender Dream

Stamping polish:  Konad Special Polish in Black Gold, White and Purple

Stamping plates: Bundle Monster BM14 & BM407

Again Lavender Dream is a subtle scattered holo with a blue shimmer.  I love everything about it and for some reason when I saw it I knew a winter inspired theme would suit it perfectly!  I have to say this came out so gorgeously.  I wanted to create a gradient purples sliding from dark to light along the light base which is exactly what I think I achieved.  I have to say I am also really loving my new CYO Bundle Monster plates!  The images on them are just so cool and workable.  Love em to death!

So what do you think?  You can get Lavender Dream here in the Stardust polish store.  Stand by for more awesome nail art from the brand.  Thanks so much for reading and I'll see you next post!

Swatched: Stardust Polish Lavender Dream, SuperNova, and Sweet Pea Review!

Hello lacquer ladies,

I have some very pretty polish for you all today.  I don't know who is whispering in the ears of these creative geniuses but thank you!  I got the opportunity to swatch a few polishes for the indie brand Stardust Polish, and I am beyond honored.  If you've never heard of the brand is it run by the highly professional and sweet Drema.  When she sent me the package it contained a card and the polishes laid out professionally.  This is clearly someone who values the impact of presentation.  I do as well that's why I can appreciate it when I see it done well! I know this brand for a red holo by the name of Yes Your Majesty inspired by the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.  For some reason I can't get the timing of this one so I have yet to attain it as it's quite popular so it sells out pretty quickly.  So now that I've told you a little about the brand let's get swatching!

Lavender Dream
A lavender weak scattered holo with a blue shimmer throughout.  It's very difficult to capture the holo component indoors but easier to see in flashes of direct sunlight.  The formula on this one is one of my favorite kind a medium thin consistency.  It applied a little streaky in the first coat but leveled out evenly by the second.  I used 3 coats for opacity here but could have gotten away with 2 coats easily.   I will say this is a color that plays very well with my skintone and I don't believe I have a lavender polish with a shimmer like this in my collection.  I will say though that the holographic  component is very subtle even in direct sunlight, and takes a backseat to the shimmer which in my opinion isn't a bad thing when the shimmer is so gorgeous! I thought of at least 5 ways to wear this polish after I got it laid down on my nails and when that happens I know I've got a hold of something good!

Outdoors

 Artificial Light - holo becomes more silvery

 Outdoors again - subtle holo shimmer here and blueish sheen

Sweet Pea
Easily my favorite of the bunch and not just because of my problematic holo hussy ways.  Sweet Pea, a deep rich raspberry toned polish with a linear holographic finish, has utterly stolen my heart!  It's so flattering on my skintone I never want to take it off.  While I was going about my business at home occasionally I'd get a glimpse of fire flash from this mani and immediately stop to stare and angle my hands to catch the best light.  Yup it's a winner!  This polish is extremely thin which means you have to build it up.  At three coats I still had visible nail line, but at 4 everything was perfect with no drag in between coats.  Here's another bonus of this shade - I felt with every coat the berry colored became richer and deeper.  I was worried about putting down so many coats to reach opacity because I felt it might take forever to dry, but as with every well done holo I've encountered this was dry at a speed that made me blink!

Sweet Baby J this polish is gorgeous!

Supernova
Be. Still. My. Heart.  This polish is genius! I wanted to swatch it first the minute I opened the package.  I went ooooohhhh and ahhhhh and squeeeee.  Hey don't judge a lady has to have her little pleasures in life you know!  You all know I love me some blue polish, but what I like the most about this one are the pops of reddish pink, white, and yellow in the canary blue base.  This is a bold and happy polish and with the winter plaguing me by the day I could use a little burst of cheer.  This polish is a also on the thin side in the most perfect way!  I'm really surprised because usually cream based glitter filled polishes tend to be a bit thicker, You do however need to be careful of drag from the matte glitter and not rush between coats.  Supernova is pictured here in 2 self-leveling coats.

I had to adjust the color here so my skin looks jaundiced but this blue is what it's like in real life.  Fantastic!!!

The 411:

Scoop these little pretties here

Follow Drema and stay updated on the latest on Facebook

Polishes retail between $8-11 USD

So thoughts?  These polishes are all unique and pretty in different ways and I like that!  I think Drema did a good job of showing me and and as such you what her brand is all about,  namely presentation and eye-catching elements in the vein of shimmer, holo, and bold glitters.  I can honestly say it's been a while since I have been sent polishes to review and found I loved each one equally in different ways!   That said because I liked them all so much I took the time to create nail art for all three polishes!  So come back tomorrow and check out my Startdust Polish nail art.  I want to say thanks for reading and I'll see you next post!

Clearly as I already stated these polishes were sent to me for review but like everything else on this blog I give you my true opinion 110% of the time!

Japanese Dragon Garden

Hey lacquer ladies,

I have another MoYou London nail art mani today!  I know my loyalalist follower has been asking for some (Moore :) so I'm trying to keep pumping them out.  I'm starting out a touch slow and will build up.  I definitely will have full-image plate image nail art coming along with a little trick that I do in my head, but makes more sense in literal translation if you can't picture designs in 3D to help you create them.  Today I'm using my pen-ultimate favorite collection of the bunch.  Yup you guessed it - the Suki Collection!

I still have so many Halloween polish untrieds to go through it's a bit pathetic, but because I do I'm gonna keep using them even if my theme isn't necessarily in the same vein.  Plus how gorgeous is Dollish Polish's Red Rum from her Halloween 2013 Collection?!?  Freaking too gorgeous is the answer! Also this polish was pretty much opaque in one thick coat.  I think you ladies know how I feel about one coaters (lusts fulfilled!).  I also chose to accent this mani with a rare Nubar jem in my collection.  Absolute is a scattered blue holo, also gorgeous, but it took 4 coats to build this puppy up.  I probably should have grabbed another one of my holo's but this one was the perfect contrast for the raspberry yumminess of Red Rum.

 

I chose MoYou London Suki plate 02.  I have been fantasizing about this plate since the day I got it.  It has everything that makes me think of old school Japan - pagodas, tigers, various blossoms, koi fish, samurai and more.  Daisuki! Translation:  I love it!  I could create a million different designs from this one plate.  Lol maybe I'll do a self challenge that way.  One plate 5 designs.  Yup it's on!  In any event I fell hardcore in love with the various dragons on this plate in particular the triple segmented one that allows you to pick up different parts of the sinuous body and stamp them ad lib.  

Up close and blurred a bit so you can really see the holo effect :)  If you look at my index finger you can see I connected two of the parts into one.  This isn't tough but it does require precision.  I also did some mirror stamping because some of the flowers weren't going in the direction I wanted so I had to reverse them.  I wonder if anyone even is interested in my tutorials anymore? Let me know if you are interested.

So thoughts?  I have to say I love this but I redid the accent nail an unseemly amount of times because it kept turning out completely different than what I wanted.  I also need a recommendation on an opaque DARK GREEN stamping polish that is NOT metallic.  I keep running into this issue and it's driving me bananas!  So there we have it.   Do you have any preferences for what you would like to see next?  Embarrassingly I own almost every single plate MoYou London has made though half are on their way to me but if you want to see something in particular do let me know!  Thanks for reading and I'll see you next post!

PolishTBH Anniversary Collection Review

Lovely lacquer ladies,

I had an honor bestowed on me these days! You know I am fairly humble when it comes to blogging and my nail art too.  It's because I look around and everywhere I see ladies with some crazy and amazing talent.  It's hard even think I match up so when a polishmaker takes the time to send me some of their products or ask me for opinions I take it really seriously, and I'm also extremely touched to be chosen.  Today I have that privilege as I'll be sharing a very special collection with you from PolishTBH from Chrissy's one year anniversary collection.  Just a warning this post is pretty pic heavy!

I discovered this brand thanks to Mimi of MakeupWithdrawal.  Because of her swatches I've clicked "add to cart" more times than I can count, and that's how I discovered the awesome splendor of the PolishTBH Diagon Alley Collection and the amazing cuticle oils she makes.  See my Harry Potter inspired nail art here.  I have a few more coming down the pipes so stay tuned, but today I'm just totally blown away.  I have three unique beauties for the 1 year bash and each one is somewhat a homage to the incredibly talented and still shockingly sexy (yes I said it) Britney Spears.

First up is Teal the World Ends.  The name is a a play on the song Til the World Ends.  This is a teal creally-ish polish sprinkled with white and black matte bar and hex glitter with holographic teal hexes interspersed throughout with spare holographic microglitter.  You want to know the greatest part about this polish (even though Chrissy has hit on two out of my four polish turn-ons right now) it's a THERMAL!!!  This little pretty transitions from the deep teal color to a pale blue when warm.  I honestly own nothing like this in my collection and I have a lot of thermals!  Opaque in two coats and stealing my heart in transition.  Thin coats with time to dry in between works best to minimize glitter drag.

 Warm

The gradient here is Essie Sweet Talker and stamped with Essie

No Place Like Chrome using Dashica SdP 47 and Fab Ur Nails Fun 2 plates

Transitioning

Almost to my nadir

Cold (or the natural state of my nails)

Brithday Tutu.  Is a pink gelee glitter topper packed with iridescent pink hexes and microglitter.  This one was a bit tough for me because I couldn't figure out what kind of base to pair with it.  Ultimately I think it worked best in a jelly sandwich layered to show off its beauty.  Pictured here layered between and over Colorama Espuma.  A little goes a long way with this one as the base was thicker than I expected.   It's necessary to be patient between coats otherwise you may not achieve the seemingly delicate effect I got here. I love how this one turned out the best!

I stamped over this polish using Color Club Eternal Beauty and Konad Special White for the Ballerina.  I used Konad plates M63 and S8

Finally I think I saved my favorite from the collection for last! Fantasy Anniversary Edition made me gasp when I took it out of the wrapping.  Liquid fire in a bottle! Almost too hot to maintain eye contact with.  This is one of those complex polishes that will flash fire at every angle that you move your nails.  Fantasy is a brownish-blackened jelly polish crammed with gold holographic hexes and microglitter.  Opaque in 3 thin precise coats.  Fantasy you are my everything.  I could not take it off nor did I dare create art over top of it!

So now you have my honest thoughts on this collection.  I think if you could only afford a couple you must definitely get Teal the World Ends and Fantasy Anniversary Edition.  Although in all honesty I think Birthday Tutu is the most versatile of all three.  Chrissy said TtWE will likely be her last thermal polish, which I think is a shame, so don't hesitate to pick it up!  The Anniversary Collection has already released.  You can purchase PolishTBH  here.  And while you're over there seriously consider trying the cuticle oils.  I loved the mini I got when I purchased the Diagon Alley collection so much that I immediately went back and bought 2 in the full size! Thank for reading and stay tuned for some awesome follow up nail art!

In case you didn't get it above these polishes were sent to me for review.  My opinions however are entirely my own!

Floral Appeal feat Liquid Sky Lacquer Head To The Bahamas and Enchanted Forest

Hey lacquer ladies,

In the interim between my blogging I've discovered so many amazing brands.  One happens to be Liquid Sky Lacquer.  God I love this brand!  As a self admitted holo whore shopping on her site for me isa skin to Alice romping through wonderland.  She makes super holos and some of the most amazing holo transitional polishes I have encountered.  So today I have two of my favorites for you along with some lovely stamping featuring my new Winstonia plates.

Head To The Bahamas is a nude linear holo - be still my heart.  Absolutely flawless and self leveling.  Pictured here opaque in 2 coats.  Yum

Enchanted Forest is a deep evergreen linear holo.  It is rather intense,  but requires a great deal of build up about 3-4 coats since the polish is thin, but it's totally worth it.  I used it here to create a gradient.

The technique I used for the stamping is fairly advanced.  I used one of the newish square shaped plates W-04 to create the art.  Stamping first and then filling in the pattern with acrylic paint.  After that I stamped back over the filled in image and wha-lah!  Instant pretty.

Indoors shot.  True to color but less fabulously holo.

 So what do you think? I've advanced quite a bit with my stamping skills though I still feel I've got lots more to learn.  If you are interested in purchasing either of the LSL polishes click the link above.  Carolyn is restocking on October 8th.  For the plates you can check out either the link above or my page for stamping supplies.  Thanks so much for reading and I hope you liked it!  I'll see you next post! 

Ring-a-ding-ding 2013..On Sundays I Stamp!

Hello polished prisoners,

I hope everyone has been well and enjoying the holiday season.  It's that time of year everyone is all a-flutter with excitement for the new year.  Lol as I read that back I realized it sounded as though I wasn't and to be honest I'm not sure.  Twenty twelve was supposed to be my year of triumph yet the heavens rained endless mental and physical challenges on me throughout the year culminating in a personal coup d'etat of epic proportions.  Well I'm still alive and I'm grateful, but I am earnestly hoping for a more sedate year ahead.  Ahem anyway let's onto the art...

Today's challenge was anything New Years and celebratory related.  In my mind this immediately meant the use of holographics...lots and lots of them.  Thus I instantly reached for my Zoya Ornates and my Color Club Holo Hues. Mmmmm donuts ahem I meant holo's....

Mani-louge

Base/Top Coat: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat and Sally Hansen Diamond Flash Topcoat

Base colors: Zoya Storm and Blaze

Stamping polishes: Color Club, Blue Heaven, Harp On It, and Cold Metal (Foiled Collection), China Glaze Millenium & Passion , Essie Blue Rhapsody, and Konad Special Polish in White & Black

Stamping plates: Sugar Bubbles Special 01 and 02  

Accent: 2mm clear rhinestones 

Gorgeous - everything about this collection is so lovely way to go Zoya!

Holo-llejah!  Lol :)  Capturing holos is so maddeningly difficult but look at all that fire!

How do you ladies feel about the New Year - excited, fatigued, apathetic?  I'd love to know really and yes I'm still stuck like glue on these Sugar Bubbles plates.  They are so so good!  They and many other plates (ahem Apipila) did not get nearly enough love this holiday season luckily Christmas time comes again and again oh and for me also in July.  So here we are.  I plan to do a few more holiday mani's before wrapping it up for the year moving onto some different nail art and I still have that Sugar Bubbles review on the back burner.  I probably won't do any kind of summation of my must have's but who knows.  Lol I sound so noncommittal please forgive me my world is a bit in flux right now so I'm trying to wrap things up before insanity ensues oh and make it to the post office (ugh holiday hours)  >_< Thanks for reading as always and I'll see you next post!  Toodles