Teal The Last Berry

Hey stamp tramps,

Happy Monday! Yup it's Monday and the dark horrible tunnel that comprised a shocking amount of my weekend has come to an end.  Lol yes that means what you think a working weekend.  I say this as though it's an uncommon thing for me when really a weekend off in my life is an exception and not the standard.  Anyhoo  I decided to break out my Pueen plates for today's mani and I have to say I was pleased with the results.  It's delicously fall colored and simple so let's get onto the art!

Basecoat/Topcoat: CND Stickey/Poshe Fast Drying Topcoat

Base Colors: American Apparel Berry & Essie Naughty Nautical

Stamping Polish: OPI House of Blues

Stamping Plate: Pueen Sumptuous Gallery 11

 This is the perfect color combo for the fall - a touch of vampy raspberry with a swirl of blues.  It's my belief that there isn't a shade of blue invented that won't work during any season of the year.  I love how OPI's House of Blue created a sort of pop of color effect Naughty Nautical.  I don't think I was able to capture that elusive blue shimmer that lives in Naughty Nautical however.  About American Apparel Berry - it was like butter.  This is two self leveling coats that could have potentially been one thick careful coat. 

Do you ladies have any perfect color combos for the fall?  I'd like to try a few more out.  I threw in the little round black studs as well for a bit of visual interest to the look.  The studs are from Pueen as well I got them during some Amazon promo and they came in a wheel with a whole bunch of other various colored round studs.  They are pretty cute and I'll have to try incorporating them more often.  Thoughts? I hope you liked it, thanks so much for reading and I'll see you next post!

It's a Groove Thang feat Mundo de Unas 70's Nail Art

Lacquer ladies,

Happy Thursday!  Today I'm gonna share some summer nail art with you.  I actually did a bunch of mani's around this time for a Mundo de Unas competition. The theme was to create a 70's inspired design using at least 3 Mundo de Unas plates.  It was tougher than I thought to stay within these guidelines especially the three plate rule.  Lol clearly I didn't win (aww hangs head), but I had some fun creating each individual look including today's!

Mani-louge

Basecoat/Topcoat: CND Stickey/Poshe Fast Drying Topcoat

Base color:  Wet n' Wild White Creme

Swirled Nails/Stamping Polishes:  Sally Hansen InstaDri Man-go Team!, Fast Fuchsia, Lickety Split Lime, Mint Sprint, and Butter-fly Stroke, Konad Special Polish in White

Stamping Plates: Mundo de Unas Handy Plates 1, 19, and 43.

So you may be asking what's up with this Mundo de Unas brand?  I've actually been buying Slyvia's plates for roughly almost a year now.  I discovered them from my Adventures in Stamping group.    They are exceptionally good quality and have the distinction of having some of the more unique and cool images I've seen on stamping plates including Pacman, Highschool of the Living Dead, Corpse Bride images and more. I have posted some mani's using their plates before on my IG feed, but this is my first time posting art using these plates on my blog.

So what do you think?  Of the 4 mani's I created this one was one of my favorites.  Kinda bright and cheery for the fall, but I've never seen the point in only wearing certain colors for certain seasons.  If you are interested in the Mundo de Unas plates you can check them out on Facebook.  They retail for $6.50USD and there is currently a sale going on for 10% off.  Slyvia also makes some amazing stamping polish according to the girls on AIS so check em out if you feel so inclined.  Thanks so much for reading and see you next post!

Sweet Movember feat MoYou London Rebel and Pro Collection Nail Art

Hey lacqueristas,

It's been a busy last few weeks and I've got lots to show you.  It's November and that means it's the month when men descend into madness and attempt what no one, save a select few, should attempt - the growing of a mustache.  When my classmates try this I think it's a horror to behold, but on the nails it's rather cute and bold (wink wink).  That said onto the nail art!

I'm kept things fairly simple with a nude and lavender/lilac gradient.  As usual Essie's Sand Tropez is my go-to nude cream base.  I honestly get anxious when I can't find this polish in my stash because it is so versatile and works as a base for so many great designs.  The purple is OPI Do You Lilac It?  The answer is yes I do!  I think I have sadly neglected mainstream polishes lately in my undying love of indie polishes.  It's a real shame because I'd forgotten the allure of mainstreams in this case being flawless formula and consistency with nearly one coat opacity.

I choose some of my MoYou London plates using Rebel Collection 05 and the Pro Collection 06 for the selection of different mustaches.  If you look closely at my nails you'll see each mustache is different.  I'm so impressed with the quality of these stamping plates which are some of the best I've tried to date.  I'll have to do a separate post on them later, but suffice to say I'm loving what I've tried thus far.

I really adore how these turned out!  I had some misgivings at first because I wasn't sure I could make this look feminine, but the final effect is sort of sweet and whimsical.  So what do you think?  Any plans for a Movember mani of your own? I think I'll do one more of these before the month is out.  I have a shocking amount of plates with mustaches on them I guess they are getting fairly popular.  Thanks for reading and see you next post!

Hot Off The Stamping Press: MoYou Nails Biker Collection!

Hello lovelies,

This collection actually released last Friday and for some reason the post didn't post like I thought it did.  Eeep!  That's okay though because you can still get this awesome collection along with a little bonus coupon code for 30% off if you keep reading.  Lol that's what I call winning!

 "Owning a motorcycle is not a matter of life and death.. it is much more important than that..."

This collection is utterly what it sounds like.  Inspired by those road hogs that muscle along on the highway.  Look at sister-friend up there I'm digging her whole style including the nonchalantly held aviators ;)

I'm also of the  opinion that one has to be a bad-ass b**** to ride or die.  Lol all that power and responsibility.  I have never in my life ridden a motorcycle but one day I'd like to!  Ahem of course I will be rocking my biker nails and a glam helmet whilst doing so...

  

Totally hot-rod mama right?   That last plate made me drool along with plates 2 & 4. These plates are just so unique!  The lady who inspired this collection is none other than Sarah Smith of Spellbinding Nails.  I will say though I think because the theme is so focused it will be up to the creator to stretch the longevity of these plates i.e. all of the tattoo like images could probably revamped to create some other awesome nail art aside from biker sleek if one was up to the challenge.  Now what about that code?  Well some ladies in my AIS group have gotten the MoYou to give a 30% off code to the group and has generously extended that out to the community.  The code is LISA&MEL30.  You must create an account and be logged in for it to work but it's 30% off your total purchase no limits on plates etc!  Pretty awesome right?  I have already clearly taken advantage and ordered all of my plates with the exception of a few that were sold out when I went to buy, but they are now back up on the website.  You can buy MoYou plates here and hurry the code expires on the 31st I believe!  Thanks for reading and see you next post!

Halloween 2013: Haunted Graveyard feat Bunny Nails HD-C & HD-D Plates

Hey lacquer ladies,

I have been sick with a vicious cold for the last 1.5 weeks. Lesson of the month:  I probably shouldn't have decided to get a flu shot at the same time I was coming down with what was likely a viral illness the result has been nothing short of horrible.  I'm a bit peeved at myself I basically got sick and then ramped my immune system into overdrive with that shot.  Sweet baby J.  Nevertheless we carry onward and upward.  So I know I was super excited to discuss those Bunny Nails plates with you guys when they first released and you must be thinking are you gonna use them?  The answer is hell yes Imma use them!  I failed at this many so many times before I could get it to look even close to what I wanted which was sorta an algamation of Halloween themes much like the plates i.e. bats, spiders, and creepy old ladies flying at the moon.  It's not perfect but I'm pleased with it.

Mani-lounge

Basecoat/Topcoat - CND Stickey & Poshse Fast Drying Topcoat

Gradient: Orly Satin Hues Majestic Satin & Liquid Vinyl

Accent Nail:  Zoya Trixie sponged with Liquid Vinyl and Majestic Satin

Stamping Polishes:  Essie Blue Rhapsody and No Place Like Chrome, China Glaze Passion, Konad Special Polish in Black Gold

Plates: Bunny Nails HD-C & HD-D

The gradient is the only part that came effortlessly everything else was so tough especially the accent nail because I couldn't get the spiders to creep over the way I wanted them too.  Lol disastrous! In any case I wanted to see how this looked matte as well.

Add caption

So thoughts? Do you like it better matte or shiny? I think it might be matte for me since I hardly use my matte topcoat that much but when I do it's always love btw I'm using Essie's Matte About You Topcoat here.  It's the only one I've ever used and it works well.  I'd like to try Manglaze's as well though when I pick up some of their polishes.  Anyhoo, I've got a few more to show you before Halloween slips away as all things must.  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!

Hot Off The Stamping Press: New MoYou London Suki Plates...

Polished prisoners,

Ugh I can't believe I haven't been able to get things going this week.  All I can say is it's been a really hectic week and where the hell is the sun!  I'm tired of trying to swatch all of my amazing holo's and then I look outside and see rain and gray skies.   Is this England?!?  Killing me! Lol Enough ranting let's talk about the new plates that have released from MoYou London yesterday from my favorite collection by the brand.  I am of course referring to the Suki Collection.  It's supposed to be for the Japanese samurai in us all, but frankly I just think it's the collection that is the most feminine and seemingly attached to the parts of nail art that I find most precious.   It also doesn't hurt that this collection triggers every single "moe" instinct in my body as a Japan-o-phile.  There hasn't been a plate that they have released yet from this collection that didn't make me gasp or go "I must absolutely attain this plate or die trying!"  Up today are two new plates that are of the full image plate variety.

I wonder if you are asking yourself why I am always releasing new plate news from MoYou London.  Lol let me assure you nothing is in it for me.  It has more to do with the fact that I'm stalking this brand obsessively.  I can't stop buying their plates and waiting to see what they are going to come up with next!  I have never ever loved a brand as much as I like this one.  Hmm except maybe Messy Mansion and Vivid Lacquer.  At the end of the day I'm a sucker for inguinity and invention so this brand continuously keeps my interest alive.  I need to post up some of the mani's I've done using their plates. 

Brilliant right?  The detailing on both of these plates is so intricate and I love love love the circling koi fish on the 9th plate!  Well as usual you can find these plates at the link above.  I'm not going to ask which you like because I'm going to pretend you are crazy as me about this collection and just have to have them all! These are available on the MoYou London site now.  They are marked as late shipping and will not arrive until some time in the 1st week of November along with the Comics Collection,  Festive Collection, and Mother Nature Collection.  Last time I put that they retailed for $7 USD, but actually I think it's closer to $8USD because of the conversion from Euro's.  Still totally worth it!  I promise to have some pretty up tomorrow.  Toodles and thanks for reading!  See you next post...