Proud Beauty Bloggers Of Color Present: Orange

Hey lacqueristas,

This is an inaugural post for me! I joined this group about a month ago when it first started called Proud Beauty Bloggers of Color.  The concept is pretty simple -  it's just many women of a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds that blog about beauty.  Now I'm not sure I classify myself as a "beauty" blogger per say, but somehow they invited me along anyway which I thought was really nice.  I missed out on the groups first post so I thought I couldn't miss this months theme which was a manicure devoted to the color orange.  My regular viewers already know that's like a no-brainer for me since I love orange and own a lot more of the shade than is probably common in my polish collection! And of course I could never just choose one. So here's what I came up with....

I am holding a coral bottle because my camera went insane when I tried holding up my nails and the orange bottle simultaneously :/

Hot Off The Stamping Press: MoYou London Tropical Collection Expansion!

Happy hump day lacqueristas,

How's everyone doing? I feel like this week is flying and as usual for Wednesday it's time for another release from MoYou London.  This week they are expanding on the Tropical Collection that released last week (you can see those plates here).  The release was wildly popular apparently and I read several reports of ladies having problems getting onto the site and also of the plates being sold out at one point. Currently that are all up and available again so the site must have restocked, but I this collection is hitting a lot of hearts hard lol my own included.

Say hey to Coral again! I don't know she's still talking about quitting jobs and flying away, but I say keep yours and save all your money for plates and polishes ;)

Hot Off The Stamping Press: Nailways Back To Basics Nail Art Stamping Plates!

Hey stamperistas,

Remember how I said the press is sizzling? It really is and because it's so hot I am a bit behind in all the plates that have launched over the last few weeks, but I'm doing my best to catch up and stay on top of them for everyone!  Today's post is all about Nailways.  I really like this company though I'm not sure I've put up too much art from them so I'll have to rectify that.  This Danish based company has about 6 Collections out to date and I have all of them except their new Back To Basics Collection which launched about 2 weeks ago so let's take a look....

As usual this is a collection that consists of 4 individual plates that have different concepts as a part of one underlying theme.  In this case the collection is just what it sounds like - basic images and designs that can be used in various ways.  First up is the 123 ABC font plate.   IMO probably one of the most useful and dynamic plates I've seen in a while because essentially you can mix and match the letters and they give you various sizes to work with -in the range of small, medium, and large - smart.

Next up is the the Block It plate.  Essentially a plate that pays homage to block shapes and has a lot of interlocking block abstract patterns as well as single images.  Another plate which IMO has a great deal of potential depending on how it's used.  I like this one a lot actually!

Lines plate.  Exactly what it sounds like honestly this whole collection is very smart and in blogging about it it's made me want all the plates even more because of the variety of ways in which I could redesign the patterns of these plates into nail art.

Shape That plate is a bit more flexible with the theme.  I dislike that there is a repeated full nail pattern on this plate from the Block it plate.  This one is cute but probably my least favorite amongst the 4 plates.

What do you think?  I feel like this is a very simple release with very well thought out images.  What I would consider a excellent set in the arsenal of a new or seasoned stamper if you want your basic shapes all on a few plates and from one collection.  These days that's important to me.  I probably have about 5 different plates with letters all different sizes and fonts and no with the variety seen here in one single plate.  The great part about Nailways s that you can purchase the plates individually or as a collection.  These plates retail for 3.95 Euro per plate or you can get the entire set for 14.95 Euros. Plates can be purchased here.  Happy hunting ladies and thanks for reading!  I'll see you next post....

Hot Off The Stamping Press: Pet'la Plate Summer 2014 Nail Art Stamping Plates!

Hiya stamp champs,

I am trying to space out all the new nail art stamping plates that will be releasing or have released recently so as not to overwhelm your wallet and your brain. Lol! There are a lot of good ones out lately right?  Today I'm gonna talk about one of my favorite new brands Pet'la Plate, the indie Hungarian brand with the beautiful gold toned plates, that I introduced here.  The truth is this brand has been around for a little bit so even though I recently discovered them.   Petra, the owner, has already been quietly gearing up to introduce her latest collection - Summer 2014.  And lucky duckies that we are there's also a little promotion going on simultaneously to sweeten the deal, but I'll talk about that a bit later.  For now let's take a look at the new offerings.

Aloha is a Hawaiian themed plate packed full of images that are nostalgic of summer - beaches, shade, shells, etc.  I find this plate to be perfect for the the current season plus you all know I love ocean themed plates!

Summerics is a bit  more of the same Hawaiian theme.  I love this plate for the sunset image alone and the palm trees!

OhNomNom is exactly what it sounds like.  A plate aimed at those with a sweet tooth and a love of fruit.  I'd put this one in the basic category as in good general images to own in your stash if you don't have them already.  Kudos to the martini image - I like my dirty and dry with extra olives ;)

Golden Russian is a plate that reminds me of the kind of designs that initially drew me to the Pet'la brand. Don't get me wrong a brand needs room to grow and I love everything I've see so far but.. Bold, abstract and in your face - lol I like these designs the best. And this one is perfection from top to bottom!

Tu-Turkey-Key.  Oh my.  Be still my heart! I absolutely adore this plate like the  title it is utterly intricate and utterly beautiful!

Oorie.  Seriously another heart stoppingly beautiful plate.  Super detailed and I love it!

Puzzles.  Exactly what it sounds like - mazes, detailed abstracts, puzzles, brains and patterns.  Lol this is a plate that has a lot of offer.  Image in the top row 4th from the left is so intricate! I like the one a lot. The brain is perfect for Halloween ;)  Lol yes I am thinking that far ahead.

Seven Sins.  Hmm this one for me is a little different.  I like the mirrors, horses and guns. Lol  yeah I'm strange. But those pistols are perfect for some spagetti western themed nail art ;)

Shenanigans.  Strong finish lol.  I actually already own this plate since I purchased the first set during a group buy and had the opportunity to pick up one more for the road.  This plate is gorgeous.  I love the text and the animal print the tribal.  Pretty much everything!

So what do you think? Pet'la has a pretty awesome deal going on right now where if you purchase 4 plates you get a fifth random one for free (the Summer 2014 plates will be excluded from this random selection).  If you buy 8 plates you'll get 2 plates for free with the same caveat. Not bad eh? This is basically like saying you get free shipping on your plates since shipping to the US is roughly $9-10 USD.  You have to enter the code - WOHOO2014  to your order to receive your free plates.  Plates retail for $10.65 USD per plate.  They can be purchased here.  You can follow Pet'la on Facebook for the latest updates as well.  Happy hunting and I'll see you next post...

Hot Off The Stamping Press: New DRK Nails XL Designer Series Plates!

Hey stamp champs,

Happy Saturday!   I'm bringing you a little good cheer this morning as well!  If you follow me on Facebook (which you really should - yes shameless self promotion) you might have seen the the two plates I'm going to talk about a little bit today since I shared them as soon as they went up.  As you know I'm deep into my infatuation with the newly revamped DRK Nails and their Designer Series plates.  Well low and behold when I looked up Friday they released two more plates from the same series in XL configuration and boy do they impress!

You just feel like you died and went to heaven didn't you? I mean how can a plate be so EPIC!!! What's more this is the largest landscape/full image/infinity style plate I have ever laid my eyes on.  Lol sorry Pueen not even the Encore collection can't stand up to this massive beauty.  And what's more the detailing once again looks exquisite.  I can't stop staring at this gorgeous plate! How about you?

I want to talk a little bit more about this plate for a couple of reasons.  First  and foremost, this plate is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, and if you know your patron saints well (or attended enough Catholic institutions like myself) you'd know he's the patron saint of animals.  This plate has been a very close to the hearts of the designer Ana Clara Prado and owner Katia Ferrera. $2 of every purchase of this plate will go toward a Brazilian organization called Sulpa which assists in rescuing abandoned animals.   I also want to urge you to take a look at this plate on the website using the magnifier as the picture does absolutely no justice ins displaying how beautiful and intricate the designs on this plate are. I will be honest even I hesitated when seeing this plate until I did that and after seeing them I was blown away!

Thoughts? Did you look at the Saint Francis plate up close like I advised? What did you think?  Ok now for the finer deets.  If you are Brazilian local you can purchase these plates homeside and if you are like me a US based fanatic you too can purchase these plates stateside (woot!).  They retail for $22 USD per plate + shipping.   You can purchase the plates here and again follow DRK Nails on Facebook for updates.  I was so enamored I ended up getting both.  Happy hunting stamparellas and I'll see you next post....

DRK Nails Cool Tone Abstract Nail Art

Hey varnished vixens,

Press Sample

God I can't stand all this heat! Yesterday it was well into the high nineties here in the District and honestly I wanted to melt.  So today I thought I'd cool down with a little blue tinged neutral nail art and of course as promised I wanted to take my new DRK Nails plates out for a spin.  If you didn't see it I posted a review of the 2 Designer Series plates yesterday (read here).  My impression of these plates is that they are gorgeous and affordable with some of the best etching I've seen to date.  Of course this meant I couldn't wait to play.

Mani-louge

Basecoat/Topcoat: Duri Rejuvacote / Poshe Fast Drying Topcoat

Base color: Zoya Taylor

Accent colors: Zoya Darcy, Essie Bikini So Teeny, Fashion Playground, and Find Me An Oasis, Color Club Age of Aquarius, Sally Hansen Lacey Lilac

Stamping polish: Mundo de Unas #3

Stamping plates: DRK Nails Designer Series D1 & D2

Image from lower riight hand corner is the repeating pattern

I love nudes - polish, lipsticks, and shoes! They are so flattering and they work with everything under the sun.  Because I chose Zoya Taylor as the base every other color popped by comparison.  And as I said before the detailing on these Designer plates is truly exquisite.  You can go through a lot of the manicures I've created on this blog and Instagram but you won't find anything like this!  I can't stop staring at my nails.  The pattern that's featured the most is from the DRK DS 2 plate while the accent is from the DRK DS 1 plate.

So what do you think?  I really adore how this turned out as you can tell! I only wished it was as cool outdoors as the color palette is for this mani lol.  If you're interested in purchasing the DRK Nails Designer series you can find them here for $6.50 per plate plus minimal shipping.  You can also follow DRK Nails on Facebook for updates on newly releasing plates.  Yes that's right there are whispers of new XL plates coming out soon and hopefully we'll also see an expansion of this series! I hope you enjoyed the art and I'll see you next post....

These products were sent to me for honest review.  For more information see my Disclosures Policy.

A Luxury Brand Launches: Christian Louboutin Rouge Nail Polish!

Hey lacquer ladies,

Today I just want to chat a little bit about the new line of super duper luxurious lacquer premiering from Christian Loboutin Beaute, and of course a bit about the controversial price point that has everyone raising eyebrows.  As many of my followers know I love a good Louboutin! I've designed several different manicures around them and I'm blessed and fortunate enough to own a few pair as well.  So of course I was thrilled to hear that Msr Louboutin was launching a nail polish line which in my opinion was long overdue.  At least I was until I saw that $50 price point for the first of 30 shades set to release in August.  Then I decided ok yeah $50 is way too much to spend on a single 0.4oz varnish even if it is from the master of my shoe universe.  But like a moth drawn to a flame I found I just had to do some investigations.  I wanted to know why the price point was set so high.  After all it's not the first time I've seen expensive polish - Azuture anyone?

It turns out that like everything else Msr Louboutin crafts he was extremely meticulous in this undertaking as well.  The bottle, crafted by Pochet, itself is a work of art composed of 16 facets that were hand flamed to smooth the edges.  The boxes that each polish will come in are also crafted by hand.  Apparently it takes 22 weeks alone to craft just the bottle!  Then too Msr Louboutin wanted to ensure that ladies got the most richly pigmented polish possible without the "gloop" factor aiming for quality along the lines of the most flawless Japanese lacquer. If you are interested in even more details you can read about it here.

Photo credits: George Chinsee

So what do you think after hearing a bit more about the polish? Somehow after seeing all the attention to detail and craftsmanship, even more than what I mentioned here, I can't really begrudge that $50 price tag.  I think the point of this polish is that it's supposed to be a full blown experience and the bottle much like the shoes are supposed to be showcased as a work of art.  The same way I spend more for indie nail polish - Enchanted, Liquid Sky Lacquer, Rescue Beauty Lounge, etc I have to expect that something coming from an uber luxury brand will be that much more expensive than a polish I might pick up at the local drugstore.  We pay more for the labor and individual attention indies provide to each polish they make.  Well I won't say that I will be rushing out to grab a bottle just yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if that one shade of rouge made it's way into my display cabinet with its sole sisters.  I'm really curious as to how others feel about this so please comment away! Thanks for reading and see you next post...