12 Manis of Christmas: Ornaments!

Hello dolls!

It's that time of year when I decide to personally challenge myself to some Wintery/Christmas-y nail art!  I know that there are quite a few of these challenges floating around, but I've been creating one for myself since I first started blogging... so why stop now?  Lol...

So here is the master list of the looks I will be creating between now and Christmas *crosses fingers*.  I won't be going in any particular order, just sort of when I feel like it haha.  First up for today is ornaments!

 Colors Used: Smitten Polish - Between the Baubles, Acrylic Paint

How gorgeous is this polish!!  This is from Smitten Polish's new  Holiday Collection... I just had to have it!  I applied 2 smooth coats.

Then, using some new acrylic paints my sister-in-law bought me (see here), I free-handed my ornaments with a small detail brush.  Top coat and voila!

If any of you would like to participate in this challenge with me, I'd love the company!  I hope you all have a fantabulous day :)

Until next time!

Stef <3

SAFS: Brooke Anderson by Gabriel Cosmetics

*Disclaimer

Hello dolls!

Happy Sunday to you all :)  For today's SAFS post, I have swatcheses from the Brooke Anderson by Gabriel Cosmetics Nail Collection to share with you.  I posted a press release about these polishes last month and am thrilled to have a couple to show you...

Gabriel Cosmetics - Hush Hush

Hush Hush is a steel grey, shimmery creme polish that definitely surprised me!  I'm not usually into shimmer polishes, but the formula and finish on this one is amazing.  It applied like butter and is practically a one coater (which we all know I LOVE!).  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

 Gabriel Cosmetics - Shine Y'all

Shine Y'all is a holographic glitter bomb that certainly did not disappoint!  Application was a breeze and the holo shift/sparkle is to dies for.  This polish dances beautifully even in the dimmest of lighting.  It has definitely earned a place among my favorites in my collection :)  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

The Brooke Anderson by Gabriel Cosmetics Nail Collection is available now through the holidays at www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com and retail individually for $8.50.

I'll be back later on today with some swatches of my "untried" polishes that are in of some lovin' ;)

Until next time!

Stef <3

* This product was provided to me for review.  I received no payment or other compensation for the review of this product.  The opinions stated here are completely my own.  The contents of this review are based on my direct experience with this product.

Simply Beautiful Review

*Disclosure

Hey dolls!

Today I have some swatches from a new indie on the scene, Simply Beautiful :)  I was approach by maker Ashanti about swatching some of the polishes from her new brand and I happily obliged!

Ashanti's favorite color is gold, so I have a few variations of gold to share with you along with some micro glitters and a topper.  Let's get started!

 Simply Beautiful - Golden Bronze

Golden Bronze is a copper-leaning gold that was surprisingly creamy in application.  I applied 2 coats but could have easily gotten away with one.  I don't usually go for polishes like this, but I really enjoyed this one. It looked like shimmery butterscotch on my nails; good enough to eat haha.  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

 Simply Beautiful - Periwinkley

Periwinkley is a polish jam-packed with blue micro and silver holo glitters.  The formula on this one is on the thicker side, so I used the dab and drag method when applying.  The pay-off was well worth it because it is a beautiful color!  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

 Simply Beautiful - Old Gold

Old Gold is a sheer gold jelly with opalescent shimmer that shifts from yellow to green.  While I don't think it was flattering for my skin tone, it is a very neat looking polish.  I think it could be an awesome jelly-sandwich with a green glitter :)  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

 Simply Beautiful - Sacred Diamonds

Sacred Diamonds is a mix of gray, black and holo silver glitters,  As with all glitter/glitterbomb polishes, the dab and drag method is highly recommended with this polish (especially as this polish is on the thicker side).  The sparkles in this polish certainly make it worth the effort :)  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

 Simply Beautiful - Brilliance

Brilliance is a gold holo glitter polish. Of the 6 that I swatched, this ones's my favorite!  It's an Amazing compacted glitter polish; almost a 1 coater (swoon!).  The formula is excellent as well, very easy to use.  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

 Simply Beautiful - Popping Bottles

Popping bottles is a fun glitter topper of silver holo stripe, triangle and hex glitters.  I expected to have some "fishing" issues because of the glitter shapes, but I was surprised to find this topper easy to work with.  Again, I used the dab and drag method to get an even spread of glitters on each nail.  This totally gives of a club vibe haha.  Shown is 1 coat over black with top-coat.

Simply Beautiful polishes can be purchased HERE and retail at $7.00.  Are there any colors that popped out at you?  Let me know in the comments below :)

Until next time!

Stef <3

* This product was purchased by me for review at a 72% discount.  I received no payment or other compensation for the review of this product.  The opinions stated here are completely my own.  The contents of this review are based on my direct experience with this product.

PANC Takes On Halloween!

*Disclosure

Hello lovelies!

I have a quick swatch post for you today featuring 2 Halloween themed beauties from Polish Addict Nail Color...

 

PANC - Trick Or Treat

Trick Or Treat is a pale orange crelly with a mix of glitters in various sizes and shapes.  This was a Limited Edition (LE) polish for October that unfortunately has sold out.  I really fell in love with this color when I first saw it and immediately had to have it!  Shown is 2 coats with topcoat.

 PANC - Murder House

Murder House is a burgundy holo with tango-red, gold and neon pink flakies in it.  The holo finish in the polish is very subtle, but lovely.  I wore this polish for a couple of days actually.  This polish is currently available in the PANC store and it's on sale!  Shown is 2 coats with topcoat.

The formula on PANC's are overall really great, I've never had an issue.  For these and more color selections you can visit the PANC store front here.  You can also follow them on Facebook for updates :)

Until next time!

Stef <3


* This product was purchased by me for review at a 20% discount.  I received no payment or other compensation for the review of this product.  The opinions stated here are completely my own.  The contents of this review are based on my direct experience with this product.

KBShimmer Fall 2014

*Disclosure

Hello lovelies!

I know it's not Sunday, but I just couldn't wait to show you these KBShimmer's :)  These polishes are from the new Fall 2014 collection and they are amazing!!

 KBShimmer - Fall 2014

 I have a serious love for KBShimmer; their formula is always amazing and the colors are on point.  I feel that the brand is often setting trends and doing it well with a high quality (and affordable) product.

KBShimmer - Rust No One

Rust No One is a gorgeous linear holographic polish.  While my camera picked up a lot of red in this swatch, this is more of a rusty red-orange color in person.  I just have no words for this awesomeness!  The formula is just what you want from a holo; not too goopy, not too runny... just right.  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

 KBShimmer - Flannel Surfing

Flannel Surfing is a faded blue crelly with a mix of orange, aqua and teal glitters. I've seen quite a few swatches of this polish that have had me swooning.  It's such a flattering shade of blue that's lovely on every skin-type I've seen thus far.  Shown is 2 coats with top coat.

 KBShimmer - How You Dune?

How You Dune is a greige creme polish.  What is greige?  Only one of my favorite colors ever!  It's a grey/beige shade that I just love love love and this creme is especially creamy :)  The formula is perfect; when I opened the bottle I did a little happy dance in my chair haha.  Shown is 1 coat with no top coat (gah!).

 KBShimmer - Spot Sign

Spot Sign is a mix of black leopard spot shaped glitters, black dots, small black hexes and micro holographic sparkle.  This polish is actually apart of the Winter 2014 collection, but was released a little early due to all of the excitement behind this new glitter.  It's pretty much the coolest glitter topper that's come out in a long time.  I lurvs it :)  You would think the application on this would be a bear, but it really wasn't at all.  An average of 2-3 leopard spots came out on the brush with each dip.  I dabbed and brush; very little "glitter placement" was needed for me.  Shown is 2 dabbed coat over How You Dune? with top coat.

KBShimmer polishes retail at $7.50 for creme polishes and $8.75 for crelly/glitter/holo/etc. polishes.  You can purchase KBShimmer polishes HERE.

So what do we think?  I hope to have some selections from KBShimmer's Winter 2014 collection up this Sunday, so stay tuned...

Until next time!

Stef <3

* This product was provided to me for review.  I received no payment or other compensation for the review of this product.  The opinions stated here are completely my own.  The contents of this review are based on my direct experience with this product.

Black Widow, Baby!

Hello dolls!

Happy Saturday!!  I'm so glad it's the weekend... sooooo glad haha.  It finally feels like Fall her in Southern California and I couldn't be happier :) 

I've been a little busy this week and I finally found time this morning to edit some more Halloween manis... woohoo!

 Colors Used: Painted Polish - Black Widow, Baby and Acrylic Paint

As you may already know, I am currently obsessed with Painted Polish's collection of holos.  They're unbelievable!!  I had the pleasure of meeting the maker, Lexi, at a nail blogger/indie maker meet-up in LA last weekend.  Not only is she sweet as pie, but I was able to *almost* round of my collection of her polishes.  "Black Widow, Baby" is a part of Lexi's Haloween Trio of holos and it's a black jelly base with holo glitter mixed in...

 I applied 2 coats and let it set (about 5 mins).  I then used the black widow decals, that Lexi provided with this trio, on me ring finger.  With a thin striper, I painted my webs and spider and then I top coated.  Simple, just how I like it hahaha.

Love that holo!!

I saw on IG yesterday that Lexi is restocking the Halloween Trio along with some of her other polishes tomorrow at 11am PST.  So make an alarm for yourself and jump on it!  These do sell out quick (I speak from personal experience... there's a reason why I brought cash with me to that meet-up!).  Painted Polish can be purchased HERE :)

Until next time!

Stef <3

SAFS: Indie Palooza!

Hello dolls!

Long time, no see ;)  I took a little breather from blogging and in the process I ended up with more random swatchings.  So, here is another fun mix of indies for your Sunday enjoyment...

 

There is no rhyme or reason to my selections, they're just polishes I felt like wearing :P

 Frankenstine Polish - Falkor the Luck Dragon

First up is a gorgeous peachy-pink-shimmer polish named after my all time favorite dragon, Falkor!  It applied beautifully in 2 coats.  I applied 3 for good measure :)  This is definitely a soft, easy-to-wear polish.  Very subtle and feminine.  It's available for purchase here.

 I Love Nail Polish - Molly

Oh Molly!  I am such a sucker for raspberry/cranberry holos!!  This polish applied like a dream, with 2 coats shown.  While I really like this polish, I needed to shine direct light on it to pick up the holo glitter.  It's a subtle, scattered holo that is very lovely, but I think it may end up in my destash sale.  I like my holos to smack me in the face with their rainbowy goodness!

 I Love Nail Polish - Birefringence

Now this polish right here.... gagagagagagagagaaaah!!  Named after the Rainbow Bridge of Norse legend, this multi-chrome polish is mesmerizing.  I applied 2 coats without issue and just could not stop staring at my hands.  My husband was even distracted by this beauty hahaha.  ILNP's can be found here.

 Starrily - Galaxy

This polish was just too fun for me to pass up.  A mix of every kind of glitter you can think of, I applied one coat over a black base.  I... love... this... too much!!  It's the easiest galaxy mani I've ever done ;)  Starrily polishes can be purchased here 

.

 Enchanted Polish - Ciao Milano

Last but not least, the brand that is nearly impossible to get ones claws on... Enchated Polish.  I have heard so many gushing reviews of this brand and thought, "It cant be THAT amazing!"  Oh but it is.  I nabbed this in a destash sale that I happened to run across on instagram and knew that this was an opportunity I could not pass up.  And I'm so gladd I didn't because this one is a stunner!  This is 2 coats that applied so evenly and perfectly over a black base.  Heavenly!  If you're lucky, EP's can be bought here.

I got some really positive feedback from y'all about mixing brands in my swatching posts, so I'm gonna try to keep those coming  :)  Coming up this week I have a tribute mani, a glow in the dark mani, along with a feature of one of my all time favorite indies.  Stay tuned...

Until next time!

Stef <3