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

Delush Supreme Scream Collection

*Disclaimer

Hello dolls!

It's been a cool minute since my last post, but I'm back with an epic swatch fest... get excited!  Today's collection is brought to you by Delush Polish and I'm obsessed.  The Supreme Scream Collection is inspired by the show American Horror Story.  While I have never watched the show (I'm a big scaredy pants), I think these glitter-packed polishes are on point!  They look amazing both glossy and matte, so I'm showing you those options as well...

Delush Polish - Bitchcraft

More after the jump...

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.

Skele-tons Of Skele-fun!

Hello lovlies!

I changed my mind since yesterday.  I am NOT over the Halloween manis lol.  I was just lacking inspiration, but then out of the blue yesterday I decided I wanted to try skulls.  Executing this thought in my head was more difficult than I thought, but once I figured it out it was a cinch.

 

 Colors Used: Mentality - Tempest, Sally Hansen - White On, Acrylic Paint

I started with my matte base color, Tempest.  This beauty only needs one coat; it's my favorite of my Mentality collection ;)  I then took the end of a nail art brush (because I don't have a dotting tool this large) and placed large white dots on my nails.

I then took a detail brush and applied white stripes (with acrylic paint because it's easier to work with) for the jaws.  I straightened out the jaws with a swipe of Tempest across their bottoms and topped with Mentality Matte Top Coat.

 "You wanna know why skeletons are so calm?  Because nothing gets under their skin!" Ba-dum-bum!

I really really love the way these turned out!  But... I am now uninspired again hahaha.  Any suggestions???

Until next time!

Stef <3

Candy Corn Tips!

Hello dolls!

I have a quick and simple Halloween mani to share with you today.  Not gonna lie... I think I might be over the Halloween nails lol.

 Color Used: Candy Lacquer - Candy Corn-flower

I thought this glitter topper might make a good candy corn gradient and I'm so glad I tried it!  This polish is a huge mix of glitters. Hexes, squares, flowers, dots... all different sizes and in candy corn colors.  It's so cool!  I was gifted this polish by the sweet KellieGonzo and I love it :)

 To achieve this look, I used a latex-free makeup sponge and dabbed on the glitter.  I was careful to not pile on the glitter when applying and went through about 3 times with this coats.  I topped it with a base coat to smoth out the glitter and then applied my regular top coat.

Super simple!

This polish was released in 2012 and I can't seem to find it available by anyone online (such is the way with indies).  BUT!  I do know that other indies have candy corn toppers available now.  You could also approach an indie and ask for them to make a custom polish for you like this one (if you're as crazy about polish as I am lol).  

Until next time!

Stef <3

SAFS: Dragon Claw Polish!

*Disclosure

Hello lovelies!

Welcome to another edition of "Sunday's Are For Swatching"!  Today's swatches are brought to you by a new indie brand on the scene, Dragon Claw Polish...

Dragon Claw Polish is launching their brand with 3 collections starting November 7th.  I received one of the collections to swatch and share with you, my lovely readers :)  This grouping of four beauties is called "The Girls of Famous Asian", inspired by four of the girls that maker Janet works with at a restaurant she runs...

 Dragon Claw Polish - Nessa

Nessa is described as a gorgeous, vampy, quiet person with a touch of flair!

 

 This is a lavender chrome jelly with a nice mix of scattered holos that really sets the polish off.  It is sheer when first applying, but with 2 coats opacity was easily achieved.

 Dragon Claw Polish - Bren

Bren is describe as a hard working person.  Like a great pair of denim jeans; she is reliable and can hold up to anything!

This is a sparkly, denim blue polish that was a dream to apply!  It is packed with blue micro glitter that were a breeze to clean up in my "messy spots".  Two coats shown.

 Dragon Claw Polish - GEO

GEO is described as a smart, edgy, hard worker with a touch of glamorous attitude!

This polish is a mix of black stripe, gold square, gold hex and micro silver glitters in a clear base.  I applied 2 coats over a white base.  The glitter smoothed out very nicely when top coated (I will talk more about the top coat at the end of this review...)

 Dragon Claw Polish - Bea

Bea is described as a happy and friendly person who gives off a positive and calming vibe :)

This polish is definitely my favorite of the four!  It is a gorgeous cerulean blue with bright hex and micro holo glitter mixed in.  This is anothe sheer jelly that built up beautifully in 3 thin coats.  I had difficulty getting the bright hexes out with the brush.  I had to do some fishing and glitter placement, but it was worth the effort because this polish is just so pretty!

Dragon Claw Polish - Diamond Claw Top Coat

Now I have to tell you about this top coat... Oh my word is it amazing!!  I applied it over each polish that I swatched and it's probably one of the fastest drying top coats I've ever used (which is saying a lot since it took me about 2 years to find my staple top coat!).  The very first time I applied it, I was in shock.  By the time I got to painting my pinky nail, my thumb was already dry to the touch!  Even more than that, the top coat passed my "3 minute rub test" where I rub my thumb 3 mins after application.  There was no smudging.  None!  To top it all off, 10 mins after that I did the "smush/fingerprint test",  and while some firm pressing did leave an imprint on my nail, before my eyes the imprint refilled itself like it was receiving a botox injection and went back to it's smooth and glossy state.  Amazing!!

Over all I was pleasantly surprised by this new brand.  I am so excited to see what happens in it's future! 

As stated previously, these polish will be available for purchase HERE on November 7th along with the other 2 collections.  You can follow Dragon Claw Polish on Facebook for updates and product news :)

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.