Monday, December 16, 2013

... piCture pOlish Collab-Fest 2013! ...

Welcome lovelies!!

Today is the piCture pOlish Collab-Fest 2013! The special day of the year that showcases all your favourite collaboration polishes from their inspirational sources! So many beautiful collaboration polishes have appeared this year from piCture pOlish and each one has a different story behind the polish.

So back in April I was blessed to have my shade Shocked released and I have loved seeing it appear on so many other fingers on my blogger and instagram feeds. Thank you so much for embracing something that captures myself.


Now my nails are quite a lot shorter than my original post on Shocked but I think it still looks fab! Here are my short nails outside in the South Australian summer sunshine. Sparkle sparkle!


And as it's the festive season and I can't leave anything alone ...


A simple nail art tape mani with piCture pOlish Goldfinger as the tree! I love how easy this was to recreate using the tutorial over at Nailside. If you are like me then this time of year is extremely busy and being able to create nail art in a minute is my kinda deal!


Shocked is available from piCture pOlish and other network members.  Currently it's in limited supply so if you'd like a bottle then get onto it sooner rather than later!!

** Want to see more pretty collab fest swatches! Click below **



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[edit] I'm getting a few messages and emails about the inlinkz code! The link given by email works but you need to paste it into the InLinkz code. If you still need it paste the following into the HTML section of your post! Good luck!!

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Monday, December 9, 2013

... Aussie Nail Monday - Snow ...

Hello and welcome to Aussie Nails Monday!! Todays theme is Snow or Snowmen! I've gone for the snow aspect as I've been really jealous lately of all the beautiful winter pics appearing online. I would say it's summer here but that has been rather non-existent so far this year. I'm sure it'll warm up soon enough though.


The blue is a subtle gradient of 3 Illamasqua pretty polishes called Noble, Muse and Phallic. I really liked how it worked out although I possibly could have gone darker on the tips a bit more so it would stand out further.


I've used Konad White polish for the snowflakes and I've used a few different stamping plates for them as I wanted lots of variety (although I think I could definitely use some more snowflake stamps!) The ones I've used today are Konad m59, Konad m69 and Gals GA41.


I really like how the blues seem to change depending on the light and I spent most of today looking at my nails just to see the colour shift! It's been awhile since I had that fantastic feeling.


Wanna see more Aussie Nails? Check out these links or check out #anmonday on Instagram!

Lily Jinks - @lilyandjinks
Ann - Nailovelogy
Tracy - @oliviajade19
Holly - @nails_by_holly
Naomi - @nadeekay and Nananaisnails
Erin Wu -  @erinzi and Erin Zi’s Nails
Astrid - @lovessweetas
Sarah Claire - @shattermeclaire or Shatter me Claire
Sylvie - @smudgedpolish
Tammy - @ohmygoshpolish
Christinemay - @xtinemayyy or Nails at 2am
Tash Birch - @tashisdead
Briana -

Friday, December 6, 2013

... Epic Nails Nail Transfer Foils ...

Quick break from the Christmas Nails today but I'll be back tomorrow with another! Be warned, this is a long post but it's pretty awesome so hang around and learn with me!!

I was contacted recently by the lovely people at Epic Nail to see if I'd be interested in reviewing some nail transfer foils. I was extremely intrigued by the Epic Nail website which states their foils work on Shellac / Gel Polish by using the sticky residue.

I won't lie. I have struggled with transfer foils in the past but no longer! I've ruined a few manis by not transferring them properly and also with having top coats ruin the finish but I'm so glad that I learnt about using gel polishes to help. So let me show you!

Firstly the pack I received was the Essential Kit and it contains everything you need!  Foils, Glue, Cuticle Sticks, Instructions and Information.

There were 6 foils included and even if you are like me and not a foil pro, you'll find you'll get many manicures from them as rolled out, there is a metre on each roll! Plenty of room for practicing! The colours I received are All Laced Up, Winter Is Coming, I Heart You, Nautical, Pipe Dream and In The Jungle.




As I mentioned above, I was extremely intrigued by the fact you can use this in Gel Polish manicures and in the past I've had trouble with top coats dulling the final result so all the fantastic foil designs below were created using Shellac and OPI GelColour gel polishes and top coats

All the following were created by doing some preparation for gel polish, a base coat and a coat or 2 of gel polish and then using the sticky residue I've transferred these designs! Then a top coat to seal the deal!

All  Laced Up

Winter is Coming

I Heart You

 Nautical
 
Pipe Dream



In The Jungle


Like stamping, transfer foils take practice so keep at it! I think you can see with these swatches, which were my first! Once I got the hang of it, it was super easy and fast!!  I definitely found using Shellac helpful as I didn't wreck my whole mani if I made a mistake. Sure you lose your sticky residue when wiping off but you can use the glue and then top coat without losing your underneath colour! Winning!

If you want to give these foils a try, there is free standard shipping on orders over $30 if you use the code BLOGSHATTER on checkout! I know I'll be checking out more colours!



Foils were provided for review but all opinions, Aussie humour and dodgy photography are my own!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

... Aussie Nail Holiday Art - Wrapping Gifts ...

Todays Christmas theme is "Wrapping Gifts" and man this was hard!! But who doesn't like a challenge!!

If you are like me, you find wrapping gift hard work! I'll admit I use a gift bag when I can but I recently had these fantastic nail transfer foils sent to me from the legendary people at Epic Nail and thought that they looked similar to wrapping paper. So I added some silver to represent a ribbon and voila! Sure it's not Christmas gift paper but I'd still use it if I came across it!


The foils are called "Pipe Dream" and I've used them using Shellac. Super smooth finish! Love it!

While it's not my favourite thing I've ever done, I have had a lot of compliments from people on this design so it must look pretty good!


If you enjoyed these foils, I'll have more to show you tomorrow! I've been very much enjoying using them over the past week, especially with gel polish!


Want to see more Aussie Nail Christmas Nails?? Check out the hashtag #anxmas2013 on Instragram!

Polishes were provided for review but all opinions, Aussie humour and dodgy photography are my own!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

... Aussie Nail Holiday Art - Sweet Treats ...

Woohoo! 3 days in a row! *big grin* Todays theme is Sweet Treats and I've just gone the easy option and picked Candy Canes since I don't have a lot of time this morning to work with. Mmmmmm Candy Canes *homer drool*


I've chosen China Glaze Ruby Pumps as the base which I'm so thankful that I hung onto. As much as I love the look of red polishes, they just don't love me back the same way.  I've stamped using the Vivid Lacquer plate VL007.


In hindsight, I probably should have lined up the stripes a bit better but I think it still looks ok. Besides, everyone knows that when you pick up a Candy Cane that the stripes aren't always perfect!


If anything, all this did was make me hungry!! Nom nom nom!

Photo via Google Images from this source.

Want to see more Aussie Nail Christmas Nails?? Check out the hashtag #anxmas2013 on Instragram!

Monday, December 2, 2013

... Aussie Nail Monday - Christmas Trees ...

Hello and welcome to Aussie Nails Monday!! Todays theme is Christmas Trees and I'm so pleased with how todays nails turned out! Hurrah!!


These were so simple to do and I'm definitely going to have to do something again in the future like it.  I've used Glitter Gal Teal Green as the base which was sitting in my untried pile for WAY too long! Sadly Glitter Gal has fallen off my radar in the past year but I'll have to rectify that in the new year!


Check out that holo!! *drools* As like every Glitter Gal polish I own the application is flawless and it's fast drying! Bonus! Now to make your Christmas Tree design, make sure you've top coated and wait until it's dry.  Then grab some sticky tape and make a triangle shape to make your tree.


YAY! I've used some non clear tape for you to easily see what to do. Oh, ok! I really used it cos it's super cute!  Once you've positioned your tape, get stamping!!! I've used the FUN12 stamping plate which has some beautiful vertical lines and teamed it with Konad White stamping polish.


Oddly, the tree is white until you top coat it and then it turns a pale green. I'm totally unsure why it's done this as the green polish is 1000% dry and the top coat isn't contaminated. I kept it with the top coat as I preferred the look of the tinted white as it didn't look so bold but each to their own!  The decoration dots are Glitter Gal Type O.



Wanna see more Aussie Nails? Check out these links or check out #anmonday on Instagram!  Also keep checking #ozember for more Nails from Oz!

Lily Jinks - @lilyandjinks
Ann - Nailovelogy
Tracy - @oliviajade19
Holly - @nails_by_holly
Naomi - @nadeekay and Nananaisnails
Erin Wu -  @erinzi and Erin Zi’s Nails
Astrid - @lovessweetas
Sarah Claire - @shattermeclaire or Shatter me Claire
Sylvie - @smudgedpolish
Tammy - @ohmygoshpolish
Christinemay - @xtinemayyy or Nails at 2am
Tash Birch - @tashisdead
Briana -

Sunday, December 1, 2013

... Aussie Nail Holiday Art - Holiday Colours ...

Ah December! My fave nail painting time of the year!!  I'm really hoping to improve on last years dismal attempt!

Today the theme for the Aussie Nail Holiday Nail Art Challenge is Holiday Colours.  I've gone for something a bit different from the usual red and green. I've also included my favourite Christmas polish is Butter London West End Wonderland, to the point where my bottle is over half empty and needs thinning badly! I'm not sure what exactly I love about this polish but it just makes me feel super happy!


The coloured lights are Butter London Pillar Box Red and also Butter London Dosh. I think it actually works quite well. Well really I think that everything works well with West End Wonderland!! So sparkly!!


Pretty pleased with myself with this attempt! I definitely need a new bottle of this beauty though before next Christmas!


Want to see more Aussie Nail Christmas Nails?? Check out the hashtag #anxmas2013 on Instragram!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

... Lilypad Lacquer - Bubble Yummo ...

I've been wanting to try this one out for awhile but haven't gotten around to it before now! Glad I've finally got it on my fingertips!!

This beautiful pink is Bubble Yummo from the creative holographic genius that is Nicole from Lilypad Lacquer *drools*


Now, sadly you'll notice that I'm not holding the beautiful pink holo bottle. That's because I got up to grab my camera after painting and this happened.

For never was a story of more woe, than this of Sarah Claire and her Bubble Yummo.

Yes. I dropped it and snapped the neck with 95% of the contents spilling onto my lounge room floor. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, my tale has a happier ending. A beautiful stranger has offered to replace my bottle which was beyond kind and I am still really quite speechless in expressing my gratitude.


Now back to the polish! Obviously, it's bright pink! These shots are of 3 coats and although the camera shows some Visible Nail Line (VNL)  Bubble Yummo isn't a super strong linear holographic polish but it's still a holo never the less. I thought it was beautiful as I love the pink colour but having a secret hidden rainbow was fantastic! YAY!


Monday, November 18, 2013

... Aussie Nails Monday - Aussie Indies Part III ...


Happy Aussie Nails Monday! The best thing about Mondays if you ask me!

Today, you will need your drool bucket! Trust me!  This beauty is from the ever so awesome Emma over at Love Thy Polish. It's Marine Dream ... mmm dreamy!


First thing you'll notice is OMG THE HOLO!!! The above photo was taken in natural sunlight and WOW! That's one bright holo!


Inside during the day, it still shows a sight holo so if direct sunlight isn't an option, never fear!! You can still admire the pretty holo.


All of these swatches are 3 coats and like all the other Love The Polishes I own, there is no lumps, bumps or unwanted surprises. It's also fast drying for those who are super impatient like me! WIN!


International girls, if you are wanting this - head to MeiMei Signatures or Harlow and Co to get your hands on this pretty! You won't regret it!!

Now for a long time I've wanted to showcase my "Wheel of Holo" some more which is my collection of holographic swatch sticks.  The closest polish I could find to Marine Dream is China Glaze DV8 and while they are different in colour and holo strength, having Marine Dream in your collection might be able to tide you over if you are desperately lusting over DV8.

(shade shot!)

Wanna see more Aussie Nails? Check out these links or check out #anmonday on Instagram!  Also keep checking #ozember for more Nails from Oz!

Lily Jinks - @lilyandjinks
Ann - Nailovelogy
Tracy - @oliviajade19
Holly - @nails_by_holly
Naomi - @nadeekay and Nananaisnails
Erin Wu -  @erinzi and Erin Zi’s Nails
Astrid - @lovessweetas
Sarah Claire - @shattermeclaire or Shatter me Claire
Sylvie - @smudgedpolish
Tammy - @ohmygoshpolish
Christinemay - @xtinemayyy or Nails at 2am
Tash Birch - @tashisdead
Briana -

Thursday, November 14, 2013

... Emily de Molly - No Love Lost ...

I was cleaning out the memory card on my camera and found this beauty. This is No Love Lost by Emily de Molly which is a beautiful red jelly full of squares and hex shapes.


I could only find 2 decent photos to show you as I didn't take many with the camera. I think at the time I didn't think it worked for me. Looking back I think it's stunning and I'm definitely having a regret that's it's gone from my collection.


Stunning. Totally stunning!  The lesson here is don't always judge a polish by it's first impression!


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