China Glaze-Strawberry Fields

Today is day two of me feeling ultra girly.  Not sure why I feel like wearing pink lately, but here's another gorgeous one!  Strawberry Fields is a wonderful bright pink jelly(ish) base with lots and lots of lovely gold shimmery goodness.  I actually like that this one isn't completely opaque after two coats.  It adds to the girlyness I think :)  These photos are two coats topped with SV:

Ultra pretty, yes?  Reminds me of Essie Your Hut or Mine? but a bit brighter and less opaque.  Definitely an awesome shade to be wearing while I'm wishing for an early spring :)  Not that I really need to ask, it's basically been spring here all winter.  Are any of you ladies experiencing the same thing?  We only got a touch of snow and it's been pretty nice other than that...weird.

Thanks for stopping by!
<3

China Glaze-Four Leaf Clover

That's right, ladies, I'm finally going to post Four Leaf Clover.  As I'm sure most of you know, this polish is notorious for being impossible to photograph.  First, I'll start with a color description.  FLC is a kelly green that is quite bright and leans the slightest bit neon.  For some reason, the combination of these traits result in the most difficult to photograph polish in the world.  I've never seen a swatch that really shows the true color, and mine are no exception.  With color correcting, this is as close to the real color as I could get.  You really have to see the polish in person to see how gorgeous it really is :)

This polish photographs a lot lighter than it actually is, so picture this a bit darker as well as a bit more vivid.  The formula on this beauty is wonderful as well.  Virtually perfect application in two coats.  It self levels perfectly as well, leaving a glassy finish.
Overall, I highly recommend this polish if you're looking for a unique green.  Definitely nothing else like it that I've come across!

Thanks for reading!
<3

Essie-Shine of the Times

I'm sure all of you have seen Shine of the Times around multiple times, but I just had to get my two cents in :)  It's a gorgeous gold/green/orange/multi flakie that is really saturated with flakes.  Compared to my Finger Paints flakie of the same color variety, this one seems to have twice the amount of bling.  I didn't want to layer it over boring black, so I decided to go with China Glaze Ingrid (not sure why Ingrid doesn't have her own post yet, I'll get working on that ;))

Let me tell you, it is super hard to get the green flash of this polish on camera without the photo being really blurry.  You can get a glimpse of it on my pointer finger and ring finger, but otherwise the orangey-red and gold are prominent.  Like I said, the glitter is really dense, and this was only one coat of SotT over two coats of Ingrid.  I topped off everything with Seche Vite.

Thanks for reading!
<3

Funky Cloud Mani

I decided to try my hand at a cloud manicure a la Nailside.  I always admire her manicures, and while I can't get anywhere close to her talent level, I can't resist trying out one of her tutorials every once in a while :)  So here's my interpretation of a funky cloud mani:

You guys would not believe how time consuming this is!!  It takes ages to layer all the colors, get the shapes right, etc.. but I like the end result.  Because of all the layers, this took AGES to dry and I got tipwear/shrinking right away.  I had to wrap my tips again right before I took these photos so it wouldn't look gross.
Anyway, the white is Zoya Purity, the orange is CG Life Preserver, and the purpley gray is Ulta Smoke Screen.  I like the color combination.  It even looks kind of tribal-ish to me.  Let me know what you guys think!  What color combos would look nice with this mani?

Thanks for reading!
<3

China Glaze-Starboard

In my opinion, Starboard is the most perfect color of green.  I absolutely love this polish and how beautiful the shade of green is.  It seems pretty standard at first, but after looking at it for a while, I fell in love.  It's a bit dusty/dirty, which adds an interesting touch.  Application is pretty good.  The formula is pretty thin, so I used three coats.  I think I could have gotten away with two, though.  No topcoat:

Pretty, yes?
Like I said yesterday, I'm experimenting with some new lighting, so I'd love some feedback on what you guys think.  Any suggestions as to what light bulbs to use to minimize orange/red cast in photos?  That's the main issue I'm having right now.

Thanks for reading!
<3

FAIL art- Candy Cane accent nail

I was bored one night and decided to give candy canes a whirl.  I wanted to do an accent nail, but I think I majorly failed at the color combo.  On top of all that, my red lines smeared when I put topcoat on.  I guess I didn't wait long enough for them to dry before I sealed it all up.  I thought you guys might get a laugh out of my attempt :)

Baha.  Next time I try something like this, I'll think it through a little more!

Thanks for reading ladies!  And don't forget that today is the last day to enter my giveaway!
<3

China Glaze-Life Preserver

This has been a polish that I have been wanting since February!!  For some reason, I could never find it...anywhere!!!  For my b-day, I got a gift card to Ulta from Mr. NbC's mommy, so I decided to use part of it to order LP!!  Now, I'm not big on orange polish, but this one has spoken to me since the first time I saw swatches of it :)  This is two coats, topped with China Glaze Fast Forward:

In dim lighting, this polish takes on a kind of rusty hue, but these photos show what it looks like most of the time.  The formula is awesome (as with all CG cremes) and the wear was also good.
This is by far my all time favorite orange!

Ugh, and I busted off my pinky nail, as you can see.  I've got a little nub!

Thanks for reading!
<3

China Glaze-CG in the City

I have been looking for this one regularly at my Sally's since it got released with the Metro collection.  Yesterday I got my hands on the last one!!  Now, I've heard pretty meh reviews on this one, but I just couldn't help myself.  And I'm glad I didn't!  I love it!  It's a clear base with dusty purple and silver glitter in it.  Love.  It took three coats to get it opaque enough for me to wear it on it's own.  Keep in mind that I have super shorties right now, and not much VNL to show, so it might look more sheer on others with longer nails.  I topped the three coats with my new love: Gelous.  I love Gelous so, so much.  It smoothed everything out and made the difference for me in how much I love this mani.  Topped all that off with SV:

So much love.  I can't stop looking at my pretty nails :)  If you love dusty colors and glitter, then this one is definitely for you!!  I warn that you need patience, though, as you need three coats and preferably a coat of something like Gelous to smooth the glitter out.

Thanks for stopping by, loves!
<3

100 follower celebration nails!!!

I'm so excited to share that I have reached 100 followers!!  To celebrate, I did some festive nail art :)  I used a base of ChG For Audrey and dotted with SC Verbena and Unicorn.  Topped it all off with a thick coat of Seche Vite.  I think it looks so festive!

I want to take the time to say THANK YOU to all of my subscribers!!  I wouldn't keep writing if it weren't for you.  I always appreciate all of the supportive comments you guys leave me and it lets me know that I'm making an impact on someone :)  100 followers is a huge milestone for me and I'm beyond grateful for every one of you.  I also want to say hello to my newer followers and that I hope you'll enjoy it here!  I always end every post with a <3 and I truly mean it every time.  I love you guys!

<3!!!!!!!!!

China Glaze-Secret Peri-winkle

 Secret Peri-winkle is my current summer favorite polish!!  For some reason, I can't get enough of dusty periwinkle colors lately.  This and Smooth Sailing by Essie have been drawing my eye almost every time I change my polish.  I love the formula of this one, too.  Thin and smooth and only two coats to opacity.

I love konading over this one, too.  So pretty.

Thanks for stopping by! <3

China Glaze-Flip Flop Fantasy

This is for real one of the most neon polishes I have ever seen.  The photos don't even do it justice.  Like any true neon, the formula was really iffy.  It was streaky and pulled a lot.  took two thin coats plus one thick coat to even everything out.  Of course, neons dry matte, so topcoat is a must, imo.  I used Out the Door:

Doesn't this color just scream summer at you?  Like, I want to lounge by the pool and maybe sip a cocktail  at the beach?  It does to me, anyway.  Of all neon polishes, I think I like pinks the best...not sure why.  This one has a slight coral touch to it as well.  I think it's beautifully unique :)

What do you guys think of this one/neons in general?

Thanks for reading <3

Paisley and Periwinkle!

This is my latest Konadicure.  I used two coats of my current fave: ChG Secret Peri-Winkle and stamped it with M60 and Wet'n'Wild Black Creme.  First of all, I just want to let all of you know how awesome Black Creme is for stamping.  Def the best black for stamping that I have (I don't have special black).  Topped it all off with a coat of SV.

I'm completely obsessed with this mani.  Can't stop staring at it!  I've gotten quite a few compliments on it today, as well :)

Thank you guys for looking! <3

China Glaze-Shower Together

Shower Together was one of the first polishes I got when I started building my collection.  I saw it on a girl in a YouTube video and fell in love.  The color is kind of a dark tealish blue creme.  Application is gorgeous and smooth.  Typical CG creme formula.  The only real qualm I have about this one is that is stains like CRAZY.  A really good base coat is definitely a must.  Sometimes I'll do two coats of base coat if it's not a base coat that I usually use/am used to/know will protect my nails from the color.  These photos are 2 coats, no topcoat:

Isn't she just beautiful?? Lovely summer color.

Thanks for reading <3

Water Marble Attempt #2

So I was bored last night and decided to try my hand again at water marbling.  I tried once before HERE, but it was my first time and my pictures were awful, but hey, I tried :)  Anyway, I thought this time was a bit more successful.  I still need practice getting my nails to be more uniform.  As you can see from the pictures, they all look really different.  This time I taped off the skin around my nails to avoid horrendous cleanup (a step I forgot last time).

left hand

left hand

right hand

right hand

For this mani I used:
Nail Magic Base Coat Therapy
China Glaze For Audrey (base color)
Nabi Rose
Sinful Colors Verbena
NYX Perfect Gray (got really sheered out, can't really see it)
Out the Door Topcoat

Let me know what you guys think!  What are your favorite color combos for water marbles?
Also, don't forget to check out my giveaway!  Link at the top right of my blog :)

Thanks for reading! <3

China Glaze-Awakening

Enter my GIVEAWAY!!  :)  It's easy and you have a chance to win 5 lovely polishes!

I was thoroughly disgusted by how awful my swatches of Awakening were in my first post about it.  They were basically awful.  I wanted to do this polish justice since it's one of my all time favorites and it's a beautiful duochrome :)  Application is easy breezy, two coats.  These photos are two coats topped with Seche Vite:

this one shows the duochrome the best.  click me!

This one is a stunning purple/gold duochrome.  I can never seem to find swatches of this one which is a shame because I feel like everyone should invest in this beauty.  Definitely one of my top go-to polishes!

China Glaze-Lubu Heels

Today's notd is Lubu Heels by China Glaze.  it is a black jellyish cream with red sparkles in it.  Sounds pretty, yes?  I had high hopes for this polish, but it fell a bit drab on the nail.  Even after a coat of Seche Vite, I found it a bit dull.  Also, the red sparkles in it don't show up nearly enough for my liking.

As you an see from the first two pictures, the red glitter is pretty subtle.  The third picture is with flash to try to pull out the glitter, but it's still not as prominent as I would like.  Maybe I should have done a third coat...I feel like it would have been a bit more rich in that case.
If you are a fan of subtle glitter, this may be an amazing polish for you, but it's not too hot with me.
Also, clean up on this is...interesting.  Glitter+black=not easy on my cuticles!

Have any of you tried this polish?  I'd love to hear what you thought of it!

China Glaze-Heaven

When I picked up this polish, I picked it because of how beautiful it looked in the bottle.  I had been looking for an opaque nude color that didn't make my nails look "dead".  This nude has very subtle silver shimmer throughout it.  This color reminds me of OPI's Privacy Please, but a bit more opaque and with shimmer.
Application was a bit streaky, but manageable because I love the color so much :)

direct sunlight

indirect sunlight

shade

 This was 3 coats over a base coat with a coat of Seche Vite on top.  Sorry my skin around my nails looks so red...it's not the polish.  I had just taken off a super bright red/coral and it slightly stained my skin :/
There is a slight bit of VNL, but I really don't mind.  It's barely noticeable :)
Let me know what you think!

May Favorites :)

Since it's the beginning of June, I thought I'd let you all know what my favorite polishes for the month of May were!  These four polishes were basically all I wore in May, with the exception of swatching.

Sorry about the poor lighting...anyway!  

From left to right:

China Glaze-For Audrey

Orly-Rage

OPI-Cozu-Melted in the Sun

Essie-Smooth Sailing

These colors are so springy and amazing!  For Audrey is an amazing creamy light teal.  Perfect for spring days :) Orly Rage is a metallic rose gold.  The OPI is one of my all time favorites.  It is a shimmery pinky beige.  Smooth Sailing is a super unique medium blue with silver reflects that really lights up in the sun.

I have a feeling I'll be reaching for these all through June as well :D

China Glaze-Awakening

Now that summer is upon us, I think it's time to dip my nails into some flashier polishes :)  Today's nail of the day is China Glaze Awakening, a gorgeous plum/gold duochrome that appears plum indoors, but lights up in the sun!  I was trying to look up some swatches of this color online, but had a surprisingly hard time finding one.  Well, here you go!

here you can see the burgudy/plum really well

I couldn't stop staring at my nails while wearing this color!  (Sorry about my cuticles...ugh)

 

beautiful gold duochrome!

haul!

Today I finished my senior capstone!  For a reward, I thought I'd get myself a few new polishes and some other random goodies!

from left to right: orly rage, china glaze for audrey, china glaze white crackle, china glaze strong adhesion, california mango cuticle oil

I have wanted to pick up the Orly polish for a long time.  It's a beautiful rose gold with tons of pretty shimmer!  Will definitely be posting about it soon...
For Audrey is a classic China Glaze polish that I have wanted to add to my collection for a while
As for the crackle polish, I have wanted to try one out for a while, so I decided to pick it up.  I haven't tried it yet, but I'm excited to try it!

close up: orly rage, china glaze for audrey, china glaze white crackle

close up: china glaze strong adhesion, california mango cuticle oil

I picked all of these products up at Sally Beauty Supply :)