Merry Christmas

Hi there!

I'm a week late, I know. My great grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve, so I wasn't exactly in the mood to post. It's okay, though. She was at peace, and I'm lucky enough to have a large, supportive family. We've been together just about every night. We kind of cope by cooking together and playing games.

The salt water ate away at my manicure, but not badly enough to where you can't get the idea...

My nails painted with Kleancolor - Metallic Red.
Stamped with Julep - Sienna and Bundle Monster image plate  BM14.

I painted only 1 coat of Metallic Red. I then stamped with Sienna and topped it with a coat of Seche Vite. I initially tried this manicure with Metallic Sapphire (it's gorgeous), stamped with Nicole by OPI's Positive Energy (silver). The idea of that combination is amazing... but the formulas didn't work with one another. The Metallic Sapphire seemed to eat the silver. Even with an application of top coat before the stamped image was applied couldn't stop the silver from disappearing.

Have you ever tried a manicure where one of the polishes disappeared?

Until next time...

Awesome Deal Alert

Hi there!

I took part in this same type of deal back in October. It allowed me to purchase 3 Zoya polishes and 2 OPI polishes for only $14, free shipping! A similar deal is back. It's $17.50 for $50 worth of product on bloom.com

If you'd like to nab this deal, here's how...

Oh, it's only good for US residents :-/ and the deal expires in roughly 3 days from now.

1. Sign up here: https://www.plumdistrict.com/?ref=uf885a704bfc
     This is my referral link. It will issue a $5 credit to your account if you're a new member.

2. Where it asks for a promotion code on the signup section, enter Fabulous
     This code will give you an extra $2.50 to your account.

3. Once you've signed up, search for "Everywhere" deals. There will be a bloom.com deal that says it costs $25 for $50 worth of product. Click on it, and then click "Make it Mine."

4. Apply your $5 and $2.50 toward your purchase, and it will cost you $17.50 for $50 worth of product.

5. In a new browser, sign up on bloom.com

6. Add $50 worth of product to your cart.

7. Use the voucher code that Plum District gave you in the promotion code section on bloom.com at checkout.

And that'll be it. They have the OPI Nicki Minaj collection available. And they're pretty quick about getting new collections up right away- so I'm guessing they'll soon have the OPI Holland collection. Of course, you don't have to add only nail polish. Bloom has several other brands and products on their site :-) 

The fine print states that the voucher you receive will expire March 31, 2012. It also states that you have to wait 24 hours to use the code and the voucher must be used in 1 transaction.

Let me know if you're able to enjoy this deal!

Until next time...

Wrapping Paper

Hi there!

I spotted a package wrapped underneath a charity donation tree that inspired this manicure...

My nails painted with China Glaze - Ruby Pumps and Emerald Sparkle.
Stamped with China Glaze - Passion and Konad image plate M60.

I almost decided against sharing this design because the picture shows and magnifies every flaw. Yes, the image is patchy and uneven, and the top coat definitely smeared it. But it really doesn't look that bad in person!

Anyway, I painted 2 coats of Ruby Pumps (red) and Emerald Sparkle (green). I stamped using Passion, one of my favorite stamping polishes. Then I added a coat of China Glaze's Fast Forward Top Coat.

Do you use/have you used this top coat? This is my second time using it, and I'm not sure I like it. It dries with an annoying smell that doesn't dissipate for hours after application :-/

Until next time...

China Glaze - Emerald Sparkle Versus Glittering Garland

Hi there!

I forgot to post this comparison when I painted it quite some time ago...

My nails painted with China Glaze - Emerald Sparkle and Glittering Garland.
Emerald Sparkle is painted on my pointer and ring finger.
Glittering Garland is painted on my middle and pinky finger.

I painted 2 coats of each polish to make them perfectly opaque. At first glance, there isn't much of a difference between the two... with a closer look, Glittering Garland is more olive-colored than the forest green of Emerald Sparkle. Glittering Garland dries much more smoothly than Emerald Sparkle. And Glittering Garland is a smidge less densely glitter-packed than Emerald Sparkle.

If I had to recommend just one polish, it'd easily be Glittering Garland.

Do you have either of these? Which do you prefer?

Until next time...

China Glaze - Lorelei's Tiara

Hi there!

I recently received this polish as a gift, and I can already tell it's my new go-to for the winter...

My nails painted with China Glaze - Lorelei's Tiara.

I painted 2 coats of Lorelei's Tiara, and I topped it with a coat of China Glaze's Fast Forward Top Coat to achieve what's pictured. I first tried this manicure with a coat of Seche Vite- it lifted and all of the polish peeled clean off of my nails within a few hours.

Typically, I'm not one for glitter polishes. In fact, I think this might be the first one I like. It sparkles like crazy in person and my picture really does no justice. My camera wouldn't focus with all of the sparkle, so the cell phone picture is the best I could manage to capture.

What's your favorite polish from the Eye Candy collection? Do you own this one?

Until next time...