Greetings All!
I can't believe October is very nearly over! I've been waiting all year to do Halloween nails, and I feel like I didn't even do that many! I'm a little disappointed, especially after seeing everyone else's lovely nails.
What I did manage to do is amass a fairly impressive collection of Halloween polishes! Enough to keep my nails spooky all year round. Here are some from Nail Lacquer UK.
Thursday, 31 October 2013
UK Indies - Iconic Effect Halloween Polishes
Greetings All!
Happy Halloween! I hope you all have something suitably ghastly planned!
October is also officially UK Indie Month, so today I'm combining the two and bringing you Halloween indies!
Iconic Effect has become very popular since it launched this Summer. Their holo topcoats are always sold out, and they have a very professional looking range of holos, glitter toppers and glitter sandwiches.
So let's have a look at their Halloween polishes, shall we?
Happy Halloween! I hope you all have something suitably ghastly planned!
October is also officially UK Indie Month, so today I'm combining the two and bringing you Halloween indies!
Iconic Effect has become very popular since it launched this Summer. Their holo topcoats are always sold out, and they have a very professional looking range of holos, glitter toppers and glitter sandwiches.
So let's have a look at their Halloween polishes, shall we?
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
The Crumpet's Nail Tarts 33DC Day 17 - Artwork With Your Favourite Brand
Greetings All!
I can't honestly say that I have a favourite brand of nail polish. So far no one brand has been able to give me everything I need! And thank goodness I don't have to limit myself (although imagine how neat my collection would look if they were all one brand! I would enjoy that).
One brand I have been enjoying a lot lately is Color Club. Firstly, I love their topcoat. I know I'm not the only one, but it rocks. Second, I often find packs of seven polishes in TK Maxx for £7.99 (and they come with a bottle of aforementioned topcoat!). Thirdly, they do have a fairly decent range - cremes, glitters, sparklies, I even have a CC flakie. Fourthly, and most importantly for this manicure, the holos. They are the holoest of holos, and completely gorgeous. Oh, and they stamp!
Apologies for that middle picture, but my normal photos don't really acknowledge the true holographic glory, at all! To be honest I was pretty proud I captured that much rainbow indoors with this camera!
My base is Espresso, from the new Barry M Matte collection (another brand I am quite fond of). I was fairly impressed with this polish, at first at least. It didn't dry too quickly, which some matte polishes can, and it had a nice matte finish. However after applying this in the evening, I woke up the next morning with chips on five different fingers. I'll try it again with a different basecoat, and I've wanted a matte black polish for ages, but that's bad wear time even for me!
I stamped with Color Club Beyond, which has been on my lemming list for a good few months. I eventually caved and bought it on eBay. I'm pretty glad I did, because it is pretty near perfect! The design is from the Cheeky Happy Holidays plate.
I'm very curious to see what others have chosen as their favourite brand!
I can't honestly say that I have a favourite brand of nail polish. So far no one brand has been able to give me everything I need! And thank goodness I don't have to limit myself (although imagine how neat my collection would look if they were all one brand! I would enjoy that).
One brand I have been enjoying a lot lately is Color Club. Firstly, I love their topcoat. I know I'm not the only one, but it rocks. Second, I often find packs of seven polishes in TK Maxx for £7.99 (and they come with a bottle of aforementioned topcoat!). Thirdly, they do have a fairly decent range - cremes, glitters, sparklies, I even have a CC flakie. Fourthly, and most importantly for this manicure, the holos. They are the holoest of holos, and completely gorgeous. Oh, and they stamp!
Apologies for that middle picture, but my normal photos don't really acknowledge the true holographic glory, at all! To be honest I was pretty proud I captured that much rainbow indoors with this camera!
My base is Espresso, from the new Barry M Matte collection (another brand I am quite fond of). I was fairly impressed with this polish, at first at least. It didn't dry too quickly, which some matte polishes can, and it had a nice matte finish. However after applying this in the evening, I woke up the next morning with chips on five different fingers. I'll try it again with a different basecoat, and I've wanted a matte black polish for ages, but that's bad wear time even for me!
I stamped with Color Club Beyond, which has been on my lemming list for a good few months. I eventually caved and bought it on eBay. I'm pretty glad I did, because it is pretty near perfect! The design is from the Cheeky Happy Holidays plate.
I'm very curious to see what others have chosen as their favourite brand!
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
UK Indies - Pocket Money Polishes November Collection - Part 1
*These products were provided for review*
Greetings All!Today I'm taking a break from all my Halloween nails to share with you (part of) the latest collection from Pocket Money Polishes. These will be available from Friday (November 1st). The collection includes Charlie's classic glitter toppers, as well as three 'soft metallics'. Today I have swatches of those, and I'll have a glitter laden post later on in the week!
Monday, 28 October 2013
The Crumpet's Nail Tarts 33DC Day 16 - South America
Greetings All!
I'm now all caught up with this challenge (again!). I'm usually pretty good at keeping up, but it's been a busy month, polish wise!
In that spirit, of course I was stuck for inspiration. So I stamped. Over an untried though, so I'm still keeping that self-imposed aspect of the challenge up!
My base is the rather pretty Boots No7 Rose Truffle, and I stamped with Sally Hansen Fairy Teal and the Viva Mexico plate from Cheeky (I know Mexico isn't in South America, but I was stuck for what to do lol).
I'm now all caught up with this challenge (again!). I'm usually pretty good at keeping up, but it's been a busy month, polish wise!
In that spirit, of course I was stuck for inspiration. So I stamped. Over an untried though, so I'm still keeping that self-imposed aspect of the challenge up!
My base is the rather pretty Boots No7 Rose Truffle, and I stamped with Sally Hansen Fairy Teal and the Viva Mexico plate from Cheeky (I know Mexico isn't in South America, but I was stuck for what to do lol).
The Crumpet's Nail Tarts 33DC Day 15 - Animals (And New UK Indies!)
Greetings All!
Once again, I'm late with this challenge! My post scheduling for last week didn't quite work out, so I have animal nails for you now, and South American nails for you later!
UK indie polishes are now popping up all over the place (I can't keep up!), and today I've incorporated some polishes from FatPussPolish, a new UK indie brand. Yes, you read that right. Nail polish and cats! Fortunately their creator Jessica is a crazy cat lady (like myself!), and not some cynical polish maker who has been looking at a Venn diagram of women who like cats and polish! I know as soon as I saw these, cat labels and all, I could not resist!
Don't worry, there is nail art too!
Once again, I'm late with this challenge! My post scheduling for last week didn't quite work out, so I have animal nails for you now, and South American nails for you later!
UK indie polishes are now popping up all over the place (I can't keep up!), and today I've incorporated some polishes from FatPussPolish, a new UK indie brand. Yes, you read that right. Nail polish and cats! Fortunately their creator Jessica is a crazy cat lady (like myself!), and not some cynical polish maker who has been looking at a Venn diagram of women who like cats and polish! I know as soon as I saw these, cat labels and all, I could not resist!
Don't worry, there is nail art too!
Sunday, 27 October 2013
TarasTalons Halloweekend II
Greetings All!
This evening I have even more swatches from TarasTalons Halloween collections! With all the Halloween polishes I now have, I can keep it spooky all year round. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for bat glitter next year though. I've seen Christmas polishes containing snowflake and bell glitter, and I'm really hoping the crazy-shaped glitter keeps coming!
Back to Halloween. In total I bought more than 20 polishes from Tara. That's quite a lot really, isn't it. I'm going with the excuse that I just love Halloween so much! And Tara really made a huge effort with her collections.
This evening I have even more swatches from TarasTalons Halloween collections! With all the Halloween polishes I now have, I can keep it spooky all year round. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for bat glitter next year though. I've seen Christmas polishes containing snowflake and bell glitter, and I'm really hoping the crazy-shaped glitter keeps coming!
Back to Halloween. In total I bought more than 20 polishes from Tara. That's quite a lot really, isn't it. I'm going with the excuse that I just love Halloween so much! And Tara really made a huge effort with her collections.
TarasTalons Halloweekend
Greetings All!
I'm baaack! The whole post scheduling didn't quite go to plan, so things have been a bit quiet here the last couple of days. That's changing today!
TarasTalons has definitely won Halloween. Her polishes have been so creative and varied, So many different shapes, colours and sizes of glitter I can't even begin to count! Some have been fabulously seasonal; some can be used all year round! And there has been quantity. So much quantity. She's been churning them out like a polish machine! And I've been buying them nearly as quickly lol.
This weekend I'm showing you the remaining swatches of my TarasTalons Halloween polishes. Split into two parts, because there are quite a few!
I'm baaack! The whole post scheduling didn't quite go to plan, so things have been a bit quiet here the last couple of days. That's changing today!
TarasTalons has definitely won Halloween. Her polishes have been so creative and varied, So many different shapes, colours and sizes of glitter I can't even begin to count! Some have been fabulously seasonal; some can be used all year round! And there has been quantity. So much quantity. She's been churning them out like a polish machine! And I've been buying them nearly as quickly lol.
This weekend I'm showing you the remaining swatches of my TarasTalons Halloween polishes. Split into two parts, because there are quite a few!
Thursday, 24 October 2013
The Nail Junkie Halloween Collection
Greetings All!
I have previously shown you Jack o' Lantern, and today I have three more Halloween polishes from The Nail Junkie. These are last year's collection - there have since been three additions that I do not own (yet. Hopefully one day!).
I have previously shown you Jack o' Lantern, and today I have three more Halloween polishes from The Nail Junkie. These are last year's collection - there have since been three additions that I do not own (yet. Hopefully one day!).
Monster Drips
Greetings All!
Today I have a Halloween manicure for you! I'm a little bit annoyed with myself for these nails - the outlines I drew were pretty good, but when filling them in I 'coloured outside the lines' a bit, and they ended up looking a little bit rubbish. Here they are anyway!
I used OPI Greenwich Village, and a black Barry M Nail Art Pen. I should have used polish, but I was being lazy!
Done a bit better than this, drippy nails are a great look for Halloween, and the colour combinations are endless!
Today I have a Halloween manicure for you! I'm a little bit annoyed with myself for these nails - the outlines I drew were pretty good, but when filling them in I 'coloured outside the lines' a bit, and they ended up looking a little bit rubbish. Here they are anyway!
I used OPI Greenwich Village, and a black Barry M Nail Art Pen. I should have used polish, but I was being lazy!
Done a bit better than this, drippy nails are a great look for Halloween, and the colour combinations are endless!
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Liquid Sky Lacquer Boo!
Greetings All!
This evening I'm showing you the last of my Liquid Sky Lacquers (there are other Halloween ones, but I limited myself to 'only' four). This one is called Boo and it glows in the dark. Spoiler alert - I didn't get any pictures of it glowing, but it glows purple and is amazing. It is in a very sheer base, so after initially trying to build it solo, I went for a base of Butter London Billy No Mates, and 2 coats of Boo.
I really love how vivid the orange is against the black, white and grey. I also love that it glows in the dark (yes, I am a child lol).
I bought this polish from Rainbow Connection, in an opening weekend frenzy! You can buy them here
This evening I'm showing you the last of my Liquid Sky Lacquers (there are other Halloween ones, but I limited myself to 'only' four). This one is called Boo and it glows in the dark. Spoiler alert - I didn't get any pictures of it glowing, but it glows purple and is amazing. It is in a very sheer base, so after initially trying to build it solo, I went for a base of Butter London Billy No Mates, and 2 coats of Boo.
I really love how vivid the orange is against the black, white and grey. I also love that it glows in the dark (yes, I am a child lol).
I bought this polish from Rainbow Connection, in an opening weekend frenzy! You can buy them here
The Crumpet's Nail tarts 33DC Day 14 - Abstract
Greetings All!
My post this week are all scheduled, as I'm visiting family. Hopefully this all works out fine!
Today the prompt is abstract. I took that to mean make-it-up-as-you-go-along. I did use four untried polishes though, so my own little mini challenge (to use 30 untried polishes for this challenge) is going very well!
I started with a base of Revlon Black Star, then painted on Butter London West End Wonderland (gold), Sinful Romp (red). and a Claire's blue and green glitter (they put the name of the polish on the receipt, which is a silly place to put it!) in a random fashion.
My post this week are all scheduled, as I'm visiting family. Hopefully this all works out fine!
Today the prompt is abstract. I took that to mean make-it-up-as-you-go-along. I did use four untried polishes though, so my own little mini challenge (to use 30 untried polishes for this challenge) is going very well!
I started with a base of Revlon Black Star, then painted on Butter London West End Wonderland (gold), Sinful Romp (red). and a Claire's blue and green glitter (they put the name of the polish on the receipt, which is a silly place to put it!) in a random fashion.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
I Love Nail Polish Halloween Polishes
Greetings All!
This evening I finally have swatches of some polishes I got over the Summer (yes, I had my eye out for Halloween polish even then). They arrived in a nice, sturdy box (I do prefer a box of nail mail to an envelope!), with lovely ILNP tissue paper. Nice packaging is kind of wasted on me - I tend to tear it open like a dog, or a small child to get at the goodies within! However, I was very impressed on this occasion.
I have a lot of pictures, so I'm going to dive straight in! I used 2 coats of all of these polishes. No issues with application - they are all fairly small glitter and so went on very easily.
This evening I finally have swatches of some polishes I got over the Summer (yes, I had my eye out for Halloween polish even then). They arrived in a nice, sturdy box (I do prefer a box of nail mail to an envelope!), with lovely ILNP tissue paper. Nice packaging is kind of wasted on me - I tend to tear it open like a dog, or a small child to get at the goodies within! However, I was very impressed on this occasion.
I have a lot of pictures, so I'm going to dive straight in! I used 2 coats of all of these polishes. No issues with application - they are all fairly small glitter and so went on very easily.
Then And Now - Halloween Haunted House
Greetings All!
Today I have another post recreating one of last year's Halloween manicures. One of the manicures I was proudest of was a haunted house 'scene', with trees and gravestones. I even attempted a bit of a gradient, and I was pretty pleased with myself at the time!
Fast forward twelve months, and I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself all over again! I created the same basic scene, with a few little twists.
And here is last year's attempt. Please be aware there is a serious lack of cleanup going on here!
I've kept the pictures small, because they are terrible! I used liquid eyeliner last year for the design, not so far away from the Barry M Nail Art pen I used this year. My trees are probably the most obvious improvement, and I really like how they turned out. Also, thank goodness I got the hang of doing a gradient!
I do think it's nice to be able to look back and think "yeah, I have improved". Maybe I'll revisit this design again next year!
Today I have another post recreating one of last year's Halloween manicures. One of the manicures I was proudest of was a haunted house 'scene', with trees and gravestones. I even attempted a bit of a gradient, and I was pretty pleased with myself at the time!
Fast forward twelve months, and I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself all over again! I created the same basic scene, with a few little twists.
 |
| Bonus picture of my left hand! |
And here is last year's attempt. Please be aware there is a serious lack of cleanup going on here!
I've kept the pictures small, because they are terrible! I used liquid eyeliner last year for the design, not so far away from the Barry M Nail Art pen I used this year. My trees are probably the most obvious improvement, and I really like how they turned out. Also, thank goodness I got the hang of doing a gradient!
I do think it's nice to be able to look back and think "yeah, I have improved". Maybe I'll revisit this design again next year!
Monday, 21 October 2013
Spooky Swatches - Abra Cadaver And Goblin Grave
Greetings All!
I'm doubling up on some of my Halloween polishes - turns out my collection is a bit larger than I thought, and I won't fit them all in otherwise! A small part of me thinks I could probably just have my Halloween polishes, and a couple of base colours for the glitters, and get rid of everything else (but only a very small part of me. Not enough for that to be something that is actually going to happen!).
Today I have two polishes I got in the Llarowe sale section a few months ago. I'm not sure if they're technically Halloween polishes (I should have done the research!), but one has cadaver in the name, and the other has grave, and that's close enough for me!
Abra Cadaver is by Femme Fatale, and this is 2 coats.
The purple is a little bit dull for me, but I do like the glitter combination. It gave very good coverage with 2 coats, which the lazy part of me likes!
Goblin Grave is by Gloss n Sparkle, and again this is 2 coats.
The base in this one is really gorgeous - although it's a jelly, it's very pigmented and builds up so well! It reminds me more of a pond than a goblin's grave, but either way I really like it!
I'm doubling up on some of my Halloween polishes - turns out my collection is a bit larger than I thought, and I won't fit them all in otherwise! A small part of me thinks I could probably just have my Halloween polishes, and a couple of base colours for the glitters, and get rid of everything else (but only a very small part of me. Not enough for that to be something that is actually going to happen!).
Today I have two polishes I got in the Llarowe sale section a few months ago. I'm not sure if they're technically Halloween polishes (I should have done the research!), but one has cadaver in the name, and the other has grave, and that's close enough for me!
Abra Cadaver is by Femme Fatale, and this is 2 coats.
The purple is a little bit dull for me, but I do like the glitter combination. It gave very good coverage with 2 coats, which the lazy part of me likes!
Goblin Grave is by Gloss n Sparkle, and again this is 2 coats.
The base in this one is really gorgeous - although it's a jelly, it's very pigmented and builds up so well! It reminds me more of a pond than a goblin's grave, but either way I really like it!
The Crumpet's Nail Tarts 33DC Day 13 - Chinese
Greetings All!
My nails for today are pretty boring, I'm afraid. I couldn't really come up with much inspiration apart from using red and gold!
Can you tell that it's supposed to be bamboo? I stamped with Barry M Gold Foil and a very large 'fauxnad' plate, that I sort of assumed would be rubbish, but actually isn't bad at all! My base is another untried, Sally Hansen Sacred Scarlet, a very stainy, plain red.
I won't be taking part in the Tri Polish Challenge this month - between the 33DC and all my Halloween stuff, I just haven't had time to prepare anything! Hopefully I'll rejoin in next month!
My nails for today are pretty boring, I'm afraid. I couldn't really come up with much inspiration apart from using red and gold!
Can you tell that it's supposed to be bamboo? I stamped with Barry M Gold Foil and a very large 'fauxnad' plate, that I sort of assumed would be rubbish, but actually isn't bad at all! My base is another untried, Sally Hansen Sacred Scarlet, a very stainy, plain red.
I won't be taking part in the Tri Polish Challenge this month - between the 33DC and all my Halloween stuff, I just haven't had time to prepare anything! Hopefully I'll rejoin in next month!
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Birthday Haul!
Greetings All!
My birthday was last week, and I was fortunate enough to receive loads of polish! I thought I would be cheeky and show off with a few pictures!
The October/Halloween 'A Box, Indied' from Llarowe. This was a little present to myself. It's not something I'm going to be buying every month (I wish!), but I treated myself because hey, I'm worth it! Swatches of all of these will be coming before the end of the month!
Presents from my mum, by way of Sally Magpies and Sally's. Jade holo jellies and Mentality Holographic stamping polish! From Sally Magpies, and a new bottle of Gelous (which I go through like water!) and red Konad stamping polish from Sally's.
Also from Sally's, mini China Glaze Christmas Glitters! The CG minis are quite a generous size too - 9ml is pretty good!
A trip into town resulted in 3 of the new Barry M Matte polishes (matte black - yay!!), the new Crystal topper, and a stunning Bourjois called Dangerous Wish - gold holo glitters in a black base!
Although these weren't a birthday present per se, my latest Nail Lacquer UK order also arrived on my birthday, including Halloween and Christmas polishes!
So not a bad days work!
My birthday was last week, and I was fortunate enough to receive loads of polish! I thought I would be cheeky and show off with a few pictures!
The October/Halloween 'A Box, Indied' from Llarowe. This was a little present to myself. It's not something I'm going to be buying every month (I wish!), but I treated myself because hey, I'm worth it! Swatches of all of these will be coming before the end of the month!
Presents from my mum, by way of Sally Magpies and Sally's. Jade holo jellies and Mentality Holographic stamping polish! From Sally Magpies, and a new bottle of Gelous (which I go through like water!) and red Konad stamping polish from Sally's.
Also from Sally's, mini China Glaze Christmas Glitters! The CG minis are quite a generous size too - 9ml is pretty good!
A trip into town resulted in 3 of the new Barry M Matte polishes (matte black - yay!!), the new Crystal topper, and a stunning Bourjois called Dangerous Wish - gold holo glitters in a black base!
Although these weren't a birthday present per se, my latest Nail Lacquer UK order also arrived on my birthday, including Halloween and Christmas polishes!
So not a bad days work!
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