Letters // #Clairestelle8 Valentines Challenge

So with this prompt I was going to do the 'ye olde' parchment paper with script writing however, I've seen a lot of those so far for this prompt and wanted to do something a little different. Then a bunch a new plates arrived in the post including the adorable Scholar 6 plate from MoYou and I knew I had to do something with that. Also, my dissertation deadline is looming (and the little brats went back to school this week after half term) so I decided to do something school related.

Also, I've finally cut my nails. I tried growing them out long but I've never been a big fan of long nails and I just couldn't take it anymore. I didn't cut them as short as I normally go but I'm happy with the new style; I think squoval is the way forward for me. Plus, I don't have to worry about them breaking anymore and I can use the small stamping designs again! Wins all around.

Back to these nails though; I love them! I love that they're messy but it kind of works. It was nice not use pink so much as well. I think this is the second design this month which isn't all pink.

How I did it:-

I started off with 2 layers of White Out and then stamped on the line design using Explorateur. The blue lines are #333 using the Holy Shapes 20 plate and all the other designs are from Scholar 6 using Night Sail and #1787. I then topped everything off with a matte top coat.

Polishes/Tools Used:-
- Collection 7 Day Wear // White Out (white)

- Cuccio Colour // Explorateur (speckled grey)
- MoYou London Stamping Polish // Night Sail (dark grey)
- Born Pretty Stamping Polish // #333 (light blue)
- Born Pretty Stamping Polish // #1787 (light red)

- Barry M // Matte Top Coat
- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Scholar 6 & Holy Shapes 20

Roses // #Clairestelle8 Valentines Challenge

This is so late! I feel like that has just been my motto throughout all of February. I've got a full formative deadline for my dissertation due in 10 days and I'm completely freaking out. But anyway, here is my attempt for the 'Roses' prompt of the Clairestelle8 challenge on the 19th. 

This is actually my fourth attempt at this prompt as the other three were just awful. I tried doing a stained glass window look which I hated and painted over it with this blue smoosh which turned out atrocious. I then did some lime green and coral nails....yeah. I have so many looks to put in this months FAIL post.

I'm not super happy with how these turned out either but you can't really mess up when using this glitter because when the sun hits it, magic happens;

This glitter is my favourite and the holo sparkle from it is the best you'll find. I wanted to do something a bit more spectacular but with limited rose stamping designs (and not much time) I was stumped.

How I did it:-

I started out with a layer of top coat and when it was just about dry I used an eyeshadow applicator to apply the glitter. I believe this is called 'burnishing'; it creates a nice smooth effect and really helps with holo glitter. I then applied another layer or top coat and did the same; ending with two layers of top coat. Using a white stamping polish I used the design from the Princess plate on top. Also, I won't be using the China Glaze top coat with stamping polish again as it just smeared it really bad.

Polishes/Tools used:
- Elite Glitter Manchester // Sweet Pink 004 Glitter
- Born Pretty Stamping Polish // #4 (white)
- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Princess 12
- China Glaze // No Chip Top Coat

Anti-Valentines // #Clairestelle8 Valentines Challenge

So, the prompt for the 16th was 'Anti-Valentines' and whereas this may not look very 'anti-valentinesy', I was inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean;

"Means no."

So yeah, I bought this strange plate about a month ago off eBay because it had some wreath designs I was looking for but it also has these quotes on it. I didn't pay much attention to them, but when it arrived I noticed they were the weirdest quotes to have on a valentines plate. You've got things like "I decline", "no way", "FREEE", "Good Luck!" and "Bless you". 

How I did it:-

I started off with one layer of Vortex Vixen and then did two sponged layers of Vortex Vixen, Ballerina and Designer Dress. After a quick dry top coat I stamped on the quilted pattern and the text.

I'm glad we're past valentines day though as it truly is my least favourite holiday of the year. I know a lot of women are like "I'm a strong independent woman who don't need no man" but no matter what your preference is; being single on Valentines day truly sucks and it's perfectly ok to hate all those happy people lol. Only for one day though.

Polishes/Tools Used:-
- Artistic Colour Revolution // Vortex Vixen (pale mauve)

- Barry M Nail Paint // Ballerina (dusky pink)
- New York Color Expert Last // Designer Dress (pink)

- Revlon // Quick Dry Top Coat
- Harunouta Stamping Plate // L085
- Nicole Diary Stamping Plate // Animal World ND-004

Let Love Grow // Birchbox February 2019 Beauty Box Nails

I've finally managed to get round to doing this months Birchbox nails! In collaboration with Not On The High Street seller; Miss Bespoke Papercuts, Birchbox have created a beautiful watercolour flower print. The contents aren't very exciting; the only item I'm really happy about is the brush as fluffy tapered brushes are the ones I use the most. Other than that, I'm not a big anatomicals fan and they've been featuring the same type of eyeshadow/highlighter shade for months now. I will say though, that the LOC liquid eyeshadow this month is the first I've come across that truly dries and then doesn't budge. 

Ever since I saw the box design at the start of the month I was wondering I how could recreate it and after receiving a new born pretty plate in the post I decided to use that to achieve the look.

How I did it:-

I started off with one layer of In The Navy then applied the stamp design with the white stamping polish. Using the same polish I then filled in the design, let it dry, then mixed different colours with a little acetone to achieve that watercolour look. I then topped it off with the design stamped in black and added a matte top coat.

Polishes/Tools Used:-
- Orly // In The Navy (navy)

- Cuccio Colour // Laying Around (deep plum)
- Morgan Taylor // Mint Chocolate Chip (mint)

- NYC Expert Last // Designer Dress (pink)
- Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine // Prickly Pear (lavender)
- Born Pretty Stamping Polish // #12 (green)
- Born Pretty Stamping Polish // #3 (black)
- Born Pretty Stamping Polish // #4 (white)
- OPI // Envy The Adventure (dark green)
- Harunouta Stamping Plate // L036
- Born Pretty Stamping Plate // BP-L067

Hearts // #Clairestelle8 Valentines Challenge

So I'm trying my best to catch up thanks to this amazing cold that decided to grace me with it's presence and this is my design for the 12th which was hearts. On the first entry I did the exact same white marble design on one finger (albeit with a hollow heart) and I liked it so much I just really wanted to do it again. I also didn't have any other heart stamps so this had to do. It also doesn't get much more basic than this; white marble and rose gold? Pinterest is gonna be all over this shit.

I wanted to do something a little more adventurous but I had time constraints and so I had to do a design that was relatively quick. The next prompt is Anti-Valentines which is way more up my street because eff all the happy people in love....can you tell I'm alone....bloody happy people.

How I did it:-

I started out with two coats of the French Tip polish (which is ridiculous for a French tip polish...annoyed I spent £2.50 on it now) followed by the marble print in I Wonder Where using the Explorer 33 plate. I applied a matte top coat and then used stamps from the Explorer plate and BP L002 in Golden Hour.

Polishes/Tools Used:-
- Avon True Colour Nail Experts // French Manicure Tip (....white)

- Cuccio Colour // I Wonder Where (light grey)
- Ciaté // Golden Hour (rose gold)

- Barry M // Matte Top Coat
- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Explorer 33
- Born Pretty Stamping Plate // Valentines Day BP-L002

SWATCHES: China Glaze // Shades of Paradise 2018 Mini Collection

I first saw this collection and thought my dreams had come true; a beautiful collection of bright summery cremes to create leaf/palm print looks with. What I got was 1 creme, 1 shimmer and 4 mattes; not what I was expecting. There are 12 shades in the entire collection but I feel like this micro set contained the 6 worst. 

Cabana Fever // Matte White

At first I thought it was just my swatch wheel that made this dry matte as polishes can have a weird finish on them sometimes but this a matte polish and I don't like it. If I want it matte, I just use a matte top coat. The shade dries with a ridiculous amount of brush strokes in it and is riddled with streaks. The fact that it then dries matte highlights these flaws even more. It does dry super fast and you can sometimes see it hardening as your applying it if a thin enough layer is used but this just creates a lumpy, streaky texture. I'm wearing 3 coats and that just about covers patches but I just hate the effect; it's bumpy, uneven and amateur looking. It is a little annoying though that on camera, it doesn't look that bad.

Don't Be Sea Salty // Neon Pink Jelly with Shimmer

A sheer neon jelly silk shimmer? There's a polish description I never thought I'd say...or write. I've done two coats and it does have amazing pigment however it dries with a silk finish. Again I would've preferred a creme with the ability to become matte with a top coat. The shade itself though is kinda like a cheap highlighter felt tip...guess I am being sea salty. I much prefer this with a nice shiny top coat applied as it then becomes a nice flamingo-esque shade and the shimmery pieces stand out more.

All Sun & Games // Neon Pastel Orange Jelly with Shimmer

This is the same formula as Don't Be Sea Salty and again, it's got that same felt tip highlighter feel to it. It dries with a silk finish which once again highlights the imperfections and streaks. So far all of these shades have dried within 60 seconds which is honestly the only good thing about them. For this swatch I'm wearing 2 coats.

Boujee Board // Sheer Silk Plum

When I first applied this I thought I'd finally found a nice creme, but no! It's another matte polish. The shade itself isn't as bad as the other three and wheres it's sheer; it's not streaky.  I'm wearing two coats. With a nice glossy top coat, I think it's a nice fun shade but nothing special. I had difficulty photographing this one though as the photos kept coming out as pale lilac...very strange. 

Mer-Made For Bluer Waters // Sheer Sea Blue Shimmer

Finally! A nice shiny polish. This is much weaker than I was expecting though. I thought this would be a pigmented ocean blue metallic, instead it's sheer shimmer. I'm wearing three coats and it's not a terrible shade but there are many basic blue shimmers just like this. It is lovely and summery though and reminds me of a deep pool with light reflecting off the surface. 

Water-Falling In Love // Sheer Baby Blue Creme

A creme! A real creme finish! It's a miracle. After the weirdness and inconsistency in formulas it's nice to be back in familiar territory. The first coat goes on quite streaky but the second evens everything out. Because it's a sheer polish you could go for a third coat but I think two is acceptable. This is my favourite shade out the set mainly because this is what I signed up for. If the other shades had been this formula I'd be singing a different song.

//Verdict

Er yeah, not great. I wish I had done some research on the set before I hastily bought it as the I don't think I'm going to use these shades again. I'm not quite sure what China Glaze were thinking with all the strange finishes. I can see why you'd have a white polish to help with the neons but why make it a matte? I don't have many polishes that dry matte for good reason; they look weird.

I've learnt my lesson though. Between this and the OMG collection, I feel like I've kinda been turned of China Glaze. I thought the Merry Whatever shade I got in the December Mani & Lola was amazing but I think I'll stick to my Cuccio and Barry M for the time being. 

China Glaze // Shades of Paradise Mini Collection 2018

Romance // Look Fantastic Beauty Box February 2019 Nails

I'm finally doing some nails again! I've been stuck in bed for the past week thanks to a cold. Yey winter. Anyway, today is the first day I've been better and could get to my office (where I keep all my polish) and I've got so many nail designs to catch up on. I thought I'd combine the Clairestelle8 challenge with this one as well.

This isn't my favourite LF box however I'm always happy to see Erno Lazslo products in boxes as they are way out of my price range but I'm getting a little sick and tired of Phillip Kinglsey hair products. Also, eyelash curlers scare the bejeezus out of me so they're not going anywhere near my eyes lol. 

I was going to attempt my first watermarble design with this box however, I have so many other things to catch up on that I didn't have the time so instead I cheated and used a watermarble stamping plate.

How I did it:-

I started off with two coats of Vintage Tee and then stamped on various designs from the BP-L061 plate. All the designs were tripled stamped starting with Must Have Mauve, then Ella of a Girl and finally Golden Hour. Before Golden Hour though, I applied a matte top coat.

Polishes/Tools Used:-
- Nails Inc Fashion Fix // Vintage Tee (baby pink)

- Morgan Taylor // Must Have Mauve (...mauve)
- Morgan Taylor // Ella of a Girl (light pink)
- Ciaté // Golden Hour (rose gold)

- Barry M // Matte Top Coat
- Born Pretty Stamping Plate // BP-L061

SWATCHES: China Glaze // OMG Flashback 2018 Collection

I had been eyeing up two mini China Glaze sets and decided not to buy them but then NailPolishDirect reduced them both by 30% so I thought "ok, yeah, just take my money." I was looking forward to this set but I'm a little disappointed. I'll start of with the OMG Flashback collection and then do another post for the Shades of Paradise.

This collection, released in June 2018, is a reproduction from 2008. And if the names of the shades are anything to go by (TTLY, BFF, DV8) perhaps they should've been left in 2008. The names remind me of this god awful song that I heard whilst at summer school way back in 2009. I'm from England but went to summer school in Boston whilst at college one year and that's when I was introduced to Kidz Bop and LOL by Sinai Rose; feast your eyes on these lyrics:

TFBS, FYI, BTW, ILY.

LAS wish you could BRT.

S double K, XOXO, GTG.

Lataz!

I'm lol at you.

Can't you read it?

You say WAM.

But I don't slow down.

IDB, no time to waste.

You say GKR, WGL.

I thought we were BFF's.

It's like reading a conversation between 2004 Paris Hilton and 2004 Nicole Richie. Oh man, the Simple Life...back then my life was so much easier. Can we just take a quick trip down memory lane to one of the greatest shows ever made?

Amazing. Anyway, let's review some nail polish shall we? All of these shades have a satin finish and a 'flame' effect down the center but A-England they are not. One major thing that bothers me is the dull spot created when the light hits the nail. Instead of creating holo, there's just this boring spot of colour and then the holo spreads out around it. It kind of looks like you missed a spot when painting. You also have to apply them in thin layers, otherwise the polish just spreads about leaving bald spots. 

Swatch conditions:-

- 1 LED Spotlight

- 2 Softboxes

- Indoors at night

OMG // Linear Holo

Not my favourite pure holo. I think Tinker Thinker Winker? by OPI is much better. I just don't like the silk finish, it dulls the holo down and putting a top coat on it just doesn't look quite right. I also experienced some cracking on my ring finger as that nail curves quite a bit when I put polish on it. 

DV8 // Aquamarine Holo

This one is much better than OMG due to the pop of colour. This would be perfect for mermaid or ocean nails. I also found this much easier to apply as it's not as 'sticky' as OMG. I think it complements my skin tone nicely as well. The holo flame isn't quite as pronounced as but it still gives a nice shift effect.  In fact I've become a little obsessed with this shade after sticking a scattered holo on top. It's such an elevator Cristine look (can you hear the beeps now?).

2NITE // Periwinkle Holo

This one is nowhere near as stunning as DV8 and was much harder to apply as well; bunching together near the tips and dragging.

IDK // Iris Holo

I like how this one applies, it's almost good to go in one coat if applied carefully. The holo effect is really beautiful on this one as well, it's a lot stronger than the others.

BFF // Mulberry Holo

This is nice shade, I'm not sure which I love more, this or DV8. Although the holo flame isn't that strong, I feel the colour makes it stand out.

TTLY // Salmon Holo

I found most of these shades to apply strangely on my main hand however when I paint my "other" hand I found it very hard to apply with it dragging and creating bald spots. This was definitely true for this shade which I did wear on my other hand for a few days. After two I began to dislike this shade as the holo flame only appears in certain light and most of the time it just looks dull and boring.

// Verdict
Overall, there's really only two shades that I would wear again; those being DV8 and BFF. The other four shades just seem a little lacklustre. I'm super glad I only bought this mini collection for £6.95 though instead of buying them all full size. If you love holo polishes though I'd say give this collection a miss and go buy some A-England instead. Or, go buy some of the new holo shades added to the Barry M Molten Metal collection as the holo flame is a lot stronger.

China Glaze // OMG Flashback Collection

If you'd like to comparisons of both collections, you can check out these awesome swatches by Throwback Lacquer here.