[Look] Frosted White & Gold Christmas Nails

Another look I did christmas 2023. I've become a real fan of translucent matte nails with layered stamps on them. I think it just reminds me of nice wrapping paper and it's super fast to do.

Method:

I started off with two coats of Ice Cold Milk, then used a large pattern from Noel 07 in 660 L'or. I then used some singular flower designs from the same plate in Glow Up and followed it up with a smudge proof top coat and a matte top coat.

Polishes/Tools Used:

Base:

- H&M // Ice Cold Milk (off white)

Stamping:

- Twinkled T // Glow Up (white)

- L'Oreal Color Riche // 660 L'or (gold)

Plates:

- MoYou London // Noel 07

Top:

- MoYou London // Smudge Proof Top Coat

- Barry M // Matte Top Coat

[Look] Teal Christmas Woodland Scene

I did these a while ago now (the picture metadata says 13th November 2023....) but seeing as it's christmas once again, I guess I can finally post them.

I painted these onto some false nails I picked up from Primark a while ago. I kind of like the shape but I chose sizes that were way to big for me. Either way, it's always nice to be able to paint on your own time and not worry about catching your nails on something.

Method:

I started off with two layers of I'm on a Sushi Roll. Then stamped on some flower designs from Noel 07 using Café au Lait, followed by Rusty Red and Ghosted on top. For the deer, I used a design from Fall in Love 01 and picked that up with Ghosted, then filled it in on the stamper with Cappuccino. The flower is from Noel 07 and I picked that up with Ghosted as well but filled it in with Café au Lait. The "snow" I did by hand just using a dotting tool with Ice Cold Milk (a sheer off white shade). I topped all that off with a smudge proof top coat and then a matte top coat.

Polishes/Tools Used:

Base:

- OPI Infinite Shine // I'm on a Sushi Roll (teal)

Stamping:

- H&M // Ice Cold Milk (off white)

- MoYou London // Café au Lait (light oat), Rusty Red (burgandy)

- Kure Bazaar // Cappuccino (beige)

- Twinkled T // Ghosted (dark grey)

Plates:

- MoYou London // Noel 07, Fall in Love 01

Top:

- MoYou London // Smudge Proof Top Coat

- Barry M // Matte Top Coat

Christmas Wrapping Paper Nails #2 // Mint Festive Design

This is mint version of a design I saw in Sainsbury's last year. I did a dark version of it here: https://ifndefnailsh.blogspot.com/2022/12/christmas-wrapping-nails-1-sainsburys.html

I think I prefer this one thanks to the over-stamping!

Method:

I started off with 2 layers of Neely. Then I applied Liquid Gold to Noel 07 and then stamped on top with Vibin using the same stamps but slightly offset. The Holly jolly text comes from Noel 12.

I then topped it off with some smudge proof top coat.

Polishes/Tools Used:

Base:

- Zoya // Neely (mint)

Stamping:

- Twinkled T // Liquid Gold (metallic gold), 'Vibin (black)

Plates:

- MoYou London // Noel 07, Noel 12

Top:

- MoYou London // Smudge Proof Top Coat

Christmas Party Nails // Nude & Gold Glitter/Foil Nail Design

I have so many designs that I just never got round to posting. Here's some nails I did for works Christmas party last year!

I'm all about super quick and easy designs right now. This one should take less then 10 minutes!

I did 2 layers of Revel, then once it was dry, dabbed on some gold foil eyeshadow, then topped that with Bijoux. I just did light brush strokes, starting from the tip to give it that ombre look.

Polishes/Tools Used:

- Manna Kadar // Revel (nude creme)

- H&M // Bijoux (gold glitter)

- Primark P.S Beauty // Gold Foil Eyeshadow 

Christmas Wrapping Nails #1 // Sainsbury's Country Walk Linework Leaves Christmas Bag

I can't believe it's that time of the year again already. Every year, Sainsbury's do some amazing designs on their wrapping paper and bags that are just begging to be put on nails. Case and point this bag design.

I went with some designs on the MoYou London Noel 4 plate and Liquid Gold. For the text I used what was left over from stamping the pinkie nail (as it left the perfect oval centre) and then stamped the text in the space.

It's not exactly like the bag as the designs aren't as detailed, however I'm waiting for some more Noel plates from the Black Friday sale so hopefully I should be able to get a little closer to the bag.

This is a cute and quick set though!

Polishes/Tools Used:

Base

- Essence Shine Last & Go // 46 Black is Back

- Barry M // Matte Top Coat

Stamping

- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Noel 04

- Twinkled T Stamping Polish // Liquid Gold

Christmas Peppermint Candy // Red & White Pinwheel Nails

Doesn't this just scream Christmas! I knew the moment I got Chakra that this is the look I should do with it; it's just taken me 4 years to get round to it.

This was a real simple one to do but make sure you where a couple layers of basecoat because Chakra stains!

I did 3 layers of Chakra (it's kind of jelly shade so it builds up beautifully). Applied a layer of top coat. Then applied the stamp with Blanc My Mind and added a layer of smudge proof top coat. Then sealed it in with another layer of top coat.

It's mesmerising!

Polishes/Tools used:

- Cuccio Colour // Chakra (red shimmer)

- What's Up Nails // Blanc My Mind (white)

- Barry M // Wet Set Quick Dry Top Coat

- MoYou London // Smudge Proof Top Coat

- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Princess 12

Tutu Bijoux // Pink & Rose Gold Snowflake Nail Design

I keep saying "tutu bijoux" like "boop boop be-doo" and it's starting to annoy me. What a shocker, I'm annoying myself. November was a very annoying month though because Black Friday happened right at the end of my self imposed "No Nail Polish November" and I bought all the fucking nail polish. No joke, I literally bought 25 polishes from H&M. 

And so now I have all this polish I just bought and an advent calendar to swatch. So I did a nail look instead because I can't stop.

I just bought the glitter topper from H&M in their sale for £1 and it's just stunning. I wore 3 coats of it alone for the work Christmas party. It does distract from the snowflakes a little too much though. @paulinaspassions also posted a similar look to this a few days ago using some iridescent hexagonal glitter which suits it more. I wish I'd seen the post before I did this!

Polishes/Tools Used:

- Ciaté // Tutu (pastel pink)

- H&M // Bijoux (Rose Gold & Silver glitter)

- Born Pretty // #4 (white)

- Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy // Diamond Top Coat

- Harunouta // L056 Stamping Plate

Stripes & Baubles // Christmas 2018 Nail Fails

Well Christmas is now over for another year and it's time to contemplate over my first year of doing Christmas nails...it wasn't good...

I actually attempted three of the Clairestelle8 challenges but only posted one as the other two I just found hideous. I also had some crazy deadlines to complete for my degree and only really got some days off starting the 21st; not leaving much time for nail art designs. Coupled with the crazy amount of swatching this month I'm looking forward to actually doing nail art next month...that said I've got both the Cuccio Wanderlust & Tapestry collections to post, plus the boxing day Morgan Taylor haul I did today with December Mani & Lola and Meebox....ARGH. There isn't enough time in the day. I did this to myself though, no one needs this much nail polish......said no one ever.....

Design 1 // Ornamental

The 12th of the Clairestelle8 Christmas challenge was "Christmas Ornaments" and using a Circus plate I came up with this. It doesn't look like much but I spent around 2 hours doing this due to all the stamping. The baubles were tripled stamped, as was the wiring and all that stamping took a while. I have a newfound appreciation for those who make double or triple stamping look easy.

I think the colour combo is one of the main reasons I don't like it that much. The blue and green just seem jarring with each other. This was a design that I had no idea where it was going but unlike the other times; this one didn't turn out so well.

Design 2 // Christmas Candy

Designed for the 16th of the challenge which was "Gingerbread or Candy Cane" I tried to do the double lines that have been sweeping across instagram. I did this whilst swatching the OPI advent calendar and felt like I could do something with the shade....I couldn't. I detest this design; the colours don't match, the pink in the background just ruins it.

And that's as far as I got with the challenge. I finish my degree in June so next year I'll be able to participate in the challenge properly as it's so much fun. I'd love to the the Digit-al Dozen challenges as well but they seem to only post their challenges on Facebook; which I don't have. Oh well, I'll just have to keep doing my own challenges, which I don't seem to stick to lol. 

Ciaté Mini Mani Month 2018 // Days 22 - 24

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful day. I spent it eating myself into a coma whilst watching South Park & The Orville with the fam. I've also got the OPI calendar and 2013 Ciaté one left to post but they just weren't as exciting as this one. Let's get into the last three shades shall we?

Day 22 - Up In The Clouds // Pink & Blue Duochrome Shimmer

Formula - Gelology

I love duochrome shades, especially pink ones as they're just so soft and versatile. This one shifts from baby pink to baby blue (or the reverse if applied on a dark base) and has a multitude of shimmery pieces to give it depth. For a cheaper dupe though, this shade is practically identical to W7 Breanna which is just a tad darker but you can only tell in bright light. I picked up the W7 shade for £1.99 whereas full size Ciaté go for £12 so go get yourself a bargain dupe if you love this shade. In the photo I'm wearing two coats with no base colour.

Day 23 - Red Hot Chilli // Bright Orange/Red Jelly

Formula - Paint Pot
I'm calling this one a Jelly instead of creme because it has pigment but is still slightly translucent. One coat is perfect but you can just see the nail tips peeking through. This is not because of streaks though. I'm wearing two coats in the photo, but one is perfectly acceptable. 

Day 24 - Shooting Star // Shaped Glitter Chunks in Pink Clear Base

Formula - Paint Pot
As the last day of the calendar you would expect it to go out with a bang; something completely extra. Instead we got this; a boring clear polish with some star pieces in it. It looks lovely in the bottle, the problem is that you tend to get one or two star pieces on the brush every now and then. You can could sponge this on but it would still take forever as you can't get any freaking stars out; a huge disappointment. The star pieces also tend to stick up from the nail and even with a thick top coat on; they keep catching on everything. I tried my best to get some stars out but could only manage to get one on each nail. This is basically a top coat with some chunks in it.

// Verdict

And that was the Ciaté Mini Mani Month for 2018! I LOVED this calendar and I'm hoping they'll change at least 80% of the shades for next year because I can buy it again. The shades were varied and full of shimmer and except for Shooting Star, the formula on every single one was amazing. This calendar has made me a Ciaté convert and I'll definitely buying more from their new range. It's also on sale right now for £20 on the Ciaté website, go go go!

My favourite shades that I discovered were Paradise Lost, Golden Hour and Dangerous Affair. These are the ones I'd recommend the most.

Days 1 - 7
Days 8 - 14
Days 15 - 21

Hit The Birchbox Slopes // Birchbox Advent Calendar 2018 Nails

Oh man, I couldn't leave you all hanging with those terrible Birchbox nails I posted earlier today, so I sat down and did these! They are perhaps my favourite look I've done all month but I just wish my nails hadn't broken the other day so I would've had more room to play with.

So for this design I started off with one coat of Forest which dries to a satin finish but once you apply a top coat it turns into this beautiful deep blue shimmer. I then used the white polish and the Scandi 10 plate to create the mountain range and filled in the gaps as the stamp design does't cover your nail entirely. 

After a layer of top coat, I then used the triangle shape from Tropical 35 in a few different shades. The gray shade was a bit wishy washy and so I had to stamp that one about 4 times but I don't have a stamping polish in that shade. The star is also Scandi 10 and then some snowflakes were added using a combination of Crystal 03 and BP-01.

I'm so happy with how this turned out; especially with all the failures I've had this month. I've got a few more Christmas designs I'd like to do but seeing how there's only one day left, it looks like they'll have to wait for next year!

Polishes/Tools Used:

- Barry M Silk // Forest (deep blue shimmer)

- Born Pretty Stamping Polish // #4 (white)
- Avon Gel Shine // Rain Washed (pale blue/grey creme)
- Essence The Gel Nail Polish // Pure Beauty (pale dusty pink creme)
- Essence The Gel Nail Polish // Perfect Match (dusty rose creme)
- Barry M // Plumpy Hi Shine Top Coat

- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Scandi 10
- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Crystal 03
- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Tropical 35
- Born Pretty Stamping Plate // BP-01

Twinkle All The Way // Birchbox December 2018 Nails

Dammmnn this is soo late! I'm sorry but at the same time, my assignments have to come first. I've given myself a few days off for the holidays so I'm hoping to catch up on some nail art and do some new posts as I've pretty much just been swatching the entire of December. Next year remind me to get only one nail polish advent calendar. 

Anyway, here is the first Birchbox nail look this month based on the top design from the beauty box. I'm also going to do the advent calendar as well but whilst editing this post I can't help but feel I may need to re-do this look as well as it just doesn't look right. The colours don't match at all and I realise I probably should've used Katherine Parr by A-England as the blue colour now and left out Nail Junkie. I only added that glittery topper to give it a bit of texture like the box, however, it shines way too green. Also the gold shade is too yellow.

This is the third Christmas look I've done now where I'm just not happy with it. I think tomorrow I'll do a Christmas 'Nail Fail' post as two other designs I did just failed to win me over.

For this look though, I applied one coat of Knee Highs, followed by two coats of Nail Junkie. Then used the Scandi 10 plate with the gold shade. The actual stamp design had other smaller dots in the background however, I used a dotting tool to remove the excess design on the stamper before I applied it.

Polishes/Tools Used:

- Ciaté // Knee Highs (royal blue shimmer)
- Sinful Colors  // Nail Junkie (teal chunky glitter)

- Born Pretty Stamping Polish // #1 (gold)
- Barry M // Plumpy Hi Shine Top Coat

- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Scandi 10

Ciaté Mini Mani Month 2018 // Days 8 - 14

I'm well into week 3 with swatches however I've finally managed to get this post edited and ready to go! Let's get straight into it:

Day 8 - Kaleidoscope // Silver Glitter with blue/purple shift shimmer

Formula - Paint Pot

I have to say I'm impressed by this glitter. Most need to be sponged on to get full glitter coverage however this looks great with large amounts of different sized glitter chunks from the first coat. It's based in a blue/purple clear shimmer which gives it a little something extra (cue Elle Woods from Legally Blonde)

And just to give you an idea of what it looks like on top of another polish I'm wearing it with Wind In My Hair from the new Cuccio Wanderlust range (a full swatch post is coming in January!) on my ring finger. I'm wearing two coats in the photo and I'm impressed at how nice it looks by itself. I actually really like the whole 'negative space' trend in nails so it fits in with that really well, but the shimmery base just elevates it to another level. It's also gives off serious mermaid/scale vibes; I like it.

Day 9 - Knee Highs // Dark Blue Shimmer

Formula - Paint Pot

Oh man do I love this shade. I've already used it for last months Look Fantastic nails and this shade looks beautiful both shiny and matte. It's also a dream to apply so I was a little shocked when I found out that this is the regular paint pot formula. Rich and luxurious this is a stunning one-coater. That said I've noticed that it cracks insanely easily; even if you don't have ridges. On my index finger it looks like fibers have gotten into the polish the cracking was that bad. A little disappointing given how beautiful the shade is.

Day 10 - Dangerous Affair // Deep Crimson Creme

Formula - Paint Pot

They just keep knocking it out of the park with this calendar. Dangerous Affair is a stunning deep crimson that's almost identical to Orly The Antidote, however this is slightly more red. This is definitely a vampire shade with it's blood red tones and inspires a Gothic looking mani. You could get away with one coat however I'm wearing two just to cover up some slight patchiness. This is one of the few shades that I would wear on it's own which is rare for me as I can't resist layering or stamping everything.

Day 11 - Antique Brooch // Chunky Pink Glitter in Sheer Gold Shimmer Base

Formula - Paint Pot

I feel like a broken record because this is another great polish. I'm wearing just one coat on bare nails and it still looks super chic. The sheer shimmery bases (try saying that 5 times in a row...) in these glitter polishes really help make them something special. I also used this recently in a Christmas Party look, where I wore two coats on top of Dangerous Affair. These two have become one of my favourite combos.

Day 12 - Stickers

I think just the two little sheets of water decals are a bit stingy considering you can get a sheet of 50 of Wish for like £1 but these ones are cute. I haven't used them yet but they'll be going in my decal draw to be used for a special occasion since you don't get much. I honestly don't mind receiving things like this in advent calendars; it's a nice change and still nail related but it's just lacking quantity wise.

Day 13 - Raspberry Collins // Super Bright Raspberry Creme

Formula - Paint Pot

Holy gasmorgasboard (...I don't know what that is...). This shade glides across the nail in one coat for a blinding mani. This is a hot, bright raspberry shade that is similar to three shades from the OPI calendar but the formula really sets it apart. I didn't even need to do any clean up after application. I have to say Ciaté brushes are perhaps my favourite for the way they fan across the nail; allowing you to achieve a flawless look in just 3 swipes, once down the middle and then to the sides.

Day 14 - Jelly Oil

I don't have much use for this as a nail oil as it's not very moisturising and takes a long time to sink into the skin. However, I have found a use for this as my 'swatching oil'. Whenever I use polish on my left hand (my main polish hand) I always use a peel off base coat, however I've found that if oil is left on the nail the base coat peels off even faster than normal and doesn't last my usual 24 hours. For swatching this is perfect as it lifts of super easy and allows me to swatch faster. A tiny amount of this jelly oil dabbed on the nail and rubbed in also helps keep my nails and nail folds protected from acetone; win win. It does have a light pleasant scent as well. 

Verdict

What a week; I'm exhausted from constantly being blown away by the performance of these polishes. And I'm almost through days 15-21 and trust me when I say it just keeps getting better. Most of these shades only need 1 coat and apply beautifully. If anything this calendar has made me a Ciaté convert.

Days 1-7
Days 15 - 21
Days 22 - 24