Rose Quartz Part III - The Return of the Quartz // Rose Quartz Nail Design

I've been trying to perfect rose quartz nails since I started this blog and I think this is the closest I've come using standard nail polish. You can see my previous attempts here:

• Nearly But Not Quite // Pink Quartz
• Rose Quartz 2: The Rose-ening

That first attempt was awful, the second better but still not there. This time I feel I've almost cracked it. My secret is using super sheer layers of a pink polish and acrylic gouache paint.

I started out with a layer of London Court then drew on some very fine white lines, smudging them out with the slightest amount of water. Once dried, I applied a layer of Spaghetti Straps, then drew more lines, some stronger. Then applied a second layer of Spaghetti Straps followed by top coat.

Polishes/Tools Used:

- Essie // Spaghetti Straps (sheer pink)

- Nails Inc // London Court with Collagen (sheer pale pink)

- Pebeo Studio Gouache // 11 Blanc (white)

- Barry M // Plumpy Top Coat

SWATCHES: Essie // Stripes & Sails, You're A Gem & Spaghetti Straps

Found these three beauties in TK Maxx for £2.99 each so of course I had to bring them home with me!

Stripes & Sails // Sacramento creme

Collection: Spring 2018

Release: 2018

Coats: 1

This one-coat wonder is a self-levelling thing of beauty. I love dark green/teal shades and I'm happy to have this as part of my collection. I'd say a cheaper dupe for this would be Rockpool by Barry M. It also does well as a stamping polish due to it's thickness.

You're A Gem // Rose Gold Linear Holo

Collection: Gorge-ous Geodes

Release: Spring/Summer 2019

Coats: 2

Who knew that mainstream polish brands could do holo so well??

I looked up the rest of this collection and I think I may need to track the rest of them down because hot damn, what a formula. 

Spaghetti Straps // pastel pink crelly

Collection: ?? Core Colours?

Release: <2010? or 2017?

Coats: 3

This is such an old shade I can't actually find when it was released! I know that this is a newer bottle though because it has the wider flat brush so I think this particular one is from the core colours that were re-released back in 2017.

That said, I LOVE THIS POLISH. Sorry for the caps but it's just such a soft, baby pastel pink with a slight hint of peach. This is my polish for all quartz looks now. It can be ever so slightly streaky if applied in a too-thin layer but other than that, it's the perfect sheer. I'm wearing three coats and I can't get over how classy and elegant it looks. Apparently there are some other amazing Essie sheers out there now in similar shades and I'm going to have to hunt them down.

Snowflake Queen // Blue Jelly Winter Look with Glitter

Ah the jelly sandwich. This was actually my first go and it took so long but it looks great...I probably should've done this with actual gel thanks to all the layers that needed time to dry but fortunately I did this look on false nails and could come back every 30 mins or so to apply another layer.

I love them though; they're just so sparkly and shiny. They're also very different to what I would normally do; no peach or monstera leaves in sight!

Layers (Snowflake nails):

1 - Catwalk Queen

2 - Snowflakes

3 - ooh la lolly

4 - Catwalk Queen

5 - Snowflakes

6 - ooh la lolly

7 - Snowflakes

8 - ooh la lolly

9 - Snowflakes

10 - ooh la lolly

11 - Snowflakes

12 - 3D pop tint top coat

Layers (Glitter nails):

1 - ooh la lolly

2 - London Lane (sponged on til most of the nail was covered. This glitter shade did not like being sponged on. Took about 4/5 layers)

3 - ooh la lolly twice

4 - 3D pop tint top coat x2

5 - broken holo nail stickers

Woooo that's a lot of layers. I actually left them overnight and then applied some more top coat the next morning. I'm so glad these are false nails!

I was going to put some christmas text on one of the nails but I like how these could just be generic winter nails so I left it and just added some more snowflakes for the very top layer. I'll be doing a post on the Essie 3D pop tint soon as well because I love it; I wish I'd bought the others in TK Maxx now.

I also felt like the glitter nails were missing something so I added the little holo stickers. I did want to add  more 3D arrow like shape but I only have them in gold. Guess I need to go buy some more nail art wheels in silver!

Polishes/Tools used:

- Barry M // Catwalk Queen (blue glitter)

- Essie // ooh la lolly (blue jelly), Gel Setter 3D Pop Tints Top Coat (blue)

- Twinkled T // Glow Up (white)

- Nails Inc Winter Lights // London Lane (chunky blue glitter)

- Harunouta Stamping Plate // L056

- Essence // Broken Holo Nail Stickers

SWATCHES: Essie // Fall For NYC, But First Candy, Ooh La Lolly & Glowing Strong

More swatches! This time from Essie. I'm not the biggest Essie fan so I tend to ignore them when I see them in TK Maxx but last time there were a few shades that I just couldn't resist throwing in the cart (as well as interesting formulas).

Fall For NYC // orange clay creme

Collection: Fall For NYC

Release: Fall 2018

Coats: 2

I actually remember this collection being released and wanting specifically this shade along with Say It Aint Soho (an orange metallic) but Essie shades are £7.99 here and rarely on sale; the only times I do buy them are from TK Maxx, so I was very happy when this turned up in my local store for £2.99. This is one of those perfect autumn/winter shades. The formula itself is a little streaky and not that shiny but those issues are easily sorted out with a top coat (I just never wear one for swatches).

But First, Candy // dark green jelly

Collection: Glazed Days

Release: Summer 2019

Coats: 3

Where did this range come from? I had never even heard of it so I was surprised to find it only came out last summer. I have been looking for this exact shade though; a true green jelly, so I was very happy when I saw this and Ooh la lolly in TK.  I wanted them for layering effects however, they appear to be a bit too dark and this one is a little streaky. It also takes forever to dry but that's like most jellies. I stopped at three coats, where it just about lost its transparency and marvelled at the shiny gel-like surface. 

Ooh La Lolly // dark blue jelly

Collection: Glazed Days

Release: Summer 2019

Coats: 3

This is more like the formula I was after; no streaks and builds up nicely but still keeps its transparency. This is going to be perfect for jelly sandwiches (I've already got one planned). Again, it takes a while to dry but I love sticking glitter between the layers for that plastic gel look. Really pleased I managed to get this for £3 as it would've cost me that much anyway after p&p for a jelly polish from born pretty/eBay.

60 Glowing Strong // peach/pink creme

Collection: Treat Love & Color

Release: Winter 2018

Coats: 3

Of course I bought the peach/pink shade. For some reason I was expecting this to be a thick and gloopy creme but it's actually quite thin. It took me three coats to get the coverage I was happy with but it was easy to apply and dried relatively quick. This shade just makes me wish is was summer though...I miss the warm weather and being able to cycle without being battered by a 20mph wind.

QUICK SWATCH: Essie Mini // 318 Resort Fling

Time for another quick swatch! I found this beautiful shade in TK Maxx for £1.99 so obviously I had to buy it. 

318 Resort Fling // Coral-Peach Crelly

Collection: Resort Fling

Release Date: March 2014

Coats: 3

This could be a wonderful peach jelly but alas; 'tis streaky. It does have a glass-like shine to it though and two coats is more than enough for full coverage. I found it very easy to apply, even though the formula is more on the liquid side. On the first coat it looks much darker than it is, but lights up on the second. I was worried when I first applied it because it was looking like it did not suit my skin tone, but that second coat sealed the deal; I love this shade. 

As long as you apply thin coats, this shade dries pretty quick. Normally I don't really care about drying times (or chipping times...if it chips that means an excuse to paint my nails again) but I did noticed how fast this one dried.

There are 3 other shades in this collection, an icy blue, a beige and a deep blue. For me this is easily the best in the collection but then again, I'm totally biased against peach/pink shades.

QUICK SWATCH: Essie Gel Couture // Jade To Measure

Another TK Maxx buy. I'm not the biggest Essie fan; I find the formula sub-par for how much it costs and I don't really like the bottles either but this shade caught my eye.

Jade To Measure // Metallic Emerald Duochrome (sapphire undertones)

Collection: Gel Couture Holiday

Release Date: 2017

Coats: 2

This is a really special polish; it's beautiful and the formula is just on point. It leaves slight brush strokes however for once, you can't actually tell because the strokes aren't darker than the polish. It's incredibly shiny and all the shimmery bits give it so much depth. When the light hits it, it feels like when the sunlight hits the sea.

This would be perfect for St Patrick's day.

Coachella Sunset // Pink & Lilac Ombre with Palm Trees

Oh boy it's been a hot minute. Where does the time go, I've posted 3 times this month! I've been busy moving back to sunny blackpool and driving up and down the M6 as well as trying to wrap my head around a different programming language for work. I've been painting my nails but I just forgot to take photos or edit or function properly 🙈.

In other news I've been reunited with my full collection; just in time for autumn as I only had spring pastel shades with me. But, I will not let summer go that easy and I did this ombre and palm trees look. I actually wore this with a normal basecoat and for days I just kept staring at my hand (only my left hand...no one does nail art on the other hand).

And there's a video! I found a desk sized ring light that's big enough for my camera to film through so now I can film no matter what time it is!

There were so many looks I had planned this month but I'm almost settled so hopefully things will go back to normal next month. MoYou London just released a new tropical themed collection that of course I had to buy; it had layered monstera leaves. I'm living the dream right now painting my nails and drinking Aldi's £4.99 version of Bailey's Strawberries & Cream.

Polishes/Tools used:-

- OPI Infinite Shine // Brightening Primer

- Essie // Blanc (white)

- Deco Miami // Cake (pink)

- Ciaté Gelology // Spinning Teacup (lilac)

- Twinkled T // Vibin' (black)

- Barry M // Matte Top Coat
- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Mix & Match 13

Match That Mani // Sainsbury's Blue & Yellow Oriental Teacup

This didn't turn out exactly how I envisioned it in my head but it will do cause it's hella cute. I saw these cups in Sainsbury's the other weekend and they were on offer for £1.50 each. How could I resist? They're supposed to be used a teacups for fancy oriental tea but I don't really drink tea so I use them for my orange juice in the morning and I just can't; they're freaking adorable.

I won't lie; the sole reason I bought them was because I wanted to put the design on my nails 🙈 I don't have the exact wave design on a stamping plate and this was the closest I could get. Unfortunately the polish I used did not want to pick up properly and it's a little patchy in places. MoYou polishes are so hit and miss; I really need to stop buying them and buy more Twinkled T instead.

This was 2 layers of Blanc followed by the blue waves which I placed about a cm away from the tip. I then painted the tips in Lemon Sugar; my favourite yellow shade. This is the only polish I've ever used fully.

Polishes/Tools used:-

- Essie// Blanc (white)

- MoYou London // Dusty Blue (pale blue)

- Avon True Colour // Lemon Sugar (pastel yellow)

- Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy // Diamond Top Coat

- MoYou London Stamping Plates // Sailor 07

Ready, Set, Glam // Birchbox December 2019 Nails

Ahhh this is so late. But, if you've read my New Year post you'll know that December was a weird one for me and I took a bit of a break so I've just got round to doing Birchbox nails! I also missed November as well but that was a Frozen 2 box and I'm not sure if I even want to do something on that design as it wasn't very inspiring to me.

Anyway, I actually really loved the December Birchbox; it came in a beautiful navy velvet-like bag with rose gold detail. There are actually two looks that I could do for this box and I'm still torn over whether or not to do both...maybe I will later on. This one was super easy and quick and would've been perfect for my Christmas party if I hadn't have procrastinated so much last month.

I'd say my favourite item from the box was the Rituals shower oil as it came in my favourite scent; ritual of Ayurveda. I don't actually use it in the shower; I use as just a body oil on pulse points because it smells so good.

Polishes/Tools used:
- Essie // Surrounded by Studs (deep navy)
- Barry M Liquid Chrome // Razzle Dazzle (pink chrome)
- Mavala // Glam Show (rose gold glitter)
- Essie // Platinum Finish Top Coat

ROUND UP // All The Nail Polish Advent Calendars for 2019

So, as a little bit of break, I thought this post would do a round-up of all the Nail Polish advent calendars I could find for 2019. Last year I bought the Ciaté and OPI ones and with the beauty calendars sold out, this years nail ones have finally started appearing. So, read on to check out what the nail polish world has to offer this year!

Ciate Mini Mani Month 2019
£50 - 24 items

First up is the calendar I'll probably end up buying as I'm a sucker for Ciaté products and it has quite a few shades that I need for my collection but almost 50% are repeats from previous calendars. I already have 47 Ciaté shades so £50 is a little steep to end up with so many repeats.

The main turn off though is that you receive "6 mystery shades", so you could in theory end up with 12 repeats in total.

If you haven't already signed up to their newsletter, you can do so for 15% off and I also found a voucher on the internet for 20%, use LIB20. It still works as of posting this.

OPI Hello Kitty Collection

£65 - 25 Items

After last years OPI calendar I knew I wasn't going to order again and 12 of the shades are repeats from last years Nutcracker box...yes they put the exact same 12 shades in as last years. OPI have hundreds upon hundreds of interesting and unique shades but they chose the same boring 12 as before.

It also contains 10 out of 13 mini shades from their new Hello Kitty collection and just like with the Nutcracker one, they missed out the best 3. I wouldn't recommend this one, it's pricey, the tiny 3.75ml bottles have no names on them and the formulas from the repeats are severely disappointing. Such a shame as their summer Neon collection was excellent and I enjoyed a few shades from their Spring Tokyo range as well. 

24 Days of Essie

£45.98 - 24 Items

It's currently out of stock but Amazon are still allowing you to order it for delivery when it comes back in stock. £46 isn't too shabby for 8 full size shades, 9 mini 5ml polishes, 1 mini bottle of polish remover, a sticker sheet and then "5 mystery surprises". What's with all the surprises this year? As I've never had an Essie calendar before the repeats will be low, especially because I don't have many Essie shades to begin with (I just never got on the craze).

Technic Perfectly Polished Advent Calendar

£25.50 - 24 Items

Oh Technic, you strange, bargain bin rip-off of similarly bargain bin W7 who's ripping off OPI...£25.50 though for Technic? I think they got their prices wrong. Apparently, Technic say all their items are cruelty free and suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans. If your product is suitable for Vegans then it will be suitable for Vegetarians, no need for the double clarification. That said, they do not state if their polishes are at least 3-free, so it's a no from me. I accidentally bought a W7 shade once and when I opened it, my eyes almost melted out of their sockets; it smelt just like the creosote mum uses to protect fence panels with. If you order this for a young niece/nephew/sibling/child, just make sure that you can give them a sniff first for formaldehyde as, wouldn't you know, there are no ingredients lists anywhere...

Mavala 12 Days of Christmas for Nails and Hands

£45 - 12 Items

Back to a 'real' polish brand this time and Mavala have two calendars again this year and they look hella cute. This slightly different version features 6 polishes, top coat, base coat, quick dry top coat and cuticle oil along with some handcream and tweezers. I think I prefer this one just because I like having more polishes and the rose gold glitter shade looks nice.

Maval 12 Days of Christmas for Nails and Skin

£45 - 12 items

Though the names are confusing because they're practically the same, this one does contain different products but I can only find it available on Amazon. That said please be careful when buying this as many reviews have stated that 2 drawers have been missing items. Not usually the standard set by Mavala. In this set you may notice that 14 items are being shown, the other boxes contain what I'm guessing is matching day and night creams in a 5ml size which is a bit stingy for face cream.

Essence Make Your Own Advent Calendar

£19.99 - 24 Items

Although it only contains 9 nail products, I actually quite like Essence products anyway and for £20, this is an absolute bargain. I would've have bought it for myself if I didn't already own all the shades included...

// Last Thoughts

And that's as much as I can find! If I do come across some others from actual brands (not just random £5 ones of eBay or Amazon) I will update this post but I think I'm most likely to buy the Ciaté one ('cause I'm sucker for gluttony) and one of the Mavala calendars. Nails Inc haven't released anything new yet but I imagine that should come out in the next few weeks and Orly have stopped doing their "Quo by Orly 12 shades of Christmas" calendar. I've checked with China Glaze, Sally Hansen, Cuccio, Morgan Taylor, Zoya and Barry M but to no avail. If I had my own polish brand I would be on that shit. Even W7 haven't done a nail one this year.

In non-nail related news though, I think my favourite beauty advent calendars are the ridiculously expensive ones from Harrods and Liberty...isn't that always the case? One can dream. In the more affordable range, the Rituals one is pretty enticing as is the Lumene...oh will power, please don't fail me.