Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Drip Drop Nail Paint 2014 Holiday Collection Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Blogger Package*
Today I have the 2014 Holiday Collection that is available from Drip Drop Nail Paint.  As with all Drip Drop Nail Paint polishes they are 3-free and have creamy formula.  Currently all of these polishes (but 1) are listed as sold out, but don't you worry, they will be restocked for all the weekend sales!!

Now let's get to some swatches.

First up is Santa's Pajamas, a white glitter crelly.  Santa's Pajamas contains green and red matte glitters in square and hex shapes and in an assortment of sizes.  This polish made me think of comfy footy pajamas, drinking cocoa by a fireplace and watching snow fall outside.  In reality I live in the dessert and have never seen snow on the ground unless I travel to my folks' house up north.  I will gladly settle for this polish (and daily sunshine) to get me in the holiday mood!  Formula was creamy and applied evenly.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.




Next is a glitter bomb called Frostbite.  Frostbite contains a TON of glitter (too many to list out) but reminds me of the colors seen in glistening icy snow adorning tree branches on a cold winter's day.  There are circles, squares and hexes galore in this polish!  Photos show 2 thick coats (for total opacity) and shiny top coat.




Holly Jolly is a glitter topper all decked out in green.  Holly Jolly contains green holographic circles and hexes, green matte hexes and white squares and hexes.  To achieve full opacity 3 thin coats would be needed.  Photos show 2 coats over Ciate Apple and Custard with shiny top coat.



Merry JessMess is another glitter crelly that captures the spirit of Drip Drop Nail Paint owner's holiday spirit perfectly.  Merry JessMess is a bubblegum pink crelly containing magenta circles and gold hexes and squares.  Creamy formula made application easy and photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.




The last polish to share from the Holiday Collection is Candy Cane Crunch.  A fun, festive glitter topper, Candy Cane Crunch contains red and white squares, hexes and shards.  I had a difficult time finding a color that wouldn't clash with the red and white, but found Lavish Polish's Debonair and it looked great!  Photos show 2 coats dabbed on and shiny top coat.



Top Coat:  Gem Glam Top Coat from My Dream Polish

Loves:    Fun, creative holiday collection!  Great formula and a mix of glitter crellies, glitter bomb and glitter toppers - I enjoy a variety!  And and added plus is that all Drip Drop Nail Paint polishes are also 3-free so it does not contain 3 of the nasties that polish can contain.

Wishes:  Love this collection!  I wouldn't change a thing!

Stay connected with sales, promos and announcements:
Store: http://dripdropnailpaint.storenvy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dripdropnailpaintLLC
Instagram: @dripdropnailpaint

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails

Super Nails 2014 Holiday Collection Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Press Sample*
Today I am sharing a few glitter toppers from Super Nails' 2014 Holiday Collection.  Last year I had the privilege of reviewing her Holiday 2013 Collection of glitter toppers too and those are still available in her store as well.  As with all of Super Nails polishes, they are 5-free and cruelty free.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Baby, It's Cold Outside, a wintry glitter topper.  Baby, It's Cold Outside contains blue hearts, squares and hexes, turquoise small hexes and bar glitter, and light blue diamonds and circles, and white squares, snowflakes and snowman glitter!  Yes, that is right....snowman glitter!  Since there are a few larger glitter types in this polish and I had a mini bottle, slight glitter fishing was required.  Photos show 2 coats dabbed on with glitter placement of the larger pieces over a mainstream black and topped with a shiny top coat.




Next is Ho, Ho, Ho! a Santa inspired glitter topper.  Ho, Ho, Ho! contains red shards, hearts, hexes and adorable bows as well as white rings and mustache glitter all in a clear base with tones of silver shimmer.  Since I have small nail beds, I didn't opt for adding it.  No glitter fishing was required and photos show 1 coat dabbed on with slight glitter placement and shiny top coat over Lavish Polish Dapper.




Sugar Plum Fairy is the next glitter topper, which is very whimsical!  Sugar Plum Fairy contains silver glitter shards, hexes and small squares, and circles in lavender, magenta, purple and blue, and lavender hexes and lavender clubs.  This polish required no glitter fishing.  Photos show 1 coat dabbed on with club glitter placement and shiny top coat over a gradient of Ciate Talent Scout and Jenna Hipp Sugar Plum.




The last glitter topper I have to share today is Jingle Bells.  Jingle Bells is full of silver holo glitter and iridescent glitter.  It is so jam packed full of sparkles that my camera had a hard time focusing!  Of course this glitter topper called Jingle Bells has to have bell glitter and it does not disappoint with green, red and silver holographic bells!  Photos show 2 coats over Jenna Hipp's I Cast A Spell On Blue topped with shiny top coat.




Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com

Loves: My favorite of the 4 I received is Baby, It's Cold Outside - it's my first snowman glitter polish!  They are so adorable!  I also love when holiday glitters can be used outside the holiday season (as shown with Ho, Ho, Ho! over blue...4th of July nails?!)  And of course all Super Nails polishes are 5-free so they don't contain any of the nasties that can be found in polish.

Wishes: I wish I had larger nails to really show off some of these larger glitters to their full glitter-tastic potential.

Stay connected to Super Nails!
Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SuperNails
Instagram: @kseagale  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Super1Nails
Twitter: @super1nails

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Monday, November 24, 2014

Johas Love Nail Polish Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Blogger Package*
Today I am sharing a new indie brand that is just getting her feet wet but making splashes in the nail community.  Johas Love Nail Polish is created by Johanna (of Instagram account @nailsbyjoha).  I selected 4 polishes that were available (not part of any particular collection) to review today.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Dreamy, a white glitter crelly-jelly that contains magenta holographic hexes.  Dreamy is simple, feminine and soft and a great polish to wear on it's own or as a nail art base.  Photos show 2 coats plus shiny top coat.



Next is Winter Clouds, a soft grey creme polish.  Winter Clouds applied evenly and almost self leveled on my nails, which shows how impeccable the formula is.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.



Pink Storm is up next which is a bubble gum pink creme that had similar formula to Winter Clouds.  Photos show 2 thick coats for total opacity with shiny top coat.



The last polish I have to share today, and my favorite is Forever.  Forever is a sky blue creme with purple-blue shimmer infused into it.  Photos show 3 thin coats (it was slightly thinner in formula than the other polishes) for total opacity and shiny top coat.




Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com

Loves:  I loved that the colors are great staples for anyone interested in nail art as they all work wonderfully as bases.  I loved the formula, the self leveling action speaks volumes to the quality.  I love Forever and it's shimmery goodness.  :)

Wishes: I wish I had been able to order Mi Amor (a silky deep purple) but it was sold out when I ordered.  Guess it is going on my wish list!

Stay Connected!
Store: http://johaslovenailpolish.storenvy.com
Instagram: @johaslovenailpolish

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Charmingly Simple Nail Art Holiday and Winter Charms Part 4

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Are you all charmed out?  I hope not because I have 4 more adorable charms to share from Charmingly Simple Nail Art.  Charmingly Simple Nail Art carries not just charms, but also nail art tools (brushes/dotting stylus), bottle holders, wax pencils, midi rings, striping tape and more!  The new charms for the winter and holiday are amazing!

Now let's get to some charms!

First up is a gold Christmas Tree charm, with 6 rhinestones.  This is also another favorite of mine (it's the same as the silver tree but in gold).  It's small,classy and festive.  It is shown here over Greener Than Everygreen from Jindie with some gold sparkles mixed in and topped with a shiny top coat.



Next is a Swarovski Snowflake, which is one of the easiest charms to adhere to your nails due to it's small size.  It is shown here over Jenna Hipp's I Cast A Spell On Blue and a shiny top coat along with some snow fall.



The smallest charm or embellishment is the gold snowflake.  Be sure to keep it in a secure location as it is very small and light.  It creates the perfect subtle accent and is shown here over Sleigh Me from Liquid Sky Lacquer and shiny top coat.



The last charm I have is the snowman with pink hat and scarf.  It's the perfect size and adheres nicely to nails.  Photos show it over Kindness from Virtuous Polish.  Be sure to check out Elyse's store as she has several other snowman designs.



Application: top coat for a hold or nail glue for a more secure hold.

Shiny Topcoat is Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com

Loves:  I love all 4 of these charms as they were smaller in size and adhered perfectly to my small nails.  The Christmas tree in gold (and silver) are my top faves of all the new charms.

Wishes:  I wish for you all to go check out her store and select a few items to make your manis POP with holiday cheer!  :)

Stay Connected to Charmingly Simple Nail Art sales, restocks and more:
Store: http://charminglysimple.storenvy.com
Instagram: @charminglysimplenailart

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails

Friday, November 21, 2014

Charmingly Simple Nail Art Holiday and Winter Charms Part 3

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Another blog post all about charms?  This is like Charmapalooza!!  These charms are from Charmingly Simple Nail Art.  Charmingly Simple Nail Art carries not just charms, but also nail art tools (brushes/dotting stylus), bottle holders, wax pencils, midi rings, striping tape and more!  The new charms for the winter and holiday are amazing!

Now let's get to some charms!

We still start it off with a Candy Cane charm.  It is outlined in silver and includes a silver bow.  It is not curved to fit the nail, so you will need to affix it with strong nail glue (in case there is a snag) and should be placed on a nail that is large and more flat.  I have it shown here over Drip Drop Nail Paint's Yoga Pants and Liquid Sky Lacquer's Ice Princess with shiny top coat.



An ice skate is the perfect outdoor activity for the winter, so there is a cute little black skate.  The best part about it is that it is curved to perfectly fit your nail!  I have it shown here over White Christmas from Liquid Sky Lacquer and shiny top coat.



Next is a present!  This present is very large, but it is curved to fit a nail.  Keep in mind that I have small nails to begin with, so on a normal human, this gift charm would be perfect.  I have it shown here over Jenna Hipp's Apple Custard and Liquid Sky Lacquer O Christmas Tree and shiny top coat.




The last charm for today is a cartoon reindeer.  The saying "bright eyed and bushy tailed" is perfect for this deer, but he's more like "bright eyed and bushy maned."  Haha.  This charm is on the larger side and isn't curved, so I recommend it be placed on a larger nail.  Photos show this charm over Liquid Sky Lacquer's Sugared Berries and shiny top coat.



Application: top coat for a hold or nail glue for a more secure hold.

Shiny Topcoat is Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com
Matte Top Coat is O.P.I. matte

Loves:  I love that the present and the skate are curved to better fit nails.  I love the look of the candy cane - it can be used for fun and even a classy accent nail at a cocktail party.

Wishes: I wish the candy cane and deer were curved for a better secure to the nail.

Stay Connected to Charmingly Simple Nail Art sales, restocks and more:
Store: http://charminglysimple.storenvy.com
Instagram: @charminglysimplenailart

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails