K2 Nail Paint Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Blogger Package*
Today I am sharing a new-to-me indie brand called K2 Nail Paint.  I received 5 colors and a 3-free fast drying top coat.  K2 Nail Paint's products are all 5-free (aside from the fast drying top coat) and that includes a 5-free top coat as well.

Now let's get to some swatches!

Indie Shop Event Experience

Greetings and Nailutations,

November 21st was a special (first of it's kind) event called the Indie Shop Event.  It was a chance for a group of indie brands (independent) to get together and showcase what they have to offer the folks in the surrounding nail community.  It was presented by Envy Lacquer, co-hosted by Bliss Polish, and took place in Southern California.  As some of you know, I live in the neighboring state and since my husband loves road trips, we decided to drive 5-6 hours for a long weekend.

After a fun day at Disneyland (photos 1 and 2 below), I met up with some amazing makers and polish loves at the hotel in the bar for a few drinks the night before.  Melody of Envy Lacquer, Yvette from Bliss Polish, Painted Polish by Lexi was there with her sister and Alice from Squishy Face Polish along with a few polish lovers (Mayra and Gen and one other whom I didn't catch her name..sorry!!) all joked and laughed and thought about playing drinking games to bad "polish words"....like Arminex.  (Two cookies if you get that joke!)

The next morning, I got up early and went downstairs to help set up the room.  I tried to be as helpful as I could without drooling.  I was amazed at the creativity of the tables and all the gorgeous colors being put on display.  I saw faces that matched with instagram accounts.  There was a little stress and panic, but the reassuring message of a line at the door made us all the more excited!  Below is Painted Polish by Lexi and Sea Lore Polish tables (photos courtesy of Mr. BeginNails).

Painted Polish set up - I really liked her presentation and the addition of lights to really show the sparkles.

Sea Lore Polish set up, she also had adorable bows/hair accessories.

Finally the doors opened (about 15 minutes late....SORRY!) and I saw girls walk in with wide eyes oohing and aaahing.  I heard screams of recognition, I saw hugs of brand owners caring about their customers, I saw kindness of customers admiring the beauty placed into a bottle...and I smelled....obviously polish.

Doors opened!  I am propping the one door open.  See, I am good for something!

Lavish Polish and the gorgeous product!

Stached Lacquer with her adorable table set up!

Melody (the planner) and her brand Envy Lacquer showing customers the love she places in each bottle.

Yvette, owner of Bliss Polish and her BoB's (Bliss'd Out Babes).

Lexi of Painted Polish and her sister.  

Lexi showing the sparkles of Painted Polish.

Sea Lore Polish and Poetry Cowgirl Polish talking to fellow polish addicts.

Yvette showing off the new collection of Bliss Polish.

Bad Bitch Polish up front (she sold out of most of her stuff) and Squishy Face Polish in back, updating her status about how great the event is going.

Sara from Nails Redesigned up front and the Nvr Enuff Polish owners toward the back.

I was given the opportunity to teach a demo during the event.  I wanted something easy and wanted to make it interactive.  I decided on water spotting and showed the gathering how to make nails look like turquoise (the stone).  My heart grew seeing folks learning a new technique and being excited about it.  I was also able to give out some prizes and coupons that some amazing folks sent me: Drip Drop Nail Paint, Polished Vino, CDB Lacquer, Heather's Hues, GG Indie Polish, Ellagee Polish, and Girlosity Cosmetics.

I came away with a HUGE haul of polishes (3 new to me brands: Poetry Cowgirl Polish, Bad Bitch Polish and Stached Lacquer) and some new friends!

Thanks for reading!  What polishes should I try first!?

Happy Polishing!Kristi aka @BeginNails

Drip Drop Nail Paint Mystery Trio Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

The most recent mystery trio from Drip Drop Nail Paint was magical!  When I say magical, I mean they were thermal!  My absolute favorite because it is like two polishes in one!  As with all Drip Drop Nail Paint polishes they are 3-free and have creamy formula.  Be sure to follow Drip Drop Nail Paint on instagram for up to date information on restocks.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is my favorite of the trio, Chrysalis.  Chrysalis is pinky-purple when warm and a deep purple when cold.  The best part is that there are light blue and purple micro flakies in the polish.  When I initially swatched this polish I was so sad because it stayed dark purple (5th photo) and I realized that day I was part vampire because my hands were freezing!  I attempted it a day later (with warm hands) and it transitioned perfectly with no help.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is Photosynthesis which is green when cold and dusty turquoise green when warm.  The transition on Photosynthesis is subtle, yet gorgeous.  It contains light green and blue iridescent micro flakies.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

The last polish in the trio is called Metamorphosis, which is pink when warm and darker pink when cold.  Metamorphosis contains light pink and gold micro flakies.  Like the other 2 thermals, it applied perfectly.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Top Coat:  Gem Glam Top Coat from My Dream Polish

Loves:  Thermals and Drip Drop?  YES PLEASE!  Sign me up every time!  I love that DDNP has taken on thermals and the formulas were outstanding.  I also loved the micro flake selections in each polish.  My favorite is Chrysalis because of the contrasting colors and it was very sensitive when I wasn't vampire-like.  And an added plus is that all Drip Drop Nail Paint polishes are also 3-free so it does not contain 3 of the harsh chemicals that polish can contain.

Wishes:  The only thing I wish is that Photosynthesis and Metamorphosis a more contrasting change.

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

Ladybug Lacquer Desert Days Collection Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

Today I'll be sharing the Desert Days Collection from Ladybug Lacquer.  There are just two polishes from the collection still available for purchase because she recently released a new collection.  Ladybug Lacquer products are 5-free, so they don't contain any of the 5 harsh chemicals that can be found in polish.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Before The Sunrise (which is still available), a gorgeous magenta jelly with purple and blue micro glitter to make this polish absolutely stunning.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (swatch stick is 2 coats over black undie).

Sunset Popsicles is a vibrant orange creme and was originally reviewed in the Halloween duo review.    This polish is also still available.  The formula on this creme was amazing and I did check - it water marbles!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is Cactus Juice, a green glitter jelly with green holographic hex glitter.  This polish is amazing in the light and would not stop sparkling!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th photos) and matte top coat (5th and 6th photos).

The last of the collection (there was a very limited edition polish as well, which I was not able to get my hands on) is Trip Digit Temps.  Triple Digit Temps is a red-orange holographic polish.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com
Matte Top Coat: Polish Matte'rs from www.girlybitscosmetics.com

Loves: What I love about this collection is that there was a different finish for each polish: glitter jelly, holo, creme and a shimmer.  The formulas on each were easy to work with and applied nicely  And of course I love that Ladybug Lacquer products are 5-free, so they don't contain any of the harsh chemicals that can be found in polish.

Wishes:  My wish originally was to get the collection and this post solved that problem!

Stay Connected:
Store: http://www.ladybuglacquer.com
Instagram: @ladybuglacquer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladybuglacquer

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails