Digit-al Dozen: Albums David Bowie Aladdin Sane

Greetings and Nailutations!

It's a Digit-al Dozen week and our prompt is albums!  Yesterday I did a KISS mani and today I'm doing an understated mani inspired by David Bowie's Aladdin Sane album.  David Bowie was a star and I wanted to pay my respects but also share that I love his music.

Let's get to the details!

September Polish Pick Up: Nvr Enuff Polish RAGE

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Press Sample*
Polish Pick Up (PPU) is right around the corner and I'm going to share a stunner today!  If you are new to PPU, it is a shopping experience where a theme is voted on by customers and all brands that offer a product create something around the theme.  This month the theme is Horror Movies.  Nvr Enuff created RAGE, inspired by 28 Days Later.  While I am a chicken when it comes to horror movies, I do like to read about them (the spoilers) because it makes them less scary.

Let's get to the swatches!

Road To Polish Con Week 11: Contrary Polish and Noodles Nail Polish

Greetings and Nailutions,

*Press Samples*
Polish Con is fast approaching (tickets are for sale too!) and that means we are treated with ROAD TO POLISH CON polish releases by the vendors!  Week 11 starts May 27th and you will have a week to purchase this polish.  You can get them shipped real time, or save them all for 1 huge delivery (use code BEGINNAILSHOLD if you want it held).  Please use code BEGINNAILS for a free nail gift with purchase (glitter, rhinestones, etc).

Let's get to the details!

Digit-al Dozen: Inspired by Painted Fingertips

Greetings and Nailutations!

It is the last day of the Digit-al Dozen and I did a HUGE oops.  (I'll get into details about it below.)  Today I was inspired by Kerry of Painted Fingertips and her drip marble manis!  Drip marbles are so fun and easy and every finger will always be unique!

Let's get to the details!

It Girl IG103 Stamping Plate Review Part 1

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I have a new stamping plate to share from a new indie stamping line called It Girl.  It Girl is based out of Tacoma, Washingtong (my home state!) and has the 3 initial plates open for pre-order. One thing I noticed first off is that the surface of the plates isn't as reflective as others, which I prefer as it makes taking photos a LOT easier!  I was able to capture each image and get a macro of each.

Now let's get to some manis!

May 2015 A Box Indied, Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the May exclusive polishes from Llarowe's A Box, Indied (just barely getting them posted in the month of May).  As previously mentioned, Llarowe in an online indie stockist which has a monthly subscription box.  The box's theme was "May The Fourth Be With You" and took inspiration from Star Wars.  The box is still available for single month purchase.

Now let's get to some swatches.

First up is Luke, I Am Your Father from Colors By Llarowe.  When you think of the name what comes to mind?  Darth Vader?  The dark side?  Luke, I Am Your Father is a black holo....but not just any black holo....a black holo with black micro glitter.  It went on smooth and easy.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is the polish from Glisten and Glow called Saber This!  Saber This! is a blue crelly with purple and blue iridescent micro flecks.  This polish also glows in the dark.  I apologize for the dim glow in the dark photo, still working on figuring out the ideal settings on my camera.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next up is Different Dimension's contribution to the box called Saber That.  Saber That is a light green crelly with iridescent yellow, blue and purple glitters along with holo rainbow dust.  This polish also glows, however I was not able to get a glow show due to it being quite dim.  The formula on this polish was bit thick so application was slightly difficult.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

One of my favorites of the box is from Girly Bits Cosmetics called I Like Big Buns (LOVE THE NAME!).  This polish is inspired by Princess Leia's hair.  It is a brown polish with gold, purple and amber micro flecks.  I love this combination, especially with matte top coat!  Formula was perfect and photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd photos).

The other favorite of the box is from Contrary Polish and called Slavegirl Bikini.  This red glitter jelly contains light pink and gold micro flecks.  As with all Contrary Polishes, they MUST BE MATTIFIED!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th photos) and matte top coat (5th and 6th photos).

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

Loves:   LOVE I Like Big Buns from Girly Bits Cosmetics and Contrary Polish's Slavegirl Bikini.  The use of the micro flecks in these polishes really made them stand out.  The theme was super adorable and any Star Wars nerd should definitely add a few of these to their collection.

Wishes:  I wish the formula was a bit more friendly on the Different Dimension so that I was able to capture a glow in the dark photo.

Which is your favorite?

Happy Polishing,

Kristi aka @BeginNails

March 2015 A Box Indied Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the March exclusive polishes from Llarowe's A Box, Indied.  As previously mentioned, Llarowe in an online indie stockist which has a monthly subscription box.  The box's theme was "Lucky Charms."  Unfortunately, the box is sold out.  Sorry these are so late!

Now let's get to some swatches.

First up is a green crelly with gold flakes from Contrary Polish called Shamrock and Roll.  One thing I love doing with Contrary Polishes is adding a matte top coat to transform it into a soft look.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd and 4th photos).

Next polish is a soft pink scattered holographic polish called Endless Rainbows from Glisten and Glow.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat in filtered light (1st photo) and simulated sunlight (2nd photo).

Fields of Gold is next, from Pahlish.  Fields of Gold is a dark gold polish in a clear base filled with gold micro flecks and flakes.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is a perfect purple linear holographic polish called Magically Delicious, from Colors by Llarowe.  This has to be my favorite of the box...because, well purple!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat in filtered light (1st photo) and simulated sunlight (2nd and 3rd photos).

The last polish, and another close second favorite is from Girly Bits Cosmetics called Serendipity.  Serendipity is a dusty mauve holographic with light pink hexes and light pink and magenta micro glitter.  This makes a great work appropriate polish.  Such complexity and I love how the colors sparkles in the light.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com
Matte Top Coat: O.P.I. Top Coat

Loves:  Formula on all 5 were great!  I really love the purple holo from Colors By Llarowe and a close second is the glittery holo from Girl Bits Cosmetics.

Wishes:  This was a fun box!  I wouldn't change anything.

Which is your favorite?

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

December A Box, Indied Review and Swatches

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the December exclusive polishes from Llarowe's A Box, Indied.  As previously mentioned, Llarowe in an online indie stockist which has a monthly subscription box.  This month's theme was "Walking In A Winter Indie-Land."  Also, if you fancied November's A Box, Indied, there are still boxes available.

Now let's get to some swatches.

First up is Cindy Lou Who from Colors By Llarowe.  Cindy Lou Who is a deep magenta holographic polish with impeccable formula.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat in filtered light (1st photo) and simulated sunlight (2nd and 3rd photos).

Next is Contrary Polish's contribution to the box called Be Merry.  Be Merry is a grey jelly with turquoise, magenta and purple micro glitter.  Photos show 2 coats (although 3 would be more ideal for total opacity).  Pictures show shiny top coat in filtered light (1st photo), simulated sunlight (2nd photo) and matte top coat (3rd and 4th photos).

Ho^3 is the contribution to the box from Different Dimension.  (The name is Ho(cubed), but blogger has gotten the best of me and I cannot figure out how to do a superscript.)  Ho^3 is a red holographic polish and as with the other two polishes has perfect formula.  Photos show 2 coats (although 1 can provide total opacity) with shiny top coat in filtered light (1st and 3rd photos) and simulated sunlight (2nd and 4th photos).

Up next is Girly Bits, A Twinkle In Time, which is a potpourri of colors!  I decided to place it over a navy blue (Jenna Hipp, I Cast A Spell On Blue) to really show the pop of colors contained in this polish.  It can also be worn on it's own without an undie.  Photos show 1 coat topped with shiny top coat in simulated sunlight.

The last polish to share is Glisten and Glow's Winter Nights In Indieland, a navy blue holographic polish.  This polish made me smile because I don't have a navy blue holo....I love adding new and different polishes to my collection.  Formula was perfection and photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat in filtered light (1st and 3rd photos) and simulated sunlight (2nd and 4th photos).

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com
Tree Charm: Charmingly Simple Nail Art

Loves:  Formula on all 5 were great, creamy and spread evenly.  My favorite of the box has to be Winter Nights In Indieland because it is something different to add to my collection.  I also really liked A Twinkle In Time because it had holo glitter mixed with small glitter.

Wishes:  Pleased with this month's box - wouldn't change a thing!

Which is your favorite?

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails