Beginnails' Sunday Six Week 29

Greetings and Nailutations!

Another week and this week marked a special occasion!  I have officially been on instagram for 1 year!  If you are following me on instagram, I am having an epic giveaway with 2 US winners and 1 international.  Please check #beginnails1yrannyrules for the rules and the prizes that have been revealed.  Now let's get to my favorite 6 manis of the week.

First mani is called a pond-mani.  It is where you use a jellypolish which is more on the sheer side and layer it with a design.  I made hearts in white, then added a layer of sheer Body Shots and Bikinis from Sassy Polish Scrubs, then added more hearts and another layer of Body Shots and Bikinis.  I did this 3 times.

Next I used Lady Lindzle from Drip Drop Nail Paint and stamped on some butterflies.  I actually kept this mani on for 3 days straight!  I used a new base coat and a new topcoat so this may have kept it's longevity.

The next one is a galaxy nail design using Cool Nights from Liquid Glam Lacquer and Oceane and Asyria from Mermaids Exist Collection from Fox and Owl Polish.  I loved how this turned out!

Another favorite of the week is using Fawn from Sincerely Polish to create a leopard print pattern.  I topped it all off with a matte topcoat to give it a soft appearance.

Next mani is a swatch.  I am a huge fan of purples and really loved Escape to Palm Springs from Hare Polish in my A Box, Indied this month.

The last of my favorites for the week includes CDB Lacquer Radiant, Foxy and Seductive over white and then branches stamped on.  It almost looked like there was a fire behind the branches.

Enjoy your week!
Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

June A Box, Indied Review and Swatches

Greetings and Nailutations,

June's A Box, Indied from Llarowe (an online stockist) is a little late this month (sorry!).   I still have swatches below and my thoughts on it.  This month's box is themed for vacations and is called Destinations.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Kangaroo, Take Me Away from Jindie Nails.  Kangaroo, Take Me Away is a white glitter crelly containing green and turquoise medium size circles, green, turquoise and gold small circles, gold and turquoise hexes in a few sizes and copper and white squares.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny topcoat.

The next polish included is from Hare Polish, called Escape To Palm Springs.  Escape To Palm Springs is a vibrant purple glitter crelly containing magenta squares and hexes in a few sizes, orange circles, and gold hexes.  I've become a fan of Hare Polish for the formula, the color combinations and the fact that Hare Polishes look great with shiny topcoat or matte.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny topcoat (forgot to take photos with matte!).

Next is a glitter topper from Girly Bits Cosmetics called Love Ya Beach!  It contains gold and copper hexes in a few sizes as well as turquoise hexes.  The glitter topper reminded me of the beach with the colors of sand, sun and ocean.  Photos show 2 coats over a mint colored undie.

The last polish of the box is called Pelican Village from Different Dimension.  Pelican Village is a neon pink with shimmer.  Formula was creamy and went on smooth.  Photo shows 2 coats with shiny topcoat.

The last item in the box was a scrub from Glisten and Glow.  I'm excited because Glisten and Glow is currently working on a polish for a future A Box, Indied.

Loves: My favorite of the box is Escape To Palm Springs from Hare Polish - I am a sucker for purples.

Wishes: I wish there was a polish instead of a scrub.  But, I won't complain too much since I love scrubs.  Once I have started using it and empty it out, I will review it in one of my 3 Empties blog reviews.

Which is your favorite?

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails

Smokey Mountain Lacquer Cuticle Oil Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Press Sample*

Over the past 3 weeks I have been testing out a new cuticle oil.  This vegan-friendly cuticle oil is from Smokey Mountain Lacquers.  My typical cuticle care routine involves A LOT of cuticle oil.  I apply cuticle oil in the morning, throughout the work day, anytime after washing my hands and between swatching after I’ve used harsh polish remover on my nails.  I always apply the cuticle oil straight to my cuticles and massage in to the surrounding skin as well (as the skin takes a beating too).  Photo below courtesy of Smokey Mountain Lacquers.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers Cuticle Oil contains Sweet Almond Oil, Clear Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Argan Oil and Vitamin E.  Please take note that we can pronounce all the ingredients!  Let’s proceed with my tests:

Smell Test: unscented – nothing to smell, which was perfectly fine with me.

Feel Test: not greasy at all, absorbed fully in about 10-15 minutes.  After applying a liberal amount I was able to snap my fingers – that is how non-greasy it is.  I loved that I could apply it, put my base coat(s) on, apply polish, apply topcoat and by the time I got to taking photos, the oil was absorbed and not too shiny in a photo.

Loves: I have noticed a change with my cuticles – I did not have to use cuticle remover over the last 3 weeks (I usually use it once a week or once every 1.5 weeks) and I received several compliments on my cuticles.  The prices is very affordable as well and a little goes a long way.

Buy Again?  YES!  The product is amazing.  The only wish I have is for travel-friendly applicators (roller ball or cuticle pen) as the small bottles with brushes are a danger to the clumsy (ie me….I may have almost knocked it over a few times – but luckily I have the reflexes of a cat!).  I actually placed my cuticle oil in my old Julep applicator so that I can take it with me in my purse to work and on the go!

Here are some photos over the last week of using Smokey Mountain Lacquers Cuticle Oil for 3 weeks.

Stay connected to Smokey Mountain Lacquers!

Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmokeyMtnLacquers

Instagram: @SmokeyMtnLacquers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmokeyMtnLacquers

Twitter: @SmokeyMtnLacquers

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Born Pretty Store Review 3

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the 2nd half of my Born Pretty Store goodies!  My previous posts are located here and here.  Remember to use code: DGJ61 for 10% off any purchase from Born Pretty Store.  All orders are always shipped free, but expect on average 2 1/2 weeks shipping time.

First product is a vintage letter graffiti water decal (ID #11348).  It required using scissors to cut out pieces for the size you want to fit on your nail.  Once it is dampened, the image slides right off.  I placed it on the nail (some parts overlapped to the edge of the nail) and added a topcoat.  The topcoat helped remove the extra overlap.  Photos show the decal over a black undie with a shiny topcoat.

Next products are also water decals - I love water decals, thin, easy to use and fun!  These are neon shapes (ID #14393) that come with diamond, faces and bows.  These work the same way as previous water decals.  Cut out the image, remove the plastic film, dip in water and slide image off and onto your nail.  Use a topcoat and done!  Photos show decals over a neon pink undie and shiny topcoat.

Last item was a fan brush (ID #9804).  Fan brushes are an easy way to add color, and dimension to your nail art.  I used it in 2 different manis.  First one was over black using 2 jelly holos so that it was a subtle color.  The second is over white, using 3 different jelly holos and then I stamped over that.  Photos show over black/white with color fan brushed on and shiny topcoat.

Stay connected:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BornPrettyStore2010
Instagram: @bornprettystore
Store: http://www.bornprettystore.com/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bornprettystore/

Don't forget to use code: DGJ61 for 10% off any purchase from Born Pretty Store.  All orders are always shipped free, but expect on average 2 1/2 weeks shipping time.

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails

Silly Bee's Chickadees Island in the Son Collection Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I have a fun summer trio called Island in the Son from Silly Bee's Chickadees.  This trio can be purchased together as a set in smaller bottles (5mL) or individually in full sizes.  The polishes are named for and inspired by the bright colorful and flavorful fruit of Jamaica.  Absolutely 100% of the proceeds are going towards the cost of lunches served to 600 children on Melissa's (owner of Silly Bee's Chickadees) visit to Jamaica to give back to the community she visited in high school  on a mission trip.  To learn more about her fund raising for this trip head here.  She will be heading to Jamaica July 19th-26th.

First up is Mango Mambo, a golden yellow jelly with gold circles glitters.  The yellow matches perfectly the meat of a mango and as I painted my nails I kept expecting to smell mango.  Formula went on smoothly and there was zero glitter fishing.  Photos show 3 coats with shiny topcoat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte topcoat (3rd photo).

Next is Papaya Yaya, an orange jelly with gold circle glitters.  Formula made application easy and no glitter fishing.  This orange is the perfect summer color and photos show 3 coats with both a shiny topcoat (1st, 2nd and 3rd photos) and matte topcoat (4th photo).

The last of the trio is Guava-rama.  Guava-rama is a pink-red jelly base with gold circle glitters.  Again formala was great!  This color is beautiful and I love the contrasting gold glitter.  Photos show 3 coats with shiny topcoat (1st photo) and matte topcoat (2nd and 3rd).

Loves: Delicious theme combining fruit with jellies!  Formula was spot on.  These polishes are also 3-free so they don't contain 3 of the nasty chemicals that can be in polish.  I also love that when you purchase these polishes from Silly Bee's you know your money is being used for a good cause.

Wishes:  I wouldn't change anything - I loved the colors and the simple classic cold circle glitters.

Stay connected!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SillyBeesChickadees
Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sillybeeschickadees
Instagram: @sillybeeschickadees

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Beginnails' Sunday Six Week 28

Greetings and Nailutations!

Another successful week of nail art!  I received some MoYou Plates I ordered, so half of the manis this week are with stamping.  Definitely expect more over the next few weeks as I test them out!

The first mani I used MoYou Kitty Plate 11, which has fun bird, bird houses and cages and kitty images.  I painted on cherry blossoms as well.  What I like about stamping, is that it helps you tell a story on your nails and it's easy to stamp on both hands!

This next mani I used MoYou Bridal Plate 07.  I wanted a subtle gold stamping over Zoya Neve and loved how it turned out.

This next mani was done for Born Pretty Store review and I used Liquid Kandi Beach Ball and Sun Screen for a simple dotticure.  I loved how bright this mani is!

This next mani I used all the colors of Liquid Kandi Summer Collection and made Neon Galaxy nails. Galaxy Nails are fun, and easy to do on both hands.

This next mani I put together to combine themes of polk-a-dots and neon gradient.  I really liked how this one turned out.  I used Liquid Kandi Pink Bikini and Heather's Hues Sunkissed.  They complimented each other very well.

Using another MoYou Plate, I used Catching Fire from Sassy Cats Lacquer and rhinestone placement to give this mani a fun 3D effect.

What would you like to see more of on my blog?
Which is your favorite?

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails

CDB Lacquer Summer Collection Vivid Vixens Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I have half of the CDB Lacquer Summer Collection called Vivid Vixens.  Do you remember the review I did on CDB Lacquer Doctor Who Part 2?  In my review my wishes stated that I wanted more colors with the same jelly holographic finish.  Guess what this new collection is?  ALL JELLY HOLOS!  Chyenne channeled the summer vivid colors and created a collection of jelly holos.  Today I will be reviewing half of them.

First up is Fierce, a bright pink jelly with holographic rainbow dust.  This vivid neon pink is the perfect summer color.  Formula was spot on and applied easily.  Photos show 3 thin coats with shiny topcoat.

Next polish up is Foxy.  Foxy is a gold jelly with holographic rainbow dust.  This polish looks like liquid gold on your nails!  Again, formula was perfect!  Photos show 3 thin coats topped with a shiny topcoat.

The third holographic jelly is called Seductive, which might be my favorite of the 4 I received.  Seductive is a red holographic rainbow dust jelly.  Formula was smooth and made application a breeze.  Photos show 3 coats with shiny topcoat.

Lastly is Radiant, which is a yellow holographic rainbow dust jelly.  I loved the brightness of this yellow and it is reminiscent of sunlight on a summer day.  Formula, like with the 3 above was smooth and made application easy.  Photos show 3 thin coats with shiny topcoat.

Loves: I love the formula of these jelly holos.  I love the names of them as well...Radiant, Foxy, Seductive, Fierce....yes ma'am....this is how I feel with these polishes on.  And of course an added bonus besides being pretty polishes is that they are 5-free and don't contain the 5 of the nasty chemicals that polish can contain.  The rest of the colors in the collection are fun and bright including a green, turquoise, silver and a bubble gum pink.

Wishes:  Well, my original wish was granted - more colors!  Thank you Cheyenne!

Information - stay connected with release, restock information and sales:
Store: CDB Lacquer
Facebook
Instagram: @cdblacquer

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails