My 13 Favorite Mani's of 2013!

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Hi guys! Happy New Years Eve! Sorry I'm so late to getting to my 2013 Favorites posts!
Today's post is my 13 Favorite Manicures from this year!

My Top 13 for Indies and Mainstream polishes will be up soon, so be on the look out!
Those will likely go up after New Years though! :)

There is a link below each photo to see each post and all the products I used!
Here they are in order of most recent to oldest!

Sinful Stamping with Fab Ur Nails

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Hi guys! Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Anyone have any fun plans for New Years Eve? Were going to head back to my sisters for her NYE party!
I've never been to one before, can you believe that? lol I'm so boring.

I'm still trying to think of ideas for a Birthday Mani but I have no creativity atm!
Anything you guys would like to see? I really miss doing more nail art, that's another thing I need to work on in 2014.

Today's post is some quick stamping I did a while ago that I really loved. I just love the design!
It looks like the rug Kelly from Vampy Varnish bought and posted on Instagram haha
I remember because I totally want to buy it too!

Check out what I used for this mani after the jump!

Sunday Swatch Spam Feat. Enchanted Polish, Pahlish and Cult Nails.

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Hey guys! Long time no post D:
I hope everybody had a wonderful holiday!

We had fun with family! Sky's Grandma came to visit first and then my Sister & Bil and their kids stopped by a few days. And after that we went with them back to their house for Christmas! :)
So I didn't have much time to paint my nails but I scrounged up some swatches that I haven't posted before!

I promise I'll be posting more regularly again soon!
I'm not really a "New Year's Resolution" kind of person but next year I want to make a bigger effort with my blog.
I started off 2013 posting so much more and it's slowly dwindled down.
I haven't been happy with my posting habits the past few months, I'm just awful at scheduling!
I will do my best for 2014 though!

Without further ado here are the swatches! Unfortunately I can't remember the number of coats I used for these - sorry!


Enchanted Polish - Yesterday

Reindeer Nail Art!

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Hi guys! Today's post is some quick nail art! I've been wanting to redo Reindeer nails for quite a while now.
My original  post here is really old and just not very good haha

I updated it a little... it still didn't come out perfect but definitely an improvement!

Plaid Christmas Nail Art!

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Hey guys! How are you all doing today? Have you done any Christmas manicures yet?

I tried my hand at some Christmas nail art! I've been wanting to try Plaid nail art for a while now!
I used my three new Elevation Polishes - Limestone, Volcanic Dust & Alpine Heights!
I used Christmas as an excuse to buy them hehe :)

I used the tutorial here from Emily (The Lacquerologist)

First I started off with Limestone as my base color, as seen below!



Then I used Volcanic Dust for Steps 2 &3 of Emily's tutorial.
Then Limestone again for Step 4 and 5.
Followed by Alpine Heights and then I used a little but of Zoya Ziv.

See how it turned out below!

China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze Holiday Collection 2013 - Swatches & Review

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Hi guys! Today I have six polishes from the new China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze Collection to show you! 

Click read more to check them out! I hope you guys enjoy!


All Wrapped Up - Three coats.

A full coverage blurple micro glitter polish.

piCture pOlish Collab-Fest 2013!

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Hi All! Today's post is for piCture pOlish Collab Fest!
Tons of bloggers who have created collaboration shades with piCture pOlish will be posting today!
Here I am to showcase my pretty shade - Atomic! I can't believe it's almost been a year already!

Don't forget to check out my original post here too!
That post explains about the inspiration for Atomic and has it layered as well!

For today's post I used three thin coats of Atomic.
I have it in multiple lighting scenarios to show you hold it looks in each!

Taken in my lightbox.

Zoya Naturel - Swatches & Review

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Hi guys! Today's post is the new Zoya Naturel Collection!
It's really funny when I think back a couple of years ago, I thought that nudes and neutrals were super boring.
But now I really love them! In fact I was so excited for this collection when I saw it!

They are pretty on their own or with a little glitter or shimmer on top, great for nail art, etc
I really want to do a pretty silver or gold glitter gradient on Taylor.

If you don't have any neutrals but want to try them out, Zoya makes some of my favorites.
 And this would be a wonderful starter set!

Chantal - Three thin coats.

"a delicious full-coverage, French Vanilla cream."

Taylor - Three thin coats.

"a  full-coverage, light toffee cream."


Rue - Three thin coats.

"a full-coverage, boudoir blush cream."


Brigitte - Three thin coats.

"a full-coverage, bombshell mauve cream."


Odette - Three thin coats.

"a full-coverage, sultry orchid maroon cream."


Normani - Three thin coats.

"a full-coverage, sable mauve cream."
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I've said this many times but I use thin coats, I think thinner than average. Just how I prefer to polish :)
So I used three coats for all of these polishes, but I think that you could get away with many of these with two coats.
I really love this collection and the formulas went on smooth for me. 
The lighter shades were a tiny streaky at first but leveled out perfectly for me.

I have seen these on many bloggers so far and they seem to be very flattering on a big array of skin tones.
I as quite surprised that they all looked good on me!

My favorites (though I love them all!) are Taylor, Brigitte, and Odette!


This collection is available as a whole for $54 or you can purchase each separately for $9.00 each.

You can purchase them from the Zoya website here!

Be sure to stay up to date with Zoya through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!



What are your thoughts on this collection? Planning to buy it or pass?
Is anybody else like me who grew to love neutral polishes?

If my nail polish addiction has taught me anything it was to love and appreciate all colors!

Rescue Beauty Lounge Insouciant & Wintry Snowflake Nail Stamping!

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Hey guys! Today's post is a really cute snowflake stamping manicure I did the other day!
I really loved it and I hope you guys do too!


First I started off with two coats of Rescue Beauty Lounge Insouciant!
This is one of the four RBL's I bought during the sale last month! My very first RBL's!


I added two snowflake stamping images from the following Bundle Monster plates:
BM-323 & BM-H02 using Konad white stamping polish.



Then I added one coat of the Glitter Gal Galaxy Holo Topcoat! (I reviewed it yesterday here!)

I loved this mani so much that I wore it for almost four days (which for me is a long time!)
I didn't want to take it off! It was even prettier/cuter in person :D

What do you think about this manicure? I've been in a winter-y mood and a stamping mood lately!
 I really just adore this! Id there any Christmasy or Winter inspired manicures you would like to see?
I've been itching to do more nail art since I haven't in what seems like forever.
I would love to hear recommendations if you have any! 

I hope everybody is having a great day and week so far!

Glitter Gal Off Your Rocker, Galaxy Holo Topcoat & Gloss Boss - Swatches & Review!

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Hi guys! Today's post is featuring some new beauties from Glitter Gal!
Including an absolutely gorgeous holographic topcoat!

Off Your Rocker - Three thin coats.

Off Your Rocker is a pretty pink cream polish, sort of like a cross between a cream and a jelly.
"a famous Australian saying for “You are Crazy!”

Holiday Nail Stamping! Ornaments & Ribbons!

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Hey guys! Who else is super excited for Christmas!? I can't wait!
Me and my husband don't really celebrate it for ourselves but we do for our daughter,
and there is nothing more fun than watching her on Christmas morning!

It's funny how different it is as an adult, and as a parent!
Fun in such a different way :) I have everything all wrapped and ready!

So I was feeling the holiday spirit and decided to do this stamping recently!
I wanted to post it in my sooner but I couldn't find one of the stamping plates I used.. Oops!
But I have since found it, so here it is!

SinfulColors Crystal Crushes & Leather Luxe - Swatches & Review

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Hey guys! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Did you do anything fun? Who else is listening to Christmas Music like crazy?

Today I have a couple of the newer SinfulColors polishes to show you!
Two from the Leather Luxe Collection, and two from the Crystal Crushes Collection!



Emerald Envy - Two coats. Top without topcoat, bottom with topcoat.

"a glint of green"

Lush Cosmetics - Skincare & Holiday Bath Products Review

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Hi all! Today's post is a bit different.. but just as fun!
I have some amazing products from Lush Cosmetics to share with you all today!

I'm sorry posts have been few and far between, I keep getting unlucky, my SD card disappeared so I had to
order a new one after searching for two days and I just got it yesterday. So I have a lot of swatches to do! 

Zoya Zenith Winter Collection - Swatches & Review!

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Hey guys! Can you believe that it is already December?! I really can't!
Today I have the Zoya Zenith 2013 Winter Collection to show you!

P.S. If you haven't already entered the Happy Haul-idays Giveaway then go enter here!

Belinda - Three thin coats.

"Belinda can be best described as a full-coverage, cosmic purple metallic."

The formula on Belinda was sheer and went on a bit uneven and patchy for me.

When built up you couldn't tell though and it's opaque in 2-3 coats.

Cassedy - Two coats.

"Cassedy can best be described as a full-coverage, celestial pewter metallic."

Very smooth and surprisingly opague!

Dream - Three thin coats.

"Dream can best be described as a full-coverage, deep space blue with holographic glitter."

Dream is perfection! Dream and Payton are very similar and two of my favorites.

I just love the particles in these! The formula was amazing and easy to work with.

Mosheen - One coat over Dream and Belinda.

"Mosheen can be best described as an astro ice blue topper, great for layering over other hues."

Mosheen is crazy sparkly and applies nice and easy.
Doesn't require any placement at all, just goes on even.

Payton - Three thin coats.

"Payton can be best described as a full-coverage, galactic cranberry with holographic glitter."

Simply stunning, Payton can be worn in two coats but it was a little sheer around the edges so I added a third.
Application was smooth and easy.

Seraphina - Three coats.

"Seraphina can best be described as a full-coverage, Polaris silver metallic."

The particles of shimmer can be annoying to get off your skin but this is a beauty!
Sheer but builds up beautifully.

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This is a wonderful Zoya Collection, perfect for the winter and holidays without being to in your face about it.
Easy to wear year round! My personal  favorite is Dream (but I love all of these!)
Dream reminds me of some Picture Polishes! Seraphina is a favorite too!

Aside from Belinda, I don't think I own anything similar to the polishes in this collection!

You can purchase this collection from http://www.zoya.com/ for $8 each or $48 for the whole collection.

Be sure to follow Zoya closely on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter, they are notorious for amazing deals and coupon codes especially this time of the year!

Which of these is your favorite? Have you picked any of these up or have any plans to?

Happy HAUL-idays Giveaway!

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Hi guys! Did anybody score anything today? I'm not big on crowds but I did order a vacuum online!
Our last house had zero carpet so we didn't have one and now we need one again.
Also some Christmas presents for Skylar and my nephews :)

Today's post is a Multi-Blogger Giveaway for the Holidays!
The winner will receive a gift card to either Ulta or Sephora (Your choice!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Check out all of the amazing bloggers who contributed below!!

Adventures in Polishland

BeautyGnome

BeautyPopStop

Cosmetic Sanctuary

Glisten and Glow

Love for Lacquer

mandie's manicures

manicurator

Nail A College Drop Out
Pointless Cafe

Polished Cousins
Possibly Polished

Princess Polish

Samarium's Swatches

Set In Lacquer

Taneja's Bride

The Lacquerologist

The Nail Network

work/play/polish

XO, Noelle

If you win which will you choose and what would you buy with it?
I'd love to hear in the comments section! I think I'd get the new UD Naked Palette!

Kbshimmer 2013 Winter Collection - Swatches & Review

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Hi all! I hope your week is going wonderfully! Anyone else way too excited to gorge themselves tomorrow? 
I'm also very excited to put up the Christmas tree after Thanksgiving. I'm trying to hunt down some clear ornaments to make nail polish ornaments because Chelsea inspired me to try!

Today's post is filled with eleven absolutely stunning KBShimmer 2013 Winter Collection polishes!

Cult Nails Masquerade!

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Hi guys! Today's post is featuring Masquerade from the Cult Nails Midnight Masquerade Collection.
I'm just posting Masquerade since I'm really behind and come on, this is the showstopper of the trio!
I can't even explain how pretty this beauty is in person, just so much better.

It is pretty sheer but it looked nice at three thin coats,
 I added a fourth since sometimes polishes can appear more sheer in photos vs in person.

piCture pOlish Imperial

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Today's post is the stunning piCture pOlish & The Swatchaholic Collaboration shade Imperial!

Naturally I had to own this beauty, I am in love with purple and The Swatchaholic haha!
If you haven't seen her blog (which is unlikely!) Go check out her PERFECT nails here!

I used two coats for the pictures below, the formula was flawless.

Freak Show Polish Zodiac Collection - Swatches & Review!

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Hi guys, Happy Friday! I hope you have all had a wonderful week :) Any fun weekend plans?
Nothing too exciting going on here, we have to run to go get more things for the house. 
We bought a new mattress & still need to get new bedding, gutter extenders, more blinds and some curtains.  
Our TV stand broke during the move too so we have to get a new one : / Luckily that was the only casualty!

Today's post is featuring a new-to-me indie brand, Freak Show Polish!

 

Aquarius - One coat over Finger Paints Raspberry Taffeta

This is a textured polish using 15 different glitters and may be used as a glitter topper
or can be built up using 2-3 coats alone. 

Polish Revolution Such a Drag Collection - Swatches & Review!

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Hello lovelies! Sorry for the serious lack of posting lately, I've been posting less and trying to catch up on swatches! 
I'm trying hard to get back on my game, or hey maybe improve!

Today's post the the awesome Polish Revolution Such a Drag Collection!
This collection was inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race! I haven't seen it before but maybe I should watch it?!


Bad Ass Mother Tucker - One coat over China Glaze Mahogany Magic & Zoya Dree.

"If there is anything one can say about drag performers, it is this: they have confidence, and are genuine bad asses. This polish sparkles and shines like the personalities and abilities of the performers who have what it takes to be such a drag. This is a fine mix of turquoise holo, caramel, and iridescent glitter in a clear base."


Having a Kiki - One coat over a grey Ombre! See the Ombre on it's own here.

Sephora Formula X Hyped, an Ombre and a Gradient!

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Hi guys! Here is a quick post before my review!
I used these manicures as "undies" for the new Polish Revolution collection.
I thought I should post them before the review to avoid bulking up that post :)


Sephora Formula X Hyped - Three coats.

This isn't a review post but I want to say really quickly that I was disappointed in this formula.
Definitely manageable, nothing too difficult but I guess I expected more from Sephora!
It just didn't apply very evenly. The formula was kind of a let down, but the color is gorgeous!


The colors used for this Ombre:
Finger Paints Stunning Stilettos, Zoya Kelly, Zoya Petra, and A England Camelot.


And for this gradient I used Zoya Breezi, NOPI Khloe Had A Little Lam Lam, and China Glaze Holly Day.
I sponged them over a white base using the sponge painting method.


Okay be prepared to see these layered on and even more gorgeous!