Tag: nails

Winter Wonderland Week | Holiday Water Decals from Born Pretty Store

Happy Friday! It’s the last day of Winter Wonderland Week here at Adventures in Polishland. To close things out I have another holiday manicure! This time I’m using water decals from Born Pretty Store. As you know, I am not a nail art expert, so I love using stickers and other accessories for my nails to dress them up a bit. Let me share with you the designs Born Pretty has to offer this holiday season!

IMG_3660Here is the sheet of holiday decals from Born Pretty Store! As you can see, there are four different themes, and many designs to choose from. I personally like this sheet because even though it is called “Christmas Theme,” there are lots of other choices, such as snowmen and gingerbread houses, to ensure this can be used all winter long!

IMG_3665 IMG_3667I decided to make a snowman the center of my manicure! First, I began with Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet as a complimentary base. Once that had dried completely, I began applying the water decals. These decals work just like temporary tattoos. Simply cut out the design of your choice and remove the plastic film covering the design. Then, dip the design into water for 10-20 seconds, and carefully slide the design off the paper and onto your nail. Let the decals dry, and follow up with a top coat to complete the look!

IMG_3670All in all, I love these water decals from Born Pretty Store! They are really simple to apply, and make a great holiday manicure. You can get this sheet of decals for just $1.99 on Born Pretty’s website HERE. As always, use code FZL91 for an additional 10% off! Let me know what you think of my festive phalanges in the comments!

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The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

 

Winter Wonderland Week | Snow-Capped Nails

Happy Wednesday! Winter Wonderland Week continues today with another holiday manicure. If you’re looking for a festive look that is a bit more abstract, then stay tuned! I created a sparkly look that can be worn all winter long!

IMG_3654 IMG_3656To create a snow-capped manicure, I began with one of my favorite blue polishes, CoverGirl Out of the Blue [see review HERE]. You can use any blue nail polish that you have in your collection, but I think it will look best with one that is bright! Once my base had dried, I took Shimmer Polish in Cassandra, a white and silver glitter polish, and tapped that all over the tops of my nails. No need to be precise here – just a few dabs and your nails will easily look as though you dipped them in snow! To customize your look, use any white or holographic glitter in your stash. The chunkier the better, since it looks like real snow! Seal your manicure with a top coat, and you’re ready for the next flurries!

IMG_3658All in all, I’m loving my snow-capped nails! The look is simple to create, yet looks stunning! Not only is this a wintery manicure, but it works perfectly for Hanukkah as well. Of course, you can customize the manicure using any colors you wish and rock the technique all year long. The possibilities are endless! As always, if you create my snow-capped manicure, feel free to share a photograph on my Facebook page HERE. Winter Wonderland Week continues tomorrow!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Winter Wonderland Week | Candy Cane Nails

Happy Sunday! Today is the first day of Winter Wonderland Week here at Adventures in Polishland! I’m excited to be celebrating the holiday season with all of you through nail art, gift guides, and more. I will have a new post every day this week, so be sure to follow my blog for all the details. First up, an easy nail art look! Let me show you my festive fingers!

IMG_3645 IMG_3647To create this candy cane look, I followed the directions set forth in my Scratch Art tutorial HERE. I began with a base of Julep Isla, a metallic white polish. You can use any white nail polish you own, but I liked having a metallic base for a bit more of candy shine! Then, once my base was completely dry, I used a striping tape to create diagonal lines on each nail. For the red stripes, I used Sephora X Pyrotechnic [see that review HERE]. After finishing up with a top coat, I’m good to go!

IMG_3648I’m loving this candy cane manicure! It is very easy to create, but looks amazing when completed! If you’re looking for a festive manicure this season, I highly recommend this one. Plus, you can create the candy cane design on just one or two nails as an accent if you’re in a rush. If you decide to create this look, please share a photo of your nails on my Facebook page HERE! Stay tuned for more holiday posts during Winter Wonderland Week!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Fruit Salad Fingers with Fimo Decals from Born Pretty Store

Happy Saturday! Today I have some fun nail art to share with all of you. I’ve never tried any fimo decals before, so I was excited when I got the opportunity to review some from Born Pretty Store. These decals are made from clay, and come pre-sliced and ready to apply. I decided to choose some fruit designs and do something a bit out of the box. Let me show you what the decals look like!

IMG_3614As you can see, this fimo set from Born Pretty comes with 12 different fruit designs. There are apples, lemons, limes, strawberries, and more! Each designs comes with 10 pieces. I decided to create two different nail art looks to test these out, but the possibilities are endless!

IMG_3615 IMG_3623My first manicure is watermelon inspired! I began with Colour Gossip Nails in Just a Tease [see review HERE], and added on Daphine Polish in Watermelon Taffy [see review HERE] on my pinky and pointer fingers. To complete the look, I added on two watermelon decals in a double accent nail design. As you can see, I went with the full watermelon and a watermelon slice. To apply, simply press the decals onto your nail polish before it dries, and finish up with a top coat. I used tweezers to help with the application.

IMG_3626 IMG_3627For my second look, I went with a lemon lime theme! First, I began with Zoya Nail Polish in Piaf, and then added one lemon and one lime decal to each nail. I thought this was really cute, and I love the sparkle of Piaf as the base. I can definitely go for some lemonade right about now!

All in all, these fimo decals from Born Pretty Store are so fun and easy to use! They would be great for a theme party, or even if you are feeling a bit more adventurous one day. This set of 120 decals retails for just $1.79! What a fabulous and affordable deal! You can purchase it at Born Pretty Store HERE, and don’t forget to use code FZL91 for an additional 10% off. Let me know what you think of my fruit salad fingers in the comments!

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The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Color Club in Baldwin Blues

Happy Thursday! Today I have a quick review of the nail polish I received in my November Birchbox (see that post HERE). I just love receiving polishes in subscription boxes because it allows me to try out brands I wouldn’t normally purchase. In fact, the only Color Club polishes I’ve tried so far are thanks to Birchbox! Let me show you the one I got this month.

IMG_3597 IMG_3599Baldwin Blues is a dark blue creme polish. The color can be described as navy with a hint of turquoise – very unique! As for the formula, it’s great! Baldwin Blues applies with ease, and is opaque in two coats. I didn’t even have to apply top coat due to it’s glossy finish! I’m really loving this shade!

IMG_3601All in all, I’m impressed with Color Club’s Baldwin Blues! I definitely need to try out more Color Club polishes in the future. You can purchase Baldwin Blues on Birchbox’s website HERE. The full size polish is $8. Let me know in the comments what your favorite Color Club polishes are!

Sally Hansen Gold Roses from the Rodarte Collection

Happy Friday! If you’ve been following Adventures in Polishland for a while, you’ll know that I love Sally Hansen nail polish. The brand recently released a Limited Edition collection for fall called the Rodarte Collection. At first I wasn’t too interested in any of the shades, but after hearing both MissGlamorazzi and FleurdeForce praise Gold Roses, I knew I had to pick it up. Luckily, I spotted the last bottle at Duane Reade, and put it on immediately!

IMG_3571 IMG_3574Gold Roses is a metallic, rose gold nail polish. The formula is good, but due to its metallic quality it will show streaks. Gold Roses is actually opaque in one coat, but I layered on two to even out the streaking a bit. While I’m not usually one for metallic polishes, this one is just beautiful! I love rose gold jewelry, and rose gold nails are just as awesome. Plus, I think this is a fabulous color for the holidays.

IMG_3575All in all, I’m so glad I was able to find Gold Roses! It’s a gorgeous shade, and I have nothing else like it in my entire collection. Unfortunately this pretty number has been labeled the scary “hard to find” in the nail polish world. Make sure you check out your local drugstore to see if you can grab one. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes retail for around $7.99 each.

LVX Vegan Nail Lacquer: Fall 2013 Collection

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you three polishes from the LVX fall collection. I first reviewed LVX polish back in May (see that review HERE), and I’ve been obsessed ever since! It has definitely become one of the brands I reach for in my nail polish collection, because I know the polish will always look flawless. Let me show you the gorgeous shades for fall!

IMG_3527 IMG_3528First up is Dahlia, a deep burgundy polish that has a “crelly” finish (not quite creme, not quite jelly). The formula is fantastic! It applies well, and is opaque in two coats. If you’re looking for a great off-black polish this season, definitely pick up Dahlia. I love the hint of red color, and this shade is super trendy right now!

IMG_3534 IMG_3538Next up is Cashmere, a gray creme polish. Cashmere has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. Because of its light shade, I suggest careful application to ensure you are not left with streaks. I just love the addition to Cashmere in the fall collection, as it is perfect for sweater weather, and will look good with any outfit. It’s such a unique shade!

IMG_3546 IMG_3548Last but not least is Azzurrum, a navy creme polish. Azzurrum is absolutely perfect! It is opaque in two coats and applies with ease. I’ve already worn this shade twice since I’ve received it, and I can’t get enough. The formula is long-lasting, and the color will never go out of style. Azzurrum is definitely my favorite of the bunch!

All in all, I am once again quite impressed with these nail polishes from LVX. These three shades are half of the six-piece fall collection, which can be purchased on the brand’s website HERE for $16 each. While LVX is definitely a high end nail lacquer, I highly recommend them. They make perfect holiday gifts as well. Also be sure to like LVX on Facebook HERE.

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Sephora X Pyrotechnic with Gold Nail Stickers

Happy Thursday! Today I have a quick review of the new Sephora X polish that I got as a Beauty Insider Perk the last time I shopped at Sephora (see that haul HERE). I haven’t tried any of the Sephora X polishes yet, so I was really happy to be able to try out one of them without making an actual purchase. Let me show you the manicure I created with Pyrotechnic!

IMG_3467 IMG_3468Pyrotechnic is a bright red creme polish. It is opaque in two coats, and has an amazing formula! Pyrotechnic dries to a glossy finish, so I didn’t even apply top coat. If you are looking for a true red polish, I highly recommend it. In fact, Sephora even places Pyrotechnic in its New Classics collection since it is such a staple color!

IMG_3477To add a bit of flair to my manicure, I reached for some 3D Gold Stickers from Born Pretty Store. The bright red of Pyrotechnic reminded me of a king, so I had to add a crown and another golden accent. I love the way it turned out! To see a complete review of these stickers, see THIS blog post.

All in all, I’m impressed with Pyrotechnic. It’s a great polish, and I definitely want to try out more from the Sephora X line. You can purchase this polish for $10.50 on Sephora’s website HERE. While it’s a bit out of my normal price range, I may splurge on a few in the future. Let  me know if you’ve tried any Sephora X polishes in the comments!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Subscription Sunday | November Julep Maven Box

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s been a couple months since I shared my Julep Maven Box with all of you, and I’m excited to show what was inside my November box. I decided to go with the Boho Glam style this time around, and I’m pretty happy with what I got. Here’s a sneak peek of everything inside my November box.

IMG_3511As you can see, I got two nail polishes, a lip gloss, and a sample of Julep’s Luxe Repair Skin Serum. I will say, I am disappointed that the serum sample is the extra this month. Julep used to include really great extras, but the past few months they just haven’t been as good. I hope that turns around!

IMG_3512 IMG_3515The first nail polish in my box this month is Alexandra, an off-white creme polish. Alexandra’s formula was a bit thick, and prone to streaks. WIth carefully application, I got a smooth finish in two coats. Alexandra is not my personal favorite polish, but if you love neutrals I think it is a good choice!

IMG_3518 IMG_3521The other polish in my box is Aisha, a deep, berry creme polish. Aisha has a perfect formula that applies well and is opaque in two coats. The color is just stunning, and right on trend for this fall. Aisha is definitely one of my new go-to colors this season! I highly recommend it!

IMG_3539 IMG_3541Last but not least, Julep included a lip gloss this month in the color Charming. I wasn’t too excited to receive this, but I was so surprised to discover how much I love it! First, the gloss smells amazing – just like vanilla cupcakes! But that’s not all! The color is a gorgeous “my lips but better” shade, and it feels so nice and creamy. I can’t get enough of it!

All in all, I really like my November Julep Maven Box! While I’m not too excited about Alexandra, I’m loving the other products, and plan to use them again and again! Not only do I recommend this Julep Maven subscription program (which is just $19.95 per month), but if you shop right now you can get everything on the Julep website for 50% off during the company’s Friends & Family sale! Use code GOCRAZY through tomorrow, November 4, 2013, and you will save 50% off your order! If you shop the sale, be sure to let me know what you get!

Julep Beauty Inc.

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Pinspiration | Scratch Art Nails

Happy Saturday! Today’s post goes back to the roots of Adventures in Polishland. I created this blog after discovering a ton of amazing nail art designs on Pinterest, and wanted to try them out and share the result with all of you. While I’ve mainly rerouted into product reviews, my new goal is to add in more nail art tips and tricks. After all, my adventures would be incomplete without some fun DIY manicures! First up, I’m conquering scratch art nails!

IMG_3446To create a scratch art manicure, inspired by THIS Pin, grab the following materials:

IMG_3205First, use your three colored polishes to paint some abstract designs on your nails. Anything will do, and you don’t have to be perfect. This will be mainly covered up with black nail polish, so don’t worry about clean lines. They most important part is making sure your polish dries thoroughly before continuing.

IMG_3208Once your polish is completely dry, take the striping tape and apply it to your nails in any design you want. I made four stripes on each nail, but you can change it up. After applying the tape, paint over it with your black nail polish and carefully peel off the striping tape while the polish is still wet. Repeat on each nail.

IMG_3210 IMG_3212Here is my completed manicure! I absolutely love the final result! Finish up with a glossy top coat to even out the layers, and you are good to go. Not only is this manicure so easy to create, but it looks really cool. Your friends will be really impressed with your nails! Plus, the look can easily be customized using your personal favorite colors and any designs you choose. The possibilities are endless!

All in all, I hope you liked my scratch art manicure! I plan on creating more Pinspiration posts on Adventures in Polishland. Have a request? Leave it in the comments or email it to me at adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com.

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.