NOTD: Mardi Gras Madness!!

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!


Oh yes oh yes, today is Mardi Gras! Time to eat, drink, be merry, and collect as many little strings of plastic beads as you can! Bring on the zydeco! Bring on the crawfish! Have at it, 'cause lent starts tomorrow!


For my Mardi Gras manicure, I started with a skittle of Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer Goin' Way Down South, Four Star Daydream (both from Side B of the Dad's Mixtape collection) and My Precious, along with Spellbound Nails Milky Way. Then I stamped the fleur-de-lis image from UberChic Beauty 14-01:

I stamped using Messy Mansion Soft Gold, and then I added some cool ringed half-pearls I got from Born Pretty Store to make my own little string of beads:

Here's how it came out:

UberChic Beauty 14-01 over Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer and Spellbound Nails polishes

UberChic Beauty 14-01 over Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer and Spellbound Nails polishes

 
What do you think?! I love how these colors play together to make a perfect Mardi Gras triad, and there's enough shimmer and glitter to give it some New Orleans glitz. And I was really impressed by the ringed pearls--they stayed put for ages. If you like them, you can find them here in Born Pretty Store, and can use my code for 10% off your purchase: MCL91.


Happy stamping, and happy Mardi Gras! Laissez les bons temps rouler!!
M.

Review: Girly Bits Cosmetics March CoTM duo!

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!


On the heels of the Girly Bits February Color of The Month duo (see my review here), I'm back to with a glipse of the March Color of The Month duo, which features two gorgeous holos:

Girly Bits March CoTM: They're After Me Lucky Charms and Irish You Were Beer 

First up we have Girly Bits Cosmetics Irish You Were Beer, a stunning gold holo that has an almost duochrome silver flash to it:

Girly Bits Cosmetics Irish You Were Beer

Girly Bits Cosmetics Irish You Were Beer

Girly Bits Cosmetics Irish You Were Beer

Formula & Application: Perfection. This practically applied itself.
Coverage: One-two coats

I love how the holo flash in this also plays with a shift in color, to give an almost silver-to-gold feel. There's gold shimmer and microglitter in this, so it has more depth and glittery sparkle to than gold holos usually do. The color is rich and glamorous, and I'll be wearing it year-round.


And then we have Girly Bits Cosmetics They're After Me Lucky Charms, which is the most amazing sparkly grass-green holo:

Girly Bits Cosmetics They're After Me Lucky Charms

Girly Bits Cosmetics They're After Me Lucky Charms

Girly Bits Cosmetics They're After Me Lucky Charms

Girly Bits Cosmetics They're After Me Lucky Charms

Formula & Application: Excellent.
Coverage: Two coats

This makes me think of picnics on green grass in the summer time, or the rolling hills of Ireland. This also has shimmer to it, and has reflective micro-flakes, so this is glittery and fun--the sort of polish I find myself staring at throughout the day.


I love how beautifully these colors go together, perfect for St. Patrick's Day of course, but just because, too. I can't wait to play around with these for some fun nail art--maybe a gradient? Maybe a smoosh mani with just these two? Hmmm...


These go on sale March 1st, and will be available until the 31st. For the first 10 days (March 1-10), you can save $2 when you buy them both--they're available separately for $16.50 CAD each (slightly less in US dollars).  You'll be able to find them in the Girly Bits store, and you can follow Girly Bits in these places:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlyBits/?fref=ts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlybitscosmetics/

Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlyBitsLovers/

Happy polishing!
M.

Review: Girly Bits Cosmetics February Colors of The Month!

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!

So how's your week been so far? Better than mine, I hope--my hard drive exploded for the second time. The computer is just over a year old, and is going to have the hard drive replaced *again*. I really just do not have good luck with electronics!


But on to happier things. Today we're gonna take a look at a luscious duo from Girly Bits Cosmetics, their February Colors of The Month:

Girly Bits Cosmetics Ladies And Magentlemen and She's Got Grape Tips

Girly Bits Ladies And Magentlemen is a magenta jelly packed to the brim with purple and blue glass flecks, holo glitter and flakes:

Girly Bits Ladies And Magentlemen

Girly Bits Ladies And Magentlemen

Girly Bits Ladies And Magentlemen

Formula and application: Excellent
Coverage: Two coats

This throws a gorgeous array of blue and pink light that makes the polish look like a miniature kaleidoscope. Take a look at it in action:

This polish will take you from Valentine's Day to Mardi Gras and beyond--feminine but funky and fun, and you have to love that. :) There's a very subtle orange-purple duochrome effect caused by the glitters and the glass that I just love.


The other color of the month is Girly Bits She's Got Grape Tips (seriously, how funny is that name!), a deep grape creme:

Girly Bits She's Got Grape Tips

Girly Bits She's Got Grape Tips

Girly Bits She's Got Grape Tips

Formula and application: Excellent
Coverage: One-two coats

I'm wearing two coats in these pictures, but you will most likely need only one--I did a second coat for lighting purposes. No pulling, no problems, and gorgeous saturated color. Love.


This duo is bright and fun and chases away my winter doldrums and makes me want a big bowl full of berries. It's available now in the Girly Bits store, and you can follow Girly Bits on these social media platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlyBits/?fref=ts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlybitscosmetics/

Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlyBitsLovers/

Happy polishing!
M.

Review: Messy Mansion Crystal 01 + Bows from Charlie's Nail Art

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!


Remember the olden days when there was no such thing as clear stampers and layering plates? Good times...NOT.  Thank goodness we're living in more enlightened times, and thank goodness for these layering plates from Messy Mansion:

Today we're gonna take a closer look at Messy Mansion's Crystal 01:

Messy Mansion's Crystal 01

If you're on your way to a party or just want to look like you've got a party on you hands, this is the plate for you! Presents and banners and balloons, and even ice cream, all done in layers so you can get all the color your heart desires.


The images are all different sizes, so here's a shot next to a ruler to give you a sense of how big they are:

And how do they stamp? Really well:

I did this on camera, so my layering isn't perfect, but you get the idea!


For my sample mani, I wanted to play around with the bows, and was inspired to pair them with these cute bow charms sent to me for review by Charlie's Nail Art:

To play up the pink and white of the charms, I started with a base of Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer Best-Selling Show & A Love Such As This, and Spellbound Nails Milky Way. I used a dotting tool to add polka dots, and then stamped my bows with Messy Mansion Chalk and Petal, and then added on my bow charms:

Messy Mansion Crystal 01 & Charlie's Nail Art bow charms over Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer Best-Selling Show, A Love Such As This, and Spellbound Nails Milky Way

Messy Mansion Crystal 01 & Charlie's Nail Art bow charms over Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer Best-Selling Show, A Love Such As This, and Spellbound Nails Milky Way

Messy Mansion Crystal 01 & Charlie's Nail Art bow charms over Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer Best-Selling Show, A Love Such As This, and Spellbound Nails Milky Way

What do you think?! I love this soooo much, it's so pin-up and retro and cute. And I love how all of these colors play together! And I was impressed--these bows stayed on much better than I expected them too, I think because the edges are rounded, so they didn't catch as much as I expected them to. I wouldn't expect them to stay on for days at a time, but for an event I think you'd be okay. :)


You can find the bows in Charlie's Nail Art store, and you can use my code, LOLAM10, for 10% off your order. You can follow them here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlies.n.art/?fref=ts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliesnailart/

You can find the plates and polishes in Messy Mansion's store, and you can follow them here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/messymansion/

Facebook Fangroup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/messymansion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messymansion/

Happy stamping!

M. xoxo

Before & After: UberChic Beauty 14-01 + The Lady Varnishes Fairy Queen

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!


Today I have an icy little NOTD to show you...I started with a base of The Lady Varnishes Fairy Queen:

The Lady Varnishes Fairy Queen

   

The Lady Varnishes Fairy Queen

Then I stamped an image from UberChic Beauty 14-01 with Hit The Bottle Polish Pool Party (also available from Beautometry), and added a few diamond glitters for good measure:

UberChic Beauty 14-01

Here's how it turned out:

UberChic Beauty 14-01 over The Lady Varnishes Fairy Queen

UberChic Beauty 14-01 over The Lady Varnishes Fairy Queen

What do you think? I think it's frosty and ethereal, like a frozen princess who shall remain nameless, lol...


Happy stamping!
M.

Review: Girly Bits Cosmetics Warrior Goddess Collection

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!


Spring's around the corner, so soft shades, particularly pastels, are popping up all around us. I'm okay with soft and with pastel, but I gotta be honest--I prefer mine with a little bit of bad-ass mixed in.


And so, take a gander at the Warrior Goddess collection from Girly Bits Cosmetics, a collection of six polishes inspired by strong women that'll make you rethink your definition of soft spring colors:

Girly Bits Warrior Goddess Collection

First up we have Girly Bits Ambition, a lovely smoked sage creme:

Girly Bits Ambition

Girly Bits Ambition

Formula & Application: Very good.
Coverage: Two coats; you may only need one.

Oh, this is so gorgeous...I'll take a sage over a mint just about any day. Don't get me wrong, mint has its place, but a dusty sage like this is peaceful and soothing, like a fragrant meadow filled with butterflies.


Next we have Girly Bits Beautiful Soul, a smoky lilac creme:

Girly Bits Beautiful Soul

Girly Bits Beautiful Soul

Girly Bits Beautiful Soul

Formula & Application: Very good.
Coverage: Two coats.

This is my absolute favorite of the collection--it has a soft, vintage, feminine feel that makes me want to put on a long flowy sundress and have a picnic in that meadow, filled with wildflowers for the butterflies. And a cute dog romping around the edges of the blanket. And little sandwiches cut into bite-sized pieces...wait, what just happened?


Then there's Girly Bits Denim & Diamonds, a smoked navy blue with a hint of slate:

Girly Bits Denim & Diamonds

Girly Bits Denim & Diamonds

Formula & Application: Very good.
Coverage: Two coats; you may only need one.

I'm not sure this is officially a 'neutral', but it's one of those great versatile blues you can wear with just about anything. It has a lovely nautical feel that flows into summer shades, and even on into fall. Adore.


Next is Girly Bits Irreplaceable is a beautiful stone creme with lashings of beige:

Girly Bits Irreplaceable

Girly Bits Irreplaceable

Girly Bits Irreplaceable

Formula & Application: Very good.
Coverage: Two coats.

I adore a good dovecoat gray, but it's hard to find one that's not patchy--this applies beautifully and gives that awesome soft alternative to white polish for those like me who prefer something a bit more subtle. This has such an elegant feel, and you can use it for just about any sort of nail art you want.


Then there's Girly Bits Love Yourself First, a soft baby pink creme with a hint of dustiness:

Girly Bits Love Yourself First

Girly Bits Love Yourself First

Girly Bits Love Yourself First

Formula & Application: Very good.
Coverage: Two coats.

Your quintessential Easter pink polish--but better. Just a tiny bit of smoke added to elevate the color a bit and give it a little extra class. So pretty.


And for the final polish, we have Girly Bits Yes, We Can, a lovely neutral taupe creme:

Girly Bits Yes, We Can

Girly Bits Yes, We Can

Girly Bits Yes, We Can

Formula & Application: Very good.
Coverage: Two coats; you may only need one.

This is the kind of neutral that looks rich and sophisticated, and takes any outfit to a slightly higher place. It's trips to the Hamptons and sailing on the weekends (not that I've ever done that, but if I lived that kind of life, this is the polish I'd wear to do it). It's also a great base for nail art. Love.


I love the tone of this collection--soft, but strong, feminine, but powerful. Such a great concept for a spring collection! I was impressed that none of the polishes, even the lightest ones, gave me trouble with application--normally lighter cremes can pull or apply unevenly. Not these--I got excellent coverage in two coats, if not one.

The Warrior Goddess collection is available starting in the Girly Bits store today, February 17th at noon EST; if you purchase the entire collection before March 3rd, you'll get it at $84.00 CAD (or, only $64.24 US!) rather than the full price of $90.00 (CAD). Girly Bits is also doing a fun cross-over with Paint Box Polish--the first 10 people to purchase the entire collection will get a free bottle of Paint Box Polish Peace (and the first 10 people to purchase the entire Paint Box Polish All You Need collection will receive a free bottle of Girly Bits Cosmetics Beautiful Soul).


You can also follow Girly Bits on social media, here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlyBits/?fref=ts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlybitscosmetics/

Happy polishing!
M.