It Girl Nail Art Fashion Plate IG-118 (or, the No-Hate plate!)

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!


I have something to show you today that I think is very special--It Girl Nail Art IG-118, a plate with images for a variety of causes that I support, and that I know a lot of you, do, too. First off, here's the video review I did for the plate:

Here's the plate itself:

It Girl Nail Art Fashion Plate IG-118

The plate has several images that are general and can be used for a bunch of stuff: the ribbon can be stamped in any color to support any cause you like, peace signs are always a good look, and 'love is love is love' reminds us that loving our fellow humans, creatures, and planet is so much more powerful than the alternative, and that love wins. I plan to throw that sucker on just about every mani that'll sit still for it.


Then there are tons of images for specific causes. The puzzle pieces are an international symbol for autims awareness. The safety pins are a symbol of support--they send the message that the wearer is 'safe', that they support LGBTQ lifestyles--and symbols of those groups themselves.  And, of course, the BLM motto and the semi-colon for suicide/depression/mental health awareness. For a full explanation of what the symbols mean, check out my video review.


The full nail images are 2.25 cm square, and here are shots with a ruler to show how big the rest of the images are:

And of course the plate stamps beautifully--these swatches are done with It Girl Nail Art Sapphire and a clear stamper:

For my first mani, I did an autism awareness manicure; I started with a base of Sally Hansen Get Mod and Girly Bits Cosmetics Le Freak, then stamped with It Girl Nail Art Sapphire and Messy Mansion Chalk:

It Girl Nail Art Fashion Plate IG-118 over Sally Hansen Get Mod and Girly Bits Cosmetics Le Freak

It Girl Nail Art Fashion Plate IG-118 over Sally Hansen Get Mod and Girly Bits Cosmetics Le Freak

Right now, 1 in 68 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder. While the causes and the disorder are still not fully understood (this is why the puzzle pieces are a symbol of the disorder) and there is no 'cure', early intervention can make a huge difference in a child's outcome, and for that reason, knowing the early symptoms and making sure your child is evaluated in time is crucial. Many, many individuals on the spectrum live lives just as fulfilling and rich as those who are 'neurotypical'. For more information, check out Autism Speaks.


Oh, and--did you know it's Gay Pride Month right now? So of course for my second mani I had to do some Pride nails. I started with rainbow gradient made with Girly Bits Funky Town, Brick House, They're After Me Lucky Charms, Le Freak, and Stayin' Alive (most from the Sequins & Satin Pants collection). Then I stamped the 'Love Is' image with Messy Mansion Chalk, and the Pride symbols with Messy Mansion Carbon. Here's how it came out:

It Girl Nail Art Fashion Plate IG-118 over Girly Bits Cosmetics holos

It Girl Nail Art Fashion Plate IG-118 over Girly Bits Cosmetics holos

 I love how the Girly Bits holo came together so beautifully for the rainbow gradient (although I messed up and reversed the order of the 'yellow' and the 'red', so the merge between Brick House and They're After Me Lucky Charms looks a little more Christmassy than it should, hehe), and the 'Love Is' image is so perfect over it. :)


Oh, and did I mention? I portion of the proceeds for the plate go to support the ACLU. I'm always down to support a good cause. :)


You can find this plate and many other awesome ones in the It Girl Nail Art store, and you can follow Nicole around the interwebs here:

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

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

Facebook fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1706336266277419/

Happy stamping!

 M. <3

Sally Hansen CoTM: Get Juiced & Kook a Mango

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!


Sally Hansen just released their next Color of the Moment duo, featuring Get Juiced, a bubblegum-pink creme, and Kook a Mango, a deep coral creme, both from their Complete Salon Manicure line:

Sally Hansen Get Juiced and Kook a Mango

This time I challenged myself to use both polishes in both of my manicures...for the first one, I did a tropical sunset gradient, and then stamped with UberChic Beauty's new Vacation Mode plate (review coming soon!), with Messy Mansion Carbon:

Sally Hansen Get Juiced and Kook a Mango stamped with UberChic Beauty Vacation Mode

Sally Hansen Get Juiced and Kook a Mango stamped with UberChic Beauty Vacation Mode

Doesn't this make you want to find an island and hang out on the beach, listening to the waves on the beach while you read a good book??


For my second manicure, I started with a base of Sally Hansen Get Juiced. Then I used the ikat image from UberChic Beauty's 17-02; first I stamped with Messy Mansion Chalk, then I stamped again, overlapping, with Sally Hansen Kook a Mango. Here's how it turned out:

Sally Hansen Get Juiced and Kook a Mango stamped with UberChic Beauty 17-02

Sally Hansen Get Juiced and Kook a Mango stamped with UberChic Beauty 17-02

I absolutely love how this turned out! I'm horrible at ikat designs but it was sooo easy to make this with stamping. With the clear stampers, it's easy to position, but even if you get it a little wrong, it doesn't matter with this design because it's supposed to look a bit random. And I love how well Kook a Mango showed up over the white.


You can find these polishes on Sally Hansen's website, and at any brick-and-mortars where Sally Hansen are sold; for me, I usually go to Walgreens or CVS. And you can follow Sally Hansen around the interwebs here:

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

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

Happy stamping!
M.

NOTD: Lina Nail Art Supplies Hipster, Geek, or Chic 01 over Zoya Winnie & Byrdie (Or, Nerd Like a Girl)

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!


Today I have a sassy, quick little NOTD for you...I started with a base of Zoya Winnie and Byrdie, and then stamped using one of my favorite plates from Lina Nail Art Supplies, the Hipster, Geek, or Chic 01 plate:

Lina Nail Art Supplies Hipster, Geek, or Chic 01 plate

I stamped using the same polishes--these Zoya cremes have amazing coverage and are excellent for stamping. I also used Messy Mansion Chalk for the white stamping. Here's how it turned out:

Lina Nail Art Supplies Hipster, Geek, or Chic 01 plate over Zoya Winnie and Byrdie

Lina Nail Art Supplies Hipster, Geek, or Chic 01 plate over Zoya Winnie and Byrdie

Lina Nail Art Supplies Hipster, Geek, or Chic 01 plate over Zoya Winnie and Byrdie

I love the girly aspect of this, because I'm here to tell you, girls are just as good at nerding as boys are! ;-)

Happy stamping,

M. 

Sally Hansen Color of the Moment: Teal Good, Reflection Pool, and Black and Blue

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!


Sally Hansen has a new set of Color of the Moment polishes featured right now: Teal Good, a blue-leaning teal creme, Reflection Pool, a deep teal shimmer with a slight shift to purple, and Black and Blue, a lighter teal shimmer with a more pronounced shift to purple:

Sally Hansen Teal Good, Reflection Pool, and Black and Blue

Because Reflection Pool and Black and Blue look somewhat similar in the bottle, I wanted to start off with a comparison of the two:

Sally Hansen Reflection Pool, and Black and Blue

The picture shows that Black and Blue is a little bit lighter, and shows a little more of the duochrome shift. In fact, I didn't get much duochrome effect from Reflection Pool once it was on my nails.


For my first manicure, I started with a skittle of Reflection Pool on three nails, Teal Good on one nail, and a base of Teal Good with one coat of Reflection Pool over it on my index finger. Then I stamped with UberChic Beauty 18-02, using Messy Mansion Chalk:

Sally Hansen Teal Good & Reflection Pool, stamped with UCB 18-02 and Messy Mansion Chalk

 

Sally Hansen Teal Good & Reflection Pool, stamped with UCB 18-02 and Messy Mansion Chalk

Sally Hansen Teal Good & Reflection Pool, stamped with UCB 18-02 and Messy Mansion Chalk

For my second mani, I did a smoosh mani with all three polishes, along with Sally Hansen Get Mod from the last CotM set. Then I stamped over it with UCB 18-03, using Messy Mansion Chalk:

Sally Hansen Teal Good, Reflection Pool, and Black and Blue, stamped with UCB 18-03 and Messy Mansion Chalk

Sally Hansen Teal Good, Reflection Pool, and Black and Blue, stamped with UCB 18-03 and Messy Mansion Chalk

Sally Hansen Teal Good, Reflection Pool, and Black and Blue, stamped with UCB 18-03 and Messy Mansion Chalk

What do you think? I think they're both bright, summery, and fun. Which is your favorite?


You can find these Sally Hansen polishes online, or at most brick-and-mortars that sells Sally Hansen--in my case, I usually find them at Walgreens and CVS. And you can stalk Sally Hansen around the interwebs here:

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

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

Happy stamping!
M.

NOTD: UberChic Beauty 16-02 + Sugar Flor Medusa (Or, flowers in Medusa's hair)

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!


Today I have a NOTD for you using new polishes from Sugar Flor and Moonflower polish. :)


I started with a base of Sugar Flor Medusa, a gorgeous green-and-gold concoction from her Enchanted Treasure collection. Then I stamped the flower layering image and the isolated flower image from UberChic Beauty 16-02:

UberChic Beauty 16-02

I stamped with Moonflower polish stamping polishes in Apple, Lemon, and Mango. Here's how it turned out:

UberChic Beauty 16-02 over Sugar Flor Medusa, stamped with Moonflower Polishes stamping polish in Apple, Lemon, and Mango

UberChic Beauty 16-02 over Sugar Flor Medusa, stamped with Moonflower Polishes stamping polish in Apple, Lemon, and Mango

I love how these colors play with one another and with the green and gold base! I'd love to have a little summer dress with this pattern. What do you think?


Happy stamping!
M.

Zoya Wanderlust summer 2017 collection

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!

Are you ready for some hearty cremes and sultry shimmers? Today we're gonna look at Zoya's Wanderlust collection, which features a range of pretty summer colors for all your frolicking needs:

(Yes, I did say frolicking. I can't say that I've ever actually frolicked before, but I've always wanted to, and if I ever get to, I'm pretty sure these are the exact polishes I'd want to be wearing.)


Let's start with Zoya Arbor, a olive-green creme:

Zoya Arbor

Zoya Arbor

Zoya Arbor--thought I'd throw in a different pose just to wake you up. :)

Coverage: 1-2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

All of the cremes in this collection are designed to be one-coaters. I found this to be pretty much true, except for the fact that I'm currently having some issues with ridges on my middle and ring fingers.
So, on my other fingers, these cremes covered in one coat no problem, but it took two to deal with my ridges. I'll show you a picture of what I mean when we get to Cora. So, I have two coats on in these pictures, but one coat will most likely work for you.

As for Arbor, I love that they went for greens in this collection that are a bit more muted, rather than the typical grass greens. I think this shade goes beautifully with the pinks and purples in the collection, so you can do flowers-and-leaves nail art colors with no problem.


Next up is Zoya Byrdie, a sizzling hot pink creme with a dash of fuchsia:

Zoya Byrdie

Zoya Byrdie

Zoya Byrdie

Coverage: 1-2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

This is a hot pink with just a liiiittle bit of a dusty edge to it. Look at how beautifully it goes with Arbor--instant skittle mani nail art that will make your nails look like a garden.

Next is Zoya Cora, a bright coral creme that edges toward tangerine:

Zoya Cora--one coat

Zoya Cora

Zoya Cora

Zoya Cora

Coverage: 1-2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

In the first picture, I show one coat, so you can see what I mean about my ridges. Notice that on my index and pinkie fingers, one coat covers just fine, but because of the ridges, I need two coats on the others. So that's what I mean when I say 1-2 coats.

I love this color--it reminds me of California poppies, and the warmth of the sun. :)


Next we have Zoya Esty, a bubble-gum pink creme:

Zoya Esty

Zoya Esty

Zoya Esty

Coverage: 1-2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

If you're looking for a polish that's flirty and feminine, this is the one for you. And I love how this one pairs with Arbor for instant nail art, too...


Then there's Zoya Journey, a strawberry red shimmer:

Zoya Journey

Zoya Journey

Zoya Journey

Coverage: 2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

This makes me think of flames in a campfire, or streaks of red in the sky at sunset. This has a hint of rust, and will carry you on into fall and winter, too. One of my favorites of the collection.


Next is Zoya Lois a smoked lavender creme:

Zoya Lois

Zoya Lois

Zoya Lois

Coverage: 1-2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

I love how this pops, but still has an elegance to it. This is another one I'd pair instantly with the greens in the collection, and how amazing would this be for a smoosh mani with Byrdie and Esty?


Up next is Zoya Mandy, a pretty raspberry shimmer

Zoya Mandy

Zoya Mandy

Zoya Mandy

Coverage: 2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

I love the lighter pink-blue shimmer to this, which gives this a touch of ice, like raspberry sorbet on a hot day. Fun, happy, classic.


And then there's Zoya River, a cerulean blue shimmer:

Zoya River

Zoya River

Zoya River

Coverage: 1-2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

This stops just short of being what I'd call a frost, and that blue! Very on trend, I just bought a shirt the same color and can't wait to wear these together. This is a sparkling Caribbean lagoon and I just want to jump in and swim around.


Then we have Zoya Sawyer, an apricot creme:

Zoya Sawyer

Zoya Sawyer

Zoya Sawyer

Coverage: 1-2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

If Cora is bright and bold, Sawyer is soft-spoken and sweet. This is walks through meadows with a gentle breeze flowing through your hair. Love.


Next is Zoya Scout, a khaki shimmer:

Zoya Scout

Zoya Scout

Zoya Scout

Coverage: 2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

This is my absolute favorite of the collection. I love the golden shimmer to it, it gives it warmth and a touch of class. And, it matches my 'I am Groot' shirt perfectly. ;-)


On to Zoya Sonja, a muted cherry creme:

Zoya Sonja

Zoya Sonja

Zoya Sonja

Coverage: 1 coat.
Formula and application: Excellent.

I had the hardest time trying to come up with a way to describe this color! Zoya calls it a "summery crimson-red creme", but to my mind, crimson is a little deeper and this. But summery? Absolutely. This is a bit lighter than a lot of reds, which gives it a fresh feel for the summer palette. Another of my favorites.


And to round off the collection, we have Zoya Winnie, a Barbie-pink creme:

Zoya Winnie

Zoya Winnie

Zoya Winnie

Coverage: 1-2 coats.
Formula and application: Excellent.

This is everything typically girly and sweet that you could want in a pink polish. It's cotton candy at the county fair, and little wildflowers by the side of the road.

The collection also has three new lipsticks:

Each of the lipsticks has a sheerer coverage than their normal formula. The top is Kay, a sheer red, followed by Kirby in the middle, a sheer watermelon pink, and Kitty on the bottom, a sheer pinky fuchsia. As with their other lipsticks, these feel good on, and don't dry out my lips.


Overall, I think there's something for everyone in this collection, with a strong emphasis on pinks/light purples that I'm seeing a lot this year. I like that they're bright but still subtle, and I love the green shades they chose. And, the cremes really do give exceptional coverage, while keeping an excellent formula with no pulling or pooling.


You can find the collection on sale now in Zoya's online store, or in any brick-and-mortars where Zoya products are sold. And you can follow Zoya around the interwebs here:

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

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

Happy polishing!

M.