Moyra 44 Stained Glass!

(Press samples and affiliate links ahead!)

Hello!


I hope you had a happy Easter! I made my very first hummingbird cake and it came out soooo good, it's definitely going in my permanent rotation. :)


Today I have my very first Moyra plate to show you--Moyra 44 Stained Glass! I've been eyeballing Moyra plates for a while, especially this one. My very first (and very tragic) nail art tutorial back in 2012 was my attempt to get a stained glass look eons before clear stampers came on the market (it's still on the channel, but it's not worth the 8 minutes to watch it, even for a laugh, lol). Now, with a plate like this, stained glass looks are simple and fast, and I'm in love.


Of course I did a video review of the plate:

And here's a look at it:

Moyra 44 Stained Glass

Moyra's full-nail images are 2.0 x 2.5 centimeters, so they're generous. That also means if you have shorter nails, you can pull 2-3 different areas from an image and still get full coverage, so plan out which part of the image you want before you start.


I've only heard good things about Moyra, so I wasn't surprised to find the images were top-notch quality, even with my clear stamper:

This plate is designed for more advanced techniques, especially leadlighting and reversed stamping, but simpler techniques are gorgeous still, too. Here are four ideas I swatched for you:

From left to right, here are the techniques I used:

1) Just colored in directly with sharpies (so easy!!)
2) Reversed stamping (how beautiful over Zoya Brighton, a golden-beige scattered holo!)
3) One-pass stamping
4) Watercolor sharpie technique


For my first manicure, I wanted to show you a technique I call reversed leadlighting--because instead of using colors that show over white, you use interference toppers that show over black:

Moyra 44 Stained Glass over Julep Ledi, with reversed leadlighting

Moyra 44 Stained Glass over Julep Ledi, with reversed leadlighting

Here's what I used:

Base polish: Julep Ledi
Stamping polish: Moyra 08 Silver
Fill-in toppers: Zoya Leia, The Lady Varnishes Dragon

This technique gives stunning impact with a very minimal amount of effort! So pull out all of those toppers you have, and get to playin'.


For my second mani, I had to use the gorgeous shell image on the plate. I wanted to capture that gorgeous look that shells have, so I used this glitter dust powder from Beauty Big Bang:

I'm not sure if it has real shells in it, but it sure looks like it! For my manicure, I stamped once to give a general guide where I should place my shell dust, and then added in some shimmer with Zoya Leia and Zoya Leisel. I put on two layers of topcoat over the dust, to even out the surface. Then I stamped over again to define the image, and stamped stained glass lines on the other nails:

Moyra 44 Stained Glass over Zoya Snow White, Haruko, and Trudith

Moyra 44 Stained Glass over Zoya Snow White, Haruko, and Trudith

Here's what I used:

Base polishes: Zoya Snow White, Zoya Haruko, Zoya Trudith
Stamping polishes: Moyra 08 Silver, Kaleidoscope st-02 White, Zoya Trudith (yes, it stamps!)
Fillers: BeautyBigBang glitter dust, Zoya Leia, Zoya Leisel


How pretty is that shell powder?! An image that beautiful deserves a little extra bling, I think. ;-)


In the US and Canada, you can find Moyra 44 Stained Glass, Moyra stamping polish, and Kaleidoscope stamping polish all at Lantern & Wren; check Moyra's site for retailers that ship elsewhere. You can find the glitter dust powder at BeautyBigBang, and use my code, MISHKA824M, for 10% off your order.


And don't forget to follow Moyra and Lantern & Wren around the interwebs for awesome inspiration:

Lantern & Wren

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/allaboutthatstamp/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lanternandwren/

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

Moyra

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1740321599512919/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moyra.eu/

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

Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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The Digit-al Dozen Does Stamping Day 4: Reversed Stamping (featuring Dixie Plates Botanicals 01)

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Hello!

So far during The Digit-al Dozen's stamping week, I've shown you some beginning and intermediate looks--we've played with placement, layering, and color. Now we're going to move into the advanced techniques, with one of my very favorites--reversed stamping. I have several tutorials that use this technique on my YouTube Channel, but my favorite is this one, because is shows my tip for making reversed stamping easy peasy.


To show off this technique, I chose Dixie Plates Botanical 01, one of her new plates for spring 2018. I reviewed the plate in this video:

And here's a still shot of the plate:

Dixie Plates Botanicals 01

Dixie Plates makes her images generous, so if you have longer nails, you won't have to worry about images disappearing on your nail. Here's a shot with a ruler, so you can get a feel for how the sizes work for you:

Here's a look at a few test swatches:

 

Since this is stamping week, this is a good place for me to mention my tips for working with intricate, fine-lined images. Plates with those types of images can be finicky, so if you find yourself having trouble with the images, try one or more of these:

1) Try a different stamping polish
2) Try a different clear stamper (I have one that refuses to pick up fine-lines off most plates, no idea why!)
3) Cover your entire image with polish (not just halfway, a cheat I use all the time)
4) Scrape veeery gently.


On to the manicure! For this look, I started with a base of Zoya Darby. Then I stamped the crocus image using Hit The Bottle Polish My Suitor Wears Pewter. I overlapped the images for a graphic sort of look. On two separate stampers, I stamped another crocus, then colored them in, first with Zoya Leia (a topper that gives a flakie-like shimmer), and then when that was dry, with a layer of Zoya Trudith. Here's how it ended up:

Dixie Plates Botanicals 01 over Zoya Darby

Dixie Plates Botanicals 01 over Zoya Darby

Okay, so, here are the two tricks I use for perfect reversed stamping. First, once you've colored in your image, hold your stamper up to the light and look down the barrel at your image. This will let you see if you have any bald spots you need to fill in more before you apply. Then, once you're ready to apply, rather than a coat of topcoat on the nail where you will be rolling on your image, use a coat of bonding basecoat. Even when completely dry, the bonding basecoat will stay sticky, and will grab onto your image when you apply it to the nail! No more ending up with half of your image on your nail, and half still on your stamper. :)


If you're in the US or Canada, you can find this plate (and the Hit The Bottle Polish) at Lantern & Wren; if you're elsewhere, check out Dixie Plates' site for a retailer that ships to you. And you can stalk Dixie Plates around the interwebs:

Dixie Plates Facebook Fangroup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/461694520667496/

Dixie Plates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dixie_plates/

I'll be back next time with my very favorite advanced stamping technique (at least, currently!). In the meantime, check out all the gorgeous stamping by the other ladies, below. :)


Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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Dixie Plates Spring 01!

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Hello!


Today we're going to take a look at the first of several Spring plates I have to show you, Dixie Plates Spring 01, and I'm super stoked about it, because it's an elegant layering plate!  Of course I did a video review for you, along with Botanicals 01:

and here's a still-shot of the plate:

Check out all of those photo-realistic flowers done in layers! And for a bunch of them, multiple layers--that butterfly even has four layers! You can pack in the color without having to use time-consuming techniques and I LOVE that.


But, I also want to encourage you to think about using the images separately as well. A lot of the middle layers give gorgeous abstract looks, for backgrounds or collages, and of course the 'top' layers can be used all on their own for any type of art you want. So play around!


As for size, the flowers are all different sizes, so here's a shot with a ruler so you can see what will fit with your nails. One thing Dixie Plates does is tend to be generous with her images, so if you have longer nails, you have more options for fuller coverage with her plates. If your nails are smaller, there are still images that will fit, and you can always use just a portion of the larger images in your designs (see below):

Dixie Plates are excellent quality, and this was no exception:

I used Sally Hansen Midnight Drive and Re-Teal Therapy for these samples, along with my clear stamper.


Now on to the manicures! I mentioned below that you can use the layers separately if you want to for a more abstract look, and the moment I saw the plate the middle image in the bottom row of layering images just screamed at me to be used that way. For this manicure, I started with a base of The Lady Varnishes Moon Blinked, and then stamped my images using Messy Mansion Chalk and Sterling--notice I did not try to line them up, I wanted them separate:
 

Dixie Plates Spring 01 over The Lady Varnishes Moon Blinked

Dixie Plates Spring 01 over The Lady Varnishes Moon Blinked

I love how the beauty of the images pop out over the teal, and each layer how the more solid layer balances out the fine lines of the other layer. I absolutely want a skirt or dress with this pattern!!


For my next mani, I wanted to use the images the way they're designed to be used, to show off how beautiful they are and so easy to use! I started with a base of Zoya Darby, and then sponged on a little bit of Zoya Leia for a tiny bit of sparkle in the background. Then I stamped a large flower image with Sally Hansen Sand Storm for a bit of background texture. Finally, I stamped the first layer of my flowers and leaves using Kaleidoscope st-06 Mint and st-04 Pink, then the second layer with Hit The Bottle Polish My Suitor Wears Pewter:

Dixie Plates Spring 01 over Zoya Darby & Leia, stamped with Kaleidoscope polishes

Dixie Plates Spring 01 over Zoya Darby & Leia, stamped with Kaleidoscope polishes

For some reason, I had to see what this one looked like matted, and I'm so glad I did:

Dixie Plates Spring 01 over Zoya Darby & Leia, stamped with Kaleidoscope polishes, matted

Dixie Plates Spring 01 over Zoya Darby & Leia, stamped with Kaleidoscope polishes, matted

These images take my breath away, and they are SO EASY. I do plenty of reversed stamping and make plenty of decals, but omg, you can get such detailed, layered color so easily this way. I hope to see many more layering plates like this, with the detailed, elegant images, coming our way. :)


If you'd like to see a tutorial for either of these, let me know!


If you're in the US and Canada, you can find Dixie Plates at Lantern & Wren, and if you're elsewhere, check the Dixie Plates site to find the best retailer for you. You can also find Hit The Bottle Polish and the Kaleidoscope stamping polishes there, as well as the clear stamper I used for my swatches and manicures. And you can stalk Dixie Plates around the interwebs here:

Dixie Plates Facebook Fangroup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/461694520667496/

Dixie Plates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dixie_plates/

Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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The Digit-al Dozen Day 2: Mermaids!

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Hello!


Today's day two of The Digit-al Dozen's mythical creatures theme, and today I'm going with a creature I think is almost a must-make for nail bloggers: mermaid nails!


I started with a base of Spellbound Nails Dammit Janet, and then stamped a variety of images from Bunny Nails HD-J plate (if you don't know, her store is on an indefinite haitus, but I'm hoping she comes back sooner than later!) :

Bunny Nails HD-J

First I stamped the background patterns with Sally Hansen Thyme Is Money, then I double-stamped my jelly fish, first with Moonflower Polish Moonflower and then with Messy Mansion Chalk to get a shimmery opalescent jellyfish type of effect. Finally I reversed-stamped my mermaids--first I stamped them with Messy Mansion Carbon, then filled in with Sally Hansen Taupe To Go, Champagne Supernova, and Va Va Violet. I first put a layer of Zoya Leia under the mermaid's bikinis and tails, as well as part of the one mermaid's hair to give shimmer. Here's how it turned out:

Bunny Nails HD-J over Spellbound Nails Dammit Janet

Bunny Nails HD-J over Spellbound Nails Dammit Janet

I love how this came out, but most of all I adore how that tail came out! The shimmer from Leia is sooooo pretty!


Okay, so, now I've done unicorns and mermaids, the two must-have mythical creatures for nail artists. Starting tomorrow, things are going to get a little more unusual...


In the meantime, don't forget to check out the lovely Digit-al masterpieces linked below!

M. xoxo

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Two winter manis with BeautyBigBang holiday plates

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Hello!


I promised I'd be back with two more winter-themed manis using my BeautyBigBang holiday set, so let's take a look!


For my first mani, I started with a base of Shinespark Polish Canis Major, and then stamped an image from BeautyBigBang11 with MoYou London Ginger Rust.

Here's how it came out:

BeautyBigBang 11 over Shinespark Polish Canis Major 

BeautyBigBang 11 over Shinespark Polish Canis Major 

I love the rich, velvet brocade feel to this, with the deep jewel-tone base. This makes me think of beautiful renaissance girls dressed in long court gowns.


For my second mani, I started with a base of Zoya Vickie (from their Kisses Pastel Jellies collection), topped with Zoya Leia. I stamped an image from BeautyBigBang13, using Kaleidoscope White.

Here's how it came out:

BeautyBigBang 13 over Zoya Vickie + Zoya Leia

BeautyBigBang 13 over Zoya Vickie + Zoya Leia

Yeesss!! I love how this came out! I love how it has a silvery look perfect for winter--a snow princess going out to skate on a frozen pond would wear this lake. And I love how easy it is to get French tip looks with images like this, because your placement doesn't have to be absolutely perfect.


You can find these plates in BeautyBigBang's store, and use my code, MISHKA824M, for 10% off your order. :)


Happy stamping,
M. xoxo

Zoya Kisses Pastel Jellies

(Press samples ahead!)

Hello!


Is your new year off to a good start? Did you make any resolutions? I'm not a big believer in New Year's resolutions, because they're usually vague and hard to act on. But what I am a big believer in is setting out my yearly goals, along with an action plan for each, so I can go into the new year with a clear set of expectations and steps I'll be taking, broken down for the year. Part of the process for me is taking a look at which goals I accomplished successfully the year before, building on those, and figuring out what to do differently for the ones I didn't accomplish.


But, you're not here to talk about resolutions and goals! You're here for polish! So let's get to it. :)


Today we're going to take a look at Zoya's Kisses collection, a set of three pastel jellies designed to give your nails a kiss of color. They're also designed to work well with special effects toppers like Zoya Leia, and if you buy any of the polishes, you'll get a free bottle of Leia. So, in the pictures below, I'm going to show you what each polish looks like with two coats, three coats, and when combined with Leia.

First up, Zoya Libby, a blushing orchid jelly: 

Zoya Libby two coats

Zoya Libby three coats

Zoya Libby + Leia

 

Coverage: Just a blush of color with one coat, soft color with two coats, and full coverage with three coats.
Formula and application: Excellent

I was impressed with how evenly these polishes covered, even with just one coat. I do have serious ridge issues on my middle nail, and that was visible with one coat, so if you have the same issue, you may want to use two coats. Although my ridge is still a bit visible in the two-coat picture, it wasn't in real life when I wasn't staring at it right up close, lol.

As for the color--Libby is my favorite of the collection! It's feminine and floral with a touch of dustiness. This calls out 'spring' to me.


Next up is Zoya Princess, a bubble-gum pink jelly:

Zoya Princess two coats

Zoya Princess three coats

Zoya Princess + Leia

 

Coverage and application are the same here. As for color--this will satisfy all your Barbie dreams! And I adore how flirty it looks with Leia.


And finally, we have Zoya Vickie, a gray jelly with a hint of plum undertone:

Zoya Vickie two coats

Zoya Vickie three coats

Zoya Vickie + Leia

 

This is an extremely wearable gray, more like a soft dove than an overcast day, and the undertone in it looks like it was made specifically to work with Leia. I love how the purple-pink shimmer in Leia just shines! This is my favorite combination in the group--such a fun way to make a neutral jazzy.


If you like gentle washes of color, this is the collection for you, and I love how they all look very wintery when you use the topper, and very springy without. A fun transitional collection!


You can find these polishes all now in Zoya's store, or wherever else you buy your Zoyas. And don't forget to follow them around the interwebs here:

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

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

Happy polishing!
M. xoxo