Sunday, August 31, 2014

Pahlish: La Belle Endormie

Coocoo les filles! Today I'm featuring my very first Pahlish. Pahlish is an indie brand that is new to me, but not to many of you, I believe she is pretty popular! However, I'm still kind of new to the indie world, so lots of them are new to me!

I'm going to be honest, this was an impulse purchase, I saw a swatch and said I NEED THAT! and then bought it. That's pretty much the entire story. ;)

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Amazing Chic Nails: Autumn Collection


Helloooooo! Today I have a special post that includes three polishes from a new-to-me indie brand Amazing Chic Nails made by the talented Fiona! She began her shop in March of this year and that makes each one of these polish even more impressive! All of her lacquers are vegan, cruelty and 3 free, and are NEVER tested on animals!  

The two full size polishes are from her new Autumn collection which is releasing on September 1st and the mini is from her Late Summer collection. Lets jump right into the swatches!

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Never Enough Rose Gold


I have always loved rose gold. Yes, even before it came popular. (I'm being a rose gold hipster now.) So when I found Orly Rage. I had to have it. I know it's an older color, but wow! It's just so pretty! Metallic-y, rosy, gold-y... Lovely. 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Freehand: Animals


So I talked last week about the Freehand Nail Art group on Facebook - this week's challenge is Animals. I was super excited for this challenge because I recently sent my friend this adorable bag from Mod Cloth and I knew I had to make a tiny fox to match! 



I used a base of Formula X and a new glitter polish from Amazing Chic Lacquers Falling Leaves. (I'll be posting a full review soon, I have one more lacquer from her Fall collection to share, as well as one from the late Summer collection!)  Isn't it a beautiful glitter?! Love!


The fox is acrylic, I mixed the orange myself. Turned a little more orange than I had hoped, but I think the overall fox is adorable.


Here I did a quick matte top coat. Love those glitters! Anyway, I think I matched it pretty well, don't you? Thanks for looking!

♥ Pooka

Check out the other girls' Animal manicures below






Saturday, August 16, 2014

MoYou: Lace Bridal Look


Hello my lovelies! As some of you may know, I'm planning a wedding... or in the stages of thinking about planning a wedding... err... I think about it sometimes and kind of sort of have plans on making plans. In any case, a wedding that I will be involved in will be happening soon. Phew, now that I'm officially stressed out, let's get on to the nail art. I recently purchased MoYou Bridal 06 because I love lace patterns, so I thought i'd try my hand at a bridal look. 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Freehand: Complimentary Colors


When I started blogging about polish, I started looking for resources of other nail polish lovers. That's when I found Facebook groups! Yes, if you didn't already know, there are a plethora of nail polish related Facebook groups! A new one was formed recently called "Freehand Nail Art." Although I'm not entirely talented with freehand, I felt like the group would inspire me to practice more, and if nothing else, I'd see some awesome art! Well, I was right, and the group started a weekly challenge to share their art! The first prompt was Complimentary Colors. This means opposite colors on the color wheel. Such as blue and orange, red and green, or in my case, pink and light green! (With a touch of yellow.)

Right hand
The base is OPI My Vampire is Buff (one of my go-to nail art base shades.) The rest was created with acrylic paint and the bundle monster nail art brushes.

Left hand
The funniest part to me is that my right hand turned out prettier than my left! I think it's because I have to concentrate SO hard to get straight lines on my right hand that I end up taking my time.

Right hand
 So this design is super simple, though very reminiscent of my FIRST freehand nail art years and years ago. (When I was about 12 years old!) I did a simple vine/dot flower manicure, and it was the shizz. (According to my other 12 year old friends.)

I have tons of room for improvement, but it was fun to practice and participate in a challenge! I can't wait to paint the prompt for next week - Animals!

♥ Pooka

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Multi-Chrome Comparison


Heya gals. I don't know about you, but I love, love, love comparison posts! It helps me decide which colors I need and which ones I can pass up on. My misfortune of buying near dupes can be of use to you! YAY! 



Here I have from L to R KB Shimmer Shade Shifter, ILNP Sirene, Colors by Llarowe Show Me Again!, Polish Me Silly Paradise. (Don't mind the weird side picture... my Alaskan-made light box is too small!)


Here you can see them again, L to R, Polish Me Silly, Colors by Llarowe, ILNP, and KB Shimmer. As you can see, the pointer and middle are almost identical except the CbL Sirene has a slight holographic shimmer and the PMS (can we just laugh together about this abbreviation for a moment?) Anyway, the PMS Paradise on the pointer has no holo shimmer. Other than that, I couldn't tell these polishes apart. Both were equally shifty and beautiful!


ILNP Sirene on the ring finger was noticeably more green but with with same purple shift. The KB Shimmer was probably the most different of the bunch. It is a deep blue with a dark purple shift. Absolutely stunning!


Here's a bonus shot PMS on my pointer and CbL on my middle finger. Aren't those pretty darn close aside from that tiny bit of holo shimmer? Yeah, I probably will be destashing these both. I'll probably keep the CbL just because it has the holographic in it, but both are gorgeous.

(These are not affiliate links, just links for your convince!)
Retail price:
KB Shimmer Shade Shifter - 8.75 for .5oz 
ILNP Sirene - 12.5 for .12oz
 Colors by Llarowe Show Me Again! - 12.5 for .12oz
Polish Me Silly Paradise - 12.5 for .5  

So decisions up to you! Do you own any of these? If not I'd recommend any one of them! (Just maybe not all of them ;)   )

♥ Pooka

Monday, August 4, 2014

Light as a...



Hello lovelies. Today I have some stamped nail art to share with you using my new Sugar Bubble plates that I am SO in love with, as well as to announce an awesome restock going on tomorrow. Keep reading to find out all the details!


To create this look I started with a subtle gradient base using Aurora Lacquers Sailor Eyes (swatch and review here) and I Love Nail Polish Admire Me. (Unfortunately, this beautiful polish is discontinued! However, Barbara has a TON of other beautiful colors on her site ilnp.com)


Next I picked up my new Sugar Bubble plates and used SB 22 for the middle and ring fingers and SB 15 for the feather on my pointer fingers. These stamp like a dream! I can't wait to get more of her plates! Finally, I added a complex glitter from Aurora Lacquers, Nixie. Ahh, I could probably write a novel about this glitter. It's complete perfection. One coat and it sparkle and shines like you wouldn't believe. I actually received two compliments on this manicure, both were about the glitter!


Here's one of just the gradient, don't those colors transition flawlessly? I love it! Did I mention that the Aurora polish is practically a one coater? Yep. Awesome. 


Finally, here's a sun shot to show off all that amazing sparkle that my lights don't pick up. Just, WOW! I really loved this entire mani and wore it for about four days!

Onto the restock news, Aurora Lacquers is restocking the Summer Mystic Mermaid collection tomorrow (08/05/14) at 4pm EDT so pick up a bottle of Sailor Eyes and Nixie while you can! She also has a purple holo to DIE for. Seriously, check out my swatch/review of the collection!

You can purchase Aurora Lacquers on their Etsy site: www.etsy.com/shop/AuroraNailLacquers
And follow them on Instagram @AuroraLacquers
and find them on Facebook here www.facebook.com/AuroraLacquers

The holographic polishes retail for $12 and the glitters for $10 each. 

Do you own any Aurora Lacquers? Will you be giving them a try during the restock tomorrow? Let me know!

 ♥ Pooka