Incoco Nail Polish Appliqués in Wild Card: There is only one word to describe these. Majestic.

Sorry I haven't been on here in a while.  I've been really busy and on top of that my internet LOVES to cut out ever now and then.  Sometimes it likes to cut out and not come back on for a good 24 hours.  Imagine 24 hours Tumblr free.  It was the worst.

Anyways today I have the second pair of Incoco nail polish appliqués in Wild Card.  They are a majestic zebra print...or are they tiger?  Which one of those animals is green and gold glitter?  Either way it is green and gold glitter with black stripes.  Application this time around was much easier.  I didn't have any problems with lifting or not laying flat.  A couple of the fingers I did tear the edges when I was peeling them off the backing.  But that was my fault as I peeled them away too fast.

I love these!  They wore really well.  The last two photos were actually taken on day 5 of me wearing them!  I'm sure I could have gotten more wear out of them but 5 days is long for me.  And despite the fact that they are glitter there was barely any grit to them.  One coat of topcoat made it completely smooth.  Removal was kind of a pain but I didn't expect anything less from a glitter.   I ended up wearing them to an R. Kelly Trapped in the Closet Sing Along!(But I'll tell you about that another day :P)

I should add that these actually come with a piece of tape so you can seal the package back up again.  Last time I used these I accidentally dropped the tape.  When I eventually saw it on the floor I had no clue where it was from or what it was so I threw it out.

I'm excited to try my third set.  I'm glad I saved it for last because it's not a glitter or a shimmer.  With a glitter and a shimmer you can get away with little mistakes but they will probably be more visible with my last set.  Which is why I'm glad I think I now have the hang of it.

*Product sent for honest review.

Incoco Nail Polish Appliqués in Rock On!: Another First!

So a few weeks ago I tried nail wraps for the first time and I really did love them.  So when Incoco asked me to review some of their nail polish appliqués I of course said yes.  I figured they were the same idea so I was excited!

Within the exterior white packaging, the appliqués are in a smaller air tight package.   A pack contains 16  double-ended strips. Instructions are on the back. The set I got is Rock On.  It's a blue and silver snakeskin look.  Pretty badass eh?

 

First off I didn't put base coat on because it said on the front of the package that it also had base and top coat.  Next I had to cut some of them(which was easy) because some didn't fit me correctly.  I cut them while they still had their clear cover and paper back.  I found this easier than cutting them without the support as the polish strips were floppy.  I found the strips were relatively easy to apply.  Because they are year polish they don't have as much give, so if you are stretching them out be careful as it may tear.  And while you can lift it off your nail and realign it it dose begin to loose its stick quickly.  Even though it said it was already topcoatified I added some because a couple were beginning to peel because it was no longer sticky(Index and pinky finger) and I had some areas that didn't lie down properly on the nail(which you really cant see in the photos).  So far I have been wearing it for just over 24 hours and so far so good.  Showers and all!  Finally even though it says on the package to use these imadiatly I was left with 6 left over.  As soon as I finished they went in a sealed bag.  I want to still try and use them again!

 

I really, really like these but I will admit they do need a little more practice and patience as they are less forgiving then the previous wraps I used.

If you would like of set of these or any one of their other fun designs head on over to Incoco's website where they retail for $8.99USD!  I still have 2 more sets of these that I'm super pumped to show you guys!

*Product sent for honest review.

Morse Code Nails!

These nails were a NIGHTMARE to do.  And if you think you know why they were a nightmare you are wrong.  It had nothing to do with the glitter by N.Nail which I got from KKCenterHk.

1) I did this manicure twice. I really wanted to used this glitter and do some Morse code.  Specifically Morse code tips.  But that didn't work out because the code was too long on my ring finger so I just replaced it with the actual letter.  I hand drew the dashes but they just turned out blah.  And to top it all off the black essence polish I used bubbled and then my top coat bubbled  So I just took it off.

2) Attempt number 2 I LOVE!  I think it looks fantastic!  I used OPI's Dating a Royal and it went on perfectly sans bubbles.  Also this time I did the codes vertically on my nails and they fit perfectly.  And to make sure my dashes were also perfect I taped it off and used Sally Hansen's Gilty Pleasure(I also used it in mani #1).  My problem was photographing it so I could show you it's beauty.  Glare city.  I must have taken maybe a few hundred photos.  That's also why my photos look more different than usual :P

That being said I love this glitter.  I got it in Jasmine Gold, because you can do a lot with gold, and I just really like this shade of gold.  It's not too yellow or orange.  The glitter is a tad on the bigger side of small at 2.5mm, but it applied easily.  And the pot it came in was quite large.  This will probably last me for a very long time.

One more thing:
_. = N
._ = A
.. = I
._.. = L
.. = S

 Attempt #1...*twitch twitch*

If you would like to grab a pot, head over here.  They retail for $8USD.  But you can use our coupon code 'varnishedvalkyrie' and get a 10% discount!

*product sent for honest review

Literary Lacquers Green Gables: Green, Glorious Green!

When I saw all 6 of the polishes from Literary Lacquers Anne of Green Gables collection this was the polish I knew just from looking at I would love!  It's kind of weird because overall I'm not much of a green person, but when it comes to polish I cannot get enough! Just like I can't get enough lobster.  Prince Edward Island loves some lobster...perfect segue.

Green Gables is named after a 19th century farm in PEI where the story takes place in and around. Not only is it a part of the book but it's a real farm on PEI.  The author  Lucy Maud Montgomery drew inspiration from it. 

Green Gables(the polish) is a forest green, linear, holographic polish.  The formula was a bit on the thin side.  I needed 3 coats for opacity, but I didn't mind because they were all thin coats and it dried super fast.  Like all of Literary Lacquers holos this looks stunning in the sun but the colour itself can stand on it's own if there is no sun around.

Bonus:  Amy of Literary lacquers posted this link on her facebook page.  It's a ton of different formats to download Anne of Green Gables(or you can even just read it online).  So if you haven't read it yet go and e-stuff it(or however one gets this stuff) into your reading device.

Anyways this was the last of the polish from Literary Lacquers Anne of Green Gables collection.  If you would like to buy Green Gables or any of the other polishes I have reviewed in the past week head on over to Literary Lacquers etsy page.  They each retail for $10.48 Canadian or $57.63 for the whole set of 6.  Thank you Amy for letting me review these.  They are all fantastic!  Can't wait to see what you get inspired by next!

*Product sent for honest review.

ALSO this is kinda random but this is the perfect post for it.  I don't know if you guys know about this but a few months ago an unauthorized publisher came out with a new cover for the book.  No.  She's a redhead!  And also what is that?  Someones instagram shot? And why is she being sexy? C'mon!

One of these things is not like the other.

Literary Lacquers Raspberry Cordial: Yes I am wearing a bright pink polish.

So I'm feeling much better.  My sore throat is gone but I keep sneezing!  Argh!

Enough about me.  Let's move on to a more important issue...The sun.  I got these polishes last Tuesday and there has not been sun out since then.  Normally I would like that,  but not when I have pretty holos to show!  Today the sun FINALLY decided to show its silly, hydrogen filled face.  Huzzah!

Today I have for you Raspberry Cordial.  Raspberry Cordial(check out this recipe) is what Anne thinks she serves to her best friend Diana Berry.  But in reality it was actually current wine, that of course made Diana drunk.  This happened to me once.  But it was rum...And I knew it was rum.

The polish is a bright pink linear holographic, with larger scattered holographic glitter as well as pink glitter.  Because of that it sort of reminds me a lot of Laters, Baby from Literary Lacquers The Good stuff collection.  I used 3 coats for full opacity, but you could get away with 2 or even a layer over a pink cream.  Now I'm not one for pink polishes(out of over 300 posts this is the 3rd time I've even reviewed a pink polish), but I really like this one.  I was standing in a dimly lit room and I could still see the larger scattered holo sparkling.  If you are a fan of pink this is something you need.  Consider this an order you pink lovers!

If you would like a bottle of Raspberry Cordial go over to Literary Lacquers etsy page.  The full size bottle retail for $10.61 Canadian.

First 2 photos in varying degrees of sunlight

 Last 2 photos are in natural lighting.

*Product sent for honest review 

Literary Lacquers Anne With an E: Aren't you the little surprise!

You know how there's always that one polish in a collection that you look at and say "I have nothing again you, you're pretty, but...I dunno.  I just don't think we're gonna click."  And then the more you look at in in the bottle the more your mind starts to say "Actually I think I do like you!".  I had these feeling followed by "I know what polish would look FANTASTIC with you" and "I'm hungry."

Little book info first!  Anne With an E is how Anne insists her name is spelt as it looks better than Ann without the E.

Now the polish!  It's medium silver and multicoloured iridescent, hex glitter.  As well as some large and super tiny multicoloured iridescent, hex glitter.  You can pretty much put this over any base.  Over a lighter colour you get this whimsical, fairy tale feel,  And over darker colours you get this cosmic feel.

The first colour I tried it on was Essence Sweet as Candy.  I knew these two HAD to be layered together.  I thought their creaminess would mesh perfectly together.  I used one coat on these ones.  I decided for my darker polish to use H&M Plum.  As I wanted something dark that wasn't black.  On this I used 2 coats.  You should know on the darker polish you could see the creamy base.  Not so much after the first coat, but after the second.  I would say if you are using more than one coat of this over a dark colour be careful.  The milkiness looks fin but if you're not careful it may look patchy.

I think I can safely say this polish is amazing!  Even as someone who dosn't wear soft colours a lot I think this is a great look and I have a dress that goes PERFECTLY with it!

If you would like a bottle of Anne With an E go over to Literary Lacquers etsy page.  The full size bottle retail for $10.61 Canadian.  Hopefully the sun will come out tomorrow and I'll be able to photograph the last 2 polishes! Ps. Annie.

*Product sent for honest review.

Born Pretty Store Fimo Nail Decorations!

So I've been absent lately, which I should apologise for.  I've been dealing with some family things including a very sudden death back in South Africa, but I will be much more present now that we've handled it together, so BACK AT IT!

I got THESE from Born Pretty recently, they're adorable little fimo nail decorations in various shapes and colours.  I know that they're definitely not for everyone, but here at VV we can definitely appreciate the fun and whimsy of stuff like this, so if you're not into it... Jog on, I suppose!

I decided to wear these with Essie In The Cab(ana), which is a sweet, fun blue from this year's resort collection.  I love this colour and I can see myself wearing it a lot.

These fimo decals came with a tube of nail glue to attach them, which I really liked.  It's nice to get that little extra bit for your money.  I also love that there was no warping or strange variance in size with these, which is a definite hazard with inexpensive nail art stuff.  Everything was uniform in size and shape, with the only variation being in thickness.

Attaching them was very easy, I found the glue to be extremely effective.  It stuck fast and stuck well.

I decided to use a bunch of different decals so you can see some of the options.  I didn't do my thumb as I had a cut on it and wasn't wearing polish, so just ignore :P

I didn't do a proper wear test as I work in an environment where it really wouldn't be fair(I spend all day prying things with my hands, mixing stuff, and typing), but these did last through cooking myself a big lunch, walking my dog, and doing some light cleaning.  I think they would very easily last through a night or day out!  In fact, I'm going to wear the flowers to a music festival next weekend.

(While we're at it, let's all examine my weird skin.  Yellow in the first two photos, pink in the last.  Ohhhh, genetics.)

If you would like to get your hand on these head on over to the Born pretty website!  And don't forget to use our 10% code, EAL91!