First Spoopy Manicure!

I know I'm a bit late with this, so forgive me. What's new with you guys? I have started exercising for the first time in years! I have been at it for a few weeks so let's see if I can stick to it.

Now on to my nails. Today I have a stamping plate from a new website(well new to me) Lady Queen, a place where all your inexpensive nail needs will be met. I have for you the spoopy stamping plate in hehe057. Honestly this wasn't the best stamping plate, but if you have the right tools, that shouldn't be a problem. I didn't have black stamping polish, so I used regular polish. From what I have noticed, if the polish isn't the best quality, and the plate isn't the best quality it's much harder to get a good image(I actually had to go back and fill in missing patches). But if the plate is a good quality, even when using a sub par polish I will still come out decent. So I'm sure if you had a good stamping polish, you could easily make up for what the plate lacks.

Overall I though the plate was just ok and I'm not sure I would reach for it again unless I had a better polish to stamp with. If you would like to give this plate a go, you can find it on their website, currently on sale for $0.99 USD. In addition to that shipping is FREE and you can use my discount code 'LAKS15' and get 15% off!

Ps. That gradient is China Glaze Spontaneous, and Stoked To Be Soaked as well as Sinful Colors Pull Over.

Mara Hoffman Inspired Nails

I have yet another Born Pretty Store plate to share with you today! This is plate BP-L 003. When I saw this plate I knew I had to have it because a)It has a lot of nice designs and b)On my laptop I have a nail art inspiration folder. The second I saw the plate I knew one of the designs would be perfect for a photo I had sitting in the folder for months. The photo is of a dress from the Mara Hoffman RTW SS 2015 line.

Gorgeous model in a Mara Hoffman dress

The plate was a bit tricky to use. As you can see some of the designs have some fine details(like the centre of my swirls). I found that I had to use a thinner polish(OPI Alpine Snow) if I wanted those smaller lines to show up. I originally used Sinful Colors Show Me White, but I could never get the centre of the wave patterns to show up. Maybe an actual stamping polish would play nicer. And just so you know, the other colours I used were Pure Ice's Party hard  for the blue, and the sun was all acrylic paint that I mixed.

 On the left I stamped with OPI's Alpine show and on the right is Sinful Colors Snow me White

That aside I really like this plate, it has a lot of other designs that don't have such fine details. I can't wait to whip it out again! If you would like this plate, you can find it here, where you can buy it for $5.99 USD. And of course you can add Varnished Valkyries 10% discount code EAL91.

 *Product sent for honest review

Moon Prism Power!

So the other night I ran 3k, at 2 in in the morning, in 3 inch wedges, in around 15 minutes. I thought I was going to die. I'm super unfit so I'm proud of myself in a way. The things you will do to catch the last bus of the night.

Today I have yet another plate from the Born Pretty Store. It's the BP-49 Sailor Moon plate. For my base I kind of did this pastel galaxy, then covered it with holographic glitter. The stamping plate was ok. I don't know why but I had a difficult time picking up the whole design. I used Sinful Colors Snow me white to stamp with. A polish that I have used before in the past with no problem. And the stampers I used also have been used with Snow me White before without a problem. So this manicure took me quite a while because of all the trail and error. I will say I did love how the nails turned out and I have been wearing this manicure for days now because I don't want to take it off and it still looks presentable!

If you like this plate, you can get it over at the Born Pretty Store site where it is on sale for $1.49 USD. And if you want to pay even less for it you can add on out 10% discount code EAL91

I don't know how I feel about these...

The title is pretty self explanatory. I'm not sure I'm loving these manicures.

The first one is this manicure using the Born Pretty Store plate in BP-L007. A large stamping plate with for the most part a lot of elegant patterns. I started with a base of Sally Hansen's Lady Luck and stamped over it with OPI's Alpine Snow. I personally think the pattern I used was a bit too much with the polish under it.

The second manicure that I'm on the fence about is another one using a Born Pretty stamping plate in BP36. For this I stamped over a stamp over Barry M Rose Hip with some random pink foil I have had for years and Barry M's Dusty Mauve. Honestly I like the idea of this, but I'm not sure the mauve worked as it looks waaay more brown on the nail.

All that being said I did find it easy to use the stamping plates despite maybe not using the best colours :P If you would like the first plate it retails for $5.99 USD and the smaller plate for $1.99 USD. And you can use our 10% discount code: EAL91

*Products sent for honest review

I haven't updated in HOW long?

Usually when I don't update I feel it(in my bones). But this week for some reason I have been in a permanent state of "I think I updated 2 days ago," but it turns out that is has actually been over a week. Whoops!

Today I have a review for you! I got some stamping plates from The Born Pretty Store a couple days ago. They also sent me a new squishy stamper, as I had told them last time my reviews had been slow because my stamper had pretty much pooped out on me. So thank you for that!

Today I have this fun floral design I used using the stamping plate BP-43. I stamped purple metallic Orly polish over  Ninja Polish Passion Shift. I did have some problems at first with the new stamper, as it would not pick up the image. Thankfully I had heard that you sometimes needed to prep your stamper. So I gently filed it a bit and it worked after that.

This plate retails for $2.99USD. If you would like this plate be sure to use our 10% discount code! EAL91

 

*Product sent for honest review

My A-Z Challenge is ON TIME!

Feeling much better about crappy things that had happened last week and and looking forward to what new things are to come! Also a few days ago I was complimented on my makeup for the first time ever! Little background info, I have been wearing makeup more and more regularly since the beginning of the new year. Before then I rarely wore it unless it was a fancy occasion. Anyway, a new friend of mine was talking about girls doing their makeup really well, and they she said something "Like you". Now this is probably not that big a deal for most females in their 20's, but as someone who is just starting to get into it, and who isn't the greatest, it makes me feel fantastic.

Now onto the nails! I have been super slow when it comes to the A-Z challenge, but for the first time in forever I am actual posting on time! This week the theme is T for Texture. I started with a base of Zoya NYX(I'll talk about that in a separate post) and I decided to stamp over it with Sinful Colors Snow Me White. When I started I didn't know if I liked it, but when I finished all my nails, it kind of felt like it all came together. Success!

OH! One more thing! You can probably tell my nails are a bit shorter. I had a break in one of them, that I had been taking care of for a while. It was pretty low down, but growing out nicely. Then the other day it snagged on my shirt and started tearing down the centre of my nail, so I decided I had to cut it. I know some people are disappointed when they have to cut their nails, but I honestly don't mind, because I like them either way!

Here are some more A-Z creations:

An InLinkz Link-up

Roses are red, violets are blue. This post is about roses.

Yet again I wake up with make-up still on and the clothing I wore the night before. I have a tendency of getting into bed and thinking "I'll just lie here for a few minutes, and then get up and change. And I always pass out within 30 seconds and wake up hours late feeling sticky. Blah. But my lipstick is still in place!

So I did a show last night and wanted to keep my nails simple, but still do a bit of art, so this is what i cam up with. This is Chanel Malice with Sinful Colors Gold Medal. And I used my Konad stamping plate in m65 on my index finger. I adore how this turned out. It's simple, but elegant, and not in your face. It also helps that Malice is one of my all time favourite polishes! It's sexy, vampy and has a formula like Velveeta, smooth and full of chemicals.

It's too late for this.

So I'm actually writing this post at around 5 in the morning. I have been up for two hours already. I ended up falling asleep in my clothing at around 11:30 and waking up a few hours later in blissful ignorance. Followed by thoughts of "Crap, I was supposed to finish writing something last night". So I did that and a few other things I had to do. If I film some of it maybe i can eventually show what I stayed up late doing. That sounds gross. Don't worry, it's not gross.

Today I have some more stamping for you guys(BECAUSE I CAN). This time I attempted to use a bigger design. I used the large design from the Born Pretty stamping plate (BP-10). Stamping was pretty easy, now I am trying to figure out what polishes work well to stamp with that AREN'T ones I have to buy online. Or if I do have to buy online they aren't super hard to get because it's always selling out.

The base for this manicure is Dior's Perfecto and I stamped with I think was Orly Platinum. Then I used a Born Pretty Stud for one accent nail and at first China Glazes Tinsel Town, but I didn't like it so I changed to Finger Paints Snow Crystals. It's funny because in real life I think Snow Crystals looks better, but in photos I like Tinsel town more!

So tell me, what brands do you like stamping with?

I FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE JOYS OF STAMPING!

Ever since I started stamping it has kind of been a massive pain. It would take me FOREVER to get simple designs correct. And up until now I always thought it was MY fault. Well guess what? It wasn't! It was all my stampers fault! I had one of those double ended pink and green ones, with the rubber stamper. I couldn't do full nail designs because the stamper physically couldn't stamp over my whole nail as my nails were too long and it was too hard to easily squish around it. But thanks to Robyn I now have a squishy stamper! It's like night and day. For the first time I was able to do full nail designs! Not only that but I was able to do it on the first try. I didn't even have luck like that with smaller designs on the bad stamper! I have seen the stamping light, and it is beautiful! All hail Robyn!

So today I have the A-Z Challenge. Last week I didn't do it, but not because I forgot. I actually took photos, wrote a post and then ditched it when I saw the photos. The nail art was garbage, and it wasn't my fault(This post should just be called "Don't blame me for my sub-par art"). It was just a bad product. Maybe one day I will post it.

Anyways for today the letter was P for Pale. I thought this would be a great chance to use one of my pale polishes. I have maybe 7 pale polishes so I decided to use what I think was my only untried. Sally Hansen Piqué Side(I have had this polish for months and I just got the name. Pick a Side. French Fail). The polish was a pale pistachio green with gold shimmer, and the formula was ok. Nothing really bad about it, but it didn't blow me away. I needed two coats for full opacity. Overall I loved this colour and it will be great for spring! For the stamping I used Sinful Colors Gold Medal, which I have used before for stamping, but with my new stamper it was sooooooo much easier to work with! Then I added some studs from the Born Pretty Store to just complete the look.

All in all I am pleased with this, and I can't wait to do more stamping!

Check out more from the A-Z Challenge!

An InLinkz Link-up

History eh?

This is actually the second time during the A-Z challenge I have done something that was Egypt themed! And I am not complaining, I am a lover of history even if King Tut isn't my strong point. Fun fact: I actually got into Royal Holloway, University of London for History, but decided not to go because while I LOVE history I don't love it enough to want to make it work. But if I ever change my mind I know at least one school will have me :P

Anyways for this I used the Born Pretty Store stamping plate BP-05, OPI's Blue My Mind and Sinful Colors Gold Medal. Now I would have LOVED to use one of the full nail designs but alas I can't. And you know what? I don't think it's because of me! I really do think it's my stamper. I have one of those generic double sided stampers and it makes stamping(especially bigger images) super hard. One reason is because the stamper itself doesn't sit in the holder properly so it doesn't pick up, or stamp they way you want it to. Because I love this plate and all the other ones Born Pretty has to offer but when it comes to big designs the current stamper I have is just not doing it for me anymore.

What stamper would you suggest I use?

If you would like this plate go here and get it for only $2.99(USD). And don't forget to use our 10% discount code (EAL91). Because who doesn't like discounts? Also make sure to check out all the other people who did that A-Z challenge and see what they came up with. Oh and the challenge was L for lines. Something I forgot to put at the beginning...

An InLinkz Link-up

*Stamping plate sent for honest review.

Science and/or Math Nails

I honestly don't know if the nails are technically math or science nails. I think they are a combination of both. I was never one for the numbers. Fun fact: I have failed math twice. Once with the remarkable grade of 27%(I actually dropped the class before it could go on my record and just took a different math course over the summer...a MUCH easier one). That being said in science when we did a unit on genetics I was REALLY good at that. The best part was I really didn't understand it in the slightest, but I could always figure out the answers.

So the stamping plate I used for this was the Mathematical Formula plate from The Born Pretty store. For the most part I didn't have a problem using the formula stamps. But using the graph stamps was a nightmare. I don't know if it's my nail, or my stamper, but getting a stamp over my whole nail is near imposible. I have such a heard time getting the stamper to make contach with my whole nails. It's not like my nails are super curvy...tips?

Full nail design problems aside, I really liked this plate. I ended up topping it with Essies Matte About You to give it that chalkboard effect. If you would like this stamp, please head on over here, where you can get it for only $2.99 USD AND you can use our discount code EAL91 to get 10% off your order!

*product sent for honest review

I Hate The Ocean, But I am Starting to Like Stamping!

First of all, that you for your sweet comments, I am feeling much better! Today I have this ocean manicure that I used with the help of my Born Pretty stamping plate. First of all I hate the ocean. It's salty and gross, and scary things live in it. Also I am not a big fan of nature on a whole. I like observing in in photos, and I can appreciate its beauty, but I would rather be in the middle of a bustling city any day.

Today's manicure is probably the first time I did stamping and wasn't completely overwhelmed. I'm still not the best but I am getting better. For this I started with Barry M Majesty on the end of my nails closer to the cuticle and then I used Sally Hansen's Pacific blue* on the other end. Finally I sponged on Essie's Moon Struck to make the water look more interesting. This stamping plate(BP-10) was pretty fantastic. All the small details were really easy to pick up and translated really well. I'm sure once I figure out what polishes work best for stamping my designs will look even better(I used Sally Hansen Lacey Lilac and Sinful Colors Snow Me White for the stamping). The only thing I didn't like was some of the designs were a bit messed up because I had a few strand of the cotton ball from my removal of my previous manicure stuck in the polish. When I took them out I didn't realise how long some of the strands were and they kind of warped some of the designs.

All in all I am pleased with this manicure and I'm even more excited to give stamping another go! If you would like this plate, just head on over here to the Born Pretty website. It's only $2.99 USD and you can use our 10% discount code (EAL91)!

*Pacific blue looks SUPER vivid in these 0_o Softer in real life and the white is more noticeable.

**Product sent for honest review

An attempt was made!: More adventures in stamping!

So here is an autumn post coming to you at the beginning of winter. I decided I wanted to go crazy and try advanced stamping. Because I'm sure we all know the saying "If you have yet to master something, try the harder version of it". I looked at a bunch of tutorials online and I got the gist of it.

Get the outline of the design onto the stamper, then fill it in with colours, topcoat it, then peel it off and stick it on your nail.. In theory this is easy, but it clearly takes time to make it flawless like I have seen some of the other bloggers make it.

For this I used a stamping plate from the Born Pretty Store (BP-19). It has your basic leaf design, which I really like, because it can be used in so many different ways.

Putting the design on to the stamper was easy. The "hard" part came with colouring it in. It wasn't hard, but it was so easy to miss bits(as you can see on my nails). And they were really small in person, and I didn't really notice them till after I had places it on my nails.

Overall I think my attempt was decent. It was by no means perfect, but it was still a good effort for a first go!

If you would like this plate, head on over to the Born Pretty Store. It retails their for $2.99(USD) AND shipping is free. And on top of that if you add our discount code EAL91 you get 10% off!