This hasn’t been the case in ages, but today’s post was actually put together, photographed and written up yesterday- so, in fact, you are seeing my NOTD.

A NOTD which features the stunning piCture pOlish Tiffany:

piCture pOlish Tiffany is a soft and yet ‘bright’ Tiffany blue (leaning mint-green ever-so-slightly).  This is two smooth coats; honestly, I don’t know how piCture pOlish does it.  The formula isn’t thick and yet it covers in two coats!!!!

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(posed with an Ardene bracelet)

My husband, Peter, who is a photographer gets these photo-ideas that he has humorously coined “image blurbs”.  Well, I have had the “image blurb” for this manicure for a while now- I was just waiting on the perfect opportunity, and Tiffany was “it”:

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I have never applied round studs in a row down the nail before, and I so wanted to try it with ‘animal print’.  Well, not only did I have the delicious Tiffany shade, but I also got some PUEEN bronze-gold round studs for review

(300 pieces retail for $6.69)

To create the studded look I spilled out a few of the studs onto a piece of paper and flipped them right-side-up (for easier pickup- which I do using a dotting tool dipped in clear polish).  I then painted two coats of OPI My Vampire is Buff.  When the polish was still tacky I placed the studs into the polish.  I then painted a thick coat of topcoat on either side of the studs to secure them in place.

The animal print was done freehand with the exception of two hidden hearts which I transfered from Konad plate m78.  I added some complimentary gold detail with OPI Goldfinger.

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piCture pOlish is an Australian brand and can be purchased online HERE (pssst, they ship internationally).  OR check out their International Network page for possible online resellers in YOUR country (for a direct link click HERE… did I mention that Harlow & Co carries loads of piCture pOlish shades?… Tiffany IS one of them!).

You can also find piCture pOlish on:

Facebook

 Twitter

 Instagram (@piCturepOlish)

 Pinterest

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What do you think of Tiffany?

Do you get manicure “image blurbs”?  Do you ever wait with a manicure idea until you get just the right shade?

THANK YOU FOR READING!

* products sent for honest-review consideration *

I had to see my Grandma off to the Airport yesterday; her month long visit went by so quickly!  Goodbyes are so darn hard- especially when I know it may be another few years since I see her again.  I will say that the visit restored the important sense of family in my heart, and allowed my children to really get to know their great-grandma; I am certain they will now each have special moments stored up to cherish as they grow up.

I wept enough yesterday, but was able to gather myself enough to put together this post…

… It all started with my inner need to wear OPI Warm & Fozzie again:

I remember when Warm & Fozzie first came out.  I didn’t care much for the Muppets growing up (I wasn’t exposed to them all that much), but I knew I had to have this shade in my collection.  I once again felt the urge to wear it

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I chose to put OPI Warm & Fozzie on my pinky, and I added one coat of Shimmer Polish Airrianna.  I paired this with China Glaze Kinetic Candy.

For the ring finger I sponged some Kinetic Candy over OPI My Vampire is Buff.  I then stamped using PUEEN-46.  Finally, I added a little bronze gemstone.

I keep getting excited about a stamped gradient!  I don’t do them often enough!

I intended to wear this look this past weekend but the following day I changed the accent nail (don’t ask me why, lol) to THIS look.

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Though I know I will see my grandma again (I hope), the fact that she will not be at the house to have coffee with me in the morning and to chat, still has me all sad.

How do YOU cope with tough farewells?

Thoughts on this manicure?

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Today is Victoria Day in Canada; I hope all of my Canadian friends and readers are enjoying a nice long weekend.  Though I am working this morning, I intend on spending the rest of the day with my family, with a nice BBQ dinner; my grandma is leaving for Poland tomorrow… thus today is bitter sweet: we will be celebrating her being here with us, but we know that as of tomorrow she will be traveling back home.

Today’s post is a fun one, I hope you enjoy this look as much as I did:

(PSSST… PUEEN is now on BIG CARTEL with extended shipping options!!!!!!  Direct Link HERE)

Last week I stopped into Bootlegger and bought some fun long sleeved tops, one of them featuring an owl.  I thought it was a snazzy deal (yes, I did just say snazzy, but that is what a $10.00 price tag does to me)!  I couldn’t resist the owl sweater, and when my still-stylish Grandma saw it she also fell in love with it as well- so I bought two

I got home, heart pounding from a shopping-high; so much so that I Instagramed a photo of my purchases HERE.  Two sweet Ladies suggested that I do a ‘matching’ manicure.

Well, Whoo-whoooo doesn’t turn down a good challenge? This girl!

I drew inspiration first from the colours of the sweater: The grey (Cult Nails Faded), the caramel-brown (OPI San Tan-Tonio) and the coral-peach beak (BarryM Peach Melba).

I was a little pressed for time (or I may have attempted a freehand owl), but the lack of time AND the convenient recent arrival of the new PUEEN40 plate (available on Amazon or BigCartel) made this stamp a fun alternative.

I was selective with the owl image and did not stamp the extra branches (as this is a full nail design).  I also made the eyes white (and then added the black dot) as well as added a few smaller dots to the belly

I originally had the OPI nails plain, but felt like the manicure needed a ‘bit-more’.  This time, my bit more was Animeniac Crash Landing.  I thought the jagged glitter bits were feather-like and would add a complimentary element of interest to this look.

I so grew to love this manicure- honestly!!!  With schoolwork now at the forefront, the demands of life (did I mention we put up a whole new deck last week?…), Olivia joining a soccer league, and wanting to really get the most of Grandma’s visit I have sort of forgotten about my nails… They in turn have started to rebel, chip and split… so they are at their ‘short-er’ side, and yet, this manicure made me so happy.

PSSST, I thought I would pass this on (as a fellow reader shared with me): PUEEN plates are now available through Big Cartel and they ship to the US, Australia, UK, and “Elsewhere”

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What do you think of this owl look?

Though I jumped on this challenge, a few of you have asked me to test-try other PUEEN images and to put together a skittlette how-to mini-tutorial… all those requests are coming up in the near future *I promise… I’m just slow going sometimes*… I also have all of those lovely OPI San Francisco collection shades to swatch for you *phew*

Wow… this feels like a chatty post from me!  Thanks for sticking through it

THANK YOU FOR READING!

In yesterday’s post I showed you piCture pOlish Mellow Yellow.  In today’s post I hope to turn this soft buttermilk polish into a delicate background for some abstract BRIGHT chrome nail foils from the BornPrettyStore.com!

(coupon code: MARTAK31 will save you 10% off of your entire BornPrettyStore online purchase)

The BornPrettyStore is really your one-stop-shop for all nail art accessories.  They have studs and decals, gemstones and polish, dotting tools and feathers, sequins and stickers… you get the point.  They have recently added nail foils to their stock

For today’s manicure I used a rainbow colored metallic chrome nail foil (#23) and a holo-geo red nail foil (#15).

Each nail foil retails separately (be sure to specify which pattern/color you would like at checkout) for $2.99 (FREE International Shipping).  You get a 113cm(length) by 2.5(width) roll of nail foil… that is a lifetime supply, lol… honestly, I used a 1.5 cm strip for all five nails.

How to use:
1. For best results pre-cut a piece of foil about four times the size of your nail.  You will be able to re-use this foil for consecutive nails but dabbing ‘unused’ portions of the foil onto your nail. Do this BEFORE you paint your nails- that way you are not putting dings in a fresh manicure.

2. Apply your first coat of nail polish and wait for it to dry; apply the second coat of polish and wait for it to dry (not totally dry though, a gentle fingerprint should be left on the nails when you press your finger on the nail).  IN THIS CASE: I applied the second coat of polish to random spots on the nail (NOT the full nail, to create this blotchy look).

3. Press foil, shiny side up (design/color pattern up), onto the nail and press down using your finger Different colors of foils can mixed on the nails

4. Remove the foil and the foil pattern should stick to your nail.  If a bit is missing, just apply a small bit of top coat to the part that did not take and repeat to step 3

5. Though the website suggests adding a topcoat, I have found that my topcoat really wrinkle the foil reducing the highly mirror-like chrome-ness.  Therefore, I wear the foil as-is (please note: without topcoat, the foil will show wear within a day or two)

I really like how this turned out.  I have seen the foils used over a black/dark base creating a lovely stained-glass look- but I kind of like them over this soft pastel for an abstract-look that juxtaposes  soft and vibrant.

The foils really are so shiny and metallic

You can get your nail-foils from the BornPrettyStore HERE. (remember to use coupon code MARTAK31 for 10% off of your entire purchase).

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Have you played with Nail Foils before?  Do you have any helpful tips/tricks?

I hope you ALL have a WONDERFUL weekend!

THANK YOU FOR READING!

* product sent for honest review *

After a few rainy days and super cold weather (especially for mid May) I am ready for some fun pastels again.  Today I have a lovely yellow for to show you:

piCture pOlish – Mellow Yellow:

piCture pOlish Mellow Yellow is a pastel warm-toned buttermilk yellow cream polish.  Yellows, and some soft pastels tend to have dreadful formulas … but NOT this one.  This is two smooth coats!

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Though I don’t wear yellows often, I am happy to finally have a soft yellow polish was an easy formula in my collection.  I am itching to try some floral looks with this one (maybe give the freehand roses one more spin)… soon.

While today’s post is simply swatches of this Mellow Yellow… I did create a fun look for tomorrow’s post!!!

Want a hint of what’s to come?  Here is a photo

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piCture pOlish is an Australian brand and can be purchased online HERE (pssst, they ship internationally).  OR check out their International Network page for possible online resellers in YOUR country (for a direct link click HERE… did I mention that Harlow & Co carries loads of piCture pOlish shades?… at this point in time, Mellow Yellow is not one of them though).

You can also find piCture pOlish on:

Facebook

 Twitter

 Instagram (@piCturepOlish)

 Pinterest

 * * * *

What do you think of Mellow Yellow?  Do you wear yellow shades a lot?

If so, do you reach for bright yellows or soft yellows more frequently?

THANK YOU FOR READING!

* product sent for honest-review consideration *

Today I would like to review some rectangular matte gold studs from KKCenterHk.

(remember to use coupon code “CHITCHAT” for 10% off of your entire KKCenterHk purchase)

There is something really edgy about adding a stud to a manicure… especially a metallic gold/silver one.  It is even lovelier when a larger stud (4mm x 2mm) is flat enough to not be too cumbersome to wear … a statement without much fuss.

(source: KKCenterHk: N.NAIL Studs Rectangle Matte Gold 4mmX2mm Nail Art Decorations [NNAIL-DRN654)

While you may use nail-art glue to help hold the studs in place, this is not necessary.  I apply my studs to a semi-dry second coat of polish.  While the polish is still a bit tacky I press the stud into the polish; I then cover the nail with topcoat (working the topcoat around the edges of the stud).

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To create this look I painted most of my nails with OPI Red Lights Ahead…Where?  My pinky and ring finger are Essie Mint Candy Apple.
I then added some gold foil to my pinky (KKCenterHk now carries nail foils as well! The selection can be found HERE).

Though pastel shades are my passion, I was so craving a bright and bold polish- I couldn’t resist going with a more vibrant mixture of shades for this manicure. 

You can get a package of these studs from KKCenterHk HERE; remember to use coupon code “CHITCHAT” for 10% off of your entire purchase.

Have you played with nail studs yet?

What is YOUR favorite stud shape?

THANK YOU FOR READING!

* product sent for honest-review consideration *

Another gorgeous start to the week.  Today I want to show you a manicure that I wore to pick up my Grandma from the airport at the end of April… honestly, it feels like just yesterday that she came to visit, and already -in one week’s time- we will have to say our farewells.

(I will also be announcing the two winners from the Fake Tattoo giveaway at the end of this post)

You may not believe this, but I have been such a good girl when it comes to  refraining from purchasing polish; I have been re-visiting some of my favourite shades instead.

In fact, aside from Lush Lacquer’s Clowning Around (still in the mail) and today’s feature polish, I have NOT purchased any other polish this year!!!! *gasp, I know!*

After looong hhhhming and hummmming I finally bit the bullet and bought a bottle of Essie Mint Candy Apple

Mint Candy Apple is a pastel turquoise shade… a tiny bit of minty green, but against my skin-tone it leans more turquoise/baby blue.

This new-to-me Essie polish was the starting point for this skittlette manicure.  My pointer finger and thumb were two coats of Barielle One Shade of Gray. I stamped the middle finger with Konad-s6.

I used a Fake Tattoo from the Hearts & Bows design set to create the heart on the ring finger.

I layered two shades on my pinky… the layering was actually a last minute experiment that turned out so well that I will NEED to revisit this pairing again.

This is two coats of NOPI Luke of the Draw and Cirque XX… honestly, EVERYONE and their neighbour needs to own a bottle of XX (everyone!!!)

Now, without further ado, here are the two lucky winners in the Fake Tattoos contest (winners were randomly chosen by a WordPress plugin):

Congratulations Jennifer A and Precious Pearl!!!  Thank you to everyone who took part in this mini-giveaway.

The winners have already been notified via email.

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I hope you liked today’s skittlette manicure?

Do you layer glitter often?  What is your favourite glitter layering combo?

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Hello Lovely Ladies,

 You might remember my recent PUEEN plate set review… well PUEEN has come up with a new 24 plate set and I am soooo excited to review it here for you!  Whereas their previous set of plates was predominantly geometric-shapes, this LOVE ELEMENTS collection has a more romantic, softer, floral collection of designs

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PUEEN-33

(caution, this post will be photo heavy BUT there are closeups of each individual plate)

The set of Love Elements plates comes with a cute faux-leather storage carry-case:

The storage sleeves fan out so that each plate can be quickly and easily accessed.

Even if you already have a working storage solution for your stamping plates, this storage case would be IDEAL for traveling!

Each plate has a blue protective shield that is easily removed.  Each plate also has a protective backing and smooth plate edges.

EDIT: All of the full-nail plate images are larger and wider than those of BM set 2 and BM set 3 or Konad.

Here are the plates in order:

I really like the damask-like images on this plate

Check out these lace roses!

Damask and dainty

This bow is so cartoon-cute looking, and check out the center-top image!  So pretty!

These would look great in bold color combos!

I can see myself playing with these designs and adding some glitter/glequins

The image on the right has captured my heart

I actually really like all of the images on this plate!

I really like the smaller images on this plate- I can see the floral designs over a gradient

Look at all the pretty ‘heart’ choices

This is such a fun geo-plate, thrown in the mix

I can see the swirl image on the left being a favourite for many

No surprise that I LOVE the image on the left AND

recently, a friend asked me if I knew of a ‘car’ stamp… here it is Elizabeth!

Look at all the gorgeous butterflies and spring/summer designs on this plate!

“OWL!” need I say more?

ok… I will… I actually really like the top image as well!

More AMAZING heart images!

Love the bottom image

I really like the double hearts and the image on the left

I know many of you LOVE star images… choose you favourte!

My eyes are on the lovely image on the right!

I think the TOP and BOTTOM images will be really fun to play with!

Swirls and lovely soft images- so so soooo pretty

Check out the little bird, the roses and the TOP image. Honestly now, how does one even choose!?

Left, Bottom and Right… yup, a few more geo images…

I really like the smaller images on this plate.

This is the look I created using PUEEN-33:

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For my base I used Cult Nails Faded.  The pinky is China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy.  The ring finger is OPI Solitaire.

I also mattified the stamping using OPI Matte Topcoat.

I really like the delicate and ‘romatic’ designs in this set of plates.

The PUEEN LOVE ELEMENTS 24-plate set can be purchased on Amazon.com HERE, for $18.99!

PUEEN has quickly risen to the top of my favourite stamping brands list.  The images transfer easily, create crisp results and the designs are innovative and day-to-day wear friendly.

Two thumbs up from me

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What do you think of this set of plates?

Any images you’d like me to try first?

THANK YOU FOR READING!

* product sent for honest-review consideration *

]]> http://www.chitchatnails.com/2013/05/10/pueen-love-elements-full-review/feed/ 47 http://www.chitchatnails.com/2013/05/09/picture-polish-peaches-n-cream/ http://www.chitchatnails.com/2013/05/09/picture-polish-peaches-n-cream/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 04:05:38 +0000 marta http://www.chitchatnails.com/?p=8825 Hello Lovely Ladies,

It is no secret that I get all giddy around a peach cream polish… I swear, if someone was bored enough to study my pupil size, I bet they dialate to record size   While I am trying to keep my personal nail polish collection away from having too many dupes, there is one shade that I will hoard- and that is soft cream peach shades

Today I would like to show you the very very VERY lovely piCture pOlish Peaches n’ Cream:

(this look is fully inspired by the talented Michelle from Michelle in Wonderland)

(three coats)

piCture pOlish Peaches n’ Cream is a soft pink/peach cream polish… not too orange… not too pink- just right!

I have come to expect the formula for soft peachy shades to be tricky.  While piCture pOlish continues to create lovely shades with great formula, this one did requite three coats.  BUT, it is so worth the third coat as the finished look is super glossy rather than ‘chalky’.

I already mentioned Michelle as the source of my inspiration for this look.  I loved her manicure and knew that I would have to recreate it with Peaches n’ Cream

The accent nail and heart were both created with OPI’s upcoming Fall 2013 Liquid Sand Alcatraz…Rocks.

(the heart was done freehand)

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piCture pOlish is an Australian brand and can be purchased online HERE (pssst, they ship internationally).  OR check out their International Network page for possible online resellers in YOUR country (for a direct link click HERE… did I mention that Harlow & Co carries loads of piCture pOlish shades?… at this point in time, Peaches n’ Cream is not one of them though).

You can also find piCture pOlish on:

Facebook

 Twitter

 Instagram (@piCturepOlish)

 Pinterest

 * * * *

What do you think of Peaches n’ Cream?  Do you love soft peachy shades as much as I do?

What shade can YOU never get enough of?

THANK YOU FOR READING!

ps… today is the last day to enter my current Nail Tattoos GIVEAWAY.

* product sent for honest-review consideration *

Hello Lovely Ladies,

This mid-week post is dedicated to a few swatches from my Amiga’s newest collection: Colores de Carol The Mother’s Day shades.  Carolina is a mommy of two handsome young men herself, and it is evident that a lot of thought and love was poured into this collection.

This collection has four lovely glitter shades -with sweet and sentimental names- perfect for any Mother, or as a special treat for yourself

(Use coupon code: CHITCHAT at checkout for 10% off)

* I wish to apologize that today’s post only includes swatches- no nailart- but I am just getting the feel of being back-in-school and simply ran out of time … Carolina, and these lovely shades deserve more… I just ran out of time *

Unconditional Love is a medium pink crelly base (creme/jelly) with small rectangle white glitter, fuchsia dots, bright red bar glitter and matte white glitter in different shapes and sizes:

(two coats)

I really like the dusty rose pink base of this polish and the sparse mixture of soft glitter- this is a very flattering shade of pink with just the right amount of glitter to spruce it up.

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A Mother’s Bond is a light blue crelly base (creme/jelly) with peach shimmer in it, square hot pink glitter, ocean blue large dots and blue mini dots, this also has mini lime green holographic glitter.

(three coats)

You all know how much I love soft blues, and the addition of bright and neon chunky glitter is right up my alley.

Though the soft duochrom shimmer did not photograph well for me, it is very striking in person.  This one is my personal favorite from this collection. 

* * * *

A Mother’s Love is a lavender crelly base (creme/jelly) with blue shimmer in it, periwinkle micro glitter, white hexagonal glitter and pink dots.

(three coats)

I really like how the metallic blue small glitter mixes with the chunkier matte white glitter and the pale-rose glitter.  This is a surprisingly soft and femine shade with a fun twist.

* * * *

Lovely Pink is a white jelly base with purple, red, pink and white glitter in different shapes and sizes, iridescent micro glitter and light pink stars.

(three coats)

The base of this polish is an ever-so-soft pale pink with red and lavender glitter as well as irregular silver glitter;  I just love the silver bits peeking through for that edgy element of interest.

* * * *

I hope you liked these Mother’s Day Collection Colores de Carol shades.  These are hand mixed/created by my dearest friend and very talented fellow blogger, Carolina from ColoresdeCarol.com.  I have the utmost respect for Carolina, who is a creative and talented blogger and who is now expanding her talent into making polish.

My friend was also super sweet to include a coupon code for me to share with YOU!  Use coupon code: CHITCHAT at checkout for 10% off

Isn’t it so lovely to have a full collection dedicated to all of the Mothers?  I really like the thoughtful names for the shades.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

* products sent for honest-review consideration *
For my previous Colores de Carol swatches, click HERE.