Nail Polish Wars

Storm Clouds

2015-12-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! We had a lot of rain several weeks ago, so I decided on some storm cloud nails to match.

I started with two coats of OPI Non-Stop White, followed by one coat of SV.

I used my navy blue, medium blue, cobalt blue, and light purple sharpies with rubbing alcohol for the cloud effect. I topped it with one coat of Northern Lights Holographic Top Coat, followed by one coat of SV.

I really liked the end result!!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Dreamy Pastel

2015-12-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I know I've been on blogger vacation mode for a while. So much has been going on in my little corner of the world. But, I have of course still been doing some nail art, so now it's time to catch up on everything!

I started off with two coats of OPI Eternally Turquoise, followed by one coat of SV. Using my lilac, medium blue, and mint sharpies with rubbing alcohol, I added a soft pastel blend.

For a little something extra, I paired A England Excalibur Renaissance with a couple of my stamping plates - I honestly cannot remember which ones I used for this!! I'll update as soon as I find them! I finished with one coat of SV.

I really loved the way that this turned out! It's such a sweet look and was so much fun to wear!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Tie Dye Marble

2015-09-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I have been dying to try the OPI Color Paints in a water marble, and they did not disappoint! These really made water marbling a total breeze!

I started off with two coats of OPI Silver Canvas, followed by one coat of SV.

For my marbling shades, I used OPI Magenta Muse, Chromatic Orange, Primarily Yellow, Landscape Artist, Turquoise Aesthetic, and Purple Perspective. I finished with one coat of SV.

I just love the end result! It reminds me of a tie dye rainbow! I'll definitely be using these in a water marble again soon - they're just too much fun!!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Trifecta

2015-09-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I was so excited to do this mani, because it kind of made me feel like an idiot. I have been searching for the Salon Perfect dupe of the original China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, because, like moron, I didn't get a back up bottle. So weeks and weeks go by, and they're sold out everywhere I go. Aaaaaaand then I re-organize the Mecca, and realize I already have it. Way to go, Nicole.

I started off with two coats of Salon Perfect Flamingo Flair on my index and pinky fingers, two coats of KBShimmer Alloy Matey! on my middle finger, and two coats of KBShimmer Eyes White Open on my ring finger, followed by one coat of SV.

I applied some chevron vinyls to the ring finger, and filled in the space with Flamingo Flair and KBShimmer Eclipse. I added one coat of Northern Lights Holographic Top Coat, and followed with one coat of SV. For a little boost, I added tiny polka dots over Flamingo Flair with Color Club Harp On It. I finished with one coat of SV.

I am just crazy about this shade, but man alive is it hard to photograph!!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

What's Your Sign?

2015-09-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! While I'll have collection swatches up soon, I just could not wait to get this beauty on my nails. I started to use it in a galaxy mani, but then I realized it didn't need anything else. It's a galaxy all on its own.

I started off with two coats of KBShimmer Carpe Denim, followed by one coat of SV. Can you believe how gorgeous this shade is?!? OMG!!!!

Using my calligraphy pen with white art ink, I penned the outline of the zodiac constellations. For detail, I paired KBShimmer Eyes White Open with my dotting tool and added the stars. I finished with one coat of SV.

I just love the end result! I cannot stop staring at this gorgeous shade!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Sandy Beaches

2015-08-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I went with this mani just before heading off to the beach. This one actually took a little bit of time.

I started off with two coats of Color Club Macaroon Swoon, followed by one coat of SV. Using a damp wedge sponge, I applied a gradient using Color Club Macaroon Swoon, Color Club In De-Nile, and KBShimmer Sky Jinks, followed by one coat of SV.

To add some depth and detail, I added some splotches with a light and medium blue Sharpie, and blotted it with a flat detail brush dipped in alcohol. For some water ripples and sea foam, I used my calligraphy pen with a soft white art ink. To finish off the sand, I lightly dabbed on some colorless micro glitter. I finished with one coat of SV.

I love the end result! It was nice to be able to spend a good bit of time on a mani for a change!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Petals in the Water

2015-08-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I have another Sharpie look up today - this technique is so much fun to do!

I started off with two coats of OPI Glints of Glinda, followed by one coat of SV.

I created some floral shaped patches on my nails with light purple and magenta Sharpies, and filled in the open space with light blue and mint Sharpies. I used a flat detail brush dipped in alcohol and blotted the nail. I finished with one coat of SV.

I really love the end result!!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Constellation Gradient

2015-08-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Today I had some fun with the OPI Color Paints Collection!

I started off with two coats of OPI Silver Canvas, followed by one coat of SV.

Using a damp wedge sponge, I added a full spectrum gradient using all of the Color Paints shades in order: Magenta Muse, Chromatic Orange, Primarily Yellow, Landscape Artist, Turquoise Aesthetic, Indigo Motif, Purple Perspective, and Pen & Pink. For something extra, I paired my Messy Mansion Plate MM33 with A England Excalibur Renaissance to add the constellation pattern. I finished with one coat of SV.

I love how well the colors paints work for gradients!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Tortoise Shells

2015-08-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I have my take on a tortoise shell look today!

I started with two coats of OPI Bubble Bath, followed by one coat of SV.

Next, I used Sharpies to colors splotches all over my nail. The colors I picked were yellow, black, brown, and grey. After coloring the entire nail, I used a detail brush dipped in alcohol and lightly blotted it across the nail to bleed the colors. I finished with one coat of SV.

I love the end result! I may be a little addicted to the Sharpie technique now!!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Smoke in the Air

2015-08-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I have no idea why I put off doing smoke nails for so long! I just love them!

I started off with two coats of KBShimmer Eclipse, followed by one coat of SV.

Using a small detail brush, I added a few small random stripes of OPI Damone Roberts 1968. While the stripes were still fresh, I used a flat detail brush dipped in acetone and lightly dabbed the stripes. I finished with one coat of SV.

Thanks so much to the awesome Sarah at Chalkboard Nails for her tutorial on this!!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Moon Jellyfish

2015-08-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Today I have my own take on the nimbus technique!

I started with two coats of Color Club In De-Nile, followed by one coat of SV.

Next, I lightly watered down a few drops of white acrylic paint and then added a drop of red alcohol ink and mixed it together. Using a small detail brush, I picked up a bit of the paint and ink mixture and placed thick dots of it onto the nail. Once I had all the dots on one nail, I used a separate detail brush to pick up the excess moisture. I repeated this step with my other inks to add different colors. I finished with one coat of SV.

I just loved creating this mani! It was so much fun finding a new way to utilize the alcohol inks!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

I'm Back!!!

2015-08-14T08:39:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone!!! Wow - what a crazy summer it has been! I'm so sorry to have taken such a long break, but it had to be done. I was so busy finishing school, and had a few vacations thrown into the mix as well. I graduated in the end of July - YAY! - and took my state board exams in the beginning of August, and passed with flying colors - double YAY! So now I'm officially a licensed nail tech, which is just awesome!

Moving forward, Nail Polish Wars will continue, but things will be a little bit different. I can't guarantee that I'll still be able to post Monday through Saturday which was the norm for quiiiiiiite some time. Swatch requests will only be reserved for select brands, but the nail art will of course continue! The reasoning behind that is this: I'm currently looking for a full time position in a salon! Crazy awesome, right?! Additionally, I'll be able to go back to school part time in six months to obtain my instructor's license. So, with that filling a good bit of my time, my full devotion to Nail Polish Wars will take a bit of a backseat - but you know I'm not walking out of my house without full nail art, so I'll always have plenty of that for you!

I have oodles of manis just begging to be posted from the past few months, so I'll start getting those up lickity split for you! I'm so excited to be back and for you to see some of the mani fun I've had this summer. I've missed blogging so much! And thank you so much to the tons of emails and messages I've received from so many of you checking on me and begging to know when I'd be back with new manis! Y'all are amazing!!!

Happy Painting!!

Spotted Frog

2015-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone!! I went for a spotted frog inspired look today!

I started with two coats of China Glaze Grass is Lime Greener, followed by one coat of SV. Using a wedge sponge, I applied a gradient with Grass is Lime Greener and China Glaze Wait n' Sea.

I wanted to add a blobbicure, but I really wanted the blobs to stay small and a little more spaced out. I added one coat of SV and immediately added my blobs with a dotting tool and China Glaze Giver's Theme. I finished with one last coat of SV.

I really loved wearing the final look! I hope you enjoyed!

Happy Painting!

Cirque Colors - Metropolis Collection Additions Swatch & Review

2015-05-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I have two of the newer additions to the Metropolis Collection from Cirque Colors for you today!

Hudson

Hudson is a periwinkle creme. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. I am such a sucker for periwinkles, and this is such a perfect one!

Shown is two coats of Hudson.

Lady Liberty

Lady Liberty is a medium aqua creme. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. I am just mad for this shade!!! It's just beautiful!

Shown is two coats of Lady Liberty.

You can find these and other great Cirque Colors shades at their storefront here, and be sure to check them out on Facebook for all of their latest updates and collections.

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

*Products provided for the purpose of an honest review*

Electric Spray Marble

2015-05-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! It's been way too long since I rocked a fun spray marble, so here's today's look!

I started off with two coats of China Glaze Wanderlust, followed by one coat of SV.

I added a couple of drops of China Glaze DJ Blue my Mind to my water surface, and sprayed it with alcohol, and dipped my nail. I repeated this step with China Glaze Plur-ple and China Glaze Red-y to Rave. I finished with one coat of SV.

I really love the end result! The slight shimmer in Wanderlust really helped to mute the look a little, which I really like.

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Hard Candy - 20th Anniversary Collection Swatch & Review

2015-05-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! I am about to seriously age myself, but screw it. Hard Candy polish was such a HUGE part of my youth, and I still love them to this day. So when I saw the new 20th Anniversary Collection, featuring reboots of some of my faves, I knew I had to have them all! Plus, the original jelly rings are back too! From what I've heard, stock has been rather limited and full collections have been hard to come by - so get your butt out there and find them!!!

Claws Up!

Claws Up! is a soft tan creme with a slight shimmer. The formula was rich and easy to apply. I really like this nude shade. It works with my skin tone, and still has a bit of an edge to it.

Shown is two coats of Claws Up!.

Coconut

Coconut is a white creme with a soft iridescent shimmer that flashes from purple to blue. The formula was rich and easy to apply. I really like this white. It's so crisp.

Shown is three coats of Coconut.

Girlie

Girlie is a medium pink creme with a soft violet shimmer. The formula was rich and easy to apply. I liked this one more than I thought I would. It's a lot of fun to wear.

Shown is two coats of Girlie.

Mint

Mint is a mint green creme with a soft mint shimmer. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. This is such a perfect mint!! I love it!

Shown is three coats of Mint.

Scam

Scam is a red-violet crelly with a bold shifting shimmer that flashes purple and blue. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. This shade is magnificent!!!

Shown is two coats of Scam.

Sky

Sky is a pale blue creme with a soft blue shimmer. The formula was rich and easy to apply. This was the very first Hard Candy shade that I ever owned - and I'm still just crazy about it!

Shown is two coats of Sky.

Tangerini

Tangerini is a coral crelly that leans orange ... so, I guess you could call it an oral. Huh. Probably shouldn't have said that. Oh well. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. This is such a spectacular pop color!

Shown is two coats of Tangerini.

Zombie

Zombie is a blackened plum with a bold red-violet shimmer. The formula was, well, amazing. It is a PERFECT one coater, so I did test it and it stamps beautifully!! I am madly in love with this shade!!

Shown is one coat of Zombie.

You can find the 20th Anniversary Collection and other great Hard Candy products at these locations. Good luck in finding them!! I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Dance Legend - Malibu Collection Swatch & Review

2015-05-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I have a couple of shades from the Malibu Collection from Dance Legend for you today!

Humaliwo

Humaliwo is a soft mint crelly with multi-sized hexes in purple and green. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. I just love everything about this shade!!

Shown is two coats of Humaliwo.

Pina Colada

Pina Colada is a peach crelly with orange squares, pink hexes, and yellow micro hexes. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. This is such a sweet shade!

Shown is two coats of Pina Colada.

You can find these and other great Dance Legend shades at their storefront here, and be sure to check them out on Facebook for all of their latest collections and updates.

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

*Products provided for the purpose of an honest review*

Ciaté - Geltox Starter Kit Review

2015-05-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! Today I have something completely out of the norm for Nail Polish Wars ... a gel system. I know, calm down. The Ciaté Geltox Starter Kit is designed to turn any mani into a gel mani, so I was really curious about it. I started off with a basic polka dot design, and then had some fun with it!

The Geltox Starter Kit Contains:

Geltox top coat, Pre-timed LED Lamp, Hoof Stick, Geltox Cleanser, and 4-way buffer

I started off with two coats of OPI That's Hula-rious and two coats of China Glaze Boho Blues on my ring fingers. I followed with one coat of SV. I added a polka dot design in the corresponding colors, and added a second coat of SV.

Following the kit's instructions, I waited 30 minutes to let my mani set. Then I added one coat of Geltox top coat, and placed a small rhinestone on each nail. I then placed my hand under the pre-timed 60 second LED lamp. I used a cotton pad with the Geltox Cleanser to remove the slight tacky layer from my nail, and they were done!

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed using this system. My rhinestones held strong throughout the life of my mani. I did notice a difference in thickness while wearing this, but it was nothing too difficult to get used to. I wore this for a week solid - which is kind of a crazy amount of time for me. I did have some lifting in a few areas, but easily fixed them with a bit of base coat.

You can find the Ciaté Geltox Starter Kit at their storefront here, and be sure to check them out on Facebook for all of their latest releases and updates.

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

*Products provided for the purpose of an honest review*

A England - The Blessed Damozel Swatch & Review

2015-04-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! I have The Blessed Damozel from A England for you today!

The Blessed Damozel is a deep purple with a strong shimmer. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. Shown is two coats of The Blessed Damozel.

I cannot sing the praises of this shade enough! Everything about it is absolutely stunning!

You can find The Blessed Damozel and other amazing A England shades at their storefront here, and be sure to check them out on Facebook for all of their latest updates and collections.

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

*Products provided for the purpose of an honest review*

Scofflaw Nail Varnish - Mini Spring 2015 Collection Swatch & Review

2015-04-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I have the new Mini Spring 2015 Collection from Scofflaw Nail Varnish for you today! These awesomely fun neons will be available on May 1st.

Geriatric Lolita

Geriatric Lolita is a neon coral with a golden green shimmer and purple shifting iridescent micro flakes. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. I love the boldness of this shade!!

Shown is two coats of Geriatric Lolita.

Hack the Planet!

Hack the Planet! is a neon green loaded with multi-sized hexes in white, black, and grey, as well as a soft gold glass fleck shimmer. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. This is such a fun shade to wear!

Shown is two coats of Hack the Planet!.

Pink Elephants on Parade

Pink Elephants on Parade is a neon pink loaded with copper and magenta micro hexes with a copper shimmer. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. I just adore this shade! It's super juicy!

Shown is two coats of Pink Elephants on Parade.

Subterranean Homesick Alien

Subterranean Homesick Alien is a neon blue with iridescent micro flakes and a scattered holographic shimmer. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. How fab is this shade?!

Shown is two coats of Subterranean Homesick Alien.

This collection will be available on May 1st at the Scofflaw Nail Varnish storefront here, and be sure to check them out on Facebook for all of their latest collections and updates.

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

*Products provided for the purpose of an honest review*

Stressed Sunset

2015-04-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Okay, I promise I'll try to stop using alcohol inks so often ... well, I'll try to try, but they're just so much fun!!!

I started off with two coats of Color Club Look Don't Tusk, followed by one coat of SV.

Using this method, I created my marble look with two of my alcohol inks, Watermelon and Sunset Orange. I added a distressed look by dry brushing on OPI Love.Angel.Music.Baby and OPI Black Onyx. I finished with one coat of SV.

I love how juicy this is!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Cherry Blossom Branches

2015-04-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I wanted to go with my own take on cherry blossom branches, so here's what I came up with!

I started off with two coats of China Glaze My Way or the Highway, followed by one coat of SV.

I used my striping brush with Cirque Colors Memento Mori for some thin branches. For the blossoms, I used my dotting tools with OPI Mod About You and OPI Hey Baby. I finished with one coat of SV.

I really love the final look! It is so much fun to wear and just super vibrant!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Anemone on Acid

2015-03-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I realize I've been on a little bit of a blogger break lately. I've had some pretty big chapters to cover in school, and things have been pretty busy all around. But, it's definitely time to get back to it now!

I started off with one coat of KBShimmer Eyes White Open, followed by one coat of SV. Using the same method I described here, I created a blended marble look with two of my alcohol inks, Citrus and Sail Boat Blue.

For the anemone look, I paired A England Renaissance with Born Pretty plate BP L-008. Then I added some dotting details with KBShimmer Eclipse. I finished with one coat of SV.

I really love the end result!

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

Harley Quinn

2015-03-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Anyone who knows me knows that I love anything Cheshire Cat, Princess Luna, and Harley Quinn. One of my nearest & dearest gave me this adorable Harley for Christmas, so I just had to do a matching mani!!

I started off with two coats of Cirque Colors The Devil Wears Cirque, and two coats of KBShimmer Eyes White Open on my ring finger, followed by one coat of SV.

For the diamond patterns on Harley's costume, I used my striping tape on my index and pinky fingers, and added one coat of KBShimmer Eclipse. For my middle finger, I used scotch tape for the color block look.

For my ring finger, I placed my striping tape in a diamond pattern, and carefully dotted KBShimmer Eclipse and Jade Vermelho Surreal. I placed red glequins in between the diamonds. I finished with one coat of SV.

I just love the final look! I like how well it matches my little Harley!

I hope you enjoy! Happy Painting!

LAQA & Co. Swatch & Review

2015-03-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I have some shades from LAQA & Co. for you today!

Chuffed

Chuffed is a lavender creme. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. I loved this shade immediately! It's just beautiful!

Shown is two coats of Chuffed.

Dust to Dust

Dust to Dust is a pale grey creme with a soft shimmer. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. I really like this shade a lot! It has a great ghostly quality to it!

Shown is two coats of Dust to Dust.

Gold Fleck Manicure Duo

Gremlin & Gold Fleck

The Gold Fleck Manicure Duo is a double ended set with Gremlin, a medium teal creme, and Gold Fleck, a clear coat loaded with gold shreds. The formula for Gremlin was smooth and easy to apply. Gold Fleck was relatively easy to apply, but the shreds did try to jab into the Gremlin a bit, even after a few minutes of dry time between coats. I really like the look of these two together.

Shown is one coat of Gold Fleck over two coats of Gremlin.

Gryffandor

Gryffandor is a light coral-toned pink crelly. The formula was smooth and easy to apply, but was a bit on the sheer side, even for a crelly. I do love this shade though! It's really feminine.

Shown is three coats of Gryffandor.

Hunky Dory

Hunky Dory is a periwinkle creme with a soft shimmer. The formula was smooth and easy to apply. I absolutely adore this shade! The light shimmer is really nice!

Shown is two coats of Hunky Dory.

Tuxedo Manicure Duo

Black Gloss & Black Matte

The Tuxedo Manicure Duo is a double ended set with Black Gloss and Black Matte. The formula for both of these made for an easy application, but Black Matte could have been a little more mattified.

Shown is two coats of Black Matte on my ring & index finger, and two coats of Black Gloss on my pinky & middle finger.

You can find these and other LAQA & Co. shades at their storefront here, and be sure to check them out on Facebook for all of their latest updates and collections.

I hope you enjoyed! Happy Painting!

*Products provided for the purpose of an honest review*