Nails
You know how certain colors can evoke a certain mood or memory? Believe it or not, nails are the perfect canvas to paint those happy colors and you can enjoy them all day long! Below you’ll find some of the best nail polish colors that I’ve been wearing and maybe you’ll see something that you like too! I’m pretty brand loyal to Essie and OPI but am open to others if I happen to fall in love with a new nail polish color. :) We’ll talk about the best nail polish brands, acrylic nails, pretty nail design & tips for painting nails.
26 Nail Polish Reviews since 2010
Spring Summer Trend – White Nails
I remember those days in middle school when girls would paint their nails with white-out during class out of boredom. It wasn’t very attractive back then but something about the white nail trend for this Spring/Summer has me drooling!
Source: carriebradshawlied.com via Soo on Pinterest
Source: solecityusa.tumblr.com via Soo on Pinterest
I love the way it makes your hands (and feet) look so crisp and clean! I’ve been staying away from nail polish minus getting Shellac done once for my birthday but I’m really tempted to try this out!
One important detail I noticed while looking through some white nails photos on Pinterest was that I only like the white polish on short nails. I personally find the long white nails a bit scary.
Here are some different brands to try out! I believe all 3 of these brands are 3-free too so safe for pregnant women. 
China Glaze White Out
OPI Alpine Snow
Essie Marshmallow
What do you think about the white nails trend? Do you have a favorite white nail polish?
Let me know in the comments below!
Wishing you a beautyfull Thursday!
Christmas Sparkle Nails Tutorial
Check out my Christmas sparkle nails! I love it so much I can’t stop looking at my nails, haha. If you’ve been on Pinterest then you’ve probably seen nails like this before. Here’s how I created the look!
This is what I used to create the look. From left to right: O.P.I Natural Nail Base Coat, Seche Vite Top Coat, Essie Head Mistress, Sephora by OPI Look Like Rain Dear and Sephora by OPI Only Gold for Me Top Coat.
So first paint your nails like usual with a base coat and a couple coats of color. I love the gold sparkles on top of red for the Christmas season so I chose to use Essie Head Mistress. But any old red color (or any other color of your choice) will do! :]
Now the fun begins! Apply Sephora by OPI Only Gold for Me top coat from the top of your nails (nailbed) to about halfway down. You might want to apply a couple layers to get some more glitter on there. I found it a bit hard to getting the bigger glitter pieces on so it may take some time and patience.
You can stop here if you like the light sprinkles of glitter. If you want a bit more holiday oomph add Sephora by OPI Looks like Rain Dear to the top 1/4 to 1/3 of your nails. Key tip: keep the application very very VERY light! This nail polish is naturally very opaque so to create a nice gradient you’ll need a super super light application.
Once you’re happy with the glitter application, finish off with a layer of Seche Vite (or any) top coat! And viola~ you’re done!
What do you think? I love it! It actually looks even prettier in person. I’ll definitely be keeping my nails this way through Christmas!
Give it a go and let me know how you like it!
Wishing you a BEAUTYFULL Monday!
Modi Glam Nails Review – Rockstar and Boy’s Jean
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Hubs and I are both so exhausted. Hubs from battling his crazy cold and me from taking care of him and trying not to get sick in the process. In the midst of the million cups of tea I’ve brewed I took a few minutes to try out the Korean nail polish MODI Glam Nails. My little sis-in-law bought me a handful a while back and I decided to try out Rockstar and Boy’s Jean today.
So those names are actually translated from Korean. I’m quite positive that the silver and blue confetti-filled polish is called Rock Star but the gray-blue polish I’m not so sure… It sounds like bo-ee-seu-jin which I have guessed might be Boy’s Jean??? hahaha It does look like a denim color, right?
MODI Glam Nails in Boy’s Jean is a gray-blue shade. The formula builds nicely so you’re fine with just 2 coats. I also liked the applicator brush. It was quite easy getting the corner edges of my nails. Also the formula isn’t too thick nor is it runny.
MODI Glam Nails in Rockstar is really pretty in the bottle. It’s a ton of silver and blue confetti in round shapes and also slim confetti stick pieces floating around in clear polish. While it’s beautiful in the bottle, it was hard actually applying it to my nails. You really have to work at placing the confetti in the place that you want it. Because some nails ended up with only a few, I decided to put on another coat and then ended up with big globs of confetti.
What do you think of the look? It might be because I’m surrounded by blueish gray skies everyday lately… but I’m just not feeling this combo today. I think I’m wanting something brighter and more festive for the Christmas season. Perhaps red nails with gold glitter? Anyway, the next time I use MODI Glam Nails in Rockstar, I want to try it with a much darker bottom coat. And MODI Glam Nails in Boy’s Jean will have to wait until the beginning of next fall when I’m actually looking forward to the colder weather.
On a different note, are you going to watch the Victoria’s Secret fashion show tonight? Last year’s was pretty fun so I’m contemplating on watching it… or I might just take a nap/sleep early. :]
Wishing you a BEAUTYFULL Tuesday!
OPI We’ll Always Have Paris Nail Polish Swatch and Review
Hey everyone!
Don’t you love it when you discover a new favorite amongst the things that you already own? That’s how I’ve been feeling lately. For one, I’ve been reaching for Lancome L’Absolu Nu lipstick in Petal Pink everyday. While I wasn’t blown away when I first tried and reviewed it, I’m loving the pretty pale pink shade now. I wonder if it’s because my skin-tone has lightened a shade or two since the Summer. As for my nails, yesterday I fell in love with a polish that I’ve had for some time but have probably only worn once or twice. It’s OPI We’ll Always Have Paris from the 2008 La Collection De France collection.
We’ll always have Paris nail polish is a dark dark red with a plum-brown base. In certain lighting or from afar it can look almost black. The formula is opaque enough that I could get by with 2 coats for the most part. Some of my nails I had to top with a 3rd coat.
OPI We’ll Always Have Paris Swatch
One thing I didn’t really like was the brush. It felt much larger and fatter than most nail polish brushes making the edges of my nails more difficult to coat smoothly. I’ve noticed that OPI nail polish brushes are much larger than Essie nail polish brushes. I would personally prefer something in-between the two.
Something about OPI’s We’ll always have Paris really hits the spot for me. It’s such a beautiful dark warm red. It’s sophisticated yet edgy. I’m pretty sure that I’ll be wearing this shade for Thanksgiving dinner but I’m debating between this one or a new glittery brown polish that my little sister-in-law bought me from Korea. Decisions, decisions, haha.
Oh, so lately I’ve been good about keeping my nails nice and short but yesterday I was short on time so I didn’t trim my nails. Well lo and behold, today when I was closing my car door my hand slipped and my middle nail on my right hand broke!! Now I’m not saying that it chipped a bit, I mean that it ripped sideways causing a lot of pain but thankfully no blood. I currently have a bandaid on it so that it won’t catch on anything else making it rip more, but yeah gross, I know. I just thought I’d share that because I hate it when people look down on broken nail woes. It’s serious, people! Sometimes there’s even blood!! Any of you know what I’m talking about??
Anyway… enough of my ranting, haha!
I hope you’re all having an awesome Tuesday!
OPI Siberian Nights Swatch and Review
Hey everyone and happy Monday!
It’s actually sunny today here in Seattle which always puts me in a wonderful hopeful mood!
Are any of you out there Walking Dead fans? OMG, last night was crazy! If you haven’t seen it yet I won’t spoil it for you but let’s just say that I was wide-eyed, shocked and choked up near the end. I’m so glad that I finished painting my nails right before watching the new episode because I definitely would have had a horrible time multi-tasking through all the suspense and horror.
This week I brought out an oldie but a goodie (per Hubs’ recommendation). This polish is actually from OPI’s 2007 Russian Collection. It’s OPI’s Siberian Nights- a dark dark vampy purple that often looks black from afar and in certain lighting. On my skin-tone the purple looks more red-based whereas I’ve seen Siberian Nights on other ladies looking blue-based.
The formula is good- not too thick nor too watery. I only had to apply 2 coats and the natural finish is pretty shiny on it’s own. Of course that doesn’t mean that I skipped my base or top coat!
I’m not sure if you can still purchase OPI Siberian Nights but I’d recommend checking your neighborhood store or eBay.
This is such a fun vampy color for the Fall and Winter without having to go completely black. It always makes me feel like a chic rebel! haha
On a random note: my Sephora order JUST arrived so I’m super excited to open the box. I’ll snap a photo for you soon!
Hope your week is starting off BEAUTYFULLY!
Aritaum Essential Shine Nails Review in 13 Moss
I finally got a chance to try one of the nail polishes that my little sister got for me from Korea. The brand is called Aritaum and the color is 13 Moss from their Essential Shine Nails line (translated by yours truly, hah). I’ve been looking for a dark green nail polish for a couple months now so I couldn’t wait to try this one out! I haven’t seen very many reviews on this brand in the blogosphere so here are my thoughts!
I have on a base coat, 2 coats of Aritaum Moss and a top coat
Did a pretty good job painting this time huh?
And this was done while watching The Voice! :]
Hand is a bit cut off in this photo below
Still working on aiming my camera.. haha
The first coat felt a bit thicker in consistency but thin in appearance. With a second application the coat is very opaque so a third coat wasn’t necessary. The application was smooth and the brush worked well along the edges of my nails. The natural finish of the Aritaum nailpolish is a bit matte. If you like the semi-matte look, you could just leave it as is. I was looking for more shine like the way it looks in the bottle so a layer of top coat did the trick.
Do you like the look? Pretty appropriate for Halloween, right? As much as I wanted a dark green polish, I’m having a hard time getting used to having green on my nails, haha. Every time I look down at them I’m like WOAH! I think it’ll probably take a couple more days for my brain to adjust.
I’m pretty impressed with the Aritaum Essential Shine nail polish! I read somewhere that they are relatively wallet-friendly as well. The last test will be to see how long it lasts on my nails without chipping. As of now, I wouldn’t mind picking up a few more from the line especially because I love the pretty bottle!
I’m praying for all of you over on the east coast facing the storm. While I’m so relieved that my brother and sister-in-law are safe and sound, I know so many others are in bad situations right now. Let’s continue to pray for everyone’s safety.
Wishing you all a warm and safe afternoon!
Essie Merino Cool Swatch and Review
On a side note: my toe nails are naked at this point which is weird to see after having them painted constantly over the past 6+ months. I gotta say, I’m digging the natural look!
I’m avoiding taking any photos of myself today since I’m looking pretty blah with my cold. I still have lots of MAC love to share with you all so I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll be feeling muchos better!
Wishing you a wonderful evening!
Korea Beauty Haul
It was inevitable. I’m sick… 5 out of the 6 family members that I hung out with over the weekend had a cold so I shouldn’t be surprised that I’m now in bed with one. I spent all yesterday sleeping so I’m feeling a bit better today… or it might be that I’m keeping myself heavily medicated… :]
Anyway, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law came back from their trip to Korea on Sunday and brought me some beauty goodies!
Of course all brands are Korean so I’m not familiar with them.
To briefly describe: There’s a skincare box set, facial cleanser, false lashes and nail polish
Mama-in-law raves about the facial cleanser (cream box) so I’m excited to try it out!
I love that my little sister knows what I love! haha
I’m most excited to try the new nail polishes out especially the dark green one on the right side.
And check out all my new glitter polishes! YAY!
I’ll be sure to show you guys swatches and reviews as I start trying things out.
Wishing you a healthy non-sick Tuesday!! 
Nail Party With My Girls
I love it when my girlfriends come over and we do our nails together. It’s such an awesome time to chat, laugh and have a wonderful girly time. Here’s what our nails look like this week!
I have on this mystery Sephora by OPI shade. I can’t seem to find the name for this one. It’s a tiny size so I’m assuming it must have come in a set. I’m borrowing this guy from my cousin and finally got a chance to try it out. It’s much more sheer than I thought so I think it would look pretty over another color too. Side note: love having short nails.
Bestie Jennifer has on a combo of OPI Bubble Bath topped with Sephora by OPI Traffic Stopper Copper. This would be a cute look for Valentine’s day too because of the copper pinkish glitter!
Newly engaged bestie Ellen has on a unique combination of Essie Hot Coco topped with Sephora by OPI Wild About Shimmer. I would have never thought to put these two colors together- so creative! I think it looks awesome especially for the Fall! She thought she looked like a beetle, haha.
I have to admit I was tempted to top my nails with another glitter coat but refrained. I swear I have an urge to top every nail color with glitter! :]
I’ll leave you with this cute picture from Pinterest. I know it’s not Friday but I couldn’t wait to share it with you. <3
Source: quotepix.com via Soo
Wishing you a BEAUTYFULL Monday!
Sephora by OPI Only Gold for Me Top Coat Review
I’m so in love with glitter nails right now! Can’t stop coating all my nails with glitter! hehe!
Here are my nails in Essie No More Film topped with Only Gold for Me top coat. The gold glitter looks silver under some lighting which gives nails a more cool tone look versus Sephora by OPI Traffic Stopper Copper which is a pink-copper glitter that gives off a warm look.
Application is easy since the top coat is clear. You just need to maneuver the brush to place the glitter where you want it
Sephora by OPI Jewelry Top Coat Only Gold for Me $9.50
While I’m loving Only Gold for Me, I’ve noticed my nails are chipping so much faster than normal these days… I’m thinking about trying a new base coat. I’m currently using the one from OPI but I’m thinking about switching over to Essie to see how that works.
What is your favorite base coat? Have you tried a glitter top coat yet? Let me know in the comments below.
Wishing you a wonderful morning!