Entering 2013 with a bang ♥

Hi ladies! Today is a busy day as I prepare a dish of food to bring to a friend's NYE party so this will be a quick one! I was initially at a loss as to what I should have on my nails to welcome in 2013. For the past two years, I saw to it that the new year was waved in with glitter manicures (see here & here) but I wanted something a little more this time around. Cue a holographic nail polish and 3D nail accessories :D

On my thumb and index nails, I applied two coats of Color Club Revvvolution. I always forget how pretty this charcoal holo polish is so I'm glad I pulled it out to wear for the last time in 2012! ;) On my middle nail, I have two coats of Ulta3 black satin. I then applied some rhinestones, pearls and bullion beads as an accent. I also fished out the hex glitter shapes in Ulta3 pot of gold to add to the accents. I have two coats of China Glaze Tinsel town on my ring and a layering combination of black satin (two coats) and pot of gold on my pinky.

The sun wasn't cooperating for my photos - the light was weak so the rainbow from Revvvolution couldn't come out to play as well as I hoped.

I absolutely adore this manicure, I think mostly because of my 3D nail accessories accent ;) It's not often I get to use them excessively like this! What do you think, is it too much or okay as an accent? :)

Have a happy new year everyone and see you again in 2013! ♥

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

Read more…

Swatches and review: Orly High on Hope

Hi ladies! I have the most brilliant nail polish to share with you all today so I'll get right into it :) Orly's upcoming Hope and Freedom collection will be available early next year in Australia and the gorgeous High on hope happens to be a part of the release. From the press release photo, you don't see the super awesome multichrome shimmer swimming in a dark indigo blue base, but it's totally apparent with the real deal. I'll cut the chatter for now and just let the photos do some talking ;)

This is two coats of High on hope!

Isn't is just glorious? ♥♥ I have to admit the formula was a little funny - it was thick, but runny. Definitely be careful with application so you don't pool your cuticles! Otherwise , I really cannot fault this polish. The multichrome shift is so pretty and had me holding my hand at different angles to catch the rainbow of colours! If you think these photos are drool worthy, wait until you see it in person because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't capture the true beauty of High on Hope.

And because I couldn't choose which bottle shot to share, I'm showing both. Is that multichrome shimmer gorgeous or what! ♥

The Hope and Freedom collection will be available in March 2013 and really, grab it while you can! :)

Thanks for reading.
~Sharon

Read more…

Nautical nails!

Hey everyone! Here in Australia, it's currently summer so what better time than now to sport the nautical nail look! I was inspired by this design and it wasn't until I was finished that I thought I had rather American nails! ;) I used OPI Eurso Euro for the blue, China Glaze Poinsettia for the red and Ulta3 lily white for the white. For my accent nail, I used some gold and silver steel balls from Born Pretty Store and a rhinestone to create the anchor look. I also used the silver steel balls as an accent on my thumb.

The steel balls held up surprisingly well and at only $4.17 a wheel, you've got plenty to spare :) Don't forget to use my 10% discount code PIJ61 when checking out! Born Pretty Store also offers free shipping worldwide :)

I'm really happy with the way the manicure turned out and am already brainstorming ideas of another nautical nail art look ^^

What are your thoughts on this one?

Thanks for reading.
~Sharon

A product was provided for consideration.

Read more…

Swatches and review: OPI Euro Centrale collection

Hello hello! I recently had the opportunity to try out some of the nail polishes from OPI's upcoming Euro Centrale collection, to be released in February 2013. Without further ado, here are my swatches and thoughts on four of my picks :)

Here I have three thin coats of You're such a Budapest. At first glance, this looks like a simple blue toned purple but if you look closer, it's actually got the prettiest hidden shimmer in it ♥ I love that the silver shimmer is not obvious and you can totally get away with wearing it in more conservative working environments. The formula is a little streaky so I applied thinner coats for a more even look. Gorgeous! I have nothing bad to say about this one :)

Suzi's Hungary again is a coral looking pink. I applied two coats and coverage was great. Because I don't own many pinks, this one is unique to my collection but if you're an avid fan of this type of shade, you might not be as willing to purchase it.

OPI Eurso Euro, what a spectacular dark, but bright blue you are! ♥♥ Being a huge lover of blues and purples, this one is definitely still unique to my stash. I love that it's bright but dark at the same time, and the polish just flows onto your nails so easily! Photos show two coats of the beauty.

Polka.com, oh how I was looking forward to you! And it doesn't disappoint :) What a lovely mix of glitters - small blue squared glitters with a toss of medium hex shapes in electric blue, purple and pink. My swatches below show one thin coat layered over a base colour.

Over You're such a Budapest

Over Suzi's Hungary again

Over OPI Eurso Euro

I personally believe Polka.com looks best layered over lighter shades. I can't wait to experiment with it more :D What are your thoughts on the four nail polishes from this collection? Any you'll be needing? ;)

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

Read more…

A Christmas inspired nail art skittle

Hey everyone! Here's my possibly last Christmas manicure for 2012 - I was never one to be inspired by current holiday festivities for nail art anyway :P I do believe this is my most 'Christmassy' manicure to date, so I'm a little proud of it ;) Ulta3 recently posted some Christmas nail art looks on their facebook page and I took inspiration from there, adding my interpretation to the manicure.

Pinky & index: Two coats of OPI You're royal shine-ness.
Ring: Two coats of Ulta3 lily white. The candy cane stripes were done freehand (hence the wobbly lines!) with scarlet and frog prince.
Middle: Two coats of Ulta3 black satin and applied a green glitter gradient with luck of the Irish.
Thumb: I followed Nailside's holly leaf tutorial, using frog prince, scarlet, You're royal shine-ness and a black nail art striper to create the look.

Ulta3 is possibly Australia's most affordable nail polish brand, retailing at only $2 a bottle. With such a low price and huge range of nail polishes, it's hard to resist buying them all! What do you think of my Christmas nail look attempt? :)

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

Some products were provided for consideration.

Read more…

Quick swatches: OPI Euro Centrale collection

Hi ladies! I'm really short on time at the moment so I just have quick swatches of these amazing nail polishes from OPI's Euro Centrale collection to be released next year. I'll have a more in depth post up soon but check out the swatches below for now! :)

-EDIT- here is the link to my full swatch and review post :)

From left to right: You're such a Budapest, Suzi's Hungary again, OPI Eurso Euro, Polka.com. All swatch sticks show two coats of each nail polish. You're such a Budapest actually has the prettiest hidden shimmer in it and I'll try to capture it in my full swatches coming up! You really need to look closely to spot it but my is it gorgeous ♥ Polka.com was the one I was looking forward to most and it's such a beauty :D Can't wait to start layering with this one!

Any polishes you want from this sneak peek? ;)

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

Read more…

Press release: OPI Euro Centrale collection

No chit chat today, here's the press release information :)

The New Voice of Fashion – Euro Centrale

Where classic meets contemporary, OPI’s new Summer 2013 collection Euro Centrale, pays homage to the new trendy fashion hotspots in central Europe; Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

Celebrating a region where history meets modern design, the collection boost a wide variety of shades, ranging from pale nude to deep midnight blue and aubergine; from shimmery copper to aqua blue; from high-end metallic hues to playful bright shades in periwinkle and pink. This collection has something for everyone.

The inspiration canvas for this collection was in the countries contrasting aesthetics, from gothic churches positioned alongside vibrant graffiti murals, blending two very different styles. This fusion of old and new seen on runway at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013, where classic styles were reinvented with modern silhouettes and patterns.

Europe’s new fashion hotspot comes alive with this collection!

Polka.com; go online and check-out the glittery combination of this blue and violet duo. I hope you take credit because you must have this amazing shade of aqua blue, Can’t Find My Czechbook.

If you wear this continental deep creamy blue you will want to change currencies in OPI…Eurso Euro. Alternatively try on this fiery red hot sizzling shade and you will be reaching for the fire extinguisher, My Paprika is Hotter than Yours!

Suzi’s Hungary AGAIN!, so thank goodness there are zero calories in this warm and yummy pink! Whilst it is A Woman’s Prague-ative to change her lacquer shade to this shimmery copper tone.

Don’t lend out this periwinkle-purple shade because they will never go away! You’re Such a BudaPest. And make sure no-one gets their hands on this bronzy tan shade, Hands Off My Kielbasa!

Surprise your friends when you wear this deep midnight blue, I Saw…U Saw…We Saw…Warsaw.

Get ready to laugh out-loud at this hot shimmery gold, OY–Another Polish Joke! …so this shimmery-gold walks into a bar...

My Vampire is Buff, a creamy pale nude...just like my vampires. You know you want to wear this deep eggplant, Vant to Bite My Neck?

Whether you’re looking to spice up a black and white print or add neutrality to a vivid brocade, the Euro Centrale collection by OPI is designed to accessorise this season’s hottest looks.

Euro Centrale Collection nail lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Available from 6th February 2013 at selected beauty salons, spas, David Jones nationally and March 1st in all Myer stores. $19.95 RRP incl. GST.

-------------

I'm definitely looking forward to a lot of these nail polishes! My eyes are peeled for Polka.com and OPI...Eurso Euro the most but I can't deny that some others are calling my name too :P Oh and off topic, but I wonder why Myer will receive the collection almost a month after it hits David Jones stores...?

Anyways! What are your picks so far from this collection? :)

Thanks for reading.

~Sharon

Read more…

An abstract Christmas tree

Hi everyone! I used Nailside's Christmas tree tutorial for this manicure and added my own little twist to it. Starting with two coats of OPI The show must go on and then taped off my accent nail with a striping tape.  Using China Glaze Holly day, I painted over the taped off areas and then took my dotting tool and Rimmel Your majesty to add some baubles to the tree. Lastly, I dug out my star decal and stuck it to the top of the tree with a top coat.

I absolutely adored this manicure and was quite unwilling to take it off! Too bad it had started chipping... ;) What do you think of this manicure?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

Read more…

A white Christmas...in Australia?

Hello hello :) I've been influenced by the countless snowflake nail art I've been seeing around and even though there's no such thing as a white Christmas in Australia, I just had to recreate the look. Here is two coats of Orly Stone cold and stamped with BM-323 and a white polish.

My stamping wasn't the greatest but I loved the look of Stone cold as the blue background. Totally suits it :D

What Christmas manicure have you been wearing recently?

Thanks for reading.
~Sharon

Read more…