A rainbow gradient

Hey everyone.

I've always wanted to try out the vertical gradient look, but could never seem to get the colours to blend well. It finally worked for me this time though, and I'm really happy with the result!

This was actually done awhile back, so I can't remember all the nail polishes I used. I'll give it a shot though:

Pink - Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Pinky promise
Purple - I really have no clue with this one because I own too many purples in this shade!
Blue - Sally Hansen Miracle Gel B Girl
Green - Ulta3 Corsican rose
Yellow - Ulta3 Spring blossom

All topped with Glitter Gal Galaxy holo top coat.

Have you tried the vertical gradient before?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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Welcoming 2015!

Hi everyone.

Happy New Year! How has 2015 been for you so far? Mine's been pretty peaceful - I've just been chilling in this 30 degree heat before heading over to a friend's house for some baking and a movie.

To welcome in 2015, I went with a simple black and silver colour mix, with a splash of colour and bling. The silver holographic is none other than China Glaze OMG, the black is Ulta3 Black satin and the gold glitter is Essence Make it golden. I used the OPI Sheer Tints on my ring finger after painting with white acrylic paint.

I was pretty happy with this look with the exception of my fail scaled gradient. I tried to follow a tutorial by Simple Nailogical but it turned out reallyyyyyyy bad. The only reason I'm posting this is because I quite like my ring finger haha.

The freehand nail art was inspired by @yagala. Let me tell you this - trying to paint freehand when you're hungry proves a challenging task! ;)

What did you wear to welcome the year 2015?

Thanks for reading.
~Sharon

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Christmas nails 2014

Hello everyone.

Here is my belated post sharing what I wore for Christmas this year. In fact, I was in the mood for some detailed freehand nail art (detailed in my terms, of course!) so I went with painting on a nativity scene!

I found Jacki from Adventures in Acetone's gorgeous creation and just had to try it myself. I would have loved to have added some camels and wise men, but this alone took me over an hour for one hand...oops. Should have planned my time better since I needed to sleep! ;)

I created a gradient with OPI Incognito in Sausalito and OPI Keeping Suzi at bay. I then added a coat of Glitter Gal Galaxy holo top coat for the sparkle. The nail art was done using acrylic paint.

I'm quite proud of how this turned out despite the wobbly freehand! How did you pass your Christmas day and what did you wear on your nails?

Thanks for reading!

~Sharon

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Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Pinky Promise & Get Mod

Hey everyone! :)

Here is a look I put together using Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Pinky promise and Get mod. A very simple skittle look, which I wore on a 3 day trip. I was very impressed with the wear since I expected some chipping. The most I got was a little bit of cracking on my third day of the trip (5 days into the manicure though!).

I think I've learnt how to use the gel top coat properly now since it didn't take long for my entire manicure to dry and saw how well it held up even when I was more active with my hands.

Thanks for reading.
~Sharon

Products provided for consideration.

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Watermelon gradient

Hello hello~ This nail look was put together after I felt the need to try out a bright neon gradient...too bad the outcome was just a tad too bright for my usual taste :P A maybe a little too like a watermelon haha.

I started with a white base, then used Frenz Nail Flus12 (pink), Flus03 (yellow) and Flus24 (green) to create the gradient look. I finished the look with a thick coat of FACE it CMX324 and Ulta3 Stop the press.

I took this off after I snapped the photos but I'm sure braver ladies can wear this look :)

Thanks for reading.
~Sharon

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Autumn leaves are falling

Hello there! This post is a bit late considering the nail art was put together in May...oops! We've finally hit winter season and temps, but I guess it's better late than never ;)

I started with OPI My vampire is buff and then took OPI Over & over a-Gwen, Call me Gwen-ever and Need sunglasses for the stamping.

The yellow didn't come out that well, but I was quite happy with the way my nails turned out all the same. Very autumn-y and fitted for the time when I wore them :P

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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Beachy gradient

Hi everyone! I've been itching to do a gradient for awhile and this time decided to use more subtle colours to create the look. I took OPI My vampire is buff and Can't find my Czechbook for the gradient, and then layered Nubar 2010.

It was unintentional, but I found the gradient looked rather beach-like afterwards :)

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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Bright rainbow gradient

Hi ladies :) Ever since I started full time work, I have tended to sway away from wearing brighter shades all within a single manicure. During the time I wore this manicure though, I was quickly approaching my holiday overseas and I was filled with excitement, so I just had to celebrate a little with this colourful and bright gradient!

I started with a plain white crème (Ulta3 Lily white), and then took OPI Hey baby (pink), Need sunglasses? (yellow), Can't find my Czechbook (blue) and A grape fit (purple) and sponged the gradient onto my nails. I layered over it Glitter Gal Galaxy Holo top coat, something I was constantly reaching for to give that extra sparkle!

Do you like to wear these bolder looking manicures often?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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A black rainbow

Hello there :) Here is a quick and easy glitter gradient using a rainbow glitter and black polish. Two coats of Ulta3 Black satin and the glitter gradient created using Ulta3 Over the rainbow.

I then took OPI's Matte top coat to and added it over the glossy finish. Whilst I love the look of matte glitter, I think I prefer the glossy version more :

Which version do you like?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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Purple duochrome skittle

Hey everyone~ Sometimes I feel like titles are so hard to come up with - and today's post does have a rather lame one haha. At least there's duochrome? :P

Pinky & index: Two coats of OPI Parlez-vous OPI? with a gradient using OPI Next stop...the bikini zone.
Ring: Two coats of Ulta3 Lily white and stamped with BM-417 and Parlez-vous OPI?.
Middle & thumb: Two coats of Next stop...the bikini zone.

Easy and skittled, my two favourite techniques ;)

Thanks for reading as always!
~Sharon

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A steampunk nail art

Hello hello! In this post, I am showing my attempt at a 'steampunk' nail art look :P I'm not sure I did the theme justice, but I actually quite liked the way this manicure turned out anyway.

The black is two coats of Ulta3 Black satin. I simply added some studs onto my pinky. On my ring finger, I have three coats of Shimmer Polish Candace. I stamped the image from BM-415 onto my middle finger. For my index, I created a gold glitter gradient using Alanna Renee Golden snitch. Lastly, I applied two coats of Hello Kitty Golden girl onto my thumb.

I love how classic black and gold look together, and in this case, a touch 'badass' too ;) What do you think of this look?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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Of mermaids and the sea

Hello :) I believe my initial inspiration behind this manicure was a mermaid theme, but I got a little carried away and it became more of an ocean inspired look. Never mind, I love this manicure all the same ♥

I started with a coat of OPI Can't find my Czechbook. I then took Can't find my Czechbook, Australis Sky high and Ulta3 Lily white to create the gradient look. Finally, I layered a coat of Ozotic #906 over the gradient. I then took my newly acquired sea shell studs from Born Pretty Store and various other studs and pearls to complete the look.

I am such a huge fan of the current stud trend and can't seem to get enough of it sometimes ;) You can find the beautiful sea shell studs on Born Pretty Store retailing at $2.78 for a pack of 20. The studs I used on my index and pinky nails can also be found on the Born Pretty Store website here.

Besides the free international shipping offered, I also have a 10% discount - simply enter the code PIJ60 when you check out your purchases.

Are you a fan of this stud trend? What do you think of my take on an ocean nail art? :)

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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Purple & pink gradient stamped

Hello everyone. Today's post is inspired by the amazingly talented Cathy over at More Nail Polish. When I saw her gradient with stamping manicure, I knew I would have to give it a shot myself. I decided to use OPI A grape fit and Australis K-pop for the gradient, before layering with Alanna Renee Milky way. For my ring and middle fingers, I painted A grape fit and K-pop randomly over the nail before stamping with BM-410 and Ulta3 Black satin.

I'm really in love with the gradient look right now, so expect to see some more nail looks featuring this technique ;)

Thanks for reading.
~Sharon

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A monochrome look

Hey there :) I've always been meaning to do a monochrome nail look, but never had the inspiration. Luckily it finally hit me a while back and here is the finished look ;)

I created a gradient on my ring finger and then layered on Ulta3 Stop the press. The stamp designs are from BM-402.

I'm super annoyed that my top coat streaked my nails :( Ah well, all the more reason to do another monochrome look again ;)

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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Simple purple & gold skittle

Hello :) Here is a quick post featuring a simple purple & gold skittle look I wore a while back. The purple is Nicole by OPI Love song and the gold Hello Kitty Golden girl. I added a pearl and some bullion beads for a more blingy accent nail and created a glitter gradient with Essence Make it golden.

What do you do when you want to dress up your nails a bit more than a plain colour, but feel a bit too lazy to do so? :P

Thanks for reading!

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Soft, glitter gradient

Hi there :) A little while back, I attended a dinner with a Kingdom theme. I went dressed up as Cinderella and to match her more neutral nails, I decided to go with OPI Don't burst my bubble.

I still wanted to jazz this look up a bit though, so I added a glitter gradient tip with OPI In true Stefani fashion.

A very simple and clean look, matching the rest of my look :)

Thanks for reading.
~Sharon

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Pot of gold in Incognito in Sausalito

Hello hello :) I decided to go for a darker nail shade despite the warm weather (who says we can't wear dark shades in summer? :P) and pulled out OPI Incognito in Sausalito. I then added a glitter gradient at the tips using Ulta3 Pot of gold.

Sometimes, a simple glitter gradient does the trick ;) What do you think?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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When red and black meet

Hello everyone :) I really should get my act together - my backlog of photos is starting in pile up again!

Whenever I feel the urge to pull out black nail polish to wear, I always seem to pair it with another shade - and this time is no different :P I applied two coats of Picture Polish O'Hara and then created a gradient with Ulta3 black satin on my index and pinky nails.On my middle nail, I have two coats of black satin layered with Orly Rockets red glare.

Do you wear black often? How do you prefer to wear it?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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Essence Me & My Ice-cream pastel gradient

Hi ladies! I don't know about you, but when I think of spring and ice cream, I immediately think of pastel shades. Which is why I created a gradient look with the four new shades from Essence's Me & My Ice-cream collection over a white base. In order from the cuticle to the tips - Ice, ice baby, Icylicious, Always in my mint and Ben & cherries.

I really love how this turned out in real life; it's such a pity the photos really washed out the colour. And of course, when I try to adjust it, it makes my fingers look super tanned.

Have you tried a gradient before? What are your go to pastel shades?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

Products provided for consideration.

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Gold and silver gradient leaves

Hello everyone :) When I first saw Mimi's gorgeous Taped neon gradient leaves, I knew I would have to give this a go myself. I decided to mix this look up with some black for a chic and shimmery look ♥

Pinky & index: Two coats of Ulta3 black satin and decorated with silver and gold studs.
Ring: Two coats of black satin. I then taped it off for a silver and gold gradient using OPI Haven't the foggiest and Hello Kitty Golden girl.
Middle: Two coats of Golden girl.
Thumb: Two coats of Haven't the foggiest Can I just mention that I'm in love with this dense silver foil?! Definitely jumped up the list and become my favourite silver ♥ You can check out my full review of it here, along with the rest of the San Francisco collection.

It's a shame the gradient didn't turn out so well in the photos, it was definitely more apparent in real life. I really loved the look of this manicure though - it's always so fun to find 'chic' ways to wear black, especially for work!

Do you like to wear black nail polish? Would you wear it to work?

Thanks for reading!
~Sharon

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