NotD & Giveaway! ***CLOSED***

 So, I'm finally getting a new post up after...oh I don't know...FOREVER. Sorry! I hope you all have been well. Thank you for sticking with me through my inconsistent posting. (^_^;)

Today's nails are actually going to be an example of how you can use some of the items in my giveaway! So, let's get right to it, shall we?

First, the Prizes! Because we all know that's what we're really here for. (^_~)

UPDATED: 5 Polishes instead of 3!

Turquoise Studs

Scrapbooking Scissors

I've tried to give some examples of how versatile the scissors can be. I'm sure you creative types can find even more ways. Be sure to share if you do! 

EDIT: I also got the black for myself. All prizes are new. This pattern is also slightly different than the scissors shown. I used my own, but they didn't have the same ones when  buying for my giveaway. They're very similar though.

I would suggest using masking tape because it's easier to cut with these kinds of scissors. Or you could fold scotch tape in half so its thicker and easier to cut. You would have to leave the ends apart so you can pull it apart again. This will also give you longer strips which you can cut to fit each nail or for multiple stripes on one nail. It will save time and give you consistent thickness.

Tape Mani w/ Scrapbooking Scissors

Fancy Tape Mani

SinfulColors Get It On w/ Design

SinfulColors Get It On

 As you can see, the Leather Luxe polishes are matte. With only one layer of topcoat they have a finished leather look, but aren't quite as shiny as regular polish unless you add another coat. I bought Get It On for myself because I don't really wear or have many red polishes. I thought this would be a one I would actually use.

So, that's it. Sorry, but this giveaway is U.S. only. However, I plan to do another giveaway for my 1-year blogiversary and hopefully I'll have something for my international followers in that one.

Thank you all so much for all the support you've given me so far. There have been many times that I considered giving up on the blog, but you all kept encouraging me. I wouldn't have made it this far without you. So, even though it's really small, I wanted to do this to show my appreciation for all of you. XOXO

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NotD: Easy Nail Art

Happy Monday Afternoon! Hope everyone's week started off well. Today, I have some easy but cute nail art. I used Urban Outfitters Slime and Sinful Colors Cream Pink. It's called cream, but it has a pretty little shimmer. As for Slime, I'm pretty sure I mentioned it in a previous post, but the formula sucks. Streaky on the first coat, pulls on the second, and chips so easily. As a matter of fact, you'll see in my pictures that I have a chip on the index finger. How? Well, I painted them late Saturday night so I thought I'd wait until morning for pics in the sunlight. A simple shower (meaning no hair washing) and BOOM! Chip. Yeah. Anywho! On to the pics! ^_^

Dots and Half Moon Accent Nail

Urban Outfitters Slime & Sinful Colors Cream Pink

My Chocolate Lab

So, indirect, direct, and alternate view with a guest appearance by my dog. Haha. I really do love the color of slime. It's a shame that I dread ever using it.

I free-handed the half moon and used a dotting tool for the dots. I dipped once for each nail so the dots got slightly smaller from base to tip. And that's it! I hope you like. Have a fabulous week!

Mini Haul with Swatches

Hello and Happy Friday! So, I rarely go to Walmart because we live kind of far, but we went last week and I found a few beauties. So let's get right to it! I did collages so this wasn't a total pic spam. First, bottle shots and names, in order, Salon Perfect Bermuda Baby is a GORGEOUS aqua with a very hard to capture pink-ish shimmer that combined with the base color comes off as a little violet.

Salon Perfect Bermuda Baby

Next up is Wet n Wild Eggplant Frost. Perfect name. Absolutely has that red-violet base with the blue shimmer that makes it look like a shimmery eggplant. Very pretty.

Wet n Wild Eggplant Frost

Finally, Pure Ice Heartbreaker. I almost got this one before, but passed on it. Well, I couldn't pass it up twice. It's just so fabulous in the bottle. Totally reminds me of an iceberg. But since it's really sheer and more of a topper, that won't translate to my nails. It was still beautiful though. I don't think my pictures even do it justice. I do plan on trying it over a few more colors though.

Pure Ice Heartbreaker

Shall we get to the nails? First, I have to apologize for some stained cuticles. We all know how dark colors can do that. Okay, here's Bermuda Baby. Surprise! It's a matte! I totally didn't expect that, but I love it. This is 2 thin coats. There's a little visible nail line, but not enough to bother me. The dry time was great! In the two bottom pics you can kind of see the color shift on the pinky.

It's just as pretty, if not more, with a topcoat. Again, I tried to show the color shift since the shimmer was hard to pic up. So, you can see the pic on the left has that violet hue while the right is a bright aqua. I haven't been this pleased with a polish purchase in a long time. You ladies know the feeling of disappointment that I'm talking about. Well, this won't do that!

Next is Eggplant Frost. I tend to paint my nails rather late, so I didn't think about showing this with a matte finish. I'll try to remember the next time I wear it, but how pretty is that shimmer?

Here it is, Heartbreaker, and boy is it! I'm actually still wearing this mani from three days ago because it's so freaking pretty! So, this is one generous coat over black and Pure Ice French Kiss which is such a pretty blue on it's own. Over black it gives the typical green shimmer that other effect toppers do, but over the blue...oh man! It's like gazing out over deep blue tropical waters with the sun sparkling on the surface. Seriously, it's so pretty that the first day I was wearing it, I kept getting distracted. During work, at the gym. I probably looked like a total airhead. Haha! Like I said, it's so pretty over the blue that I have to try it over some other colors.

Here it is with a matte finish. Still pretty, but definitely better with shine. This is also, obviously, the mani with stained cuticles. SORRY! Hopefully, the polish is enough of a distraction. (^_^;) Eheh.

Well, we've reached the end of this mini haul journey. If you've been pondering any of these, I hope I helped you make a decision. If these weren't even on your radar, I hope they are now! Alright, have a good weekend!