Works in Progress

Hello!

In this post I will be sharing the last 2 of the 4 shades from upcoming SPRING FLING collection.
I haven't had time for proper swatches yet, but I'm dying to show these off!

so heeeeeeeere we go........

In Bloom from the SPRING FLING Collection

I dare you to tell me this doesn't scream spring to you! A glorious mix of pastel dots in blue, peach, yellow and lavender, three sizes of white hexes, a sprinkle of small green hexes and a dash silver microglitter. It reminds me of a spring bouquet or a basket of easter eggs. So cute!

Tempts Are Rising from the SPRING FLING Collection

Ok, so my apologies for the not so great pic - but I tells ya my camera hates capturing holo!!
This is our first true linear holographic shade. Our previous holos have a glow, this one has a flame.
Hot fuchsia to match your spring fever!

These shades will be debuted at KUUMBA, an Afro-Latin cultural festival happening here in Toronto at Harbourfront Centre. They will be available at our Etsy store next week.

-L

Sunday Saver Mani!

Hello!

Ok, today is not Sunday - but it was when I did this mani, so whatever, right!?

This is a saver because I picked up these two Sally Hansen shades on sale, they are already pretty cheap, but when they're $2 each you can't say no!

The two shades are Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Coral Reef and Blue Me Away!
I used Konad White with Pueen plate 70 for the roses. Then I dusted off my dotters, which I don't use enough, and filled in the empty space with polka dots.

Blue Me Away! is almost a one-coater. It disappointed me a little bit that Coral Reef required 3 coats to look perfect, but it was $2 and a great shade so I'm not complaining. However, I did find both shades a hint 'stain-y' but nothing too bad.

Do you jump for sales??

-L

Ferry to the Island, Nails of the Day

Hello!

Today I am showing you another CANVAS lacquer creation from our summer collection.

FERRY TO THE ISLAND is a milky blue base with fine white and blue glitters, ocean green hexes, baby blue dots, fine green holographic sparks, and a subtle minty shimmer.

We're so lucky in Toronto to be living in an urban landscape that also has a gorgeous waterfront and a quick day escape to a number of small islands for picnics and play.

Ferry to the Island by CANVAS lacquer

Even though there are a few 'larger' glitters in this, they are subtle because they're not too far off the base colour - it really is like seeing things floating through the water. The minty shimmer adds another dimension to the water effect.

Rolling with the water theme, I added these wave images with Vivid Lacquer plate 23 and Konad white.

 

Direct light and a good top coat really bring the minty shimmer to life in this one. IRL I think this shade leans a hint more green.
 
This is available at our Etsy store now!

-L

From the vault, iPhone edition

Here we have several manis I did last year that I only ever photographed with my iPhone.

Considering I was quite a novice when I did these I think I fared pretty well! Opinions???

This was/is my only attempt at doing a vertical gradient (per nail), and of course I had to make it more complicated by creating a gradient across all the nails too, then stamped with stars.

I'm still amazed at the variety of looks you can accomplish with dots - I don't take advantage of this simple technique enough.

I'm kinda meh about this look. I don't wear red very often and I was just trying to do something a little different.

Dots again! I've seen a few different stamping images of this look that are much more precise, but I think I did ok with just my dotting tools.

This tape mani didn't come out as crisp as I had hoped, but I remember going to the farmer's market that day and got compliments left and right.

This is my first attempt at the 'waterfall' technique that most bloggers would credit The Nailasaurus for inventing. This was probably attempted almost a year ago and I still don't feel I have a very good handle at using striping brushes, but I still like the results even though it's not as neat as hers.

-L