MAC Varicose Violet

This is a polish that I have great memories with. To start off with, it was my first MAC polish and I got it the day I visited my boyfriend in hospital after his operation. When I showed it to him, he said it was a nice colour and that made me really happy n_n

Varicose Violet was released with the Dame Edna collection earlier this year.

Varicose Violet is a light lavender frost with a blue duochrome.

I always thought it was a three coater, but I managed to get it under control in just two. Maybe its because my nails are shorter? Who knows :D

The application was really really nice. No where near as high maintenance as Peppermint Patti and Seasonal Peach. It was a big relief actually when I was putting this on hehe.

I'll tell you what, I am so over Winter. The sun is reappearing and disappearing every 3 seconds, and that's when its not heavy rain and close to zero degrees. Only two more months of it I guess... I am so excited for Spring! My nails will hopefully have some length to them and be a bit stronger and thicker, and the sunlight will be endless. So I can swatch a lot more often! n_n

Just a heads up; Head2ToeBeauty has now raised its Essie prices to $8US. And TransDesign and OPI might be heading down the same track... So maybe make an order or two? Just in case! n_n Why not have a look at some Essies on NJ? Or some OPIs?

NJ's Chifie

Here was another one of my frankens, Chifie.

My goal is to get my nails looking like that again, I really love that length and shape.

So for this polish I mixed:
Zoya Miley
Zoya Gaia
OPI DS Shimmer
and hey presto!

I really quite like how it has gold shimmer as well as holographic pieces.

Skittle Me Happy - Baby Pinks + Peaches

I think this is about the only thing that has gone right for me today... I managed to ruin the keyboard by spilling my hot chocolate all over it. For some reason when I pushed 'K', an '8' would appear beside it. So I pulled out the old keyboard lol.

Ok so whilst I had some sun before the storm, I managed to swatch a few comparisons.

From the pointer to the pinky:
OPI I Pink I Love You
OPI I'm OK, You're Bouquet!
OPI Blush Of Adrenaline
MAC Seasonal Peach

I Pink I Love You was three coats, a little iffy to apply without a base coat. Bouquet was beautiful in two. Adrenaline was beautiful in two as well, and Peach was a nightmare to apply without a ridge filler at 3 coats.

I love these shades together, makes me think... candies, clouds, cute little animals, bows, ribbons, sweet lolita, rainbows... everything girly and feminine.

Handy Hints - Cuticle Care

Now, you can have the most beautiful nails in the world, but you don't see them if your cuticles aren't in shape. From this article, I hope you find something that helps you to get them looking wonderful!

You can use either a Hand & Nail Cream, Cuticle Oil, Cuticle Cream to get them looking healthy or your skin might just pump out a lot of oil and you don't need any of these :D Take my dad for example, never had any nail care for 50 years and his nails are in good shape. Not a single hangnail. Not a sight of Pterygium (cuticle overgrowth).

Hand Cream

• This will help moisterise your hands, nails and cuticles if they are dry. I hate using it as it makes my hands sweat a lot more, and they already sweat quite a bit. My hands aren't the silkiest, but I'm happy with them :)
• Can be quite cheap, found pretty much everywhere

Cuticle Cream

• Cream specially designed for the cuticles. It will help keep them moisterised so the hangnails are no more. I hate hangnails!
• Can contain special ingredients to help with other things
• Don't get confused with Cuticle Remover
• Needs to be used daily for optimum results

Cuticle Oil

• Really, any plan old oil will do. Rice Bran works wonders! :D
• My mum has a recipe for some, I think it contains; Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil and Rice Bran. This stuff is lovely. I think it's 33mls of each.
• I prefer the cream as the oil tends to linger longer and get on everything

Cuticle Remover

• Should only be used once a week, if that. This stuff can really irritate your skin, so please be careful.

Hoof Stick

• The stick that looks like a hoof and we use it to push them back. I prefer the rubber ended ones as it feels more gentle and doesn't hurt as much if you slip with say, a sharp wooden one. Totally up to you though!
• Cuticles should be pushed back daily. The cuticle is an elastic piece of skin, so if you don't keep on pushin' it, your cuticles are just going to move back down.
  
• Even just after a shower, give them a quick gentle push. Or do what I do and give them a push and massage after I have put on my cuticle cream. Feels lovely.

Cuticle Clippers

• I don't really understand the big hoohah about these things. Unless you are actually cutting your cuticle... but then why would you? :S A hangnail is really annoying when it catches on everything, so easiest way is to cut it off. Don't pull it with the clippers, this hurts.

Cuticle Overgrowth Remover Tool

• There are lots of different kinds, so I won't list them all. I myself use a cuticle spoon, but i'm not sure if it is available to the public.
  
• These are great to get rid of the overgrowth you have pushed back, just make sure you take a lot of care when using them and not too scratch up the nail plate.
  

Hmm I think this is everything n_n

Becoming A Nail Technician: I Am A Technician!

Well, just got back from Graduation. I am noq a certified nail tech >_<

The graduation was quite exciting as each class (hair dressing, special effects, make-up, beauty therapy) did their own little show, apart from mine lol. Then... at the very end, one of the hair dressing tutors partner proposed to her on stage! Everyone was screaming, crying, clapping. So cute!

I'd like to thank all of you who have given me kind words and support n_n I really appreciate it ♥

Well now that nails is done, make-up artistry is next n_n That will be starting next year I think...

Photos coming soon!

Handy Hints - Nail Polish Removers

I hope you lovely ladies (and men) learn a little something from this new Handy Hints series n_n Our first one is dedicated to Nail Polish Remover.

Basically there are 3 types, Acetone Formula, Non-Acetone and Straight Acetone.

Let's see what they do:

Acetone Remover

• Best for natural nails
• Safe to use
• A little drying, but your body will repair that in 24 hours
• Removes polish quite quickly
  

Non - Acetone Remover

• Just because it's stated 'Non-Acetone' doesn't make it better!
  
• More drying than Acetone Remover
• Best suited for artificial nails
• Can be more harmful to you
• Takes a little longer to remove polish as it tends to push it around more rather than absorb
  
• If you prefer to use this one instead of the Acetone formulated one because it is more drying (for you), please keep in mind that you can always slather on some oil and all is good again, maybe even better! n_n

Straight Acetone

• Ok, I wouldn't really recommend this as your everyday remover but sometimes Glitter polishes needs it to come off quickly and efficiently
• Is pretty safe to use, second safest substance a Nail Tech uses. First, is water.

The best remover I have ever come across was Zoya's Remove+. Best stuff ever. Didn't leave you feeling dry, smells nice, made your fingers feel moistened and nourished. It is quite expensive though, so once my sample ran out back to the drug store remover I went.

I mean, it still does the job just remember to always slap on some oil or cuticle cream after using remover, and not to drink it.

Handy Hints coming up; Files, Artificial Nails, Basic Nail Care, Top Coats & Base Coats, Cuticle Care... is there something you would like me to talk about?

The Votes Are In: Pure Energy Wins By A Land Slide!

So Pure Energy won the vote! Thank you so much for helping me n_n

I am kind of dreading Graduation... theres like a two hour show then we have to watch 300 people walk across the stage. Remind me to never attend another one of these things.

I think the only thing I am looking forward to is dressing up and seeing my friends. I don't even know how long I'll be sitting with my family and boyfriend as I am suppose to sit with my class. And my parents aren't really happy with boyfriend... so... I don't know :(

Thank you again for helping me :) I'll try to post some photos on Saturday.