Nail Mail 6-30-2014

Hey guys!  Smaller nail mail post today than the last few, but definitely a good one.  My good friend Novi was doing an order with Girly Bits and I tagged along to grab some polishes I'd been wanting and to get a couple of the new polishes from the 80's Girl Band collection.

Nail Mail 6-30-2014

Colors by Llarowe (CbL) Summer 2014 - Holo/Holo Glitters

Hey guys!  Today's post is a review of my picks from the Colors by Lllarowe (CbL) Summer 2014 - Holo/Holo Glitters Collection.  I purchased the whole set from the pre-order but some were close to polishes I already have and I let them go to other ladies that would give them more love.  All photos are shown with two coats and one coat of HK Girl topcoat.

Descriptions in italics are directly from the Llarowe site.

Colors by Llarowe (CbL) - Gemini Rising

Twin Mani with Colors Frenzy - Rainbow Nails

Hey guys!  Today's post is a special one for me.  Novi over at Colors Frenzy is someone I consider one of my best friends.  She's great to talk to whether it's about polish or if I have to vent or I need some advice.  She's been a great influence on me as a blogger and a great help as I find my own way in the blogging world.  We decided to do a "Twin Mani" post and the theme is Rainbow Nails using our Nail Vinyls so make sure you head over there to check out her design as well!

When it comes up to nail art, Novi is definitely an inspiration.  She does these amazingly creative manis and makes them look so easy.  When it comes to nail art, I struggle a lot.  I admire Novi and all of the other artists out there that come up with these amazing ideas and then skillfully create them on a nail.  I mean, I can barely draw a straight line or a proper circle on a plain piece of paper, never mind actually creating a piece of artwork on a tiny canvas literally the size of a fingernail.  Anyway, on to my nail art!

 Rainbow Nails with Nail Vinyls

Colors by Llarowe (CbL) Summer 2014 - The Shimmers

Hey guys!  Today I have for you The Shimmers of the Colors by Llarowe Summer 2014 Collection.  These were stocked for pre-order a couple weeks ago and should be available for restock soon.  While I love holos, my heart belongs to shimmer polishes as my overall favourite.  All photos are with one coat of HK Girl topcoat and number of coats is noted below.  Descriptions in italics are directly from the Llarowe site.

Colors by Llarowe (CbL) - Alternate Universe

Colors by Llarowe (CbL) - Alternate Universe

Zoya - Jem

Hey guys!  Today's polish is Zoya Jem. I purchased Jem from a destash sale months ago, but haven't worn it.  I like to mix it up and wear my untrieds from all different brands and when Zoya's turn popped up again I instantly gravitated to Jem.  I totally remember watching Jem and the Holograms as a little girl and there was a hint of nostalgia as I put Zoya Jem on and Jem is truly truly truly outrageous!

Zoya - Jem

This is two coats of Jem with one coat of HK Girl topcoat.  Jem applied a wee bit streaky on the first coat, but the second coat went on smoothly.  The formula is a bit on the thicker side which I happen to prefer.  Dry time is a bit on the slower side.  As always I'd recommend using a quick-dry topcoat to seal it in.

Zoya - Jem

Jem is a gorgeous, vampy purple that is blackened at the edges and has pink and gold shimmer.  In the bottle the shimmer is a lot more noticeable and it looks like it has a foil-like finish, but this doesn't translate to the nail.  The shimmer is really subtle in lower lights, but in sunlight and under brighter lighting it really pops.  Because it's a metallic polish, it does show nail imperfections, so if you have major ridges like me you might want to go with a ridgefilling basecoat.  I used my favourite Duri Rejuvacote, but if seeing your ridges through the polish bothers you either double-up or go for a ridgefiller.

Overall it has a great formula and and it's a stunning polish.  I don't normally note anything about wear time as polish sometimes only lasts about 24 - 48 hours, but I wore Jem with no chips for four days and I finally took it off to do another mani even though it was still perfectly intact.  I know that wear time is different for everyone, but I'm really impressed!

Zoya polishes are available online through Nail Polish Canada and Jem is currently available at the time of this blog post for $9.75 and free shipping. 

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Heavenly Nail Mail 6-6-2014

Hey guys!  Sorry this post is a little late.  I received some amazing nail mail on Friday and it's been a little crazy so I didn't have time to get decent pictures and share right away.  Recently one of my Colors by Llarowe (CbL), which just happens to be one of my favourite brands had released their Summer Collection.  There were 34 (HOLY CRAP!) polishes in the collection.  This was more than a little daunting, especially since there were around 30 for the Spring Collection as well as charity polishes and some of the older polishes made a comeback.

It's safe to say that with the recent explosion of CbL's I have my hands (helmer) full with new beauties.  Since this was a pre-order, the collections were made available with a discount of $1.00 each polish, and this offer is only made for the first stocking of the polish so I snatched up three of the four sets.  Some of the polishes were claimed by some wonderful ladies and they are on their way home to them.  Anyway, on to the polish!

Colors by Llarowe (CbL) Summer 2014 Glitters

 Top Row: Beautiful Disaster, I'm Seeing Spots, Independence Day, My Own Reality and Mystery & Mayhem

Bottom Row: Opals & Lace, Purple is My Crack, Soccer Mom and Subtle Little Number

Colors by Llarowe (CbL) Summer 2014 Holo/Holo Glitters

Top Row: Anna's Adventure, Chillin' In Paradise, Final Fantasy, Gemini Rising and My Own Private Paradise

Bottom Row: Refresh...ing!, Sweet Revenge, The Golden Touch and When Doves Cry

Colors by Llarowe (CbL) Summer 2014 Shimmers

Alternate Universe, Connie's Nosey Neighbor and Holiday Road

Heavenly Nail Mail 6-6-2014

And here is the whole shebang, plus since the pre-order was on Leah Anne's birthday everyone who order was given a free mystery polish with their order.  Mine was Rednecks and Rubies featured at the bottom right corner. 

The Holo/Holo Glitter collection actually had 15 polishes in it, but I already had polishes that I felt were potentially close that I could let them go.  The only one I'm kind of regretting letting go is Aliens and Outlaws, but at the time I wasn't sure about it and another girl was interested.  There was also a Jelly/Crelly collection released, but I decided not to go for those as I'm a bit iffy about jellies.  They were all gorgeous and I'm a little sad I didn't get them all, but in the end I'm glad I let them go.

This time, I'm not only going to show you pictures of my haul, but I will be swatching these all for you hopefully soon so there will be more pictures coming.  I can't wait to try them all and I hope you enjoyed reading!

Colors by Llarowe can be purchased from Llarowe or Harlow & Co.  While the pre-order at Llarowe is over, they will be available again and they should be coming to Harlow & Co soon.  Keep an eye out on Llarowe's Facebook page and Harlow & Co's Facebook Page for restock information or subscribe to their newsletters.  Llarowe usually restock every 4 - 6 weeks.

Nail Vinyls

Hey guys!  Nail Vinyls had a sale recently and I finally broke down and got some.  I have a ton of striping tape, but find it difficult to work with.  I've seen lots of beautiful manis with the Nail Vinyls and as soon as they got here I couldn't wait to try them.

Nail Vinyls 40 count Lightning Bolts, 100 count Skinny Single Chevrons and 100 count Skinny Chevrons

I got the 40 count Lightning Bolts, 100 count Skinny  Single Chevrons and 100 count Skinny Chevrons.  I was considering also picking up some of the French Tips, but changed my mind.  Now I'm regretting not getting them.

The Nail Vinyls come with easy to follow instructions:

Nail Vinyls Instructions

I decided to go with a really simple design at first to test the waters and used a single Skinny Chevron on my middle nail.  My polish was already dry from previously so I used tweezers to remove the nail vinyl from the backing and to place it on my nail.  It was very easy to place and stayed put.  I used a quick coat of black over the whole nail and peeled of the vinyl.  It came out excellent, very neat and crisp.  So much easier for me to use than normal striping tape.

Nail Vinyls Nail Art Skinny Chevron Design

And here are the final results.  A super quick and easy accent nail to give new life to a mani.  I love the sharp contrast of the black with the simple pattern.  I think it would look excellent with a colour on each side as well.  I can foresee myself using these when I want a quick and simple look and I look forward to experimenting with them more.

Polishes used:

Base Color: OPI This Gown Needs A Crown
Accent Nail Color: FingerPaints Black Expressionism

Nail Vinyl: Skinny Chevron
Topcoat: HK Girl

Nail Vinyls come in a variety of styles and are available for purchase at her store HERE.  Prices vary per design and quantity.  Variety packs are available at a 10% discount.  Shipping is available to Canada and is very reasonable!  Every now and then they come out with a discount code, so be sure to follow them at the links below for updates.

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