I changed nail nail shapes a few months ago from square to round. And, for awhile my nails were growing like weeds and super strong. Then over the past month or so suddenly my nails started peeling again, which hasn't happened in awhile. :( I broke three nails last weekend, and two this week. My cuticles have also seemed like they want to peel for no reason despite my almost religious use of cuticle oil and butters, and the occasional mani bomb every other week. Blah.... needless to say I am not feeling the nail thing right now....

I'm not sure what has caused the current peeling. Maybe the transition to round tips freaked them out, or the weather changing, or the fact I hadn't used any nail treatment in months and months, (besides, my Orly Bonder base coat). I also know a few weeks ago I used a peel off glitter base coat, which ended up leaving white marks on the top of three different nails. So maybe I damaged my nail beds somehow with that. It was Glitter-a-peel, and I've used it in the past with no issues... maybe it's just a combination of things. :(

I ordered some more OPI Nail Envy since my last bottle pretty much dried up with what little was left. Decided to try the sensitive and peeling formula this time. Has anyone used that one? Hopefully it helps. I have used Nail Envy in the past, on and off and it always seemed to make the peeling go away and make my nails stronger. So hopefully it helps.

I was inspired to do some nails in the colors of my new Tieks Ballet Flats. :) I used OPI Can't Find My Czechbook, and Zoya Matte Velvet in Loredana. I also used striping tape to make the diagonal lines. I really love how they turned out, the colors go so well together, and I love the shiny/matte look of them.

I going to blame this on Polish Hound, and Doctor Crafty, for enabling me! Formula X, Crash is from their Xplosives Topcoats collection. It's a bright aqua blue matte glitter topcoat.


I also wanted to try Crash with purple. I did two coats of OPI Do You Lilac It? Then I used NYC Matte Me Crazy topcoat, and again did the gradient method to sponge on the glitter.

Would you try any of the Xplosives Topcoats from Formula X?

✯ PR Sample's Mentioned ✯

If you know me, I don't normally do free hand nail art, I usually stamp. But since I got a new brush set, I thought I would attempt some free hand. I have been seeing these cute holiday polar bears, and penguins on Facebook and Instagram a lot lately- so I decided to try my hand at them too. (There are quite a few tutorials online, or on youtube).


For the nail art, I used my brush set, and dotting tool that I purchased myself awhile ago from the Born Pretty Store. For the stamped snowflakes, I used stamp plate QA19 that the Born Pretty Store sent me for review.

We interrupt our regular programming of Fall and Halloween nail polish to bring you... butterfly nails! :-p

I had some eBay bucks recently, so I decided to pick up three OPI colors I've always wanted to add to my collection. Can't Find My Czechbook (I had a mini bottle of this before), Do You Lilac It?, and Vant To Bite My Neck?


I thought these colors would make a really pretty gradient together, and I was right! :) I topped it off with China Glaze Fairy Dust. I stamped the butterfly wings with Bundle Monster BM-424, Konad Black, and Seche Vite Topcoat.


Also, during Winstonia Store's Columbus Day sale I picked up their new 'Blue Envy' stamp plate organizer. It fits my Winstonia round plates, Konad, and Bundle Monster plates perfectly. I also love the little mesh pocket on the inside cover, so I can store my other miscellaneous plates that don't fit. My Born Pretty Store plates didn't fit, but I just decided I would slit the very last page to make them fit, since they are just a tiny bit larger.

The Born Pretty Store recently sent me some items to review. One of those items was stamp plate QA83. I thought this particular plate would be perfect to try some more leadlight technique with.


I started with a base of OPI Alpine Snow. I stamped with Konad Black. Then I used my OPI Sheer Tints to fill in the design. Finished with Seche Vite. I have to say I really like this Born Pretty Store stamp plate [QA83], the etching is just right and the design stamps perfectly. I can't wait to get some more. :-)




Use Code GPL91 for 10% off!  Always free worldwide shipping!

I've been wanting to attempt leadlight stamping for awhile. Leadlight stamping is a technique that was created by Julia from Messy Mansion. (Yes she makes those awesome stamping plates!) Leadlighting is basically just filling in a stamped design with sheer jelly polishes for a colorful artistic effect.

So for my first ever leadlight design I used Winstonia Store W216.I started with OPI Alpine Snow, stamped with Konad black, and then filled in the blank spots with my mini set of OPI Sheer Tints. I didn't use any special brushes. And of course a little China Glaze Fairy Dust! (Can never have enough of that!) I also used Seche Vite topcoat. I really like how colorful these turned out! I can't wait to try some other designs with this technique. My husband said they could hypnotize you! :-p

Edited to add: Speaking of honest blogging! I forgot to mention, the aqua OPI Sheer Tint- STAINS your skin. So be careful when using it. 

Congratulations to Melissa R. for winning the giveaway! Thank you to everyone that entered! There will be another giveaway soon! :) 


Prize Includes: 

1. 4 pack of OPI Brazil Beach Sandies (Mini),
2. CND Solar Cuticle Oil (Mini)
3. Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray
4. Jersey Shore Sun- Sans Tan Sunscreen 
5. Recbecca Minkoff Tropical Makeup Bag

Terms and Conditions: Giveaway ends August 8th at 11:59 PM EST. All prizes have been personally purchased by Tunay Na Mahal. You must be 18 or older to enter. We have the right to request proof of age if it seems appropriate. Entrants must live in the USA. All entries will be verified. No following and unfollowing once the giveaway ends. Prizes cannot be shipped to P.O. Boxes. There will be one winner chosen. Winner(s) will be selected by Random.org and notified by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. We may choose a new winner(s) at our discretion for any reason. No giveaway only accounts. We will make every effort to safely package your prize, however we are not responsible for any damage which may occur during shipping. Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin’, and Instagram are in no way associated with this giveaway. Any personal information provided will be used only for the purpose of contacting the winner(s).

✯ PR Sample ✯

I was recently sent the Surfs Up Voxbox from Influenster. Included in my box was Sinful Colors, Anchor's Away. It's a bright orange yellow color. Immediately I had thoughts of doing some sort of sunset gradient.

This was my first time trying Sinful Colors polish. The formula was really nice. I tested the color alone on my pinky, and it was opaque in two coats. For the gradient design I used OPI Suzi's Hungary Again, and dabbed on Sinful Colors Anchor's Away. I topped it off with China Glaze Fairy Dust, and Seche Vite. For the stamping I used Konad white, and Winstonia Store W-04.



Here's how the gradient looks without stamping:

When I saw swatches of OPI's new Coca-Cola Collection, I knew I had to have Today I Accomplished Zero. Besides being unique, it's also based on my favorite soda of all time. Coke Zero! (I always have to have a few bottles stashed in my fridge).

Today I Accomplished Zero is a black jelly base full of red glitter. The colors are reminiscent of Coke Zero's label.

But... add a matte topcoat (I used NYC Matte Me Crazy), and that's when the magic happens! This is how I love wearing Today I Accomplished Zero... look at that... it's gorgeous! 


*whew* I don't know about you, but looking at these swatches made me thirsty... so I'm off to get a glass of Coke Zero. Mmmm... ;-)

Have a Happy and safe 4th of July tomorrow! My husband and I will be heading up to my parents new place tomorrow (2 hours away), to celebrate.

This years 4th of July design, I created with OPI Solitare, Zoya Chyna & Liberty, and Painted Polish Drunk on Holo. I stamped with Konad white and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Brisk Blue. I used Winstonia Store stamp plates W107 & W110.



And... since this was stamped over texture, I decided to fairy dust & topcoat my design. Stamping over texture looks pretty, but it usually only lasts a day at the most.



Mwahahaha. If you haven't read The Mercurial Magpie's blog post on China Glaze Fairy Dust, you need to. I made the above graphic for her, in honor of how popular her catch phrase has become! ;-)