Chaos & Crocodile: Protocol & Reconnaissance Gradient.

I posted this on my blog's Facebook page on Sunday, but I wanted to share it here too. I got my inspiration from Amanda Loves Polish who also did some awesome holographic gradients this past week with Chaos and Crocodiles nail polishes. I used Protocol & Reconnaissance for my gradient, and stamped in Konad white with Winstonia Store stamp plate W-04. My stamping isn't perfect, but I still love how they turned out. 

You can view my Chaos & Crocodile swatches from the Secret Agent Collection here.

 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Creating Curved Watermarks for Nail Polish Photos w/ Paintshop Pro X7.

I've been wanting to do this tutorial for a little while. I get asked a lot how I create my curved watermarks on my nail polish photos. I use Paintshop Pro X7 to create my watermarks. (I had been using PSP X1 for years, but I just upgraded this past weekend to X7). There's quite a few steps involved, but once you've got the hang of it you can create a curved watermark within seconds.

*Note: I'm not sure if this tutorial can be applied to Photoshop or Gimp, as I don't use those programs. If you happen to adapt the steps below to work for you with those programs, please let me know in the comments!  

This is a very picture heavy post- if you want to read more, please click below!

SinfulColors: Spring Collection (Partial)

✯ PR Sample ✯

I was recently sent five of SinfulColors new polishes for Spring 2015. There's some new additions for spring: Bloomblast Glitters, Opalescent Toppers, and Citrus Twist Toppers.

Please click below to read the rest of this post!

Daphine Polish & Bumblesoaps!

I've mentioned my addiction to Bumblesoaps a few times before on this blog. :) They are an awesome indie bath & body company... which I am addicted to!

In February, Daphine Polish, and Bumblesoaps did a collaboration. Daphine Polish created colors to compliment some of Bumblesoaps scents. (The nail polish is scented too!) Each set came with a nail polish, and 2 or 3 Bumblesoaps products. There are 7 different colors in the collaboration collection. I ordered Twilight Nights, and Sweater Weather.


While you can no longer order the nail polish sets with the bath products. You can find the colors for sale individually on Daphine Polish, and you can also find products in these scents for sale on Bumblesoaps. 

Click below to see the rest of this review!

ZOYA NAIL POLISH MINIS FOR YOUR EASTER BASKET!

✯ Press Release ✯

You're never too old for an Easter Basket and Zoya Delight Minis are the perfect way to add a little something sweet to it without the calories! For a limited time, you can get the Zoya Nail Polish Delight shades in special Limited Edition boxes!


These color cuties are available for Pre-Order NOW and will be shipping on 3/23/15! 
Get any 5 color cuties for $20 PLUS Free Shipping! 

Use Code: MINI5

Head to www.zoya.com to pre-order these adorable minis now!

PS - they make the PERFECT gift!
 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Lucky 13 Lacquer: Out of This World Collection (Partial)

✯ PR Sample ✯

Good morning! Today I have new to me brand I'll be sharing; Lucky 13 Lacquer. I was sent three colors from their new 'Out of this World' Collection, along with Elemental Ward, and Dark Matter. 

Please click below to read the rest of this review! 

St. Patrick's Day with Oceanic Forces!

I thought about doing some stamping for St. Patrick's Day, but in the end I decided to keep it rather simple this year. I'm wearing Emily de Molly: Oceanic Forces(hey... it's greenish!), and China Glaze I'm Not Lion on my accent nail.

Macro from an older post. 

I thought I would show you all my four leaf clover jewelry. :) The ring, watch (which needs a new battery), and bracelet I got in the Philippines years ago. I can't remember which mall we found these at. There's a real clover pressed underneath the glass on each piece. And the bracelet in the front with my name engraved on it was from my cousin Chrissy. 

I'll be picking two winners from the anniversary giveaway soon!

 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Painted Sabotage: Gargle Blaster & Valthrudnir

✯ PR Sample ✯

Painted Sabotage has some of the prettiest crellies and glitter bombs. She recently sent me some polishes to swatch and today I'm sharing Gargle Blaster, and Valthrudnir with you.


Gargle Blaster: The Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster was invented by Zaphod Beeblebrox, a major character in Douglas Adams' novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyA mint green shade with a slight shimmer, accented with fuchsia, silver and gunmetal glitters! This is three coats. It dries gritty so be sure to use a thick topcoat to smooth things out. I used 1 coat of Gelous, and 1 coat of Seche Vite below.

With matte topcoat:

Valthrudnir: is the name of a frost giant that challenged Odin in Norse mythology. A bluish gray with glints of ice and snow. You will find an assortment of blue, gunmetal, silver holographic and white glitters. Application was a breeze. Two smooth coats, and no fishing for glitters. Dries gritty so be sure to use a thick topcoat to smooth things out. I used 1 coat of Gelous, and 1 coat of Seche Vite below.

With matte topcoat:

Painted Sabotage polishes are 3-free. No Dibutyl Phthalate, No Formaldehyde and No Toluene. Cruelty Free.

You can also find Painted Sabotage on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Molly: Aug 2013 - March 2015.

My pretty little Molly girl passed Thursday morning. She had all the symptoms of a pituitary tumor. She would have good days, and bad days, but pituitary tumors are inoperable so eventually her health declined. :( She eventually couldn't eat with her hands because of the paralysis from the pituitary tumor, so we would have to feed her soft foods, baby food, ensure, yogurt.

We brought Molly home in August 2013. She was the sweetest little rat ever. Molly loved to give kisses constantly, she was very affectionate, and curious. I loved her white blaze marking. Her left ear was missing the tip when we brought her home, but it gave her a cute quirky look. Molly even got her time in the spotlight on my friend Kirby's, blog; The Mercurial Magpie: Fairy Dust All The Things. RIP Molly...

Please click below, post is photo heavy.

Zoya Delight: Butterfly Gradient

✯ PR Samples Mentioned ✯

I've seen some really amazing nail art with the Zoya Delight collection lately, (See: Polish Hound, Painted Nubbs, and Manna's Manis!) And I wanted to try my hand at some as well.

I decided to do a gradient with the Zoya Delight Collection (press sample). I started with a a base of OPI Alpine Snow, and then sponged on Zoya Lillian, Leslie, and Eden. China Glaze Fairy Dust was applied, before using the butterfly water decals (XF1438) I was sent by the Born Pretty Store, and I dotted on Zoya Tomoko with the nail art brush BPS also sent me. I used Seche Vite topcoat.


The water decals are very easy to work with. You cut out the decals you want to use, then fill a bowl or cup with lukewarm water. For me, I hold the decal with my thumb & index finger in the water- you will start to feel the decal slide off onto your finger when it's ready. Then I flip it around and place on my nail. Don't be afraid of ruining the decal, they aren't that delicate- so it's easy to maneuver them. Once the decal is placed on my nail, I dab the excess water off with a napkin or tissue before top coating.


The rhinestone nail art brush is surprisingly well made. It's got some heft to it when you hold it in your hand. The rhinestones in the handle are purely for decoration. I like that it comes with a lid to protect your brush. The brush itself has a very fine tip. 

Please use code: YDG10 for 10% off your Born Pretty Store order! 
(Coupon code is not valid on sale items).

The Born Pretty Store has free worldwide shipping. They are based in Singapore, so it usually takes about 3-4 weeks to receive an order from them. I have ordered from them before, besides receiving items to review, and definitely recommend them for their cheap prices, and cute nail art selections.


 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Press Release: SPRING 2015 FROM #SINFULCOLORS

✯ Press Release ✯

I have a press release for you this evening, and I'll be sharing a few of these new shades on the blog soon.

SPRING 2015 FROM SINFULCOLORS

Catch Spring Fever! Bid farewell to the winter blues!! It's time for rebirth, rejuvenation and freshness this spring.  Catch a little spring fever for Spring 2015 with SinfulColors.  Bust out of your winter nail rut with a comprehensive collection of 24 bold, vibrant and unexpected shots of color that capture three major nails trends of the season.  Traditional, soft pastels get an invigorating update with creamy shimmer and glitter. Mood boosting zesty oranges, bright yellows and greens invoke an energizing palette of citrus-inspired colors guaranteed to invigorate your spring awakening.  And calm blues, purples and teals are enhanced with iridescent toppers that make for a decorative and decadent take on classic shades.

Create your freshest mani ever with these 24 daring and exciting pigments for Spring 2015 from SinfulColors:

Cloud 9: Perfect orange                                         
Cream Pink: Bubble gum pink
Energetic Red: A classic fire engine red                
Feel The Vibe: A bright splash of juicy orange
Gold Medal: The perfect metallic gold             
Innocent: Green apple
Let's Meet: Luxe lemon yellow                               
Let's Talk: Royal purple
Nail Junkie: Sparkle-infused aqua                         
Navy I Do: True navy blue
Sail La Vie: Cerulean sea blue                               
Savage: A matte turquoise that pops
Tempest: A subtly seductive purple                       
Thimbleberry: A crushing shade of coral
Why Not: A clear sky blue

OPALESCENT TREND TOPPERS
Flight To See: Prismatic plum                              
Prized Plume: Iridescent peacock-feather blue
Sheer Flight: Bejeweled emerald

CITRUS TWIST TOPPERS
Horizon Shine: High-shine crimson red               
Ring The Belini: Metallic tangerine feather blue
Zest Of Times: Lustrous magenta 

BLOOMBLAST GLITTERS
Flower Power: Baby pink speckled with white & fuchsia
Petal Be The Day: Royal blue and purple confetti  
Standing Bloom Only: A creamy mango with magenta flecks 

PRICE/AVAILABILITY:

$1.99 at Walgreens and other mass retailers for Spring 2015.

You can also find SinfulColors on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Designed by FlexyCreatives