Nail Shield Review

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I broke down and bought a nail shield!!! I was so sure that they were a ridiculous trend, but the ones on Hex Nail Jewelry actually looked kind of awesome so I said, "What the hell?", and added two on to my order :)

Pahlish Sleep to Dream with Nail Shield

So it's pretty clear that this particular shield doesn't fit my nail well. My nails are just too narrow (and probably the wrong shape right now - oval nails are the ideal - maybe a little too short too!). The shield is somewhat pliable so I gently curved the nail shield so it didn't lie so flat, but it would only curve so much... Not enough for my narrows, but I believe it would be perfect for someone with standard sized nails. I always have trouble with wraps and fake nails being too wide for my nails too!

The shields and nail jewelry are way smaller and thinner than I had expected which is an awesome surprise!!! I was worried they'd all be too big for my nails, but I think most will look fine. I'll be posting more manis featuring the hex jewelry in the mid-near future.

Have you tried nail shields? Are you sold on the trend or do you have reservations? I'd love to hear about your experiences and/or opinions!!

xxx

NPA

My Love of Pahlish!

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Pahlish Your Fortress Fades

Your Fortress Fades is a neutral light taupe with gold shimmer flecks. This is a work appropriate polish with a little sass! Two coats.

Pahlish Sleep to Dream

Sleep to Dream is an aubergine with blue, gold and other indiscernible colours of shimmer flecks. Absolutely stunning!!! I applied two coats for completely opaque coverage.

Pahlish Sink in the Silence

Sink in the Silence is a deep chocolate brown creme with gold and rusty orange/bronze shimmer flecks. This is a shade I'll be sporting this Fall/Winter. Two coats - seriously opaque!

Pahlish Forest of the Dead

Forest of the Dead is a dark swampy green bursting with green, gold and bronze shimmer flecks. Absolutely stunning. If you don't own many greens, this is the one you want. Two coats.

Pahlish Fleur de Sel

Fleur de Sel is a white/very pale pink creme with red and pearl shimmer flecks. I've never seen non-metallic red flecks before and I'm totally obsessed with them! This was just two coats.

Pahlish El Topo Petite

El Topo Petite is a deep purple leaning taupe with rusty orange glitter flecks. It's gorgeous, perfect for Autumn/Winter. Two coats.

Pahlish Bad Wolf

BTW I'm holding a bottle of Your Fortress Fades in the photos above because I temporarily misplaced Bad Wolf and the colours were close enough, I thought I'd get away with it. Fail!

I freaking love Bad Wolf and for that matter any polish that has these colour-shifting (pink-gold) flakes in it! Way to make a putty taupe stand out Pahlish!

All the flakie shades need a thick topcoat for a smooth and glossy finish - but otherwise the formulas are easy to apply, if slightly thick.


Pahlish is available here and at several e-stockists.

Cadillacquer Breaking Bad Selection

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The Breaking Bad Collection is a mix of beautiful shimmers and subtle holos. Today I'll be showing you my picks! They are so awesome it makes me really want to watch the series! I really ought to have by now, right?

Cadillacquer Pinkman

 Pinkman - named after the character Jesse Pinkman (a former student of Walter White who becomes his partner). It's a beautiful pale, dirty pink shimmer with gold-green flecks. Two coats is all you need.

 Cadillacquer Cap 'n Cook

Cap 'n Cook is a red toned purple scattered holo with a pink shimmer flash! It's super flattering on my warmer skin tone. Again, two coats.

 Cadillacquer Blowfish

Blowfish (not sure what this name refers to - I need to watch to find out!), is a pretty pale green shimmer with blue-green flecks. It's so delicate - the most wearable green I own. This is also a two-coater.

 Cadillacquer Carwash

Carwash is a blurple scattered holo with a bit of a pink flash. All blurple lovers NEED IT!!!! Again, two coats.

 Cadillacquer Say My Name

Say My Name is an aubergine scattered holo with blue-purple flecks. This leans a little brown, which I like. I feel like it'll be my new 'go to' this winter. Again, two coats.

 Cadillacquer Yeah, Science!

Yeah, Science! is my absolute favourite from the Breaking Bad Collection. A soft lilac purple shimmer with pink-purple flecks! Of course, it's another two-coater.

The formula on all of these is sort of thicker than the usual creme but it is very manageable and applies nicely - sort of self-leveling. 

Cadillacquer is an amazing indie brand from Switzerland. They are a bit pricey on e-tailer sites but you can buy direct for about US$12 and she ships internationally for reasonable rates.

xxx

NPA

Old School: China Glaze No Way Jose

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This next HTF was on my wish list for 3 years! And it totally delivers.

China Glaze No Way Jose

No Way Jose is a lilac purple with a green glass fleck shimmer throughout. It to die for gorgeous. I applied three thin coats for full coverage. It is another pre-3Free formulated lacquer and from the China Glaze Martini Pedicure collection like 100 Proof Pink.


After trying NWJ I desperately need Shaken Not Stirred but I can't even find it listed on Ebay :(

How do you like your Martini? (The one time I tried one - it was gin, my fav spirit - I had one sip before I had to water it down with a bottle of tonic water. I have such respect for wasps that can drink multiples!)


xxx
NPA

KB Shimmer Plum Tuckered Out & Every Nook And Cranberry

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Last year I got quite a few of the KB Shimmer Holiday Collection. This year I limited myself to just two (mainly because all the others were out of stock!):

KB Shimmer Plum Tuckered Out

Plum Tuckered Out is a deep red based purple with duochrome shimmer flecks that shift from blue-purple-pink. I applied two medium coats for full coverage and 1 coat of INM Out the Door for a bit of gloss/,

KB Shimmer Every Nook and Cranberry

Every Nook and Cranberry is a pink leaning red, loaded with glass fleck shimmer, with a matte finish. It's gorgeous and covers nicely in two thin coats. It' ok with top coat but I prefer it matte, myself. 

xxx

NPA

Contrary Polish River Market & Feels Like Home

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Holy Moly, it's already February!

Did January fly by all of you too?

Contrary Polish Feels Like Home

 Feels Like Home is part of the Valentines Day 2013 Collection, that I was lemming all year - now I have 4/6 and I think I'm done. Contrary Polish does beautiful things with SHIMMER!!! This one is a smokey purple taupe with a pinch of pink glitter and some shy gold shimmer

 Contrary Polish River Market

River Market is a deep, vibrant purple jelly with red, purple and fuchsia micro-glitter and a touch of gold shimmer. It can look almost black in low light but it is so stunning in the sun! River Market is from the No Place Like Home Fall 2013 Collection, I believe.

I got these from Femme Fatale but for a full list of stockists, read the sidebar here

xxx

NPA

polished by KPT Thermal Swatches

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I bought a few polished by KPT colour changing polishes from Femme Fatale during their New Year Sale and they are just as amazing as I thought they'd be!!!

Polished by KPT Blue is Beautiful

Blue is Beautiful is a thermal colour-changing lacquer that shifts from an almost translucent grey/blue when warm to a medium blurple-blue when cold. It's got a jelly formula with translucent blue glitter and silver micro-glitter. I applied 3 medium coats for fuller coverage when warm - it is a little thick, but applies nicely.

Polished by KPT Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler is a purple/blue shimmer with blue flecks. When it's warm, it goes to a pale grey/purple and when cold it transitions back to the dark blue/purple. I applied two medium coats and top coat for shine.

Polished by KPT Ophelia's Love

Ophelia's Love is a greyish pale purple with pink-gold shimmer flecks that changes to a smokey dark purple when cool. The shimmer looks amazing against the dark base. This dries to a satin matte like the rest so I also added top coat for a glossy sheen!

Do you have any KPTs yet? Because I seriously recommend you get your paws on these beauties!!! I really want blood as thick as gold.


xxx
NPA