Grown Up Christmas Nails

I am fully aware that Christmas is a time to go OTT with literally everything. Christmas jumpers, PJs, hats, decorations, fairy lights, the whole lot. Nails definitely fall into that category but sometimes it's nice to switch things up a bit and go for something a little subtle. Today I want to show you my 'grown up' version of a Christmas manicure that won't blind you with glitter but will still (hopefully) get you in the festive spirit.

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Cirque 2016 Holiday Collection

Well, this is just simply not on. It's about a week until Christmas and this is my first Christmas post! It's my favourite time of the year and believe me when I say that I crammed just about as many candles, Christmas trees, wreaths, fairy lights, baubles and festive cushions as I could into my one bed flat. Unfortunately, with a relatively new job, college, breaking my laptop AND iPad and now the news that my parents are coming for Christmas (cue mad cleaning spells), blogging just had to take a step back. But not to worry, I still have a few days left to show you all the festive designs I've been doing meanwhile.

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All That Glitters MeeBox: Swatches, Nail Art and Review

The season of sparkle is upon us which means that for the next few weeks no amount of glitter is too much glitter...and the MeeBox girls know it! I don't know what I was expecting from the latest 'All That Glitters' box but, silly enough, I wasn't expecting THAT much sparkle. We have holo polish, glass paper, loose glitter, glitter polish....basically, every form of glitter and sparkle crammed into one box. This one is definitely getting stored away from my mother or I'll never see it again!

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A England Tennyson's Romance Review

For the past 2 weeks, I've been in full swatching mode and I'm finally ready to show you a new collection from A England called Tennyson's Romance. It features 5 beautiful holographic shades and I compared some of them with polishes from previous A England's collections. Let's have a look!

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Water Marble Video Tutorial featuring Faby

Tonight, I want to introduce you to a 'new to me' brand, Faby. It is an Italian brand with one of their recent shades featured on the cover of October's Scratch Magazine. I was lucky to have a Faby manicure done at the Olympia Beauty Event last month with the most gorgeous metallic red, 'Miss Scarlet, I Suppose...'. You can read all about my experience HERE, but for now, let's have a look at the water marble I created using Sunglasses and Bikini* and Lotus Flower in Shangai* that were kindly gifted to me.

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MeeBox Sugar Skulls: Swatches, Nail Art and Review

Isn't Halloween just soo yesterday? Um, no. You might have celebrated yesterday but it is in fact, on Monday. Just sayin'. Still, I hope you don't mind a few more creepy designs, especially when it features MeeBox! This month's theme is all about Sugar Skulls, which are a part of the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration. There is lots of colour, flowers and great tools. Let's face it, who wants a 'typical' Halloween box? Nobody!

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Gothic Halloween Nail Art

I couldn't really get in the spirit of Halloween this year. I think it must be the whole pumpkin thing. They are everywhere and they are orange and we all know how much I just LOVE that colour. So I decided to switch it up a bit and go for a gothic glam. Think long vintage necklaces and Morticia Addams' red claws! 

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The Edge Nails: Annika Nail Colour Review

One of the best things about blogging has to be finding great brands and sharing my experience with you. So today I'm super excited to show you four shades from the 'new to me' brand, The Edge Nails. They released a new range called Annika and I am seriously impressed with all the colours I've tested. Let's have a look.

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Cuccio Colour Cruise Collection

The two shades I'm about to show you today are from this year's spring/summer Cuccio collection. Yes, I am aware it's autumn and the reds and purples are stealing the thunder but I actually like to reach for soft and nude shades this time of the year too. I picked these up at the Olympia Beauty Show a few weeks ago. Best. Decision. EVER!

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My Day at Olympia Beauty 2016

Have you heard about Olympia Beauty? It's an annual trading event for everyone interested in nails but also makeup and skin care amongst many things. I found out about it a bit too late last year, just as I was really getting into nails, and I vowed to see what the event is all about next time. And by vowed I mean, I literally booked my ticket as soon as they were available and marked the date in my calendar. Yeah, I was just a *tiny* bit keen.

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31 Day Challenge 2016 Round Up

The 31 Challenge is officially over. FINALLY! I decided to do a little round up post because I think I need to have all the designs in one place just to believe that I actually did it. I linked all the pictures to the relevant blog posts in case you missed any or want to find out all about the products I used. Let's have a look!

     DAY 1: Red Advanced Stamping     DAY 2: Orange Louboutin              DAY 3: Yellow Damask

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Pumpkin Spice MeeBox: Swatches, Nail Art and Review

According to my social media feed, the season of the pumpkin spice latte has begun. I wouldn't know, I don't drink coffee! I also never had pumpkin spiced anything so you might begin to sense I'm a little behind on the subject. However, my new MeeBox has arrived and with a little help from Google I am now in the loop! The Pumpkin Spice box has you ready for Autumn with three gorgeous shades and a stamping set full of nature and food inspired images and adorable phrases. Let's have a look!

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31 Day Challenge: Coffee Drag Marble

Do you ever watch tutorials and think, I can totally do that, just to fail miserably? I think we've all been there. However this particular tutorial that inspired today's design was tormenting me for months! It turns out there are worse things than painting flowers. I present to you, drag marble!

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31 Day Challenge: Jigglypuff

The more I look at it, the more I wonder whether you can tell what's on my nails without looking at the title? Or perhaps you already looked and still have no clue? Let me give you a little clue...*clears throat*...'Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em aaaaall!'. You guessed it, today's design for 'inspired by supernatural' features Pokemon!

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31 Day Challenge: Formula 1

The flag prompt day is finally here and it's the one I've been dreading the most. I've had my idea ready but when it came to executing it, I got yet another chance during this challenge to question my sanity. I mean seriously, who in their right mind chooses to DRAW a checkered design?! In my defence, I was sure I had a plate with that pattern. I was wrong. 

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31 Day Challenge: Silver Fern

Last year I visited New Zealand and I swear it has every single geographical feature known to man. Beaches, mountains, forests, volcanoes, you name it, that county's got it! Still, it felt like no matter where I went, silver ferns were always around. The locals told me that its unfurling leaf was the symbol of New Zealand and it features in a lot of Māori art. In today's design we take inspiration from artwork so can you see where I'm going with this?

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31 Day Challenge: Victoria Beckham Inspired Tartan

Is there a pattern that says Autumn more than tartan?! I don't think so. Since September is the month of the fashion week, for today's design I took my inspiration from Victoria Beckham's AW16 tartan coats and jackets. I love the combination of greys with a bit of vibrant orangey red coming through.

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31 Day Challenge: AW16 Florals

A lot of people would agree that flowers in nail art are most popular in spring and summer, which sadly are over now. So I had this cunning plan to practice from now until spring and be totally awesome at painting flowers by the time the weather gets warm again! It was such a perfect plan...until I realised that florals are apparently IN this autumn/winter season. 

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31 Day Challenge: Colouring Book

Let's pretend I didn't miss yesterday's prompt and skip straight to my 'inspired by a book' design. Instead of thinking about it in terms of books I've read, this look was inspired by doodles in colouring books! That's not cheating...is it?

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31 Day Challenge: Oriental Nail Art

Either my memory is failing me or I have never done an oriental manicure before. Until now! Today's 31 Day Challenge design is supposed to be 'inspired by a song' and I chose one of my all time favourites 'Walking on a Dream' by Empire of the Sun. 

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31 Day Challenge: Red Autumn Leaves

It's the first day of Autumn tomorrow and I have a matching manicure to go with it. Yes, days may be lasting about 5 minutes from now on but the beautiful leaves provide a great nail inspo! I added a few on my accent nail using the reverse stamping technique.

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31 Day Challenge: Stone Inspired Water Marble

I don't do water marble very often, but when I do, you bet it's going to be stone inspired! One of the reasons I love this technique is because you can tweak the pattern until you're happy with it. Yeah, that's about it. The rest is a nightmare which is just what everybody expects from water marble!

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31 Day Challenge: B&W Galaxy Nails

Did you know that this is the second time I've taken part in the 31 Day challenge? It's also the second time I've struggled with this prompt. I mean, galaxy doesn't sound that complicated, does it? No, but I had the clever idea of creating JUPITER. Yep, I even planned to include the massive storm on its surface...ha...hahhaah...hahah...HA! (That's a fake laugh, btw)

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31 Day Challenge: Half Moon Vintage Lace

How about something vintage today? I love a good old lace design and I thought, why not pair it with my recent favourite purple, 'Ard as Nails Crime Book Junkie* (swatched here). Let's have a look!

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NYFW: Rodarte Glitter Cuticles Trend

Yes, there is glitter all over my cuticles. And yes, my eyes have recovered from yesterday, thanks. Since September is all about the fashion week, I thought it would be a good idea to try a few nail trends I spotted on the catwalk. This particular design was seen at New York Fashion Week. It was created by Tracylee for Rodarte and it seemed like the perfect choice for today's 31 Day Challenge glitter prompt.

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31 Day Challenge: Geometric + Negative Space

You would think that when you take part in a huge nail art challenge, it would be a good idea to prepare a few designs in advance, right? Yes, it would, but did I do it? Of course not and now I'm paying for it because during such a long challenge things are bound to go wrong. More about that later. Now let's look at today's design before I really start ranting!

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31 Day Challenge: Delicate Print

Yes, you're seeing it right, today's manicure features flowers. I know, totally out of character. Although...didn't I just post a floral design yesterday? Ok, so maybe I did but don't judge me, I didn't have a choice!

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31 Day Challenge: Flowers with Pantone Colours of 2016

Today's prompt is the one I was looking forward to the least. If you read my blog regularly then you know I'm not massively into flowers and that has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I can't paint them. Ok, maybe a teensy tiny bit. Fortunately, there is always a dotting tool to come to the rescue! That I can deal with. 

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31 Day Challenge: Animal Print

Snake skin may not be the most original design but I've never done one before and today seemed like the perfect opportunity. I was super happy about this manicure until I showed it to my mother who said 'That's nice, I wish I could make such a pretty honeycomb pattern'. Honeycomb? Seriously, a bloody honeycomb?! I think we all know what I'm getting my mum for Christmas (Yes, I said the 'C' word).

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31 Day Challenge: Back to School Stripes

I feel so nostalgic looking at these nails! When I was young I used to love the start of September as it meant new pens, notebooks and general school accessories. I still to this day love stationery and the smell of books. Yes, I'm weird like that.

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31 Day Challenge: 3D Polka Dots

These are pretty trippy! The more I look at them the more my eyes go funny. Still, I've never tried 3D dots before and today's prompt seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally give it a go.

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31 Day Challenge: Delicate Gradient

I've always wanted to do one of those delicate 'french' gradients, you know? They are so dainty and just go with everything. I wish this was my first idea for today's challenge because it would have saved me a lot of time and stress!

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31 Day Challenge: Rainbow Nails

The rainbow prompt sounds like a dream for a stripe lover, right? Unfortunately, my time management today has been appalling so I had to take a shortcut meaning no stripes. I'm so annoyed with myself!

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31 Day Challenge: Metallic Leaves Video Tutorial

Today's post is a special one because it comes with a video tutorial! I haven't done a tutorial in a while and I thought it was about time. I am still new to the whole filming and editing process (it's so confusing!) but I think I'm slowly getting the hang of it so watch this space. Ok, that's enough chatter, let's have a look at the design!

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31 Day Challenge: B&W Nails with a twist

I was looking forward to today's prompt because black and white combos are some of my favourite in the nail art world. There's just something very sophisticated about them. I then went ahead and added a bit of bright green. Rules? Pfft, what rules?!

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31 Day Challenge: Violet Nails

It's insane how much inspiration you can draw from a visit to an antiques fair. I went to my first one last month and I couldn't believe the amount (and types) of stuff you can get! I spent most of the day walking around, looking at beautiful pieces of jewellery which is what inspired this design.

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31 Day Challenge: Blue Nails

I was really struggling to pick the right shade for today's challenge as I have an obscene amount of blue polishes. Still, there are worse problems, I guess!

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31 Day Challenge: Green Nails

Man, I am bending the rules of this challenge big time! But hey, does it have green it in? Yes, it does so my conscience is totally clean!

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31 Day Challenge: Yellow Nails

Yellow prompt turned out to be not much better than yesterday's orange one. Not because I don't like yellow but because I did a destash about a week ago and, you guessed it, I apparently got rid of most of my yellow polishes. Perfect.

I had to work with what I got so I decided to use Ciate Loop the Loop as my base. It got me thinking, does anyone else feel like Ciate's mini bottles drive them insane? Or is it just me? They are very rectangular (as in wider than they are taller) and it's impossible to get the polish out once you get about half way though the bottle. I'm not sure if that's the problem with their regular size bottles as I don't own any.

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31 Day Challenge: Orange Nails

Someone tell this girl that holding a bottle of orange polish doesn't count as 'orange nails'! Don't worry, there IS orange there, but it's hidden ;)

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31 Day Challenge: Red Nails

It's the first of September today and it's a special date in my calendar, it's the start of the 31 Day Challenge! Have you heard of it? It's basically a month where you give up social life and there are *possibly* some occasional tears, comfort chocolate eating and 'it will do' attitude involved. Jokes aside, this challenge is great for pushing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone for an entire month. If you want to find out more about it, there's more info at the end of this post.

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Boho MeeBox: Nail art, Swatches and Review

'It's my birthday, it's my birthday, I'mma spend my money!' is totally what the MeeBox girls are singing this month. That's right, my favourite nail subscription box has just turned one. The time is flying! I can't believe that I have been a small part of it for the past half a year too as your MeeBox Ambassador. Now, what's a birthday without presents, right? MeeBox has you covered. This month along with your usual 3 polishes and 2 nail related products we are also treated to an extra goodie. And let me tell you, it is stunning!

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Guest post for Nail Polish Society

Exciting news! I have done my first guest post and it's for none other than Emiline behind Nail Polish Society! Emiline is taking it easy with blogging this month and me along with a bunch of talented ladies produced a few posts while she enjoys her time off. I created this mandala inspired design with the polishes of one of my favourite indie brands. You can find my blog post HERE. 

I'll be back tomorrow with this month's MeeBox review. See you then! Xx

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'Ard as Nails: Colour Shift Collection

How do you feel about colour shift polishes? I have been totally mesmerised by them ever since I tried ILNP 'Cameo' and there is a long list of shade shifters that I really want to try. So today I am super excited to show you a whole Colour Shift Collection by 'Ard as Nails as it's full of sparkle and just general gorgeousness.

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How to: Decals on the Uber Chic Mat

I have recently realised I am super behind with so many reviews so today's post will feature some stencils that Born Pretty Store sent me about 5 thousand years ago. They are meant to be applied directly onto the nail but I decided to try it out with my Uber Chic Mat and create decals. It was so much easier than I thought it would be! I also added a little step by step guide. I explain it all below.

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Olympics Video Tutorial: Negative Space Design

My flat has literally become a man cave. One could even assume there's NOTHING on TV other then the Olympics. Is it possible that a guy can like sports that much? I mean, every sport? It seems that my boyfriend does. Since I can't escape it, I decided to just go with it and I created a sporty negative space design using a few polishes from the Rio themed MeeBox (reviewed HERE).

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Ice Cream Nail Art Tutorial for Nail Spec

Do you know what I've been recently obsessed with? Toffee Cornettos. Seriously, I can't get enough! I am aware that my 'beach body' will not thank me for that but quite frankly, since summer decided not to show up this year, I officially decided not to give a crap.

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ABC Challenge: N is for Nude

I had so many ideas for today's ABC Challenge but in the end I settled for 'Nude'. I'm not sure that was a good move. Did I tell you what happened to me last time I used that word in a title? Basically, I shared the post on social media and most platforms said it can't be viewed because the content was 'sensitive'...um, seriously?!

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Rio MeeBox: Swatches, Nail Art and Review

Let me just put it out there that I am not the biggest sports fan. I have a few favourite disciplines and games that I like watching but I don't think I'll be plastered to the TV to watch the Olympic Games this summer. Although I'm sure the TV WILL be on because that's one of the perks (or not) of having a boyfriend! However, the one thing I love about the Olympics is the opening ceremony because I love how the hosting country's culture is implemented into it. But why am I talking about sport on a nail art blog?? Because the newest MeeBox edition is all about the Olympic Games in Rio! I think the theme is very clever (no surprise there!) because even if you're not a fan of sporting events, the colours in this box are perfect for a summer mani. Right, that's enough chatter, let's have a look at what's in the box!

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ABC Challenge: M is for Mandala Nails

It's time for another ABC Challenge and this week it's all about the letter 'M'. I didn't actually have any ideas for this prompt so in moments like these I just do whatever I feel like and see how it goes. Well, it looks like it's a mandala design for you today!

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