Palate Cleanser of the Week! Estee Lauder Nouveau Riche

Hi!

I've come up with this new little mini-series in a bid to improve my swatching and photography skills. I realise that my swatches, and indeed photos, are not always up to scratch and I want to change that. Now, to me a palate cleanser may not just be a plain old polish - but a special polish (be it creme, shimmer, foil, duochrome...) on it's own, no nail art, no stamping, no accent nails. And I couldn't think of a better polish to start with.

This is the only Estee Lauder polish I own, because they are rather pricey; this one was a gift. But it is a stunner. Bronze, with a foil finish, and almost, almost duochrome in the right light. This was three coats, an there is still a little VNL, but not so much that it bothers me. Application is smooth and easy and dry time is good. I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote and a top coat of Poshe.

Pretty? Not something I reach for a lot, but I like it none the less. So, this is my starting point. I hope my swatches get better and better from here! Any tips gratefully received!

Hx

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Skittle me blue...

Hi!

I was in the mood for blue and chevrons the other day, so blue and chevrons is what I had! My base was China Glaze First Mate, and the glitter on my ring finger was Glistening Snow. I used a plate from the newest Bundle Monster set for the chevrons with Barry M Silver Foil and freehanded the stripey liney things on my middle finger with Barry M Silver Nail Art Pen, which matched perfectly. A couple of rhinestones and done.

Glistening Snow was so sparkly, I just couldn't quite capture it. I was happy with how this turned out, I don't think it was anything special but it was well executed for once! I've seen people struggle with the stamp I used so I was pleased I got it even and had no real gaps in the image. It's the little things that make me happy.

Hx

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Meet the Almonds!

Hello!

So, I did it! After um-ing and ah-ing for over a week, with one thumbnail almond shaped and lonely I bit the bullet and shaped all of my nails into almonds! I've wanted to try the shape for a while, but I never thought I'd be able to get my natural nails long and strong enough to handle it. But, thanks to Duri Rejuvacote, here they are! I think I was putting it off because I know it's a weaker shape, and more prone to breaks and tears, but I know that if I do have a bad break and I have to cut them all down, I'm confident that they wont take long to get back to their former glory, thanks to Duri. The shape isn't perfect, but I'm hoping it's something that I'll perfect over the next few weeks as I get used to them. So far, I'm in love! I think they look elegant and cute, and they make my podgy fingers look less sausage-esque. And that's got to be a good thing.

I kept my first manicure simple, so I could revel in the shape a little for a while! I used 2 coats of Rimmel Salon Pro in Beige Babe and the accent finger is 2 coats of a Pretty (from Poundand) leather polish - which is a lot more sparkly and a little bit greener than my pictures show. I know I say this a lot but I am in love! With this manicure, and my nails, at long last!

My final 33 day challenge post goes live tomorrow, with my old nail shape as I wanted to finish the challenge before I filed them, but after that it's almonds all the way! What do you think, I hope you like them! Any particular nail art you'd like to see on them? Of course, there are some Christmas manis coming your way soon too!

Hx

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Winter is here...

Brrr!

So, the clocks have fallen back, we've had our first snowfall (just a few flurries, but it totally counts!) and it seems winter really is here. Which is a good thing really as that was the theme for adventures in stamping this week! I got a bit adventurous with some layering and a glitter accent. I used a base of Sally Hansen Eel Skin, a lovely mid-grey creme and then topped my accent ring and thumb with Dollish Polish You'll Shoot Yer Eye Out, Kid. There's a bit of a story behind this one, I don't think it's meant to have the gold stars in. At least all the swatches I've seen haven't had gold stars in but I bought it (very cheaply) from a lady who'd had an accident with the original bottle and had decanted it. I'll ask her one day but for now, I have gold stars. I did have to fish for the snowflake glitters, which was a bit of a pita, but it's totally worth it. So pretty! I then stamped this wintery foresty tree-y scene from Bundle Monster 407 in Konad White, and sandwiched it under a thin layer of Models Own Indian Ocean for the pretty shimmer. In LOVE with the fairytale-like result!

Ready, Steady, Pic Spam!

With flash. Dat shimmer!

Now, I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. I broke a corner off my thumb nail a few days ago, and rather than filing it all down I shaped it into an almond and kinda fell in love with it! But now, do I do the rest of them, or do I let this grow out and file it back to square? My nails are long enough to have short almonds now, and I've wanted to try them for a while but I know it makes the nails weaker and I'm not ready to lose the little bit of length I've managed to get for the first time ever. So, what would you do? I asked on Instagram yesterday and the majority or people said go for it... Maybe I will after I've finished the 33 day challenge - I've been working ahead and only have 3 more to do so we'll see how the thumb fares in the meantime!

Are you a fan of winter? I love my fairytale winter nails, just not so keen on the cold!

Hx

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