Autumn Alternative French Manicure

I love cream finish polishes. Some think its boring, I like to think it's classic. That being said, sometimes I paint my nails with a polish and get bored. Sometimes a plain cream finish is enough, other times you yearn for a little more pizzazz. This manicure started out completely satisfying me. I wore it for days on its own. It complimented my outfits, made my nails look lovely, and was an understated classic. Then I wanted more. I added a metallic tip and gave this manicure new life.

Polishes used: Sally Hansen So much Fawn and Gilty Party

Gilty Party might be my favorite fall metallic. What do you do to spruce up a manicure that you're tired of?

Festive Fall Leaves

As mentioned on facebook, this week I will be sharing some festive fall manicures. Today I am sharing an easy manicure featuring my favorite characteristic of autumn, colorful leaves!

This quick, easy nail art has a gilded, flakie accent nail and another of abstract leaf shapes. These shorties got many compliments when I wore this manicure about a month ago. It was a fun way to dress up a metallic manicure for fall.

Polishes Used: Sally Hansen Gilty Party, Zoya nail polish in Maria Luisa, Channing, Chita, and Dhara.

SO Much Fawn at the Gilty Party

First, thank you for your patience and understanding over the past month. I have been frantically getting ready for the first day of school and have had little time, if any, to blog. Also, I appreciate the emails and encouraging messages that many of you sent to me. You are truly the most amazing people ever!

Today is the first day of school and to reign in the school year I have an autumn manicure for you. I am sorry that I do not have exciting nail art, but this is lovely all the same.

I love the metallic pairing with a soft, earthy mauve. It's so beautiful and feminine and is flattering against any skin tone. Metallics are perfection for autumn in my opinion.

Polishes used: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure So Much Fawn and Gilty Party

Metallic and Bronze

Although this may look autumnal to some, this kind of matches the sweltering summer weather to me. This blazing, copper accent nail adds some flair to a metallic manicure. The metallic polish has teeny tiny coppery bronze flecks, which made this glitter a perfect match.

Polishes used: Sally Hansen Coin Flip and Copper Penny (glitter)

What do you reach for when the temperature starts rising?

Patriotic Inspiration

First, I want to say Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends and family! Although you may think today should be inspired by all things Canadian (red & white, mounties, maple leaves, syrup, loons, moose, etc.) but all of my "Canada Day" manicures were bad (read: VERY embarrassing). So we're traveling back to my homeland-USA, my current state of residence-PA, and back over 100 years...

This week is the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (American Civil War). More specifically, 150 years ago today, this memorable battle began. I created a simple manicure to commemorate this event. It can also be translated to a 4th of July manicure which is also this week.

Polishes used: Sally Hansen unlabeled white, Revlon Delicious, piCture pOlish Orbit (polka dots were created with a bobby pin)

Black and Blue Sea Manicure?

I have spent the greater portion of the past two weeks at the beach. The rest of the time was spent unpacking after the move. Moving took its toll on my lovely hands and nails. My nails ended up uber short, my hands dry and scraped up. In lieu of my recovering hands and nails, which are nearly recovered yet still make occasional appearances on instagram, I will share a picture taken this spring...

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Please Sea Me and Black and Blue looked like a match made in heaven when their bulbous bottles stood next to one another. I chose to use Black and Blue as a tone-on-tone accent nail. I think this paired well together, however I think it is more fitting for a late summer/early autumn manicure. It would also look fabulous the opposite way.

What do you think?

ALSO you only have a few days left to enter my giveaway!
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Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear--Perky Pink

Press Samples

This is the last polish that Sally Hansen sent to me to review and swatch. Meet Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Perky Pink.

Perky Pink is a glitter polish with a clear base. The iridescent light pink and peach glitter is sparsely distributed throughout this polish.

The Verdict:

This polish was not my favorite. I think if the glitter would have been more dense I may have liked it more.  This polish is good for layering but that's about it. I wore it layered and loved it. This might be finding its way to a friend who loves glitter, or I might continue to use it for layering...

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Sally Hansen CSM--Please Sea Me

Press Samples

Sea, ocean, sand, beach...all things that remind me of summer. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Please Sea Me is no exception. This cheerful polish, is definitely sand and sea worthy. It also is one of those colors that you can probably get away wearing year round.

Please Sea Me is a medium turquoise cream polish. The picture above shows two smooth coats  without a top coat.

The Verdict:

The formula, brush, and pigmentation of this polish are perfection. This is my favorite medium turquoise cream for the aforementioned reasons. That being said, this polish is not that unique. Many nail polish connoisseurs probably have a shade of polish similar to this already in their stash. But if you are unhappy with it in any way, this polish is perfection. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

Saly Hansen Xtreme Wear--Pink Punch

Press Samples

A vibrant pink crelly with long-lasting wear? Count me in! This is exactly what you will find in the next Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polish that I am sharing with you.

Pink Punch is a punchy, in-your-face juicy bright pink. The picture above shows two coats without a top coat. (This polish was sent to me by PR for Sally Hansen, the name on the bottle is incorrect. There was a sticker on the bottle with the correct name and it did not make it into the photos. This is Pink Punch NOT Violet Voltage.)

The Verdict:

This polish is so smooth and easy to apply. It is a summer staple and is one of those polishes that you reach for when you're looking for that perfect mani or pedi color when the temperatures start rising. That being said, this is not the most unique color ever. I am sure that you have a polish like it or nearly like it already. BUT if you're disappointed in the application of your bright pink crelly, this one is for you!

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear--Coin Flip

Press Samples

Today I have ANOTHER metallic from Sally Hansen:) If you remember back to last week, you might think I accidentally reposted about a Sally Hansen polish. However, I am here to stress that Coin Flip is in fact different from Golden-I. Coin Flip is Golden-I's bronze sister. It's the exact same finish, just bronze instead of gold.

Coin Flip is a metallic bronze polish. It has the same silvery-pewter base (as Golden-I) with flecks of bronze. The flecks & base make this a very wearable, understated bronze that almost looks like a metallic taupe. The swatches shown do not have a topcoat. 

The Verdict:

Again with the minimal brushstrokes. But this is not at all frosted. The bronze flecks are stunning! I can see this polish becoming an autumn staple. It seems like that perfect "almost neutral" to wear with layers and boots. I love how luminescent this is too, it almost makes your skin glow:)

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Sally Hansen CSM--Get Juiced

Press Samples

Many of you are well aware of my obsession with the color coral. I adore coral and have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many coral polishes. To add another delightful coral to the mix, meet Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Get Juiced.

Get Juiced is a crelly coral. The above swatch is three coats with no topcoat. 

The Verdict:

This was a delight to work with. The formula was so smooth and the brush applied it so flawlessly. The crelly (jelly/cream) finish gives the polish just enough dimension while making it look delicious and juicy. I really enjoy this coral. I will have to see if I have any of my other polishes are the same hue. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

Sally Hansen CSM--Black and Blue

Press Samples

I don't know about you, but I am the clumsiest person around. I am constantly walking into things and tripping. (This might have to do with working in a school.) So naturally when I read the name of this lovely nail polish I laughed. All I could think of was a bruise. I sincerely hope that a bruise is not the inspiration for this nail polish color. But the name does fit.

Black and Blue is a shimmering, metallic, dark turquoise duochrome. The swatches shown show two coats and no topcoat.

The Verdict:

The application was smooth and it left nearly no streaks. I think this is beautiful. The polish is mainly a deep turquoise but shifts from navy to purple. I think this will be used a lot this autumn, but I can also see how this could possibly transcend all seasons. I'm already trying to decide how I will wear it next. Maybe as an accent nail or while layering...

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

A Coppery Gilt Manicure

When I initially opened these neatly wrapped bottles, from Sally Hansen, I could not help but think of pretty pairings. This was one that just seemed natural:

Polishes used: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Gilty Party (base) with Copper Penny (glitter) accent nail.

Sally Hansen CSM--Gilty Party

Press Samples

Another Sally Hansen metallic, this time from their Complete Salon Manicure line. Meet, Gilty Party...

 Gilty Party is a neutral metallic (somewhere between silver and gold) packed with coppery flecks. The pictures show two coats without a topcoat.

The Verdict:
This was easy to apply. I usually don't like large/wide brushes due to my petite nail beds  but the Complete Salon Manicure brushes are not too large or flat or curved on the tip. They made application quite easy. Gilty  Party was quite lovely to work with (& nearly brush stroke free!). The color was pretty and I cannot wait to wear it again:)

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear--Golden I

Press Samples

At times I struggle to find gold polishes that I think flatter my cool, pale skin. Also many metallic polishes are streaky in their application, which I find frustrating. Here is the latest gold metallic that I have tried. 

Golden-I is a neutral light gold. I did not find that it was overly warm or cool toned. Two coats without topcoat are shown.

The Verdict:

I liked the tone of this gold immensely. It was quite long lasting as well. The only thing that bothered me was that I could see brush strokes when I painted with my nondominant hand. While they were not ridiculously prominent, I could notice them. If you are a nail polish master, or if you use a topcoat that minimizes brushstrokes, you will have no difficulties. That being said this is my favorite gold nail polish as of right now.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Pink Diamonds & Pink Satin

Not only do these two polishes sound like they were made to go together, but they are practically the same color!

I've owned the pink glitter for a while and I have been in search of the perfect polish to do a tone on tone glitter accent nail. Everything was either too blue or too orange. This is the closest I have come so far! Next mission, find it in a cream finish!

Polishes used: Sally Hansen Pink Satin, Barielle Pink Diamond

Sally Hansen CSM--Copper Penny

Press Samples

Another Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polish! This time a glitter!

Copper Penny is exactly what you think it should be, a polish full of round copper colored glitter. The above picture shows three coats.

The Verdict:
This polish is not quite dense enough to be "full coverage." With three coats there were still some naked patches. The clear base was very thick so I didn't attempt a fourth coat. This is more of a layering polish. I think this would be fabulous as a copper glitter gradient. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

Sally Hansen CSM--So Much Fawn

Press Samples

Spring is blossoming here in Pennsylvania. The trees are laden with buds and sweet smelling flowers. It is only natural that I should want to reflect this beauty in my nails. Many people are sharing flower inspired manicures. Currently, I'm quite partial to floral inspired shades. One such shade is Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in So Much Fawn. 

So Much Fawn is a dusty rose pink. It is versatile and could be considered a neutral or nude for some, depending on skintone. The swatches above show 2 coats, no top coat, of this smooth cream.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure boasts of "7 benefits in one bottle." The seven benefits include "base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, salon-inspired color, top coat, chip-resistance and a gel finish." They promise salon-like results. And feature "the unique precision brush for a flawless finish and patented Vita Care technology for advanced 10 day wear."

The Verdict:
I'm loving soft romantic mauves this spring and So Much Fawn fits the bill! With its rose base and earthy undertones it just feels perfect for spring. This polish is beautiful and not at all "old" like some mauves. The formula, coverage, brush, and pigmentation were flawless. If you are in search of a new spring nearly-neutral this might just be what you've been looking for!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear--Pink Satin

Press Samples

Today I have another Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear polish. 

Pink Satin is a soft, cool, metallic pink, with violet undertones. The swatch shown is one coat without a topcoat. 

The Verdict:
I love the concept of this polish: a soft metallic pink. However, I'm not a fan of the brush marks/streaks. They are VERY subtle in person and I can definitely see myself trying this polish again perhaps with an extra coat and a top coat to smooth out the frostiness.The formula of this polish was thin and smooth, very easy to work with. This polish also dried quickly.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear--Posh Plum

Press Samples 

I love trying new polishes. As crazy as it may sound I have never tried any of the Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear nail polish line by Sally Hansen. My first nail polish EVER was a Sally Hansen Hard as Nails (I received a manicure set for Christmas back in the 90s and it had 4 beautiful polishes in it). These bottles are adorable and are extremely easy to store. Here is the first of many Sally Hansen polishes I was sent to review.

Posh Plum is the perfect name for this polish. It is quite "posh" due to its fuchsia, metallic, nearly duochrome finish.  The color is a definite homage to the 80s/90s. The above photograph shows 2 coats of Posh Plum without a topcoat.

The Verdict:
This polish is absolutely stunning. The formula was thin but not hard to control, the polish dried very quickly. There are absolutely no streaks, yet it has a very metallic looking finish. The color is bright and vibrant, perfect for summer. I cannot wait to get this on my toes, it will be perfect for a pedicure! I am very impressed with this line of polish so far, I will definitely purchase more if they are all like this one. I've heard Pacific Blue is to die for!

Sally Hansen polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.