Zoya Seren, December Color of the Month

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I met with my dissertation supervisor last night and I am on cloud nine. I had vocalized Monday night that I was disappointed I didn’t hit my goals for this semester and then Tuesday was surprised I did hit my goals. She encouraged me to take the next two weeks off and relax before a chaotic next semester and I will do just that. I jumped into swatching! I wanted to make sure I posted the Zoya December color of the month because it is so pretty! I expected a red glitter for December but was happily surprised with a beautiful blue. So let’s get to it!

Holiday Gingerbread Nail Art

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Hello!!! Yes, I did just disappear. I mentioned in my last post that I would hopefully have good news, and I do! So keep reading for more details. I did not intend to take this much time off and frankly, my nails have been super plain lately, so let's get to it! I actually did this nail art back in November, knowing I would probably not have as much time in December. I was right! Hahah.

Pumpkins and Plaid, Thanksgiving Nail Art

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Hello all. My professor was nice and let us out early from class last night so I was able to get in one last Thanksgiving and autumn manicure. Remember when I mentioned I wanted to do pumpkin and plaid after doing my acorn and plaid look? Well here it is but this time it is very simple as I knew I would be taking these off soon and probably destroying them while cooking. So let’s get right to it.

Fox 🦊 and Leaves 🍂 Autumn Nail Art

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Well I am certainly running out of time to share Thanksgiving and autumn nails and I planned to do my Thanksgiving nails tonight! We will see when I get them post. 🙏 Lol. But I had to share these fox nails because I looooove them, so let's get to the details.  

KBShimmer Not Snow Fast, December Polish Pickup

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Polish Pickup is earlier this month, kicking off on Black Friday here in the US. I am assuming they did it early so people could budget for this rather than spending all their money on BF haha. I'm not a huge Black Friday gal these days. So all the more to spend before! 

 

Zoya Everlasting Comparisons

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 Hello all. As I swatched the Everlasting collection, I knew I had a few colors that might be similar, so of course, I have some quick and dirty comparisons for you!

 

Zoya Everlasting Collection, Swatches and Review

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Before you come at me for posting this autumn collection that came out in August in November, it is still very much autumn and Black Friday is coming up and Zoya is known to do amazing sales. So let’s check out this collection! 

KBShimmer Perfectly Seasoned Comparisons

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Hello all. As usual, I like to do comparison posts because it helps me to narrow down what I keep as I have minimal space left in my helmers. I know that KBShimmer never directly dupes themselves, but many times the colors are a shade or two different and for me with such a large collection, I don’t need to keep them all. So let’s check out the ones that I decided to compare. 

KBShimmer Perfectly Seasoned, Winter 2024 Collection

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It's time for KB's holiday collection and this time, I am not a month late. LOL. This collection releases next week. As always, KBShimmer puts something for everyone in her collections! So let’s get to it.

 

Autumn Skittle Rainbow Flake Nails

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Hi y’all! So as I mentioned earlier, I’ve been in a flake mood and right after I did the previous art I showed I actually actually did this one next. I wanted some darker colors to make the flake pops and I actually use three different flake topcoats for this look. I totally loved how this look came out and it was so simple. Could it have been neater? Sure, but I am who I am.

Zoya Wilson, November Color of the Month

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Hi y’all! I am back with this months of the month from Zoya. I have really been enjoying these one off colors as sometimes it’s nice to just see a new color without having to invest in a 12 collection. I also also think that they’ve been more creative with these so let’s check it out.

 

Acorns and Plaid Autumn Nail Art

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I said to Mr. Ehmkay: plaid with pumpkins or plaid with acorns? And he immediately said acorns because people don’t do enough acorn nail art. I actually have a few acorn manicures on the blog (literally only two), but it’s definitely not something I do every season. But just warning, you plaid with pumpkins is probably coming as well.

Transitional Fall Nail of the Day

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Hey everyone. So today I’m sharing a manicure that I actually did in the beginning of October and never got around to posting. I called these my transitional fall nails and that still sticks. Now I’m going to call them that in between November time when I’m not quite ready for holiday manicures. However, my nails look like the leaves that are on the trees right now so I figured I would share it now.

 

Happy Halloween! Jack O Lantern Halloween Nail Art

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Happy Halloween! 🎃☠️👻🎃🧙‍♀️🧛🏻‍♀️🧟‍♀️🎃 Well, I’m happy to say that I did get five Halloween manicures done this month. For my final Halloween manicure I wanted jack-o’-lanterns on my nails because this past week I went to the great jack-o’-lantern blaze in Sleepy Hollow. I love attending this event, but it is costly and so I don’t go every year. I suddenly realized I hadn’t been for five years so it was time to go again! It was absolutely amazing.

 

Spooky, Scary Skeletons 💀 Nail Art

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Since I don’t really purchase nail polish anymore, I try to use older colors that I did purchase. This manicure includes two colors that I absolutely adore. This green was made fun of when it came out and I knew I had to have it because it is so funky. I love nail art that isn’t so obvious. This is a look that was just so fun for me. I did not have high hopes for how it would turn out, but I absolutely loved it in the end.

KBShimmer Reach for the Stars, November Polish Pickup

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I cannot believe Polish Pickup is this Friday. I am so behind! I love KB's contribution this month, and there are lots of photos, so let's just get to it!

Halloween Mix and Match Nail Art

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Of course, I had to do a black and orange look. I think I’ve mentioned a lot that I’ve been pretty tired because I am in the deep, deep throws of my dissertation chapters. Of course I had a lot of deadlines so that I could hit my milestones. Therefore, I wanted to do nail art, but wanted to do something that was a little bit lazy and calming. Hence my Halloween mix and match. 

 

Pumpkin🎃 Cat🐱 Halloween Nail Art

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So I am not one for Squishmallows but of course I see them at the store and I do squish them. They are fun and just really soft. Well, I was at the grocery store and of course I happened upon the cutest pair of cat slippers. If you didn’t know, I had a calico cat and I loved her so much. So this calico cat pumpkin slipper set had to come home with me. And if you’re wondering what grocery store sells slippers, it’s Aldi. 

 

Floral Ghostie Nail Art

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I think you already know that I will not be doing 13 Days of Halloween. I wish I could, but I simply won’t have the time. I love looking back at my previous Halloween art. So just search Halloween on my blog to get inspired! But let’s check out some cutie art I did do.

Zoya Viper, October Color of the Month

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 Halloween is coming! Deep down, I wanted Zoya's color of the month for October to be some funky orange. Alas, I understand that is not mass appeal, but I am loving what they have come up with. So let's take a look, because I feel like this will sell out.

KBShimmer It's Fall Good, Swatches and Review

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Oh hi friends. Long time, no talk. I know I disappeared and I am way, way, way behind in sharing the fall collection from KBShimmer. But hey, it is still autumn and maybe you have not ordered this collection yet? And since none are only Halloween-esque, these really are for all year. So grab a snack and take a look at way too many photos!

KBShimmer Magma-tic Personality, October 2024 Polish Pickup

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Another Polish Pickup to share. KBShimmer is going hard with the magnetics this fall and has a special one coming out for PPU! So let's check it out. Yes, I am very late with their fall collection. It happens.

 

Stella Chroma Corpse Bride Bouquet, October 2024 Polish Pickup

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Oh hello! I cannot believe September is over. And I got to end it with being sick. I swear, I get sick every two months. But I had such a busy weekend last weekend where I was around hundreds of people in close proximity, so it was bound to happen. And everyone at the college seems to be sick! Oh well. At least I am here to share Stella Chroma's October PPU, cause it is gorgeous!

 

Autumn Skittle Nail Art

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I had nail polishes laid out for one more summer look, and then I went on Pinterest to look at my nail art inspiration board and a look popped up on my feed, and that was it. I was officially done with neon and summer nails. I am loving the color combo and pulling out deep greens and oranges just made me so happy. So let's get to this look!

 

Zoya Ashby, September Color of the Month

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Since last month's Zoya color of the month sold out before I posted, I wanted to do a better job of getting this one up! Of course, I never get it prior to the month, so it is really the best I can do. Luckily, this one is still available, so I am in the clear!

End of Summer Dry Brush Nail Art

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Oh hello! This is most definitely my final summery nail art, as the nails I am wearing have shifted into fall, despite it being second summer right now. I had a student event today, and I swear, every year it’s like on the hottest day oh September. After sitting in the brutal sun for an hour, in work clothes, I went back to my office haha. So anyway, I did these a few weeks ago so I figured I would share them.  

KBShimmer That's The Spirit, September Polish Pickup

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I am down to the wire sharing this. But this polish becomes available Friday, so hey, you have a day! If you love crellies and Halloween, you are going to love this. Let's check it out!

 

Stella Chroma Can’t See Anything, September Polish Pickup

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Oh my, it's Halloween time! I have officially moved into fall. I am decorating my home this week, because I am ready. Like every September, Polish Pickup is spooky themed. So let's get to it--because this polish releases this Friday!

 

 

Zoya Tucker, August Color of the Month

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Hi all! Meet me shorties. And this is with TWO weeks of growth! That is how short they were. So yes, it is the last day of August and I am showing you the August color of the month. To be fair, this was only sent around August 17th, so it's not like I delayed THAT long. But I hate to be the bearer of bad news...apparently this sold out last night, so I have comparisons!

 

End of Summer Neon Nail Art

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Hello all. Here is an art that I did weeks ago and just did not post it for a really no reason lol. I absolutely love this nail art and it was so simple to do and only use this for colors. I told you this orange from the Zoya Beachy Brights was my favorite and I truly meant it. I absolutely love this orange so let’s check it out. 

Neon Stripes with Zoya Beachy Brights

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Happy first day of the semester to me! I got a notification that I am entering my tenth year at my institution! WOW. Sorry that I keep disappearing. This blog is apparently become my dissertation journey event lol. As I was writing my first three chapters, I realized I had actually hit the next milestone in my journey. So I hunkered down and made it official and last Thursday, it was approved. Now I can head towards the next mile stone, which is probably the most crucial one as it will allow me to get approval by the university to do research on human subjects (which sounds really creepy, but I am conducting interviews haha). 

Stella Chroma New Nail Care Scents

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Well, I stink. I’ve had these scents for a while, and I kept forgetting to do an official post. You know that I am very particular with my scents and that many of them trigger me like no other so when Stella Chroma sent over all of her brand new scents which we were released in May as a temporary selection, I was excited to smell them all and give my honest opinion. Y’all know I don’t sugarcoat on this blog and I will tell you what’s up. I have a Stella Chroma cuticle oil in my purse, in my desk at work, in my side table by my bed. I love her formula. It is oily without being so greasy. It soaks in so nicely! So yea..let's check out the scents!

Zoya Beachy Brights Comparisons

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It's comparison time. Doing these is not only great for you, but it helps me purge! If I kept every sing polish, I would need like 25 helmers. No thanks. Plus helmers have doubled in priced! So let’s take a look!

 

Zoya Beachy Brights 2, Summer 2024

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Soooo hi! I swatched these like six weeks ago, sigh. After I completed my summer courses in mid-July, I went full mode into dissertation writing while also sick. So I have been going full force into my dissertation before I start back up with classes. So today I am sharing the newest collection from Zoya, which is an extension of last year‘s Beachy Brights, which were six mini-sized Zoya nail polishes. Five of those colors appear in this collection, but in full size. One of the colors did not reappear and I have no idea why so let’s take a look. Of course I will have some quick and dirty comparisons. I have been using these so much! I LOVE this collection so let's check it out.  

 

Neon Purple Nails with Rainbow Flakes

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Ok well, I disappeared for a bit...continue reading for life updates. I swear that I get sick every single season now. I was sick again and having coughing fits, but I didn’t want naked nails because sometimes they break so much easier. For details on these nails and my life, continue reading!

Summer Gradient with Stella Chroma Trio

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Well you knew I was going to gradient this trio and here it is! I love small collections and trios and they are awesome for art. I love seeing how cohesive collections are when I used them for art. If you missed the swatches of this trio, head to my blog post and these release this Friday!

KBShimmer Just My Type, August 2024 Polish Pickup

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Quick post today! I am here with August's Polish Pickup offering from KBShimmer. This one is super shifty and has lots of colors so let's just get right to it.

Stella Chroma Summer Trio

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Hey all! We are over halfway through July which is insane to me. Stella Chroma surprised us all with a summer trio and I am here for it. I love summer collections that are unquestionably cohesive. You know a gradient is coming with these. They release August 2 and a great deal on the trio only for a limited time! Continue reading for more details.

 

 

Watermelon and Daisy Summer Nail Art

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If you’re going to call a color, a watermelon red, then of course I have to do some watermelon nail art with it. Somehow I do watermelon art every summer and I never tire of it, so let’s take a look at this year. Version.

KBShimmer Summer Vibes Comparisons

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I always like to compare collections to polishes from the same brand that I already own. I know KBShimmer would never dupe themselves, but in this day, it is important to look at how we spend our money! As a note, over the past four years, I have been purging polishes and creating a blog post to sell them. That has not gone up yet...yup, four years! Included in that sale will be over 150 KBShimmer polishes. I simply cannot keep them all, and I have given so many away. And nail polish remover and cost money so hopefully I will get the blog sale up soon. All this to say, you may not see certain comparisons because I simply do not have the polish anymore or do not want to pull it out of a sales pile. So let's check them out!

KBShimmer Summer Vibes Collection

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It's time for KBShimmer summer! Next week is the Polish and Beauty Expo hosted by KBShimmer, so if you are going, you can grab these in person! I always wish I could go but the expo happens when I teach a summer class and since I have never been to Chicago, I would prefer to make a trip out of it and simply cannot when I am teaching (it is an in-person class). Oh well! For now, I can share these with you and see the event through everyone's photographs. 

Zoya Frankie, July Color of the Month

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Today I have the Zoya color of the month and it is perfect for summer. I am bummed that June did not have a color of the month because I wanted to see what they would create for my birthday haha. But this color is summer awesome for July so let's take a look.

Fourth of July Nail Art

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Hello everyone! I only have one Fourth of July manicure because frankly, I went on vacation a manicure for 10 days and then nothing for a while. Then I watched and then chopped all my nails off. So these are my current nails and frankly, I am loving the length. so I have not done stamping in a really long time and I decided to do a super simple Fourth of July manicure with some super simple nail art. So let’s check it out.

KBShimmer July 2024 Polish Pickup Rewind

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More Polish Pickup rewind! These two polishes from KBShimmer are similar base color vibes, but I love this shade of grey/blue. So if you have not grabbed these from their first release, now is your time!

Stella Chroma July 2024 Polish Pickup Rewind

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I completely forgot about Polish Pickup Rewind for July! So I am here just to give you the details. Rewind allows makers to bring back fan favorites, so if you missed either of these, check out how to get them!

 

Zoya Neon Gradient Summer Nail Art

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I didn’t have plans to do my nails because I knew I was going to do them before I went on vacation. But of course one of my nails completely chipped off in the shower and I just couldn’t have one random unpainted nail. Mr. MK suggested hot pink nails, so this is what happened.

KBShimmer Mix It Up Neon Stripe Nail Art

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Yayyyy for neon season. Although KBShimmer recently shared her new summer collection, I am still all about the Mix It Up Neon collection that came out in May. I finally created art with all of the collection, and so I wanted to share that with you, because this collection is obviously still available!

Vintage Greek Pottery Nail Art

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Oh hello! I’m currently on vacation and had posts ready but never actually scheduled them. Also, I have been publishing comments but cannot reply to them. I have no idea why Blogger does this with Apple products, but I’ll be back soon! This is a look I have had on my Pinterest for a while. I love the striking white and blue pattern and have seen a bunch of versions and combined a bunch. Originally I was going to do this as accent nails then said, let’s do the whole thing! 

Zoya Bloom, Swatches and Review

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Well, this was the last thing on my swatch pile but then I never posted it. I have been so backed up because of my doctoral studies, but I still enjoy nail swatching but at my pace. And since this is technically still spring, I have no issues that I am sharing this now even though I have had this collection since late March lol. The colors are definitely appropriate for summer so if you have not picked these up, you still have time to wear them. And yes, the summer collection is sitting right in front of me. 

 

 

12th Blogging Anniversary: Pastel Neon Waves

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Well today is a special day! 12 years of blogging! That's right...I began this blog on June 12, 2012! I definitely did not think I would still be doing this blog, but I don't think I'll ever stop doing my nails! I got a lot of compliments on this nail art. My tradition is to post my birthday manicure on my blog anniversary since that is exactly what I did on my first post ever!

Neon Floral Dragonfruit Nail Art

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Happy June! June baby here and I m ready for neons. I actually did this manicure last month but had so many other posts that I held off in these. But I absolutely loveeee them. Is it floral? A pomegranate? Dragonfruit? Who knows. Everyone said something different to me. All I know is I saw pretty colors and fun flakes.