Carpe Noctem Cosmetics [Insert Emerald Pun Here]: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Happy Friday to you! Today I have another polish from one of my new growing favorite indie brands: Carpe Noctem Cosmetics! 

The color that I have today is called [Insert Emerald Pun Here]. I picked this up from a destash, but it is still currently available in Emily's shop! 

 

[Insert Emerald Pun Here] is a stunning, vibrant emerald green. The first coat was a bit thin, but it was easily buildable. I was able to reach full opacity with three coats, with a dry time of about 3 minutes between coats, and 10 minutes for full dry time, after applying quick-dry top coat. Shown are three coats plus glossy topcoat, under a daylight lamp! 

This green is absolutely beautiful, and the holo flame is gorgeous! The sun wasn't even out today, and it was still glaring when I went outside :D 

[Insert Emerald Pun Here] is currently available in Carpe Noctem's shop, and it is available in either a mini ($4), a medium ($5.50), or large/regular sized ($7.50) bottle. 

Are there any indie brands that are beginning to become favorites for you? Let me know below; come on, enable me! 

Be sure to check out Carpe Noctem Cosmetics on social media! 

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics shop: https://carpe-noctem-cosmetics.myshopify.com/

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carpe_noctem_cosmetics/

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Carpenoctemcosmetics/?fref=ts

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarpeNoctemFans/ 

 

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

Ever After Polish Rhinestone Cowboy: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Hey there! Long time, no blog! I've been absent on here for a few days; my internship has had me a bit frazzled. But, I'm here! 

Today, I am sharing another color from Ever After Polish with you. This baby is named Rhinestone Cowboy, and it was a part of last year's I've Got the Magic in Me collection. This collection was based off of the Magic Mike movies, which is just one of the reasons why I am aiming to own the entire thing; I almost have all of them! 

Rhinestone Cowboy is a purple-fuchsia holo with blue shimmer. I have to say, it is one of the most unique purples that I own! 

 

Ever After Rhinestone Cowboy was smooth and easy to apply. Dry time between coats was about 2-3 minutes, and it was fully dry in about 5-10 minutes. Shown are two coats for full opacity, plus glossy top coat. 

While this polish is no longer available in Ever After's shop, you may still be able to locate it in a destash or polish sale group! 

Be sure to check out Ever After on social media! 

Ever After's shop: http://everafterpolish.bigcartel.com/

Ever After's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everafterpolish/

Ever After's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everafterpolish?fref=ts

Ever After Polished Princesses (Facebook fan group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/790115414369756/

 

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan 

Pretty Jelly Messier 83: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Happy Sunday and, if you celebrate it, Happy Easter! 

Today I have a polish from Pretty Jelly, an indie brand that is available on Etsy. The owner of Pretty Jelly is Liz, and she makes AH-MAZING holos!! I was first introduced to her brand when my mother bought one of her colors; then, I was perusing Facebook sales groups one day, and saw a lot of minis by her up for auction. I won the auction, and became the proud owner of several new colors! The color that I have to show you today is called Messier 83. 

Messier 83 is described as "a magenta based strong linear holographic multichrome nail polish. It has shimmer that shifts from blue to purple and red depending on the angle of light." I didn't realize just how strong of a shift it had, until I applied it; it is beautiful!! I used two coats of the polish by itself, plus top coat, but I am interested to see how it looks layered over black! I love the look of multi/duochromes layered over black, as it tends to make the effect stronger. Dry time for Messier 83 was about 2 minutes between coats, and it applied smoothly. Shown are two coats plus glossy top coat! 

 You can find Messier 83 in Pretty Jelly's Etsy shop for $10 plus shipping, right here. Be sure to check out Liz and her brand on social media as well! 

Pretty Jelly Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/prettyjelly?page=1

Pretty Jelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyjellynail/

Pretty Jelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrettyJellyNailPolish/?fref=ts

We Jelly All the Pretty Jelly (Facebook fan group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/WeJellyAllthePrettyJellyPolish/

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

Bear Pawlish Ultra Violet: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Happy Saturday!! Today I have a color from Bear Pawlish to share with you! This is my first polish from Bear Pawlish, and I picked it up from a destash. 

Bear Pawlish Ultra Violet is a vibrant purple holo; the shade is between a medium and a dark violet. The holo flame on this baby is intense, even under low light! 

Upon first application, Ultra Violet was a bit thin, but controllable. However, the color built up nicely, and I was able to get it fully opaque in three coats. Dry time was AMAZING-- By the time I finished polishing one hand, the first nail that I had polished was dry already! That made it much easier to do three coats, and didn't make it feel like a chore. Shown in my swatch are three coats, plus one layer of top coat. 

The holo on this seriously makes me so happy! I can't wait to hunt for some more colors to get from this brand! 

Be sure to check out Bear Pawlish on social media! 

Bear Pawlish store: http://bearpawlish.bigcartel.com/

Bear Pawlish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearpawlish/

Bear Pawlish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearPawlish/?fref=ts

Bear Pawlish Facebook fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BearPawlish/

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

Nail Art with Carpe Noctem Cosmetics and Bundle Monster

*Purchased by Me*

Today, I have stamping for you! Plus some holo, because, well...HOLO! 

I planned this look around my desire to use one of my new polishes from Carpe Noctem Cosmetics, named Potato Queen. Potato Queen was a part of the Inspiration Collection, which Emily created using some amazing nail bloggers as inspiration! 

Potato Queen is a magenta holographic with additional larger glitters. The formula on this baby was like actual butter: SO smooth, remained where I put it, and quick to dry! She dried extremely glossy, but I still used one layer of top coat, to preserve it for the day (because let's be honest, when do I go more than a day without changing my polish??)

I applied Potato Queen on my pinky, ring finger, and thumb, and decided to stamp on my middle and index finger. For this design, I started with two coats of OPI Alpine Snow. Then I chose an image from Bundle Monster BM-S105, one of the plates from the Shangri-La Collection. I used my clear jelly stamper from Born Pretty Store for exact placement, and stamped using black Konad polish. Everything is sealed in with top coat! 

I am so extremely happy with how this turned out! A bright color with a black and white accent is quickly becoming one of my favorite looks to wear. 

What are some of your favorite color combos? Let me know below! 

Be sure to check out Carpe Noctem Cosmetics on social media! 

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics shop: https://carpe-noctem-cosmetics.myshopify.com/

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carpe_noctem_cosmetics/

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Carpenoctemcosmetics/?fref=ts

Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarpeNoctemFans/

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

Vapid Lacquer Birthday Bitch: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Hey, hey, hey! It's Thursday, which means that it's almost Friday! Woo-hoo!! Today, I have a polish from Vapid Lacquer to show you-- Birthday Bitch! 

Birthday Bitch had been released by Krys of Vapid Lacquer in the past, and she released a 2.0 version very recently, due to popular demand. I have been drooling over swatches and manis using it, but never actually purchased it. Well, that changed a few weeks ago! I finally picked up a bottle, and let me tell you: It is gorgeous! 

Birthday Bitch is a robin's egg blue crelly base, packed with unltrachrome chameleon flakies that flash copper, blue, and purple. Application was pretty easy: The first coat was a bit thin (which is normal with crellies), but I was able to get it to build up to full opacity in three thin coats. Dry time between coats was about 2-3 minutes, and it dried shiny. Shown are three coats, plus top coat!

 

 

I was so distracted all day, looking at the shift in these flakies! I love a good color shift, and this baby fit the bill to a tee!

Have you ever had a polish that you drooled over, didn't purchase, and then caved and wound up loving it? Let me know below!

Be sure to check out Vapid Lacquer on social media!

Vapid website: http://vapid.mybigcommerce.com/
Vapid Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vapidlacquer/?fref=ts
Vapid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vapidlacquer/
Vapid Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vapidlacquer/

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time!
♥ Megan
 

Cupcake Polish Berry Good Looking: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Hey there! Today, I have a polish that I have been drooling over for SO LONG. I have seen it around, have realized that it looks amazing on everybody, and have gone back and forth, trying to decide if I should buy it. And I did. May I present...Cupcake Polish Berry Good Looking!

Berry Good Looking is from Cupcake's Berry Patch collection. It is a deep pink-purple berry with an intense linear holographic. It photographs as a darker purple, but trust me-- there is much more pink in the polish, in person! 

Berry Good Looking is close to being opaque in one easy coat, but I used two for full opacity. It did dry a bit dull, but I added one layer of top coat for shine and protection! Shown is Berry Good Looking under a daylight lamp. 

And a shot using my camera's flash! 

Isn't it AMAZING?? I officially never want to be without this polish, and I already want to put it back on! Berry Good Looking is still available in Cupcake Polish's shop for $13.00 plus shipping, and you can find it right here! 

Be sure to check out Cupcake Polish on social media! 

Cupcake Polish's shop: http://cupcakepolish.bigcartel.com/products

Cupcake Polish's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupcakepolish/

Cupcake Polish's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CupcakePolish/?fref=ts

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

HPB Presents: Spring Manis!

*Purchased by Me*

*Won in Giveaway*

Hey there! Guess what? It's officially Spring! Well, according to the calendar...it snowed here yesterday. Get out of here, Old Man Winter! 

I have something a bit different today. I've recently joined Hobby Polish Bloggers, and we are posting about Spring manis at the moment! 

I tried something a bit different for this mani, and tested out two techniques that I haven't tried before- Double stamping and decal making. I recently won an Uber Chic Mat from Manna of Manna's Manis, and I wanted to play with it! 

For the base of this design, I started with two coats of Wet n' Wild's A Latte Love, a light brown from last year's spring collection. After that dried, I chose two designs from Cici & Sisi 12, from the pink set of plates: Some swirls, and some daisies! I stamped the swirls first, using Konad white polish, and stamped the daisies second, using Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Presto Pink. My stamping came out a bit patchy and wonky, but I'm still pretty happy with how it came out! After applying topcoat to the decals and having them dry, I peeled them from the mat and stuck them on my nails, on top of a layer of tacky basecoat. I trimmed them and cleaned up the edges, applied another layer of topcoat, and was left with this final result! 

The white isn't too apparent, but I do like the subtlety to it. I can't wait to practice more with double stamping and decal making! 

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time!

An InLinkz Link-up

Darling Diva Polish Nightbird:Swatch and Review

*Received from a Giveaway*

Hey, hey, hey! Today, I have one of the first indies, and one of the first holos, that I was ever introduced to! This baby is from Darling Diva Polish, and I won it through a giveaway, a little over a year ago. It's called Nightbird, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. 

 

Darling Diva Polish Nightbird is a blue somewhere between a navy and a midnight blue, and it has an intense linear holo. Application is a breeze, and I can almost get it opaque in one coat! However, I do use two for full opacity, and to deepen the color a bit. Shown are two coats, plus top coat! 

 

Nightbird is easily one of my most used indies. Application is a breeze, and I have not yet experienced any staining upon removal! It is still available in Darling Diva's shop for $11.00, but it is on last call...so, if you love it, go pick it up before it's gone! 

What was one of your first indie polishes? Let me know in the comments below! 

Be sure to check out Darling Diva Polish on social media! 

Darling Diva Polish store: http://darlingdivapolish.bigcartel.com/

Darling Diva Polish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarlingDivaPolish/?fref=ts

Darling Diva Polish Facebook fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WeReAllDarlingDivas/

Darling Diva Polish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlingdivapolish/

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan

 

 

Leopard Skittlette using Ever After Customs, OPI, and Zoya

*Purchased by Me*

*Borrowed from Someone Else*

Happy Saturday, and I hope you're having a great one so far! I feel like time is going by so fast, and can't believe that March is almost over!

For you today, I have some skittlette nail art! For this design, I used my basic black, Zoya Willa, and basic white, OPI Alpine Snow. For my holos/indies, I used two customs that were created by Rachel of Ever After. Let's take a look! 

The fist Ever After custom is one that I purchased from someone who was destashing. It is a red holo, and it comes from a collection that was based off of characters from Pretty Little Liars. This color is named -A, and it is based off of, well...A! It is opaque in two coats.

 

 

The next custom is one that my mother had made, named Luna's Stardust. This is a black linear holo with silver flakies! It is opaque in two coats. 

 

 

 To make the leopard print design for my mani, I used a cuticle stick that I had on hand, which has one pointed end and one flat end. I used the flat end to make red spots using -A, over Alpine Snow, and the pointed end to make small lines and dots, using Willa. Everything is sealed in with top coat. Here's the final look! 

Leopard print was one of the first types of nail art that I ever did, and it always holds a special place in my heart! What is one (or more) of your favorite nail art designs? Let me know below! 

Be sure to check out Ever After on social media! 

Ever After's shop: http://everafterpolish.bigcartel.com/

Ever After's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everafterpolish/

Ever After's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everafterpolish?fref=ts 

Ever After's Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/790115414369756/

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time!

♥ Megan

Ooh La Lacquer Purpendicular: Swatch and Review

*Purchased by Me*

Ahh, Friday...we meet again! Good to see ya! 

Today, I have a color from Ooh La Lacquer. I have previously only owned one color from Ooh La Lacquer, which I purchased from a destash. However, I was browsing indie shops one day, and went on the site; lo and behold, I found some colors on sale for only $5! So, of course, I had to pick up a couple of colors! The one that I have to show to you today is named Purpendicular. 

 

Ooh La Lacquer Purpendicular is a medium lilac packed with an intense linear holo. When I opened up my package, I was almost blinded by the holo flame on this baby; it is STRONG!! Just the way I like my holos :D 

I was able to get Purpendicular opaque in two coats. The formula was nice and smooth, and dry time between coats was about 2 minutes. Shown are two coats plus topcoat, under a daylight bulb. 

 

 These pictures don't even capture half of the flame that is in this polish! Seriously, you NEED it!

Purpendicular is still available in Ooh La Lacquer's shop, and it is only $5.00 plus shipping! You can find it right here. 

Don't forget to check out Ooh La Lacquer on social media!

Ooh La Lacquer shop: http://oohlalacquer.bigcartel.com/

Ooh La Lacquer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OohLaLacquer

Ooh La Lacquer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oohlanastassia/

Ooh La Lacquer Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oohlalacquerlovers/

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next time! 

♥ Megan