Sunday 13 March 2016



The February Jazzy Nail Box





After being sent the January Jazzy Nail Box to review, I decided to subscribe to Jazzy Nail Box.
Here are my thoughts on my second experience with the box.

February's Jazzy Nail Box was geared towards Valentine's Day and had some beautiful items for creating some pretty nailart around the theme.

More after the jump. (A warning that this post is, as usual, picture heavy!)

Monday 18 January 2016

The January Jazzy Nail Box









The January Jazzy Nail Box



Have you heard of the Jazzy Nail Box? I hadn't until recently and am very lucky to have been given the opportunity to review this month's box. Thankyou Malti!


Please read on to see what my thoughts were...(warning this post is pic heavy)



Tuesday 24 November 2015

Roses and new precioussses!


Today I got around to playing with some new toys! Two stunning new Grace-full Polish holographic polishes, a pretty new Emily de Molly stamping polish and a simply gorgeous BornPrettyStore stamping plate.



Recently I splurged on some new Grace-full polishes. Two of which are Christmas releases: 'Starry Christmas', an enticing kelly-green jelly polish packed with gold, green and red glitters (which I can't wait to wear) and 'Christmas Rose' a sublime, pale rose-gold holo. One from the new 'Wintertide' collection: 'Olive Evergreen', a lovely, deep olive-green holo with gold shift. And finally, the jewel in the crown, 'Red Velvet' a Grace-full Fan Group exclusive red holo....utterly droolworthy!

Coincidentally, Emily de Molly also released some new stamping polishes, so I had to have the' Rose Gold', among some other beauties!(More on that another day)

 Around the same time, Born Pretty Store sent me some items to review; one of which was a rose-themed stamping plate: 'BP-73'...so, so beautiful! It has a variety of lovely rose designs, including single blooms and full patterns.
So... what with that fabulous collection of shiny new toys I now had the ingredients for the perfect red and rose gold, art deco inspired rose mani.




Deciding on a base of 'Red Velvet' on every nail, except my pinkie, I used 2 coats for full coverage. Like all Grace-full holos, 'Red Velvet' was no exception and applied like butter without being too thin and ending up flooding my cuticles. A dream to apply!

On my pinkie I decided to go with a base of 'Christmas Rose' and then used it to paint a french tip over the red on my middle finger. Another french tip in red over the rose gold on my pinkie and then I was ready to stamp.

I chose the deco inspired bud-like blooms on 'BP-73' and used the full pattern over my ring finger, stamping with Emily de Molly 'Rose Gold' and my Creative Shop stamper. The images picked up and transferred perfectly!

For my index finger I chose the same design but in the single bloom, again stamped with 'Rose Gold'. For some variety I chose to stamp the same single bloom over my middle and pinkie nails, but using  'Christmas Rose' and 'Red Velvet' for a soft and muted effect. Again, the images stamped perfectly.






I am really loving this combo and think it might make a beautiful Xmas mani. What do you think? Good for Xmas or too much like a Valentine's mani?





The BornPrettyStore Stamping Plate was sent for honest review. 

Use my code: KWGK31 for a 10% discount off your next purchase at http://www.bornprettystore.com/




All polishes were purchased by me. 

Grace-full Polish:

Emily de Molly:




Tuesday 15 September 2015

Peony nail art, my first experience with decals and making a video *Update: Apologies but this video may not be able to be viewed on all devices.







I haven't blogged since creating this blog months ago, but only posting on Instagram. 
Then, last week, I decided to challenge myself with making a how-to video...and this is what I came up with. So here it is..my first experience using decals and making a video.

Items used;
Born Pretty Store water decals # 21460
Gracefull Nail Polish: Butter-full & Angel Glaze topcoat
Ulta3 Nail Polish remover
Manicare Angled Brush
paper towel
fine tweezers
scissors
cuticle pusher/stick
bowl of water

The decals are product #21460 at http://www.bornprettystore.com/ and if you choose to make an order you can use my code: KWGK31 to get 10% off 


Please be gentle..I admit it's a pretty rough result re: the video....but I had some fun learning something new and hopefully will improve with experience.
The video is probably best viewed in a smaller format. 
I hope it's entertaining at least! Any constructive advice is most welcome 

Kate





Wednesday 28 May 2014

Starting afresh







Hi there and thankyou for stopping by! I've decided to start a new blog primarily focussed on my love of nailpolish as an extension of my IG account, ThePolishedPeony. A mini-blog-of-sorts to post pictures of my nailart and polish pics.
I've found that IG is quite limited when it comes to posting my thoughts, techniques, or more detailed information on the manicures I've done.  I have had another general interest blog, Paeonia Rosea, but wanted to have a blog solely devoted to everything nail related.

I have no training or professional experience as a beauty therapist or nail technician but have picked up lots of helpful tips and inspiration from the generous and welcoming nail community on IG, to whom I am forever indebted!

My first foray into swatching for an Australian Indie polish maker, Fox & Owl Polish, was exciting and I've since joined a number of Facebook groups and learned a lot about Australian indie polish makers, who are among the best in the world.

I look forward to showing more swatches and nailart on my blog and welcome feedback from you!

Kate