31DC2016 - Galaxy Nails - Classic Galaxies

*Press Samples*

Hi everyone! Today is always one of my favorite day in the 31 Day Challenge, Galaxy Nails! I love a design that you just can't mess up and that is exactly what galaxy nails are. I love the classic galaxy mani look, so let's check out my design.

31DC2016 - Orange - BB-8 Nail Art

*Nothing to Disclose*

Hi everyone! For day two of the 31 Day Challenge, the theme is Orange! Now ever since the Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out, I have wanted to do some nail art inspired by my new personal favorite droid, BB-8, but I've never have gotten around to it. What better day than orange day to pay homage to the cute little rolling droid!

Darling Diva Polish Naughty Limericks Collection 2016

*Press Samples*

Hi everyone! Today I have the 2016 edition of Darling Diva Polish's Naughty Limericks Collection! This collection is chock full of greens and golds to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! I'm a sucker for all things green (and I love gold as well) so this collection was right up my alley. These pretties released yesterday in the Darling Diva Polish shop, so be sure to grab them while you can (they are limited to a single batch pour).

Darling Diva Polish Lost in Love Collection

*Press Samples*

Hi everyone! Tonight I have the Darling Diva Polish Lost in Love Collection to share with you! This is a collection of 5 sparkling dusty pastel holos and one sparkling holo topper. These polishes all have holo microglitter added to them which make them catch the light when you move your fingers around. When these arrived, I immediately thought of one of my favorite collections ever, the OPI Pirates of the Caribbean Collection. They were all dusty cremes that had the slightest touch of grey to them that made them extra special. I feel like this collection has that same feel, but in sparkly holo form. These launched yesterday in the Darling Diva Polish shop, so go grab them while you can!

Negative Space All the Nails!

*Some items in this post were press samples*

Hi everyone! It's time for the monthly Paint All the Nails link-up and this time were are doing Negative Space nails! Ok, I'm going to admit...when I first saw that everyone wanted to do Negative Space nails, I was less than excited. My nails are disgustingly stained and I'm always jealous of all of the pretty negative space looks that I see around and I want to know HOW they keep their nails so nice and wear so much polish all the time. I've only done one negative space look before and I remember that I somehow got my nails looking alright then (not great), but now I feel like it's impossible. I decided I soldier on and hopefully I wouldn't be too embarrassed by my yellow nails.

Indie Inlinkz: Favorite Fall Color

*Some Press Samples Included*

Hi everyone! Today I'm doing a link-up with the ladies of Indie Inlinkz, a group of lovely bloggers who do a monthly link-up featuring indie polishes. For this month's prompt, we are exploring our favorite fall color! It's no secret that I'm an orange lover (yes that's me...sitting in the corner by myself), and I've amassed quite a collection of orange indies that are perfect for fall. Whether it be more burnt oranges or bright Halloween oranges, I don't discriminate. I have way more fabulous oranges than this in my collection (MANY that are more summer appropriate), but I picked out 8 great ones to share today that I think are fall appropriate. I'm sure I probably left out some that I love, but this is all my brain could come up with in the wee hours of the morning when I was putting this post together (just being real). These photos were taken anytime from last week to over a year and a half ago, so they are all over the place when it comes to poses, lighting, etc.. so just bear with me! Also I few of them are no longer available, so I apologize for that, but I just had to share them because they are favorites of mine!

Falling Into Fall: Flakies!

*Some Items in this post were previously received as press samples*

Hi everyone! I've got another "Falling Into Fall" post to share with you today, and instead of it being a specific brand or collection, this time it's a specific finish that I wanted to share! I love flakies, and I especially love to layer them over dark colors in the fall. The colors show up so vibrantly against dark base colors and make me think of fall leaves. Here are the two manis I have for you today where actually lived up to my ole blog name and did some layering!

Indigo Bananas Earth, Wind, and Fire is a holographic topper that is filled with multicolored iridescent flakies. Formula was very easy to work with and had a great effect at 1 coat over a base color (I used Pretty Serious The Crimson Pearl as my base). This polish is just GLORIOUS! There is so much going on and layering it over the dark base color just makes all of the colors pop out. This is definitely a unique flakie polish in that the flakies are unique...not quite like others that I have seen. Andrea always finds the coolest bits to make polishes with! Earth, Wind, and Fire is part of Indigo Bananas recent Neon, the 10th Element release, and is still available in the Indigo Bananas shop.

Takko Lacquer Dark Paradise has a deep blue jelly base with multicolored iridescent flakies (mostly red, green, and blue). The jelly base seemed pretty sheer to me, so I decided to layer it to really make the flakies pop more (I used 1 coat over Darling Diva Polish Queen of the Night). I've seen other manis where people have worn it on its own and it builds up to opacity, but I really think I prefer it this way. Since these are more classic iridescent flakies, I couldn't resist the urge to matte this mani, and I loved it even more matte. Dark Paradise was Takko Llarowe Exclusive, so I'm not sure if it will be available anymore since Llarowe is no longer a stockist, but Takko's regular line can be purchased in their shop.

(matte)

What finishes scream fall to you? Do you love flakies for fall too? Thanks for looking everyone!

Darling Diva Polish Hug My Face Collection

*Press Samples*

Hi everyone! Today I have an absolutely stunning collection from Darling Diva Polish to share with you. The Hug My Face Collection is inspired by the Alien movies, and it is truly spacey and fantastic. I have swatches of 8 of the 10 beauties from the collection for you today. The Hug My Face Collection goes on sale tonight at 7 PM CST in the Darling Diva Polish shop.

Gradient All the Nails!

*Nothing to Disclose*

Hi everyone! Today I have another link-up with the ladies from Paint All the Nails! This month's theme is gradients, so I chose to do a gradient stamping design. I originally did a holo gradient which I intended to look sunny and bright, but somehow along the way it ended up looking like candy corn. It's still beautiful, but I think I will save that one for closer to Halloween. ;)

For this mani, I started off with a base of Darling Diva Polish Peekablue, which is AMAZING and you need it (nuff said)! It was so mermaidy, that I was inspired to pull out my trusty MoYou-London Sailor plate 05 and I picked out a pretty scalloped/shell design. For my gradient stamping, I used two polishes from a new to me brand, Hit the Bottle. They make super opaque stamping polishes in an array of stunning colors, and for this design I used Green Around the Gills (green) and Blue-tiful (blue) for my mani. Hit the Bottle is an Australian indie brand, but they are available from US e-tailer, Beautometry. I just love how this one turned out! Sometimes my favorite looks happen by chance.

Be sure to check out what all of the other crazy talented ladies are doing for their gradient manis! Thanks for looking everyone!

An InLinkz Link-up

Darling Diva Polish Salem Collection (Partial)

*Nothing to Disclose*

Hi everyone! It's about to be fall again and I'm already twitching for fall colors even though it's only August. If you guys remember from last year, I did a little "Falling Into Fall" series where I showed some new fall collections as well as revisited some older fall collections from previous years. I have several new transitional and fall collections coming up, but today I'm going to share some selections from a collection that was released last fall, the Darling Diva Polish Salem Collection. I posted Malum from this collection last fall and I loved it so much that I had to pick up a few more before they disappeared for good. These are some seriously vampy polishes, so be sure to grab them if that's your thing...I promise you won't be disappointed! All of these except Queen of the Night are still currently available in the Darling Diva Polish shop.

HPB Presents Beachy Manis: Holo Fish Scales

*Some items in this post were provided previously for review*

Hi everyone! Tonight I have a beach-themed mani to share with you for Hobby Polish Blogger's June Link-Up. One of my favorite beach activities is snorkeling and seeing the pretty reef fishies, so I decided to do a fish scale mani. Throughout the years, I've always seen the most gorgeous fish scale/mermaid manis and for some reason, I've never done one. I figured if I was gonna do it, I might as well go for a blingy, holo fish (because don't we all want to find one of those?) so I started out with a base of Literary Lacquers Megatron. Then, for the pretty scale design I used MoYou London Sailor plate 05 and I stamped with Darling Diva Polish Blue Diamond, which works so fantastically for stamping. I'm pretty sure there are no holo fish, but I wish there were!

Here is Megatron on its own. It's sort of a medium bruise-y purple with silver holo and purple microglitters. I love Literary Lacquers' glittery holos so much and this one is no exception. This is 3 thin coats of Megatron. So pretteh!

So be sure to check out the manis that the other lovely ladies of Hobby Polish Bloggers have put together for this link-up! Thanks for looking everyone!

An InLinkz Link-up

Darling Diva Polish St. Patty's Limerick Collection

*Press Samples*

Hi everyone! Today I have Darling Diva Polish's St. Patty's Limerick Collection to share with you! I'm obsessed with green, so obviously I was jumping up and down over a collection made up entirely of greens. This collection was officially released tonight in Darling Diva's shop, so go check them out if you are a green lover like me!

Born Pretty Store Plate 10 Review

*Press Sample*

Hi everyone! I recently received one of Born Pretty Store's newer stamping plates to try out. Born Pretty Store plate 10 (Starfish and Shell Theme) is primarily one large ocean-inspired image. The image is very ornate and abstract in nature with lots of stamping area to choose from. For this mani, I stamped from various parts of this image with gold (China Glaze 2030) over my base (Darling Diva Polish Tina the Labradorite). There are also a few small images on the plate that could be used nicely as accent art with the larger image. The image was well engraved and stamped very clearly, which is imperative for such a detailed design. Overall it's a very artistic plate that I really enjoyed!

Be sure to check out Born Pretty Store for all of your nail art supply needs (you can use my coupon code JCX31 for 10% off your order).  I've always had great experiences with ordering from them at very reasonable prices. Also, you can't beat free worldwide shipping! You can also follow Born Pretty Store on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks for looking everyone!

CYNA 12 Day of Christmas: Glitter

*Nothing to Disclose*

Hi everyone! Per usual, I'm behind on a challenge. I actually have skipped a few days, but I DID do the Glitter prompt for Challenge Your Nail Art's 12 Days of Christmas Challenge on the right day and everything, it's just taken me this long to actually post it. For this mani, I started off with a base of Darling Diva Polish's The Arcanist. Next, I used one of my favorite Christmas glitters ever, Darling Diva Polish A Christmas Story. Finally, I finished the mani off with some gold stamping using China Glaze 2030 and a design from the MoYou-London Fashionista plate 07. I don't think this is necessarily a holiday design, but with the color combination that I used I felt like it looked like really elegant Christmas wrapping paper or something. Definitely not my straightest stamping job, but it wasn't that noticeable in real life.  I actually wore this for a few days and I got tons of compliments on it.

I will add the InLinkz for the other ladies that completed this challenge soon! Thanks for looking everyone!

November Sweet Addictions Box Review

*Purchased by me*

Hi everyone! Today I have November's Sweet Addictions Box to share with you. The theme of this box is Gemstones, so each polish is inspired by a gorgeous jewel. This box was released in November, but there are still some available in Cupcake Polish's shop, so be sure to grab one while you still can!

Darling Diva Polish Malum

*Purchased by Me*

Hi everyone! Today I have a beautiful polish from Darling Diva Polish's Salem Collection to share with you. Malum is a deep mauvy brown linear holo with gold flake shimmer. Formula applied like a dream in 2 easy coats. This polish definitely looks brown, but it has some strong pinky undertones to it that make it unique and the flakes add subtle depth. And obviously, the holo flame is just awesome! Yet another winner in the brown polish department this season! There have been so many pretties! I figured since I have hit you over the head with browns this fall, that it was only fitting that I close out the season with a fabulous one! This was my actual Thanksgiving Day mani by the way. :)

Darling Diva Polish is available from creator Carrie's Big Cartel Shop. Darling Diva Polish is also available from Llarowe (US), Mei Mei's Signatures (Singapore), and Edgy Polish (Sweden). Follow Darling Diva Polish on Facebook and Instagram for updates on new collections and restock news.

Darling Diva Polish Champagne Wishes and Holo Kisses LE

*Purchased by Me*

Hi everyone! Today I have a super stunning polish to share with you that is, unfortunately, discontinued. This was available for a limited time only from Darling Diva Polish around the time that the Salem Collection was released. I actually think it was only stocked at the Friday release and then small amount was restocked the next day so that international customers would have a chance to grab it. I'm sorry to induce lemmings, but this polish is too fabulous NOT to share, and has made its way into my top 20 of all time...

Darling Diva Polish Champagne Wishes and Holo Kisses (LE) is a soft gold holo with a strong gold metallic sheen and gold flake shimmer. After Hank was released, I remember I PMed Carrie and told her that Hank needed to have a gold cousin and she just laughed and told me not to worry, that she already had one cooking. I was SO excited when I finally saw this masterpiece (and even more so when I finally got to see it in person). This is definitely along the same lines has Hank, but it is way more opaque and meant to be worn on its own vs as a topper. The golden metallic sheen is just glorious, and even more so if you get this baby out in the sun (which I highly recommend doing). Formula was fantastic, and it is fully opaque in 3 thin coats. The golden color is very flattering and I think it would work on all skintones. And look at those metallic flakes...STUNNING! When I put this on, it occurred to me that it is everything I really wanted Enchanted Polish Austin Powers to be, because I found that one a little sheer for my liking.

Direct light:

Filtered light: 

So as I said...top 20 material! If you have a chance to nab this one in a blog sale or something, do itttt!! You will not regret it!

Darling Diva Polish is available from creator Carrie's Big Cartel Shop. Darling Diva Polish is also available from Llarowe (US), Mei Mei's Signatures (Singapore), and Edgy Polish (Sweden). Follow Darling Diva Polish on Facebook and Instagram for updates on new collections and restock news.

Darling Diva Polish WitchEE Collection

*Press Samples*

Hi everyone! Today I have another absolutely amazing collection to share with you from Darling Diva Polish (sans crazy gifs). The WitchEE Collection was inspired by Witches of East End (which I'm sad to say, I have not ever watched...but I do intend to at some point). This collection consists of 5 holographic shades in lovely fall colors as well as a holographic topper. Regardless of whether you know anything about the show or not, this collection is just to die for. It looks like a lot of these are currently sold out, but fear not...Carrie usually has restocks very frequently so keep watch on the Darling Diva Facebook page for announcements about those.

Darling Diva Polish Fischy! Fischy! Fischy!

*Press Sample*

Hi everyone! Today I'm sharing a gorgeous polish that is supporting a great cause. Any of you that know Carrie from Darling Diva Polish know that she has a huge heart for animals. She does a lot of work with the Basset Buddies Rescue of Wisconsin, which aides in rescuing and fostering dogs. This beautiful polish, Fischy! Fischy! Fischy!, was created in memory of Fischer, a beloved Basset Hound that was rescued by Basset Buddies. The polish costs $15 and 100% of the proceeds will go to Basset Buddies Rescue.

Fischy! Fischy! Fischy! is a multichrome holo that has a strong blue/purple shift (with a touch of gold at extreme angles). The colors in the multichrome shift are so gorgeous and saturated in this polish. Formula is fantastic and it only requires 3 thin coats for full coverage (no need for a base color). Here are a million pictures to oogle. It's gorgeous and for a great cause...you can't beat that!

Darling Diva Polish Temulence over KBShimmer How You Dune?

*Some of the items in this post were previously reviewed*

Hi everyone! Today I have a beautiful layering combo courtesy of a very limited edition Darling Diva Polish and a neutral creme from KBShimmer. Darling Diva Polish Temulence was a small batch that Carrie mixed up and included with random orders during one of her restocks, and I was lucky enough to receive one! It is a linear holographic base filled with blue/green flakies. When I was swatching KBShimmer's Fall Collection, I knew that I had to put How You Dune? back on because I was totally smitten with the greige creme. Then, as I do, I had to layer something over it and Temulence seemed like it would be the perfect thing for a soft and pretty mani. I loved this combo so much! I need to wear Temulence again over a darker color so that you can really see the flakies better, but the flakies against the lighter color were very ethereal and lovely (and very shy for the camera). This is 2 coats of Darling Diva Polish Temulence over KBShimmer How You Dune?

Darling Diva Polish is available from creator Carrie's Big Cartel Shop. Darling Diva Polish is also available from Llarowe (US), Mei Mei's Signatures (Singapore), and Edgy Polish (Sweden),  . Follow Darling Diva Polish on Facebook and Instagram for updates on new collections and restock news. 

KBShimmer products are available from their website as well as from Harlow & Co. (Canada).  Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates on new collections and to see swatches of all of their polishes.

What do you think of this combo? Are you like me and just can't leave a creme alone? Thanks for looking everyone!