Author Archives: Mary S.

China Glaze Budding Romance Swatches & Review

China Glaze Budding Romance Swatches & ReviewChina Glaze Budding RomanceĀ is the geese-poop green from the Avant Garden Collection for Spring 2013.

You know I’m a fan of green nail polish. (I think I’ve mentioned it, oh, just a bazillion times!)

Swampy, dirty greens like this are by far my favourite! To me, they’re unusual and edgy. They’re the ‘ugly pretty’ that I’ll never get sick of. You don’t see them nearly as often as kelly, lime, or hunter greens, so they’re more special.

Ogre snot. Baby’s poop. Yeah, this is what I like. So lady-like, I know. Haha! šŸ˜‰

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Illamasqua Scorn Swatches & Review

Illamasqua Scorn Swatches & ReviewGotta say it – Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! šŸ˜‰

Illamasqua ScornĀ is a full-on sexy lacquer that always reminds me of Catwoman’s suit. It has that rubberized feel that makes it really interesting to look at.

I feel like I need to crack a whip, purr, or wear a spiked collar when Illamasqua Scorn is on my nails.

To me, this polish represents Illamasqua very well. I see the brand as being daring, dark, and editorial. Scorn encapsulates all that in a beautiful glass bottle.

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Nail Art Tutorial: Glitter Manicure…on a MAN!

Glitter Manicure on a ManPretty recently, I asked on TwitterĀ if any of you had suggestions for nail-art designs to do on my friend.

I got a lot of great suggestions, but I settled on a simple gradient as well as dots.

Here’s theĀ Glitter Manicure…on a MANĀ that I created!

Haha, originally, I was thinking about making this manicure more masculine, but as I started painting, it ended up being girly. šŸ˜‰

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Milani Cherry Crave Color Statement Lipstick Swatches & Review

Milani Cherry Crave Color Statement Lipstick Swatches & ReviewYou’ll remember how recently, I fell in love and lust with MAC Ronnie Red from the Archie’s Girls Collection. (It was my first real red lipstick.)

Since then, I’ve been itching to try out more red lipsticks because I love how they ‘wake up’ your complexion and can look classy.

Well, Milani came to the rescue like a beauty caped crusader!

I’ve been test-driving one of the new Color Statement Lipsticks by Milani – the Milani Cherry Crave Color Statement LipstickĀ to be exact!

It’s very different from MAC Ronnie Red in terms of colour and finish, but I’ve found this to be an easy-to-wear red lipstick for my skin tone as well! YAY!

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Nail Art: Neon Pink, Silver & Black Leopard Nails

Silver, Black & Neon Pink Leopard Nails Nail ArtAlthough pink nail polish isn’t my favourite, I absolutely amĀ cray-crayĀ aboutĀ neon pinks!

Confession time from a greeeen fieeend: This may be shocking, but I actually like neon pink nail polish better than neon green nail polish.

My birthday’s in February, and when I was thinking about what I should sport on my nails to be festive, at first I thought of using glitter.

But then I remembered how much I loved doing freehand pink and blue leopard nail art before. (I could’ve worn that manicure for a month because I never got sick of it.)

Since it’s been a long time since I last wore leopard nail art, I decided to try it out with a different combination. So here’s the birthday manicure I came up with: FreehandĀ Neon Pink, Silver & Black Leopard Nails!

With the silver base, I think it gave this manicure the bling I desired for it to be festive. But because there’s no glitter, it’s super easy to remove.

All the nail polishes I used are by China Glaze: Shocking Pink (one of my favourite neons), Liquid Leather (my go-to black that I’ve almost finished an entire full-size bottle of), and Millennium (a metallic silver that can also be used for nail stamping).

I will most likely do more leopard manicures because this nail art is soooo easy and fast to do. Plus I like how you don’t need a ton of different colours or nail tools. Although intricate nail designs wow me, I really enjoy sharing designs on here that everyone can replicate, no matter what your skill level. Nail art should be enjoyed by everyone, not just those who can afford to buy all the supplies or who are professionals.

And what I love about the leopard pattern is that it’s not meant to be perfect. The imperfections are what make it cool to look at. (It totally is in harmony with my philosophy that happiness is more important than perfection.)

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Smorgasbord Sundays: Pizza

Pizza with Spinach Mushrooms Tomato Pineapple Chicken HamIf you read last week’s Smorgasbord Sundays post, you’re well aware that the Cheshire Cat was out to get me.

(Thank you all for your concern. A special thank you to Lizzy for going out of her way to offer me getaway/fugitive transportation…hehe!) šŸ˜‰

Well, I ended up turning myself in. The Cheshire Cat and I had a little chit chat down at the station. At first, he was all serious, but when I offered him a slice of pizza sprinkled with catnip, he seemed to ease up.

After he realized my good intentions, he dropped the ‘case’, and told his lead investigators to back off. I’m no longer on the run from the nail-polish law! šŸ˜‰ And I’m pleased to report that I’ll continue being a lacquer addict.

I liked pizza before, but now I love it! It got me off the hook, after all.

And lately, I’ve been craving it like something fierce. Here’s the one I recently demolished.

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Nicole by OPI Still Into Pink Swatches & Review

Nicole by OPI Still Into Pink Swatches & ReviewNicole by OPI Still Into PinkĀ is a hot pink that reminds me of Barbie or Elle Woods from Legally Blonde.

It’s one of those bright pinks that makes you happy just looking at it.

While pink nail polish certainly isn’t my first choice, this one is really fun to wear, and it’s putting me in the mood for spring and summer!

It’s such a cutesy colour, and one of my co-workers liked it a lot. (Hehe, she seems to always compliment me only when I wear pink. She must be a piiiink fieeeend the way I’m a greeeen fieeeend!) šŸ˜‰

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