Category Archives: Beauty Tool Reviews

Nail Art Tutorial: Rainbow Crackle Konadicure (Using Bundle Monster Image Plate BM-208, Konad Special Nail Polishes & OPI Alpine Snow)

Rainbow Crackle Nail Art TutorialA lot of people are over crackle polishes because every company is putting out the same colors. It’s becoming a game of copycat.

But I’m still on the Crackle Caboose! Although, I did feel the need to do something different by creating this Rainbow Crackle Konadicure.

I made use of Konad Special Nail Polishes, Bundle Monster Image Plate BM-208, and OPI Alpine Snow.

This is the first time that I’ve used more than one stamping color on the same image. And I’m pleased with how it turned out, even though it’s not perfect. Reminds me a bit of a painting because of the way some of the colors bled.

What do you think of this rainbow crackle manicure? Still sick of the crackle trend? Continue reading

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Nail Art: Argyle Konadicure Using Nubar Indigo Illusion & Konad Image Plate m60

Nubar Indigo Illusion Swatches Argyle Konadicure SwatchesI’m a big fan of argyle, so even though it’s typically associated more with fall, I have no qualms about sporting it into the summer. Wear what you want whenever you want. That’s my nail-polish philosophy.

Surprisingly, I hadn’t tried the argyle pattern from the Konad m60 Image Plate. With all the plates I have, I probably overlooked it, but it’s no longer neglected!

Here, I’ve done an Argyle Konadicure with the incredible Nubar Indigo Illusion, which is a multichrome that I wore for the first time!

Really love this combination, and I thought up another neat idea that I may try to execute soon. Keep your eyes peeled on Swatch And Learn for it! Continue reading

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Nail Art: Crackle Manicure Using Sephora by OPI Caught With My Khakis Down & Bundle Monster Image Plate BM 208

New Bundle Monster Image Plates BM 208 Crackle ManicureIf you’ve seen my previous blog post, you’ll know that I fell in lust with Caught With My Khakis Down, a jaw-dropping fatigue green, from the Sephora by OPI Safari Luxe Collection.

After wearing it for a little while, I wanted to turn it into a Crackle Manicure. But all the colorful crackle polishes I had didn’t seem to go with it, and I didn’t feel like using OPI Black Shatter or China Glaze Black Mesh.

Then I remembered a new Bundle Monster Image Plate I have (BM 208), which had just the effect I wanted.

As you can see, this design has thin lines that allow the base color to shine through. I really like how the lines form many quadrilaterals.

It reminds me of a spider web…if the spider was spinning its web while drinking Red Bull and listening to the song Seven by Army of the Pharaohs. (Yes, Wilbur, Charlotte’s kids are all grown up now.)

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Nail Art: Blue & Silver Houndstooth Konadicure Using Konad Image Plate m63, China Glaze Caribbean Blue & China Glaze Millennium

Houndstooth Konadicure Blue & Silver SwatchesBack in March, I did a shimmery green and black houndstooth Konadicure. Because I liked the way it turned out, I asked Swatch And Learn readers what other color combinations they would like to see. One reader, Andrea, suggested a Blue and Silver Houndstooth Konadicure. So here it (finally) is!

Originally I was going to go with a navy blue, but thought it would look interesting to go with a light blue. I’ve been wanting to crack open the bottle of China Glaze Caribbean Blue that I’ve had for the longest time, so this was as good a time as any to try it.

Do you have a favorite color combination for houndstooth? Continue reading

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The Beauty Products I Can’t Live Without

Products I Use Every DayThere were lots of products that I fell in love with. But sometimes things just weren’t meant to be. They started seeing other people. And they made up lame excuses for sneaking out in the middle of the night. Needless to say, the relationship was cut short.

Of course I was heartbroken, but new products entered my life. Some took me for dinner and a movie. Others serenaded me with a Spanish guitar. And one special product made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

Here are the products that I’ve been faithful to because they’ve never let me down when I needed them. We plan to grow old together and celebrate many happy anniversaries. Continue reading

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Nail Art: Silver Swirl Konadicure Using MAC Jade Dragon, China Glaze Millennium & Konad Image Plate m63

MAC Jade Dragon Swatches KonadicureSome surprises aren’t welcome. Case in point: when I was in grade school, my mom once packed my lunch – it was sardines on top of spaghetti and melted processed cheese. Yuck!

Thankfully when I went on my latest rendezvous with Konad nail art, my surprise was a pleasant one. And it didn’t smell like fish. Or cheese.

I didn’t expect to fall in love with this Silver Swirl Konadicure featuring MAC Jade Dragon, China Glaze Millennium, and the Konad Image Plate m63. But, oh, I did!

Sure, it’s kinda tacky, but I dig it because it looks futuristic. Also, it brightened up MAC Jade Dragon.

What do you think about this Konadicure? Too messy? Too plain? Continue reading

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Nail Art: Paisley Konadicure Using Rimmel Hit That & Konad Image Plate m60

Rimmel Flower Konadicure SwatchesI’m not normally a fan of paisley, but when it comes to anything nail-related, I’ll try anything. Sometimes I’m surprised by new things I end up digging .

This time I tried Rimmel Hit That (which I previously swatched and reviewed) and Konad Image Plate m60.

Here’s the result of the Paisley Konadicure – I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it. Very ambivalent about it. Maybe in a different color it would be more exciting.

What do you think about the grayish purple-and-white combination? Have you used this image plate with another combination? Please share! Continue reading

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