A-England Water Marble

Back in January I ordered from A-England. They were having a sale and I finally broke down and ordered a bunch. Unfortunately Royal Mail decided they would crack down on polish shipment at the same time. I knew that some orders had made it through and I figured mine probably didn't. I waited a month before I contacted them because I knew the answer would be something I didn't want to hear but I was avoiding it. When I finally contacted them, they told me my order had been destroyed and they reimbursed me the full amount. Amazing customer service!!  I can't imagine how much they lost in merchandise but they covered everything. I was so sad because I am in love with these polishes and they make a fantastic water marble......

 

Nail Challenge Collaborative-Pastel Hairspray Marble

My friend Alyson has tried for a while now to convince me to use Instagram.  I had started an account at the same time that I started blogging because I wanted to get the same name as my blog.  I originally thought I would become this big blogger using multiple social media sites.  I soon realized that wasn't in the cards for me.  I would like to say it's because I am so busy but the truth is that I would prefer to spend my time doing nail art and unique layering than simply spending my time taking dozens of pictures of plain polish.

When I came home from the hospital, I realized my recover would be slower than I had hoped and I had time on my hands.  I didn't have the ability to sit up for long enough time periods to do any great nail art so I took to Instagram.  Alyson was right......it is addicting.  If you are interested you can follow me @creativenaildesignbysue.  I have been posting simple designs that are not included here on the blog.  If you are into nail art and post on Instagram, leave your handle in the comments and I would be happy to follow you.

Instagram has introduced me to a variety of new nail art techniques.  I recently learned about quilted nails which I will be showing you soon.  And, today I learned about a unique technique of water marbling using hairspray.  That's right.....hairspray.  Check out @amkuch15.  She is amazingly talented and super creative.  She came up with a twist to traditional water marbling that makes it easier for anyone who just can't get the technique down.  I decided to give it a try.  I used Cult Nails My Kind Of Kool Aid and did a marble using OPI Sanderella.  Amazing....take a look.

Finally something to compare to Enchanted Polish

I have only been into polish for a little over a year.  Early on, I became interested in Indie Polishes for their unique qualities that differentiated them from Mainstream lines.  One of my early favorites was Enchanted.  I love every polish I ever purchased and always received great customer service.  I was lucky enough to purchase some of the most highly coveted polishes today, Awesomeness, Sour Patch Kid, Gummy Worm.  They take up a whole row on my polish rack and I love them.  Today, however, I am no longer buying them.  It isn't because I don't love the polishes.  I think Chelsea is very talented and creates beautiful things.  It has just become so difficult to survive the restocks and it makes the process unpleasant for me. 

Thankfully there are a dozen other Indie suppliers that I have come to love for their talent and customer service as well.  Amy from Amy's Nail Boutique is one of them.  When I saw her new holo polishes listed on her Etsy store, I decided to test the waters with two.  Here is what I found......

The first polish is called Electric Eel.  I'm a sucker for a green holo.  When it came I thought it looked familiar so I swatched it on a nail wheel.  Have a look....

 

On the left is Enchanted's Gummy Worm and right is Amy's Nail Boutique Electric Eel.  Two coats of each.  Gummy Worm looks a tad greener.  Until you put them on real nails.  Take a peek......

 

Gummy Worm is on Pinky and Middle.  Electric Eel is on ring and index.  Dead on dupes.  The only difference is that Electric Eel has a natural shine and Gummy Worm has a flatter finish.

 

 

 

Amazingly, when I tried the second polish, Purple Prism for Amy's Nail Boutique, the opposite happened.  Swatched on a nail wheel, Enchanted Awesomeness on the left and Purple Prism on the right.  They are clear dupes.  I could not tell the difference except, again, the shinier finish on Amy's.

 



 

But on the nail, Amy's Purple Prism leans slightly more red but equally holo.

 

Awesomeness is on index and ring fingers and Purple Prism is on middle and pinky.

 

 

So what is the verdict?  I will be ordering a few more holos from Amy's Nail Boutique today because I love them.  She has a few new colors, red, teal and hot pink.  You can keep up with her latest creations by following her on facebook.

 

 

Nail Challenge Collaborative-Pastels in Sand

So my surgery is over and I am at the point where I feel OK to use the laptop to get some posts up.  I am hoping to be back to work in another week but that still gives me some time to paint nails and post since I am stuck in bed with short walks in between.  Here is a simple design using OPI Solitaire as the base.  This is one of the Bond Girls Sand Collection.  I am not into white polish unless it is a base for nail art but this is really pretty.  I used some random cheap nail art polishes in some pastels for the nail art.  I have one more post to go for this month and then we move on to stamping.  Just in time for all my new stamping plates.

 

 

 

Digit-al Dozen Does Animal Week-Garfield and Odie

Once I got on the cartoon character theme, I just couldn't resist finishing out the week with one.  Here is Garfield and Odie on a base of ManGlaze Butt Taco. If you don't already own this....you should!!!  It is amazing matte but it is SPECTACULAR with a top coat.  It brings out all of this hidden shimmer. You really should own all of ManGlaze's polishes or you are really missing out.  Anyway, this was a great week and it turned out to be a theme I really enjoyed.  So.....what's on the agenda for next month?  You will have to stay tuned to find out.

 

 

 



 

Digit-al Dozen Does Animal Week-Kitty

Ohhh, Illamasqua how I love you so!!!  My first Illamasquas were the rubber collection.  I hated them and completed disregarded the brand from then on.  When Sephora had the clearance, I bought a bunch and I am hooked for life.  The formula is amazing.  I am in love with every color I have used so far.  But Jo'Mina....AMAZING!!! What else can I say?  This is Jo'Mina as the base and I sponged on China Glaze Grape Juice lightly for some depth and sparkle. I added a little butterfly on the kitty cat's nose.  It makes me feel like spring.

 

Digital Dozen Does Animal Week-Mickey Mouse

I've been waiting to use this polish by Mentality for quite awhile now.  The base color is Butter London Pillar Box Red.  I have to say, I was disappointed because it is really more jelly-like than crème.  I used two coats and then added one of Mentality Belligerent which is a matte glitter of red, black and white.  Perfect compliment for Mickey....don't you think?