Category Archives: Nail Art

Born Pretty Store Holographic Polish in Pumpkin Carriage || Review

20 Sunday May 2018

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Items chosen for review. Opinions are my own.

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The holographic train doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon and I am personally quite okay with that! Born Pretty Store recently came out with some new holographic nail polishes and I couldn’t help asking for one. In this line, there are six new shades ranging from purple and red to grey and green. I went for the orange “Pumpkin Carriage” since it’s my favorite color!

The color builds up quite nicely in two/three coats (depending on the layer’s thickness). And wears well with and without top coat. In the following photos you might notice something a little odd which I will get to after I’ve shown them to you. As I’ve stated in previous reviews, my biggest grievance with BPS polishes is their brush. They are thick and clunky and promote pooling in the cuticles. Sure, the polish cleans up pretty well but with a nicer brush clean up could be completely avoided!

 

With top coat.

Born Pretty Store Holographic Nail Polish: Pumpkin Carriage ReviewNotice anything unusual??

Born Pretty Store Holographic Nail Polish: Pumpkin Carriage ReviewNot yet?

Born Pretty Store Holographic Nail Polish: Pumpkin Carriage ReviewBorn Pretty Store Holographic Nail Polish: Pumpkin Carriage ReviewWait for it…

Born Pretty Store Holographic Nail Polish: Pumpkin Carriage ReviewWhat is happening?? First, top coat dulls the holo and makes it look more like orange shimmer. Second, it shows a massive uneven finish in color! Why are parts of it super dark? I did even coats on each nail. It is an odd reaction that is extremely noticeable in any light.

Without top coat.

Born Pretty Store Holographic Nail Polish: Pumpkin Carriage ReviewClearly there is a difference when it comes to top coat application and unfortunately, it’s an issue that plagues most holographic polishes. The addition of top coat always diminish the rainbows! The orange is not as bright so I guess I have to decide. Do I want brighter orange or brighter holo?

I recommend using the polish without top coat. The holographic particles are more noticeable and the polish lasts just as long, if not longer than with the sealant. It’s a little gritty but honestly, not all that noticeable.

If you’re interested, check out this polish (here)*. And don’t forget to use my 10% off code if you place an order.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Born Pretty Store 10% off code

A Purple Dry Brush for A Special Birthday

12 Saturday May 2018

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I did this cute purple look for a dear friend’s birthday over on Instagram. Gen (@vernimage) is one of the sweetest people. She always has a good word to say about my nail art!

A fair few of us recreated our favorites from her and here is the one I came up with!

Unfortunately, I couldn’t quite master the technique Gen used so I did my signature dry brush instead!

IMG_7880Polishes Used: Zoya Haven, American Apparel Neon Purple, Milani Vivid Violet (old formula), Barry M Plum, Pahlish Mind Like a Diamon (n/a), Born Pretty Store Heroine, L’oreal Sexy in Sequins

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Eagle Reunion || Nail Art

07 Monday May 2018

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This past weekend was my 10-year high school reunion?? I am almost 30 which completely blows my mind because I don’t feel any older than 23 or 24.

I hemmed and hawed about whether I wanted to go to my reunion, not because I didn’t want to see people but because I didn’t want to explain my RA. It wasn’t even the arthritis that was an issue. I felt embarrassed that my life came to a standstill because of it.

Surprisingly, though, most of us were still trying to figure things out. My peers were all doing really neat things but their lives are not as set as we probably thought they would be ten years down the line.

It was really fun to catch up with everyone so in the spirit of the occasion I did a fun look sporting our school colors.

GO Eagles!

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REUNION.jpgBase: essie Blanc*

Stamping: born pretty store stamping polish* (silver – product #39203), Pueen Cosmetics PUEEN41

Dots: Zoya Iris (purple), Pippa (yellow)

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Born Pretty Store 10% off code

A Sweet and Easy Valentine’s || Nail Art

15 Thursday Feb 2018

Posted by in Nail Art

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Some affiliate links.

Not all nail art needs to be intricate and time-consuming. If you have a chronic illness, or Rheumatoid Arthritis, like me, detailed, precise work is your worst nightmare. Add in a small canvas and it might make you weep!

Well, apparently, Valentine’s Day is not supposed to make you cry but make you happy and giddy and…stuff? So, I present a super fun, easy and arthritis-friendly nail art. It’s pink and red and screams Valentine without the fuss.

Enjoy!

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Easy, Arthritis-Friendly Valentine's Day Pink Nails ft. Sally Hansen and OPIEasy, Arthritis-Friendly Valentine's Day Pink Nails ft. Sally Hansen and OPIEasy, Arthritis-Friendly Valentine's Day Pink Nails ft. Sally Hansen and OPIBase: Sally Hansen Petal Pusher

Dots: OPI Tank my Doodle (burnt red), OPI by Popular Vote (berry), Color Club Poptastic (neon pink)

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Healthy Hearts are Always in Style || Nail Art

03 Saturday Feb 2018

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I joined a lovely collaboration over on Instagram for National Wear Red Day which is always the first Friday of February (hello alliteration!). It raises awareness for heart health specifically in women but the day is nestled right into Heart Health Month.

I, along with a lot of other nail artists, went red for this collaboration. You can check out the full collage over on my IG (linked here).

I am quite lucky that my Rheumatoid Arthritis has yet to affect my heart and in general, due mainly to genetics, I have a very healthy one! However, I remind myself daily my heart is one of the most important organs in my body and I have to make a conscious effort to protect it.

I hope you like this super low-key, arthritis-friendly glitter look. It’s kind of fun, cute and glitzy.

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Go Red for Women 2018 Red and Pink Glitter Gradient Nails ft. Sephora by OPI, MilaniBase: Pipe Dream Polish Sonic Transducer

Glitters: Sephora by OPI Be-Claus I Said So (red), Milani Hot Pink

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Abstract Brushstroke – the Most Cost-Effective Nail Art

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Nail Art

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Some affiliate links.

Abstract brushstroke nail art is definitely arthritis-friendly. It takes minutes to finish and it is effortless (my new favorite word), simple and cost-effective. Why? Because you don’t need any materials except for your nail polish bottle!

The temperatures plummeted on the East Coast this week and we’re in for much colder weather over the next couple of days. Today’s abstract brush-stroke nails reflect my icy feelings!

The cold temperature has left my joints feeling stiff and a little useless so this abstract technique is perfect for these days. No matter what direction I take the splotch, the final results always looks cool (no pun intended).

Enjoy…and, don’t forget to…

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Icy Cold Abstract Brushstrokes Nail Art || the Rite of Aging...Early blog (Easy, Arthritis-Friendly, Fast)Icy Cold Abstract Brushstrokes Nail Art || the Rite of Aging...Early blog (Easy, Arthritis-Friendly, Fast)Base: Emily de Molly Candy Coated

Details: butter London Scuppered, Zoya Goldie, Olivera, OPI Pale to the Chief

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

A Holographic Artic Chill | Nail Art & Born Pretty Store Holo Flakies Review

19 Friday Jan 2018

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Boy, oh boy, did we get a chill last week. We had a pretty mild, dare I say, warm start to the winter? Well, the day after Christmas the temperature plummeted. We experienced a freezing cold we hadn’t felt in years. Any exposed skin froze and nobody could recognize anyone else through scarfs, hats, ear muffs, mouth guards, etc.

When thinking about nail art, all I could think was “blue”. Icy, cold, blue. I even bought more blue polish (numb – like the rest of my body – to the 20 blue polishes I already owned).

I received some holographic flakies from Born Pretty Store for review and the ideas just flowed through: an icy gradient with holo flakes. GENIUS!

I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by these flakies. There was a good mix of small and big pieces and they all lay flat beautifully. In the past, I’ve had issues with big glitter just because they didn’t apply evenly but, these from BPS, were really something. The pieces were soft, malleable and easy to manipulate. And, of course…Very arthritis-friendly.  I would highly recommend this product (they have multiple colors) because you get a good amount of product at a very cheap price. Bonus points for easy, stress-free removal.

FYI: The small hexagon and blue glitters are from an OPI polish.

I hope you like this look. Don’t forget to comment your thoughts and…

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IMG_7506Gradient: Sally Hansen Blue My Mind, Chanel Fortissimo

Glitters: Sephora by OPI Lights Glammer-a Action!,  Born Pretty Store Holographic Galaxy Iridescent Flakies ($1.99/each)

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Born Pretty Store 10% off code