Challenge Your Nail Art: Penguins!!!

Of all the prompts, I was really excited about the Penguins one, because I *adore* penguins.  I really do, they're pretty fantastic :D  While I really, really wanted to make a much more elaborate mani, I just didn't have the time or energy I wanted to put into my mani.  So, alas, I have but one penguin, but I think the overall mani is pretty cute :)

I used Daily Hues Nail Lacquer's Nov/Dec limited edition polish for the base:

I then painted the snow with white acrylic paint and added very faint falling snow in the background using a white flakie polish topper from an unknown indie (no label on the bottle).  I also freehanded the penguin, using just acrylic paint

He's pretty cute, right? ^_^  I'm happy with it!  What do you think?

And don't forget to check out the other adorable penguin nail designs from the talented gals of Challenge Your Nail Art below!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Frenzy Polish "Arctic Fox"

Source 

After the week I just had, this is exactly how I feel.

Quick post for you today showing you the gorgeous Facebook custom polish I ordered from Frenzy Polish a little bit ago called "Arctic Fox."

Oh look at me and my fancy macro self :P

Arctic Fox is such a gorgeous frosty blue with a holographic effect and full of holographic glitters.  This polish is just perfection, I couldn't be happier with a custom!  I'm glad I snagged one before they were all gone.  I am wearing two coats in the photos with the Frenzy Polish topcoat.  The gems are from Ali Express.

You can join the Facebook Fan Group for sneaky peaks at upcoming collections, and for more opportunities to snag a group custom!  You can also follow the brand's Facebook page and Instagram :)

What do you think of this polish?  Do you own any Frenzies?

Polish Post: Darling Diva "Please Stand By," "...Is Boring," and "OMGBFD" Swatches & Review

I am so very thankful the weather is *finally* cooling down here in the desert - so much so I can actually leave my air conditioning off!  What?!  Crazy!!

Today I've got three polishes to show you from a new-to-me indie brand called Darling Diva Polish.  In my recent order with the brand, I chose a "Mystery Bag" option where I received 5 full-sized mystery polishes for $25.  These three polishes are from that mystery bag, and wowza, I got some goooood colors!!  

The first color is called, "Please Stand By."

Outdoors

Indoors

Please Stand By is a beautiful dark purple jelly with a blue flash/shimmer, a scattered holographic effect in the sunlight, and big flecks of green glitter.  It is a stunner!  Took 3 coats for it to be completely opaque, and it dried fairly quickly in under five minutes to a shiny finish.  It is a really pretty polish that was easy to applicate and work with.  

The second polish is called, "...Is Boring."

Outdoors

Indoors

...Is Boring is anything BUT boring!!  This polish is a beautiful blue linear holographic with big flecks of gold glitter, though those got completely overtaken by the holographic effect.  Opaque in two coats, the polish dried to a shiny finish quickly in under five minutes.  This color really pops inside and outside - it's a very, very fun polish!

The last of the polishes to show you today is my absolute favorite of the five mysteries, and it is called, "OMGBFD."

Outdoors

Indoors

OMGBFD is the perfect name for this polish, because Oh My Gosh, it is a VERY Big Freakin' Deal!  This color is a grey jelly packed with a linear holographic effect, an iridescent shimmer, and turquoise and purple glitters.  My eyes seriously freaked out once I stepped outside with this polish on - they had no idea where to focus!!  I used three coats to make it completely opaque, and it also dried fairly quickly to a shiny finish.  I love, LOVE this polish, and it is soooooo much fun!!  I did take two videos of the sparkly goodness of this polish, one outdoors, and one close up so you can see the glitters.  Both will be posted on my Instagram later today :)

Sadly I cannot seem to find these three colors available on her website, so my guess is they are discontinued leftovers.  The brand does have many, many more colors to choose from though, and I highly recommend browsing them, because from what I've seen so far of the polishes I received, this is a great brand!!  I'll certainly be keeping them on my radar - and here are some links so you can, too!

Facebook: Here

Store: Here

Instagram: Here

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!  I will work on the Beetlejuice nail art to show you on Monday.  See you soon! <3

*NOTE: Links I provide are NOT affliliate (i.e. I get no kickback when you click on them through my blog).  I simply provide them for your convenience :)

Press Release: Black Dahlia "Ocean Hydrangea" and "Bells of Ireland" Swatches & Review

***PRESS RELEASE***

Today, a new indie company called Black Dahlia Lacquer officially launched their new line of polish!!  I am one of the very lucky people to have received press samples for review, and I am just so excited to share them with you today!!

Before we dive into the beauties, let me tell you a bit about the company.  Straight from the mouth of one of the owners, Deanna Morey, "Black Dahlia Lacquer showcases our love of polish through bright colors and textures.  We've worked hard to develop nail lacquers that will appeal to all women - from those that prefer more conservative neutrals to full-coverage gold glitter and bright blue holographic polish for more adventurous clients.  We are confident that our customers will love our polish as much as we loved creating them."

There are 3 collections releasing - The Essentials, with 6 neutrals; Hanging on to Summer, with 6 bright colored lacquers; and Fall 2014, with 12 rich, fall colored polishes.  There are cremes, shimmers, full-coverage glitters, even holos in these collections!  As the other owner, Aubrey Sheffield, says of the polish, "Our collections celebrate rich colors and textures, particularly our Fall collection.  Our three collections offer something for everyone."

Boy, with all this talk of amazing polishes, you must be itching to see the ones I have for you!!  Alright, I won't keep you waiting any longer :)  The first polish I will show you comes from the Fall 2014 Collection and is called "Ocean Hydrangea."

Outdoors

Indoors

Ocean Hydrangea is "a cornflower blue creme with blue and gold microflakies." The polish dried to a satin/semi-gloss finish in just over 5 minutes, and was opaque in 3 coats.

The second polish to show you comes from the Hanging on to Summer Collection and is called, "Bells of Ireland."

Outdoors

Indoors

Bells of Ireland is a "bright green full-coverage glitter with hints of small blue and silver glitter."  This polish dried to a textured finish in under 5 minutes, and is shown in 2 coats over Ocean Hydrangea in the pictures above.  One generous coat (or two thin coats) of clear topcoat will even out the glitter and cover up the texture.

The Ups: First, I'd like to point out that in the pictures, I'm holding their mini sized.  That's right - MINI!  8ml is their mini size, which is really, really fantastic to me!  The minis also have a flat brush instead of the usual round brush found in most minis.  I love, love, love everything about their minis - and they are the absolute best I've come across yet!

Now, let's talk about the polishes!  Application for Ocean Hydrangea was super smooth.  The polish self-leveled and didn't pool around the cuticles.  It also did not thicken or pull the polish underneath with each added layer.  Bells of Ireland, being a glitter bomb, did not clump together upon application.  It also leveled out nicely and spread evenly.  I found two coats gave really nice coverage, though if you are wearing it solo, I think three coats would get rid of any naked spots.

The Downs: The only feature of the polish I found that could be considered a "down" is the dry time.  I found that while it was dry to the light touch in under five minutes, it took longer than five minutes to be immune to any sort of imprint from pressure.  A quick-dry topcoat should fix this issue.

Overall:  Black Dahlia Lacquer will make huge waves, and will quickly sit among the best of indies!  The formula, application, color, everything is fantastic with this polish.  You all know I tell you the truth about polishes, and I never pull punches.  When I say this brand is amazing, I mean it!  No smoke - it's wonderful!

You would be wise to order some of these polishes for yourself!  It is $6.00 for most of the 8ml minis, and $9.50 for most of the 14ml full sizes.  Some of the polishes (mostly the holos) are $6.75 for minis and $10.75 for full sizes.  Here are links for you of the store and social pages:

Main Store: Here

Etsy Shop: Here

Facebook: Here

Instagram: Here

If you look on their Facebook page, there is a coupon code for 10% off any order through October 10th!  Take advantage of the discount and order yourself some beauties!!  You won't regret it!

*NOTE: These polishes were sent as a press release to swatch and review.  My reviews are 100% honest, I never sway facts or opinions.  Links I provide are NOT affiliate (i.e. I get no kickback if you click on them through my blog).  I simply provide them for your convenience :)