Here's my fourth and last manicure for The Nail Challenge Collaborative. This month's theme is inspired by music, movies, and TV shows. Another favorite TV show that I've been watching for a while is The Vampire Dairies so I wanted to do a nail art inspired by it.

I started with American Apparel Mannequin on all the nails. Taking a straw, I did a splatter design using American Apparel Downtown LA, OPI Off with Her Red!, and American Apparel Hassid. For the ring nail, I made two bite vampire bite marks using a combination of the polishes I've already used with a dotting tool. Finished with Sally Hansen Diamond Insta-Dri Top Coat.

This is my first try at a splatter design and I think I did okay. As you can see, some of the splatters didn't turn out that great like the one on the pinky. I did have a hard time cleaning up around the nail as you can probably tell since the red was kind of staining my cuticle area. What do you think of my first attempt at a splatter manicure?

Glitter Gradient with Bow Stud

This month's theme for The Lacquer Legion is glam. I haven't done anything with a lot of glitter so I went with a simple chunky glitter gradient with a accent nail of a bow stud from Born Pretty Store. I went with some nontraditional colors for the color palette on the nails too.

I started with Sephora by OPI Ocean Love Potion on all the nails except for the ring. For the glitter gradient, I used Icing Pop A Bottle. Taking American Apparel Light Year, I dabbed a bit on top of the glitter. For the ring, I have on Julie G Rock Candy and after dabbing a bit of top coat, I applied a bow stud from Born Pretty Store on top. Use coupon code YCL91 for 10% off your order along with free worldwide shipping. Finished with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat.

Here's a closer look at the stud wheel that the bow charm came from. This isn't available any more on Born Pretty Store but there are other similar nail art decorations on the site HERE or you could check our their new nail art arrival section HERE.

When I was choosing the colors to use for this design, I wasn't sure if they would look good together but I like how it turned out. What do you think?

*Born Pretty Store provided the nail art stud wheel for review purposes. My opinion is 100% honest. Post does contain affiliate links.*

Memebox Luckybox #2 Unboxing

I'm back with another Memebox unboxing! Can you tell I'm addicted to this Korean beauty box? Today's unboxing will be on Luckybox #2 (currently sold out) which contains products from Memeboxes #2-#7 so let's see what's inside it!

What is a Luckybox?
Luckybox is a beauty box filled with some of the most popular items from past sold out Memeboxes for $23 + shipping costs. It occasionally contains some new favorites as well. Products are carefully selected in order to give you the best experience and widest exposure to a range of products that's available in Korea. They don't offer a monthly subscription plan right now so you'll have to order each box as they get released. Sign up for their e-mail newsletter on their website to get informed on when each box comes out.

How to Get $7 Off
Sign up for an account on Memebox to get $2 worth of points back and then send an e-mail to hi@memebox.com telling them that The Polish Playground referred you to get $5 worth of points back. You can get $7 off your first box just like that.

What's in the Box
1. Espoir Lip Gloss | 4.4g Full Size - Worth $15
I got the shade Magic Hour which is a purple mauve neutral color. Not a color I would normally go for but its a nice wearable shade. I'm happy to see a makeup item too.

2. Nuganic Customized Sunblock Fresh SPF50 PA+++ | 40ml Full Size - Worth $45
A 3 in 1 sun protection with brightening and anti-wrinkle properties. Its suppose to firm the skin too. I don't wear sunscreen on a daily basis which I need to change so its nice to have a new sunscreen to try out especially since its getting more sunny and warm.

3. Dr. Jart V7 Eye Serum | 15ml Full Size - Worth $38
Eye serum made from a complex of 7 vitamins that helps to brighten the skin and gets rid of any dark circles. I currently don't use any eye cream in my skincare routine so I'm happy to get this.

4. LJH Tea Tree 90 Essence | 20ml Sample Size - Worth $12.80
Its suppose to clear, moisturize, and brighten troubled skin, targeting acne and delivering nutrients deeply for a hydrated, vibrant complexion. Love the packaging on this and it sounds wonderful to apply when my face breaks out or is sensitive.

5. Dr.G BIO-RTx Mentor Cream | 20ml Sample Size - Worth $14
Sadly, I got Cream 3 which is for oily skin but I have dry skin. I'm thinking of using this cream in the summer instead when my skin is more oily. Its suppose to control sebum production and enhances the skin to ensure that it retains a moisture balance without getting too oily.

6. Miseenscene 2X Curl Essence | 30ml Sample Size - Worth $2
Nourishing leave-in treatment that provides volume and helps rejuvenate dry and damaged hair. I'm not a huge fan of hair products but I'll give this a try.

7. Leaders Insolution Mask Sheet | 20ml x 2 Full Size - Worth $6
Got two masks: BIO Medi-curing Mask-Aqua Dressing and Coconut Bio Mask with Tomato. I'm a fan of any kind of sheet mask so I'm sure to use and like them.

Total Value of the Box
I got around four full size products and three deluxe sized samples in Luckybox #2. The total value of this box comes to $132.80 which is well over the price I paid.

Final Thoughts
Overall, this box was pretty nice. I'm a little disappointed with the cream for oily skin that I got, but everyone else, I'm happy with. I like the mix of products that ranges from skincare to hair to makeup too. The most exciting items for me are the Dr. Jart Eye Serum and the LJH Tea Tree Essence. What do you think of Luckybox #2? Have you tried Memebox yet?

*Post does contain affiliate links.*

Reign Inspired Nails

Here's my third manicure for The Nail Challenge Collaborative. The theme this month is music, movies, and TV shows. One of my favorite TV shows to watch right now is Reign. I actually had no idea what the show was about and stumbled across it when I was flipping channels. After watching the first episode, I was hooked. I tried to go for something elegant for the nail art.

I used OPI From A to Z-urich on all the nails. I stamped using Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate QA75 with Orly Solid Gold. You can use coupon code YCL91 for 10% off your entire order along with free worldwide shipping. Finished with a coat of Sally Hansen Diamond Flash Top Coat.

Here's a closer look at the Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate QA75 that I used. I opted to use various images of the floral design on this plate on the nails create this look. This plate cost $2.99 but is on sale for $1.99 right now on Born Pretty Store.

These didn't turn out exactly what I expected but I still like them. The gold wasn't opaque and smooth so when I stamped with it, the floral design didn't turn out as smooth as I wanted it to be. It turned out kind of grainy instead. What do you think of my Reign inspired nails?

*Born Pretty Store provided the stamping plate for review purposes. My opinion is 100% honest. Post does contain affiliate links.*

Survivor Inspired Nails

Here's my second manicure for The Nail Challenge Collaborative. The theme this month is music, movies, and TV shows. Another favorite reality TV show of mine that I wanted to do a manicure on is Survivor so I attempted to do a nail art design inspired by that show.

From my pinky, I have on  Sally Hansen Evening Fog, Essie Mesmerize, China Glaze Starboard, Barielle Cashmere Or Loose Me, and China Glaze Mahogany Magic. I also used Essie Borrowed & Blue and American Apparel Hassid along with the previous colors to do each nail design. I did the saran wrap technique on the ring, used a toothpick for the pinky, and stamped on the rest of the nails. For the stamping plates, I used Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate QA62 and QA66 along with BM-316. Use coupon code YCL91 for 10% off. Finished with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat.

I think these turned out okay. I really had no idea what to do so I choose earth toned colors to create the wilderness Survivor is filmed in. What do you think of my Survivor inspired nails?

Tropical Spring Flowers

Julep is hosting a nail art contest showcasing their favorite Spring inspired manicures on their social media sites. I was asked to participate and it sounded like a fun idea. So, here is my Spring themed nail art for this challenge. I hope everyone likes it!

Started with China Glaze Re-fresh Mint on all the nails except for the ring. With OPI Pink Friday and Julep Hayden, I applied them using a fan brush. I used Julep Sasha for the ring nail and created flowers using that color on the rest of the nails with a dotting tool. I used Julep Courteney to dot the center of each flower. The glitter I used is Gloss n' Sparkle Sour Candy on the ring accent nail. Finished with a coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat.

I was in the mood to create some flowers and what better time to wear them than in Spring. What do you think of my Spring inspired nail art?

Earth Day Nails

Happy Earth Day! I originally wasn't planning to do a nail art design to celebrate the day but at the last minute, I whipped up something pretty simple. I hope everyone likes it.

On my pinky, I have on China Glaze Starboard, Essie Mesmerize on my ring, Barielle Swizzle Stix on my middle and thumb, and Barielle Cashmere Or Loose Me on my pointer. With these colors along with Born Pretty Store Sweet Color Black Nail Art Liner, I created a recycle symbol, water, Earth shapes, and wood. Use coupon code YCL91 for 10% off. I also used the saran wrap method on my ring nail. Finished with Sally Hansen Diamond Flash Top Coat.

I'm kind of happy with how this turned out. My attempt at doing Earth nails wasn't the best but for something last minute, I think its good. What do you think of my Earth Day nails?

The Amazing Race Inspired Nails

Here's my first manicure for The Nail Challenge Collaborative this month. This month's theme is inspired by music, movies, and TV shows. I love watching reality TV shows and one of my favorite is The Amazing Race. I've watched it almost since the beginning when it first aired.

Starting with my pinky, I have on Salon Perfect Sugar Cube with Color Limelight layered on top, Nicole by OPI Hit The Lights on my ring, middle, and thumb, and American Apparel Downtown LA on my pointer. With American Apparel Hassid, Born Pretty Store Sweet Color Black Nail Art Liner, Born Pretty Store Sweet Color White Nail Art Liner, and the previous colors I used, I create designs on each nail that was related to the show like clues or marked flags. Use coupon code YCL91 for 10% off. I also used striping tape. Finished with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Coat.

I think these turned out okay for my first TV show related nail art design. What do you think?

Shatter Distressed Nails

This a manicure in my blogging folder that I have yet to show on the blog until today. Here's the distressed nail art technique using all shatter polishes this time.

I started with Salon Perfect Sugar Cube on all the nails. Making sure to wipe off most of the polish off the brush, I applied OPI Red Shatter, OPI Turquoise Shatter, OPI Gold Shatter, and OPI Black Shatter. Finished with Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat.

I'm happy to have found a new way to use my shatter polishes since there just sitting in my collection collecting dust. What do you think of these shatter distressed nails?

Bunny Butts with Pastel Stripes

Here's another Easter themed design today! I think this will be my last one. The bunny butts design was inspired by JauntyJuli from her video tutorial, Bunny Butts Nail Art. Since I'm a bit behind in a nail challenge I'm in, expect to see next week's posts all on that.

First, I created the stripes using striping tape and a combination of China Glaze Lemon Fizz, Julep Hayden, OPI Pink Friday, Essie Borrowed & Blue, and China Glaze Re-fresh Mint. On my ring and thumb nail, I used Salon Perfect Sugar Cube to create the bunnies with a small nail art brush. Outlined and added details with Born Pretty Store Sweet Color Black Nail Art Liner. Use coupon code YCL91 for 10% off. I created grass using China Glaze Starboard on the bottom of the bunnies. Finished with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat.

These turned out so cute! I really like how the stripes look here, its very Easter to me with the pastel colors. What do you think of this bunny butts design with pastel stripes?

Pastel Haze with Easter Bunny Ears

This is my first Easter nail art for the year! I did a simple pastel design with a cute bunny ear accent inspired by Chalkboard Nails from her post, Easter Mix Up. This is also my contest entry into Nail Polish Canada's Easter Nail Art Contest. If you like my design, please vote for me HERE.

I started with OPI Pink Friday on all the nails. Taking China Glaze Lemon Fizz and Julep Hayden, I used a fan brush to create this haze look. Taking Salon Perfect Sugar Cube and a small nail art brush, I created bunny ears on my ring nail. Then I filled in the ears with pink. Finished with a coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat on all the nails.

I think these turned out pretty good especially with the cute bunny ears on my ring nail. I'm attempting to use my nail art brushes for more freehanded designs and I think I'm doing pretty well so far. What do you think of my first Easter manicure?