Gradient Purple Swirls

Hi guys! I had another post ready for today, but then I thought it would be nice to start the week with a nail art post instead. Plus I've been wanting to try my new brush from SharingVu. It feels like forever since I did a full free hand nail art. Today I did a semi intricate nail art, swirls, started with black near the cuticles then 4 shades of purple going down to the tips. 

I find the brush is really good for delicate nail art, though the polish/paint used seem to affect the result too. I realize that using nail polish will shorten the life of any nail art brushes, even with good care, at least that's what happened with all my brushes. I'm just not ready to switch to acrylic paints yet.
I sealed the design with HK Girl top coat and added INM Northern Lights for subtle sparkle. 

L-R
Eclipse, Aphrodisiac, Violet Femme, Pansy-monium, Hugs & Wishes, My Vampire is Buff, HK Girl tc, INM Northern Lights

For those who enjoys free hand nail art, what is your favorite brush?


XO
Novi

Cirque Ultimate Glitter Gift Set (LE) - Swatches & Review

Hi everyone! As I have mentioned in the previous post, Cirque has created several gift sets that's only available from now to the end of holiday season. I have reviewed the Ultimate Luxe Gift Set here, and today I am showing you the Ultimate Glitter Gift Set.

This set comes in a black gift box with clear top for a quick sneak peek of what's inside. It consists of 3 micro glitter that can be worn on their own or as a topper, and 5 glitter toppers that will have you covered for any occasion.

What's in the box?
Ica Valley: A golden beige micro-glitter mimicking sand dunes, only sparklier
Stella: A romantic rose gold micro-glitter
Chainmail: A cool gunmetal micro-glitter with holographic sparks
Vectors: A bold glitter topper made of black glitter in myriad of shapes and sizes
XX: A rainbow confetti made with over 20 different types of holographic glitter 
Kaleidoscope: A rainbow confetti made with over 30 different types of satin-finished glitter
Lullaby: A rainbow confetti made with satin-finished glitter in soft pastel colors
Magic Hour: A rainbow confetti that consists of iridescent glitter in various shapes and sizes 

This is another great value gift set. Each polish retails for USD 13.00, and this set retails for only USD 80.00!

This will be a picture heavy post, you can look for more (a lot more!) pics after the jump. 

NoTD: Cirque Glittery Nail Art

Hi guys! I have a simple nail art for my nail of the day, filled with glittery goodness from Cirque Glitter Gift Set. I will have a review up for this set very soon! In the mean time, I hope you enjoy this :)

 I'm really liking the dark border on my index and ring nails, but obviously I'm not very good at it yet. I think when done right, it looks very flattering on round/oval shape nails. The glitter gradient on the bordered nails are with Cirque Ica Valley, Stella, and Chainmail. I used only Chainmail on my thumb and pinkie. The glitter on my middle nail are a mixed from Lullaby, XX, and Magic Hour. The black base is Cirque Memento Mori, which is now my favorite black creme. 

 No matter how much I hated the clean up, the end result is worth it. It's probably not the best idea to do this so late at night, I feel these look sloppy! Oh well, they're not perfect, but I like it :)

**products used were provided for review

XO

Novi

Cirque Ultimate Luxe Gift Set (LE) - Swatches & Review

Hi guys! How was your weekend? Mine was pretty uneventful. I was working on a crochet project all weekend while binge watching Gilmore Girls. 

If you already started or about to start on your christmas shopping, I have some great stuff that you can add to either your wish list or shopping list! Cirque created several sets that are perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

The first set I'm showing you is the Ultimate Luxe Gift Set, it's a small set but very luxurious. The set consists of:

Au: a 23K gold leaf flake.

Mirror Mirror: a pure silver coated flake.

This set retails for USD 45.00, which is a great value. Individually, AU retails at $40.00 and Mirror Mirror is $18.00. They come in a chic packaging as you can see in the pic above. Now let's check out swatches! 

Au, this topper is a bit different than the other gold flakes topper I own. First, it's 23K instead of the regular 18K gold flake you'd normally find from other brands. I find some of the gold flake is quite big instead of just a bunch of little shards of gold. I like it!
I'm showing it over a black and white base, I think it looks best over a dark base, makes the gold 'pop'.

Cirque Au - over black

Cirque Au - over black

Cirque Au - over black

Cirque Au - over white

Mirror Mirror, this is the bomb! Very shiny! I had a hard time taking pics of this because the reflection on the nails kind of hide the sparkles. This one can be worn as a topper with one thin coat, OR as a full mani like I'm showing here. I use 3 thin coats. The finish is not as gritty or textured as I thought, even before top coat. One coat of top coat is enough to smooth it out.

Cirque Mirror Mirror

Cirque Mirror Mirror

Cirque Mirror Mirror

 I added a lace stamping here with Pueen 27 and Mundo de Unas black. 

Cirque Mirror Mirror

This set is available to purchase from www.cirquecolors.com, it is currently out of stock, but don't worry! It will be back at the end of November. Make sure you signed up to be notified once it's back in stock. 
You can also find Cirque Colors from their stockists (online & in-store), listed here.

**products were provided for my honest review

XO
Novi

Glam Polish (part of) Broadway Collection - Swatches & Review

Hi guys! Did you know that Glam Polish is releasing another gorgeous collection today? Yup, that's right. A Broadway Collection consists of 9 sparkling holographic shades inspired by the Glitz and Glams of Broadway Musical Hits. I have 3 of  them to share with you today.

Fantasies Come True - Jewel Toned Purple holographic base with pink/blue glass flecks.

You Can't Stop the Beat - Bright Red holographic jelly base with ultra holo microglitter and gold glass flecks.

Dancing Through Life - Color shifting blush pink to gold holographic base with gold glass flecks.

I will say it here, the formula on all three are equally fantastic! They are all almost passed as a one coater, but I used 2 coats for all the swatches here plus top coat. Let's check out the pics now..

Every time I think I've had enough purple, there is another purple that amazes me and made me feel so lucky I got it. Fantasies Come True is a real stunner! It shows much more amazing on the nails than on the bottle. Honestly I was a little meh when I saw another purple, but I took it back once I had it on. The glass flecks twinkling give it sort of a glow from within look.

Glam Polish Fantasies Come True

Glam Polish Fantasies Come True

Glam Polish Fantasies Come True

Glam Polish Fantasies Come True

Next I have You Can't Stop the Beat, this is full on sparkles! I advice caution when wearing this and driving. It was described as a bright red, but on the first coat I'm seeing it more pink, and on the second coat it turned to more of an orange-y red. It doesn't dry gritty even with the ultra holo micro glitter in it.

Glam Polish You Can't Stop The Beat

Glam Polish You Can't Stop The Beat

Glam Polish You Can't Stop The Beat

Glam Polish You Can't Stop The Beat

And lastly, I have Dancing Through Life. At first look I find this one to be most interesting and unique compared to the other two. The holo is not as strong as the other two, but the pink/gold shifting is really pretty. Unfortunately it washes me out a bit. I'll still wear it though, maybe in the summer when I get extra tan :p

Glam Polish Dancing Through Life

Glam Polish Dancing Through Life

Glam Polish Dancing Through Life

Glam Polish Dancing Through Life

Official release date for this collection is November 7th at 10am PST from www.glampolish.com.au with shipping to Australia & USA. Shipping rates to USA are $7.95 for the first polish and an extra $1.00 for each additional polish.

For the rest of the world, check out their International Stockists - in this link, and contact your favorite retailer about their restock date for this collection.

**products were provided for my honest review

XO

Novi