Takko Tuesday! - Tea and Cakes

Happy Takko Tuesday!

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Today, we are looking at another beautiful creme polish from Takko Lacquer.  This is part of the Curiosities and Exquisites Collection which is an ongoing collection of cremes and toppers that will be added to throughout the year.  I have shared many of the cremes from this collection and they are all great.  "Tea and Cakes" is a pink leaning lavender creme with an opaque formula.  I almost got away with one thick coat but did two for this swatch.  A glossy top coat is recommended to give that high shine as Takko Lacquer's vitamin E infused vegan formula can dry a little dull.

I wanted to add a little easy stamping to this purple base.  I used my MoYou London Sailor 03 plate and Takko Lacquer's Druzy Quartz to swirly cloud/wave manicure.  Simple but fun!

Takko Lacquer stocks the Curiosities and Exquisites collection regularly.  Tea and Cakes is available now from the Takko store for $12.  Here is where you can stalk Takko Lacquer!

Takko Lacquer Instagram and Twitter

Takko Lacquer stockists: Color4Nails, Mei Mei Signatures, Femme Fatale


Smooches!
 - Amy McPolish McG

*polishes provided by the maker for honest review*

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KBShimmer Fall 2016 Collection

Howdy!

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I have the latest collection of pretty polishes from KBShimmer to share with you all today!  The Fall 2016 Collection launched last week and it is packed with some very lovely shades.  As always, KBShimmer has made a collection that includes a variety of colors and finishes.  There is sure to be something for every person to love here.  There are some classic fall inspired colors as well as some shades not typically associated with the autumn season.  Let's take a look at these beauties!

Click through for all the photos!

Inspired by a Pattern for the #31DC2016Weekly

Hello!

Purchased by Me

For this week's prompt for the #31DC2016Weekly, we are all doing manicures inspired by a pattern.  There are an infinite number of patterns to chose from.  Classic prints, fabric patterns, patterns used in art, patterns seen in nature, modern and ancient architecture...the sources are endless!  I was inspired by Damask patterns.  These are intricate prints that usually have some floral elements to it.  It looks classic and expensive.  I chose a bold Damask inspired image from the UberChic 7-03 plate to create this look.  I started with an alternating base of silver and black the stamped over that base with the opposing color.

The black polish I used was Cult Nails Nevermore and the silver metallic was Sally Hansen Silver Sweep.  Both of these were once coaters and stamped beautifully.  I think I like the silver stamp over black the best but they are both give a nice effect.  I did top this with a glossy top coat.  It would have looked amazing with a matte top coat as well.  Unfortunately, the matte top coat I used absolutely trashed this mani.  So mad.  I should do a matte top coat comparison for you all.  Would you be interested in something like that?

I hope you liked this manicure as much as I did!  It's simple but very pretty.  Be sure to check out the other participants doing the weekly challenge using the #31DC2016Weekly tag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  Next week, the traditional daily version of this challenge begins.  See Sarah's post about the daily challenge here.  So you will be seeing tons of people posting about these same nail art themes all month long.  My challenge will end on the same day at the daily challenge so we can all celebrate completion together!  Yay!


Thanks for stopping by!
 - Amy McG (McPolish)

*products purchased by me*

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Takko Tuesday! - 18k White Gold Top Coat

Happy Takko Tuesday!

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Today, I am sharing with you another one of the beautiful top coats from the Takko Lacquer Curiosities and Exquisites Collection.  This is an ongoing collection of creme polishes and fun top coats.  "18k White Gold" is a clean based top coat that is packed with real 18k white gold flakes, white gold microflakies and some white gold shimmer.  It is really beautiful on the nail.  Because it is white gold, it can skate the line between a silvery topper and a pale gold topper.  The shimmer/flakie pay off it good.  It is not too dense to distract from the base color you layer it over or two sparse to not fully cover the nail evenly.  I love how delicate and sophisticated it looks.  I have the white gold topper from OPI called Pure and it doesn't even compare to this takkito!  I am showing you one coat over a bright light blue base (Ask Alice, which is also from Takko) with a glossy top coat.  It's gorgeous!

Pairing silver flaked top coats over blues like this make me think of Tiffany's.  This top coat does cost more than the typical polish because of the actual gold flakes in there.  It sells for $20 and is available right now from the Takko Lacquer shop.  Get yours!

Takko Lacquer Instagram and Twitter

Takko Lacquer stockists: Color4Nails, Mei Mei Signatures, Femme Fatale


Thanks for stopping by!
 - Amy McG (McPolish)

*products provided by the maker for honest review*

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Inspired by Fashion for the #31DC2016Weekly

Hello!

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For this week's prompt, we are doing nail art looks inspired by fashion.  I am never quite sure what to do for this prompt.  So I use inspiration from a specific article of clothing/jewelry?  Do I go with a specific fashion trend or look?  Inspired by a fashion designer?  I don't know,  So I went a little vague and took my inspiration from a fashion trend but put my own spin on it.  Camouflage aka camo print.  We see this used in military battledress, hunting gear and country fashion.  I did my spin on it and added from metallic flare with magnetic polishes.  I have been enamored with Masura magnetic polishes.  They are so multidimensional and mesmerizing in the nail.  I used two colors from the Precious Stones line to create this distressed camo look and I love it how it turned out.

Takko Tuesday - Heart Shaped Box

Happy Takko Tuesday!

Purchased by Me

Today, I have a older takkito to share with you all.  Takko Lacquer released "Heart Shaped Box" last year as a mystery polish for Valentine's Day.  No one knew what it was when it popped up on the website, so of course everyone had to have it.  But in all honesty, people are grabby hands with every polish put on the Takko Lacquer site.  I never was able to pick this one up during that time but I recently found one in a destash sale and snatched it up.  Yippee!

"Heart Shaped Box" is an icy medium pink with pink/iridescent microflakies, sterling flecks and a soft holographic shimmer.  The formula was very smooth but slightly sheer.  I did three thinner coats with a glossy top coat for these photos.  It is quite reflective and shiny.  I really enjoy the color as most of my pink polishes are on the warmer side.  I am super happy to be able to pick this up.  I am not sure if this will ever be restocked on the Takko Lacquer site but Sheryl does bring back older polishes from time to time.  Be sure to follow Takko's social media to alerts to restocks.

Here is where you can check out Takko Lacquer!

Takko Lacquer Instagram and Twitter

Takko Lacquer stockists: Color4Nails, Mei Mei Signatures, Femme Fatale


Smooches!
 - Amy McG (McPolish)

*product purchased by me*

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Inspired by a Book for the #31DC2016Weekly

Hi loves!

Purchased by Me

Late again with the challenge post this week!  I am sorry.  But you can forgive me, right?  This week we are doing nail art inspired by a book.  Last year, I didn't even make it this far into the challenge.  But this was the book I would have chosen.  We all love George R. R. Martin's epic series, A Song of Ice and Fire.  I read the first book in the series, A Game of Thrones, last year after being completely addicted to the television series.  You must have been living under a rock for the past 5 years if you haven't heard of this show.  But the books are so amazing and totally worth the read.  I just finished the second book in the series, A Clash of Kings, this weekend and just could not stop myself from doing nails inspired by it.

A Clash of Kings is all about the war of the 5 kings and all of the major houses in Westeros fighting for the crown.  I used a set of nail water decals that I have had for a few years for this look.  They are the depiction of 5 major houses sigils.  House Stark is a dire wolf's head.  House Lannister is a roaring lion.  House Targaryen is a three headed dragon.  House Baratheon is a stag.  And House Greyjoy is a giant kraken.  I have each of these sigils on my five nails.  The background is a base of Zoya "Chantal" with butter London "All Hail the Queen" dabbed on top with a crumpled piece of plastic wrap.  I like it both with a glossy and matte top coat but the matte version just looks so cool.  It looks like the sigils were burnt into sparkling sandstone.  Love it!

Why it has taken me so long to use these decals and do some Game of Throne inspired nails is beyond me.  I do not believe the indie shop that made these decal is still open.  I got these as a gift from Indie500Nails a few years ago.  But you can stalk their Etsy shop and see if they come back (Tentacle Studios).  I love how this manicure turned out.  Do you?  And tell me your favorite character in the series (book or show).

Want to see what other ladies have chosen as their book inspiration?  Check out the #31DC2016Weekly tag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  Only 7 challenge prompts left!  We are in the home stretch :)


Thanks for stopping by!
 - Amy McG of House McPolish

*products were purchased by me or sent as a gift*

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Cirque Colors - Nordstrom x Vans Pop-In Shop Nail Art Kits

Hello!

Press Sample

I have a fun nail art kits from Cirque Colors to share with you all today.  Cirque Colors has once again teamed up with the Nordstrom Pop- In Shops to provide some fun nail polishes.  This month's Pop-In Shop is featuring Vans for their 50 year anniversary.  These exclusive shops have limited edition products exclusive to the shop.  Cirque Colors took inspiration from some classic Vans shoe designs to create three nail art kits.  Each kit contains two colors from Cirque along with a sheet of nail vinyls to help you create a fun nail art look.  I have all three kits to share with you today.  You will get to see nail art on some super long nails! (well...they may not be long to most people, but they are very long for me)

Click through for nail art!

Grace-full Nail Polish - Rainbow Sparklers Collection

Hi friends!

Press Sample

Today, I have a new to me brand to share with you all.  Grace-full Nail Polish is based out of Australia and they are just as awesome as other Aussie indies I have tried.  The formulas were all very nice.  The Rainbow Sparklers Collection is a group of 8 sparkly shades with all of the colors of the rainbow.  They are very pretty and I am excited to share them with you!  Let's get into the swatches.

Click through for all the pics!

Takko Tuesday! - So Fresh So Clean

Happy Takko Tuesday!

Press Sample

Today, we are taking a look at another one of the beautiful creme polishes from Takko Lacquer's Curiosities and Exquisites Collection.  This is an ongoing collection of creme polishes and fun top coats that launched this summer but should have new colors added to it as time goes on.  "So Fresh So Clean" is a pretty little mint creme.  The color is definitely in the mint family but it looks like it has a drop of yellow in there which makes it a little on the warm side.  The formula is nice and creamy.  I am showing you two coats with a glossy top coat here.  Isn't she a beaut!?

This polish is available now for purchase from the Takko Lacquer site.  Be sure to check out the other cremes available...they are very nice!  Also, how many times have you sang the lyrics "Ain't nobody dope as me.  I'm just so fresh, so clean."  I can't help it.  I sing it out loud every time I pick up the bottle.  No lie.  (here is a little video in case you don't know this lyric)

Takko Lacquer Instagram and Twitter

Takko Lacquer stockists: Color4Nails, Mei Mei Signatures, Femme Fatale


Smooches!
 - Amy McG aka McPolish

*product provided by the maker for honest review*

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Inspired by a Movie for the #31DC2016Weekly

Hello!

Purchased by Me

Sorry, I have been a little slow posting here on the blog.  Busy, busy, busy.  But I do have my nail art look for the weekly version of the 31 Day Nail Art Challenge to share with you all today!  Yay!  I had a vision in my head and I am happy to say they turned out so similar to what I was thinking.  I love it when that happens!  I was inspired the by the Disney movie 'Brave' and the main character, Merida.  One of my coworkers has a new puppy named Merida, so I have been hearing her name frequently and the movie is just stuck in my head.  Whenever I think of the movie 'Brave', I have visions of Merida's flowing red locks against her velvet gown running through the forest.  Don't you?  Hopefully, you can see the inspiration in my nails :)

I started with a base of Zoya "Honor" which is a bright forest green shimmer with a matte velvet finish.  It just screams green velvet dress!  In my head, her dress is this color but I think in the movie it is a little more teal/blue.  But red haired lasses rock forest green, right?  I left the base in it's matte velvet state and carefully painted on sweeping waves of fire orange hair using P2 "Craggy Coast" from the Brave and Beautiful, Rustic Folk Collection.  I mean so perfectly does the name of this polish fit this manicure and inspiration??!?!  I painted some swirls of black to define the hair but did not top coat any of this manicure.  (actually I did try a glossy top coat after I took this photos and smear the black all over the place...but I will spare you that failsauce)

I really, REALLY liked how this mani turned out.  It was exactly what I envisioned and I think represents the movie nicely.  The contrast of the matte and shiny is great.  Do you agree?!?

Be sure to check out all of the other ladies participating in the challenge but perusing the #31DC2016Weekly tag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Many thanks!
 - Amy McG (McPolish)

*products purchased by me or sent as a personal gift*

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Awesome Sauce Indie Box - Are You a Hero or a Villain? feat. Takko Lacquer and Parrot Polish

Hi friends and Happy Takko Tuesday!

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This week's Takko Tuesday post is a little different as I am not just featuring one Takko Lacquer polish but an entire box of indie polishes including Takko Lacquer!  The newest Awesome Sauce Indie Box is out and Takko Lacquer is one of the guest makers.  This box is inspired by super heros which are actually more villainous...but we still root for them.  There are five polishes each from a different indie maker along with lot of fun little goodies to play with.  Ever After Polish, Lavish Polish and Anonymous Lacquer are joined by guest contributors Takko Lacquer and Parrot Polish this time around.  All of the polishes are gorgeous, dark and moody.  Perfect push into fall!  Let's tak a look at all of the goodies included in this quarter's box!

Click through for all of the photos!