Shade
Shade
Full sun
Shade
Disclaimer: products were purchased for personal use. All opinions are my own. No affiliation with Paint Box Polish.
Showing posts with label indie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indie. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2015
Monday Mani: Polar Bear Club by Paint Box Polish
I've got some glittery goodness for you! This is a beautiful blue chock full of blue, purple, and green glitters. YUM! This was part of a collab box so the polish is not available by itself, and I think all the boxes are gone now. If you want to get your hands on this beauty, try searching in nail polish sales groups on Facebook or eBay. Check out Paint Box Polish for a lot of other glittery goodness today!
Saturday, October 17, 2015
40 Great Nail Art Ideas: Week 3 Geek
This week's prompt is Geek, which brings to my mind geeks vs. nerds vs. dorks. However, I was seeing others in the nail art challenge pursuing art that honors their favorite "geeky" tv show. So I started thinking about Dr. Who, Harry Potter, Big Bang Theory as geeky shows I know.... Then I realized I geek out over Friends! I own the original boxed set and I put it on in the background when I craft so I literally have seen it over 50 times, easily. So I tried recreating the iconic logo. I used multichrome rhinestones as the dots because the color pattern varied too much on the logos I was looking at on Google and even on my own box set. I apologize for the streaking on the white - I'm used to indies drying quickly and this is a mainstream polish that appears to dry VERY slowly and I keep mis-timing when to put on the top coat.
Tell me in the comments what's your favorite tv show or what you "geek out" about!
Disclaimer: all opinions are my own. Products were purchased by me for my own personal use. No affiliation with Zoya or other products used in this post.
Tell me in the comments what's your favorite tv show or what you "geek out" about!
Disclaimer: all opinions are my own. Products were purchased by me for my own personal use. No affiliation with Zoya or other products used in this post.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
40 Great Nail Art Ideas: Week 2 Teal + Pattern-on-Pattern
We're underway and getting down to the nitty gritty of the nail art challenge. :) Hoping I didn't mess up my assignment! Prompts are assigned in a really cool, but seemingly complicated, way so crossed fingers I'm on track. ^_^ This week, the color is teal and I was assigned the pattern-on-pattern prompt.
I am actually not a fan of pattern-on-pattern so I sort of dreaded this one, and creativity was difficult as I am uninspired by the prompt. I feel like it can turn ugly and messy really quickly - I've seen even the best of nail art bloggers struggle with it. I wanted all my colors to be teal, but I discovered I did not own as many teal shades as I thought.
Inspired by the experiment on my thumb in my last faux ombre pattern post, I used Just My Cup of Tea'l by Girly Bits as the base; Teal We Meet Again by Sephora OPI as the second color; and Swoon flakies by Girly Bits as the tips. As my second pattern, I layered on mermaid scales vinyls by What's Up Nails using Teal Oops by Colors by Llarowe. Per usual (ha), this didn't exactly turn out how I envisioned, but at least the scales are visible over the SOPI layer. Because life is cruel (jk), you can see I accrued some tip wear before taking photos. Too many layers of polish. :/
So I'm curious to know - what are your thoughts on pattern-on-pattern manis?
I am actually not a fan of pattern-on-pattern so I sort of dreaded this one, and creativity was difficult as I am uninspired by the prompt. I feel like it can turn ugly and messy really quickly - I've seen even the best of nail art bloggers struggle with it. I wanted all my colors to be teal, but I discovered I did not own as many teal shades as I thought.
Inspired by the experiment on my thumb in my last faux ombre pattern post, I used Just My Cup of Tea'l by Girly Bits as the base; Teal We Meet Again by Sephora OPI as the second color; and Swoon flakies by Girly Bits as the tips. As my second pattern, I layered on mermaid scales vinyls by What's Up Nails using Teal Oops by Colors by Llarowe. Per usual (ha), this didn't exactly turn out how I envisioned, but at least the scales are visible over the SOPI layer. Because life is cruel (jk), you can see I accrued some tip wear before taking photos. Too many layers of polish. :/
So I'm curious to know - what are your thoughts on pattern-on-pattern manis?
Shade with indirect lighting
Shade lighting
I used Dazzle Dry by Girly Bits before putting on the vinyls layer. Trust me, this lives up to the hype. I was blown away how much richer the color popped after putting it on. Definitely am going to have to do a comparison post to show you what I mean! Not only that, but I was pleased to see it dried very fast and created a very hard, resilient top coat.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the products mentioned in this post. All opinions are my own. All products were purchased for my own usage.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Monday Mani: CbL Rainbow Connection Birthday Exclusive Loving Every Moment
This past week, I have had the fun of spearheading a group buy for Rainbow Connection's exclusive Colors By Llarowe polish called Loving Every Moment that was made for RC's 2nd anniversary. When I opened the box, I was blown away by the gorgeousness. Seriously, this is some CbL to the next level. And I instantly knew this would be hard to photograph.
Application was on the thicker side than I'm used to for the CbL's I currently own, but that may be due to the rich complexity and intense holoness of this polish. It's opaque enough that you could probably get away with it being a one coater with the right application technique, but I did two to really pop out that richness. My nails like CbL so the polish dried quick, and slightly gel like. My kind of polish! Depending on lighting, it can lean pink or blue. I've noticed natural light it leans blue and artificial light it leans pink. And the times it's a straight up purple the richness and depth is drool worthy. This polish is one of those you appreciate even more in person and can't capture it fully on camera.
I tried taking lots of pictures in several types of lighting. As a result, some are a little blurry - it wouldn't play nice with the camera and sometimes the blurry ones capture the essence best (perhaps you've heard sometimes blurry photos capture intense holo best?). This beauty you can purchase from the Rainbow Connection site. It's been selling fast and I don't know how many restocks there will be!
Application was on the thicker side than I'm used to for the CbL's I currently own, but that may be due to the rich complexity and intense holoness of this polish. It's opaque enough that you could probably get away with it being a one coater with the right application technique, but I did two to really pop out that richness. My nails like CbL so the polish dried quick, and slightly gel like. My kind of polish! Depending on lighting, it can lean pink or blue. I've noticed natural light it leans blue and artificial light it leans pink. And the times it's a straight up purple the richness and depth is drool worthy. This polish is one of those you appreciate even more in person and can't capture it fully on camera.
I tried taking lots of pictures in several types of lighting. As a result, some are a little blurry - it wouldn't play nice with the camera and sometimes the blurry ones capture the essence best (perhaps you've heard sometimes blurry photos capture intense holo best?). This beauty you can purchase from the Rainbow Connection site. It's been selling fast and I don't know how many restocks there will be!
studio lighting
indoors, direct sunlight
outdoor shade
outdoor shade with indirect lighting
These last two shots really highlight the pink, purple, and blue!
Disclaimer: I am no way affiliated with Colors by Llarowe or Rainbow Connection. Products were purchased by myself. All opinions are my own.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
The Integrity of Handmade
Being a jewelry artisan who uses handmade nail polish in one of her lines, I try to keep a light foot planted in the indie polish world. And while my decision to stay on the outskirts of the fold is calculated and purposeful, it still allows me to be cognizant of the problems going on so that I may know how it affects my own brand.
The recent debacle, or "PR nightmare" as my entrepreneurial spirit sees it, with Mentality polish highlights a struggle all us artisans will likely encounter at least once in our small business venture. As Ashley is Polish Addicted points out in this new blog post highlighting the *cough* drama, handmade businesses are not exempt from customer service integrity more so than any other company or industry. If anything, I argue being a small business has its advantages in addressing customer service problems (as well as its disadvantages). In short, it means we can give individualized service that big box stores can't (but make us more vulnerable to customers with demanding and unrealistic expectations whose influence can be majorly impactful). It is both a blessing and a struggle, an aspect that comes with the territory.
As an artisan and entrepreneur running a small handmade business, my passion to share handmade with the world is what drives me. The integrity of handmade is a part of that gestalt. I reiterate over and over to my customers that a major part of my brand is customer satisfaction. I am unabashedly a perfectionist - if I am not happy with my product in production, that affects how I sell it... IF I sell it at all. These pieces are either not sold or go into an Oopsie album with a full disclaimer. While one of the beauties of handmade is its imperfections, another beauty is quality control. My customers appreciate both sides of that coin: they indulge in the beauty of wabi-sabi, but also know to report to me any major defects in my pieces. Every day I start with many intentions with my handmade business. Handmade has spirit, has dignity, has integrity. As artisans turned business owners, we must continue to spread that message and seek customers who appreciate it.
How Mentality is handling this whole base issue (*edit update: new info has come to light that indicates it may not be a base issue like Mentality is saying, that it's likely something that Mentality is doing. WHICH makes this post that much more relevant!) not only baffles me, but blows my socks off with confusion. As a business owner, I am obligated to fix wrongful situations. As a handmade artisan, I am obligated to maintain quality control through testing and feedback. As a human being, I am obligated to apologize and make things right in a moral and ethical fashion when my products do not live up to my guarantees.
With that being said, yes, Mentality, you have the right to handle situations as you please. I respect that it is your company, which means it's your business how you make decisions and none of mine. But know this: your customer service not only affects your customers and the future of your business, but it also affects MINE and those belonging to other handmade artisans. We have many battles to overcome as handmade business owners (a long post for another day), and you just outed yourself as another bad apple for us to overcome. Because, you see, we are such a small community that what one does affects us all. As a fellow artisan stated, "When this type of thing happens it makes all handmade artisans a bit looking bad, and now we have to pay for what someone has done." I'm here to share my passion, my calling... we already have enough barriers to overcome, let's not make each other another to overcome.
I've been crafting since I could hold a piece of paper and scissors. So to my fellow handmade artisans know this: us veterans can smell whether you're a dedicated artisan wanting to share your craft with the world or if you're looking to make a quick buck. We are watching. We know. So don't make me attach another eye roll to your name and throw me in a tearful rage of frustration with another reason to keep me up at night.
Be an inspiration, not a distraction. Let your heart guide your journey, for handmade is a beautiful one from the soul. And to those that keep spreading the message: keep on fighting. This is a team effort and we've got your back.
The recent debacle, or "PR nightmare" as my entrepreneurial spirit sees it, with Mentality polish highlights a struggle all us artisans will likely encounter at least once in our small business venture. As Ashley is Polish Addicted points out in this new blog post highlighting the *cough* drama, handmade businesses are not exempt from customer service integrity more so than any other company or industry. If anything, I argue being a small business has its advantages in addressing customer service problems (as well as its disadvantages). In short, it means we can give individualized service that big box stores can't (but make us more vulnerable to customers with demanding and unrealistic expectations whose influence can be majorly impactful). It is both a blessing and a struggle, an aspect that comes with the territory.
As an artisan and entrepreneur running a small handmade business, my passion to share handmade with the world is what drives me. The integrity of handmade is a part of that gestalt. I reiterate over and over to my customers that a major part of my brand is customer satisfaction. I am unabashedly a perfectionist - if I am not happy with my product in production, that affects how I sell it... IF I sell it at all. These pieces are either not sold or go into an Oopsie album with a full disclaimer. While one of the beauties of handmade is its imperfections, another beauty is quality control. My customers appreciate both sides of that coin: they indulge in the beauty of wabi-sabi, but also know to report to me any major defects in my pieces. Every day I start with many intentions with my handmade business. Handmade has spirit, has dignity, has integrity. As artisans turned business owners, we must continue to spread that message and seek customers who appreciate it.
How Mentality is handling this whole base issue (*edit update: new info has come to light that indicates it may not be a base issue like Mentality is saying, that it's likely something that Mentality is doing. WHICH makes this post that much more relevant!) not only baffles me, but blows my socks off with confusion. As a business owner, I am obligated to fix wrongful situations. As a handmade artisan, I am obligated to maintain quality control through testing and feedback. As a human being, I am obligated to apologize and make things right in a moral and ethical fashion when my products do not live up to my guarantees.
With that being said, yes, Mentality, you have the right to handle situations as you please. I respect that it is your company, which means it's your business how you make decisions and none of mine. But know this: your customer service not only affects your customers and the future of your business, but it also affects MINE and those belonging to other handmade artisans. We have many battles to overcome as handmade business owners (a long post for another day), and you just outed yourself as another bad apple for us to overcome. Because, you see, we are such a small community that what one does affects us all. As a fellow artisan stated, "When this type of thing happens it makes all handmade artisans a bit looking bad, and now we have to pay for what someone has done." I'm here to share my passion, my calling... we already have enough barriers to overcome, let's not make each other another to overcome.
I've been crafting since I could hold a piece of paper and scissors. So to my fellow handmade artisans know this: us veterans can smell whether you're a dedicated artisan wanting to share your craft with the world or if you're looking to make a quick buck. We are watching. We know. So don't make me attach another eye roll to your name and throw me in a tearful rage of frustration with another reason to keep me up at night.
Be an inspiration, not a distraction. Let your heart guide your journey, for handmade is a beautiful one from the soul. And to those that keep spreading the message: keep on fighting. This is a team effort and we've got your back.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Day2JNAC: 13 Days of January Nail Art Challenge - Happiness
So apparently I can't read and thought today's prompt was a tape mani. Whoops! BUT french tips *do* make me happy, so this still counts, right? This was my first time using decorative tape so I still need some practice on using it right. Also had trouble getting it to stick. And WOW I did not realize how poor a clean-up job I did - once again that darn camera is unforgiving, huh?!
Although I prefer to freehand french tips, I used some tape guides to help me create tips on three nails, and accented my pointer with two strips of silver decorative tape. I used BEWBS! and Ashes Ashes for the mani, both by Darling Diva. Formulas are on the thicker side, but boy are they rich, deep colors kissed by holo. Despite the formulas being a smidgen thick, it creates a solid finish - almost reminiscent of rubbery, perhaps - that is not prone to chippage. The following are indoor pics from tonight, I'll do outdoor pics tomorrow if my mani survives well enough.
Although I prefer to freehand french tips, I used some tape guides to help me create tips on three nails, and accented my pointer with two strips of silver decorative tape. I used BEWBS! and Ashes Ashes for the mani, both by Darling Diva. Formulas are on the thicker side, but boy are they rich, deep colors kissed by holo. Despite the formulas being a smidgen thick, it creates a solid finish - almost reminiscent of rubbery, perhaps - that is not prone to chippage. The following are indoor pics from tonight, I'll do outdoor pics tomorrow if my mani survives well enough.
And outdoor pics in the shade! With a JUICY bottle shot of BEWBS.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Day1CNT: 13 Days of January Nail Art Challenge - Follow A Tutorial
BKD Signature is participating in its first ever nail art challenge! I'm joining a group of lovely bloggers in showcasing some gorgeous polishes and stunning nail art skills. Of course, not MY stunning nail art skills, so this is a fun challenge I'm participating in to expand my skillset and challenge myself. You can admire everyone else's beautiful works and giggle at my attempts. ;) But most importantly, say hi to some awesome indie polishes! My goal is to try to stick to only using handmade lacquer.
Today is Day One of The Thirteen Days of January Nail Art Challenge or #Day1CNT! Today's theme is Follow A Tutorial. I found inspiration from one of my awesome blogger friends, Chalkboard Nails. I followed her ruffian mani, which you can find on Instagram.
I used NailNation 3000 "The High Life" under Girly Bits Limited Edition "Joyeux Noël". I did this quick mani after a long day at work so please excuse the poor lighting. I prefer to snap my mani's under natural light, but I figured moonlight wasn't enough. ;) I'll snap better ones tomorrow and edit this post.
The High Life is a gorgeous yellow gold chock full of holo. Joyeux Noël is a stunning magenta-leaning red with microglitter. Had some trouble getting the NN3000 to dry (usually indies dry on my nails crazy fast), but the formula and brush were awesome for application. The Girly Bits dried fairly quickly and also had nice application, as is my experience with GB. Because I am not good at freehand, I used french tip nail guides to help me (which I could use practice applying). However, I AM proud to say that my using polishes with amazing application leads to almost zero need for clean-up!
Today is Day One of The Thirteen Days of January Nail Art Challenge or #Day1CNT! Today's theme is Follow A Tutorial. I found inspiration from one of my awesome blogger friends, Chalkboard Nails. I followed her ruffian mani, which you can find on Instagram.
I used NailNation 3000 "The High Life" under Girly Bits Limited Edition "Joyeux Noël". I did this quick mani after a long day at work so please excuse the poor lighting. I prefer to snap my mani's under natural light, but I figured moonlight wasn't enough. ;) I'll snap better ones tomorrow and edit this post.
The High Life is a gorgeous yellow gold chock full of holo. Joyeux Noël is a stunning magenta-leaning red with microglitter. Had some trouble getting the NN3000 to dry (usually indies dry on my nails crazy fast), but the formula and brush were awesome for application. The Girly Bits dried fairly quickly and also had nice application, as is my experience with GB. Because I am not good at freehand, I used french tip nail guides to help me (which I could use practice applying). However, I AM proud to say that my using polishes with amazing application leads to almost zero need for clean-up!
Edited to include some photos I took outdoors next day. In the shade, in the backyard.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Monday Mani: #fightforlightandlive and Girly Bits
Yesterday afternoon I discovered the #fightforlightandlive and #depressionawareness mani movement on Facebook. Being a mental health professional first and foremost, I didn't want to miss out on participating. I figured better late than never!
I had just opened up my three Mystery Bags from an exclusive sample sale for group members that handmade indie polish maker Girly Bits ran earlier this month. The bags contained OOAKs, Oops, Prototypes, Testers, Discontinueds, and the like. Among them was a beautiful green/purple holo duochrome (if I'm guessing correctly) and I thought it perfect to try out since it was a newbie and green.
While I had some application and drying issues - an anticipated risk of mystery samples - that affected clean up and appearance, it is quite the lovely color. If the application issues were worked out (which may be the reason it didn't make it into production), I think this prototype would turn into a huge hit! Next time I think I will build with super thin coats as I think I was a little overzealous with my painting. This is two semi-thick coats with Zoya's Anchor and Armor.
Sadly, my camera was NOT cooperating with capturing the purple side of it. When I walk into full sun, it turns into a full blown muted purple shade and the holo lights up. While the naked eye can clearly see it, my camera clearly cannot. Which is SO unfortunate because I wish I could easily show you how dynamic a color this is! Instead, I tried my best with different lighting and angles in hopes of highlighting its beauty.
Post in the comments below what you think of the color! And, please, help fight stigma surrounding mental illness and become an advocate for changing society's perspective. Visit your local community agency or NAMI chapter, and help educate yourself and others about mental illness disorders. Together we can #stampoutstigma and be agents for change!
Disclaimer: All products were purchased with my own money. All reviews and opinions are my own. Not affiliated with Girly Bits.
I had just opened up my three Mystery Bags from an exclusive sample sale for group members that handmade indie polish maker Girly Bits ran earlier this month. The bags contained OOAKs, Oops, Prototypes, Testers, Discontinueds, and the like. Among them was a beautiful green/purple holo duochrome (if I'm guessing correctly) and I thought it perfect to try out since it was a newbie and green.
While I had some application and drying issues - an anticipated risk of mystery samples - that affected clean up and appearance, it is quite the lovely color. If the application issues were worked out (which may be the reason it didn't make it into production), I think this prototype would turn into a huge hit! Next time I think I will build with super thin coats as I think I was a little overzealous with my painting. This is two semi-thick coats with Zoya's Anchor and Armor.
Sadly, my camera was NOT cooperating with capturing the purple side of it. When I walk into full sun, it turns into a full blown muted purple shade and the holo lights up. While the naked eye can clearly see it, my camera clearly cannot. Which is SO unfortunate because I wish I could easily show you how dynamic a color this is! Instead, I tried my best with different lighting and angles in hopes of highlighting its beauty.
Post in the comments below what you think of the color! And, please, help fight stigma surrounding mental illness and become an advocate for changing society's perspective. Visit your local community agency or NAMI chapter, and help educate yourself and others about mental illness disorders. Together we can #stampoutstigma and be agents for change!
Shade lighting
Direct sun lighting
(aka when my camera should have captured the purple instead)
Indirect sun lighting
(trying to capture the purple at a new angle)
Indirect sun lighting
Indirect sun lighting
(can see the purple a little bit)
Disclaimer: All products were purchased with my own money. All reviews and opinions are my own. Not affiliated with Girly Bits.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
NOTD Handmade: The Power of Love by Girly Bits
The Power of Love by Canadian indie maker Girly Bits: "The Power of Love is a lavender holo sprinkled with lavender, sea green and silver holo glitter, plus purple shimmer and sparks of silver holo."
I was actually surprised after rereading the description because it looks more like a lavender polish with gold glitter at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, I can see all the lovely elements. :)
This color is so stunning. I had some difficulty with the application - it was on the thick side - but I think that's due to it being jam packed with glitter (and who can complain about being jam packed with goodies?!). I think this is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine! I can't stop staring at my nails.
This photo was taken in indirect sunlight. Let me know in the comments what you think!
I was actually surprised after rereading the description because it looks more like a lavender polish with gold glitter at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, I can see all the lovely elements. :)
This color is so stunning. I had some difficulty with the application - it was on the thick side - but I think that's due to it being jam packed with glitter (and who can complain about being jam packed with goodies?!). I think this is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine! I can't stop staring at my nails.
This photo was taken in indirect sunlight. Let me know in the comments what you think!
Disclaimer: Products in this post were purchased by me for personal use. No compensation was given for this review. All opinions are my own. Not affiliated with Girly Bits.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
NOTD Handmade: Haleakala by Elevation Polish
I'm currently wearing handmade indie polish by Elevation Polish called Haleakala. This absolutely gorgeous shade is a purple holo that lands somewhere between a berry and a wine shade. My photo doesn't do it justice!
Earlier this week I wore Darkest Storm. I can never get enough blue!
Earlier this week I wore Darkest Storm. I can never get enough blue!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
New Additions to the BKD Signature Polish Jewelry Line
When our polish jewelry line first launched, we only used My Ten Friends Nail Polish. Then we expanded to include our friends at Girly Bits and Darling Diva Polish, and have an exclusive line at Femme Fatale Cosmetics. We're ecstatic to announce that, during our research phase right now, we've obtained permission from Colors by llarowe, NailNation, and Superficially Colorful to use their polishes as well! We love supporting indies and hope you're just as excited as us for these gorgeous additions to our jewelry line.
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