My Ten Favorite Nail Polishes Of 2016

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Hello readers,
I had such a tough time narrowing down the list of all the polishes I tried this year to ten favorites. The final list is a mix of colours, finishes and brands. Let's take a look at which shades made the cut for 2016.

My Five Favorite Nail Art Designs Of 2016

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Hello readers,
For 2016 I wanted to post more nail art looks on the blog. I started out strong, but got in a bit of a rut during the middle of the year. Some nail art challenges served as inspiration and I picked things back up towards the end of the year. Here's a look at my five favorite looks from the past year.

Snowy Winter Forest Nail Art

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Hello readers,
Christmas is only a couple of days away and here in Southwestern Ontario it looks like it's going to be a white one. I'm not really one for the usual red and green holiday designs, but snow makes it feel like Christmas to me. For this year's holiday nail art I went for a peacefully snowy forest scene.

Emily De Molly Absent Minded Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Absent Minded is an older Emily De Molly Shade that had been on my wish list for while. When it reappeared in the US shop I snapped it up immediately and am so glad I did. Let's take a look at this squishy glittery shade.

CANVAS Lacquer Hawkins, Indiana Swatches & Review

Gift

Hello readers,
Today I have a new-to-me Canadian indie polish brand to share with you, Canvas Lacquer! I've been aware of this brand for a little while but hadn't had the chance to try them out. Recently I found out that I actually have a friend in common with one of the brand owners, which meant my friend had a source for some pretty awesome polish presents. This first shade is part of the Stranger Things collection. Who doesn't love some good 80's style supernatural inspiration?

Hello Waffle Cosmetics Visage November 2016 Unboxing & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have Hello Waffle Cosmetic's November visage to share with you. I'm a bit late with this one as it is clearly December, but swatching the Howl lipsticks took over my makeup swatching time for a little while. November was the second anniversary of the visage subscription and was inspired my Joseph Jacob's The Buried Moon. The colour palette features a mix of cool tones, shimmer and sparkle. Let's take a look at what was included.

Plum & Silver Nail Art

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Hello readers,
Today I have quick nail art look to share with you. I love mixing finishes and colours with a stamped accent to create pulled together look. I started with China Glaze Crimson on my pointer and pinky fingers along with Julep Missy on my middle and ring finger. Then I used China Glaze Crimson and MoYou London plate Pro XL 06 to add a floral design to my ring finger. I sealed everything up with a coat of CND Super Shiney top coat. Photos were taken in daylight spectrum lighting.

Hello Waffle + Howl Cosmetics Lipsticks Part II - The Bolds & The Brights

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Hello readers,
I'm back with the seconds half of the Howl Cosmetics core line now being sold by Hello Waffle Cosmetics. Check out my post from earlier this week featuring the more neutral shades along with some general info on formula and finish. All caught up? Let's take a look at swatches of the bright and bold shades from this collection. All the following swatch photos we taken in indoor lighting so keep in mind the colours may lean a bit warmer than natural shaded lighting.

Femme Fatale Cosmetics Just Like A Dream Trio Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have the Just Like Dream collaboration trio from Femme Fatale Cosmetics and The Polishing Life. This is a limited edition release but there are still some shades available through stockists. Let's take a look at swatches.

Hello Waffle + Howl Cosmetics Lipstick Swatches & Review Part I - The Neutrals

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Hello readers,
A few months ago Howl Cosmetics announced they would be closing up their storefront and giving the rights the Howl name along with their recipes to Hello Waffle Cosmetics for future sales. Hello Waffle has been testing and experimenting for some time now and the revamped Howl lipsticks are going to be released this week. Today I have the six neutral shades from the new line to share with you.

A Little Bit Of Everything Purple Nail Art

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Hello readers,
I've made it to week three of four for Beautometry's Next Top Swatcher competition. For those of you who voted for me in past weeks, thank you! This week's theme was 'purple' and you know I love purple polish. I couldn't quite decide which nail art technique to focus on so I mixed a little stamper marbling, some gradients and some stamping to come up with this look.

Bite Beauty Best Bite Redux Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have one of Bite Beauty's holiday sets for 2016 to share with you. The Best Bite Redux set features four bold and bright shades of their Matte Creme Lip Crayon in a mirrored tin. These lip crayons are 60% of full-size and give you the chance to try out some new colours without breaking the bank.

Color Club Midnight Muse Collection Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Up until now I thought you could only buy Color Club online in Canada, but it turns out that Trade Secrets carries them in store. Today I have a new limited edition collection to share with you. The Midnight Muse collection features a mix of classic cremes, intriguing shimmers and glitter toppers to mix things up. Get ready for a picture heavy post. Let's look at swatches!

Freehand Owl Nail Art

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Hello readers,
Today I have my entry for the second week of Beautometry's Next Top Swatcher contest to share with you. This week's theme was 'Owls' and I decided to try some freehand nail art. I used the southern white-faced owl as inspiration.

Products I Finished This Month - October 2016

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Hello readers,
November is here which means it's starting to get chilly outside. Today I have the products I finished up in October to share with you.

Face

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Jam, Rhubarb & Mauvember 2016 Swatches + Giveaway

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Hello readers,
Today I have three more shades from the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick collection to share with you. Jam and Rhubarb are part of the permanent lineup but Mauvember 2016 is only available during November of this year and proceeds go to support the Movember Foundation. Make sure to read until the end of the post for your chance to win this year's Mauvember shade. First, let's take a look at some swatches.

Lucky 13 Lacquer Pretty Like Poison Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Lucky 13 Lacquer recently added a new shade to their core line up that lets us know that neon isn't just for summer.

Fall Leaves Nail Art

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Hello readers,
I've been slacking when it comes to nail art the last couple months, so I when Beautometry announced a 'Next Top Swatcher' nail art contest I used it as an opportunity to gain some nail art motivation. This week's theme was 'Leaves' so I took inspiration from the trees outside for this look.

Zoya Enchanted Collection Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have this year's holiday collection from Zoya to share with you. The Enchanted collection features two shimmers and four textured PixieDust shades. I love the crystallized look of the PixieDust finish so I'm glad to see them in this collection. Let's take a look at swatches.

BVspa By Bon Vital' Body Lotion & Butter Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have a couple more products from BVspa to share with you. Previously I reviewed (and loved!) their salt and sugar scrubs. Today I have the other half of the BVspa line featuring body lotions and butters that come in the same three scents as the scrubs - Pink Grapefruit, Pomegranate & Acai Berry and Lavender & Rosemary.

Lucky 13 Lacquer Once Upon A Dream Duo Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have a new limited edition duo from Lucky 13 Lacquer to share with you. This duo draws inspiration from Sleeping Beauty and features holo finishes with colour shifting shimmer. Let's take a look at swatches.

Femme Fatale Cosmetics Dusk Till Dawn Trio {A Selection} Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Femme Fatale's October release features three blogger collaboration trios (a trio of trios!) in which the bloggers helped design the polishes. Today I have my personal picks from the Dusk Till Dawn designed de briz.

Hello Waffle Cosmetics Visage October 2016 Unboxing & Review

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Hello readers,
October has arrived with all its fall colours and halloween spookiness. Hello Waffle's October Visage box just arrived. This month's theme was an homage to all things Tim Burton. The Nightmare Before Christmas anyone?

Lucky 13 Lacquer Infinity Stones Collection Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have Lucky 13 Lacquer's Infinity Stones collection to share with you. This collection features a rainbow of squishy microglitters that glow in the dark and are also UV light reactive. Let's take a look at swatches!

ILNP Maiden Lane Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have ILNP Maiden Lane from the Fall 2015 collection to share with you. I may be a year behind but at least I'm in the right season!

Girly Bits Cosmetics Sky Theater Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have the Polish Con 2016 exclusive from Girly Bits to share with you. I was lucky enough to have a friend attending in person and she was able to pick up a bottle for me (thanks Melanie!). Though this shade isn't available anymore it's so pretty I just had to share.

Cadillacquer Mentha Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have another Hypnotic Polish exclusive to share with you. Shimmery minty green and I was already making an order so it just happened to get added to my cart.

Femme Fatale Cosmetics Rubine Veil Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have of the new Femme Fatale polishes exclusive to Hypnotic Polish. This is definitely not the blue, purple or teal I usually go for, but the combo of taupe and red intrigued me.

Products I Finished This Month - September 2016

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Hello readers,
October is upon us. I am totally on the ball this month and already have my empties in a row. Let's take a look at this month's hits and misses.

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Indigo Bananas Event Horizon Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Happy October! Today I have a super shiny full coverage flakie polish to share with you. Indigo Bananas has this finish in a whole range of colours but I chose to try out Event Horizon because I'm addicted to teal.

FingerPaints Endless Wear Been There, Scene It! Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have a shade from the FingerPaints Endless Wear collection to share with you. The strong shimmer in this one caught my eye and I was curious how this formula would stand up so I picked it up.

Celestial Cosmetics Dragon Wings Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have my first ever polish from Celestial Cosmetics to share with you. This shade was one of three customs available to the Hella Holo Customs facebook group in May of this year. The contrasting green shimmer against a purple base definitely caught my eye.

Hello Waffle Cosmetics Visage September 2016 Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have Hello Waffle Cosmetics' September Visage to share with you. This month's inspiration was the classic tale of Robin Hood. A palette of warm neutrals with pops of green was the theme this month. Let's take a look at what was included.

FingerPaints 50 Shades Of Ashley Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
I usually associate strong contrasting shimmer with indies, but when I saw this shade in a FingerPaints display while browsing at Sally's I knew I had to give it a try.

OPI This Color's Making Waves Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
I probably didn't need another metallic teal polish, but the bronzey flakes in this one called to me from the clearance bin at Sally's and somehow it ended up coming home with me.

Essie Bridal 2016 {A Selection} Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have two shades from Essie's 2016 Bridal collection to share with you. This collection features a range of pastels and soft shades. I picked out a pale bone creme and a mint green shimmer to add to my collection. Let's take a look at swatches.

Products I Finished This Month - August 2016

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Hello readers,
The last few days of summer are winding down. Let's take a look at the products I finished up during the month of August.

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Femme Fatale Cosmetics Glacier Nether Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have one of the exclusives polishes from Beauty So Fly to share with you. Blue base with green shimmer? You know I had to have it.

Lucky 13 Lacquer Midnight Maelstrom Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have a new limited edition shade from Lucky 13 Lacquer to share with you. Continuing with the finishes of the Always Be Yourself collection, Midnight Maelstrom brings holo and shifty shimmer together in a great fall shade.

Sephora Formula X Marine Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Sephora recently dumped a whole bunch of polishes from their in house Formula X line into the sale section for Canadians. I, being low in will power when it comes to nail polish, snagged some shades I had been eyeing for a while but hadn't been able to convince myself to buy at full price. Today I have one of the shades from the Sea Glass collection to share with you.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Gazpacho, Beetroot & Verbena

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Hello readers,
Today I have three more shade from Bite Beauty's Amuse Bouche lipstick collection to share with you. I got these three minis from the Spring Fling set available earlier this year. However, all three shades are available in full-size as part of the permanent line.

Different Dimension Topaz 2.0 Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I had a super sparkly polish from Different Dimension Let Them Eat Glitter to share you. Thank god for peel off base coats because though this polish looks amazing, I wouldn't want to tackle removing it the old fashioned way.

Zoya Urban Grunge Metallic Holos Collection Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have the metallic holos from the new Zoya Urban Grunge collection to share with you. This half of the collection features a mix of shiny metallics and jelly scatter holos. If you didn't see my swatches of the one coat cremes from this collection be sure to check them out as well. Let's take a look at some swatches.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks in Taro, Berry Rouge & Thistle

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Hello readers,
Today I have three more shades of Bite Beauty's Amuse Bouch Lipsticks to share with you. I was really impressed with the first few shades I tried from this line so it was guaranteed more were going to make their way into my collection. Let's take a look at swatches of Taro, Berry Rouge and Thistle.

Shimmering Black and Nude Stamped Nail Art

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Hello readers,
Today I have some black and nude stamped nail art to share with you. This colour combo always feels so refined to me.

Hello Waffle Cosmetics Visage August 2016 Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
August's Hello Waffle Visage box has arrived! This month is inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespear. I haven't personally read this play but based on the names this month I'm guessing their are a lot of mystical creatures involved. Last month featured a very neutral palette. This month switched things up with some more colour. Bring on the icy jewel tones!

Zoya Urban Grunge Creams Collection Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have the one coat cremes from the new Zoya Urban Grunge collection to share with you. This half of the collection features a mix of neutral and darker shades that are perfect for fall. Get ready for lots of pictures! Let's take a look at swatches.

Ever After Polish Falling Swatches & Review

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Hello readers,
Today I have my first Ever After Polish to share with you. I actually made my first order several months ago but I move my photo and polish space shortly after receiving them and they accidentally got hidden in a box. After rediscovering them, I knew one had to make it onto my nails ASAP.

Stamped Leaf Nail Art Featuring Born Pretty Store Plate BP-L015

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Hello readers,
Today I have some nail art with a little bit of stamping and a little bit of glitter to share with you. I had the chance to test out Born Pretty Store's stamping plate BP-L015 which features a mix of flower, leaf and tree inspired designs.

Gehwol Mother-Of-Pearl Scrub Review

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Hello readers,
Recently, Nail Polish Canada started carrying Gehwol products. This line focuses on foot and skin care that includes natural ingredients and essential oils. I picked the Mother-of-Pearl scrub to test out since I love scrubs that incorporates natural grit.