Author: Lara
A Realm of Kingfishers
“A Realm of Kingfishers” is giving “An Unkindness of Ravens”, no? If you know, you know.
Hit the Bottle Polishes “A Realm of Kingfishers” is from May’s “Tropical Forest” Polish Pickup. It’s a shimmery magnetic polish inspired by the sacred kingfishers that populate the creator’s garden yearly. I love the way the golden magnetized section plays against the steel blue base. I’ve never spied one here in Texas – I probably live too far inland.
I used the narrow edge of my neodymium magnet again, this time straight down the middle of the nail, but I wasn’t quite precise, because the magnetized portion isn’t dead center on every nail. Oh well.
This is two coats of “A Realm of Kingfishers” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Froot Loop“.
Random Ass Ulta Haul
So…exactly a month ago, my car window got smashed and my purse was stolen. I bopped into the post office to shove something into the slot and it happened in less than 60 seconds. It seems that I forgot that I live in the Houston area and people here be thieving…my window is fixed (no thanks to Safelite, they are THE WORST) and I am slowly replacing the contents of my purse…it’s smaller than my ‘big black mom purse’, so I need smaller replacements…
…and the fucking $5 Ulta Basics 5 Piece Manicure Set is too big! I ended up buying a smaller one at T.J. Maxx right after I received this one…ugh, I’ll throw it in my luggage or something. I do like the tiny Aquaphor though – it’s a twin pack ($6.99)!
While I was at it, I threw a bunch of random sale crap in my cart: MONDAY Haircare BRUNETTE Dry Shampoo with Keratin ($5.59 – 30% off); Peach Slices Oil Control Mattifying Moisturizer ($8.49 – 50% off); and Pacifica Grapefruit Bubbles Gel Foam Cleanser ($3.50 – 75% off).
You can’t have too much face cleanser, so I also decided to try Ulta Beauty Cloud Facial Cleanser ($12). I also purchased another Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($11), because I cannot face the apocalypse without eyebrows.
On top of the $10 off $50 code I used, I got a few freebies. The rest of the family says that the puffy purple tote bag (free with $17.50 Ulta purchase) is super ugly…they are haters. I also got a free 5 Piece Clinique Gift Set, which came with a makeup bag, Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm; a mini Black Honey lippie (hello purse); Moisture Surge Overnight Mask; and High Impact Mascara. Score!
Since I got my hairs did at Ulta this past weekend, only $162 until Diamond in 2026 – have I ever gotten there this fast?
Shantay You Stay
I wouldn’t say that The Flamingo is my favorite casino to stay at in Vegas – that would be The Cosmopolitan…but it is my favorite to just bum around in. There are flamingos everywhere, it smells like suntan lotion…and it’s home to RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! I was lucky enough to get to see the show on my birthday in 2020, a week or so after it launched. It was a blast and I can’t wait to go again.
Atomic Polish “Shantay You Stay” is from June’s “Vacation Destinations” Polish Pickup and is inspired by Las Vegas and RuPaul’s Drag Race Live. I usually avoid oranges and corals, but this flamingo-esque shade was just begging to be added to my cart. It applies like a dream and lasts forever and ever – I’ve had it on my toes for about 3 weeks!
This is two coats of “Shantay You Stay” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Froot Loops“.
First Day Semi-Annual Sale Haul
I slipped into the closest Bath & Body Works on the first day of the sale…it was a month ago, but I held off on posting my hauls because I thought I would go back and buy more…I didn’t.
I didn’t buy much in person – it was my lunch break, and the stores always have more foaming hand soap, while I prefer the gel. I did find a lovely Beehive Wallflower Plug (I wish I had bought two), a dog deodorizing spray, a candle and some antibacterial gel….however…
…however, on the first day of the sale, the website had hand soap AND Wallflower refills for $2.99, with free shipping over $100. I jumped right on that and replenished my stock with 22 Hand Soaps and 12 Wallflower refills. I’m lazy…(or is that complacent)…so I’m not going to list out all the scents I got. You’ll just have to come sniff the air and wash your hands at my house to find out.
I did not buy ANY new sets of scents for my bathtime rituals – can you believe it?
Polish Pickup June 2025 – Vacation Destinations
Is there anything more “June” than this month’s Polish Pickup theme? Nothing better than a Vacation Destination…
I don’t usually pick up the body products, but I was drawn to Unicorn Magic Skincare Deluxe Coconut Milk Hand Creme in “Dole Whip” ($9.75). It smells EXACTLY like Dole Whip…I’ve been hooked since I visited the Dole Plantation in Hawaii. I may have bought an extra one for someone…
I knew I would be getting Atomic Polish “Shantay You Stay” ($13.50). It’s inspired Las Vegas, home of RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! I was lucky enough to see it on my birthday in 2020 – highly recommend. Doesn’t it remind you of a flamingo?
Ahmya Cosmetics “Snap, Crackle Splash” ($13.50) is a magnetic polish inspired by fireworks on the beach.
Baroness X “Tiki Totem” ($13.50), another magnetic polish, is inspired by tiki statues in the South Pacific.
Cadillacquer “Neon Lights” ($14) is inspired by NYC’s Times Square. This polish seems just as overwhelming as I found Times Square to be – I cannot wait to try it!
Lots of BRIGHT polishes to try this month. Wait, it’s already next month….fuck.
La Paz-itively Hot
Although I LOVE wearing the fancy Indie polishes from Polish Pickup, sometimes a plain, corporate nail polish hits the spot. At least my base and top coats are still Indie…
I found OPI “La Paz-itively Hot” In the back of a cabinet – I think Miss Lisa gave it to me when she was purging her collection? It’s from the Fall 2009 Matte Collection, but it worked just fine. It is a hot pink matte with a hint of shimmer. I wasn’t feeling matte vibes, so I made it shiny.
Funny story. I have beef with La Paz – my ex indulged in hookers and blow on a business trip to La Paz. Then he came back and told all my friends that I must have cheated on him when I ended up with an infection. Too bad his co-worker had loose lips. Good times.
This is two coats of “La Paz-itively Hot” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Froot Loops“.
Easter Egg
I must have taken a dozen different shots trying to capture every facet of By Vanessa Molina “Easter Egg” – every angle is a different look! Those shifty magnetic polishes…
“Easter Egg” is the last polish I needed to sample from April’s “Celebrate!” Polish Pickup. It’s – of course – inspired by Easter. It’s a magnetic polish containing green/magenta/copper/purple variations, with Aurora Pigment and glitter Galaxy. It’s like the northern lights, the milky way and a zombie rising from the dead, all wrapped into one.
I used the neodymium magnet on these again, but instead of just resting my finger on the flat side of the magnet, I held the narrow edge catty-corner over each nail and got a really nice stripy lightning effect.
This is two coats of “Easter Egg” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Another Wet Ulta Haul
Can you believe a hairbrush lasted less than 3 years? Lily must brush her hair VIOLENTLY, because the brush I bought her less than 3 years ago broke in half…and she wanted the exact same one again. Only now, the Wet Brush Pro Flex Dry is $19.99 instead of $15.99 – 25% inflation in just three years! Sigh…at least I had a 20% off coupon to use on this order.
I was down to NO eye brow pencil back-up, so I got another Ulta Beauty Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($11). I saw a new lippie stain I wanted to try, so I got a ColourPop HydraPop Glossy Lip Stain in “Baby Fox” ($9) – I like this formula so much better than the old Glossy Lip Stain, which are on clearance for $4.50…and I thought, why not and picked up a ColourPop Glossy Lip Stain in “Ice Pop” – oops, I already have this shade. And I hate it – it looks orangeish on me. Fuck.
Since Lily likes dry shampoo, I got her another can of MONDAY Haircare BRUNETTE Dry Shampoo with Keratin ($7.99).
$403 to go to reach Diamond in 2026.
Synchronous
I don’t know how I managed to skip over Envy Lacquer “Synchronous” – it’s been patiently waiting for me since last October’s “Natural Phenomenon” Polish Pickup!
“Synchronous” is inspired by the synchronous firefly display in the Appalachian mountains. I’ve never seen it, but I imagine it’s a sight to behold. We just get regular loner fireflies here in Texas – but we call them lightning bugs. (Ask me about Louie the Lightning Bug and maybe I’ll sing his song for you.)
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a neon shimmer like this. It’s sheer, but opaque? How even?
This is two coats of “Synchronous” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Empty Orchestra
I snagged Baroness X “Empty Orchestra” during April’s Polish Pickup. Did you know that ‘karaoke’ literally means ’empty orchestra’ in Japanese? You’re welcome.
This is another beautiful magnetic polish and I think I am finally figuring them out! I used my brand new neodymium magnet as I used my husband’s magnet – I just painted my nails while resting them on the magnet and got the ombre french manicure look. I LOVE this polish so much…How long until I can try it again?
This is two coats of “Empty Orchestra” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.