Tag: Indie
Secret Allure
The magnet makes all the difference!
Penelope Luz “Secret Allure” is from January’s Masquerade Polish Pickup. The colors are fairly similar to “Nichibotsu”, but the effect is totally different. Instead of the weak ass butterfly wand, I used one of my husband’s rare earth magnets. It’s small and round, slightly smaller than a 50 cent piece. I didn’t have to go through all the drama of holding it over my nails – instead, I just laid half of my fingertip over the edge of the magnet as I painted. The effect is a mix of velvet effect and a bar magnet, giving the impression of a french manicure. I could NOT stop looking at my nails!
So what do you think of my new lightbox? My husband had gotten it for me about six months ago, but I kept forgetting to set it up. I was having a hard time capturing the magnetic polishes in sunlight and I’m very happy with the pictures using the lightbox. I’m still using my phone, as opposed to my SLR – I admit to being a lazy bum. I think I’ll switch to using it for all my nail pics.
This is two coats of “Secret Allure”, magnetized with a round rare earth magnet using DRK Nails Magic Effect and over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Erythrocytes
So many medical words are derived from Ancient Greek. Erythrocytes are red blood cells and DRK Nails “Erythrocytes” is inspired by red blood cells under the microscope…which was the theme of March’s Polish Pickup.
I was so excited to try DRK Nails Magic Effect – will this be the magical product that makes magnetic nail polish easy? Well….yes and no. I started with a base coat and a single coat of polish. I did the second coat of polish one nail at a time, magnetizing the polish with a butterfly magnet. After letting them dry for 5 minutes or so, I then used Magic Effect on each nail, magnetizing again. After those coats dried, I finished with the top coat – one nail at a time, magnetizing each one for a third time. I suspect that the butterfly magnet that I picked up from Polish Pickup isn’t strong enough, so next time I’ll try a different one. I had the best result on my thumb – it looks more like fireworks than a butterfly, but I am diggin’ it.
This is two coats of “Erythrocytes”, magnetized with a butterfly magnet using DRK Nails Magic Effect and over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Polish Pickup March 2025 – Under the Microscope
All things considered, my March order was fairly conservative. The theme was really good though – “Under the Microscope” – but I didn’t see too many unique polishes, which surprised me.
The first things I snagged were DRK Nails “Erythrocytes” ($14), as well as DRK Nails Magic Effect for Magnetic Polish ($11.20). “Erythrocytes” is the scientific name for red blood cells and the polish is inspired by red blood cells under the microscope. I’m excited to see if I get better results with Magic Effect.
Paint it Pretty Polish “Crazy Plant Lady” ($13.50) is another magnetic polished, inspired by plant cells under the microscope.
Finally, I couldn’t resist another bottle of Cuticula Limitless Quick Dry Scented Top Coat in “Froot Loops” ($10). Who doesn’t like the scent of Froot Loops?
Nichibotsu 2: Electric Boogaloo
Now that I’ve bought a few different nail magnets, I’m working on improving my results with magnetic polishes.
I referred to a reddit tutorial this time, which suggested I start with a black base coat, then a thick coat of the magnetic polish, magnetize, then magnetize AGAIN, immediately after the top coat. Sounds simple enough, right?
My dumb ass always thinks I know better. I chose a magnetic polish I had used recently – Phoenix “Nichibotsu”, so I could compare results. I figured I would be fine without the black base coat and just used a regular milky clear base coat. Magnetizing the polish twice worked TOO WELL. The polish magnetized so well on a few nails, that it made bald spots in the polish (see the end of my left thumb). It also didn’t help that I didn’t let the thick coat dry enough and it moves around when I applied the top coat. Although my results are remarkable better the second time around, I don’t think I held the magnets on long enough either time. There’s nowhere to go but up!
This is one thick coat of “Nichibotsu” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Aesops Fables
Blanca LIED…green nails didn’t help me win SHIT in Atlantic City. Well, except for that $100 on the Crazy Rich Asians machine that I eventually lost again…still.
BCB Lacquers “Aesops Fables” is from February’s Fables & Folklore Polish Pickup. It is a minty shimmer that shifts from pink to gold. It is STUNNING in real life and has incredible wear time. I washed my hands HOURLY in Atlantic City and this polish went the distance. My only complaint? I am really missing the apostrophe in the polish name – I cannot handle plurals where a possessive should be. It makes my butthole itch.
This is two coats of “Aesops Fables” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Schneewittchen
Schneewittchen…now that’s a mouthful. Translation – “Snow White” in German.
Yes ma’am, I stacked two Snow White-themed polishes from February’s Polish Pickup back to back. This one is inspired by the Brothers Grimm version of the fairytale…it’s so bloody and so, so German.
Lurid Lacquer “Schneewittchen” is my first Lurid Lacquer. Quality is very good and I was impressed with the shimmer.
This is two coats of “Schneewittchen” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Fairest of Them All
Mirror Mirror, on the wall…who is the fairest of them all?
The answer, of course, is Cuticula “Fairest of Them All” from February’s “Fables & Fairytales” Polish Pickup. I am pretty sure that this was the first one I added to my cart. I had no idea that it was the magic mirror – when I saw it, I thought of a piece of green marble streaked with gold (I saw it at Floor & Decor and I want it for my bathroom.)
And yes, this is two Cuticulas in a row!
This is two coats of “Fairest of Them All” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Polish Pickup February 2025 – Fables & Folklore
February’s theme was “Fables & Folklores” and I am so proud of myself! Not for shopping conservatively – I did not pick any of the several Taylor Swift themed polishes…at least I don’t think I did?
As much as I love Zoya Remove+, I also love making cheap, shitty nail polish remover into the good shit…I’ve passed by the last few scents, but Baroness X Acetone Antidote “Lemon Shortbread Cookies” ($8.50) sounded too good to pass up.
Cuticula “Fairest of Them All” ($13) is inspired by Snow White.
Indie by Patty Lopes “Renaissance” ($13.50) is inspired by the Phoenix. It’s magnetic, too.
Lurid Lacquer “Schneewittchen” ($14.50) is inspired by the Brothers Grimm version of Snow White, the badass bitch version of Snow White.
Zombie Claw “Persephone” ($13.50) is inspired by Persephone and eating pomegranate seeds.
BCB Lacquers “Aesops Fables” ($13.50) is inspired by…wait for it…Aesop’s Fables.
I cannot wait to dig in!
Dance With Me
Mardi Gras was last week and I chose Cuticula “Dance With Me” for my Fat Tuesday nails. It’s from January’s Masquerade Polish Pickup and is inspired by…a Masquerade.
“Dance With Me” covers all the bases for traditional Mardi Gras colors – the base is a wine jelly and it is filled with flakies that color shift from green to gold.
This is two coats of “Dance With Me” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.
Miss Runway
Emily de Molly “Miss Runway” is inspired by a dress (probably for a masquerade ball) because it’s from January’s Masquerade Polish Pickup.
“Miss Runway” is a magnetic polish and although I did get what I thought were adequate results with the ring magnet, they are not striking enough to be picked up in picture. I counted to 30! and it still wasn’t long enough…I need to practice, because in the sample pics, I should be able to get a more striking light blue magnetic effect. Arghhhhhhhhhh.
This is two coats of “Miss Runway” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Blackberry Passionfruit“.