Nude Gradient Mani

I've finally got around to posting! Here's a gradient mani that I gave myself today. This blog has taught me that there's an art to photographing nail art and swatches, so please forgive the pictures.

Nude to lilac gradient. 

The gradient isn't obvious in this picture, but it's a great shot of the nude colour.

I went for a subtle nude effect, and I think that's what I got! I used Essence Nude Glam in Hazelnut Cream Pie as the base and sponged China Glaze Sweet Hook, a pretty pastel lilac, on the tips.

I've been buying lots of nail polish lately. I've been stocking up on Essence from my local Target, they're really cheap and the colours are awesome. They can be a little hard to work with, but for $2 a bottle, it's not really a big deal.

This week's haul. I bought a few more bottles of Essence after this picture was taken.

I also got some new make up brushes this week. I really love Nic and Sam Chapman from Pixiwoo, and I've been lusting after Sam's Real Techniques brushes for a while. I was super happy to learn that they are now stocked at Priceline, so I went and bought some. Australia is a great place to live, but the range of cosmetics here is nowhere near as good as in the US or Europe, and everything is twice the price (including the brushes, boohoo). Are you interested in a review of the brushes I bought? Let me know!

Essence Blue Addicted

Oh, the world of dupes! Lower priced bottles of polish that as look as AMAZING as what you are supposed to, how I love thee!

I acquired my little bottle of Essence Blue Addicted a few months ago. The was no real reason for the purchase, other than the blue and green hexagonal glitter suspended in a dark blue jelly and further mixed with royal blue glitter (descriptive enough?) absolutely blew my mind. And for $3.55, I couldn't go wrong.

When I got it home, it was left on display so I could admire its beauty but I didn't actually use it. Through all my blog stalking, I found  this little shade was actually a dupe for Across The Universe by Deborah Lippmann. I'm not one to stalk brands and pay ridiculous prices just because a brand has come up with something new. If I love the colour, I will buy it. Cheap or not-too-expensive, I'm there. 

However, after I found this out, I was quite happy to know that I could fake a little luxury if I wanted to.

Swatch below was done with three coats of Blue Addicted and one coat of Essence XXXL Shine Gel-look Top Coat.

And a photo of the bottle, even though you know what it looks like.

That's all from me (What? No ranting from me today?). 

Until next time,

Happy polishing!!