Have you seen the new Shangri-La square stamping plates from BMC yet?! This set comes with ten square plates that are loaded with abstract geometric, floral, paisley and swirl patterns. The designs are fun and whimsical! I love that you can stamp a different part of a pattern on each of your nails so they’re all different, but still cohesive. Some of the plates have thick, bold lines and others have thin, delicate lines. I created two looks with these plates to share with you, and can confirm that they stamp beautifully.
For this first look I used the plate BM-S104, which has lots of swirls and florals. I started with a white base using Pink Gellac Soft White, and then dabbed on three different colors to create a marbled looking background. The colors used were Pink Gellac Extreme Pink, Sunshine Yellow and Neon Orange. I put a few dots of each color over the white and then took a dry brush and dabbed at the colors to blend them. After curing, I applied the stamps using Mundo de Unas black stamping polish and the BMC plate. The solid colored nails are done with Pink Gellac Gipsy Blue.
Here’s another look at this design next to the plate that was used. I chose this plate because the pattern has nice bold lines and it leaves enough space in between the lines for my background colors to show through. I love the whimsy!
I actually took the photos of this first design about a week after applying it and it was still holding up great!
For the second look I used the plate BM-S110 which combines geometric shapes with floral patterns. The two stamped nails also started with a Soft White base and then I used a black Sharpie marker and some alcohol to create the marbled look before applying the stamps. Again, I used my black Mundo de Unas stamping polish. The gold accent nail is Pink Gellac Luxury Gold, and the red is Pink Gellac Rockstar Red.
Here’s a closer look at the plate that was used for this design, and below are previews of each of the ten plates in the set. The Shangri-La plate set is one of my favorites so far. There are endless possibilities as to what you can achieve with them!
I’m excited to share the new Pink Gellac Fall collection with you called Majestic! This collection consists of five rich colors that are perfect for the season. All of these colors have amazing formulas with two-coat coverage. I’ve been using them at the studio for the last couple of weeks and they’ve been a bit hit!
The colors from the Majestic collection are available for sale at Chickettes Boutique. Save 20% on any order of $35 or more using coupon code SAVE20 through the end of the month! Also, get FREE SHIPPING within the U.S. on orders over $50. We ship globally!
#169 Smoked Grey is a dark grey cream with very mild blue undertones. This has been a very popular color with my clients and works well with all skin tones.
#170 Powerful Plum is a vibrant magenta with a glowing shimmer finish. This is a great year-round color!
#171 Golden Rose is a light metallic gold frost with a rosy shimmer. This color is just a tiny bit sheer with two coats, so I added a third coat for optimal coverage in this swatch. Metallics are awesome accents in the cooler weather seasons, and Golden Rose pairs perfectly with just about any color.
#172 Marvelous Blue is a lush, dark blue with a shimmer finish. This color is so rich and beautiful! I felt like my fingers were coated in sapphires when I wore it.
#173 Bordeaux is a dark, plum-toned purple with a creamy finish. I was amazed at the coverage of this polish with just two coats. I’m in love! This is the color that I selected for my mani this week.
What do you think of the Majestic Collection?
The colors from the Majestic collection are available for sale at Chickettes Boutique. Save 20% on any order of $35 or more using coupon code SAVE20 through the end of the month! Also, get FREE SHIPPING within the U.S. on orders over $50. We ship globally!
Today marks the end of my first month working at Polizhed Natural Nail Studio! I’m all settled in and feeling at home in the studio, and it’s been an amazing experience so far. I took my State Board Exams on September 11th and passed with flying colors… so now I officially have a Managing Manicurist license as well as an Independent Contractors License! I’ve been debating on whether to write about my State Board experience, so let me know in the comments if that’s something of interest to you.
I’m learning that becoming established in this business requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and I am focused on success! Things started off slowly as expected, but one-by-one I’m gaining loyal clients that appreciate and trust my skill and expertise. It’s truly an awesome feeling when a client rebooks for future services! In my first week I only had two services, but by my third week I had 12. It may not seem like a lot, but it’s a really great start.
I’m going to continue blogging as usual, and I’ll be posting a monthly update that recaps some of the work I’ve done in the studio. I figure this is a great way to show you a variety of colors on different skin tones, and also a range of nail art techniques. I’ve only done a handful of gel manicures with nail art, but over time I’m sure there will be many more.
Below are photos of some of the manicures that I did this month (in no particular order). If you follow me on Instagram you may have already seen some of these. I’ve found that Instagram is a really great marketing tool for my services, so I’ll be posting my work there more frequently. I’ve noted the colors used in the photos below for the ones that I can remember. I’ll try to do a better job of keeping track going forward. ;)
I was playing around with color combinations for Fall the other day and came up with this simplistic geometric look. It’s not really a French manicure, but I’m calling it that since the design is on the tips. I used three Pink Gellac colors to create this look.
First, I applied two coats of #168 Elegant Taupe as the base color… this has been a popular nude. Then I applied a stroke of #113 Intense Taupe on an angle, and a stroke of #172 Marvelous Blue in the other direction over top (curing after each coat of course). I needed two thin coats of #172 Marvelous Blue for optimal coverage. I applied a few dots with my dotting tool and Natural Taupe before topping the whole look off with my Ultra Shine top coat.
I applied the tip colors freehand with the polish brushes. Some polish did get on my skin each time, so I just cleaned up my edges before curing. Easy peasy!
Pink Gellac polishes can be purchased at Chickettes Boutique or on Amazon.com. The current deal at the Boutique is Buy 3, Get 1 FREE on gel polish colors using code B3G1! :)
This is the manicure that I’m sporting this week. I decided to try another twist on a French tip, this time combining a couple of pink-toned polishes to create a unique look. The base color that I used is Pink Gellac #154 Nude Beige, which is a nude cream. I free-handed the tips using Pink Gellac #125 Bronzy Pink, a rosy bronze metallic shade.
Just for a little extra something, I decided to add a couple of crystal rhinestones. I picked these up at the Born Pretty Store… the set comes with 400 pieces in 4 different sizes. I set the rhinestones on a dab of Gelish Foundation, cured for a few seconds and then put a little more Foundation gel around each of the stones to hold them in place. After curing, I covered the whole nail with a gel top coat to seal it all in.
What do you think of this look? It makes me want to play with more color combos. :)
If you’ve visited me in the studio lately you may recognize these designs as they are a few of my latest weekly manicures. On the weekends I usually catch up on swatching and reviews and then I decide on a nail art look to wear for the week while I work. I usually choose something simplistic and I like to add some accents to show my clients the type of work I can do.
This is the design that I wore last week. I started with a silver base using Gelish Tinsel My Fancy from the new Red Matters Collection (I’ll post the swatches very soon, I promise!!). Then I stamped over the middle two nails using a Mundo de Unas purple stamping polish, and UberChic stamping plate Out of Africa-01.
For this look I used Pink Gellac Powerful Plum, Luxury Gold and Beautiful Black. I stamped over the black nail with a Mundo de Unas gold stamping polish and UberChic stamping plate Wild West-01. I really liked the gold accents in this mani.
This was my least favorite look, but I thought I’d share it anyway. :) This design didn’t turn out quite as beautiful as I imagined in my head. The two accent nails turned out a little muddy, but I still received a lot of compliments on the look. The base color used was Pink Gellac Chique Red, which has been a very popular color with my clients. I used a nail art brush and applied a bit of Emerald Green and Golden Rose over top. I stamped over top with Mundo de Unas gold stamping polish and an image from Cheeky Jumbo Plate #10.
Introducing Glamourize – The Pink Gellac Party Collection! This fun, festive collection consists of five glittery gel polish colors that are sure to dazzle! All five colors are now available for sale at Chickettes Boutique. The colors can be purchased individually for $12.95 each, or the whole set of 5 can be purchased for $50 for a limited time.
#174 Diva Gold is a shimmery gold polish with gold hex glitter throughout. This color looks great when worn on its own, but also makes a fabulous accent when paired with other colors. Add some bling!
#175 Stardust Gold is a really unique polish with a sheer golden base with an iridescent shimmer, and holographic blue glitter throughout. It goes on sheer and builds up to opacity. It can be worn on its own or layered over other colors for amazing effects. The swatch below shows three coats of Stardust Gold.
#176 Mysterious Black is super sexy! It has a black-tinted sheer base with a silvery shimmer and black glitter throughout. This color builds up to opacity and can be used for layering over other colors or worn on its own. The swatch below shows three coats of Mysterious Black with no base color underneath. I want to play more with this color and do some stamping or artwork over top. :)
#177 Glitterize Black is a black jelly base that’s loaded with multi-colored glitter. This is my personal favorite of the group because of it’s originality and festive flare… the glitter reminds me of confetti. I’ve been wearing Glitterize Black on my nails for the past two weeks and have received tons of compliments. This swatch shows three coats of color, but it looks great with just two as well.
#178 Ultimate Red is a festive sparkly red glitter polish that’s perfect for a party. This color offers full coverage with just two coats and is dazzling when the light hits it. It reminds me of the ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz. I know many of you will ask how this compares to Gelish Gossip Girl… Ultimate Red is a brighter shade of red, has better coverage and better glitter distribution for even more sparkle.
Check out even more swatches of these beauties over at Love Life Lacquer! Natasja has taken some really lovely photos. :)
It’s Black Friday at Chickettes! We have the best deal of the year going on right now… Buy 2, Get 1 FREE on Pink Gellac gel polish colors. Use promo code B2G1 at checkout to take advantage of this special offer. The deal applies to all colors except the new Glamourize Collection. The Glamourize colors are available for purchase individually or you can get all 5 for only $50!
Deals valid through Monday, November 30th at midnight EST while supplies last. No rain checks.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! I am thankful for each and every one of my readers. Thank you so much for your continued encouragement and support throughout the years. Much love to you all ♥♥
If you’re out battling the Black Friday crowds today, please be safe! I will be shopping quietly from the comfort of my home. ;)
I created this turquoise nail art look using gel polish and a Sharpie marker. I’ve seen lots of tutorials on creating turquoise nails with water marbling, but I wanted something a little easier that I can do in the salon without making a huge mess. I’m pretty pleased with how this turned out, but the technique may still need a bit of refinement. I think the gold flecks could also be done with foils, which I may try next time.
I made a video that shows how to recreate this look, which you can watch below. And here are the step-by-step instructions:
Prep your nails (file, push cuticles, buff, cleanse)
Apply Pink Gellac Base2 and cure for 30 seconds (LED)
Apply two coats of Pink Gellac Gipsy Blue and cure each for 60 seconds (LED)
Dab a bit of gold polish onto the nails using China Glaze Passion & a balled up piece of plastic wrap
Allow to dry for a minute or two
Apply a layer of Pink Gellac Ultra Shine NO-WIPE top coat and cure for 60 seconds (LED)
Using a black Sharpie marker, draw some vein lines onto the nail
Use a small brush or sponge and dab alcohol onto the lines to soften them
Then refine the lines with a straight-edge brush and alcohol by pushing the lines inward
Repeat steps 7, 8 & 9 to darken the lines
Apply Pink Gellac Ultra Shine NO-WIPE top coat and cure for 60 seconds (LED)
If you try this technique, I’d love to see it. Post a link in the comments, or tag me in a picture on Instagram or Facebook! :) And if you have any suggestions for improvement, please share.
This is a nail art look that I created using negative space and a snakeskin effect using gel polish. My clients have been loving the snakeskin effect so I put together a short video demonstration that shows how to get the look. I’m unsure of where the technique originated, but it’s been around a while and can be done in many different color combinations.
For the white snakeskin nails I started with a neutral base using Pink Gellac Nude Beige. I applied a coat of Soft White over top and BEFORE curing I added drops of Pink Gellac Ultra Shine top coat into the white layer using a dotting tool. When doing this, try to apply the dots without letting the tool actually touch the nail or it will leave a little mark in the center of the circle – just let the droplet of top coat touch the nail. Cure & top coat after adding the dots.
I freehand painted the negative space nails using LeChat My Serenity. The lighter blue is actually My Serenity mixed with white because I wanted the colors to have the same tone. I used a small nail art brush to first paint the light blue triangle, and then I painted the dark blue portion of the nail leaving some space in between.
Below is a video demo of the snakeskin effect. Enjoy! :)
I’m so in love with my nails today! I sat down to do my weekly mani last night and decided to combine a few of my favorite mediums… stamping, foil, and glitter! I just ordered some chunky round glitters from Nail Labo, and the colors in the Presto L-9 glitter inspired the whole look. The colors in the glitter are teal, a light nude pink, silver, and some holographic accents.
For the two glitter nails I started off with two coats of Pink Gellac Beautiful Black and then I randomly placed glitter pieces onto the tacky layer. I sealed the glitter in with two coats of top coat, making sure to seal all of the edges well to prevent the glitter pieces from lifting.
On the other nails I used Pink Gellac Nude Beige for the base color, to match the neutral glitter pieces. And then I decided to combine stamping and foils for a unique effect. I stamped floral patterns onto my nails using Messy Mansion stamping plate MM20 and Mundo de Unas black stamping polish. After stamping each design, I quickly applied transfer foils to the nail so that the foil stuck to the wet stamping polish. I used a rainbow foil that had green, teal and purple colors in it (from this foil set).
You’ll notice that my middle nail has a black line across the tip. Even though I sealed my stamped designs with two coats of top coat, I still managed to wipe off the design on that tip during clean up. I added a stripe of Beautiful Black across the tip to hide the mistake. I only wish I had thought to foil the stripe before sealing it with top coat. ;)
I can’t wait to play more with this stamping & foil combo, and I think my clients are going to love it!
Just in time for Spring, Pink Gellac launched the V.I.P. (Very Impressive Pink) Collection with 5 gorgeous shades of pink! These colors are now available for purchase at Chickettes Boutique.
Below are my swatches and descriptions of each new color. You can also find more amazing pictures and reviews from these bloggers:
#179 Lovely Pink is a soft, pastel pink with a golden shimmer finish… and it is indeed lovely! This color offers great coverage with just 2 coats, and application is very smooth.
#180 Flamingo Pink is a coral-leaning pink with a frost finish. As with all frost finishes, it will show your brushstrokes and requires careful base-to-tip application to get the perfect finish. This color also has good coverage with 2 coats.
#181 Partylicious Pink is a very fun color! It has a dark pink jelly base and is loaded with golden shimmer. It goes on a bit sheer, but builds up to opacity with 2-3 coats depending on your coverage preference.
#182 Dynamic Pink is a beautiful red-leaning pink cream, and if you look very closely you can see an ever-so-slight pearlescent glow. Only 2 coats are required for full coverage, and application is a dream.
#183 Sparkling Pink is a glittery beauty! It has a pink jelly base and is loaded with pink hex glitters. It goes on sheer and builds up to opacity in 2-3 coats, and I love the depth that the jelly base & glitter create.
I also want to point out that the colors in this collection all have new brushes! These brushes are much softer and have a flat tip with rounded corners, which makes it much easier to apply in the curves of your nails. The softness allows the brush to float over the nail for a more even finish as well. The new brushes will eventually be rolled out and available in all Pink Gellac polishes.
Head on over to the Boutique where you can Buy 3, Get 1 FREE with promo code B3G1 at checkout! (offer only valid on gel colors)
Spring has sprung, and Pink Gellac has launched a new collection of pretty pastels to kick off the season! The Pink Gellac Blossom Collection consists of five, semi-sheer, soft pastel shades. Two colors have a cream finish, and three of the colors have a slight pearl shimmer.
Each of these swatches show the colors with three coats. I would say that these polishes have a “crelly” (creamy jelly). They are semi-sheer, but build up to opacity with more coats if you want more coverage. They can also be applied over a white base to really make them pop, and they’re great for pastel or watercolor-esque nail art. I recommend giving the bottles a good shake before application to ensure the most even, pigmented coverage possible.
The Blossom Collection is now available for sale over at Chickettes Boutique! There are some great offers that you can take advantage of…
Buy 3, Get 1 FREE on all gel colors (use code B3G1 at checkout)
5 for $50 when you buy the Blossom Collection as as set
and, get FREE SHIPPING within the US on all orders over $75!
#184 Rosy Pink is a soft pastel pink cream. This is one of the more sheer colors in the collection. This color would be a great base for a French Manicure with just one or two coats of color. Many people have commented that French Pink doesn’t give enough of a pink tone for them, so this might be a great alternative! It’s also super cute on its own as seen here.
#185 Gorgeous Green is a pale, yellow-leaning green with a very subtle pearl finish. I love the uniqueness of this color as I haven’t seen many (or any) quite like it.
#186 Precious Lila is a pretty pastel purple with a very subtle pearl finish. This color is the most pigmented of the collection and provided a little fuller coverage. I love purples year-round and think this one will be a big hit!
#187 Brilliant Blue is a pale baby blue with a slight pearly shimmer. You already know that blue is my favorite color, so of course I’m drooling over this pretty shade ;)
#188 Charming Nude is a pastel peach-toned nude cream. Peach is a very “in” color this season and I think this one will be a bit hit. This color could also be used as a French base with just one or two coats, but I think it’s gorgeous all on its own.
NEW! You’ll also notice with this new collection that the caps of the bottles now have little color dots on them so that you can easily see the colors if you’re looking at the bottles from above. This is super handy if you store your polish bottles in a drawer or bin. This feature will soon be available for all Pink Gellac colors at Chickettes Boutique.
Each of the colors in this collection also comes with a new, softer brush with a rounded tip! This brush makes it much easier to glide the polish over the nail and get into the curve near the cuticle. The new brushes are available for most products at the Boutique as well and will soon be standard for all colors.
Check out these blogs for more swatches of the Blossom Collection. You can see how cameras, lighting and skin tones can make the colors appear differently.
Head on over to Chickettes Boutique to shop for these gorgeous shades, and many others. We just did a restock and have many brilliant shades for Spring & Summer! Shop Now! »
I’m refreshing my inventory and have a bunch of Pink Gellac gel polish to give away in grab bag fashion! Ten (10) lucky winners will be selected… to earn entries into the drawing, please use the Rafflecopter widget below.
PRIZES:
Each winner will receive at least 6 Pink Gellac gel colors or effects (randomly selected)! Two of the color selections will be Limited Edition bottles with the Chickettes logo on them.
(Please note that most of the bottles that are going into the grab bags have the original Pink Gellac labels and brushes.)
RULES:
The giveaway will run through May 14, 2016.
Entries will be collected via Rafflecopter only.
The winners will be selected via Rafflecopter on May 15, 2016 and notified via email.
The winners will have 48 hours to claim the prizes or new winners will be selected.
The giveaway is only open to entrants with a mailing address within the United States.
I’m super excited about the new Butterfly Collection by Pink Gellac! The five colors in this collection are bright and fun, and they have great coverage! I love bright shades in the Summer months, and some of these colors will definitely have you reaching for your shades. Whether you’re going on a beach vacation or just chillin’ at home, these colors are sure to be a hit this season.
Paradise Pink is a bright neon pink with a mix of gold and iridescent microglitter throughout. This neon pink is very similar to Pink Gellac Ibiza Pink, but is a shade lighter and has a glittery twist. I love that the glitter is present, but isn’t overpowering – it’s the perfect subtle touch.
Secret Garden is a bright neon green cream. This is a true green shade – not too yellow, not too blue… just right! It provides great coverage, as do all of the colors in this collection.
Neon Flirt is a stunning neon coral! This has been a favorite in my nail studio this past week – clients are LOVING it! It’s such a unique shade, and is even prettier in person than in photos. Neons can be very hard to capture on camera, but I promise that this color will not disappoint!
Blue Moon is a bright medium blue with a metallic shimmer finish. As with all frosty finishes it’s best to apply in long, even strokes from the cuticle to the tip of the nail for a perfect finish as brushstrokes will show.
Blazin Purple is a HOT neon purple with blue microglitter flecks throughout. This is more of a red-leaning purple than it appears in pictures. Again, the neon qualities make it somewhat difficult to photograph, but it’s a truly stunning color. This is my personal favorite from this collection – I’ve been wearing it for the last 10 days or so and don’t want to take it off! The blue glitter flecks are so unique and fun, but also not too overwhelming.
All of the colors in the Butterfly Collection are available for purchase at Chickettes Boutique. For a limited time you can purchase all 5 colors for only $50! There’s also a Buy 3, Get 1 FREE promo available on all gel colors when you use the promo code B3G1.
And of course all of the new colors are available with the new rounded brushes and the color pops on the bottle tops!
I’m a bit late in posting this, but I wanted to share the latest collection of nude gel colors from Pink Gellac. This is the Uncovered2 Collection – the successor to Uncovered1. These five nude shades with a twist are perfect year-round colors, but are especially lovely for the Fall season.
Ivory Blush is a pale, off-white/ivory nude cream. It’s a semi-sheer color that builds up to the desired opacity with each coat. The photo below shows 3 coats of color.
Bronzed Nudeis a light brown-leaning tan nude cream. This has been a popular color in my salon as it looks amazing on all skin tones. It has great coverage also – this photo shows just two coats.
Spicy Sienna is a shimmery brown with burnt-orange tones. This color just screams Fall and makes me want to reach for a pumpkin spice latte!
Golden Glam is a glitter topper that’s loaded with gold and pink glitter, which gives the appearance of rose gold. The photo below shows two coats without a base color underneath. It looks stunning combined with Ivory Blush and Bronzed Nude.
Heavenly Mauve is a beautiful mauve-toned nude with a soft shimmer finish. It’s similar in tone to the popular color #110 Mystic, but is slightly lighter and has the added shimmer which adds an elegant feel.
All of the colors in the Uncovered2 Collection are available for sale at Chickettes Boutique. Buy 3 colors, and get 1 FREE with the promo code B3G1! Another new Pink Gellac collection will actually be launching within the next week too, so stay tuned for that.
P.S. I’m sorry that the blog has been quiet lately. :) I’m alive and doing well, and just enjoying all aspects of my life right now (business and personal).
Have you seen the beautiful Fall Collection from Pink Gellac?! The Reminiscence Collection consists of 5 gel polish shades inspired by the latest Fall fashion trends. Three (3) lucky winners will win a full set of the colors in this collection by entering the giveaway below! The giveaway is open internationally, and the winners will be chosen in one week on November 23rd and notified via email.
All of the colors in this collection have amazing coverage! They apply evenly and cover well with just two coats.
Luscious Red is a classic, deep red cream. Burnt Amber is a warm and stylish terracotta orange color with a cream finish. Black Velvet is a beautiful that’s reminiscent of soft velvet. The subtle purple shimmer makes it a surprisingly mystical color you should not miss! Warm Marsala is tasteful and warm, and is a Fall favorite at my salon. It’s a dark shade of marsala with a shimmer finish. Chocolate Brown… the name says it all. It’s a rich, creamy brown that resembles chocolate. Pink Gellac can be purchased online at Chickettes Boutique. Buy 3 Colors, Get 1 FREE!! Use promo code B3G1 at checkout.
Have you seen the 7 new Spring colors from Pink Gellac? The colors in the Candy Couture collection are inspired by sweet treats! There are 5 vibrant shades, one neutral, and one softer shade. All of the colors in this collection are available for purchase online at Chickettes Boutique! Buy 3, Get 1 FREE with promo code B3G1 at checkout.
Sugar White is a shimmery white gel polish has subtle white glittery bits that look like sugar crystals! This color goes on sheer so you can control the coverage with the number of coats applied. The photo below shows three thin coats. It’s a beautiful neutral color that would be perfect to wear to formal events, or for everyday wear at the office. You can also apply one coat over other colors to give them a frosty finish!
Tangerine Red is a vibrant orange-leaning red cream gel polish. This color appears more orange in some lighting, and red in others. It has perfect coverage with just two coats!
Tiffany Blue is my new signature color! It’s my absolute favorite shade of teal blue and matches the walls in my salon, my t-shirts and business cards. LOVE IT!! The formula is amazing and provides full coverage with two thin coats.
Bubblegum Pink is a bright pink cream gel polish with lavender undertones. It’s been a very popular color with my clients the past few weeks. It’s an amazing shade for the Spring and Summer seasons. Like the others, it also has amazing coverage with just two coats.
Juicy Yellowis a bright medium yellow cream that just screams Spring, and is inspired by juicy lemonade! I found this color to appear just slightly streaky with 2 coats and applied a third for good measure. This has been the case with all of the yellows I’ve ever tried so it must be the nature of the color.
Cosmopolitan is a warm, shimmery shade of coral inspired by a favorite cocktail. This color has a great formula with full coverage in 2 coats!
Cloudy Blue is a grey-leaning blue cream gel polish that resembles a cloudy Spring sky! This is a unique shade of blue that’s also a favorite with my clients. This is a shade that can be worn year-round. Coverage is amazing and smooth in 2 coats.