I am an Aliexpress buying guru. Right now as I write this I have 74 packages on the way, and that's pretty normal for me. And before you start judging, a lot of it is craft supplies and nail art goodies so it's all small! But I have done a lot of trial and error over the years. I've bought things that I've opened and instantly binned, and others that I have been totally amazed with. So I thought I would share with you some of my favourite stores that I frequent a lot! 

If you're not confident with Ali, a couple of tips! They don't accept PayPal, I have no problems putting in my card and have it saved for easy purchasing and have never had a problem, but if you are uncomfortable you can always get a prepaid visa card. Also if your item arrives damaged, not as described or not at all, open a dispute! As soon as the protection time runs out (IE it automatically confirms the order for you), and you haven't received yet, open a dispute! Yes the sellers will then message you and they keep saying wait another week or try to do some shady deal - I have done this so many times and it never ends well! As mean as I feel about it, I just ignore them and Ali will step in and issue you a refund. That said this doesn't happen very often - I find 99% of things turn up no problem and when they are damaged the seller generally will refund with no problems. I know this may seem a little daunting, but I actually find the system easier to deal with than eBay dispute centre! You will always get your item or a refund (it may take months, but it does happen). 

KADS Official Store

I have been telling EVERYONE that Kads plates are the bomb when it comes to cheap Chinese plates. I've been buying them for years and still keep picking up every new collections. They do now have their own website you can order through (and I am an affiliate - use code KADST0dA to get a discount #cheekyselfpromote ) and I think that is cheaper normally, but whenever Aliexpress does one of their sale shopping events, they all go on sale and then it's worth jumping on their Ali store and buying up.

Baomer

So many sellers will claim that their jewellery is 925 silver, and it will be stamped, but when you get it it will turn black after one wear. I bought a LOT of terrible quality stuff before I tried this store. Many of the designs are clearly knock off Pandora, but the quality is on par! I now have a large collection of rings that I have been wearing for literally over a year and none of them have tarnished one bit, so I'm pretty confidant that they are genuine 925. 

David accessories Official Store

If you're after pretty vinyl sheets - either to make things with or, like me, to use as photography backgrounds, then this is the store! There are quite a lot of stores that sell this kind of stuff, but David's is the OG and has by far the widest range! Everything I've gotten has arrive flat and in great condition and is really nice quality. My only complaint is that I wish they sold larger cuts!

ELESHE Silver Store

This is another store where I feel pretty confident that they are actually silver! They sell earring studs that have balls that screw on the back and they are the MOST comfortable earnings I have ever worn! No more stabbing me in the neck when I sleep or wear big headphones. I've had the same pair in for about 8 months now and still in perfect condition. If you have pierced ears, do yourself a favour and buy a pair.

T-DONGDIQIU Store

Knock off Loungefly.... that about sums it up! Sadly it's only really wallets, but they are all adorable and I have a pink Eevee wallet I got last Christmas and it's still going strong, so the quality is decent.

Focallure 

I think we all know by now that buy makeup from China can be really dangerous. Particularly if it's knock off. Focallure is a Chinese brand that is a legit brand that also sells for a lot more in the States so I believe that they meet FDA standards. But sadly they are not cruelty free. All that said, their makeup isn't bad - I have a full blog post here of things I've tried. I really like their glitters and liquid eye shadows. Definitely fun and cheerful.

Day Day Firm Store

This store is filled with cute leggings and skirts that are all made from that swimsuit material, but they are super stretchy and comfy. All of mine I bought a 4xl when I was a size 20 and they fit great (possibly even a tad big). I'm not sure if I would work out in them but I've definitely worn them to work with tunics and a lot around the house. For the price they're totally worth it.

NiFineo Store

My fav hoodie I wear every day was from this store - a pastel pink one with Pusheen on it. A little synthetic but super warm and fits my phat arse. The images are just put on with decals but mine has held up for the last couple of years really well. The only thing I've had to do is get a lint ball remover gadget to remove the balls that accumulate from the sleeves. Buy when I say I wear this every cool day, I'm not exaggerating. I love it so much! I got an XXL and I am a VERY busty size 18 and it zips up comfortably.

Azure Beauty

If you're here reading a nail blog, then I'm sure you already know places like Born Pretty and Beauty Bigbang. But Azure is another brand like that that not as many people have heard of. If you're ok using cheap gel and powders, then they're worth checking out. Some of their holographic gel polishes are still my favourites for opacity and bling factor. 

Emily de Molly Sample Polishes

If you don't like seeing really pretty polishes that you can't ever get your hands on, then scroll on by! I'm being that bitch who can't resist sharing my pretty samples that I got from the last Emily de Molly sale. I grabbed 2 of the mystery trios (no colour chosen as I love everything she puts out!) and this is photo spam of all the colours and art I have done with them. I'm amazed that even though these were all samples, the formula on them all was perfect and that they are gorgeous colours that would 100% stand on their own. If you're reading this then I assume you're a crazy nail lady like me and are already in the know, but just in case you aren't already, go join the Emily de Molly fan group on Facebook so you can be in the look next time there is one of these amazing sales!
Go see what polishes of hers you CAN go and buy at her site here: https://www.emilydemolly.com.au/

Ok, on with the picture spam!

Opallac Nude Palette

I've been a little slack posting these - stupid 2020 has totally thrown my mojo! But better late than never. A month or so ago Opallac released a new pack with 4 nude shades that comes in a cute calico bag called Nude Palette. I know normies like nudes as a nice work appropriate nail wear, but I see them all as backgrounds for nail art! All 4 of these shades only need 2 coats, which is particularly nice in the palest shade (Truth of Bare). I think it is the most opaque of their pale nudes they sell. The set sells for $58. Check them out for yourself at the Opallac website here.  

Ok onto the swatches: 

Left to right: Truth or Bare, Over the Taupe, Mauve Aside and Smoke & Mirrors.

With some rose gold stamping on top. 

Truth or Bare by itself - perfect blank canvas ready for art!

Hit the Bottle Haul

Today I have a bunch of image spam from a recent order I did with Hit The Bottle. Over the years I have collected a lot of stamping polishes from various companies, but no-ones quality ever comes close. I'm on a mission to slowly replace my whole collection to them! This round I got 3 neons, a rose gold and a new squishy stamper! 

The stamper is the Double Shot - it has 2 stampers built in and a scraper. One of the stampers has a longer body and one has a really short one. I personally LOVE the smaller one as I can get really nice and up close with my nails and makes getting exact positioning much easier, but I know others with longer nails prefer the taller one so I guess it's all personal preference. Either way the heads are interchangeable so you can swap and change things around to however you like. This stamper picks up like a dream - I literally have a tub of stampers I have accumulated over the years (I really need to take a photo one day just to prove how weirdly obsessive I am) and this one is hands down the best I have used.  

The 3 neon polishes I got are  I pink, therefore I am, Orange you Excited? and Shazam Yellow. When Born Pretty released their neon stamping range, I grabbed them all because they looked so nice in the pictures but are very disappointing to work with. So in case you are ever torn between the 2, here is a comparison of the HTB vs BP. I don't think I even need to break this one down for you, the pictures really tell you everything. 

And of course some nail art I did using them with a plate from Kads. 

And lastly is Roseglow Gold with another Kads plate. Just look at how detailed those iamges are! That is something you can only ever get with a well etched plate, amazing stamping polish and a great stamper.

Hit The Bottle are a great Aussie brand so go check out their site for full range and international stockists.