OPI XOXO collection

It's that time of year when all the Christmas polishes start coming out, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on this adorable mini kit with all the OPI XOXO collection in it. 
In case you're interested in this kit, it comes with 25 minis - 12 XOXO and 13 classic shades and is $89.95.
The XOXO collection is 12 shades with lots of gorgeous shimmery colours, and a couple of holos which I am SO excited about! The formula is great as always, the darker colours I have done 2 coats and the lighter colours I did 3 to make sure they were nice and opaque, but you can probably get away with less. 

Coalmates
A dark grey filled with loads of silver shimmer. It also apparently has some holo in it, but it's almost impossible to see. Great formula and only needed 2 coats.

Opallac Gel Polish

 
A while a go I got send this amazing pack from Opallac, and I have featured their amazing thermal colour changing polishes before, but as I did a fresh set of nails on the weekend I am going to take you through the process with me.  
First of all, you need to prep your nails - so pushing back cuticles, buffing lightly and I like to dehydrate them with some rubbing alchol. I didn't do this this time as I just had some fresh acrylic on, so no pictures of that.

 
First up we start with a thin coat of base coat. 

 
Then nuke it in the lamp for 30 seconds. 

Kiss Acrylic Press On Nails

I should really title this post as TMI - I'm going to get a little personal with you today. I've mentioned before that I have a growing obsession with acrylic and press on nails, but apart from the obvious reason that instant long nails rocks, I wanted to share why. But before I start on my rant, lets look at some nails! There are both press on nails from Kiss from their Acrylic range. They claim they are 10x stronger and don't chip. And from my experience I would totally agree with this! I am getting an easy full week wear from these and they look as good as when they were put on. In fact the top picture was taken after a week of wear! I only took them off because I get bored after a week. 





Kiss nails are available from www.keysun.com.au/store/b/kiss-nails or from Priceline and Big W stores around Australia.


So here is the super abbreviated explanation - almost 3 years ago I got sick. I thought it was food poisoning of the explosive kind. It was horrible but I thought if I slept it off it would eventually go away. But it didn't. After many doctors trips and hospital visits I started developing more and more symptoms like a tremor, my leg would kick by itself, extreme dizziness, and worst of all was the deep pain all over my body. I was bed bound for a long time. Doctors had NO idea what was wrong with me. They initially thought it was MS but nothing was showing in test results. Eventually I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder - IE the pathways in my brain are wrongly wired. After trialling a heap of medications and a lot of rehabilitation I am slowly recovering and am getting my life back together. 
What does this have to do with my nails? Well because I mentally couldn't cope with the pain I kept clawing at my own skin, which left me covered in scabs. I discovered through my nail obsession that if you have acrylic or press on nails, they aren't sharp enough to do any damage to the skin. So after a few months of wearing them I've gone from looking like a leper to looking pretty normal (apart from a little scarring). So my nails have become a really important part of my healing process! 

Before falsies
After falsies




Halloween Nail Art

With just over 2 weeks until Halloween - I thought I would share a bunch of nail art that I've done just in case you aren't already following me on Instagram (and if you're not, go now.... you know you want to @onemorecoat ). I'm sure I will have many designs yet to come n, but this is what I've done so far  - along with 2 designs from previous years just because I still love them so much.  
At least I have my nails sorted - now I just need to plan something to do on the actual day! 

Stamping over OPI Turn On The Northern Lights

OPI Iceland Collection




I recently got my hands on 6 of the colours from the new Iceland collection from OPI. This is a lovely collection for spring (I know it was created for autumn, but hey some of us live in the more awesome hemisphere ;) ) as most of the colours are muted pastels making them super flattering and perfect for some nail art. I need a special shout out to Turn On the Northern Lights! as it is the closest polish I think I own the the original formula of Max Factor Fantasy Fire. Not as sheer but it has the some lovely sheen to it. 
Each of these swatches is 2 coats and without topcoat because they seriously dry so fast and shiny by themselves. 
The OPI Iceland Collection is available now from David Jones, Myer and selected salons nationally.

Aurora Berry-alis

I’ll Have a Gin & Tectonic

One Heckla of a Color!

This Isn’t Greenland

Suzi & The Arctic Fox


Turn On The Northern Lights!