Apharsec Nail Stamping

Hi, Ladies!

How have you been doing?  As usual, I am not always on here because I'm ALWAYS on Instagram (except, Instagram is starting to eff us over with their new algo-sh*thm).

I would like to share with you a new nail art stamping system called APHARSEC.  If you wish to check them out on Instagram, here:  Apharsec IG.   It was founded by Hila Raanan from the UK. 

Hila was extremely patient with me during my first attempts to use her stamping system.

First, let me show you how the packaging looks like.

I was ecstatic upon receiving my nail mail, and even more when I opened it.  The boxes looked like ones from eyeshadows / blushes.  They are all artsy and colorful, expressing the boldness and versatility of the system.  I swear, I kept all the boxes afterwards.

You may check their website or Instagram accounts to see videos on how to use their stampers.

At first I had difficulty using it because I was so used to the traditional stamping plates, where you put polish, scrape fast, pick up the image and stamp it on.  I found that I had to unlearn the usual technique to be able to make Apharsec work for me.  I had to put stamping polish on the stamper, scrape it on to paper (making sure the paper is flattened or else the polish wouldn't scrape off whole), and then WAIT until the polish is dried before transferring the image to my nails.

I haven't had the chance to use multiple colors in my nail art as I still have to practice more of this system.

Here are two of my nail art samples:

This was using Apharsec 5 and Q30 (picture above).  And the other one using Apharsec 3 and 10 (below). 

I loved how the images sent to me are so retro.  I have a lot of manis on my mind, I haven't been successful in translating them into actual nail art yet.  Please wait for them soon on my Instagram account (@tinseltownnails).

So far, I find that I need to do a LOT more practice before I can perfect this technique, but compared to traditional stamping, this is more on-the-go.  Light weight because all you need to bring is this rubber stamp vs. plate, scraper, stamper.  

A stamp costs £7.99 though, so it might be pricey for most.  Buuuuut, good news is, shipping is free for UK, so better hurry, grab that and try one!   It IS exciting to learn something new!

Ciao!

Jamie

 

Bundle Monster BM-618

Hi, Ladies!!

I wanted to try a stained glass effect mani using Fun Lacquer Reunion (H) but it didn't turn out quite well with all the stamping polishes I tried to use.  Gold, Black, White, Metallic Pink.  So I decided to use a pastel base and the image from Bundle Monster BM-618 instead.

I have to say, I picked up the image quite well here.  The plate's image was well-etched (is there such a word?) that it makes a n00b like me look like I know what I'm doing.  I have so many more ideas with this image.  Give me a few more days and I will update some more nail art of the same image.

This Fun Lacquer Reunion (H) is super holo-crazy!  I just borrowed it from my best friend and will be returning it tomorrow.  I am also excited to try this brand out so I'll keep you posted. :)

UPDATE:

 

I did another mani using the same image from this plate.  I reverse-stamped it using colors from GirlStuff AskMeWhats, Topaz Horizon, Sophia and Indigo.  I hope you liked it!
 

Ciao!

Jamie

I Couldn't Help It. I Fell In Love With Morgan Taylor.

Hi, Ladies!

I'm back!  Remember when I first tried Morgan Taylor polish from Beauty Kingdom and fell in love with it?  Well, I couldn't help but buy a few more bottles when I went back to 168 last week.

I promise I tried (at least I did) to avoid the glitter polishes but maaaan, it was too hard.  But good thing is, I also got a couple of creme bottles to try.

 So, this one is a gorgeous lavender color that dries semi-matte, and it's called "Invitation Only".  The square crystal studs are also from the store.  

 This little baby turquoise bottle here, is hard to find.  I tell you, weeks before going to the store, I messaged the Boss to reserve a bottle for me, and he said he didn't have it.  When I got to the store, I looked at his swatch book to check out colors that I wanted, and didn't see this.  But looking at the actual stock rack, I came across this baby, alone, without a name in the book, and wanting a mommy. I HAD TO TAKE IT IN. I had to.  I loved it the first time I saw it on Morgan Taylor's Instagram Account.  You better believe I teared a little when I held it in my hand.  "Lost In Paradise" (but it was, literally, in that polish rack)

 "Best Dressed" is a frosted red that shifts a little gold and a little orange.  Perfect for a formal night out, as the name suggests. The gold ribbon accent was also from the store.  

 "J'adore My Mani" looked similar to "Best Dressed" in the bottle, but I had to take them both home to try, and only to find out that this one is a deep fuchsia glitter that is both sweet and elegant.  How can I not love them all?

"Sweetest Thing" indeed.  This reminded me of OPI's limited Katy Perry edition "Teenage Dream" with its pink and holographic glitters.  

Last but definitely not the least, "Fame Game" is a holographic glitter polish.  I recreated thejuiceboxlacquer's rose-tipped mani for this swatch.  This is a one-coater but is so magical.

 

To cap it off, Morgan Taylor is definitely worth all the love I give it.  The colors are all easy to apply, plus I like that the brush is a little hard but dense (it doesn't split from the bunch, if you know what I mean).  My only regret with the trip I made was that I ONLY GOT SIX BOTTLES when I could've gotten more.  I mean for the SRP of 408, and get 30% discount from the Boss???  GO GRAB YOURSELF MORE THAN A COUPLE.  Tell the Boss you deserve that 30% discount, but hurry because I don't know when the promo ends!

All these manis were finished with Seche Vite, of course, also from the store.  And all items were purchased using my own money.  (Well, I wish I could get freebies next time, Boss, eh?) <--Lol, kidding.

Oh, and PS? I couldn't pick a favorite because I love them all equally.

Ciao, Carabao!

Jamie

 

Morgan Taylor at Beauty Kingdom

Hi, Ladies!

I'm on a high! Both on our Champ, Manny Pacquiao's win over Timothy Bradley... and my NOTD.  Let me tell you a story...

I always buy my nail polish and nail art stuff from Beauty Kingdom.  When the owner told me last year that he was having Morgan Taylor polish in his store, I was like, "mehhh."  I mean, I have heard and seen Morgan Taylor polish around  Instagram, but I never thought it was anything special.  So the day the owner announced MT's arrival at his store, I bought one bottle to try.

 That one was "State of Mind."  And I loved it when I tried it on.  It was black with a dense blue, pink, purple, silver and (I think) gold glitters.  It was so easy to apply.  Like I keep on saying (on my instagram, I think), I am not a huge fan of glitters because I feel like it's too hassle to put on and take out.  But with some really dense glitters that sparkles like the night sky, and easy to put on at that, I would gladly take time to take it out after I wear it.  This is what makes it worth it.

And now, a month after, I went back to Beauty Kingdom.  I said to myself, "Ok, maybe I was lucky with the first bottle, I need to buy another one to make sure that Morgan Taylor is worth buying."  And so, I went home with only ONE more bottle. (Regrets now.)

This, my ladies, is "Make a Statement."  Oh, don't ask me why I got another bottle of glittered polish, but, maaaaan, this is really gorgeous!  Like the first one, it was dense, with purple, blue and pink glitters.  It also dries up really quickly so I don't need too much time to apply each coat.  This has 3 coats on, except for the ring which has a silver base (Tony Moly ME05), but really doesn't make a difference because the glitters cover up my whole nail bed.

They're selling for Php408 SRP.  The price is comparable to OPI, Essie, ORLY and Zoya.  You can probably ask for some discount from the owner because he is SUPER nice (I am not kidding.) If I'm not mistaken, only Beauty Kingdom carries this brand.  I am not even joking when I tell you that I so badly want to go back to shop the wide array of colors in the store.  I kind of regret not taking pictures of the babies displayed.  But the Beauty Kingdom Facebook page has pictures of swatches, if you're interested.  I definitely will go back for more bottles because I find that they are totally worth it.  

Beauty Kingdom is located at the 6th Floor of 168 mall, Unit 625. 

FYI, I am in no way sponsored to do this review/blog.  I am just one nail polish addict who fell in love with bottles of Morgan Taylor.  I will update soon as I get more bottles to try.

Love you long time,

Jamie