Wednesday, May 11, 2016

{Old} Empties: The Finale

We're here! We've finally reached the end of this series! This post features one of my favorite type of beauty products...fragrances!

Now, I know people are quick to quip how choosing a fragrance is such a *personal* decision...and I agree. Nonetheless, I hope my take on these fragrances proves useful to someone in some way.

Armani Mania, Calvin Klein Euphoria, Versace Bright Crystal, The Body Shop Love Etc.
Armani Mania "A fresh burst of Moroccan laurel, green tangerine and pink peppercorns mingle with feminine florals and sensual cedar, sandalwood, amber and musk for a modern fragrance that is both sensual and sophisticated. Mood: Woody, floral and sophisticated." (from the Giorgio Armani Beauty website)

I loved this perfume during the time I wore it. I typically reserved for night time wear, whether it was a date or a girls' night out. It is a sultry woody, oriental. 

Calvin Klein Euphoria - "Notes: Pomegranate, Persimmon, Green Notes, Black Orchid, Lotus Blossom, Champaca Flower, Liquid Amber, Mahogany Wood, Black Violet, Cream Accord. Style: Confident. Sexy. Chic." (from Sephora.com)

I loved this scent soooo much. Althought it was captivating and a little on the heavy side, I often wore it day and night. I actually went through two bottles of this. That is rare for me when it comes to fragrances...my nose usually gets tired of one scent after a while. It happened towards the end of this second bottle.

Versace Bright Crystal - "Notes: Iced Accord, Yuzu, Pomegranate, Peony, Magnolia, Lotus Flower, Acajou, Vegetal Amber, Musk. Style: Sheer. Sensual. Luminous." (from Sephora.com)

I thoroughly enjoyed this fragrance. It was a sophisticated floral, not the sweet, playful variety some women associate with young girls. I found this to be most suitable for day wear.

The Body Shop Love Etc... - "...a heart-stopping fusion of jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood notes." (from The Body Shop website)

This is a light, flirty scent most suitable for day wear and warmer months. I enjoyed this quite a bit and got compliments when I wore it.
Marc Jacobs Honey, CK Downtown; Jo Malone: Blackberry & Bay, Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Marc Jacobs Honey - "Notes: Pear, Juicy Mandarin, Orange Blossom, Peach Nectar, Apricot, Honeysuckle, Honey, Golden Vanilla, Smooth Woods. Style: Sweet. Sassy. Energized." (from Sephora.com)

I adore this fruity floral. It has sparked my love for all of Marc Jacobs' fragrances. Perfect for office wear and best during spring/summer months!

CK Downtown - "urban. original. real. a modern floral woody fragrance for her that balances feminine sophistication and an unexpected edge. the brightness of tunisian neroli blends with soft gardenia petals and an unmistakable signature of texan cedarwood." (from calvinklein.com)

I got this sample as part of a Sephora order and thoroughly enjoyed it! The woody notes are very similar to what I loved about CK Euphoria, but it's lighter and more versatile to wear anytime.

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay"Childhood memories of blackberry picking...A burst of deep, tart blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods. Vibrant and verdant." (from jomalone.com)

I cannot express well enough how much I love the Jo Malone fragrance house! I am just glad I tried a scent from her line after hearing one of my favorite vloggers rave about some of her fragrances. I have been hooked ever since! No matter what other scents I try, I always come back to Jo Malone. Blackberry & Bay is one of my favorites. This light, juicy fruity fragrance is perfect for a warm spring day.

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey - "Succulent nectarine, peach and cassis and delicate spring flowers melt into the note of acacia honey. Sweet and delightfully playful." (from jomalone.com) 

This another of my Jo Malone favorites. I wore it every day last spring when I ordered a full-sized bottle! It is considered a fruity fragrance, but I believe it's a perfect balance between that and light floral.

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt"Escape the everyday along the windswept shore. Waves breaking white, the air fresh with sea salt and spray. Alive with the mineral scent of the rugged cliffs. Mingling with the woody earthiness of sage. Lively, spirited and totally joyful." (from jomalone.com)

I enjoyed the sample of this fragrance, and plan to purchase a full-sized bottle for this summer. I consider this to be unisex, because it strikes a nice balance between light and woody notes and doesn't smell masculine when I wear it. Definitely reminds me of a day frolicking on the beach.

Let me hear from you! Have you worn any of these fragrances? If so, what are your thoughts on them? What other fragrance houses and/or scent do you recommend? I love exploring new fragrances

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Nail Flavor of the Week: Spring's in Full Swing

In spite of (or perhaps because of) the several days of rain we've had lately, I am glad that all signs of winter are gone and spring is showing its lovely face. 

Polish Addict Nail Color - In Bloom (3 coats)
The green in this polish reminds me of the sea of green that fills the streets as the grass grows, the trees bud and the flowers bloom. This crelly polish also features hints of white, purple and pink...some in the shapes of stars and flowers!

Managed to get a couple of stars on this hand
The beauty to wearing crelly polishes lies in the fact that it's a one-stop shop for beautiful colors and nail art. The downside is having to paint multiple coats to built up to a decent level of opacity. I usually paint two coats of regular polish, whereas it took three coats of this crelly to build up to this look.

Here's to spring sticking around for a while. The temperature will creep up to the 80s and 90s soon enough, and I am not trying to rush that! 

Saturday, May 7, 2016

{Old} Empties, part IV: eye products

Ok, let's see if I can knock out this drawn-out series in the next week. This is the next to last post!

Here is a look at some mascaras, brow products, liners and primers I have used up in the past:

from left to right:
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara; L'Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga and Miss Manga Black Angel Mascaras; Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara (all in some shade of black)
I was not terribly impressed with the Tarte mascara and would not be likely to purchase a full-sized version of the product. 

I loved the original Miss Manga formula. It struck a good balance of lengthening and volumizing, which is what I mainly look for in mascaras (more volume, though, as my lashes are already pretty long). I would repurchase this. 

The Black Angel formula was rather wet and produced clumps...not my preferred look, so I would not repurchase that particular formula. 

I loved the Clump Crusher mascara and found myself using it almost exclusively while testing it out. I would definitely repurchase it!

from top to bottom:
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original; bareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Cream Shadow in Divine Wine; Wet n Wild Megaliner Liquid Eyeliner in Black; Jesse's Girl Liquid Eyeliner in Black; Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel; Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Chocolate
I actually have had multiple samples of the UD Primer...while I enjoyed the staying power of the product, I did not appreciate the white cast it left behind on my skin. I prefer an eye primer that dries clear. I would not purchase a full-sized version of this product. 

I enjoyed the bareMinerals BB cream shadow because it can function as a primer or a stand-alone shadow. Honestly, I don't know that I saw any BB benefits with this product, but what I liked was enough for me to buy a full-sized tube in the shade Radiant Sand. 

The brush on the Wet n Wild liner was a little thinner than I prefer. It is also very wet and takes a while to dry. While an inexpensive product, I would much rather spend a few more dollars on Jesse's Girl's eyeliner. It has a superior brush and the packaging makes it easy to hold comfortably in your hand while lining your eye. I have repurchased this at least twice already.

I have really enjoyed all of the ABH products I have tried so far. The brow gel was the very first item I tried, and I loved it. It helps hold the hairs in place without making them flaky. I love the thin tip on the Brow Wiz pencil and its consistency makes it easy to apply without being too hard or causing worry about breaking off. The only quip I have since trying similar products by other brands is the shade selection. They all seem to be either too dark and harsh or too light. While I would repurchase again (I have gone through a few tubes), I 'd probably prefer to stick with the brand that offers me better shade selections.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Play! by Sephora - April

Hey...TGIF! The weekend is reason enough to celebrate. 

I signed up for the Play! by Sephora subscription last year after reading blog posts about it.  I jumped at the opportunity when I got an email towards the end of March inviting me to join. I have subscribed to Ipsy and Beauty Box 5 in the past...while I looked forward to a new box each month, I found that the product types started to become redundant and the brands less exciting. I am hoping Play! by Sephora will cure the lackluster let-down that other beauty subscriptions become after a while. I enjoy shopping at Sephora and trying the variety of brands and products the store offers.

Here is a look at the April box:


box top
front of pamphlet featuring the month's theme "The It Crowd"
inside contains information about each product

Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil, Sephora Collection Colorful Cheek Ink Gel in Peony, NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien
Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment, Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream
Also in the box: an eau de parfum sample of Derek Lam's 2AM Kiss from the 10 Crosby collection
Sephora sends emails featuring sneak peeks of the month's box items, an unboxing video, and an alert when the box is on its way. I am pleased with the variety of products that were included in April's box. I actually had a sample of the NARS Satin Lip Pencil (I got it from Sephora last year as part of my birthday gift), but because I like that shade, I am not mad about having an extra as back up. I have not had a chance to play with everything yet, but I have enjoyed the items I have managed to incorporate into my daily beauty routine so far. For $10 per month, I'd say this looks like a promising subscription and I am looking forward to next month's box. Stay tuned for a post on which products I enjoyed...some may make a list of favorites!


Thursday, May 5, 2016

Nail Flavor of the Week: Pink Lace

Good morning! I hope you are having a good week. In spite of the gray, rainy skies, this week has been filled with plenty of sunshine for me because my husband returned home from a 7-month Naval deployment. I am thankful to God that Hubby came back in one piece and in good health!

Needless to say, in the midst of my homecoming preparations, I neglected to take a picture of my nails earlier in the week. Here is what I snapped today. Ignore the minor chipping and tip wear.

Base color: OPI Hello Kitty Collection in Let's Be Friends!
stamp color: Wet n Wild in Black Creme
nail stamp: Pueen Collection - 24M Make Your Day, plate 103
The stamp I used features leaves with detailing that reminds me of lace. Hubby asked if the design was Spiderman...SMH. #thingsmensay 

A few notes on this look:
-I really love this OPI polish. I have worn it at least 3 times since purchasing it. That is rare because I usually try to rotate the colors in my stash.
-To avoid streaking with my stamp designs, I need to try waiting longer for the design to dry before adding the top coat.
-I know I really need to just suck it up and buy some stamping polish.
-My nails had a growth spurt in the fall around the time my husband first deployed. Ironically, all of them have broken except my left ring finger. It appears the nails on my right hand aren't even growing right now. This is in spite of me using a nail treatment by Nailtiques.

I am still enjoying my nail stamps, although time does not always allow to create a full look with them. This look proves a few nails with stamped designs can look just as good...if not better!

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Haulin'

Happy Hump Day! I'm happy to be one more day closer to the weekend, as I cherish my personal time to recharge and do as I please.

I have made a few successive purchases over the past month or so from various shops that have resulted in a decent haul; I thought I would share a quick look at those products as I continue to test them out!

From rear to front, left to right: 
theBalm's In theBalm of Your Hand palette (ModCloth); Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Caramel (Sephora), MAC's Dej Loaf lipglass (online exclusive - MAC Cosmetics), MAC's So Select (exclusive to MAC Select members) and Cosmo lipsticks (both from MAC Cosmetics), BeautyBlender beauty.blusher (Sephora);
Tom Ford Beauty's eye color duo in Ripe Plum (CCO), MAC's lipliners in Plum and Spice (MAC Cosmetics), Urban Decay's Brow Beater brow pencil in Neutral Brown (Sephora), Too Faced Peanut Butter palette (Ulta), Sephora Collection's Solid Sponge & Brush Cleaner (Sephora)  
bareMinerals Divine Decadence 8-pc Spring Set (QVC)
top to bottom, left to right:
Absolute Indulgence Blush in Ginger Spice, Baseline Silky Cream Eyeliner in Rich Black;
  Diamond Light Mineral Veil Finishing Power, Shadow Quickie Cream Eyeshadow in Topaz, Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Big Tease, Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara Petite Precision Brush in Intense Black, Smoky Smudger Brush, Feather Light Brush
Stock photo from QVC: Sorry I forgot to take the lids off of some products so you could see them better!
These are some sample-sized products I managed to snag with some of the above purchases.
Top to bottom, left to right:
Clinique High Impact mascara, MAC False Lashes Mascara, MAC Prep & Prime Skin, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Liar (full-sized, forget to include in earlier pic), Clinique lipstick in Matte Magenta (full-sized, got as a bonus for counter purchase), Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon liner in Blacquer;
Clinique mini shadows (Mink, Seashell) & blush (Smoldering Plum), Too Faced Love Flush blush in Love Hangover, Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
That's all for now. That's enough, right? I think I am good for at least a little while. I will you keep you posted on how some of these work out...a few may end up on my list of favorites!

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Nail Flavor of the Week: Blue-Gray Confetti Skies

Hello! I hope all is well on your end of the world. Life has kept me busy, but I had some blog posts on my mind that I knew I needed to crank out!

This week I thought about wearing my creamy gray polish with blue undertones, even though it goes against the bright colors I typically wear in the spring/summer months. I topped the nails on my pointer and ring fingers with a glitter polish with yellow, blue and shiny pink hexagons:

Base color - Zoya in Kelly ; accent color - China Glaze in I'm a Go Glitter
As you can see, I have experienced minor tip wear and chipping after just two days of wearing this polish! This is not typical for me and Zoya polishes. 

Hope you have a great week! Stay tuned for more posts.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Nail Flavor of the Week: Cotton Candy & Sprinkles

Hello and happy Hump Day! Time sure flies when one is not creating blog posts! Work wore me down (literally), which led to me getting sick with something between a cold and the flu, which took till this week for me to completely get over...which happens to be spring break, which I am thoroughly enjoying! 

BLOG LESSON #1 (personal insight - If I may be transparent for a moment): This blogging venture has helped me to realize how, like other things I do from day to day, I have to intentionally carve out time to create posts (perhaps more than one at a time) and be very purposeful about the time I spend on content, especially if I want to post on a regular basis; otherwise, blogging could easily get placed on the back burner. The difference between blogging and some of the other things I am tasked with doing is that I enjoy blogging...I don't always enjoy some of the other things. But just because I enjoy something, doesn't always mean finding creating time to dedicate to it will come easily. I will have to commit to scheduling blogging on my calendar like I do anything else that's important to me. I'm still learning y'all...I hope that serves as a nugget of information for someone who may be contemplating blogging or just starting out. 

Anywho, I am here to share this week's nail look, which features one of the OPI polishes from the Hello Kitty collection. This one is called Let's Be Friends:



Since you get to see the shade of pink in the bottle with the camera flash, I am featuring my nail look without the flash:


base coat - OPI in Let's Be Friends; accent nails - China Glaze in I'm a Go Glitter 

While I have enjoyed this look with my two glittery nails, I am looking forward to wearing this polish all by itself. It is the perfect work-appropriate neutral that will likely compliment a variety of skin tones. This would also be a great color to wear on your toes during the summer! Based on this past week, the wear of this polish is decent, but not the best. I've worn it about 4 days prior to noticing tip wear. We'll see what results it yields when I wear it again by itself.

What are your favorite polishes to wear that might be suitable for any work environment? 

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

{Old} Empties, part IV: face products

Happy Humpday! Today's post in this series focuses on a group of face products: primers, foundations/BB creams and concealers.



The Body Shop's Vitamin C Skin Boost
Honestly, when I saw this in The Body Shop, I was willing to try it because I loved the light, fragrant orange scent and the (not too) silky texture of the product. This product claims to create a radiant complexion from dull skin. After using the entire 1 ounce container over a period of time, I did not see real evidence of this claim; however, it was a nice, light product to apply after a moisturizer, whether wearing makeup or not. I probably would not purchase again, especially at its full retail price.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
I decided to try this product after hearing an acquaintance rave about products from this line. I used at least two full-sized containers of this primer, and a few sample sizes. I really enjoyed it in the beginning, as I felt it helped minimize the shine I typically experience in my oily T-zone. Then, I switched to the hydrating version one winter, as my face sometimes gets dry in areas during that season. I liked that formula quite a bit, as it felt more like a moisturizer than a silky primer. When the weather warmed up and I switched back to the regular version, it didn't seem to serve my skin's needs anymore. I also became annoyed by the texture created by the silicone in this product's ingredients (much silkier than the aforementioned product; almost slimy). I have since moved on to other primers and would not likely revisit this one.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Refiner Primer
I received this sample in an Ipsy bag or a box from Beauty Box 5. This was a decent product, given the amount I had to sample, and it did its job; however, it did not excite me enough to want to try a full-sized version.

Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector
I got this as a 100-point reward from Sephora. I was excited to try it, as one of my favorite beauty vloggers has raved about this product. Unfortunately, I was not impressed. I had to use it sparingly, as it would leave a white cast on my face and I noticed pilling when I would rub it in. I'll save my money.

Lashem Picture Perfect Instant Wrinkle Reducer
I got this in an Ipsy bag. Pilling-galore. I would never buy this.



Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream
I picked this up in the shade Medium/Deep during a random trip to CVS. I really enjoyed it! It is lightweight and provides just enough coverage for a typical day at work or out and about. After using one tube, however, I had to come to terms with the fact that this shade isn't quite the right match for me, and I fear the deepest shade would be too dark.

Maybelline Fit Me
I picked this up in the shade Cafe from CVS, Walgreens or Ulta. I love this primer! It is a great shade match for me and it gets the job done. I use it to cover up a few spots on my face, and recently have also been using it to help shape my brows. I am on my second tube and would repurchase as long as Maybelline doesn't discontinue it!

Covergirl Clean Whipped Creme Foundation
I picked this up in the shade Tawny during one of CVS's clearance events. I LOVED this foundation: the lightweight, mousse-like consistency, the shade match, the coverage...I was so disappointed when I discovered this was discontinued. If it weren't for that, I would have repurchased, because I used this entire container!

Thanks for reading...this series is nearly done!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Nail Flavor of the Week: Picasso, Baby

Hey there! This week's nails feature another dry brush design. I call this Picasso because I feel this technique allows me to get creative and "artsy" with the design. The color scheme and brush strokes make my nails look like an art display!


Base color: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Violet Voltage; dry brush design colors: Zoya in Mason and Whet in Facetious
I hope you like the design. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Nail Flavor of the Week: Blue Moon

I immediately knew what I would title this blog post after finishing this manicure, which features a bright pink polish with a navy-colored stamp of the night sky:

with camera flash

with tru-lux lighting

Base color: Essie - Bump up the Pumps; stamping color: Sally Hansen Instadry - Navy Fleet; stamping plate: Pueen Nature Lover Collection
As you can see, the camera flash makes the blue polish appear lighter than it is; however, I thought that shot provided a better look of the details in the stamping pattern. I love the color combo and think the stamping came out well, in spite of small parts of the moon not being filled on some nails. I like the design's appearance of an abstract sketch; I got a couple of compliments on my nails while at work today! This design is a reflection of my itch for spring to arrive. While it's around the corner, it seems so far away! I look forward to mild temperatures and clear skies...perfect for nights spent star gazing!

Monday, February 22, 2016

{Old} Empties, part III: bath & body

Hello! I hope everyone had a good weekend! Mine went by pretty quickly because I was busy on Saturday. When are legislators going to create a law mandating each week includes a three-day weekend? Studies have proven we need that much time just to feel rested...probably a huge reason why so many people struggle on Mondays! Anyway...

The next part of my {old} empties round up features a handful of skin care products:


The Body Shop's Mango Body Sorbet
I mentioned in a previous post that I am a fan of The Body Shop's body butters. When these body sorbets hit the stores a couple of years ago, I thought they would be a lightweight alternative for the warmer months. While the mango scent was pleasant, I wasn't too pleased with the performance of this product. It iwa nowhere near as moisturizing as the body butters. It also had a strange consistency...it feels kind of gritty when rubbing it into the skin. I would not re-purchase.

Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme
I use Burt's Bees cuticle creme on a nightly basis, so I figured this would be a good product for those nights my feet need a little extra TLC. Burt's Bees did not let me down! Not only did it have an appealing peppermint/coconut scent, the creme sank into my skin, leaving my feet (or other areas) feeling supple and moisturized. Use this after a DIY pedi using an Amope, and you're good to go! I only use this on an as-needed basis, so one tube lasts quite a while (I'd say at least a couple of seasons). 

Palmer's Swivel Stick Cocoa Butter 
Occasionally I use cocoa butter to help eliminate dark spots from scars (mainly from my dog's sharp claws) or blemishes. I thought I would try this as opposed to the typical container you dip your fingers in. In addition, this has the purest content of cocoa butter in its ingredients when compared to other products. It had the natural scent of cocoa butter (not artificial or manufactured) and it did its job. The swivel stick made it easy to apply when spot treatments were needed. I would repurchase...if I could find it again! I think I got this from Dollar General a couple of years ago, but haven't seen it there or in drugstores since.

Jergens' BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream
This is a sample-sized product. I believe I got it via Target's samples page. Of course the concept is similar to that of a BB face cream; it is a 5-in-1 moisturizer that hydrates, illuminates, evens, firms and corrects. I received the shade designed for lighter skin tones, so I used it in inconspicuous places because it wasn't quite a match for my skin. I got enough uses out of the sample to determine that I liked the product, but not enough to determine if it would actually meet or surpass its claims. I would consider repurchasing, but it seems a bit gimmicky to me, so it is not a necessity.

Lavanila - The Healthy Deodorant
I decided to try this product after having concerns with using clinical strength deodorant containing aluminum and reading/hearing reviews about this deodorant on various blogs and YouTube channels. I like the variety of scents and the option to buy the .9 oz travel size or the larger 1.7-2.0 tubes. Skeptical that an all-natural, aluminum-free deodorant would work for me, I have used this for quite some time now. Overall, I enjoy the product. Under NORMAL circumstances, it gets the job done. However, it does not always hold up well for me during heat waves or when I experience stress sweat. Remember, this is not an antiperspirant, so it only helps prevent the smell, not the feeling of sweat. I will likely continue to using it, but I have resorted to having an antiperspirant for back up in extreme cases.

Cheers to a pleasant, productive week!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Nail Flavor of the Week: Rose Petals

Hey there! How was your Valentine's Day/Presidents' Day weekend? Hopefully you had an extra day to relax and to spend time with your special someone! I got to rest up, treat myself to various things I wanted to do and spend quality time with the hubby!

This week's manicure features a nail color I just picked up from TJ Maxx. I love buying polishes by brands like OPI and Essie there because the savings are fabulous! It does not matter to me that they are "past season," as I typically do not keep up with new polish releases nor aim to buy polish as soon as they hit the shelves. I will, however, be making an exception for OPI's Hello Kitty collection that recently came out! Here is a look at my mani:


Base color - Grand Canyon Sunset by OPI; nail stamp color - Black Creme by Wet n' Wild; stamp design from Pueen's Nature Lover Collection stamping plate 01
In the bottle, this OPI polish reminds me of the reddish brown color of the Grand Canyon's rocks, plus a hint of a pearl shimmer. When I applied it to my nails, however, I definitely saw more of the rosy pink undertones this polish has. Either way, it is a beautiful, slightly muted, understated shade; it would be suitable for office wear and all seasons! The polish was opaque after one coat, but I applied two. It does not maintain a shine after it dries (typical for quick drying polishes like this one), so a top coat is a must if you prefer a glossy finish.

This stamp design from Pueen's Nature Lover Collection is a beautiful abstract design of overlapping flower petals and was a breeze to use. I had much more success with this one compared to the last design I used. It took much less effort to transfer the design to each nail. The only difficulty I had was getting the stamper (also be Pueen) completely clean, which I was particular about because I did not want the polish residue to transfer to my nail. I am not sure if I should blame the leftover polish on the stamper or the polish...time will tell. I will eventually post a review on stamping tools once I get more experience in this area of DIY nail art!

Hope your week is filled with love, happiness and fulfillment!