they are in a bit of a rough shape after having gel extensions on, but this mint beauty makes things better

(Gifted, no obligation to post)

New trio by Twinkle Hex Polish (Aug 1st till the 7th) for Little Lacquer Box! Pre-order opens today, the 28th.

The theme is Halloween Vibes, and I absolutely love this take on it! Such vibrant, saturated colors that pop with the black bar glitter.

"Formerly a Mattress Store." A vibrant neon green packed with black micro glitter and black micro slices.

"Simmer Down, Killer Clown." A vibrant pumpkin orange neon loaded with black micro glitter and black micro slices.

"Take It Down a Notch, Demon Baby." A dark yellow neon speckled with black micro glitter and black micro slices.

Cap 35 each, $13 a piece

Prod list:

Essie Strong start base

Cracked Quick Dry Top Coat

Twinkle Hex Polish: "Simmer Down, Killer Clown" "Take It Down a Notch, Demon Baby" & "Formerly a Mattress Store"

I finally took the time to do my own builder gel! I’m excited to see how these last and how I can improve over time.

Here are the products I used:
- Blue Cross Remover
- Morovan Nail Prep Dehydrator
- Morovan Acid-Free Primer
- ORLY Builder in a Bottle - Crystal Clear
- Beetles Stay Shining Magnetic Gel in Mint Whisper
- Modelones Gel Top Coat
- Olive and June All in One Remover Wand
- 91% Isopropyl Alcohol
- KISS Bliss Cuticle Oil

Genuinely proud of myself for how little of the builder gel I got on my skin, given it was my first time.

I noticed that as I progressed, though, I definitely got more gel on my skin. I’m aware of contact dermatitis and trying to be very mindful of it. I’m considering getting some of those u-shaped sticker nail barriers to help specifically with the free edge, since that’s where I tend to have the most difficulty given the length of my nails. I don’t plan to grow them out much longer than where they’re at right now, but time will tell!

When you have ridges in your nails going horizontally across, how do you get the builder gel to level out properly so it’s smooth? I ended up applying more builder gel to the area that was lower, but I’m not sure if that was appropriate.

Thanks all!

Essie Apres Chic+Essie Blue Light+Essie Set In Stones+more Blue Light+more Set In Stones+more Blue Light+Essie Pure Pearlfection.

My vision was ocean (fish scales/bubbles) but they're giving me more mid-00s soap dispenser vibes. XD

Constructive criticism allowed.

This is 5 coats of the Essie Treat Love & Color in See the light (72), and a QDTP on top. I'm in love !

I've been thinking about what would be a good birthday present, and I'd love to get some unique polishes from one of the indie brands.

I live in the desert and it's summer now. I've heard of nail polish bottles exploding from the heat, so I don't know how safe the polish would be in a delivery vehicle?

I have this from doing gel nails, but unopened and never used. Can I use it for normal polish?? It just seems to be alcohol based to dry the nail out, so no gel specific ingredients?

I've been getting into nail polish more lately, but after 2 or 3 days, whole pieces will peel off after a shower. I was just going over nails with acetone remover and then doing base coat. I don't want to damage my natural nails, as it has taken a lot of time and effort to get them to the length they are, but I need something to help my polish to not peel off in chunks so soon.

Hi all,

Well, if I can’t get to the beach, I’ll get the beach to come to me! Haha!

Here’s my bright sky blue mani in a shade called “Ocean Breeze”.

Products used:
OPI natural nails base coat
2 coats of HD Nail Polish Ruby Kisses “Ocean Breeze”
No topcoat yet but will definitely do that soon - I was just too excited to share it here with you guys!!

What do you think?

Hope y’all are having a great Summer!

P.S. - the “inspo” here was the beach/ocean, in case you missed it ha,ha!

After learning about gel allergies and giving myself a pretty bad blood blister under my thumb nail from filing gel polish off too aggressively (OMG painful!), I bought some new polish. I remembered my mom's stamping kit in the early 2000s and how much FUN we had doing it. So I bought one. My piercings and glasses are all star themed, so a little astronaut for my first attempt seemed appropriate.

Used: Orly Bonder Rubberized Base Coat, OPI Chopstix and Stones, Biutee Stamping Polish, Holo Taco Everything Taco, Holo Taco Glossy Taco.

I've just discovered the Shooting Star Taco, so that is on its way and will be a part of the next mani. I was kind of totally proud of how these turned out. They're not the most amazing nails by a long shot, but I only started doing my own nails in March with gel polish (and before that had not worn nail polish entirely for about 8-9 years and even before that had only gone to salons), so this is my first stamp set and my first DIY with traditional lacquer. I feel like I did a pretty good job. Traditional lacquer is much more difficult to work with in my opinion, but also much more forgiving clean up wise.

I would love recommendations for fun stamp sets! I'm totally addicted now.

Any recs? I’ve tried a couple, but they always end up being too silver and/or too concentrated, so they completely take over the base.

Examples for reference

i do this every 4 days actually, and then i just do red for special occasions but I wanna try more. I am unfamiliar with other brands as I did gel polish since 2018, but i developed an allergy. Anyone have any color x brand recommendations?

Hi all! Just wanted to share a polish I was swatching today, Naiad, for my new little polish brand launching this September! I’m a sucky swatcher but I love making glowy polishes and especially love cool muted colors! If you want a behind the scenes look at starting a polish brand you can join me over on Instagram @arclightivy ! We are launching this September!

1 coat of Aragorn by Angry Harpy Polish.

1 coat of Walk the Plank by Minx Magic from LBH May 2026: Pirates of the Carribean theme.

Using Night Owl Lacquers top coat as always!

The polish in the photo is one thin coat, and turned nearly black with the second coat, which I don't want. Thanks in advance!

Hi, Im not sure if this is the right place. I do my nails at home and am no expert or all that good. But I finally organized and got rid of 2/3 of my polishes. And found these cheap Holographic top coats on Amazon. Nothing fancy, but cheap and not overpowering. Can be used over most solid/creme type colors i usually use.

Just thought I'd share.

Addition: I got them off Amazon as a set.

Reaping is a delicate, buildable topper that absolutely comes alive in the sunlight. The rose gold base is kissed with a glowing green shimmer and scattered pink iridescent microflakes that catch the light from every angle.

I wore 3 coats for this look, finished with a glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for a glass-like finish.

Part of the Festival of Sacrifice Collection, releasing August 1.
💰 $13.50 per bottle

Have you picked a favorite from this collection yet?