Born Pretty Store "4mm Mini Colored Heart Shaped Metallic Stud Rhinestone UV Gel Nail Art Decoration" Review

I don't think I could come back from a couple weeks of travel hiatus without showing off some nail art, so here's some nail art I was working on with some vibrant pink metal studs from Born Pretty Store. In case you're not familiar with Born Pretty Store, they're a kick ass online shop for a TON of nail art tools, studs, nail tape - just anything you might need to make your nails look fab - they've probably got it. I also have a special blogger coupon that you can use to get free worldwide shopping and an additional 10% off: ARBQ10



So these are listed on the site as "90Pcs 4mm Mini Colored Heart Shaped Metallic Stud Rhinestone UV Gel Nail Art Decoration", item number 12151. These come in a ton of neon colours but I opted to get the pink ones because I figure it would get the most application that way. They came in two small "dime bags" (haha!) and I didn't bother counting to see if 90 pieces were included. It was just PLENTY in my opinion.

The first nail art I wanted to try was to add them over top my OPI Sheer Tints rainbow fishtail look. It looks very "Lisa Frank"!





I also tried to do an abstract heart tree geometric pattern (note that this is where my geometric pattern obsession first started). I like it - but I wish my neon pink polish matched the hue of the studs a bit better. Ah well, I still like them:









All in all these are great little hearts to add to your vibrant nail art - I think they aren't as versatile as a silver or gold stud but with the right polish combination, you'll be able to make something killer! I also would recommend to keep to 1-2 hearts per nail - when I tried putting on 3, I was running out of some serious real estate on my nail!

Again, for free worldwide shopping and an additional 10% off, use ARBQ10 at the check out!

Are these summer ready or what? What can you imagine using these cute little nail studs for?

Full disclosure: This sample was provided for an unbiased review.

Born Pretty Store "Punk Metal Heart Round Square Star Drop Mix Stud Rhinestones Nail Art Decoration w/box Sale" Review

Hola I am live from Dublin - my jet lagged self is having perhaps the worst time adjusting to the time zone here (8 hours into the future from my home base) but alas I am here today with a review on some studs from Born Pretty Store. Just a reminder, I do have a blog coupon for Born Pretty Store - they not only sell the nail art studs that are featured on this post today, but they also have fun cute cell phone dongles, midi rings (which are totally my favourite things right now), hair accessories and of course - PLENTY of nail art supplies. For 10% off and free world wide shipping, use this code at check-out: ARBQ10

Onto the nail art studs - these are listed on the Born Pretty Store website as "200pcs Punk Metal Heart Round Square Star Drop Mix Stud Rhinestones Nail Art Decoration w/box Sale" item code #7277. I really love this mix because of all the variation of studs. There are so many possibilities! Here's how the studs came packed:



And here's a shot of all the different studs. Each stud that is out represents one of the sections in the container pack - so as you can see I have a lot more silver hearts and only one section of gold circles, gold long diamonds, and silver stars:



Because of all the variation, I was able to do "skittle studs". I actually quite like this look - using one polish and then having a different stud or stud design on each nail. Here's a look at silver skittle stud nail art over top of Rainbow Honey Evening Viola:









And on the flip side, here's some gold stud skittle nails done over top of Rainbow Honey Trifolium - gold and green always seem to go perfectly with one another!:









Here's my helpful hints when designing some stud nail art:

1) Sometimes simple is best! Less is more.
2) Squares can also be diamonds - flip them.
3) Odd numbers of the same shape look best
4) Sandwich the studs in top coat, or use nail glue
5) Studs are best closer to the cuticle to avoid any catching

Overall, I am pretty happy with these studs! The hearts are best suited on larger nails, but other than that, it's a great sampler for all the different shapes. I could have been just as happy using just teardrops, but it's so nice to have an option to do more. Again, if you're interested in these studs, you can get them at the "200pcs Punk Metal Heart Round Square Star Drop Mix Stud Rhinestones Nail Art Decoration w/box Sale" item code #7277 page and use my blog coupon for 10% off and free world wide shipping: ARBQ10

How do you like to use your nail art suds? Any hints that you like to follow?

Full disclosure: This sample was provided for an unbiased review.

Born Pretty Store Embossed Metal Style Sticker Nail Art Review

Booourns I am stressed out - something about fake friendships and then something about trying to please the never satisfied client! One of em days. It feels like a Monday so I hereby declare today will be Nail Art Monday. (Even though it's Tuesday.) But I had a great Monday, which is pretty much rare so I'll take it and run with it this time. Besides, I've got these gorgeous as all Hell embossed metal style nail stickers from Born Pretty Store. Speaking of which, I have a blog coupon you can use to get 10% off: ARBQ10 As always, you'll get free worldwide shipping.





These are on the Born Pretty Store as "Embossed Texture Metal Style 3D Nail Art Sticker", as ID: 5659. I really love the vintage-esque vine art inspired design. It looks really classy and the effect is outstanding. I've never really used nail stickers before asides some nail appliques which I didn't find to work to cover the whole nail. However, nail art like this - I found the stickers more workable. They still had some troubles staying on without top coat, so my suggestion is to lock in your nail sticker with some top coat. For my photos, I did not use top coat. There are two designs that came on the sticker sheet. You can play with the orientation of the design to shake things up!

Here are the Born Pretty Embossed Metal Style Stickers over top of Julep Marion:









Honestly? These are lovely. With discount coupons all the time and free worldwide shipping, I think this is another that I would recommend if you wanted to add a touch of class to your nail art. Again, my Claw of Cthulhu blog coupon is: ARBQ10 for an extra 10% off!

What do you think of nail art stickers? Yay or nay? Any other embossed metal kind of designs that would work, or are vintage vine-inspired shapes the way to fly?

Full disclosure: This sample was provided for an unbiased review.

Born Pretty Store Fox Tail Metal Rhinestone Nail Art Review

It's Tuesday but we're going to pretend it's a Monday because it's my excuse for posting up some nail art. Today I've got some metal fox tail rhinestones for nail art from Born Pretty Store. DAT BLING, AM I RIGHT? Again, I am sure you've heard of Born Pretty Store, but in case you haven't - they have a VAST selection of nail art supplies for cheap and free shipping. What I'm trying to say is you can't go wrong here! Just as a reminder, you can also use my blogs coupon for an additional 10% off: ARBQ10

So I haven't actually tried any bling stones for nail art, especially the 3D ones were always daunting to me, but I feel like this worked out better than expected! I just used a thick layer of top coat to make the gems stay down. These were a bit on the heavy side, and I think I would suggest to use these as one day wear, or if you plan on going on longer use, I would go with maybe gel. Anyway these are on the site as "3pcs 3D Nail Stickers Cute Metal Rhinestone Fox Tail Nail Art Decoration" and the item ID: 7199.

Here's my metal fox tail rhinestone bling as a highlight nail with Rainbow Honey's Deep Field:







It actually reminded me of my wallet! Couldn't help but photograph it with my wallet too!:



I thought it looked really great and complimentary with Rainbow Honey's Deep Field but I also wanted to test drive a blingy fox tail rhinestone with some sultry blingy nail polish. Nothing says POSH like Deborah Lippmann so here's some contrasting polish. This is the same highlight nail over Deborah Lippmann's Ruby Red Slippers:







I love how rich the rhinestone looks over that red! Definitely something for a special occasion!

If you dig this foxy rhinestone, check out Born Pretty Store for these and more. You can even use my blog's coupon for an additional 10%: ARBQ10

How do you feel about 3D nail art? Is it something you can go about your every day life with? What are your tips and tricks for long lasting wear?

Full disclosure: This sample was provided for an unbiased review.

Born Pretty Store Twin Stars Water Decals Nail Art Review

My giveaway is now live so feel free to enter if you are in Canada or US. Link is here if you want to enter.

I am updating this from a hotel room so if it's awkward, I apologize. Also my nails all broke, which seems to happen when I travel so there's that as well. Today I have another item from the awesome online nail art retailer Born Pretty Store. They have probably the biggest selection of nail art tools and my blog coupon ARBQ10 will grant you 10% off and free shipping worldwide. If you're brand new to nail art, check out Born Pretty Store - I can't deny the great prices they have and free shipping is always a winner in my books.

I haven't tried water decals before so that's one thing I wanted to try. I am also a huge Sanrio fan, with the Twin Stars being some of my first characters that I loved so this was a no brainer. They are labelled as Nail Water Decals Sticker Lovely Cartoon Baby Star Moon Rainbow Pattern (item 6075) on the Born Pretty Store. I can't beat around the bush, though - It's the Twin Stars. Here's the packaging, it's fairly simple and straight forward with instructions:





Here are the instructions:

1. Trim, clean and polish the fingernails: paint the background color on the fingernails and dry it out.

2. Remove the film of the product, cut out the patter and plunge it into water 10-20 seconds (use warm water in winter)

3. Moisten the fingernails, stick the patter in position

4. Sop up the water with a paper towel and blow dry.

5. Cap with clear nail polish and blow dry.

It was very easy to apply. Basically the water just separates the decal from the paper backing and if you want to change the position, it's VERY forgiving. I love it. You don't need to be perfect. You can always change where you want to place it. The background color of the decals are white. I used OPI White Alpine. Here are my results with no top coat:









As you can see, there are no issues and the shape and colour remained very consistent even though I had to reposition a few. My only criticism is that the background is a bit plain so I took it upon myself to sponge on some colourful tips and add a top coat. I like it much better like this:







I definitely have been a bit hooked on water decals. I even spotted some Breaking Bad themed ones on eBay that I might just have to pick up! I definitely recommend these ones if you are a Twin Stars fan and if you aren't, Born Pretty Store has a ton of water decals to choose from. I know that I'll be picking some up soon. Again, if you want to try them out, my blog coupon is ARBQ10 for 10% off your purchase, and as always included is free worldwide shipping.

What do you think of water decals? Are you familiar with Sanrio? What was your first Sanrio character?

Full disclosure: This sample was provided for an unbiased review.

Born Pretty Store Triangle Stud Rhinestone Nail Art Review

OK guys, here's the deal. I am losing the Rainbow Honey Outfits contest big time. I mean, I have always sucked at popularity contests (hello high school!) but OK, vote for me by liking the photo here. Here's the catch: If I win, I will do a giveaway. Haha, it's the least I could do! Anyway, it's not looking good but if I can get 30 more votes....

Anyway, that's not why I am here. Today I've got a review of my first nail art studs, as well as my first experience with Born Pretty Store. I am sure most of you are familiar with Born Pretty Store and if you haven't, they've been a tried and trusted source for nail art supplies for a fair price and best of all? Free worldwide shipping. Yup, it doesn't get any better than that. If you want to try them out, you can also use my blog's coupon to get 10% off.

My coupon code is: ARBQ10

Here are the triangle nail studs I got from Born Pretty Store:





They came in a simple package in a stickied bag for re-use. You can also transfer them to perhaps a pill box with your other nail art supplies. There are about 200 studs in the bag. I didn't bother counting but just by looking at it - I doubt that I'll be needing any in the near future.

To use them, simply brush some polish on your nail and stick them on, sealing them in with top coat. I know everyone has their own method of picking up the studs but I used tweezers to pay down my studs. You can also use an eyeliner pencil.

Here's a simple use of them with OPI Black Onyx. (I dedicate these photos to my girl Q of Squeaky Nails as she loves Gaga just as much as me and this is Gaga's Fame to go along with my nails!)







For funsies, I also tried working some studs with Rainbow Honey Tiny Ruby. My original plans were to have a full highlight nail of studs but as I placed them down, I found that the simple the design is, the better it looked. Sometimes it's OK to keep things simple as they look classy!







I found these studs just really awesome to work with, and upon removal, they didn't damage my nails. They look like metal but they don't scratch the nail or anything. I love em. Glad I picked them up. If you are interested in these, remember you can get 10% off with free shipping on the Born Pretty Store with my coupon code ARBQ10. You can find them here and the item ID is 6879 for the exact ones I have here (in gold colour). They also come in silver if you are into that kind of thing.

Have you used the Born Pretty Store? What are your experiences with them? Can you think of any other designs to do with these triangle studs? I'm feeling a TRIFORCE design coming soon - any Zelda fans out there?

Full disclosure: This sample was provided for an unbiased review.