Saturday 3 January 2015

2014 Year Review


Here is my last look back at 2014, condensed into one post so as not to prattle on too much! I've picked my favourite collections, favourite nail art and rounded up some blogging highlights (along with a lowlight or two) and made some blogging resolutions for 2015 (that's a lie, I totally haven't).


Favourite Nail Art

Never an easy one, and I've ended up choosing 10. Surprisingly they're not necessarily the ones that got the best reaction from readers, but they're definitely the ones I like the most!

Autumn Animal


Less Than or More Than?




Framed Neon Gradient


Geo Lines


Gradient & Lace


Nailvengers Assemble: Halloween


Fruit Salad Gradient


Leather 'N Leopard


Rainbow Pips



Favourite Collections

Bear in mind these are my favourite out of the ones I'VE swatched this year, not my favourites out of ones I think look pretty but haven't tried!

Models Own Polish For Tans

As I look back at these, it makes me excited for Summer to come back around! They may have been a little tricky to apply due to the extra bright neon formula, but it's totally worth it as they're beautiful and you'd be hard pushed to find anything brighter for your nails. I wore nothing but this collection on my holiday to Turkey!

Barry M Gellies - Summer & Autumn/Winter

I couldn't decide between the Summer and Autumn/Winter collections, so they both get a mention. The Summer collection brought an unusual mix of brights and neutrals, and gave us Coconut, which made it into my top ten polishes list! The Winter collection brought fabulous retro shades which I used in a lot of nail art, and of course gave us Mustard, which also made it into my top ten list.

Zoya Bubbly

I adored this collection, it's always a nice change to see glitters that aren't just toppers! There's so much going on in them, they're easy to apply and each colour is stunning.

China Glaze Off Shore

I swatched all 12 of these and it was a bit of a strange mix (some matte, some glossy) and the formulas varied, though most were perfect. I fell in love with the range of colours though, the greens especially!


Blogging highlights

It's been quite a good year for my blog in general. I've gained friends and followers across the board, had the opportunity to do some wonderful things and I learned how to take decent macro shots! My main highlight is of course the release of Unicorn, my piCture pOlish collaboration shade! I really felt like I'd made my stamp as a blogger with that, and I'll always be proud of it.

Other highlights include:

- Becoming a regular blogger for some brands that I truly admire
- Being taken for lunch in London by Rimmel, along with The Nailasaurus, One Nail To Rule Them All and Dahlia Nails
- Going along to a Coty press day and being spoiled rotten!
- Creating tutorials for Barry M
- Being given the exclusives on some collections from Models Own
- Becoming The Lacquer Lab's resident swatcher
- Getting a fabulous, simple, user-friendly layout that I'm really happy with!
- Hosting some amazing guest posts while I was on holiday from One Nail To Rule Them All, Dahlia Nails, Nailz Craze, Polly Polish and Nails by Danielle T

Blogging lowlights

All in all it's been great! I do feel I must mention a lowlight though...

Towards the end of 2014 I really lost my confidence as a blogger. There was a month or two where I came very close to giving it up completely. I'm still not entirely sure what killed my confidence, but I suddenly hated my photography, my nail art, what I was writing...pretty much everything I did. You might have noticed I really haven't been posting as much the past few months, and that's a big reason why (also being a little more busy in my personal life) and I'd be lying if I said my confidence is truly back.

I'm very lucky in that I've made some supportive friends in this community, and they've picked me up with kind words and basically telling me to stop being so silly! It's probably down to them that I didn't quit. My confidence hasn't returned to what it once was, and I still don't know if and when it will, but I'm not giving up. So, there'll be no resolutions from me this year other than to power on and do my best.

What I'm looking forward to in 2015

Collections, collections, collections! I can't wait to see what my favourite brands do this year. Will this be the year we get a true yellow Gelly from Barry M!? (please!) are any mainstream brands going to go indie on us and maybe release some multichromes or flakies? Barry M has never made a neon collection, will we see that this year? So many possibilities! I'd love to see affordable quick dry top coats from some of the popular mainstream brands, too.

Things that can stay in 2014!

HOLOGRAPHIC POLISH! Please, no more holo. I really have never understood the fascination, and while I've swatched some and appreciated them, I wouldn't care if I never swatched another (this doesn't apply to scattered holo, I'm a fan of those) I swear the people that lose their minds over it must spend their life under direct sunlight or LED lighting.

Ok, that's enough restrospect!

Let me know your thoughts on this post, and if there's anything in particular you'd like to see in 2015/leave in 2014!
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16 comments

  1. LOL I am obsessed with (all types of) holo, can't ever get enough. I literally cannot put just a creme on, I have to cover it with something...lol

    Glad you are sticking around! Great nails, great pix, great blog!

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    1. You're not alone on that one, they're extremely popular but I just can't get onboard! and thank you :) x

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  2. Your blog is fabulous, professional and stand out. Don't ever lose confidence in it xx

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  3. Don't normally comment but I love to reed your posts! Keep on going please ;)
    I specially follow more closely now that I recent moved to the UK and most of the brands are new to me ;)

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    1. Thank you for commenting! The plan is to keep going! Welcome to the UK, our fabulous polish selections await you ;) x

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  4. I think the fact that you got to create your own shade with piCture pOlish is the coolest thing ever and it's great to see yourself and Sammy from The Nailasaurus get such fab opportunities. I hope you get back into the swing of things soon, I think we all know what it's like to feel like you've lost your blogging mojo (I know I've been there) but your posts are always great, informative and inspirational for us bloggers who just plod along in this nail art game LOL

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    1. Thank you so much! Yeah, I think it's something every blogger has felt at one time or another. Also never accuse yourself of plodding along...your blog is wonderful and I do read it! x

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  5. I just found you, but I love your nail art and hope to see more in 2015! I looked and you have so many mani's I want to recreate. Thanks!

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    1. Thank you! Welcome to my blog, haha. Don't forget to show me if you recreate any, I'd love to see x

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  6. Hi, I'm a new follower. I sort of see what you mean about holo polishes, although I love them, I now have so many, I'm not really looking into buying more. I'm all about new, interesting ideas, multichrome holos, flakies, and whatever else they'll come up with next. :) That said, just today I'm wearing a really interesting holo polish, a colour I've not come across from anywhere else. So there are still some possibilities left in there. :)

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    1. Hi, thank you for following! Yeah, it feels like everything has been done where holo is concerned, I'm not sure where else it can go! I'm far more into the idea of multichromes and flakies too

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  7. This is a lovely collection of nail-art to look back on. I was introduced to nail-art this year and I've really enjoyed following your blog. You've created a nice mix of nail designs and swatches and I particularly appreciate your focus on brands available in the UK. Whilst I love to find interesting international polishes, it was you who encouraged me to try Barry M and they has been such a great find. Lacquer Lab is also on my wishlist thanks to you! So never doubt that we'll be happy to read as long as you're happy to write. :)
    PS love the blog re-design ... it's very easy on the eye and a breeze to navigate.

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    1. Thanks so much! Glad you like my blog :) and thank you for the layout feedback, it's good to know the people who read it like it. I'm always happy to get people bitten by the Barry M bug ;) you won't regret trying The Lacquer Lab either! x

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  8. I love reading your blog and its my first time commenting! I hope this year will be a great one for you and please, please, please keep writing your blog! X

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    1. Thank you Danielle, I appreciate you commenting! I'm definitely planning on keeping it up x

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