Red Panda Lacquer Queen Beryl

 Long time, no see!

After my father's passing last September, I just didn't have the passion to properly blog about nail polish. So, what's happened in the past year? Nothing much. I just started a new job. In retail, so not much fun. You do make do, though. I'm turning 30 next week. 

Much more excitedly, I also started my own nail polish brand, Red Panda Lacquer. I started by selling exclusively on Etsy, but have since started selling on my own storefront as well. I don't intend on this blog becoming a giant advertisement for RPL, but I don't think some posts showing off my polishes every now and then wouldn't hurt... Right? (I also have a Facebook group and Instagram if you wish to follow them.)

One of the biggest signs that my brand has grown is that I can now participate in polish boxes a la Polish Pickup. This month I'm participating in Project Artistry. Project Artistry is based in Canada and run by Sarah-Kim of Saki Cosmetics. It runs every 23-27 of the month, so it's very easy to remember when the shop will open. 

Project Artistry hosts different themes every month. There is a twist, however. The themes have dueling aspects. This month makers were assigned to either Team Light or Team Darkness. Makers are assigned at complete random. Red Panda Lacquer was assigned Team Darkness. Being a big Moonie, my mind immediately turned to one of its first and best villains for inspiration. 

Brain Cancer Awareness Nails

CW: cancer, death

My father passed away on September 1, 2020. He had been diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, in April of this year. 

Colores de Carol Double Trouble

TW: cancer, death

A year hiatus and I come back with this. I deeply apologize.

What an awful year. As if a global pandemic isn't bad enough. Not only is it around the second anniversary of my aunt's death, but my father has also been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. If my family is fortunate we have 18 more months maximum with him. TS Eliot was right- April truly is the cruelest month.

I barely purchased any polish this year. It's not that I'm not interested in polish anymore. I still very much enjoy nail paint. Between trying to cut down on debt, focusing on weight loss (2019 was the year of the road to gastric bypass), and now my father's illness, my nails were very much on the backburner. I went bare for days before finding enough energy and motivation to resume my routine. My plan was to only buy nail polish if I really wanted it and could afford it or as a non food reward. Upon my father's diagnosis I permitted myself a small amount of retail therapy as well. As a bariatric patient, a few dollars on new toys is preferable to binge eating when stressed (a major trigger of mine).

Today's polish was one of my retail therapies.

Natural Light

Girl Scout Cookie nails

It's Girl Scout Cookie season! This was my favorite time of the year when I was in Scouts along with platform tent camping in the fall. I felt strangely festive for it. You know where it's going.

Valentines Day mani featuring Nvr Enuff Roses

Long time, no see! Between getting back into dolls and pursuing weight loss surgery, nail polish is kinda on the back burner. I don't feel myself running out of passion anytime soon. I'm just not changing my polish as often lately.

For Valentines Day I decided to do a rose themed mani. What else was more perfect than Nvr Enuff Roses? It's inspiration is Tuxedo Mask, who is best known for throwing roses at enemies.

I don't wear a lot of black or super dark polish but I do love this one. Maybe it's that Sailor Moon connection? Maybe it's the shimmer? Who knows. It's just pretty. I like pretty.

The roses were reverse stamped. I'm more of the "color in the design directly on the stamper" versus "making decals on a mat" kind of person. I just can't seem to get the mat method down. Luckily I have enough stampers to make enough for a hand at a time. I'm pleased at how vibrant that the roses are against the dark background.

What was your Valentines Day mani?

Items Used:
Base Polish: Nvr Enuff Roses
Stamping Polish: Cirque Colors Momento Mori
Red Polish: Sally Hansen Insta Dri x Crayola Scarlet
Stamping Plate: Pueen Nature Lovers 02