I'm Back! Giveaway Winners + Neon Gradient & Candy Lacquer Razzle Dazzle

Hey guys -- it's been awhile! Sorry for taking a bit of a longer break than planned... the past two weeks have been the last two weeks of the semester, and I had more tests, projects, presentations, papers, etc. all at once than I've ever had before, it was crazy! Luckily, I made it through :) and took my last final a few hours ago -- it's summer break for me, hurray!
I am hoping I will now have more time to dedicate to my blog this summer. It might still be a couple weeks before I get back to regular posting because of vacation plans (yay!) and a malfunctioning USB slot issue on my computer (boo!) and then when I get back and settled into my summer routine (two classes and an internship... will be a busy summer!) I hope I will be able to post several times a week like normal.

As for my giveaway, again apologies for not wrapping that up quicker! I just finished emailing the five winners, as seen below and in the Rafflecopter widget on the giveaway post. Congrats ladies -- and thanks so much to all who participated! I hope to have another giveaway sometime this summer, so keep your eyes peeled :)

Entry #4142Patrycja

Entry #5146Ashley S.

Entry #1140Heidi P.

Entry #3994Sofia B.

Entry #797Jessica E.

 And now on to actual polish, yay! If you follow me on Instagram (ptrnails -- follow if you haven't already!) you already saw this crazy mani a couple weeks ago. I wanted to do an insanely colorful neon gradient mani. I started with Cult Nails Tempest, a white creme, as a base, then used the sponge method with China Glaze Ride the Waves, a deep ocean blue jelly, Beach Cruise-r, a very pink-leaning purple neon shimmer, and Essie DJ Play That Song, a warm purple neon creme. Then, since that wasn't crazy enough, I topped it all off with Candy Lacquer Razzle Dazzle, which is full of rainbow matte neon glitters in all sorts of fun shapes. Check it out!

indoors, flash + natural light lamp

outdoors, shade

On my nails:
1 coat Innisfree Eco Peel-off Base coat
2 coats Cult Nails Tempest
2 (sponged) coats China Glaze Ride the Waves/Beach Cruise-r/Essie DJ Play that Song
1 coat Candy Lacquer Razzle Dazzle
2 coats KB Shimmer Clearly on Top

outdoors, sun

This was my first time working with sponges, so it was quite the adventure, haha. I had no idea how messy gradients were! I am still not satisfied with my clean-up on this mani, I had a hard time cleaning up my cuticles all the way, but as far as the mani design itself, it came out just as I was hoping and oh so fun! Will have to play with gradients again soon :)

You can find Candy Lacquer at their Etsy shop, Bigcartel store, and Facebook~

Have a lovely day♥