Happy Wednesday! Things are calming down a bit more here. Unfortunately last month a friend I had grown up with passed away unexpectedly, and then end of March my Uncle Patrick passed away, so it’s been a little rough over the last few weeks. Swatching has kept my mind off things a bit and kept me occupied. Hopefully 2025 stops throwing curveballs for awhile.
I do finally have my post and video completed for the Hella Handmade Creations April 2025 shop, and I have 25 items to share this time around.
This month there are 25 items – 23 are polishes and 2 are non polish. There’s no special shop this go around, so it’s the normal monthly themes makers picked out plus an Encore shade from Sassy Sauce!
To see these swatched, check out the video below:
For the fine details, I do use Apres Gel X Nails in Extra Short Stiletto which are clear nails. I do not use blurring base coats or anything to increase opacity of the nails – and it shows during my YouTube videos especially. With the clear nails, if you can see through the tip still – then odds are you will also see VNL through the polish I have on. If you cannot see through them, then opacity was likely reached
I did get a new camera at the end of March – so I’m still learning it’s quirks. We didn’t go super fancy – but fancy for me. I had a trusty Nikon L830 for 10 years and I am now using a Nikon Z30. It’s all new territory – so if you see a weird blur spot or .. anything – I’m working on it.
I work during the day in a medical office, and on weekends I enjoy day time shenanigans with my son – so most of my swatching is done at night in studio lighting.
I used a latex base coat for all of these photos that I bottle myself, and for the glossy photos I did Monarch Lacquer Hi-Def Shine Top coat (sent as PR and I’ve also purchased.. and that’s an affiliate link). For all textured polishes, I did use Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber (PR) and Monarch Lacquer top coat over it.
For my lighting setup, since I use artificial lighting due to my day job, involves 2 Neatfi XL Lamps from Amazon (affiliate link) as well as this Daylight Company Duo Daylight Lamp (affiliate link).
Let’s jump on in and take a look.
Alchemy Lacquers | Neptune Fantasy
Theme: Alchemy Lacquers begins a new theme inspired by ‘Barbie Dolls,’ with the first polish inspired by their favorite and the only one that they have currently displayed!
Description: Neptune Fantasy is a turquoise jelly nail lacquer with green to turquoise to blue shimmer, holographic flakes and green reflective glitter.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 500
All Mixed Up Lacquers | Keep Your Sketchy A** Over There
Theme: All Mixed Up Lacquers continues their ‘Positively Sarcastic’ series with a polish inspired by people with negative vibes.
Description: Keep Your Sketchy A** Over There is a chunky topper with scattered holographic glitter that’s filled with an assortment of black, neon, white, and silver glitters of all shapes and sizes.
I used 1 coat over KBShimmer Fillin’ Groovy (2 thin coats), glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $12.50 | Cap: 300
BCB Lacquers | Cuticle Oil in Lemonhope!
Theme: BCB Lacquers continues their ‘Adventure Time series with a cuticle oil inspired by The Earl of Lemongrab!
Description: “Lemonhope!” Cuticle Oil has scent notes of: Lemon Peel, Garden Mint, Lily of the Valley, Juicy Citrus, Fennel Blossom. Oil is in a 6mL click pen container with a TWIST off cap.
This is a really nice and refreshing Spring / Summer scent! I really pick up the lemon peel and floral notes and it’s not too heavy an really well balanced.
Price: $8.85 | Cap: 150
BCB Lacquers | UNACCEPTABLE!
Theme: BCB Lacquers continues their ‘Adventure Time’ series with a polish inspired by The Earl of Lemongrab!
Description: UNACCEPTABLE! is a bright chartreuse crelly with a strong pink/orange shimmer and a strong purple/pink large particle shimmer.
I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.75 | Cap: 300
By Dany Vianna | The Crimson Butterfly
Theme: By Dany Vianna continues their ‘Fruits Basket’ series with a polish inspired by Kyoko riding her bike in the night!
Description: The Crimson Butterfly is a sheer black jelly base with red aurora shimmer and red reflective glitters and tiny black shreds.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Some of the tiny shreds poked up, but with glitter smoother and top coat they weren’t noticeable by touch, but some were still noticeable visually.
Price: $14.00 | Cap: 200
Cracked Polish | Murk Murk
Theme: Cracked Polish continues their ‘Down the Indie Rabbit Hole’ series!
Description: Murk Murk is a sheer frosty like pale green with light green shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 500
Cuticula | Big Little Lies
Theme: Cuticula continues their ‘Books to TV/Movies’ series with a polish inspired by the series by the same name!
Description: Big Little Lies is a dusty bluish- jade green crelly with rose gold metallic flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Dam Nail Polish | New Orleans
Theme: Dam Nail Polish continues their ‘Bucket List Destinations’ series with a polish inspired by Mardi Gras in New Orleans!
Description: New Orleans has a deep magenta purple base with green/purple shifting shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $1.50 | Cap: 200
Garden Path Lacquers | The Choice to Love
Theme: Garden Path Lacquers wraps up their ‘Bridgerton Dresses’ series with a polish inspired by Violet Bridgerton!
Description: The Choice to Love is a creamy, sunshine yellow base accented with several shades of shifting blue Aurora shimmer and blue shifting glass flakes.
I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
Hearts & Promises | Deep Amethyst
Theme: Hearts & Promises continues their ‘Crystals/Gemstones;’ series with a polish inspired by amethysts!
Description: Deep Amethyst is semi sheer purple jelly base with a linear holo and blue/purple aurora shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos. I did not reach full opacity at 3 thin coats.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 200
Jen & Berries | Mary Berry, Quite Culinary
Theme: Jen & Berries continues their ‘Great British Bake Off’ series with a polish inspired by the iconic Mary Berry and her bright pink suit jacket!
Description: Mary Berry, Quite Culinary is a cool toned neon pink with pink/gold shifting shimmer.
I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 360
Lurid Lacquer | I Would Die for That Dog and That Wyvern
Theme: Lurid Lacquer continues their ‘A Court of Tropes and Cliches’ series with a polish inspired by their favorite romantasy characters are always the side characters and animal companions. This polish is inspired by the very lovable Fleetfoot and Abraxos from Throne of Glass.
Description: I Would Die for That Dog and That Wyvern has a mauve crelly base with iridescent flakes that shift from pink to orange to gold and micro holographic flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $14.50 | Cap: 500
LynBDesigns | I am Unenthused
Theme: LynBDesigns continues their ‘Strange Planet’ series!
Description: I am Unenthused is a sheer, muted taupe jelly base with blue to purple shifting shimmer with pink magnetic shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on ring and pinky and catseye on middle and ring nails
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 150
MJ Lacquer | Take Time To Smell The Roses
Theme: MJ Lacquer continues their ‘Roses Are Red Violets Are Blue’ series with a polish inspired by a photograph of green roses at dusk!
Description: Take Time To Smell The Roses is a crackle polish with a green holographic base, and pink to red to green shimmer, as well as color shifting reflective glitter and holographic micro glitter.
I used 1 coat over Ethereal Lacquer Memento Mori (previous PR) and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 100
Pampered Polishes | Oreeeeeo!
Theme: Pampered Polishes continues their ‘Wreck It Ralph’ series with a polish inspired by the Oreo guards!
Description: Oreeeeeo! is a white crelly with a ton of different size and shape glitter.
I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Paradox Polish | The Shiz
Theme: Paradox Polish begins a new series inspired by ‘Wicked,’ with the first polish inspired by a populous city that the university is that our main characters go to.
Description: The Shiz is a black jelly with nebulous blue iridescent flakes and silver metallic flake.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Penelope Luz | Tulip
Theme: Penelope Luz continues their ‘Flower Symphony’ series!
Description: Tulip is a red jelly base with pink to gold shifting magnetic pigment.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet for index and pinky, and catseye on middle and ring nails
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 300
Penelope Luz | Tulipa Gesneriana
Theme: Penelope Luz continues their ‘Flower Symphony’ series!
Description: Tulipa Gesneriana is a gold to red shimmer base with gold and pink iridescent micro flecks and gold holo micro glitters.
I used 1 coat over Tulip and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 200
Psyche Minerals | But He Was Still Hungry!
Theme: Psyche Minerals continues their ‘Children’s Books’ series with a polish inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Description: But He Was Still Hungry!” is a medium green jelly base loaded with light green reflective glitter and blue/green, blue/violet, and orange/red iridescent flakes.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 275
Red Eyed Lacquer | ET Phone Home
Theme: Red Eyed Lacquer continues their ‘Iconic Movie Quotes’ series with a polish inspired by ET!
Description: ET Phone Home is a light purple crelly with purple/blue shifting shimmer and holo flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $12.50 | Cap: 100
Red Eyed Lacquer | Tamesies in I Brought Back Reese’s Pieces
Theme: Red Eyed Lacquer continues their ‘Iconic Movie Quotes’ series with their Tamesies, inspired by ET!
Description: When I use Tamesies in my hair, I add a few squirts into my hand, rub my palms together and scrunch the product into my damp hair after a shower. I do have long, thick but fine hair, curly hair – so I do require about 4-5 pumps of product for my hair. I avoid the top of my head because my scalp tends to be oily, but the ends dry out and Tamesies has helped a ton, plus is adds a nice scent to my hair. This can also be used on the skin for cuticles, or rougher bits like elbows or knees.
Scented in: Peanut butter cookies and chocolate
COmes in a 1 oz in a frosted glass bottle with pump!
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Rogue Lacquer | Squeak Squeaker Squeaken
Theme: Rogue Lacquer continues their ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ series!
Description: Squeak Squeaker Squeaken is a peachy tan jelly base with green teal shimmer with large particle holo flake.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Sassy Sauce Polish | Pop.yew.lar
Theme: Sassy Sauce Polish continues their ‘Shoes’ series with a polish inspired by a photo of Glinda’s shoes in Wicked.
Description: Pop.yew.lar is a cotton candy pink jcrelly base with holo flakies.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 300
Sassy Sauce Polish | There’s No Place Like… Hangin’ with My Homies
Theme: For their Encore, Sassy Sauce Polish has chosen a polish from their ‘Shoes’ series from January 2024, inspired by a photo of Glinda’s shoes in Wicked.
Description: There’s No Place Like… Hangin’ with My Homies is a crelly based thermal that shifts black to orchid pink with red glitters and green to blue to violet shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 300
Zombie Claw Polish | I’ve Got it All!
Theme: Zombie Claw continues their ‘Powerpuff Girls’ series with a polish inspired by Packrat!
Description: I’ve Got it All! has a green base filled with green shimmer, linear holo and holo flakies.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 100
Hella Handmade Creations | April 2025
I love the spring colors coming out and more greens and yellows coming through!
Shop Opens: April 14th at 12:01 EST | Shop Closes: April 21st at 11:59 HST
Where To Buy: Hella Handmade Creations Shop
There’s a ton more available in the HHC shop, so be sure to take a look!
