INTERVIEW WITH AN INDIE - Heather from LOADED LACQUER

 

HELLO MY LOVELIES!! It's been WAAAAAYYY too long since I've done an INTERVIEW WITH AN INDIE!! (And, of course, a coinciding giveaway) And this is an interview that I've wanted to do for quite some time.... 

The brilliant Miss Heather from

LOADED LACQUER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!

 

Let's not waste any time and get down to it, shall we?

Why did you get into making nail polish? 

 

 

I have been obsessed with nail polish since 1997. I would change my nail polish every single day. Even when playing college basketball, I would always change my polish daily! It was fun for me because I wasn't into makeup and being very tall, nail polish always fit...unlike clothing!
 

Do you have another job? If so, What?
 

My second job is being a full time mom! My son is 4 and once he starts school this year, I will have more time to dedicate to Loaded Lacquer!
 

Tell me about your family/supporters:
 

My family is just my husband and son. We are a military family currently stationed in Texas and transferring to Kodiak, Alaska this summer!
 

What do you like to do in your free/spare time? 
 

In my space time I enjoy fitness (hiking, lifting weights), I love learning about anything survival related!
 

How many different colors have you made for LL in all?

 

Oh wow! I would guess at least 40-50 different polishes so far!
 

Did you expect such success?  
 

Yes and no.  I've always been the type to succeed at things that I work hard towards, so I'm not surprised I've done well.  What surprised me is how quickly Loaded Lacquer grew.  It went from a hobby to a full time job in just a few months! I'm so appreciative to my loyal customers! 
 

How often do you do NEW releases?
 

I try to do major holiday/seasonal collections and a few random duos and mystery polishes thrown in the mix.  

 

It’s gotta be exhausting, how do you keep up with all of it? The social media, the orders, the shipments, the new releases, the restocks.

 

It is a lot of hard work. I do everything myself, 100%.  There are times that I have to take a step back and focus more on family.  Also, I get in creative modes only a few times a year.  When I get in the mode, magic happens.  I don't try to force collections and release too of polishes just to make a profit.  Everything I release is because I put my heart and soul into it and want to share it with the world.
 

What’s going to be the next “thing” for polish? I don’t understand how you keep things so fresh, how do you know what will work?

 

I get inspiration from the most random places.  I really don't play much attention to other brands or trends.  In fact, I stay away from trends and I believe that helps me stand out more.
 

What’s the last movie you watched?
 

The new Sponge Bob movie.  It was my son's first time at the theatre!
 

What do you see for yourself long-term? Will you make polish for the next 10 years? 20?
 

I definitely see myself doing this for the long haul. It's something I'm very passionate about and I love every second of it!
 

How old are you? Do you have siblings?
 

I am 35 and I have two older sisters.
  

Where do you find inspiration?
 

My inspiration comes from my want to succeed and my passion to make unique polishes for my customers and friends

 

Favorite sport? Team?
 

I'm not a huge sports fan, but I am an Ohio State alumni and played basketball there. I'll cheer for them!

 

Now at this point you may be wondering the same as I was - ALASKA?! How will I get my Loaded Lacquer fix??! So, as a follow up, I asked. Her reply:

 

 As far as business in Alaska, there may be kinks with getting my supplies that I'll have to figure out, but I don't suspect much of an issue.  Shipping charges won't change.

 

So there you have it, now.....if you'd like a chance to win some of her amazing polishes please visit my IG page IG@aprilaura

 

If you'd love to get your hands on her polishes right away, visit

 

www.loadedlacquer.com

 

 

Loaded Lacquers

I've decided to name this blog simply: Loaded Lacquers because Heather's choice for her brand is perfection. Her lacquers ARE loaded.

When I first saw the brand, I wasn't very excited I'll be honest. I'm not a glitter topper kind of girl so....meh... Besides, my opinion was that her labels were way too big and gaudy - I couldn't get a good look at what was inside the bottle. Hey, I'm just being honest so don't call me a bully - it was simply my opinion and who cares. But the brand basically blew up before my eyes, everyone ranting and raving about Heather's creations. Meh, Glitters....who needs them....and I still avoided....and then my smister (that's NOT a typo) sent me this:



A jelly....? Eh, cute.
And North of the Arctic Circle? Hm, pretty....but glitter....
Then I tried them.

Wow. Then I HAD to own more.



Each order was personally wrapped, you could tell a lot of care and desire to please went into wrapping alone! And the polishes!

Close your eyes...well, not really because you need to read but imagine a circus setting except in the center ring as your ringmaster is Heather from Loaded Lacquer, and she's holding a polish wand instead of a whip, and instead of fierce lions and tigers, she tames glitters of all sizes and colors! Down! Lay flatly! Look Stunning! And they do it!! OK, I'm an only child, my imagination is a bit nutty sometimes....but it's how I see her.


So, I still don't consider myself to be a glitter topper - or even a jelly kind of girl but I DEFINITELY consider myself completely addicted to Heather's polishes: Loaded Lacquer. As with others, her customer service is impeccable. She is always very informative about restocks and a total brat teaser with those darn pour shots!!! OMG I swear I have a small orgasm when I watch those. TMI? Sorry. Pouring polish porn, hey - I can't help myself.
How about those Mystery Polishes eh?? I only have one but it's unique and stunning and fun! Of course, glittery sweetness that lays nicely as all her polishes do.
This is mine:

I love Loaded Lacquer.

The entire experience of buying her polishes is pleasant.

www.LoadedLacquer.com make sure you check her out, watch for restocks and new releases.

Creative Kayla and her Polishes of Amazement

There once was a girl named Kayla....and she made some

 really cool nail polish....

 

CREATIVE CUTICLES NAIL POLISH

Lucky me, I got to interview her some time ago and tried out some of her polishes!!!
She asked me what I would choose from her collection and right away I knew I wanted was

How Can I Be of Service - a glitter topper just PACKED with silver, gold and copper colored glitters.


This lovely applied easily, the glitters went exactly where I wanted. Normally I am not a glitter topper kind of girl, which I think I had
explained to her and told her that I would like a blue ... a whatever blue and left it for her to decide and she chose my love:

Parker...what a handsome guy...
I absolutely adore him.

The best description I can give for Parker is he is like liquid cobalt colored glass, applies like a dream. I consider jellies to be kind of sticky...kind of gooey and I have a hard time with application thus my aversion to them, but not this guy. Parker is jelly that will steal your heart. He stole mine, wow

Seriously.

Like true love.

Can't stop....

I don't know if I've mentioned it, but wow.

How about some Flourite?

or Nebula?





Then I told her to choose one for me, and she chose the VERY classy

A Great Red

This is a sweet jelly with red glitters. Coco Chanel-esque classic. Another that I enjoyed playing around with, trying different looks. This is no trampy red baby, she's a real lady.

Kayla also sent me a couple of minis to try out - one was Autumn Nights, part of her Fall Down Like Autumn Leaves Collection. A really pretty blue but alas, I have yet to give it a try. I know!! I'm sorry Kayla!! I see it on other people and it's just yummy yum but for some reason I just haven't done it yet.


She also sent me this one:

I don't know if it ever got a name but I liked it - her glitters lay flatly which is absolutely KEY for me, if the glitter doesn't spread, or lay flatly for me it's out. I can't handle a messy clumpy mess on my fingers.
I suggested Golden Goblin or something like that. I like it because it's a 70's retro greenish packed with nice pretty gold glitters - it's different and I like something out of the norm once in a while.

My final opinion is this: Although I am still not a glitter topper girl, Kayla's Creative Creations are amazing polishes. Quality, Customer service beyond necessity - she is a sweetheart, she's positive and kind and generous. I hope the indie polish industry goes on forever, because every single one of the ladies I've interviewed is exceptional like Kayla. I wish for her amazing success.

Her prices are great, she does package deals, she gives holiday discounts, consistently striving to satisfy her customers. Do yourself a huge favor and check her out at

www.ccnp.storenvy.com

CREATIVE CUTICLES Interview with an Indie

I'm so happy to have come into this nail community. I'm ELATED that these lovely ladies agree to interview with me. My latest victim: Kayla from CREATIVE CUTICLES.

I have to apologize as I've been caught up in some personal stuff and this has taken me way too long to post.

Kayla isn't just awesome, ok? She's driven too.

You're a pretty new polish maker, when did you start and why?

I first THOUGHT about making polish when I found out about Indie Polish lol. However, I decided that I was going to take the plunge around September of 2013, although I didn't purchase anything until February of 2014!!! ;)

I spent those 5 months researching EVERYTHING.. from the best types of glitters, to pigments, to the difference of 3-free & 5-free, etc.. I wanted to know everything I could possibly learn without experience!! :)

I also planned 90% of my polishes that I have released, during that time. I wanted to, & still do want to produce the best quality, unique polishes & put a little of myself stamped into the Indie scene. I officially opened shop on February 28, 2014!!
 

Which was your first polish sold?

Well, seeing as how my very first, paying customer purchased ALL 4 of my first releases.. that would make "A Great Red'. "Nail Besties", "Gator Bait", & Duuuval!", all my first polish sold!! :)
 

Why 'Creative Cuticles'? and why a Penguin??

When I first started thinking of a name for my brand, I wanted to have "penguin" in the name somewhere.. but, there was already a brand called "Penguin Polish" & every other name I thought of just didn't feel "right".. So, I began to think about the relationships & reputation that I had already established in the Instagram community & decided it would be nice for someone to look at the brand name & immediately think of me!! :) (I don't know how well that works, but it was my thinking).. Although I wanted my IG handle to be represented, I didn't want it to be "Kayla's" anything, because I make the polishes for "you", so I just cut my name out & used Creative Cuticles (which is a great name for a polish company!! especially an indie lol.. It is a VERY creative business!!  
 

How did you and Amy (mcpolish) cross paths? 

Oh my gosh!!! <3

I had been following Amy for a while from my nail account & THEN when I was attempting to find "Jacksonville Nail Girls" for a meet, I discovered that she was a native, as well (JUST outside of Jax, but the way it is here, it is all basically the same lol).. Well, once I started purchasing supplies (or as I call it ingredients haha) I started thinkig about who I wanted to swatch.. SO, I sat down & just wrote down a few names & then I scrolled through my follow list & added a few more incase everyone said no.. After that I sorted them in order I would ask (most wanted to least).. She was the very first person I asked!!!

I was SO SO nervous after I hit the send button.. Then she was "typing" (I messaged her on Kik).. he response was "Hell yeah!"..... & I never turned back HAHAHA!!!
 

How do I not own every single Star Wars inspired polish? LOL I really want Icy Right Through You too!!! ARG!! 

I would assume, because maybe you didn't know about me yet? lol

it was only my 2nd set of releases :) I marketed the crap out of it, & then shortly after my release 3 bigger name indies released a Star Wars collab.. haha (that's the indie business, though.. tough, tight competition) That is why I strive to be as unique as possible, so that there is much less of a chance to have someone else competing with my particular polishes.

Also, "Icy Right Through You" was a VERY limited edition.. It was one of the 10% I didn't pre-plan.. One of my suppliers sent a bag of the glitter mix as an extra in my order, & I can't find it ANYWHERE!!! :(

Where did your first international sale go?

My first international sale went to an amazingly sweet lady, named Karen, in Northern Ireland!!! It was the coolest thing EVER, at the time!!! I called my Mema & had to tell her, immediatey!! She was the very first "War Among the Stars" order & she ordered the entire collection... I wish it would've gone smoother.. 45 days later, her package had STILL not arrived, so I sent her another collection and added 2 of my other polishes as an apology, although she was EXTREMELY understanding & offered to pay for a new collection (which I would have NEVER asked her to do!!)!! I then decided to ONLY ship International by Flat Rate.. her 2nd package arrived in 2 weeks (the first one is still MIA)!!!

Polish Pockets, tell me about them.

Ahhh.. Polish Pockets!!! Tammy (@homemademomsnails) is a little GENIUS!!! I had had my eyes on those for a while, & hadn't had a chance to purchase, yet.. Well, while I was trying to figure out the release dates & such for my Autumn collection I had a crazy idea.. There are so many people teaming up with vinyl ladies (myself included on my collab with KicKassBeauty), why not do it with Polish Pockets?!?!?! So, I messaged her & asked her how she would like to make some custom polish pockets for me, in bulk, so that I could include them with purchases.. She was over the moon excited & immediately agreed & got to work making prototypes!!! :)

I feel great about the decision!! I love the product SO much!!! & I was thrilled to get the chance & privilege to help out a friend's business!!! Hopefully, other brands will follow suit & join up with her!! <3

Why "Parker"?

Parker was such a beautiful accident!!! <3

I was making a custom polish for a customer, & it was just WAY too dark.. So I set that bottle aside & later that night I decided to paint my nails with it to see what it looked like on.. I FELL IN LOVE!!!!! <3

I wasn't going to release, at first.. Then I kinda talked myself into it, by thinking that EVERYONE NEEDED it!!! ;)

Then I had to think of a name.. (I am not good with choosing a name to go with a polish, I am a creating a polish AROUND the name kinda gal!! lol).. so as I sat there & stared at my nails ALL I could think was how much Ty (my son) would love it!! ...............,DUH!!! And it just so happened that his birthday was coming up (Sept 1st).. Ty didn't seem....... beautiful? enough lol.. His middle name is Parker.. PERFECT!! <3 
 

Why different bottles? I love them btw and the brushes are excellent!!!

The VERY first thing I looked for when planning where to buy supplies & planning what my investment should/would be, I knew I wanted a unique bottle.. I originally wanted a different bottle.. I showed my boyfriend & he said "that doesn't look like "you"".. I immediately began searching again lol........... Then I came across my flats & just KNEW those were the ONES!!! (at the time I had never seen anyone use them.. shortly after I opened, almost every new brand had them.. but most have since switched!!) ;)
 

Favorite movie?

My ALL TIME favorite movie is The Wedding Singer.. I am just a LITTLE obsessed with Adam Sandler!! <3

(he is the only person on my "exempt list" AHAHAHA)

Are you married? How old are you?

I am not married.. :(

I have been with my boyfriend for ALMOST 5 years (September 14th is our anniversary) <3

I plan on marrying him!!! Just waiting on 4 big words & a little shiny rock on my hand!! ;)
 

Does your mailman fear you? Does he/she know about your stalking technique?

I think my mailman USED to fear..... no, not fear.. that's not the right word.. hmmmm.. be weary?.. be cautious? (those are better).. I don't know if he is aware of how serious my "stalking" is, BUT he knows that I am ALWAYS alert & waiting when he has a package for me.. & since starting CCNP, he is also aware of outgoing packages & if it has been a couple of days he will mention that I haven't sent anything out in a while lol.
 

"Un Halloween"? Why? Where did you come up with it?

Hmmm.. I have NO idea how my brain works, sometimes!!! I was so stumped on Halloween.. It is SO hard to think of something COMPLETELY original for holiday polishes.. You could do movies or characters, but chances are someone has or will also do them.. I was flipping through my idea book & I had "Acid Rainbow" in my arsenal (from before I opened) & I thought to myself.. hmm.. that would be interesting for Halloween.. Then I tried to think of how I could tie it to Halloween.. I was like "well, acid rainbow is like the opposite of a regular rainbow, it is scary!".. Hence was born Un-Halloween.. then a glow zombie polish was a GIVEN!!! ;)

Favorite food?

My favorite food.......... Is Chinese an answer?!?!?! No? Ok...... eggrolls!!! <3
 

Polish? Favorite indie, and mainstream. How often do you polish your own nails?

I LOVE polish!!!! <3

I just recently recounted... Almost 400, now...... :/ I am NOT ashamed!!! :D

My FAVORITE indie brand has got to be Pipe Dream Polish and Loaded Lacquer!!

I am a die hard China Glaze girl.. that is my GO TO mainstream!!!!! <3

I paint my nails a lot less than I used to, before I started my line, BUT I RARELY have naked nails!!!

I will paint my nails once every couple of days, to 6 or 7 times a day, depending on my mood or free time lol.

I keep saying I need to start doing more art again.

 

So I think it's time you go check out Ms. Kayla don't you? 

You can go to www.ccnp.storenvy.com 

- she runs all kinds of cool promotions and prices her polishes so you won't break the bank. 

Check back with me soon, my review of her polishes will be coming soon!! 

Sprinkling Stardust Everywhere

My very first Indie Polish... and one that I will always go back to,

STARDUST POLISH

Not only because the formula is great and the colors are inventive and make me drool, but because of Drema. She fits perfectly the description of any of the Indie Polish Makers I've interviewed; she's sweet and goes out of her way to make sure her customers are satisfied.

But I've done the interview, so now let's swoon over these colors.

Snazzy:

Saw it, wrote down the name and just knew I had to have it. A green-blueish gem with gold glitters. Yep, I love it.

Golden Orchid:

Usually I don't choose pinks but as I do, had to try something I don't normally try - if I didn't my nail polish collection would be made up entirely of BLUES.
This was a nice option. Again, with gold glitter, a bubblegum pink. It's fun and flirty and I really like it. I tried to stamp a golden flower to highlight the gold glow but alas, my pictures just don't do this beauty justice.

 

 

Harlot:

Vampy vampy vampy. Black jelly with red glitter....gah!!!!!! Cleans up oh so nicely too - I have gotten pretty good at painting my nails with minimum clean up but whenever I use a dark polish I worry about my cuticles looking stained. Not with Harlot. She may be a vamp, but she she's a lady on your nails... wait, what? did that even make sense? Who cares.

 

My smister sent this to me - as usual, she has made another perfect choice! (Love you Ang!!)

Back Seat Bingo:

B to the I to the NG mutha-effin' OOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Blue blue blue!!! Did I mention how much I adore blue nail polish?! Well this is THE blue. Blue with blue glitter, yes please!!!

Yes Your Majesty:

Another color I avoid, but this is a red I couldn't pass up. When I first saw it, I thought, ' wow that's nice for a red', and (steams up nails and polishes them on lapel) I was right.....again.
Some of you LOVE your reds so don't miss this one!!! Another nice clean up. No staining...yes, very nice.

Royalty:

Now this isn't her latest Royalty 2.0, this is my year old original. The deep deep holo - that's what made it a MUST have when I saw it and converted to the dark side obsession that I now have. All the holo ALL for ME!!! It's easy to see why I converted.....what a stunner!!

Polar Ice:

I wasn't even going to bother talking about this polish, I had thought after a year of some heavy use, and it being a white...well it had to be no good after a year...right? WRONG!! I gave it a try and it surprised me pleasantly by just gliding onto my nails.....aaaaahhhhhh! You just can't go wrong with a delicate white nail polish - it suits any occasion, especially this one.

I'm giving away a bottle of Snazzy and a bottle of Giggle Water - Giggle Water was a tough one to part with because it's.....BLUE!!! But hey, gotta share the polish love right? It's not one I own, so whomever gets it better love it like I would!!! Go find my post on Instagram for rules on my giveaway - ending November 1st.

If you can't wait for a giveaway - go buy these lovelies !!www.stardustpolish.com