Wednesday, September 18, 2013

31DC2013: Day 18 Half Moons

I know I'm playing catch up but things have been pretty busy around here, so now I'm doing the challenge when I can. Hope you're sticking with me!

I did a couple different tries with half moons but when I came across this design, it was too cute not to do! My half moons are off center, but I think it still qualifies.

31dc2013, balloons, balloon nail art, balloons nail art, balloon, nail art, half moons, half moons nail art



I did the background in a light blue for the sky and the balloons are all in textured polish for a bit of a 3-D effect.

31dc2013, balloons, balloon nail art, balloons nail art, balloon, nail art, half moons, half moons nail art


Products Used
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
Essie Bikini So Teeny
Wet N Wild Femme Trouper
Wet N Wild ATTEN Hut!
Nicole by OPI My Cherry Amour
Nicole by OPI I Lilac Gumdrops
Black Acrylic Paint

Monday, September 16, 2013

31DC2013: Day 16 Tribal Print

I've been getting so many prompts that I've never done out of fear or time, so it's exciting to get to try them now! No excuses!

31dc2013, nail art, tribal, tribal nail art, metallic tribal, metallic nail art




This is based on The Nailasaurus Tribal from a previous 31 Day Challenge.

31dc2013, nail art, tribal, tribal nail art, metallic tribal, metallic nail art

I used a base coat with a lilac tint. The metallic polishes I added with a nail art brush and the black is acrylic paint.

31dc2013, nail art, tribal, tribal nail art, metallic tribal, metallic nail art

Below is a matte version. I added Hard Candy Matte-ly in Love. I really like the matte effect although the metallic polishes make it hard to be fully matte. I think it gives it a softer look though.

31dc2013, nail art, tribal, tribal nail art, metallic tribal, metallic nail art

Products Used:
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
Sally Hansen Lavender Cloud
Essie Nothing Else Metals
Essie Blue Rhapsody
Black Acrylic Paint
Seche Vite
Hard Candy Matte-ly In Love

Hope you liked it. Thanks for looking!

Sunday, September 15, 2013

31DC2013: Day 15 Delicate Print

Delicate print ... Oh the trouble I had with this one. I kept trying to think of something soft and delicate and fragile and I kept thinking lace. Beh. I have been wanting to do the butterfly wing nail art for awhile, so here it is! Butterfly wings are definitely delicate right?

31dc2013, nail art, butterfly, butterfly nail art, holo butterfly nail art, holographic butterfly nail art, butterfly wings, butterfly wings nail art, butterfly wing nail art




31dc2013, nail art, butterfly, butterfly nail art, holo butterfly nail art, holographic butterfly nail art, butterfly wings, butterfly wings nail art, butterfly wing nail art

31dc2013, nail art, butterfly, butterfly nail art, holo butterfly nail art, holographic butterfly nail art, butterfly wings, butterfly wings nail art, butterfly wing nail art


I started with a gradient of holo of purple to blue and couldn't tell there was a change in color. Then it was purple to silver. Then pink to silver. Pink to solver had enough of a color change to be noticeable, but only up close. Which is fine, it's beautiful either way. Of course there was no sun when I did this, but the sponging took away the linear holo aspect anyway.

Below is my holo gradient.


Products Used:
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein Base Coat
Color Club Harp On It
Color Club Halographic
Milani Black Sketch
OPI Alpine Snow
Seche Vite

Saturday, September 14, 2013

31DC2013: Day 14 Flowers

I remember seeing a design similar to this recently on Instagram and I can't for the life of me find the picture I took. Does anyone else take screen shots or take pictures of the nails for future reference? I've got a whole folder full of pictures. If anyone knows the original manicure, let me know so I can give credit!

31dc2013, nail art, holographic, holo nail art, flower nail art, flower, flowers, flowers nail art, holo flowers nail a




I love the holo flowers against the leather background. I think it creates a nice juxtaposition of colors and textures.

31dc2013, nail art, holographic, holo nail art, flower nail art, flower, flowers, flowers nail art, holo flowers nail a

Products Used
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
Sinful Colors My Turn
Color Club Angel Kiss
Color Club Cloud Nine
Milani Black Sketch

Thanks for looking!

Friday, September 13, 2013

31DC2013: Day 13 Animal Print

I had tons of ideas for today, and they all kinda fell flat, which is really disappointing. The most fun one that I wanted to do is below. I hope the idea came across.

31dc2013, nail art, nemo nail art, orange nail art, animal nail art,

It's Nemo! Clownfish are animals, right? Kinda? Maybe?

Products Used:
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
Revlon Haunted Heart
Whie and Black Acrylic Paint
Seche Vite

Thanks for looking!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

31DC2013: Day 12 Stripes

I don't know what it is about stripes but I had a really hard time with this prompt. It took me awhile to do something, and even then, it wasn't that impressive. 

I really tried.  Promise.

31dc2013, purple, purple nail part, purple stripes, stripe nail art, stripes, striped nail art, nail art,

31dc2013, purple, purple nail part, purple stripes, stripe nail art, stripes, striped nail art, nail art,

It's a little more fun on textured polish right?

Le sigh.

Products Used:
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
Wet N Wild Love Is A Battlefield
Milani Black Sketch

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

31DC2013: Day 11 Polka Dots

I can't seem to get my act together to post these on time. I promise I've been doing them and wearing them to work. These dots got a LOT of compliments. =)

31dc2013, nail art, dots, nail art dots, rainbow dots, dot nail art,

31dc2013, nail art, dots, nail art dots, rainbow dots, dot nail art,

31dc2013, nail art, dots, nail art dots, rainbow dots, dot nail art,

Products Used:
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
Sinful Colors Snow Me White
Models Own Orange Sorbet
Orly Purple Crush
Sally Hansen Good To Grape
Barielle Blue Capri
Sinful Colors Irish Green
Seche Vite

Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

31DC2013: Day 10 Gradient Nails

Hello lovelies! Today's post is late today and that's because I've been super busy recently with my garden. If you'd rather just look at nails, scroll down a bit! So I've been super busy with harvesting from my garden which has taken over my life recently. We've gotten corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, eggplant, jalapenos, green/red/orange/yellow bell peppers, cayenne peppers, and beans. I've got watermelon and canteloupe getting ready to be harvested soon. We also have a huge mature pear tree that is crazy heavy with fruit so we're picking pounds and pounds every day! Yesterday was my (and my mother's) first try at pear butter (yum!) and canning. It's been super busy, but a lot more fun than I was expecting. I'm already planning an even bigger garden for next year!

On to the nails!

My gradient is an orange and coral gradient with overlying black and white glitter to help hide the uneven polish gradient! I chose to do the technique by Rebecca Likes Nails and this mani is a la Chalkboard Nails. It's a really easy way to do a gradient using jelly polishes. Much cleaner but sometimes the gradient isn't quite as perfect, which is where the overlying glitter helps to mask it!

31dc2013, gradient, gradient nail art, orange gradient nail art, orange nail art, black and white glitter, nail a

Polishes Used:
Barielle Nail Strengthening Protein
Zoya Coraline
Zoya Kate
Maybelline Clearly Spotted
Seche Vite

Maybelline Clearly Spotted was ok, but I wasn't thrilled with it. I was so happy to see a drugstore version of a black and white glitter that has taken the nail polish world by storm. I have Cover Bands Lacquers Sticks 'N Stones, which I ultimately prefer, but here is a quick comparison below.


black and white glitter, nail art

Cover Bands Lacquers Sticks 'N Stones is a supposed dupe for Lynderella Connect the Dots, but you can see a great comparison and reference done by Chalkboard Nails here that compares 36 different black and white glitters (I think that count is correct). Maybelline Clearly Spotted has more glitter, which you'd think would be nice, but it takes over the nail and makes it hard to see anything underneath. I also feel it looks a bit dirty, for lack of a better word, with all the fine glitter present.

Which black and white glitter do you prefer?

Monday, September 9, 2013

31DC2013: Day 9 Rainbow Nails

I'm sure you've seen this manicure done a 100 times, but I've yet to do it and it's always been on my to do list. 

31cd2013, 31 day challenge, nail art, black nail art, black nails nail art, matte black, rhinestones, rhinestones nail art, rainbow, rainbows, rainbow nail art

I LOVED how it turned out. The matte black is a great background for these sparkling rhinestones. Very simple but elegant and eye catching. What more could a girl want?

31cd2013, 31 day challenge, nail art, black nail art, black nails nail art, matte black, rhinestones, rhinestones nail art, rainbow, rainbows, rainbow nail art

It was more simple to do than I had realized, so I'm very glad I tried it. I should try to incorporate more rhinestones into my nail works.

31cd2013, 31 day challenge, nail art, black nail art, black nails nail art, matte black, rhinestones, rhinestones nail art, rainbow, rainbows, rainbow nail art

I hope you can tell how bright these stones are next to that black. When out in the sun (which I was for all these pictures) they sparkled and shined. In the photo below, that flare on the purple stone isn't photoshopped, that's how much they sparkled when the sun hit them just right. Fabulous!

31cd2013, 31 day challenge, nail art, black nail art, black nails nail art, matte black, rhinestones, rhinestones nail art, rainbow, rainbows, rainbow nail art

Products Used:
Elmer's Glue (base coat)
Petites Night
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Butter London Matte Finish Top Coat
Rhinestones

Hope you enjoyed. Thanks for looking!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

31DC2013: Day 8 Metallic Nails

I was trying to think of a design that would make the metallic polish pop, and the few I tried all failed miserably. I then tried to do some designs I wanted to recreate, but the metallic finish really detracted from the original designs. 

I figured a design where the metallic finish would help the design would be ideal. Hence, fireworks! Or artistic flowers. Whichever.



Products Used:
Elmer's Glue (base coat)
Petites Night
Kleancolor Metallic Orange
Kleancolor Metallic Pink
Kleancolor Metallic Sapphire
Maybelline Blue Blowout
Revlon Gold Coin
Wet N Wild Hog-Quartz School
Seche Vite

On a side note, I really like Elmer's Glue for a base coat not only in glitters but in manicures that require a black base coat. Blacks, at least for me, tend to run and stain when being removed (much like dark blues and greens) making them a mess to take off. With the help of a peel off base coat, it makes removal MUCH easier and nicer to your cuticles.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Road Trip Haul

I recently went back to Texas for a few days to spend time with friends and colleagues down there and of course I had to drop by all the available stores and drug stores to check out makeup and nail polish!

Here's my haul!


Specifics:
Essie For The Twill Of It
Essie The Lace Is On
Maybelline Clearly Spotted (Color Show Polka Dots)
Maybelline Lasting Lilac (Limited Edition Color Show Vintage Leather)
Maybelline Mod Moss (Limited Edition Color Show Vintage Leather)
Maybelline Vintage Violet (Limited Edition Color Show Vintage Leather)
Nicole by OPI I Lilac Gumdrops (Gumdrop collections)
Nicole by OPI My Cherry Amour (Gumdrop collections)
OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil To Go
Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in Ravish (057)
Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in Red Diva (024)
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Serum with Grow Lash Complex
Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in Kiss of Life (111)
Rimmel SandalEYES Waterproof Kohl Liner in Nude (005)
Sinful Colors Cold Leather (Leather)
Sinful Colors Daddy's Girl
Sinful Colors Get It On (leather)
Sinful Colors Laced Up (Leather)
Sinful Colors Leather Loose (Leather)
Sinful Colors My Turn (Leather)
Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby
Sinful Colors Super Star
Wet N Wild ATTEN Hut! (Textured)
Wet N Wild Beauty Is A Battlefield (Textured)
Wet N Wild ColorIcon Eye Shadow Trio in Hard Being the It Girl
Wet N Wild ColorIcon Eye Shadow Trio in I'm Seeing Triples!
Wet N Wild ColorIcon Eye Shadow Trio in To Muse and Carouse
Wet N Wild Fatigue Glam  (Textured)
Wet N Wild Femme Trouper (Textured)
Wet N Wild Left, Left, Left, Right, Left (Textured)
Wet N Wild Tough Girl (Textured)

Rimmel Serum I've seen good reviews online and it's no available in my town and OPI Avoplex I've heard is awesome but I've never tried it. I have such issues with dry cuticles if I find something that really helps, I don't mind spending some extra cash.

I know Essie For The Twill Of It is gorgeous, my mom got it on her toes on a recent pedi and it's fantastic so I've been hoping to get it. Looks like it's a dupe for OPI Peace, Love, & OPI.

Image Credit: www.thedailyvarnish.com

I have a few I've worn and even used in nail art so far for the 31DC2013 challenge, but if you see any you'd like to see first, let me know!

31DC2013: Day 7 B&W Nails

Because who doesn't like pandas?

31dc2013, black, white, black and white, nail art, black and white nail art, pandas, pandas nail art, panda nail art, pandas nail design, nail design, panda nail desig

31dc2013, black, white, black and white, nail art, black and white nail art, pandas, pandas nail art, panda nail art, pandas nail design, nail design, panda nail desig

Products Used:
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
Sinful Colors Snow Me White
Petites Night
Seche Vite

Friday, September 6, 2013

31DC2013: Day 5 Blue Nails

I had this post all ready to go and then I forgot to post it. Please excuse me, I've been feeling under the weather recently and I'm a little scatter-brained.

I really wanted to do blue plaid nails and I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. I got lots of compliments at work, from friends, waitresses at restaurants... =) Always nice to hear good things about what you've done. 

31dc2013, blue nails, blue nail polish, plaid nails, plaid nail art, blue plaid nail art, nail art,


Products Used:
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
OPI Alpine Snow
Essie Bikini So Teeny
Barielle Blue Capri
Milani Art of Silver
Seche Vite

31DC2013: Day 6 Violet Nails

Trying to do something different with single colors is harder than it seems. Violet glitter french tips seemed up to the challenge, no pun intended.

31dc2013, 31 day challenge, purple nails, purple french tips, purple nail art, glitter french tips, purple glitter, nail art, shimmer polish gerry swatch, shimmer polish gerry nail swatch

Shimmer Polish Gerry is a fantastic dark purple with tons of accents.

Kleancolor Metallic Purple (1 coat)
Shimmer Polish Gerry (4 coats)
Seche Vite top coat

I leave you with the most awkward hand hold polish pose. Ever. 

31dc2013, 31 day challenge, purple nails, purple french tips, purple nail art, glitter french tips, purple glitter, nail art, shimmer polish gerry swatch, shimmer polish gerry nail swatch

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

31DC2013: Day 4 Green Nails

Finally I'm on track! I had such a long day yesterday trying to come up with interesting designs. I feel like this one fell flat and the pictures don't do it justice. I had initially wanted to do a puzzle piece one, but that one didn't go well at all.

Anyone else having trouble with thinking of mani's that don't overlap with future prompts? Flower, gradient, etc? Le sigh. 

31dc2013, green, green nail art, green nails, nail art, patchwork nail art

Products Used:
Elmer's Glue (base coat)
Barielle Green Apple
Color Club Glitter Envy
Essie Mojito Madness
Revlon Bonsai
Revlon Wicked Heart
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Black Light Party

Awhile back I found some new Wet N Wild polishes that I scooped right up because they looked so freaking fabulous! 

Wet N Wild Black Light Party, Wet N Wild Black Light Party swatch, Wet N Wild Black Light Party nail swatch

Wet N Wild Black Light Party is a fabulous dark violet jelly with duochrome flakies. You really want to use at least three coats of this polish to really get the depth of those fabulous pink and gold flakies. They shine from deep inside the purple - it truly makes think of the night sky with stars.

Wet N Wild Black Light Party, Wet N Wild Black Light Party swatch, Wet N Wild Black Light Party nail swatch

Here is the polish itself with three coats plus base and top coat (Gelous + Seche Vite). At three coats, the purple is pretty opaque for a jelly but you still get that squishy depth and those flakies are gorgeous!

Wet N Wild Black Light Party, Wet N Wild Black Light Party swatch, Wet N Wild Black Light Party nail swatch

It's so hard to photograph this polish because, just like glitter, you catch glimpses at different angles, so in movement it's divine. In a snapshot, it falls a little flat. You can see the beauty in the bottle though.

Wet N Wild Black Light Party, Wet N Wild Black Light Party swatch, Wet N Wild Black Light Party nail swatch

Here I layered it over a dark grey/purple polish for added depth and 2 coats of Wet N Wild Black Light Party.

Wet N Wild Black Light Party, Wet N Wild Black Light Party swatch, Wet N Wild Black Light Party nail swatch

Wet N Wild Black Light Party, Wet N Wild Black Light Party swatch, Wet N Wild Black Light Party nail swatch

Base Color: Revlon Naughty

Fabulous polish. I really love Wet N Wild, their quality has improved dramatically in the past few years and these polishes rival expensive counterparts. PLUS, Wet N Wild is cruelty free!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

31DC2013: 3 Day Catchup!

I know I'm late with these and I'm so sorry! I was out of town and didn't have my polishes with me. I kept thinking of fun things to try and I would have bought polish to do them, but I didn't have any brushes or acetone or dotting tools and everything I tried came out ridiculous. I hope you forgive me!

Day 1 Red Nails 



Polishes Used:
Elmer's School Glue (base coat)
Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby
Milani Ruby Jewels
Milani Nail Art in Black Sketch
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

I wanted to get this up quickly so I haven't finished with the swatch pictures yet so I'll update soon with swatches of these colors!

Day 2 Orange Nails




Polishes Used:
Elmer's School Glue (base coat)
Sinful Colors Leather Loose
Essie Meet Me At Sunset
Sally Hansen Hard To Get

Day 3: Yellow Nails


Polishes Used:
Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein
Barielle Banana Drop (base color)
Revlon Gold Coin
Milani Art of Silver
Milani Yellow Design
Essence Wanna Be Your Sunshine
Sinful Colors Snow Me White

Whew! That was a lot! I've literally sat at my desk all day doing nail art. Doing a color is hard - I never know if I should do all one color or incorporate other colors. I guess it's all in your interpretation which makes it fun!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Linna

I haven't shown ya'll a Shimmer Polish in awhile. So here we go!

Shimmer Polish Linna is a fabulous glitter with the main color being a green-leaning turquoise with silver, gold, red, and blue small glitter. I get a headache trying to see what all was used, but I've included a fun macro for you to decide for yourself!

Shimmer Polish Linna, Shimmer Polish Linna swatch, Shimmer Polish Linna nail swatch

Shimmer Polish Linna, Shimmer Polish Linna swatch, Shimmer Polish Linna nail swatch

Shimmer Polish Linna, Shimmer Polish Linna swatch, Shimmer Polish Linna nail swatch

A macro for those of you who would like to guess all the glitters that this polish contains!

Shimmer Polish Linna, Shimmer Polish Linna swatch, Shimmer Polish Linna nail swatch

Base Color: Wet N Wild Blue Visionary

Shimmer Polish is available through the main website or Etsy.
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