31DC2014 Day 08: Metallic Gold Leaf

When I was brainstorming ideas for the Metallic prompt my thoughts turned to gold leaf. Then I thought, hmm...gold leaf. Wah wah. It amused me, so I went with it. And looked how it worked out. I absolutely love it!

Poshinality Mysterious and Tomboy Swatches and Review

Poshinality is a new brand in the indie scene, based in Los Angeles. They had a big launch last month with a lot of bloggers participating. It was hard not to notice the swatches of Mystery on Nailz Craze (beware, Natalie's amazing photos will make you want to buy anything and everything she photographs) and I had to have it! So I checked out their site to see what else they have to offer. They have mostly traditional shades in a good mix of cremes, shimmers, glitters, and nail treatments. 

I was also attracted to the ideas of what their brand is built on. Specifically, their "Philosophy", which is really inline with that of this blog, as stated in the Nail Polish Society Declaration. Their Philosophy is:

• Polish Is All About Personality.
• You have a right to feel comfortable in your own skin, personality and style of fashion. No matter how glamorous. No matter how simple.
• True beauty, confidence and self-worth come from within you.
• No one can be you but you so be you, do you, and love you unconditionally.

What more can I say? How about nothing, so we can get on to the photos!

33 Day Challenge Day 25: A New Technique For You

This was a technique that I'd been wanting to try for awhile, the water spotted marble nail (or whatever you want to call it). I was so excited to finally give it a go! I followed (or attempted to) ChelseaQueen's video tutorial. She made it look so easy! With the messy, distressed aesthetic, I figured every nail would be a masterpiece. Well, just like water marbling, I ran into a ton of problems. Buuuut... you can still tell this was the technique I was going for, right? I still think it looks cool.

I love the coppery colors that are peaking through.

For my base colors I used three different polishes and painted them on with the bottle brush in a haphazard way. The easy part was now over. Next was the marbling part. Let's say through a LOT of trial and error, I learned a few things.

#1-DON'T use a foam cup! The polish eats through the foam (if you happen to have drops that fall to the bottom as I tend to). I'm sure everyone knows that already. Well now I know it too.

#2- If you choose to use hairspray, make sure it actually has alcohol in it. I had a proof of purchase label covering the ingredients on my bottle so I wasn't able to check beforehand. I assumed it did. Well, since nothing happened to my polish when I sprayed the hairspray on, I am now assuming it does not.

#3- It's okay if it didn't turn out as you had visualized. Pretend that was your original intention and no one will know!

My thumb nail is my favorite in this mani. It looks pretty rad. My index finger is my second favorite.

What I used:
OPI Warm and Fozzie
OPI Cozu-Melted in the Sun
Wet n' Wild Chrome Penny For Your Thoughts
Sephora by OPI What's a Tire Jack?
body spray

Have you tried this technique? Any pointers? I love the coppery colors that are peaking through. I'm trying this again for sure, just so I can show it who's boss!

I suggest watching Chelsea's tutorial for-in depth instructions. Be ready for some trial and error.

It's About Time! Fiery Halloween Nails

I can't believe it's taken me so long do some Halloween nail art. It's already the 22nd! It's especially surprising because Halloween is my favorite holiday. Are you all so excited it's just over a week away!? I can't wait to embrace my inner child and rock my costume!

Today's design isn't anything specific. It's kind of whatever you want it to be. I think the black looks like drips, but also like flames. Dripping flames?

If it looks a little familiar, I also used these polishes in my tiger stripe nails.

This is how the manicure started off:

I used Scotch tape to get the crisp lines for the black tips. You can see I was a little impatient and used the tape before the polish was dry enough (Let that be a lesson to you all!). I had different plans for the design, but after I started, it didn't look good, and I had to just wing it. I love how it ended up! If I were to do it again, I would  just free hand the whole thing.

What I used:
Sephora by OPI I Think I Cayenne
Sephora by OPI What's A Tire Jack?


Do you still dress up for Halloween? Or do you dress up your kids? Maybe your pets? Or are you those people who turn off  all their lights, but forgot to close the blinds, and it's obvious to all the trick-or-treaters that you're home watching t.v. but won't answer the door? I know you're not those people. ;)

33 Day Challenge Day 02: Your Most Used Color Polish

It's a good thing that I didn't start today's mani until late in the day. I wasn't sure about the specifics of the prompt. Deb who is running the challenge on her blog The Crumpet, clarified what she had intended. She explained that she meant an actual polish color. I struggled trying to figure out what single polish I use the most. The most used ever? In the past five years? This year? I have noticed that in the last two plus months since I have started my blog, I've incorporated Sephora by OPI What's a Tire Jack? in a multitude of manicures. So I'm going with it.

Ever since I did my Red Matte and Glossy post I've been wanting to do this manicure. I love it! It's something I could wear practically any day. I especially love how easy it is. I just painted on a couple of coats of the polish and topped it with Seche Vite. The top coat helped it to dry faster and to give a glossy shine. Then I used my striping brush dipped in a matte top coat and brushed on the lines. That was it!

I love that it's subtle, but has a little edge to it.

What I used:
Sephora by OPI What's a Tire Jack?
Seche Vite top coat (shiny)
China Glaze Matte Magic top coat


I have a few different black polishes but this seems to be the one I reach for the most? Anyone have a favorite go-to black polish? What do you like about it?

31DC2013 Day 17: Glitter

Skull Mail!!! Most of the time when I do my nails I am watching tv online. There are about four shows I've been rotating through, and America's Next Top Model is one that I look forward to the most. Tyra has changed it up this season with guys and girls competing together, and it's made for some great entertainment! I think it's helped to have guys in the mix to keep the drama and cattiness better under control than usual. And you won't hear me complaining that there is some serious eye candy now. Although, the best looking of the bunch was the first to go. Obviously I feel it was a poor decision. Now on to my nails..

I have been planning this mani for a few weeks now. I knew that the glitter theme for today was the perfect time for it. Before the judging and elimination each ANTM episode, the "skull mail" appears on the contestants' tv screen at the house. It's a pixelated skull, and that's what I am trying to emulate here. This is a very picture heavy post!

I started off with two coats of black polish. Then with a toothpick I carefully placed each piece of glitter to make the skull and crossbones shape. I used the toothpick to place a small dot of clear coat on the nail. I put a little more clear polish on the toothpick to make the glitter stick to it so I could place it on the nail. Once they were all in place, I added top coat over the glitter to make it smooth and keep them secure.
For the other nails I horizontally swiped on the glittery top coat across the tips, then put the hex glitter in place. I finished those off with top coat too.

From the start of the season I have noticed Tyra sporting various nail art (I haven't noticed in past seasons?). I'm always trying to get a good look at it. So it was no surprise when they did a nail art fashion shoot in episode 7. There were some guys who seriously rocked their crazy fake nails! Sooo fun!

Indirect lighting:

What I used:
Sephora by OPI What's a Tire Jack?
Sephora by OPI Meet Me At the Disco
glitter from the craft store
Seche Vite top coat

And a little something extra...

The contestants did little runway walks exhibiting their nail art (there's a behind the scenes video of it). So here, for your viewing pleasure, I have put on a little red carpet fashion show for you!!

 
Vivian flaunts her Angie-esque digits in a vintage 80's inspired glamour flourish.

Perpetually a rover, Portia is biker-chic in leather.

 Never one to shy from posh attire, Bianca struts her stuff in fur.

Zoey shows off her flirty side in lace.

 Devin embraces anything androgynous, and rocks these chains like a pro.


Combining the judges' and social media's scores, which one got photo of the week? Which one is going home?

ANTM 2.0!

31DC2013 Day 07: Black and White Nails

I got this in just under the wire! It's been a crazy busy day. Crazy busy awesomeness that is!! I spent some more time at Salt Lake Comic Con today. My sister came with me and we walked around getting our pictures taken, and also hung out at my husband's booth there. Afterwards he and I went on a date and saw James Taylor perform with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! A seriously wonderful day that I will remember for a long time! Now about my nails..

Thinking about the black and white theme, I knew I wanted to do animal print. I thought about making it easy and doing polar bears with maybe just their noses showing. Heh heh. I'm sure there will be LOTS of animal prints today and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's interpretations. I wanted to see what kind of mix I could get and I really am proud of the result!

Did you ever read the Ranger Rick magazine when you were little? I'm sure National Geographic Kids and others have this too. They would always have those macro pictures on the back cover, and it was a game to guess what they were. It wasn't my original intent, but looking at my nails now, that is all I can think of.

So can you guess what they all are? If you want to know just highlight the answers below.

Thumb- cow
Index- penguin
Middle- zebra
Ring- skunk
Pinky- leopard (the others are more realistic, I took a few liberties here.)


What I used:
OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls- white
Sephora by OPI What's a Tire Jack?- black
Sephora by OPI Hi Def- orange
Ulta Cream of the Crop- yellow

I wanted to edit the photos a little, but I don't have time!