Dot on Dot- it's time for spring!

The weather is finally turning here on gloomy Ohio and that means my pastel polishes are making their yearly debut :)

The mani I am showing you today is actually from last spring but they went so well with the weather that I decided to show it to you anyway!

2-layered dots

This was inspired by a pottery painting technique from my local "Paint your own Pottery" place. The worker was showing us different project ideas and painting style when she showed us something that looked a lot like the plate below:

Image from http://claytopiaerie.com/

I love dots and I love color. Bada bing, I was sold!
Anyhow, I wore this mani for a few hours before I decided it needed more layers!
Cue the 3-layered dots:

I can't quite remember all the polishes I used but I do know that the little dots were made with the Kleancolor metallics collection. The pastels probably came from the China Glaze Up and Away collection... If you are interested in knowing the exact name for a polish, feel free to drop me an email and I'll do my best to find out what it is :)

So that's it for today! Do you ever get inspiration from the most random things?

Until next time ^_^

Grey Gradient Dots

Hello everyone!

Today I'm going to show you a little mani that I did using my "polka dot" glitters

I wanted a pretty neutral base since I was going to be slathering so much glitter on top so I opted for grey. I actually made a subtle grey gradient using the fan brush technique. It's messier than the sponging technique and uses more polish but I think it makes the polish blend together very nicely!

Sally Hansen in Wet Cement

China Glaze in Recycle

Lynnderella in Connect the Dots (Thumb and Index)

Nubar in White Polka Dot (Left Hand)

Nubar in Black Polka Dot (Right Hand)

Overall, I much prefer CtD. It really is "instant nail art" in a bottle. Black polka dot, though was really nice as well. It didn't have that shimmery POP like CtD but one coat created a really pretty dotty effect. I was a little disappointed with White Polka Dot though. it was really hard to get the large hex glitter out of the bottle. Also, they were really more pearly clear glitter than white... That made them kind of hard to see, especially on the lighter grey. I will have to try it over a darker color next time. Maybe it will be better?

there are many other "polka dot" glitters out there but I think I have enough for now :)

What's your favorite "polka dot" glitter?

Until next time ^_^

Dotticure

Since there can never be enough dots in your life, week 16 of the Year of Polish challenge is a Dotticure!

I am not 100% sure what makes a dotticure different from a polka dot mani (from week 10) but I'll take any excuse to whip out my dotting tool :)

I know it looks matte here, but I promise it isn't. The light must have wonked it....

Kleancolor in Metallic Fuschia

GOSH in Ocean

I've been trying to go through some of my unused polish but it can be really hard when you do nail art... Certain colors just work so well for certain techniques that it's hard to switch to a new color... So I think I am going to try and do one simple nail art a week that features some unused colors... what do you think?

Also! my giveaway has now ended... Thank you to everyone who entered! I've already started going through the entries, verifying things and all that jazz. I should be done in a day or two! 

Until next time ^_^

Stripes inspired by a Mug

This week's theme for the Year of Polish challenge was stripes.
Easy peasy! I love stripes!!

Not too long ago, I came across this mug on Print and Pattern's blog

And I loved how cute it was! so here is my take on this beautiful mug :)

Sally Hansen in White Tip

China Glaze in Lemon Fizz

China Glaze in Peachy Keen

China Glaze in Kinetic Candy

China Glaze in Agent Lavender

China Glaze in Re-Fresh Mint

Milani in Black Magic

1.5mm Rhinestones

Check out my Year of Polish Challenge page to see past themes and also take some time to look at bloggers who are doing this challenge as well!

Also, don't forget to enter my 200 followers giveaway :)

Where do you usually find your inspiration?

Until next time ^_^

Polka Dot Skittle Mani

Week 9 of the Year of Polish challenge is all about the polka dots!

I tried a few different things before I finally settled on this look. It's not the most creative but it's really eye catching!

Sally Hansen in Coral Reef

Color Club in Pucci-licious

Orly in Spark

Orly in Green Apple

China Glaze in Aqua Baby

In other news, I hit 200 followers last week so I'm putting together a little giveaway. I'm waiting on a couple more items before I begin though so you can look forward to that :)

I'm also going to a research conference this week which means I probably won't update until I get back. I'm very excited! It's in Melbourne, Florida right on the beach :D This is my very first real, professional conference... And I'm presenting a poster there. Eek! I'm a little nervous but thankfully my presentation is the second day of the conference which means that I get to enjoy the rest of the trip without worry ^_^

Now I need to find the perfect nail art for the occasion... hmm... anyone have any ideas?

Until next time ^_^ 

Poppies Mani

Hey everyone!

These nails are inspired by a video tutorial I saw on YouTube 2-3 years ago. I can't remember the name of the user and I wasn't able to find the video, so if this mani looks familiar and you know who the original artist is, please let me know! 

The weather in Ohio has been quite blah and I was in need of some brightness! 

Pure Ice in Unzip Me

Sally Hansen in Bubblegum Pink

China Glaze in Gothic Lolita

Sally Hansen in So Poppy

SinfulColors in Cloud 9

Black acrylic paint

The colors used in this "poppies" mani were inspired by Spring Poppies 1 by Susan Hazard. It's a very pretty painting!

This mani works best if you use polishes with the same finish. Here I had all shimmers. It just keeps the busyness of the pattern from being too overwhelming...

I attempted a water color nail here using the same colors. Unfortunately the brush I used was very small so it didn't have quite the intended effect but I find it quite interesting.

Also here is some pic spam of my international swaps

Mavala Black Diamond, Model's Own Mystic Mauve, W7 Metallic Venus. Marks and Spencers Rainbow, MaxFactor Fantasy Fire

Fantasy Fire Close Up

So much GOSH! Names below.

Until next time ^_^

Newspaper Mani

Hello fellow nail polish lovers!

It appears that my computer has given up being a computer. While it is being repaired, I will be using my boyfriend's old iMac. Being a PC girl, I have no idea how to do anything on here other than open a web page and turn the thing off. What does this mean? I won't really be able to fix my photos and all that jazz... Thoroughly unfortunate, I know...

Anywho, on to some nail stuff right!

Here is week 5 of the Nail Polish Challenge

The Newspaper Mani

China Glaze in Agent Lavender

China Glaze in Secret Peri-wink-le

Art Club in Fine Silver

Local newspaper classifieds!

This was my very first newspaper mani and Im really happy with how it turned out! I simply dabbed some rubbing alcohol (using a cotton ball) on the newspaper and pressed it down on my nail. Easy peasy!

Don't forget to check out my Year of Polish page to see some other bloggers' newspaper manis. There you will also find links to prior week's challenges!

Have you ever tried a newspaper mani? What did you think of it?

Until next time ^_^

American Manicure with bows!

This is my mani for week 2 of the Year of Polish challenge

Week 2- French tip mani

I'm actually not too big a fan of the traditional French tip. It's just too bright to look natural, and isn't that the point of the French manicure? to make it look like you  have naturally beautiful white nails? It's the natural make-up of nails.To me though, it's like natural make-up with too much blush. It just doesn't look right. So whenever I go get my nails done (twice a year with my best friend!) I always ask for the American manicure. It's exactly the same as the French, only using ivory instead of white. Tadah! (Don't get me wrong, some people can really pull of the white French tip. I'm just not one of those people)


Then last week, while at Sally's, I browsed the clearance section and found an American manicure set for $3.99!

I just had to use it for this challenge. It was fated that way.

Then I spiffed it up with some acrylic bows and some dots :)

I actually added lines before I put on the bows...
I didn't thing they would be so big to cover everything up. Eh well..

American Manicure Ivory Tip and Nail Bed polish

China Glaze in Secret Peri-Wink-le

Milani in HD

So there it is. My week 2 mani and it is still currently week 2! However, this means that I was unable to get a "sunshine" picture of Alpha Rainbow in Silver for you guys. One day, though, I will get you a picture! one day...

anywho, check out my Year of Polish page to see what's going on next week and to check out some other bloggers who are undertaking this massive challenge :D

Until next time ^_^

Presents for nails!

Another holiday mani? yes, another one. I used to be impartial to these manis but it seems that this year, the Christmas cheer has gotten a hold of me... 

This time, my nails are masquerading as presents!

I had lots of fun thinking of different color combinations and wrapping paper patterns!
Here's a close up as well as what I used to create each!

Revlon in Gold Coin

Art Club in White

Pure Ice in Silver Mercedes

Milani One coat glitter in Red Sparkle

Milani One coat glitter in Red Sparkle

Sally Hansen in Whirlwind White

Art Club in Fine Silver

Sally Hansen in Whirlwind White

Milani One coat glitter in Red Sparkle

Sally Hansen Color Quick in Green Chrome

Sinful Colors in San Francisco

Sally Hansen Color Quick in Green Chrome

Milani One coat glitter in Red Sparkle

Revlon in Gold Coin

Revlon in Gold Coin

Sally Hansen in Whirlwind White

Pure Ice in Silver Mercedes

There are so many other options for this design. Using different colors or a different pattern. Adding bows and decals. Limitless I say! 

Until next time ^_^

Sinful Colors Holiday Edition- Swatches and Nail Art

I have for you today the Sinful Colors Holiday 2011- WISH collection. 

As far as I am aware, all of these are part of the core collection and so are readily available to almost everyone!

SinfulColors Holiday Nail Wheel

Here are the polishes Ill be showing:

Picture from SinfulColors news release

3 coats

Out of this World- A cool silver loaded with shimmer. This one is a little bit on the sheer side... It's great layered over almost anything. Keep reading and Ill show some examples :)

2 Coats

Midnight Blue- A nice bright navy with metallic finish

2 Coats

Sugar Sugar- Shimmery bright red. A  little streaky on the first coat but beautiful on the second

3 Coats

Daddy's Girl- A violet jelly with a lot of shimmers and micro glitter. It takes a little work to get it opaque but this color is amazing and totally worth it!

2 Coats

Last Chance- A very opaque dark green creme. Perfect for nail art but, compared to all the other holiday colors, a little lacking in oomph.

2 Coats each

Fashionista- A simple silver glitter liner. Reminds me a lot of the quality of ArtDeco stripers: Not the greatest but does the job. It's great for half-moon or french manis!

Flower Girl- a warm metallic gold liner. This shade is much better, it's opaque after one stroke, something I favor strongly in stripers.

*********************************

Since these are from the holiday collection, I thought I could show a holiday/winter nail art you can achieve using only these polishes and a basic white creme.

1- (present/gift) Last Chance striped with Flower Girl

2- (snowy french) Midnight blue tipped with Out of this World and Fashionista and outlined with Sugar Sugar

3- (purple stripes) Daddy's Girl striped with Out of this World and Fashionista

4- (Christmas tree) Sugar Sugar with Last Chance tree and Flower Girl star

1- (mistletoe) Out of this World layered over white, stamped with Last Chance and dotted with Sugar Sugar

2- (holiday half moon) Last Chance with Sugar Sugar half moon outlined in Flower Girl

3- (Christmas lights) Midnight blue with Last Chance cord and Flower Girl, Sugar Sugar, and Out of this World lights

4- (wreath)- Sugar Sugar with Last Chance wreath accented with Flower girl and Sugar Sugar

1- (snow drift) Midnight Blue with Out of this World sponged and dotted snow and Fashionista accent

2- (tree ornaments) Last Chance with Flower Girl, Sugar Sugar, and Midnight Blue ornaments

3- (snowflakes) Daddy's Girl stamped with white (purple pigments bled into it...)

4- (candy cane) Sugar Sugar striped with white (red bled too!) and Fashionista

There you have it! You dont need expensive polish to make pretty nail art. SinfulColors retail for about $1.99 and are available at Walgreens (online and in store) and  Cherry Culture as well as many other retailers.

Until next time ^_^

*these were sent to me for review*

Classy Stripes

Black and white stripes are amazing. I wear them all the time. Black and white in general is usually a win.

Here is my stripey black and white mani!

Sally Hansen in White out

NYX in Black

Sally Hansen in Celeb City

Stripe Rite in White

Art Deco in Black and in Silver

So classes are out for winter break! woooo! which means I will have more time to do  my nails and upload what Ive got :)

Until next time ^_^

Purple Mani

I have a lot of purple nail polish. Mostly because I like purple so much :)
So I got out all of my purple shades and glitters and made a purple mani!

These pics are from the day after I did it so some colors (Chameleon for example) started to chip. Also after I broke my index nail changing the trash in the Rat-Cave
 :(

from left to right

China Glaze in Agent Lavender with Jesse's Girl in Confetti

Color Club in Pucci-Licious with Stripe Rite in White

Hard Candy in Beetle layered over black

OPI suede in Lincoln Park After Dark with BM10

Sally Hansen in Lively Lilac with BM19

...

China Glaze in Agent lavender with LA Colors in neon purple

LA Splash in Sparkling Fushia

Color Club Pucci-Licious with BM20

Chameleon in Calypso

LA Colors in neon purple

I ended up covering my right hand thumb in OPI Sparkle-Icious....

Until next time ^_^

Dot Dot Dot

Hello again!
Break is over so it is back to school for me. Only a 12 days left however! hooray! This also means that I am swamped with papers, finals, and presentations... As well as trying  up to finish my research but it is very difficult when the Skinner box malfunctions  >_<

On to the nails!

I was dying to try out my first Sparitual polish. That is the most amazing smelling nail polish I have ever come across. It's not suffocatingly overwhelming like most other brands :)

Free spirit is not an exciting color (its the creamy beige accent fingers) but I was in desperate need of an off-white polish and someone was willing to trade for it on MUA.
I quite love this polish though. It is a little on the sheer side but it dried quickly and the smell made it pleasant.
Overall nice experience with this brand :)

I felt it was a little plain so I added some layered dots on the rest (and stripes)

Sparitual in Free Spirit

China glaze in For Audrey

China Glaze in Solar Power

Petites color fever in Figi

Sally Hansen in Lively Lilac

Tadah!

Went to the State Museum earlier this month and they had one of those nifty static lightning balls and I couldnt resist!

Until next time ^_^