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 ^_^

Plaid Nails

On to week 4 of the Year of Polish challenge!

this time we are attempting plaid nails.
There are lots of different kinds of plaid out there, so there were a lot of different interpretation of this mani. I tried my hand at 2 different styles

Neon Plaid!

Sally Hansen in Whirlwind White

China Glaze in Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

China Glaze in Japanese Koi (Neon)

SinfulColors in Pink

LA Colors in Purple (from the Brights mini set)

I also wanted to try a more traditional plaid:

Sally Hansen in Ru-by or not to be

Naturistics in Quartz

Sally Hansen color quick in Gold Chrome

SinfulColors in Flower Girl

Don't forget to check our my Year of Polish challenge page to check out past manis as well as other bloggers who are undertaking this challenge!

What kind of plaid do you prefer? Traditional or modern?

Until next time ^_^

January Glam Bag

Hi everyone!

I just received my Glam bag a couple of days ago. They were having some issues with shipping so it came in kind of late. At least it is here!

The theme of this month's bag is "Back to Nature" so the Glam bag is filled with all natural products :)

To be honest, I wasn't as excited for this month's items. Not that they aren't great items, they're just not for me. I'll explain...

The item I was most excited about was the item by The Balm. Each bag either received an eyeshadow or a random bottle of polish. I was very lucky and not only ended up with a bottle of nail polish (as I had really hoped for) but I got one of the best colors available: Youre so Hot and Gold

 This is an awesome polish. It is made of gold and small holographic glitter. I swatched it on a nail wheel and it packs some serious shine. I can't wait to show you guys!

Next we have a duo concealer by sheer cover. This is a pretty coveted item in the beauty world. I've heard lots of great reviews about this brand but have yet to try it myself. However, I have already found my go to concealer (boi-ing by Benefit), so I wasn't super thrilled about this.

 Then we have a cleansing conditioner by Wen. This sounded really great! It's not a shampoo! and it's not a 2-in-1, though it kind of is. Sadly, however, I received the sweet almond mint scent, and since mint gives me a headache, I will have to pass on this. I would, however, love to try this product in some of the other scents!

 Lastly we have a full size bottle of Freeman's facial peel-off mask in cucumber. How great of a deal is this! it's so big it couldn't even fit in the Glam bag!

so here it is! the January Glam bag.
Though this month wasn't as great as December's, I'm expecting great things from February's! plus I got a totally awesome polish. I am totally in love with the idea of the glam bag and I am so glad I subscribed :)

Have you tried our My Glam yet?

Until next time ^_^

Mermaid tail

Earlier this month I decided to try out some of my new flaky polishes from Finger Paint as Essie

I started with a foil blue color by Orly and layered a few flakies over it.I think the final effect really looked like fish scales! 

Orly in Sweet Peacock

Finger Paints in Flecked

Essie in Shine of the Times

I have both Hidden Treasure and Shine of the Times but I much prefer SotT. It seems to have a better color change then HT... What's your favorite flakie?

Until next time ^_^

Color Block Mani

This is the week 3 mani of the Year of Polish Challenge

I didn't really have many ideas as to what I wanted to do with this one so I looked around the internet for inspiration and came across Everbella's nail art blog. She has a very cute color block mani that she posted in November and I thought I would try my hand at it. You can see her original design here. 

Since I wasn't going to wear this mani for very long (have to start on the next one!) I omitted the rhinestones. I also decided to go for some brighter colors because I am a fan of bright colored nails :)

Zoya in Ibiza

Joe in Iris

Joe in Crush

Sally Hansen in Lite

Sally Hansen in So Poppy

Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in Black

This is probably not my best work. I've been stressed all week about school and I think it shows with this one but oh well. The week is over now so hopefully things will get better!

Also, you can see a lot of tip wear but this is because of Seche Vite. The thicker the nail polish the more it likes to shrink! Even though this happens all the time, I don't think I will ever stop loving Seche Vite, it is just too amazing!

Don't forget to check my Year of Polish Page and visit other wonderful bloggers who are taking this challenge!

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 ^_^

Holo and Glitter Gradient

So I've decided to try out the new polish challenge. I wasn't prepared to do a new nail art a day like most of the previous challenges, so the Year of Polish challenge is perfect for me! It will also make me post more regularly which is something I really want to do. To learn more about the challenge, just go to the "Year of Polish" page which is located right under the "About Me" section.

The challenge started on the first of January, so I'm a little behind, but I will catch up soon!

Week 1 of the Year of Polish challenge-  "Make it Sparkle" Mani Holo glitter

So here it is, mani 1 of 52! I decided to do a gradient, 1- because it is easy and quick and 2- because you rarely see a gradient that uses holo polish

Unfortunately, it is dark and rainy here in Ohio... So I couldn't get you guys any sunshine pictures which means that my silver holo, doesn't really look holo. If the sun shines before I take this mani off, I will snap some quick pictures of it to show you how truly pretty it is (or you look at amused polish's post about it)

Left Hand!

blurry rainbow pic!

Right Hand

Avon Nailwear Pro in Gunmetal

topped with Winmax Alpha Rainbow in Silver

Avon Nailwear Pro in Luxe Lavender

topped with my own franken- Melacara

and Out the Door Northern lights

I've been doing a bit of frankening lately and I love it! I need to buy more empty bottles because that is the only think that is stopping me right now :)

 Heres's a better look at Melacara. It's a medium grayish purple shade with loads of glitter and a hint of holo.

I hope you enjoy this awesome challenge and if you decide to do it too, let me know and I can spread the word about your designs!

Until next time ^_^

It's Green and Gold and Swirly

Hi everyone, I hope the new year has started off well for all :)

During the holidays I wore Orly in Oui and when that started flaking off, I went and got a mani-pedi with my best friend, something we do twice a year. The American manicure I got was very pretty but like all polish does, the corners started peeling and so it was time for a new color

Here is a stamping mani using the only Chez-Delaney  plate I own (and I love it very much!)

OPI in Jade is the New Black

Sally Hansen Quick Color in Gold Chrome

Simple, yes?

The XL plate I have is a little hard to work with, mostly because the designs are so intricate, the stamping color doesn't always make it in every crevice every time. That makes it a little hard to get each nail to look the same, but I think it is so pretty that it doesn't really matter if they are all the same :)

Also! I just received my Finger Paints Special effects polishes as well as Essie's shine of the times which means flakies galore! I am very excited to try them out so you know what I'll be wearing next.

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*