Winter Wonderland

Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean that Winter is.  Judging by everyone's Facebook posts, I think the cold weather is here to stay for awhile.  I live in Texas so for me to see the thermometer hit 20 degrees is exciting.  So instead of dreading it, let's celebrate it.

OMG look at these!  This definitely goes on the list of my all-time favorite manis.  It's so simple and easy but super pretty.  I started with two coats of Color Club Hydrangea Kiss then added one coat of Nubar 2010.  If you don't have 2010 you need it.  It was the first flakie polish I ever owned and still my favorite by far.  I actually need a new bottle because I'm almost out after two years.  When that dried I applied one coat of Spoiled Jewelry Heist and topped it off with Sally Hansen Big Matte.  I don't know about you but I just love glitters with a matte top coat.  Oh who am I kidding?  I love everything with a matte top coat.  lol
So what do you think?  Are you a big matte fan?  And what's on your nails this cold Winter evening?

My First Jelly Sammy!

So pay no mind to the nasty cuticles and yellow residue from the previous polish.  I was just frustrated with nail art and my nails in general.  I thought doing a jelly sammy would be quick and easy and it would come out just gorgeous like everyone elses.  NOPE!

I don't really like it all, and I don't really know why.  I guess I wish I had bigger chunks of glitter.  I also like to see the glitter sparkle, and with this it doesn't.  Next time I will use a different jelly polish, for sure.

WHAT I USED:

OPI My Pointe Exactly - 2 coats

Love&Beauty Euphoria - gradient

OPI MPE again - 1 thin coat

IDK.  What do you all think?

D

OPI BLACK SPOTTED!!!

If you can't tell I'm excited by the title alone, then you must be blind.  I have been waiting for this baby since the day I first saw it.  I have a WONDERFUL friend who lives in France that offered to get it for me.  I ordered it from her some time at the end of June and she sent it out to me July 9th.  I JUST GOT IT TODAY.  It took forever (by no fault of hers I'm sure), but the important thing is that it's here and it's safe and sound in my Melmer.  Oh yeah and on my nails!!

I really hate that this photo is crappy, but I don't get home until 6 or 630 some nights, and then I have to make dinner and eat.  After that's all done and cleaned up, it's dark outside so I have to use my crap-tastic desk lamp from IKEA circa 1999-2000.  Also I am still very sick (terrible Summer cold) so this is the best I could do.  Oh yeah and work is killing my nails.  That was the only good thing about being unemployed was that I had some gorgeous nails IMO.  Oh and staying in my PJs all day wasn't bad either.  I do plan on swatching this again in the very near future so stay tuned.  I just had to post something (since I've been MIA) and I had to share it with you all.  It couldn't wait another day.

Check in tomorrow if you are wondering what base color I'm wearing.  It won't be a surprise because I'm sure you've seen it about a hundred times in the past month or so.  Can you guess what it is?  Leave your answers in the comments below.  I'm curious to see what y'all say.  Now I've got to drug myself and rest.

D

Zoya Manhattan Mixer Revisited

I told you all it was coming shortly, and all the talking about it made me want to do it right away.  I layered this one over Zoya Cynthia instead of black.  I thought the super dark teal was nice under the green base.  And of course, you get to see it shiny and matte.

 The glass flecks in MM are much different than those in Soho Punch.  SP has many different colors whereas MM just has bright green and scattered yellow flecks.  This WAS my favorite of the two, but seeing them next to one another (the other is still on my right hand), I'm really loving SP.

I really just love how fun and easy these polishes are.  They aren't filled with giant flakes that require searching for that perfect base color, but they aren't glitter that is a huge pain to get off even with the foil method.  They are just simply gorgeous, sheer glass flecked polishes that can be applied over almost any base color for a sparkle boost.  Now I just have to find the rest of the collection. (:


I hope the rest of your day is good.  I'm just gonna lounge in my pjs all day.
D

Layering with China Glaze

So here is the layering I promised you.  That's all. (:

I wish it was as fabulous in photos as it is in real life.

WHAT I USED:

Zoya Ibiza

China Glaze Atlantis

Finger Paints Motley

Enjoy!

D

Nicole by OPI Too Rich For You with L.A.Colors Treasure Island

This is such a late post, but work it kicking my ass.  I'm so tired.  *yawns* Ok so let's get on with what really matters: POLISH!  I swatched this one so long ago and basically forgot about it.  I've had it forever and I wear it all the time and I'll show you why.

Nicole by OPI Too Rich For You is one of my favorite polishes.  First of all, I love any polish that is "almost black".  IRL it doesn't look this colorful.  Second of all...well, I guess there isn't anything else.  It's just beautiful.  It is a sparkly, dark teal gem that really glows from within.  If I remember correctly, this was 3 coats, but it builds up nicely.  You may be able to get away with 2.

I also wanted to see a nice glitter over this so I layered on 2 coats of L.A.Colors Treasure Island.

This looks like a really great start to a Galaxy Mani.  Don't you think?  I've only done it once, but I may have to use these to do it again.  I Treasure Island at Dollar Tree just to see how good it was, but I didn't expect such a gorgeous color from the looks of the bottle.  The bottle looks like one solid color of glitter, but as you can see, there are at least two: turquoise and green.  There may even be some blue.

Ugh all that glitter makes me want to die!  I will for sure be using this again...and again, and again.  LOL!  So again, sorry this is late.  I have to post on my other blog now.  SO TIRED and then work at 9am! ):

D

OPI Pirouette My Whistle Again...But Better!

LOL!  This is just a quick post, but I had mentioned that I wanted to layer OPI PMW over OPI Sweet Memories.  So I did. (:

I just love Sweet Memories and PMW looks way better over this than OPI My Pointe Exactly.  Don't you think?

Enjoy!
D

China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada and China Glaze Sour Apple

Hey!!

I said I wanted it and now it's ALL MINE!  Oh and I thought In the Limelight was bright...not quite.  This is also the first of many green manis to come in the next few days.  I've been in a green mood again and I bought quite a few of them on my last shopping trip.  lol.

So I love the color and the formula, but as you can see I did get some dragging and bald spots.  I let each coat dry completely but it seemed like the more I added, the worse it got.  Eh whatev.  I guess if you have any suggestions, let me know.  Maybe when the formula thickens a little, it won't be so bad.

Since I wasn't completely happy with it, I just had to add some glitter, of course.  It's called Sour Apple and I just love how it looks in the bottle.  On the nail, it's even better, but in photos, it just wasn't showing properly.

Sour Apple has the same opalescent glitter as butterLONDON Tart With a Heart, but just in a green jelly base.  It's part of the Fun in the Sun collection from Summer 2011 (right?).  Once I put this on, I knew I had to have the rest of the collection too.  That will probably be my next goal when I have another spree with my girl Smashley Sparkles.  She found this one for me!

Have a super fun Saturday!
D

OPI Pirouette My Whistle

I know this one has been on a lot of blogs lately but it's one of my favorite polishes right now, so I'm gonna post my photos too.  *sticks tongue out*

I don't need to say much about it because I'm sure you've all read it before a hundred times.  I layered 2 coats over OPI My Pointe Exactly but I wish I had put it over my favorite OPI, Sweet Memories.  How gorgeous would that be?  I'm gonna do it and I'll put it up on my Facebook page for you all to see. 

Enjoy the beginning of your weekend and be safe.
D

butterLONDON Slapper Layering Frenzy

Hello! Hello!  And Happy March!


I'm really happy with this purchase so I must show you how pretty it is, then how I went crazy.

I hate how I couldn't get it to photograph correctly, but it definitely has more green in it.  It's a teal creme that is opaque in 2 coats and the photos are with no top coat.  It dries fairly shiny which is nice.


I just couldn't resist adding some glitter to this so I brushed on butterLONDON Tart With a Heart.

Ooh!  How pretty?!  Tart With a Heart is described by butterLONDON as a "pale pink parade of glitter [that] carries a dash of grey".  Ok it does look nude in the bottle, but if you get close, there is a pink base with gold micro glitter and larger iridescent glitter.


Maybe I'll even add shatter or crackle.  Who knows?
Thanks for reading and happy blogging!
D

Zoya Manhattan Mixer

Hello Friends!


This polish is one I got from the Zoya "Two Free Polish" sale.  I think I just like the fact that it isn't named after a girl.  Weird?  Anyway, I think it's a gorgeous polish.

Since the polish is great for layering, I wanted to show the different levels.
pinky - 1 coat
ring - 2 coats
middle - 3 coats
pointer - 2 coats over white  (I did white so the color would show correctly.)
MM is a sheer green with mini flakies from the Zoya Summer 2011 Glamsicles Collection.  The whole collection is fantastic in my eyes and I NEED them all.

I have a few polishes in mind that I'm going to layer with this.  I'll definitely post photos of them for you all.


Have a great day!
D

Romantic Valentine's Mani

Good Day Friends!


I really love this mani.  It's romantic and girly and super easy.

WHAT I USED:
Zoya Minka - 1 coat for base color
Ulta High Roller - sponged from cuticle to tip
Milani Jewel FX Gold - layered over High Roller
BM plate 09 w/ 
Jesse's Girl Cupcake Frosting - pinky
Love&Beauty Lavender - ring
Sinful Colors Soul Mate - middle
Jesse's Girl Fashion Friday - pointer


Without the stamps, it reminds me of champagne.  Maybe next time I can do a strawberry instead.
D

Sinful Colors Pinky Glitter on Crack

Stupid name!  Gorgeous glitter!  I don't understand why SC couldn't come up with a better name for such a pretty lady.  However that does not change the fact that I love it.  Pinky Glitter is great for layering, great for sponging, but I like to wear it on it's own.  And 3 coats later (no base color)...TA-DAAAA!

Since it is so pretty and such a girly glitter I like to "pop song" it out just a little more with China Glaze Crushed Candy.

I think it looks like I'm going to a baby shower, but whatev.  I think it's also really great for a non-traditional Valentine's mani.  Just throw a ♥ stamp or sticker on there, and you're good to go.


D

Sally Hansen Snappy Sprinkles

Just a quick post today of yesterday's mani with glitter.  So let me tell you a little anecdote.


I went to Ulta some time last year, around my birthday I think.  There was this beautiful bar glitter from Sally Hansen calling my name.  It was the last one.  However, I had already picked up at least 5 other polishes and some other cosmetics, and I had to narrow them down because, let's face it, I didn't need them all, and I sure couldn't afford them all.  I don't remember what I decided on, but I know that I put Snappy Sprinkles back and then regretted it as soon as I got home.


I've been to Ulta many times since then and had completely forgot about the glitter until yesterday.  There were so many polishes on clearance, so of course I had to check them out.  And as I was rifling through them all, there was that beautiful bar glitter from Sally Hansen calling my name again, but this time, half the price.  She is now sitting in my polish collection and is layered on my China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy.

Snappy Sprinkles is peach and mint bar glitter in a clear base.  The mint is just "sprinkled" in.  LOL.  Then to make it even more amazing, I added Essie Matte About You.

I'm not sure FFF is the best polish to convey the colors in the glitter, but I'm going to keep playing with it.

D

Finger Paints Twisted

Hey Guys!


So sorry I haven't been posting.  I had to work 4 overnights at work, and so I slept all day and all weekend.  Then yesterday I went to celebrate my mom's birthday.  Unfortunately she is no longer with us, but my best friend and I went to put flowers on her grave.  We had a pretty great day.  Sad but great and full of memories.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Now I have another polish from the Effects collection by Finger Paints.  TWISTED!

 I have to say, I think this is my favorite of the collection.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe I love that it's a rainbow or maybe I love that I layered it over Finger Paints Amethyst Atelier or IDK!  I just love it.

Finger Paints Flecked

Hello Lovelies!


This one I have been waiting for since I saw the press release a few months ago.  Actually all of the Finger Paints Effects are fabulous, but I wanted to start with this one because green and black are my favorite colors.


First I have swatches of all of the Effects on a nail wheel.

L to R:  Asylum, Flashy, Twisted, Motley, and Flecked

 I'm pretty sure those are in the correct order.  They are a little tough to tell in the bottle rather than on the nail.  By the way, they are all swatched on a navy base polish as well.


I don't know why I started from the opposite side.  Maybe it's because I'm left-handed and everyone says I'm always backwards.  No matter, like I said, green and black are my favorite colors, and that's what Flecked is.  It has a clear base with lots of flakies that turn from green to blue.

outside in sunlight

direct sunlight

inside

inside with flash

I know most of you probably have all of the Effects so I hope you liked this one as much as I do.  I got so many compliments on it too.  I will swatch the rest of them, but now all consecutively just so you guys know.


D

popBeauty Pink Glitz

Hey all you lovely ladies!


Today I have a pretty glitter for you.  It's popBeauty Pink Glitz that I layered over yesterday's manicure.  I thought they would be cute together.


Pink Glitz is a super sparkly pink and silver glitter with just a few red ones in there.  I feel like it's a perfect holiday polish.  Maybe even better for New Year's.

I'm not sure I like what I did here, but my middle and ring fingers are fully polished, and my pointer and pinky fingers are sponged on the tip.  I think it was a total fail, but at least you got to see this sparkly gem.

F21 Love & Beauty Polish

[WARNING: PIC HEAVY]

Hello Loves!

Sorry I've been gone a little while.  My boyfriend took pieces from my computer and put them into his so mine is out of commission for a while.  In the time it took him to dismantle my computer, I tried out this beautiful Love & Beauty polish from F21 called blue/green.  How creative!  No matter the name (or lack thereof) it is a gorgeous multi-chrome that looks blue, teal, and in the right light purple.  Check out this sparkly gem!

3 coats in sun

1 light coat over black in shade

     

pointer and ring fingers: 1 coat over black

middle and pinky fingers: 3 coats

in shade without sparkle

blurry for sparkle effect

in shade: love that smudged pinky. arg!

beautiful sparkly pic at dusk

In the 3rd and 4th pics, you can really see the purple come through.  So I have to say I'm pretty impressed with this polish considering how cheap it was.  If you like this look, you can pick up Love & Beauty polishes at Forever 21 for $2.80 a pop.  Not bad!

If you enjoyed this post, let me know!  Leave all your comments or questions below.  You can also email me at lacquerlover[at]hotmail[dot]com.