Tye-Dye Stamping

At least that's what I'm calling it.  I haven't seen this technique too much through the other nail blogs, but I have seen it.  Basically I couldn't decide what color to use so I used them all.  (:

This was my first attempt.  I think the tye dye effect came out just the way I wanted it to but the stamping didn't quite work for me.  I'm not the best stamper in the first place.  I used a bright green, neon orange, and blue polish over a baby pink.  I really loved how all the colors worked together but again, the stamping job is so sad.

So my second attempt came out much better BUT the tye dye effect didn't quite work.  However I did get tons of compliments today so it can't be all bad right?  Once I was finished and happy with how it all came out, I used a matte top coat to make the color really pop and it did.

WHAT I USED:
China Glaze White on White - white
popBeauty Loud Lime - green
Color Club Lava Lamp - orange
Ulta Blue Streak - blue
Hard Candy Matte-ly In Love
Bundle Monster plate bm-214

I hope you all love it as much as I do.  I'll definitely be doing this technique in the very near future until I get it perfect.  You may have also noticed that I changed my watermark this time around.  I'll be playing with it a little more until I get it just the way I want it so don't be surprised if it's different tomorrow.  lol

Rainbow Gradient?! Yes, Please!

Yes you read it right!  I have a full on rainbow on my nails tonight.  I have been wanting to do a vertical gradient for awhile but I didn't just want to do the same colors on each nail so I decided to use them all.  I mean, why not?!  Rainbows are fun!

Here it is!  It's super bright and I love it.  I think it's so fun and quirky...like me!  I don't really think I need to explain how I did it seeing as how almost everyone knows how to create a gradient by now.  I didn't do the sponge method though.  I just did it using the polish brushes.

As you can see some of the colors didn't blend as well as I had hoped like neon green and teal blue on my middle finger, but whatever!  You can't tell me that it looks bad.  lol  I did this entire mani over a white base if you were wondering how they all got so bright.  I had too since three of them are jellies.

Are you ready for the list of polishes I used?  It's long.  There are ten of them.  The reason for there being ten is that I used all these same polishes on my toes (which you will see below so if you don't like feet then don't read any further than the polish list) for an ombrè pedicure. 

WHAT I USED:
Orly Oh Cabana Boy - pink
popBeauty Ablaze - neon orange
OPI Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? - orange
Spoiled Did I Dye It Too Blonde? - yellow
China Glaze I'm With the Lifeguard - lighter neon green
China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada - darker neon green
butterLONDON Slapper - teal
China Glaze Blue Sparrow - blue
China Glaze Creative Fantasy - darker purple
China Glaze Señorita Bonita  - lighter purple

Next is my pedi pic...look away if you aren't a foot person (who really is a foot person though).  I promise they aren't bad.  (:

Thanks for checking in tonight.  I had so much fun doing this mani and you better believe I'm going to stamp over this.  lol

Crumpet's Nail Tarts Present The Tri-Polish Challenge

It feels like forever since last Thursday when I posted my last challenge mani.  I had such a terrible morning that ruined my whole day that I wasn't sure I even wanted to do my nails, but I worked up the energy to make it happen and man did it happen.

See what I mean?!  I went all out I think.  I started with a base of Zoya Kimber and then added dots of popBeauty Ablaze and Zoya Zuza.  Over Zuza, I added tiny gold studs from my new essence Nail Decoration Kit.

For my water marble nail, I started with a base of popBeauty Ablaze and then tried to create a flower petal design.  Aaaaannndd that's about it.  (:

Since pink is my least favorite color, I have to say this isn't my favorite mani on me.  I think it's really cute, but maybe on someone else.  lol  Oh and I did use my new essence Gel-Look topcoat and I love it.  You should all go pick up a bottle if you can.  It was only $3.49.

Crumpet's Nail Tarts Present The April Tri-Polish Challenge

Here we are at day 2 of the Tri-Polish Challenge.  Just to recap, the colors for the month are pink, orange, and turquoise so I'm using Zoya Kimber for pink, popBeauty Ablaze for orange, and Zoya Zuza for turquoise.

I started with 2 coats of Ablaze and then I sponged Zuza and Kimber in random places on each nail.  That effect was pretty cool, but I couldnt' just leave it at that.

Then I used Bundle Monster plate BM-201 and Kleancolor Metallic Black for the stamp.  It's not awesome, but whatevs.  I also thought my nails were completely dry before I stamped, but they weren't so I got some smooshing and cracking.  I think it looks kinda cool though.

I still can't get over my first Tri-Polish mani on Tuesday, but this one is still cool.  The colors just work so well together.  Great job on that Crumpet!  (:

Crumpet's Nail Tarts Present The April Tri-Polish Challenge

So here we are again for the Tri-Polish Challenge hosted by The Crumpet.  I'm gonna be honest.  I almost forgot about the challenge.  I didn't even realize it was the 3rd week of April already.  Gosh!  How time flies!

The colors for April are pink, orange, and turquoise.  I chose Zoya Kimber (pink), popBeauty Ablaze (orange), and Zoya Zuza (turquoise).  I'm totally loving my color combo so I can't wait to get the rest of these manis done.

This is my favorite mani I've done in a long time.  I usually get really excited about my gradients...when they come out good anyway.  This one came out amazing.

First I did the gradient on all my nails and then used some striping tape to create a lazer effect or I guess more of a starburst.  Then I used a thick coat of Zuza to try and cover the gradient.  You can still see some bald spots, but whatever.  I also didn't want to cover it up completely so I thought a cross print would be fun on my middle and pointer fingers.

I really love the contrast of the colors and how the crosses seem to jump off the nail.  Super cool!  Now I can't wait to brainstorm my next Tri-Polish mani for Thursday.

Pinterest Week Day 4

So today is not my favorite day because my recreation of the chosen mani is terrible.  I thought it would be easier, but it wasn't.  It didn't help that I was sleepy and rushing a little.  I know better than to start my mani at 8pm when bedtime for me 9pm.  I'm 27 but like an old person.  I love to get in the bed early, watch my shows, and then just drift to sleep.  Not stay up doing nails.  lol

Day 4: Dressed Up Nails
MY PIN HERE
ORIGINAL POST HERE

I'm not going to go into too much detail about the mani, but I'll just give you a quick rundown.  Whitney from Dressed Up Nails used this design for the Geometric Challenge on triangle day.  She incorporated the triangles over the glitter on the middle finger and thumb.

Like I said I thought this would be easier to recreate, but I was a little shaky so my lines are not straight and they came out very thick as opposed to Whitney's thinner, cleaner lines.  I'm still trying to get the hang of nail art brushes and freehanding designs.

WHAT I USED:
Color Club Blushing Rose - pink
Orly Snowcone - blue
pop Gold Glitz

This is the original manicure by Whitney of Dressed Up Nails.  Hers is much better than mine.  (:

My Halloween Challenge Day 4 - Happy Birthday to Me!

That's right!  Today is my birthday and I am 27.   I'm starting to really feel that old feeling everyday that I get out of bed.  It's alright though because my own family, who I saw this weekend for the first time in about 10 or 15 years, thought I was 19.  People tell me I look really young so awesome.

So I'm just gonna jump right into it and show you my very first sugar spun mani.   I know I didn't get it right, but I still think it looks really cool because it reminds me of cake icing. lol doesn't it?! 

WHAT I USED:
Zoya Zuza - 2 coats for base
Spoiled Did I Dye It Too Blonde? - neon yellow
popBeauty - neon pink
OPI - sheer grey

So like I said, even though it's not perfect, I really love it. Oh and I'll probably never do it again. lol It's just such a mess and my polish wasn't really getting that stringy effect as much as I thought it would.  Maybe it's the one's I used.  Meh, who knows?
D

My Halloween Challenge Day 2 - Sugar Coma

Yeah!  We made it day 2 which I have had planned since I created this thing.

My favorite candy is pretty much anything sour, but I chose Sour Skittles as my inspiration.

WHAT I USED:

pinky: CG Papaya Punch with Sinful Suede Shoes

ring: Zoya Pippa with Sinful Suede Shoes

middle: CG Sour Apple

pointer: Color Club Lavendarling with pop Aquatic Glitz

thumb: OPI Big Apple Red with Sinful Pinky Glitter

I hope you all like it, because eventhough it was super simple, this is one of my fave manis I've done.  Oh the white S was done with a nail art pen in case you wanted to know.

D

Comparison - Zoya Charisma/popBeauty Violetta

Ok so this doesn't need much explanation.  I had mentioned in my last post that these two were very similar but not dupes.  Here is the proof!

Zoya Charisma - 2 coats

Sorry about the VNL. ):  You can't tell with the naked eye.

popBeauty Violetta

Sorry about the bad lighting.  I just can't win today.

And now to compare the two...

pinky and middle: Violetta; ring and pointer: Charisma

pointer and ring: Charisma; middle and pinky: Violetta

Clearly I don't need more proof than that.  With Violetta I used 2 coats and Charisma is greedy with 3 coats.  I'm not sure which I like better.  Charisma is such a gorgeous color and is a true neon fuchsia while Violetta has a fantastic formula and needed less coats.  Which to choose.

Oh yeah and no comments on my tip wear and dents and scratches on Violetta.  I wore it for a whole day before I did the comparison.  (:  So which one do you all like best?

D

popBeauty Violetta

Aren't these AMAZING?!

Ablaze, Flamingo Hollar, Violetta, Aquatic Glitz

I have been waiting for these 4 polishes since I started my new job.  Yes I could have bought them online and paid a million dollars.  Yes I could have bought them at Ulta for 10 bucks a bottle.  But no!  I bought all 4 of them at my new job for $16.  They came paired together (orange and pink, purple and glitter) retailing for $9.98 and then of course I got my discount.  They are super gorgeous and now they are mine.  Since it is such a bright, sunny day, I thought I would start with Violetta since she looks so damn good in the sun.

Violetta is a neon fuchsia that looks dangerously similar to my new Zoya Charisma.  I can tell you that they are not the same color.  However the difference is so slight they might as well be.  I will post a comparison for you all later.  I used 2 coats for this and the best part about these popBeauty neons...they don't dry completely matte.  I love the formula on these too.  If you don't have any pop polish, get some.  It's worth the price and Ulta does a BOGO free on them sometimes.

Now I have to get out of here.  I'm having dinner with my bestie and some margaritas for Cinco de Mayo.  Please be safe tonight and have a great weekend.

D

Girly Girl Challenge Day 5 - Gotta Love Chick Flicks!

I sure do and so I was really excited to get this one started.  I'd had this planned since we all started this challenge. lol!

Day 5 is Gotta Love Chick Flicks! - We just CAN'T resist!  Wear a mani inspired by your favorite chick flick.  Mine is and will forever be Confessions of a Shopaholic!

 

The main thing I wanted to use for inspiration was her outfits throughout the film, and if you haven't seen this yet, YOU NEED TO!  But even better are the books.  They will make you laugh out loud.  It can be really embarrassing.  The whole series is fantastic and I wish they were all movies too.  Anyway, here is my crazy mani.

My pinky is terrible but inspired by the outfit Rebecca wore on the Morning Coffee Show.  My ring finger is based on the iconic "psyche defining" green scarf and the gold mannequin that convinces her to buy it.  My middle finger is horrible, but anyway, it's a take on her interview outfit at Successful Saving in which she wore a plaid cape.  And lastly my pointer finger is the jacket she wore to the magazine ball.  The real one had pink in it but I made mine green.  I hope this made some sort of sense.  I mean, if you've seen it you know.

WHAT I USED:

CG Senorita Bonita

CG Flip Flop Fantasy

Zoya Loredana

Zoya Mitzi

pop Gold Glitz

Julep Oscar

Color Club Metamorphosis

Don't forget to check out the other great bloggers that are participating in the challenge!

Lindsey of Neverland Nail Blog

Ashley of Follow the Yellow Polish Road

Stephanie of A Little Polish
Kelly of Devilish Polish

Jodi of Captivating Claws

Elly of Polishable

Olivia of Unprofessional Nails

Kate of This Charming Kate

Bethany of A Plethora of Nails

Lizzy of The Do It Yourself Lady

Eugenia of Talon-ted

Johanna of Neues vom Kellerkind

Amanda of Nox Nails

Ashley of Smashley Sparkles

Sarah of See Sarah Swatch

Emily of The Lacquerologist

Jess of LuvMyLacquer

Tressa of O' Natur Nail

ChiChi of It's Just Me...ChiChi

CR of Color Me Silly

Amanda of Berry Polished

Robin, Erin, and Amanda of Polished Cousins

Now I have like 800 tags on this one post.  lol but I like to make sure I have them completely categorized.

Enjoy!
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.

popBeauty Ultraviolet w/ a Sugar Coat

Hello Lovelies!

Today I have for you something amazing.  Something that will blow you away.  Something that really reminds me of unicorn puke...er.  :\  On my last trip to Ulta I picked up quite a few popBeauty colors.  If you remember, the Turquoise was the first and today I'm going to show you Ultraviolet.  Below you will see two coats of the pop and one of Kleancolor's Sugar Coat.

Sugar Coat contains lots of iridescent micro-glitter with chunks of hexagonal glitter in a clear base.

Alright now.  As you can see I'm completely in love with this manicure and these polishes.  My friend Robin brought me a ton of different Kleancolor glitters.  I'll have to swatch them all for you guys soon.

Have a wonderful, colorful day!

popBeauty Turquoise

Hey all!

It feels like it's been forever since I've posted anything, but the past couple of weeks have been hectic.  Now I finally have a minute to show you an amazing color that I picked up last week.  It is so creatively named "turquoise" by popBeauty which you can find at their website, apparently at CVS (huh?), or you can be like me and pick up some bottles at Ulta for $10 a pop...lol!  Get it?  A pop!  Anyway...

[DISCLAIMER: excuse my messy and injured cuticles and fingers.]
This is three coats in direct sunlight.

A nice little shady pic.

I love how it came out exactly the way it looks in the bottle.

This is on my left hand to show you what two coats looks like.

So my first impression of pop polish?...I couldn't wait to get my hands on a bottle.  The finish of this color is similar to the Orly Plastix collection but with a little bit of jelly.  I am so happy that I bought it and three others.

So tell me?  Have you purchased any pop polishes?  If so, what's your opinion?