Sally Hansen Purple Alloy

I'm sure by now you've all heard about and maybe even seen the new displays of Sally Hansen Color Foils.  If you haven't picked any up yet, you nee to!  I was pretty sure they would be awesome but just in case they weren't I only bought one to start.  I absolutely LOVE it and need to go back and get a couple of other colors.  But just to start, here is a gorgeous purple foil.

Sally Hansen Purple Alloy is a pink-toned purple with a foil or chrome finish that applied like a dream.  It only took one coat (yes I said one coat) to get perfect coverage.  It's really difficult to capture the exact color on camera but the second photo is definitely the closest.  It's almost spot on.  The others are showing it a little darker but think of it more of a lavender foil.  Bottom line...it's gorgeous!  The photos above are shown using a layer of OPI Lay Down That Base and then Purple Alloy over and that only made it better than when I first tried it, but if you don't have the OPI base coat, don't fret.  It still looks amazing without it and you will hardly see any brushstrokes.  Just be sure to buff your nails smooth before application so that you don't see any ridges or snags.  I didn't use a top coat so I don't know how they react or how it might change the effect, if at all.  And because I didn't use a TC, the polish already started to wear on the tips and all I did was go out to eat.  If I actually wore this polish to work (which I will anyway), it would be completely chipped off in a hour, but I still love the effect and the ease of application and the color is to die for.  I can't wait to go back to Target tomorrow and pick up the green and teal ones and maybe a pink and the darker purple.  I don't know which yet, but I do know that I will be getting more for sure.  Have a great night/day (depending on if you slept yet).  I'm gonna hit the hay!

OPI Push and Shove

Good day all!

First I want to say congratulations to the five winners of my 500 Likes Giveaway.  They have all responded and claimed their prize which you can see right NOW!

This is the amazing OPI Push and Shove from the Gwen Stefani collection.  This is just two coats over the special base coat called Lay Down That Base.  I guess the point of it is to take the streaks away and make it look like chrome which it does.  Don't you agree?  The only tip I have is to make sure you clean, file, and buff your nails really well because this polish shows everything.  The first time I used it I had a small split in my nail and a cat hair but didn't realize until this dried.  lol

I do really love this effect (if you can call it that) so I really want OPI to make a full size bottle of the base coat and more colors of the chrome polish.  It could be the new texture.  Hmmm?  Who's with me?!

Circle Gradient Tutorial

So I had a really great response to the Metallic Circle Gradient mani I did a few days ago and I was asked to do a tutorial for it.  I was hesitant at first because I've never done one, but after a few video fails I decided to go with a photo tutorial.  Feel free to share the photo on Pinterest or Facebook, wherever you want.  I did it all for you!  ♥

The reason I call it a circle gradient is because when the three primary colors I used blend together, it looks like a color wheel in my opinion.  If you look closely, or if you try this yourself, you will be able to see the secondary colors (green, purple, and orange) show up and even more so after a nice top coat.  Let's get started!

STEP 1:
Choose a yellow.  I chose Kleancolor Metallic Yellow.
STEP 2:
Choose a pink (or red if you like).  I chose Kleancolor Metallic Pink.
STEP 3:
Choose a blue.  I chose Kleancolor Metallic Jungle.
STEP 4:
Grab a triangle sponge.  You may want to cut it in half so you don't waste the whole thing.
STEP 5:
Grab some tape to make clean up a breeze.  You can use any tape you like but I like clear Scotch tape.
STEP 6:
Prep your nail with one coat of your yellow polish.  You can sponge over your bare nail, but the yellow makes the colors really pop and you can use less product.
STEP 7:
Use your tape to cover the exposed skin around your nail.  This will keep the polish off your skin.
STEP 8:
Paint all three colors, slightly overlapping, onto the sponge.  You can put them in any order you like.  A little trick I use is to lightly dampen the sponge before adding the polish.  Since it's already wet it won't soak up as much polish thus saving you product.
STEP 9:
Dab the sponge on your dry nail and push down gently to help the colors blend better.  Repeat steps 8 and 9 until you are happy with the color saturation.
STEP 10: (not shown)
While the polish still a little wet, apply your top coat and then carefully remove the tape.  If any polish did seep through and get on your skin, clean it up with a cotton swab or clean up brush and some acetone.  And there you have it.  Your very own color wheel at your fingertips...literally.  At this point you can add some glitter or stamp a pretty design over it or you can just leave it as is.  I think it will be gorgeous anyway.  (:

I hope this was super helpful and that you all enjoy recreating this mani.  If you do attempt this design, I'd love for you to share it on my Facebook page or tag me on Instagram.  Have fun!

Kleancolor Metallics Circle Gradient

My original intention for today was to use my Kleancolor Techno High metallic minis for stamping because they are known for being amazing stamping polishes, but then I decided to do something even better.  A "circle gradient".

I didn't really know what else to call it but since I applied them on the sponge in a circle pattern, that's what it became.  Like I said all of the colors are Kleancolor.  I started with a base color of Metallic Yellow and let that dry.  Then on the applied Metallic Yellow, Metallic Pink, and Metallic Jungle (teal) on the sponge and then I went to town.  I rotated the sponge to have each nail a little different.  I really love how these colors worked together.  If you look closely you can see where the secondary colors are coming through a bit.  Maybe if I had smooshed the sponge down a little more, I would have made a more prominent rainbow.

As if that weren't enough I just HAD to add some glitter.  I used Girly Bits Jini Goes Indie just for fun.

So what do you think?  Is this a super fun mani?  It sure does look like I'm prepping for Spring. (:

Metallic Matte Ruffian

So I saw this mani on Pinterest and unfortunately I can't find the original pin (because I was lame and forgot to pin it) but I saw it and loved it!  You also get a little sneak peek of the polish you can win in my giveaway.  You can find more info on that if you click through the photo in the upper right hand corner of my blog.

I started with a base of OPI Lay Down That Base because I don't think the effect will work if you don't.  Next I applied one coat of OPI Push and Shove which is the silver foil you see peeking out from under the black.  After that was dry I carefully made the ruffian design using Zoya Dovima.  Then I applied a second coat when the first was dry.  I didn't use a top coat because I didn't want to ruin the matte effect so of course this mani lasted only a day.  I still loved it though.  I just hate how my middle finger looks...short and fat.  Wah!  lol

So what do you all think?  Is this your kind of mani?  Oh and aren't you super excited that you entered to win a bottle of OPI Push and Shove (because I know you clicked the photo and went to the giveaway page, right?)  ;)

Kiss Gel Dress Sugar & Spice

Good Evening.

I hope everyone is staying warm and dry with all this crazy weather right now.  I know when I left for work at 7am this morning it was about 37 degrees and then later on it started raining and sleeting.  Everything was freezing over.  It was cool because I didn't have to drive in it.  I just hope those that did made it home safely.

Now onto the fun stuff.  I was at Walgreen's this past weekend and I found these Kiss nail strips that are different than their normal ones.  They are made of a gel polish solution which means they are supposed to last longer.  Also if you have an LED lamp for gel manicures (I do not) you can cure them to last longer.  I just have to do the regular application.

This is what they look like outside of the package.  It not only comes with all of the full size nail strips but also french tips.  That's part of the reason why I bought them.  I thought that was really cool to add that.  The other reason is the floral print.  I can't stay away from floral anything.  I just love it.

So usually when I use nail strips I only do accent nails and not full manicures with them which it what I did here.  I used three coats of Sephora by OPI Mermaid to Order on my pinky, pointer, and thumb.  On my middle and ring fingers I used the Kiss Gel Dress strips.  I didn't apply any base coat.  I just made sure my nails were well prepped by wiping them down with Zoya Remove+ and then I applied them like you would any other.  I wanted to try out the french tips but I think I'll save those for another mani.

So far these have stayed on all day without peeling up on the edges.  I did apply a top coat to them so I'm guessing that's helping a bit, but the package says they last up to a week without using the LED lamp so I guess I will keep you all updated on how they wear.  I might not do a full post on it, but I can add an update to this post and post it to my Facebook page as well.

Have a great night and keep warm!  ♥

UPDATE 1.29.14 : So these only ended up lasting one full day and then half a day.  Keep in mind I work in retail and I am constantly using my hands for typing, unpacking boxes, moving merchandise, etc. so the fact that they lasted a full day without lifting or peeling is great and then another half day.  Pretty good in my opinion.

Sinful Holiday Rebel

I know right now there are a lot of holiday manis popping up on blogs and some of them are pretty tame, but others are elaborate.  They are definitely amazing for someone like me that works in retail, but for those that can't go all crazy on their nails for work purposes or you just don't want to take the time to attempt the nail art, there are always less extensive manis.  I have one for you today.

From indie makers to dollar stores, you can find holiday glitters almost anywhere this time of year.  One of my favorites is Sinful Holiday Rebel.  It's a clear base with red and green glitters and even some holo glitters, but just a few.  I didn't realize until one reflected the light just right.  I used two coats over Zoya Trixie for a fun non-traditional holiday mani.

So what do you think?  Is something you think everyone could pull off?  Let me know in the comments below. (:

Laqa & Co. Chubs

**I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Wantable**

Today I have a new (to me) brand on the blog.  It's called Laqa & Co. and I received it in my Wantable Makeup Box.  You can see my review HERE in case you missed it.  I don't know much about Laqa & Co. except that they are a New York based cosmetics brand that promotes art as well as beauty.  They have quite a few great looking polishes and they also sell nail art pens and lip pencils.  I also forgot to include a photo of the box in came in (which I kept) but each polish has a different artist design on the box.  I thought that was really cool so you can see it on their site.

This polish is called Chubs and it's a shimmery, metallic gold that covered in two coats.  I really like this polish because it reminds of my favorite gold polish from Ulta called High Roller which I am almost out of.  However I don't think this polish is anything special.  I mean, yes, it's pretty but as far as it being different than anything else, it's not.  So for $11 a pop I think you're really paying for the art on the box.

There is one thing.  They have a Color of the Month Club.  For just $10/month you can get "the hottest color of the month, our nifty remover pads in an omg-hotness gold envelope".  So that's cool.  Right?  What do you think about this brand?  Did you see anything on the site that you loved?  Let me know in the comments below.  (:

31DC2013 - Metallic

Hey My Lovelies!

I am so tired today because I stayed up way too late last night so this will be a short post, however I was able to come up with a great metallic mani...at least I think I did.

So don't ask me why I decided to do metallic on metallic because I know it's difficult to see but the next photo is much better.

 There we go.  I used 3 coats of Zoya Loredana which is a silvery grey matte metallic polish.  Then I used Ulta High Roller for the gold art.  Can you tell what it is?  It's a key on my ring finger and a heart with a keyhole on my middle.  I thought it was cute.

I'm so sorry that I'm rushing through this but I really need a nap or a coffee...or both.  lol (:

Leopard Mani for International Nail Art Day!

How could you not love that color combination?  I am so tired I could just faceroll right now, but I wanted to put something pretty on my nails before bed.  I just chose the quickest mani I could think of that wasn't completely plain.

Well here it is!  I really like how this one turned out.  My boyfriend always says how my leopard manis look like camo print...I don't really get how that is, but that's what he says.  This is the first one he said looked like leopard.  lol He's a goof.  Anyway, I used one coat of Ulta High Roller for the gold base, then added random leopard spots using Zoya Phoebe, the blue, and Zoya Codie (which just so happens to by my boyfriend's name - but with a Y and not an IE) which is the dark brown.

Here is one photo of my hand slanted to take the metallic shine away.  Now you can really see the print without being severely blinded by the gold.  I totally didn't even realize today was International Nail Art Day so I'm happy I could bust something out in such a short time (I had to work today) and join in the fun.  (:

Happy INAD!!

Kleancolor Metallic Black

Here I am again with just another swatch, but it's a great one.  I got this so long ago and I've worn it a hundred times but never thought to take a picture of it.  What was I thinking?  I had asked a bunch of amazing ladies if they knew where I could find the perfect metallic black.  They threw out some suggestions but I never actually found one that I loved.  Then one day this shows up in my mailbox and low and behold...THE PERFECT METALLIC BLACK!

I needed only one coat of Kleancolor Metallic black for full opacity.  The formula is a bit thick but nothing I couldn't handle.  The brush is wide enough that I only needed a few strokes per nail.  

It has a gorgeous silver, metallic shine to it and it dries semi-matte.  Is that what they call it?  It's not super glossy.  There.  lol

The only issue I had with this polish (and most Kleancolors) is that the smell is soooooo strong.  I'm glad it's a one-coater because I don't think I could have handled it any longer.  

Color Club Wing Fling

For the longest time I wanted to add China Glaze 108 Degrees to my growing polish collection, but everytime I went to buy it I always went home with something else.  So when I went shopping recently at the beauty supplies, I saw Wing Fling and realized they are dupes.  I personally like Color Clubs better so this was perfect for me.

I only needed 2 coats for full opacity.  I love how smooth the formula was too.  That's why I love shimmers so much.  And I love this shimmer in particular because of that amazing blue flash that only shows up on the nail.  

Look at it!  It's so stunning!  (:

China Glaze Get Outta My Space

Ok so I wasn't really crazy about this collection or the last China Glaze Holographic collection either.  I just really love super strong holos and I find myself hunting for the effect on these.  HOWEVER, I have been dying for a purple holo and when I strolled into Sally's and saw the last bottle of Get Outta My Space sitting there, I grabbed it before any of the other 10 people could get their grubby hands on it.  By the way, that was the most people I've ever seen in a Sally's before...lol.

And 2 coats later here it is!  It is so gorgeous!  I love that it's a dusty lavender color rather than a bright purple, and I love the slight metallic effect as well.  I'm not going to say much else because I think the pictures speak for themselves.  Enjoy it! 

All of these photos were taken in my kitchen as usual and not outside.  I can never capture the holo effect with my camera when I'm outside.  IDK!

This was totally worth the money I spent on it.  I also chose to put back a fresh bottle of Seche Vite and Out the Door Northern Lights just to get this.