NOTW: New Year's Glam

Hello!

Lacquer Lust A Toast to the Good Life looked like the perfect New Year's Eve polish to me, so I just upped the glam for this simple look.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I wore my swatch for a few days, then did a gradient with Essie Set in Stones and added just a touch of Milani Jewel FX Fuchsia for a pop of color. A coat of Gelous plus a coat of Seche Vite had this glass smooth and super shiny! Just in time for New Year's Eve.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Classy Christmas Skittle

Hello!

I'm excited to share these nails with you today! I absolutely love the burnished, rich colors.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote and then painted two coats of OPI Sleigh Ride for Two, the burgundy shimmer, and Zoya Hunter, the deep green creme. The gold glitter is Sinful Colors All About You, and the silver hex glitter is Essie Set In Stones. I stamped the various gold snowflakes with Orly Luxe from Bundle Monster plates, BM-323 and BM-H01, and then I added individual glitters picked out of Set in Stones. Two coats of topcoat followed that.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Nicely festive, yet not over the top.

More soon! ^_^

Copycat NOTW: Sweet and Cozy

Hello!

I wanted to share with you this sweet, cozy, wintry mani I've been wearing all this week. I was inspired by this pin.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with my base coats - Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. To that, I added two coats each of Sally Hansen Wet Cement, the light grey creme; Zoya London, the medium grey texture; and OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around, the greyed-out pink creme. Once dry, I embellished the look with delicate dots in Wet Cement and Konad Special Polish white over the Don't Bossa Nova Me Around on my middle finger, a snowman stamp from plate BM-318 over the Wet Cement on my pointer finger, one coat of OPI Muppets World Tour over the Wet Cement on my pinkie, and, finally, a clear rhinestone on my thumb. Everything but the textured polish got one coat of Seche Vite to finish.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I loved this look and got plenty of compliments on it.

More soon! ^_^

Copycat NOTW: Bat Swarm!

Why hello there!

Here's what I've been wearing this week! I was inspired by this pin.

Halloween Nail Art. 

I started with one coat of Duri Rejuvacote and one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. After that I used two coats of Color Club Fashion Addict sealed with one coat of Seche Vite. Once dry, I created a gradient with Color Club Fashion Addict and Wild at Heart. After another coat of Seche Vite, I used Konad Special Polish in Black to stamp my bat swarm from image plate, BM-H08. Everything was then topped with NYC In a New York Minute!

I've missed the blog -- if I can, I'll play some catch up with hauls and story-time this weekend. Life has been like a rollercoaster this past month leaving little time for nails. I'm a bit out of practice, so my right hand, pictured up there, turned out much better than my left. Even my nails have been in sorry condition lately, so I definitely need to refocus on moisturizing before we get back to swatches! Offda.

Hopefully, more soon! ^_^

NOTW: Luminous!

Hello!

This week's nails are a simple combination of OPI Don't Touch My Tutu and AEngland She Walks In Beauty. These were beyond gorgeous and full of light. I adored this look, and I definitely stared admiringly at my own hands quite often this week.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I feel like pictures don't do this justice - it looks very luminous and ethereal in person. I need to do swatches this weekend, but I don't want to take this polish off!

Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

I started with one coat each of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Then, I used three coats of OPI Don't Touch My Tutu. My middle finger, ring finger, and thumb each got one coat of AEngland She Walks In Beauty. I finished this off with one coat of Seche Vite.

More soon! ^_^

Copycat NOTW: Turquoise Stone Nails

Hello!

This week, I was smacked in the face by this awesomeness from the Nailasaurus, and I absolutely had to try it out!

I started withbase coat - Duri Rejuvacote plus Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Then, two coats of China Glaze For Audrey, one coat of Zoya Gilty, and one coat of Seche Vite. Once dry, I used this tutorial's method for the black marbling.

I had some trouble with this method. Frustratingly, when I tested this over a bare nail, it worked perfectly the first time. By the time I had the rest of the mani done and dry, something must've changed, and the rest of this did not go as smoothly. I couldn't get the polish to spread out in the water, and once I did (by switching to a cheaper, thinner black), then it wouldn't do anything when spritzed. I ended up settling on Sally Hansen Black Out for my polish and a sample perfume for my spritzer. My little nail polish corner got mighty smelly, and I'm not sure I ever want to smell that perfume again!

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Jamberry Inspired Skittle

Hello!

This week's look is centered around a Jamberry nail wrap. My sister roped me into trying some of these with her, and this one was a free sample.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I paired my wrap with two coats of China Glaze Re-fresh Mint topped with Seche Vite. I added some soft and subtle sparkle to my middle finger with OPI Pirouette My Whistle, and to pull the whole look together, I focused on the yellow of the flowers and added some small dots with Sinful Colors Unicorn.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Ready for Fall with Cozy Plaid!

Hello!

This week's mani was definitely ready for Fall! I used two coats of Powder Perfect Widow's Walk on my thumb, pointer, and pinkie. My middle and ring fingers got three coats of Sally Hansen Big Smoky topcoat before I stamped the plaid image from Konad plate m60 with Konad Special Polish in Black. I used one coat of Seche Vite over everything to complete my cozy look!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Even though temperatures this summer have been really quite nice and mild, I am definitely ready for fall and snow! I'm so glad to be back in Minnesota--here's to a proper winter! I've missed it!

More soon! ^_^

Copycat NOTW: Sherbert Rainbows!

Hello!

We're still playing a little bit of catch-up because this is what I wore a week ago! I saw Cris from Let Them Have Polish do a tutorial on this look, and I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I had to try it right away! Check out her tutorial -- it's awesome!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

So, I started with my two base coat combination of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. For my rainbows, I used all China Glaze: Flip Flop Fantasy, Sun Worshipper, Sun-kissed, Be More Pacific, Caribbean Blue, and Sweet Hook. They worked out so nicely together! Like in the tutorial, I topped my rainbows with more rainbows, INM Northern Lights!

Indoors, natural light, no flash.

This looked SO good on. It's a very impressive, but easy, bit of nail art, and random people kept saying how awesome it was. I don't know how many times I was asked to explain how I did it.

Good job, LTHP!! Thanks for the inspiration! More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Vintage Half-moons

Hello!

I have the last mani from the vault scheduled today. Finally!! This one was the direct result of my watching the Great Gatsby. 

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with one coat of Duri Rejuvacote and one coat of Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Once that was dry, I blocked off my half-moons with paper hole savers. I used one to two coats of OPI Got the Blues for Red before removing the hole savers. I topped everything off with one coat of Seche Vite for a super glossy look.

Classy!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Valentine's Day with Zoya

Hello again!

Today, I have yet another nail art post!! This one is what I wore for Valentine's Day! Soon we'll be caught up -- only one more old mani left!!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Keeping on with this week's inadvertent theme, I started with another polish from the Naturel Collection, this one is two coats of Zoya Rue over my base coat, plus Qtica Extending Topcoat. Once that was dry, I used Pure Ice Gossip to stamp various lovey-dovey images, sealing them with NYC In a New York Minute. My ring fingers got two coats of Zoya Miranda.

I had a really good few weeks back at the beginning of this year nail art wise. The stamping in the last three posts is probably the cleanest I've ever managed, and I thought all my looks were well put together. While I can't believe it took me this long to post them, it sort of worked out nicely because Zoya just released a second Naturel Collection.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Pretty in Pink

Hello!

Like yesterday, I'm dusting off this look to show you today. I wore this one the week after yesterday's pretty.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This delicate look started with Duri Rejuvacote, Sinful Colors Nail Hardener, two coats of Zoya Brigitte, and the Qtica Extending Topcoat. The stamps were added the next day to ensure the base color was dry, and I used Essie Nothing Else Metals. I added a pink rhinestone to my ring finger, and sealed everything with one coat of NYC In a New York Minute. It's another mani that I absolutely adored!

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Secret Garden

Hello!

I am fail blogger again! But I regret nothing, Azeroth needed me! I'm a hero, don't you know? ^_^

So, since I've been playing too much World of Warcraft and don't have any pictures edited for this week, let's go all the way back to January in Maryland when I wore this beautiful mani.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This started with my normal base coat combination. Then, I used two coats of Zoya Odette, which was then topcoated with Qtica Extending Topcoat. After a lot of dry time, I stamped the swirls with AEngland St. George. The glitter accents are the fabulous, Rainbow Honey Metalmark. Lastly, I used one coat of NYC In a New York Minute to seal everything in. I totally loved this look so much. I might have to revisit it!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

Bonus NOTW: Blush!

Hello!

Today's look is another one from a few month's ago. This one started with my usual base coat combination, and two coats of Orly Naked Canvas. To that I sponged on Rainbow Honey Sword Lily to create a soft gradient. I stamped the scroll work image from FUN #3 Stamping Plate with Konad Special Polish in Black over my gradient and sealed it with a quick coat of NYC In a New York Minute. Voila!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Aqua Skittles

Hello!

I have another old mani to show you today. This one is from the beginning of May, and I still absolutely love it!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started out with my usual base coat combination of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Then I put on two easy coats of China Glaze For Audrey. To my middle finger, I added one coat of Color Club Galactic Garden, from the Luminous Lacquer Collection. My ring finger got one coat of Emily de Molly Majestic Flight. Everything was then topped with Seche Vite. Perfection!

More soon! ^_^

Bonus NOTW: Red and Sparkly

Hello!

Here is yet another mani from a few months ago. It was one of those times when I was craving bright red nails. But I wanted to use one of my new polishes too, and the resulting combination isn't really the best...

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is my usual base coat combination (Duri + Sinful Colors Nail Hardener), and two coats of Zoya Sooki for the red polish. On my accent nails, I started with a coat of OPI Every Month is Oktoberfest and layered one coat each of Rainbow Honey The Bubbly and Rainbow Honey Dearly Beloved over my middle and ring finger nails, respectively. One coat of topcoat, and this was finished.

I'm not crazy about the bright red mixed with the darker polishes. I was expecting the burgundy of Every Month is Oktoberfest to play against the red a little better, but even so, I rocked this one for a few days.

More soon ! ^_^

NOTW: Strawberry Lazerbeams!

Hello!

Another nail of the week from March! This one finally saw a long held idea come to life!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I started with my usual "long-wear mani" base combination of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener. Then, I layered two coats of Revlon Pink Pineapple on my ring finger and topped that with Seche Vite. I used two coats of Zoya Kimber on all my other fingers, topped that with Seche Vite, and waited for my ringer fingers to dry completely. Once that happened, some striping tape, one coat of Kimber, some careful peeling off of the striping tape, and a final coat of Seche Vite went on to create this berry mani.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Simple but cute! Loved this -- it's a shame I let Kimber sit in a drawer so long. It's a beauty!

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Blustery Night

Hello!

I wore my combination of Nyx Algae and Aqua Glitter for a few days, then stamped this bushy image from Bundle Monster Plate BM-310 over it with Konad Special Polish Black. This mani reminds me of one of the rare, warm balmy nights when the moon is full and the breeze is tussling the branches about. The night feels alive, and it seems as if anything can happen...

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Orange Skittles

Hello! Happy Friday!

Finally, back to some nail art around here!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

For this mani, I started with two coats of Zoya Cole over my go-to base combination of Duri Rejuvacote and Sinful Colors Nail Hardener on all my fingers except my middle finger, which got OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. Once dry, I stamped various bubble and swirly designs over Cole with OPI Toucan Do It If You Try. My index finger got the dry brush, distressed technique. It was my first time trying it out, and I really liked the look. Everything then got a quick coat of NYC In a New York Minute to seal the deal.

No promises for next week, you guys. It's my town's annual festival this weekend, and our social calendar is full! There's a carnival in town, fireworks, car show, parade, live music, adult beverage garden.... not to forget Father's Day and my mister's birthday! I'm not sure if I will get any nail time in or not. I've got some back-logged nail art sitting here, so I'll post what I can!

More soon! ^_^

NOTW: Flashback to March - Square Experiment

Hello!

We're going to be playing catch-up around here for the next few weeks. These manis are from early March... when I wanted to do some awesome black french tips, but was disappointed with the following look.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

So... I squared them up and tried again!

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Much better, but I wasn't in love with the shape. They felt weird.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

But, I committed to one more look for, this time, for St. Patrick's Day before rounding them off again.

Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This was a combination of China Glaze Glittering Garland, Zoya Gilty, OPI Love.Angel.Music.Baby, China Glaze Agro, and Pure Ice I'll Behave.

Squares never again! Haha!

More soon!