Water Color Striping

Hello lovelies!

For today's mani, I decied to try some watercolor striping in Fall-ish colors :)

 Colors Used: Daisy Nail Lacquer - White Diamond, Julep - Donna, Nic, Felicia and Parker

While this mani didn't turn out the way I necessarily wanted, I do kind of like the way it turned out (kind of)...

 I started with a white base.  Once that dried, I thinned out a dollop of polish with acetone and used a striping brush to apply my stripes.  Layering, thinning, overlapping... over and over and over again.  Haha that pretty much sums this one up ;)

Meh... still on the "kind of" fence...

Super short post, I know.  But simple is ok sometimes right?

Until next time!

Stef <3

Maybelline Bleached Neons Striping

Hello dearies!

How are we all fairing?  Today I have a quick post for you featuring some colors from the new and popular Maybelline Bleached Neons collection...

 Daisy Nail Lacquer - Diamond White, Maybelline - Day Glow Teal (blue), Coral Reef (orange-pink), Lime Accent (green) & Citrus Collide (pale yellow)

The Bleached Neons are pretty much exactly what they sound like.  Creme, bright polishes that seem a little faded in tone.  I did my striping over white because I find it easier to correct any mistakes in my lines that way. But unlike most neon polishes, these cremes don't need a white base.  the color pops on it's own :)

I tried making my stripes different widths just for the fun of it but I don't think it translated well.  I really love the colors in this collection, so overall I'm pleased with this look haha.

I have seen this collection being sold online for around $60 which is just insane.  I drove around to a few different drugstores searching for mine and got the full collection for less than $20 (I found them all at a Rite-Aid).  If you are desperately wanting these polishes I really recommend going on the hunt.  I like them a lot, but they are not worth $60 lol.

Until next time!

Stef <3

Mix 'n Match with Pipe Dream Polish!

Hello lovelies!

I have had absolutely no time to do my nails this past week so I'm pulling a mani out of the vault today.  This is a skittlette I did a few weeks ago when I was desperately in need of some bright, colorful cheeriness...

 Colors Used: Zoya - Robyn, Daisy Nail Lacquer - White Diamond, Love & Beauty - Strawberry, China Glaze - Celtic Sun, Pipe Dream Polish - Zappin' It To Ya

This mani is mostly based around this awesome glitter topper that I bought from April at Pipe Dream Polish.  It's called Zappin' It To Ya and it's a mix of neon pink, green, blue and yellow glitters of varying sizes.  I tried to find polishes in my collection that closely matched and I think I did a decent job haha. 

 I haven't done a striped accent nail in for-eh-ver; I forgot how much I like them!  I also decided to use a bow charm that I bought from Hex Nail Jewelry.  Overall I'm really pleased with this one :)

I'm dreaming of warmer days that involve a vacation from life and lots of polish... *sigh*...  Lol happy Wednesday!

Until next time!

Stef <3

* These product were purchased by me for review.  I received no payment or other compensation for the review of this product.  The opinions stated here are completely my own.  The contents of this review are based on my direct experience with this product.

I'm Lovin' Cobalt!

Hello, hello!

It's been over a week since my last post... yikes!  Life really has this annoying habit of getting in the way haha.  Anywhosy, I'm back and wanting to share with you my personal color of the year :)  I know that Pantone named "Radiant Orchid" as the It color for 2014, but for me this will be the year of Cobalt!

 (hand pose made famous by @mcpolish on IG :P)

Colors Used: Rimmel - Black Satin, Sinful Colors Nail Art - Time Off, Essie - Butler Please, Shimmer Polish - Alice

 Seriously tho, cobalt... gah!!  This nail art design was actually inspired by fellow blogger Polish Pals.

When I saw her do this mani back in January, I fell in love and stored it away for future nailspiration!

 

The majority of this mani was achieved using a nail art brush and a black striper.  For the glitter gradient I knew I had to use a Shimmer :)  These polishes are seriously so compacted with glittery goodness!  I used Alice, which is a mix of silver holos of different sizes.  I also found some stars floating around in the bottle which was a pleasant surprise! 

Yep, I'm loving everything about this mani!

I'm going to be a swatching fool this upcoming weekend so be expecting a swatch post on Sunday!  i also have some other goodies up my sleeve... stay tuned!

Until next time!

Stef <3

Watermelon Tribal

Good morning, dolls!

I have a quick post for you today.  This is a mani that I did a couple of weeks ago, because I was in the mood for something bright.  I know it's Fall and the season of dark colors but... it gets so booooring!  Lol I need color in my life!

 Colors Used: Nabi - Pastel Green, Color Club - Flamingo, Sinful Colors Nail Art - Time Off

There is no rhyme or reason to this one.  I just sort of grabbed polishes and painted this was my end result haha.  

I have to say my SC striper is my new favorite nail arting tool.  I've had it for years and only just now am I realizing how fabulous it is!  It's super pigmented and so easy to work with.  I don't know if they're still sold in stores but if you find it, snatch it up ;)

I started with 2 coats of Nabi's Pastel Green.  I am not familiar with this brand at all, but I saw it in a bowl of polishes at this clothing store I frequent and thought it looked so much like pics I've seen of Lime Crime's Pastelchio (a long time lemming).  The formula is ok but the color... I just can't get enough!

I then applied a large stripe of Flamingo using the bottles brush.  After that I just went to town with the black triper.  I used a small dotting tool for my dots.  It was all topped with Color Club Clear.

Watermelon goodness ;)

Alright loves I have to skidaddle!  I have a date with The Doctor and musn't be late :D

Until next time!

Stef <3

A Quick Fright!

Good evening, lovies!

This is going to be a very quick-and-to-the-point post because I'm a little tuckered out haha.  I hated the majority of the photos that I took of this mani so you only get one :P

This skittle mani is the first Halloween-ey design I did fir the season.  I was trying to get inspired (and I wanted to play with a new black glitter I picked up)...

Colors Used: Daisy Nail Lacquer - White Diamond, Love & Beauty - Orange,  Pure Ice - Private Show (Black Glitter), Urban Outfitters - Bandeau (Purple), Julep - Korbin (Green)

I really wanted to try out Private Show (which is a dupe of Butter London's The Black Knight... spitting image...) but I didn't want to wear glitter on all of my nails.  I try no to go that to myself because I HATE taking off glitter polishes.  Any whosy there's some tip-wear because I took this pick 3 days after having done my nails.  Whoops!

Well, that's all.  Imma go pass out now!  ZzzzzZzzzzzzZzzzzzz.....

Until next time!  

Stef <3

Blue... You've Stolen My Heart!

 Hiya lovelies!

I've got a quick post for you today.  It features a skittle mani that I did using my new fave polish color, blue :D

 Colors Used:  Sinful Colors- Midnight Blue, Orly - Dazzle, Sephora by OPI - Meet Me At The Disco, Kleancolor - Pastel teal, Sally Hansen - Laughie Taffy

You see, what had happened was... I needed an excuse to try out my newest SH Sugar Coat (Laughie Taffy).  I just love textured polishes and I'm trying my best to get one in each color of the rainbow lol.  Well, one thing led to another and I got a little carried away ;)  The cross-stitch is a new technique for me.  I haven't quite mastered it yet by I definitely plan to!  Haha...

Happy Monday!

I took time this weekend to just hang out with my hubby but I haven't forgotten about the Eiffel Tower tut.  I'll work on it tonight when I get home and have it up for you soon :)

Until next time!

Stef <3

Trending Now - Blue & Gold

Hey dolls!

Today's mani is a simple one.  I was debating on whether or not I should even share it.  But then I ran into 3 other girl's rocking similar mani's on Monday and I thought it was just too bizarre of a coincidence to pass up on lol...

 Colors Used: Kleancolor - Blueberry Drama, Julep - Felicity, Love & Beauty - Gold/Multi

Did I miss some sort of memo that stated blue and gold are in for the season??  Because it totally is!  I've been putting together blue and goldenrod outfits unintentionally for the past couple of weeks.  It's like my subconscious is tuned in to the trending gods or something (haha I kid).   I had 3 girls stop me at work on Monday and show me their blue/gold nails and I was blown away!

This is 2 coats of Blueberry Drama, with 3 coats of the gold glitter over Felicity on my ring finger.  I used my striping brush to freehand the stripes on my middle finger and then I top coated with Color Club Clear.  if you look closely you'll see how the blue bled thru the gold stripes.  I was not pleased...

I think blue polishes and I are going to be great friends this winter ;)

Until next time!

Stef <3

Joby Nail Art's Fight Against Breast Cancer

Hello, dolls!

Today I want share a mani I did in support of the fight against breast cancer.  When I sit back and think about the amount of people that I personally know who have fought (and in some case lost) the battle with cancer... it's mind blowing!  When I was approached by Joby Nail Art to participate in their Think Pink promotion, I immediately accepted :)

 Colors Used: Revlon - Temptress, Daisy Nail Lacquer - Ja-Make-Can-Me-Crazy (pink glitter) and White Diamond, China Glaze - Fairy Dust

Joby Nail Art makes/sells really awesome nail decals.  As most of you know... I loooove decals!  They are great if you want a beautiful look and are pressed for time.  Or if you feel like your nail art skills are struggling, slapping some decals on can spiffy up your mani.  This happens to me all the time! Especially when I'm tired...

These decals retail at $2.99 for a sheet of decals (about 40 stickers) and 100% of all proceeds from the sale of “Pink Ribbon” nail art decals will be donated to The Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation.  A really sweet gesture, in my opinion :)

I really like the way that these decals lay on the nail.  You know how with some decals, they can feel raised or bubbly?  Or sometimes they're difficult to place because they're not very flexible?  I had zero trouble with these.  I'm thinkin' Joby may be my new go to store for nail decals!

 Get some nail decals while contributing to the fight against Breast Cancer this year?  Why not?? :D You can shop Joby Nail Art’s website during the promotion period, 9/21-10/6/2013. 

  Be part of the cure. Join us in the fight! 

 (*donation applies to NA09-32 only during promotion period)

Until next time!

Stef <3

* This product was provided to me for review.  I received no payment or other compensation for the review of this product.  The opinions stated here are completely my own.  The contents of this review are based on my direct experience with this product. 

I Did It!!

Good morning, dolls!

Today's post is centered around a nail art tool that I have always struggled with... striping tape.

 Colors Used: Zoya - Morgan, Maybelline - Pretty In Polka, Rimmel - Black Satin

Striping tape been the bane of my nail experience for quite a long time.  I bought a whole pack of the stuff over a year ago and have never been able to manage the clean lines that they're supposed to create.  I'd utilized all of the tips and tricks that fellow blogger's have posted about, and yet no matter how hard I'd try it would end up a big ol' mess.  So I shoved the tapes in the back of my nail art drawer and gave up.  And then last week I read a post from Casey Lane Loves Polish where she talked about struggling with tape manis.  I was inspired to try again...

I started with my ring finger.  Once my base coat dried, I put down my 5 strips of tape and painted a thick coat of Black Satin.  I then very quickly removed the strips of tape and viola!  Clean-ish lines!  Haha :)  I then did 2 coats of Pretty in Polka (a newbie in my collection) on my middle finger and 2 coats of the lovely Morgan  on the rest of my nails.

While it's still not perfect, it's leaps and bounds better than how my tape manis used to be.  So I'm deeming this a nail success :D

Do any of you struggle with tape manis?  Have you thrown in the towel??  I highly suggest keeping at it.  You'll get there, I promise.

Until next time!

Stef <3

Neon Week - Cosmetic Arts Explosive

Helloooooooo my lovelies!

I'm so sorry to have abandoned you over the weekend.  I had a going away party Friday (miss you Olive!!), a wedding on Saturday and a "welcome back" party on Sunday.  I'm all partied out!  I'm also very tuckered out and am in need of a pick-me-up, so I've decided to rock neons all week :D  I'm hoping to get at least 4 mani's done and posted this week, 5 if I'm lucky ;)

 Colors Used: Cosmetic Arts - Explosive, China Glaze - Flip Flop Fantasy, Wet n Wild - Nerd Alert Screech, Daisy Nail Lacquer - White Diamond, Lush Lacquer - Clowning Around

Explosive is the first neon polish that I ever bought back when I started my polish journey.  I found it at Ross for $2-$3 and figured if I didn't like it, it wasn't the end of the world.  I fell head over heels for it and that is where my love for neon began.  I have to admit that I am not into neon fashion, I think it looks ridiculous lol.  But I looooove me a good neon polish!

I started with a white base on all of my nails.  White polish just really helps neon colors *POP!*.  I've also found that it helps me to even out streaking that can occur if I were to use the neon alone.  Index finger was done with a striper and a lot of patience.  Middle finger got 2 coats of Clowning Around and the rest of my nails got 3 coats of Explosive.

On a sad note... I broke my bottle of Explosive when trying to get it open, snapped the mouth of the bottle right off (just call me Miss Hulk lol).  Thankfully I saw China Glaze's Sun Worshiper (a comparable color) at my local nail supplier the other day and since they sell CG's for $2... well, I'll call that a win!

Alrighty, I'm off to go catch up on some house work *bleh*.  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and that Monday didn't treat you terribly :)

Until next time!

Stef <3

If You Give A Girl A Strping Brush...

Hello dolls!

Late night post from em today (or early morning, depending on your global locale).  I should be going to bed but decided blogging would be a much better idea haha.  So, this mani is one I did last week out of sheer boredom...

 Colors Used: Sally Hansen - Blue-Away, Orly - Dazzle, Rimmel - Black Satin

Blue-Away is one of SH's Insta-Dri polishes.  Very thick/opaque and dries  with a nice glossy sheen.  I started with 2 coats as my base color.  Then only exception being my middle finger which received 2 coats of Dazzle.

I then just sort of went to town with my striping brush.  No rhyme or reason to it. I just painted with abandon and it was pretty fun lol.

Hmmm... I really wish I had something more interesting to add to this post.  I don't tho.  I'm very sorry.  I hope you all have a loverly night/morning :D

Until next time!

Stef <3

Tealquoise...?

Good morning, dolls!

It's the weekend!  Hallelujah!!  Haha it's just been one of those weeks I suppose.  I plan to do some therapy shopping with my girl, the fashionista, and I can't wait :D  Seeing as I need to start getting ready, let's get to the mani...

I saw a manicure recently where the girl used teal and turquoise as her pallete and absolutely fell inlove with it.  She did some flower stamping that was adorable, but I decided to take mine in a different direction...

 Colors Used: Color Club - Edie, Love & Beauty - Teal, Julep - Harper, Sally Hansen - White On

I'm really loving stripes right now and I'm finally getting my striping back into shape.  This means you will probably be seeing a lot of stripey nails up on the blog in the near future ;)

So, both my middle and ring fingers got teal polish to start.  This teal from L&B is actually pretty sheer and need 3 thin layer to build opaqueness.  Middle finger was topped with 2 thin coats of Harper, a super compacted opalescent glitter that makes me think of mermaid scales :) My thumb and pinky got 3 coats of Edie.  She's a little bit streaky but such a beauty!  Striping and polka dots were acheived with they're respective tools...

I only have 2 photos for you today because my camera decided to make my hands look like they were on fire.  They were so ridiculously red before editing and after fixing 2 photos, I was done lol.

I hope you all have an absolutely wonderful weekend filled with joy and fun :D

Until next time!

Stef <3

Step Into Summer - 3D

Hi there, lovlies!

I want to apologize for the infrequency of my posts.  Summer is the busiest time for me at work with summer camp.  By the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is paint my nails and post.  Usually I'll just pass out on the couch until my hubby comes and puts me to bed lol.  I have fallen really behind on my summer nail challenge because of it... Ooops!

Today I'm knocking out the "3D" mani...

 Colors Used: Love & Beauty - Strawberry (scented), Rimmel - Black Satin, Essie - Beyond Cozy

Originally I wanted to do a mani with fimo slices.  I have a ton of them, so the sky would be the limit.  But it was swim day at camp and I was afraid of them falling off in the pools and such.  This summer is ruining my life lol...

I opted for studs instead.  I picked these ones up over a month ago while perusing nail stuff at Claire's.  it came in a variety wheel that also includes micro beads, rhinestones and pearls.  Again, because of summer, I haven't gotten a chance to really play with them.

For application, I would topcoat 1 nail, apply the stud(s) and move on the the next nail.  I them applied a 2nd layer of topcoat once all of the studs had set, for extra security.

I think my thumb's my favorite haha :)

Here's hoping I can muster up the energy to do my nails again tonight...

Be sure to check out all of the awesome nail art in the links below.  You're bound to find something that suits your fancy :D

Until next time!

Stef <3