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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Butterfly Stamping with K Plate

I got new stamps so I had to try them out

This is 3 coats of Color Club Harp on it -976
I used Kleancolor  in the following to make the stamps Shining Sea-218, Metallic Sapphire-165, Metallic Pink-158 and Metallic Purple 167. I stamped the butterflies at the bottom of  the Knock Off XL Plate K.


Left Hand

Right Hand





































This plate stamped pretty well and Kleancolor Metallics are pretty awesome to stamp. I didnt wear this long. It was bit too busy for me. The awkward pose with the Right Hand is to hide the fact I snapped that middle nail off to the quick. My nails rarely stay past my finger tips for long.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Sweater Nails

Inspired by the Arcadia Nail Art Tutorial

Base is 2 coats of Sally Hansen Limeston 620, which I then fan brushed with Sinful Colors Innocent 944 for the fabric texture like in the tutorial. I used Kiss White and Stripe Rite Red stripers to do the lines and dashes. Kleancolor Neon Fuschia and Sinful Colors Snow Me White were used with a dotting tool to do the rest of the design.
Limstone, Neon Fuschia,White and Red stripers, Innocent, Snow Me White

Right Hand Done By Left Hand
Left Hand Done By Right Hand







































Oddly enough I think my Right hand turned out little bit better in some places. Overall I am pretty happy with this because freehand nail art is not my forte. I am trying to get a bit better. I really need a good detail brush i think it might have turned out better with something other than striper brushes.

Playing around

I decided to play with some stamping, well actually I messed up my nails with some stamping so then decided to try some other stuff too since I was going to redo them anyhow. Heh


Base is 3 coats of Butter Slapper

Nova, Slapper, Blue Ribbon, No Place Like Chrome

XL Plate Shany B stamped using Essie No Place like Chrome
XL Plate Shany B stamped using Essie No Place like Chrome

Silver holo Glitter Gradient China Glaze Nova (Pinky and Index)
Blue Glitter gradient Amour Blue Ribbon(Middle)



Red and Gold Matte


This is 2 coats of KleanColor Americano 44 it is sort of a champagne gold color.
I used OPI Congeniality is My Middle Name(CMMM) to stamp BM314.  I think CMMM was a bit too sheer to really stamp well. I'll will probably reuse this stamp at another time, because I thought it was really very pretty. I topped with Butter Matte top coat.


Right Hand

Close Up

Left Hand

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Sponge Gradient

I did my first sponge gradient I loved it so pretty

I used  Klean color Shining Sea-218 and Metallic Sapphire-165 for most of the nails and Metallic Pink-158 and Metallic Purple 167 for my ring finger and thumb.

I wished I had used my Metallic Aqua instead of Shining Sea and in fact I had meant to, they look very close in the bottle but I didn't check. Shining sea is a fine glitter so I think it absorbed some of the Sapphire so it didn't give as strong contrast.

I started with 2 coats of Shining Sea and Metallic Pink and let those dry completely. I then took sponge and painted some of the Metallic Sapphire  and sponged it on the tip of the nails with Shining Sea. I used same method to sponge Metallic Purple on the tips of those nails with Metallic Pink.

I then used the Knock Off XL Plate K to stamp Color Club Harp On It -976 over the accent nails.




The holo stamped well but it was very subtle and only showed in just the right light . I did do both hands but I was in hurry to get out the door so I only got a shot of the Left Hand.  The blue gradient was hard to get pic of you can sorta see it but not super well.

I also cut the makeup sponge in half vertically to minimize the clean up. I really do love this gradient.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

UnknownCosmetic Arts -RA121

This is a no namer from Ross  the brand is Cosmetic Arts. the polish is an ultra violet purple with hot pink and blue shimmer. It is very pretty, but I do so hate it when these companies do not label their products.

This is 3 coats because I again smeared. I know!
I stamped with Essie No Place Like Chrome Red Angel Plate RA12.  The bow came out really well I added some no brand blue rhinestones to the middles and Topped with Seche Vite


Since I could get the pics to come out very well/true to life I included the shot of the bottle. Its very close to what the bottle is at 2/3 coats.

Left Hand

Mostly bottle shot

Right Hand


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Fall Look--Pic Heavy

I really wanted to do something fall like for thanks giving. I thought these earthy colors would be great.  I also had  big urge to play around with my new stamping plate from Shany. I Used a Design from plate B.

To start I used Julep Amber(2269) which is a matte Suede. I stamped using Kleancolor Espresso 58 a design from plate B.  I then Used detail brush to add color to the stamp I used Kleancolor Jazz Olive 118 and Metallic Mango 159 (on ring and thumb) and added a dot of Gold Bright 47 at base of leaves.

Left Hand-Before Matte

Right Hand-Before Matte

Bottle Shot




Right Hand Matted


Close Up Matte
















I was so excited that my before matting pics were not cleaned up. I actually like this  better before I added the matte top coat. Which is odd because usually I love things matted but the before adding top coat is was more vibrant I think after its bit dull. I do still think its very pretty though.
I apologize for my cuticles Im really trying to put oil and lotion daily.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Lavendarling

I had really hard time getting my cammera to pic this up usually my camera only does will with something that contrasts a lot.

 I started with 3 coats of Color Club Lavendarling - 956, I could have done with 2 but I smudged it a bit and needed to cover.  I used Klean Colour Metallic Purple 167 to stamp RA-101 with the Heart and stripe. It is almost a french nail type of stamp. It came off really crisp despite the pics. I was pretty happy with the final result. I topped with Seche Vite.


I did it on both hands but to be honest this is best pic I could get the rest were super blurry.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Gold on Turquoise Wave


This is 2 coats of Layla Turquoise Wave it is a magnetic polish but I couldn't get the magnet to do anything really. I originally wanted this to be a taped manicure, but when I tried on my thumbs the tape would not peel off in a whole piece.
I ended up using Stripe Rite Gold to freehand the design, then used a dotting tool to make the accents.
I smudged my ring finger on the Right Hand sorry about that.
I'm not in love with the look, it didn't quite look like I wanted in my head. but it is ok :)
Right Hand

Left Hand

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Purple Moon over Miss Scarlet's Vittles


This is sort of a swatch type post I hate to do these because I feel like its sort of a lazy-ish post but here it is.

This is 3 thin coats of Above the Curve Miss Scarlets Vittles(MSV). MSV is described as purple blue with magenta shimmer and a linear holo. I agree with the first bit but I don't see the linear holo maybe a bit of scattered holo and that too only if I look really hard and at a specific angle.(see thumb on Right Hand)

However, it is very pretty it applies nicely, it does have a slightly vnl with 3 coats but I think a 4th coat would cover. As with all their polish part of the proceeds go to a charity in this case $1.00 from each bottle sold will be donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children. On my ring finger I have 2 coats  of Lyn B Designs in Purple moon it is described as a blue gel based polish  with light purple medium hexagons and aqua, blue, and purple holographic glitter. That is pretty accurate and it applies evenly without fishing or having to dab.


Left Hand
Right Hand

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Quilted Night Before


This was inspired by  Didolines Nails post.
It is the first time I have ever used the special striping tape they sell for nails. I started with 2 coats of Rimmel 615 Night before, I'd describe it as a dark purple with a magenta shimmer.
 I placed striping tape one nail at a time then did 2 quick coats of Butter matte top coat, then removed the tape. To be honest I should have probably just done one coat, I had some issues with the top coat peeling off with tape. All in all though it's a pretty good first try, still needs a lot of work though :). I have to admit I had to fight the urge to put a top coat to even it out, the texture drove me bonkers.

Left Hand

Right Hand



Sunday, November 11, 2012

Spring Green and Braided Stripers

I finally decided to give te braided nail another shot :)  I used this tutorial.  I cheated a bit, I used stripers to do the braid, they dont take as long to dry and I have patience issues.
I started with 3 coats of Barry M in Spring Green. This is the prettiest green I have. I used Stripe Rite in Blue Metallic, Sea Green Metallic and Gold Metal. I topped with Seche Vite.
Left Hand Painted by Right Hand

Right Hand Painted by Left Hand
































I think it turned out really well on my left hand but I got in hurry on my right and didn't let the layers dry so it ended up taking longer and drying bumpy.
I did find the Barry M peeled off my nails I am not sure if it is my nails or the polish.


Thursday, November 8, 2012

November 8 - NO H8

Bullying is not funny. It is not cool. It is not right. And more importantly, it is not okay.
Most of us are, thankfully, residents of countries that support tolerance and many of our families have settled in these places simply for that reason. Generations later, it is our responsibility to perpetuate that message of tolerance across our new social platforms, including the internet.

As members of the nail polish blogging community, we all share a love of beauty, color, and lacquer. Other than that, we are remarkably different: from our race to our religion to our hair color...even to our polish application techniques. To marginalize anyone because of those differences is completely unacceptable and today I take a stand against that. I refuse to allow other people's view of "normal" dictate how I behave, believe, and blog.

In solidarity with a multitude of bloggers linked below, my purple manicure represents my proud commitment to the No H8 movement. Today, November 8, I dedicate my post to ending bullying of any kind and to encouraging diversity and imperfection among our colorful community.





I like this movement, I haven't seen too much hate in the nail art community but then I go out of my way to avoid people who talk bad about others.
I have a lot of purple manis but I choose one of my fails for this because, sometimes it is nice to see others make mistakes too (and I make a lot :) ). I do not mind if someone doesn't clean up in their pics, yes its nice but I am there for the art part.  It is not necessary to criticize because you don't like the colors or design.  Really unless your criticism was requested and is constructive please feel free to keep it to yourself.

This Kleancolor Lavenbaby-12, Disco purple-125, Neon Purple-16 stamped over Lime Crime Milky Ways.

I used 3 coats  Milky Ways as the base and plates MLS-301 and BM 307  for stamping
BM- 307 is on my Ring and Thumb and the others are stamped using MLS_301,  I used  a dotting tool to make the tips.  I wasn't  happy, as usual I got in too much of a hurry, so it is not the fault of plate but rather my shoddy half-assed stamping that did this. I do not remember the color I used on which fingers, sorry. 


Left Hand

Right Hand





































Lavendairy and The Scream Extractor

I messed up on this design, I tried to follow the tutorial but I kept messing up. So I decided to turn the bows into small hearts. I am pleased with the modify. I don't think it is my best work but I do like the way it turned out.

I used 3 coats of Lime Crime Lavendairy as base(I could have used 2 but I smeared a few nails and tried to cover it). I used Kleancolor White and a dotting tool to make the white bit at the tip. To do the bows/hearts I used Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in Purple/Violet.

I really like the nail art pens and stripers they give less experienced people  (like me ) some more options to do some nail art other than stamping, decals or stickers.

Left Hand Painted by Right Hand

Right Hand Painted by Left Hand

































I was quite happy with this, but I had just received The Scream Extractor form Tara's Nail Art. it is a beautiful iridescent-ish pink top coat the pics really do not do it justice. I have it on all the nails but I just took pic of thumb and close up of the brush. 

Close up of Scream Extractor on nail and brush

 Sorry about the uber short thumb nail, I chipped it then proceeded to pick at it because I didn't have a file.




Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Royal and Posh


For this look I started with 2 coats of Revon Posh and Royal (ring finger). Posh is a very lovely green, it looks very much like what is in the bottle. Royal is more of a cobalt blue to me and it also looks very close to the color in the bottle. With royal even at two coats there was a slightly visible nail line where the free edge of my nail started, it was also a bit thinner I had an issue with it flooding my nail. The VNL  doesn't bother me but I know it bothers some. I really loved these colors there is some tip wear because. I wore this before  stamping for almost 2 days.   I  used Konad White polish and Bundle Monster Plate BM-203 to stamp the designs.
Left Hand Stamped by Right Hand

Right Hand Stamped by Left Hand


























I like the look, I'd like it a whole lot better if I had not rushed and ended up with something half-assed. Note to self  *do not stamp if you do not have time. Oddly enough the Right hand turned out much much better, I think because Left Hand was such a disaster I slowed a bit for the right. :)

Monday, November 5, 2012

Results of Giveaway

 I have contacted MichelleNadrian D to send her the gift

I thought I'd share the Question answers for Faves and dislikes. I was little disappointed that not every one who answered really gave an answer but a big Thanks to those who did.

The Fave Polishes --  Reason

Ozotic 506 -- because it is so many colours in 1 polish!
Cult Nails Clairvoyant --since it is so unique
Sinful Colors 24/7 -- Its the brightest neon pink i have came across!
FLOAM --I love it! it was my first ever lemming and what got me started on my obsession!!! and its so pretty:)
Julep Yumi -- GLITTERY!
DS Signature -- it was my first ever mani!
Hard Candy Beetle -- Its the best duochrome I own!
China Glaze For Audrey -- It was the first non-drug store polish, and is the polish that started my obsession
Smitten polish your turning violet --  its so sparkly
Pretty & Polished Jawbreaker
Northern Light Out the Door -- I love that you can add glitter to everything!!!
DS EXTRAVAGANCE -- because it's gorgeous. I love the color!


The Polishes that Missed the Mark
Wet n Wild Night Prowl -- I've had it for years and will never wear it...
Klean Color White -- It smells horrible, bad coverage & streaky!
Nina Pro in Neon Green
All Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, they make my nails so dry and brittle and peel-y


Thank you all for Participating :)

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Anomalous Bloke With Sparrows and Stars

For the Base I used 2 coats of Anomalous Bloke from LynBdesigns. This polish is a dark teal-ish green with orange, red, and gold holographic micro glitter. It is supposed to color shift to blue and purple. I didn't see any color shift, but I haven't seen it in natural light yet. The pics really do not do it justice.

To stamp I used Essie No Place Like Chrome and plates MLS301 and Konad M3. I topped with Sech vite and added some star shape rhinestones gifted to me by my pen pal.
Left hand

Right Hand





Bright Light
This stamp was the first stamp I had evern seen and thought I must have that. I searched and Search and finally bought 2 on accident in my glee. I gave the second one to my pen pal :).

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Whimsical and Garter Toss

I do not generally feel a strong lust for most nail polishes that come from major brands like Revlon, Sally Hansen and such. However, when I saw the first swatch of this I wanted it so bad, I actually went to 3 different stores to get this polish. I do not ever do this, I do not like to go to the stores and most of my stuff I'll buy online or if I am there for something else like groceries or a medicine I'll see what they have.
Revlon Whimsical was not a disappointment for the most part. Its a bit thinner than expected and unless you want to give it a good 5+ coats its gonna need to be layered over another polish. But it is beautiful.

For this manicure I was inspired by a look Chasing Shadows had done.
I started with 3 coats of Sally Hansen Garter Toss - 506. I let it dry totally because I was gonna do a tape manicure but then decided to wing it :). I then applied 2 coats of Whimsical - 430 to just the lower portion of my nails. Once that was dry I added the dots using a medium small dotting tool dipped in Kleancolor Copper - 45 and Metallic Aqua - 164. I originally Topped with Seche Vite but I did not care for the look, so I added Butter Matte Finish and I loved it in matte.  :)


Shiny Finish



Matte Finish Left Hand


Matte Finish Right Hand





























Doesn't it look so much better matte-d :). I am still working on the cuticles if you have suggestion by all means please suggest solutions.

I know It seems odd to post both hands but when I do nail art I am gonna do it on both hands. Because if you can only do it on the one side then its not very good for a manicure, at least for me. I mostly wear any of the manicures I do for at least a day or so. I have 2 hands so I want the same look on both hands. The only time I won't post both is if I do swatch, stamping or I say well I cant do this on the other hand so I just did the one side.  I do not do this often only for a contest or something.