Thursday, January 30, 2014

Wicked Green Glitter Gradient


Inspiration:  Color

Products:  Deborah Lippmann Wicked Defying Gravity and One Short Day

Thoughts:  When I saw the Deborah Lippmann Wicked trio (which also includes Popular), I knew I wanted to finally try a gradient with the two greens.  One Short Day is definitely a prettier color than Defying Gravity, but it mixes very well.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Wicked Squiggles

Inspiration:  Squiggle It! on page 35 of the January/February 2014 issue of Nail It!

Products:  Deborah Lippmann Wicked Popular, Silver & Neon Green Sharpies

Thoughts:  I never would have thought to use Sharpie on my nails if I had not seen this article.  The silver looks awesome but the green is hard to see except for where it crosses the silver.  Very simple nail art.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Encounter


Inspiration:  January 2014 INN Box

Products: OPI Liquid Sand It's Frosty Outside, Essie Lux Effect Jazzy Jubilant, Orly Risque Encounter

Thoughts:I always do the Surprise Me option for the INN Box (Inzuri Nail Nation), and this month I got the Resolution Rebel set.  I also got the Kashmir shampoo and hair mask, which are wonderful!  Anyway, with the polishes, I decided to try some freehand nail art for the first time, and discovered I am not very good at using a fine-tip nail brush to paint with either finger (lines I can do, round objects, no so much).  Since I am hanging out with my nerd group most of the weekend, I decided to go with a UFO, but it kinda looks like a cloud and rain.  Oh well, the nail polish is nice!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Ruby Red Nail


Inspiration:  January 2014 Birchbox (clicking will take you through my referral link)

Products: Nail Rock Nail Glitter Kit in Glitter Dust Red

Thoughts:This nail kit was incredibly easy to use - just apply two coats of the polish, dip nail in glitter pot and let dry for 20 minutes.  This is a lot of glitter - reminds me of Dorothy's ruby slippers - so I only did an accent nail like the Birchbox product info card mentioned.  The polish was a little runnier than those I normally use, but it went on easy and two coats seems to do well.  I did have to put an additional coat of topcoat on the glitter, though (not shown in picture).  Not really sure if I was supposed to top coat the glitter, but we'll see if it makes it last longer.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

In the Box: January 2014 Birchbox

Some of the January Birchboxs (clicking will take you through my referral link) included Nail Rock Nail Glitter!  I received a full size ($6.99 value) in Glitter Dust-Red.

What other goodies did I get?  Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle, Besame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick Sampler in Red Velvet & Red Hot, Juara Candlenut Body Creme, and Reviver Dry Deodorant Wipe.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Princess Moon

Inspiration:  December Inzuri The INN Box

Products: Sprout Princess Pink, Duchess Pink, and Purple Reign

Thoughts: Inzuri's The INN Box always contains 3 mid-range nail polishes, but it also always contains bonus items, and sometimes those items are indie nail polishes.  My December box came with these three non-toxic polished from Sprout.  Because of the non-toxic formula, they have to be applied thin so they don't crack, but that is really the only difference I can see.  Duchess Pink (the moon on my accent nail and the main color on my other nails) is definitely my favorite of the three.
PS.  Not sure if this polish is supposed to do this, or if it was some weird reaction with my nail treatment or topcoat, but it pealed off!  I was having the hardest time trying to remove it with my regular nail polish remover and then I noticed I had gotten an edge up on one nail, so I decided to try peeling it, and it worked.  Most of my nails even came off in one piece.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Inky Noir Matte


Inspiration:  Color

Products:  Formula X for Sephora Hotter Under the Water from the Ariel Whatca-Nail-Call-It set, Ruffian Matte

Thoughts:  Of the three Disney Princess nail sets from Sephora, the Ariel one was definitely my fave, and part of that was due to the new Formula X for Sephora line.  Every polish I have tried from this brand so far has been excellent, and Hotter Under the Water only required one coat. I am also totally in love with their topcoat which I usually use on my nails (gives too much glare in pictures though, so normally I photographic before applying).  However, this time I used the Ruffian Matte topcoat that I just ordered from Birchbox.  I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out so I planned to try it this weekend.  I really wish I would have done this for work - edgy sophistication.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Mirror-Image


Inspiration:  Kate's Mirror-Image Mani on page 56 of the January/February 2014 issue of Nail It!

Products:  Essie There's No Place Like Chrome, Color Club French Tip, Art Club White, Orly French Manicure Tip Guides (not pictured)

Thoughts:  When I saw this, I knew I had to try it because I had all the colors needed (the article uses gel polish, but says it works fine with nail polish, so that is what I did).  I only did the chevron as an accent nail because I was not sure how well I could use the striper brush in the White with my left hand.  I have to say, my right hand turned out almost as well as my left (except for a bad smudge on my middle finger, which is why I didn't take a pic).

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Bloglovin' & Welcome

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Please follow me via Bloglovin'! On this blog, I will chronicle my adventures playing with nail polish. I'm not a professional, just someone who loves color!