Inspiration: ColorProducts: Julep Claudette, Eileen, Char, Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat (not shown), and Freedom Polymer Top Coat (not shown)Thoughts: Instead of the typical bright patriotic colors for the 4th, I wanted something a little more understated. Char is definitely my favorite of these three, especially since Eileen was giving me so much trouble (it goes on like white-out). Not sure how smoothing the base coat is, but I do like that it is matte and really seems to make the colors stand out. Freedom did dry fast as promised, but I am still waiting to see if I get sheet marks tonight.
Inspiration: June 2014 Rainbow Honey Mini Mystery BoxProducts: Rainbow Honey Ichigo, Rose Macaron, and Pikake, silver petalsThoughts: The polished in this month's Rainbow Honey mystery box were all about the pink! Ichigo is a super bright pink with somesort of flecks (not sure the thought behind this color's name because when I Googled it, all I came up with was a character from Bleach whose hair was bright orange. I love Rose Macaron which is obviously from the same upcoming collection as last month's Petit Four. Pikake, though is possibly my favorite, although my husband thinks it looks like I rolled my nails in chunky salt. Some cute, small dots were included as an extra in this month's box, but I wanted something that would stand out, so I decorated with some silver petals.
Inspiration: Square Hue June BoxProducts: Square Hue Wailea, Ka'ahumanu, and Ala Moana
Thoughts: I signed up for Square Hue simply for this box, which was the first ever Reader's Choice box with voting through Nail It! magazine, because I wanted to see which colors were chosen. The colors are way different than what is pictured on the info card, but Ka'ahumanu (the solid color on my toes) was my favorite. However, I found the formula to be rather runny. This was also my first time trying the Saran wrap technique, and I am not quite sure if I did something wrong or it just didn't quite work with such a thin formula.
Inspiration: ColorProducts: Essie Bobbing for Baubles, Julep Monaco, Bess, and Harriet, Color Club Silver Lake
Thoughts: I have been wanting to try a skittle mani, but couldn't figure out what colors to use. When I saw similar colors to these paired together, I decided to go for it. I love how the fingers for a gradient with a pop of guava on the thumb.
Inspiration: ColorProducts: Indie Polish Wanderlust, NailThins Compass Rose Decals Blue
Thoughts: These decals are pretty nice. They are really thin, which can be tricky to work with, but they flatten out nicely with no bumps and stay on if you follow the directions. I love how the blue looks over the true gold polish.
I always love when Birchbox (clicking will take you through my referral link) does LE boxes! As soon as I saw Ruffian featured in the new Modern Mermaid box, I knew I would be buying it. Ruffian is seriously the best polish I have ever used. It's on the pricier side, but the formula is amazing. Modern Mermaid came with the Endless Summer trio - Endless Summer, Sahara, and Blue Lagoon.
What other goodies did I get? Anatasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat, Atelier Cologne Cedrat Enivrant Cologne Absolue Travel Spray, Captain Blankenship Mermaid Mane Sea Salt Spray, Coola Liplux SPF 30 Original Formula, Stephanie Johnson Mermaid Mirror, and Vasanti Kajal Extreme Intense Eye Pencil in Electric Navy.
Inspiration: J-Lo's Brazilian Brights on page 44 of the May/June 2014 issue of Nail It!
Products: Julep Sunny, Essie Hide & Go Chic, China Glaze Gaga for Green
Thoughts: This was my first attempt at watermarbling, and while it didn't turn out right, I kinda like how it looks. The blue didn't really show up though, even though I used the one from the tutorial. Where it does show up, though, the trio of colors really pops.
