Warm Metal Toes

Inspiration: Color

Products: Ruffian Relic, Ambrosia, and Rosary

Thoughts: My absolute favorite nail polish company is Ruffian.  Their bottles may be small and on the pricier side, but they are truly one-coat coverage and really last.  The Rapture collection contained these three warm metallics, and I just had to put them on my toes for fall.

Ombre Dots

Inspiration: Ombre Dots on page 75 of the September/October 2014 issue of Nail It!

Products: Color Club Insta-This and French Tip, Essie Bobbing for Baubles, Rainbow Honey 488nm

Thoughts: The tutorial said to use a bobby pin, but I had a dotting tool, so I just went with that.  I must have done well with my dots because my husband asked if it was "one of those stick on thingies" and was surprised when I said I had done them myself.  I did forget that 488nm looks different on my nails than it does in the bottle and on my swatch wheel, so it was more teal than I wanted; I probably could have used Julep Annie for a truer light blue, but I do like 488nm better.

On a Thread

Inspiration: On a Thread on page 76 of the September/October 2014 issue of Nail It!

Products: CoverGirl Glowing Nights Glosstini After Dark, 100% Pure Velouria

Thoughts: This was pretty fun, but it is very interesting how my left hand (bottom) looks like modern art (like it is supposed to), and my right (top) looks like I actually tried to place the lines.

In the Box: Fall 2014 Walmart Beauty Box

I am not the biggest fan of Walmart, but there was no way I could pass up a $5 quarterly beauty sample box!  The first box totally exceeded my expectations and even included a nail polish!  This is cute little CoverGirl Glowing Nights Glosstini in After Dark, which is such a me shade.

What other goodies did I get?  Secret Clinical Strength Clear Gel in Completely Clean, Dove Advanced Hair Series Oxygen Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner, and Pure Care Dry Oil, L'Oreal Glossy Balm in Pink Me Up and Pore Vanisher, Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj, Neutrogena Nourishing Long-Wear Makeup.

Greens and Blues (and Toes)

Inspiration:  September 2014 Rainbow Honey Mini Mystery Box

Products: Rainbow Honey Asteroid B, Salacia, and Sugarberries

Thoughts: Each of the three colors in this month's Rainbow Honey Mini Mystery Box was a huge hit for me.  Although I could not find a good way to use all three colors in a design, they were so much fun to play with!  Asteroid B and Salacia both have awesome shimmery microglitter and wonderful holographic mini shapes.  Sugarberries is more full coverage, has a little chunkier glitter, and is the perfect red for fall.  The box also included body lotion, body balm, and hand soap in a new fragrance - Pomme Rouge.

Mod Deco

Inspiration: Color

Products: Ruffian Ruffian Red, Orly Masked Ceremony, Art Club Nail Art Duo White

Thoughts: I was trying to emulate a dress that I have, but my left had slipped while striping my right (I always start my nail art using my non-dominant hand for this very reason), so I had to modify and it came up with a sort of art deco look that I liked.

Seeing Spots

Inspiration: Seeing Spots on page 77 of the September/October 2014 issue of Nail It!

Products: Ruffian Fox Hunt, Spellbound Belladonna, Art Club Nail Art Duo Black

Thoughts: This tutorial made leopard spots looks super easy, but they aren't that easy.  Even though they are supposed to be imperfect, you still need a steady hand.  These did not turn out bad, but I'm definitely not winning any awards here.

Cool Camo

Inspiration: Cool Camo on page 76 of the September/October 2014 issue of Nail It!

Products: Color Club Breakfast At..., London Calling, and Wild Cactus, Ruffian Ruffian Cire Noir

Thoughts: This was fun and easy, although I think it looks a little more like modern art than camo.  Slight tangent, here - why is this love green shade called Breakfast At...?  It is definitely green, not blue!