Saran Splotches

Hey everyone!!!  I received a lot of messages about last week's Splatteriffic mani, so I thought I'd do something different, but along the same lines stylistically.  

I started with three coats of Orly Pixy Stix, a fun bright pastel coral creme.  I used three coats because there was still a bit of streakiness left after two coats.  I followed with one coat of SV.

In artificial light (above) and natural light (below), this color really pops, but stays feminine and delicate at the same time!

I placed a few dots of Essie Coat Azure, a medium blue creme with a soft silver shimmer, on a flat surface, and then dabbed it with a wadded up piece of saran wrap.  Next, I dabbed it onto each of my nails.

I repeated the same step with Milani Orchidia, a medium purple creme with a soft purple shimmer.  I finished with one coat of SV.

I chose the two shimmer polishes so that the top coat would pull the shimmer effect across the entire nail to really make it shine in the sunlight.

This was fun, fast, and easy and is very similar to the splatter effect.  It can be a bit messy when you work on the edge and cuticle line of your nails, so you might want to use tape on your fingers for a faster clean up.

I hope you all enjoy this one!  

Happy Monday!

Colors: Orly Pixy Stix, Essie Coat Azure, Milani Orchidia

Glowsticks - My Nemesis

Hey everyone!  Okay, so this mani kinda goes against everything I stand for.  

I started off with two coats of Orly Glowstick.  It's a neon polish, so the application can be a little streaky, and will not have any kind of shine without a top coat, so I added a coat of SV to bring out the color a bit more.

Glowstick.  And there you have it ... the problem.  Before I decided to make my purchase, I stood there, staring at the bottle, thinking to myself, "Why? Why did they have to name it Glowstick?!"  (Those who know me personally know that I have a long running deep hatred for all things glowstick related.)  

To be honest, there is only one person in existence that I will allow to be anywhere near me with these highly annoying objects: My friend, Chris.  I guess I don't mind it too much when he uses them, because if you're going to do something wrong, at least do it right.  And he seriously does it right!!!!

So, in keeping with my glowstick theme, I went with two other colors that can frequently be seen in glowstick formation: Wet n Wild How I Met Your Magenta, and Sally Hansen Blue Me Away!

I used all three to create this water marble look.  I was amazed to see how the use of Glowstick changed the appearance of the other colors!  

Instead of simply having the yellow, pink, and blue, I ended up with yellow, green, blue, pink, and orange!!!  I finished with one coat of SV.

I actually had a lot of fun creating this one!  (Even if thinking about glowsticks did make my teeth clench!!!)  I hope you enjoy!

Happy Painting!!!

Colors: Orly Glowstick, Sally Hansen Blue Me Away!, Wet n Wild How I Met Your Magenta

Nail Break? No Problem!

Well, I guess an awesome weekend leads to a not so awesome nail break!!  I know, it's so tragic.

This was actually one of those painfully high breaks, so cutting it down really wasn't a comfortable option.  So I thought I'd try Orly Nail Rescue.  I snagged mine from Sally Beauty for $7.99.

You start by painting the affected area with the nail glue.  I really like this nail glue actually.  It goes on neatly and easily, without immediately turning into that white mess.

Next, dip your nail into the powder pot.  It will come out looking like this ...

Use a paper towel to remove the excess powder, and then use the buffing file provided to smooth out the nail.  And then .....

No more troubles!  A perfectly strong nail!!  The next time you break a nail, keep Orly Nail Rescue in mind before you cut them down!!

Fiercely Aquatic

Yesterday I went to see my amazing friend, Michael.  He's gorgeous, he's fab, and he is the greatest master stylist to ever touch my hair!!!  If you're lucky enough to be in the Atlanta area, I strongly suggest you make an appointment with him at the Aqua Salon pronto!!!  So, I got the idea for an Aqua inspired mani!!

I started with one of the new L'Oreal cremes, Now You Sea Me.  I really love this shade.  It reminds me of an almost dusty burnt teal - if that makes sense.  I wasn't completely wild about the formula though. The first coat went on a little thin and streaky.  The second coat started to be the same, so I used a thicker second coat, and it was fine!

For an extra aquatic look, I topped Now You Sea Me with one coat of Wet n' Wild Use Protection, from the new Spoiled collection, except on my ring fingers.  It's a really pretty teal jelly, loaded with multicolored micro glitters.  The brush is super wide, so application is a breeze! 

I used my dotting tool with Kiss Black and Kiss White to create some bubbles in the water!

One my ring fingers, I created some shimmery scales with my extra large dotting tool and Sally Hansen Celeb City, Orly Charged Up, and Barielle A Bouquet for Ava.

I wanted to create some waves, so I used one of my Shany stamping plates, SH-11, with my Sally Hansen Teal-y Fast.  On my middle fingers, I used the same plate with Konad Special White polish for the little starfish!

I had a lot of fun creating this, especially since it was inspired by one the greatest people on the planet.  

I hope you all enjoy it!  And seriously ladies --- if you haven't been to the Aqua Salon yet, you're missing out.  

Colors: L'Oreal Now You Sea Me, Wet n' Wild Use Protection, Kiss White, Kiss Black, Orly Charged Up, Barielle A Bouquet for Ava, Sally Hansen Celeb City, Sally Hansen Teal-y Fast, Konad Special White

Argyle Makes Me Smile!

I love argyle print!  I even had an aunt named Argyle.  Seriously.  I was the only kid in the family who could pronounce her name properly!!!

Colors: Orly Charged Up, Wet n Wild Toad-ally Amazing, Kiss Silver Glitter

I started with two coats of Charged Up, a really pretty purple cream.  (I used two thick coats of it, since it can be a little too sheer otherwise.)  Next, I taped off the side sections and applied two coats of Toad-ally Amazing.  This is an awesome light teal with a soft sliver shimmer to it.  It's part of the new Wet n Wild "Spoiled" Collection.  I used the Silver Glitter for the opposing diamond outline pattern, and then topped it off with a coat of SV.  I hope you like it!  Happy painting ladies!!!

Happy Little Trees!

Colors: China Glaze Ultimate Holiday, Orly Wandering Vine, Orly Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, Color Club Holiday Splendor, Sephora by OPI Leaf Him at the Altar, Color Club Gingerbread, China Glaze Ruby Pumps, Barielle Falling Star, Ulta Mint Condition, Wet n Wild Buffy the Violet Slayer

I decided to make some happy little Christmas trees today!  I used Ultimate Holiday as the base color, which is a gorgeous gold/green glitter!  Then I used my dotting tools with all of my greens for the tree, Gingerbread for the star, and the rest of my colors for the ornaments.  This was another big hit with my little ones!

A holiday explosion

Colors: China Glaze Ruby Pumps, Orly Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, Essence Can't Cheat on Me, Essie As Gold as it Gets

My husband wanted me to do something super festive for his office holiday party ... the boss's wife has to look nice, right!?  So, I went with both sets of traditional holiday colors: green & red and silver & gold.  I painted each nail with two coats of colors alternating between silver, red, and green.  Next, I cut long triangular pieces of scotch tape, and placed it across the center of my nail.  Once the tape was set, I painted different colors on the top and bottom sections.  Once that was complete, I used the amazing gold flakes over the entire nail.  My husband was happy, and I received a ton of compliments!!!

Holiday Sugar Cookies!!!

This is my first holiday inspired mani of the season!!  I really enjoyed doing this because it was all cookie and no calorie!!!

Colors: Orly Girly, Essie Sand Tropez, Wet n Wild Party of Five Glitters, Confetti Tiara

I applied two coats of Girly for the outside cookie ring, then only one coat of Sand Tropez for the frosting.  Two coats of Party of Five Glitters makes up the sprinkles, and then one coat of Tiara to help give it a sugary sparkle and texture.  Unfortunately, Girly doesn't show up extremely well in the photos, but looks pretty in the light.  Since it's a nice shimmery pink ... I'm doing this for Pink Wednesday!!!!  Hooray!!!!!

I've never heard of a beautiful witch before!

Happy Pink Wednesday!!!  Today's Wizard of Oz mani features Glinda the Witch of the North!

Colors: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, Wet n Wild Hannah Pinktana, Orly Girly, Wet n Wild Celeb City

I applied one coat of Lincoln Park After Dark, then two coats of Hannah Pinktana, since Hannah Pinktana is very sheer.  The I taped off my tips for the Girly frosty pink tips.  I used Salon Experts stamping plate #053 for the north star design with Celeb City.

And just for fun ... Here's my mini-dachshund, Dixie, dressed up as Glinda!!!

Have a pink-tasitc day and happy painting!!!!!

Dandelions en Francais

Colors: Orly Nite Owl w/ OPI Black Onyx

I wanted to give neutral a little bit of a boost tonight!!!  (And black tips are my favorite, if you hadn't noticed!)  I used my scotch tape for the tips, as well as the little dandelion design on my ring fingers.  I have no idea why it makes me think of dandelions, but it always makes me smile to think about it this way.