Autumn Gold

I was sitting there staring at my polish hoping inspiration would strike. I love autumn nail polish colors. The deep, richness of the colors always appeals to me. I dug out Barielle Wool You Marry Me? a polish I chose initially for its name (not something I do very often). Its a great fall color so I painted it on my nails. After wearing it for a bit, I realized it needed something else. What pairs better with rich autumn colors that a metallic? Not much. So I chose Barielle Gold Digger. I "dry brushed" it onto the tips to achieve this effect. I'm pleased with the result. I think these colors are quite lovely together.

Polishes used: Barielle Wool You Marry Me? and Gold Digger

What colors/finishes do you like to pair together in the fall?

Thanksgiving Manicure--Art Deco

The holidays are that time of year when we see family more and want to look our best. Whether your upcoming holiday festivities are casual or formal, I have a few nail art ideas to help you plan that Thanksgiving Manicure!

I channeled my inner glamour to create a subtly stunning manicure. I chose none other than Art Deco as an inspiration. Art Deco has been very present in designs over the past year so it seemed like the perfect inspiration.

This is the most formal Thanksgiving manicure I created. You could easily change up the colors to match or compliment a party dress. And with a little striping tape, this was a breeze.

*Later I added a black rhinestone to my pinkie and index finger near the cuticle, unfortunately I forgot to take a picture*

Polishes Used: Barielle Gold Digger, OPI Spark de Triomphe, and Zoya Edyta

Thanksgiving Manicure--Texture and Typography

The holidays are that time of year when we see family more and want to look our best. Whether your upcoming holiday festivities are casual or formal, I have a few nail art ideas to help you plan that Thanksgiving Manicure!

Today I have a manicure that mixes 3 different textures/finishes to create a fun and festive manicure. I used a combination of metallic, glitter, and matte polishes to create dimension and interest. Once that was done, I added some typography with a sharpie to give a specific nod to the holiday.

 This manicure bridges the gap between a casual and formal affair. And your nails will be the envy of all around. To personalize this you could write specifics of what you are thankful for this year.

Polishes Used: Tuff Scent Wisdom, SinfulColors Leather Loose, Barielle Gold Digger

Sugar Skull Inspired

This manicure draws inspiration from the Mexican holiday el Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). This early November celebration somehow makes death and dying a beautiful celebration full of bright colors and flowers. Sugar skulls personify these festivities to me. Here is my festive, colorful rendition...

This manicure was fun and very random. It is one of those things that you probably cannot recreate because you just made it up as you went. The whimsy of this is that no two will be the same (my two hands looked different). While this looks complex, it was rather simple in its execution.

What do you think about this bright, festive manicure?

Aztec Tribal Chevron Manicure

Following the 4th of July festivities, I decided to cleanse my polish palette with one of my go-to neutral polishes. So, I painted my nails with Revlon Grey Suede. Well... I managed to mess up my manicure. This is not at all surprising. Instead of reaching for the polish remover, I decided to revamp my current manicure with some nail art to match the sweltering temperatures. When summer is in full swing, I love tribal inspired prints, polka dots, and chevron. Yes I combined these three loves in this Aztec tribal chevron manicure.

What do you think? I really love it. But now that I've been looking at it, the chevron reminds me of angry eyebrows... So much for a neutral palette cleansing manicure;)

Have you ever "fixed" a manicure by adding nail art? 

Polishes used: Revlon Grey Suede, Sinful Colors Black on Black, Barielle Pink Diamond and Green Apple Chew

NCLA Nail Wraps in Wax Print

Press Samples

I was contacted by NailPolishCanada.com to test and review two sets of NCLA Nail Wraps. I was super excited to try them and honored that NailPolishCanada.com sought me out! I am so excited that I have the other set to show to you today. 

 

This geometric, almost tribal design, is inspired by wax print cloth. Each nail wrap is a different pattern and color. They are so much fun and scream summer to me! 

 For a tutorial on how to apply NCLA Nail Wraps and to look at the awesome It Don't Matter Nail Wraps look at this post here.

The Verdict:

Everyone is pressed for time in this day and age. Who has time for killer nail art? What if I'm just not that creative/talented to paint designs on my nails? NCLA Nail Wraps change this dilemma  I adore these! They save time, last a while, and look fabulous while saving you time and aggravation:) I love them as accent nails (as you can see) and cannot wait to order new, exciting designs to play with! I recommend these to anyone and everyone (especially the novice), so go pick some out today!

There are 29 different designs to choose from on NailPolishCanada.com and they retail for $16.00 for one set.

Polishes used: Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein (base coat), Barielle Ultra Speed Dry Manicure Extender (top coat), Barielle Head of the Class Green

Barielle Summer Brights COMPARISONS

When Barielle released their Summer Brights collection, there were many who speculated that these were newly named past polishes. Additionally, I received a few emails about a comparison post to show the differences between these polishes and past collections. Below you will find comparisons between Barielle polishes except for Blue Capri, which I had no comparable Barielle polish.

To see the original swatches of the Summer Brights collection check out this post.

Sweet Addiction vs. Central Park (New York Style Collection)

L-R: Sweet Addition, Central Park, Sweet Addiction, Central Park

The similarities: Both are dusty, creme greens with a touch of blue, they were both easy to apply and very pigmented

The differences: Central Park is darker

Lemon Drops vs. Banana Drop vs. Sunshine

L-R: Sunshine, Banana Drop, Lemon Drops

The similarities: Well, they're all yellow...
The differences: Sunshine is a cool-toned bright yellow with shimmer, Banana Drops is a pastel creme, and Lemon Drops is a bright yelllow with a touch of warmth. Lemon Drops is the friendliest to apply (although, none of these are exceedingly difficult).


Pink Flip-Flops vs. Allie's Lace Cover Up vs. Pink Quartz

L-R: Pink Quartz, Allie's Lace Cover Up, Pink Flip-Flops

The similarities: They're all creme pinks.
The differences: Pink Quartz has a touch of orange, Allie's Lace Cover Up leans lavender, and Pink Flip-Flops has a distinct brightness reminiscent of Barbie. Allie's Lace Cover Up and Pink Flip-Flops are definitely more cool-toned than Pink Quartz. Choosing between these is a matter of preference and skin-tone.


Cosmic Kiss vs. Eli's Magic vs. Life of the Party

L-R: Life of the Party, Eli's Magic, Cosmic Kiss

The similarities: They all qualify as pigmented, easy to apply, bright pink, creme polishes.
The differences: Eli's Magic is what I would call a true bright pink. It's probably the color most think of when they think of a neutral hot pink. Life of the Party is still very vibrant but it has more coral (warm) undertones. Cosmic Kiss is the coolest of the three.


The only comparison that is not exclusively Barielle, Blue Capri vs. essie Butler Please

The similarities: Both are an on-trend bright, electric periwinkle blue. They both have a glossy creme finish.
The differences: Blue Capri is dustier and a touch darker than Butler Please. Blue Capri is a touch thicker and more pigmented, making application faster and easier.


The Verdict:
There are no duplicate polishes here! However, it is not completely necessary to own ALL of these. It's a matter of deciding which ones fit your skin-tone best.  Everyone has their own preferences so pick whichever one works best for you. Some do have better formulation than others making for easier application. If I HAD to pick I would choose: Central Park, Banana Drop (but maybe Lemon Drop), Allie's Lace Cover Up, Life of the Party, and Blue Capri.

Barielle Summer Brights

Press Samples

I love summer. Summer is a time of cookouts, watermelon, sandals, swimming, and sand. Summer polish collections should remind the wearer of the fun of summer. The latest summer collection by Barielle tries to accomplish this through vibrant colors and creme finishes. 

Here are some glamour shots;)
(Please excuse my paper cuts!)

Sweet Addiction is a "creme green." This dusty, light emerald brings the color of the year into the summer. This was nearly opaque in one coat. 

Lemon Drops a "sun yellow creme." This is the color of lemon drops (the candy). It is bright, sunny, and reminds me of lemonade stands. I love that this yellow applied flawlessly in 2 coats!

Pink Flip-Flops is aptly described as a "creamy baby pink." This girly pink reminds me of pink cotton candy and little girls' dresses. This pink is on the warmer side but shows no visible trace of coral or orange.

Cosmic Kiss is called a "creamy deep pink." I think this polish has fuchsia tendencies but this floral quality is what makes it so summery.  

Blue Capri, a"royal creamy blue," is bright with a slight dusty quality. This is a bright, electric periwinkle and was completely opaque in one coat. The added bonus is that there is ZERO staining from this stunner!

The Verdict:

This collection is fun and summery. The application of all above polishes was streak free and smooth. All swatches shown are two flawless coats of polish without a topcoat. While these might not be the MOST unique polishes ever, I do think they have the best formula I have tried for some of these colors. The ones that stood out to me the most were Blue Capri, Sweet Addiction, and Lemon Drops.

This collection can be found at the Barielle website and retails for $25.00.  You can also purchase the polishes individually for $8.00.

Pink Diamonds & Pink Satin

Not only do these two polishes sound like they were made to go together, but they are practically the same color!

I've owned the pink glitter for a while and I have been in search of the perfect polish to do a tone on tone glitter accent nail. Everything was either too blue or too orange. This is the closest I have come so far! Next mission, find it in a cream finish!

Polishes used: Sally Hansen Pink Satin, Barielle Pink Diamond

More Polka Dots

Revamping a boring manicure is natural for those of us who have hoards of nail polish;) We paint our nails and enjoy the minimalism and simplicity of one color for about a day or two, then we start to get bored. Not that our current manicure isn't beautiful, it just doesn't capture our attention the way it did when it was first painted. With all the new textures, finishes, and topcoats you can add no one should ever get genuinely bored with doing their nails.

I recently painted my nails with SinfulColors Easy Going, an uber pale, pinky-peach, cream polish. Well, as it would go, I wore it for a day and then I needed to use another polish (or two) on it. In my defense, they were calling my name. If they stopped calling my name and looking so pretty, I wouldn't have to succumb to their bribery. Initially I added some polka dots as an accent nail, but it still wasn't enough. Then I spotted Barielle Buddha-Ful and realized that the flakies (which shift teal) would be perfect. See...

Awww...my opalescent nails with polka dot accents are so cute. I think they're perfect for spring.

Polishes Used: SinfulColors Easy Going, Diamond Cosmetics Don't Teal My Heart Away, Barielle Buddha-ful

Matte You Look

Press Samples

Today I have a comparison of two matte top coats. I received Barielle Matte-inee (I adore the name) with their spring collection, Sweet Treats. I decided to compare this higher end matte polish with a drug store brand. Take a peek at how Barielle Matte-inee and Revlon Matte Top Coat compare over a glossy polish.

L-R: Barielle Matte-inee, no top coat, Revlon Matte Top Coat

L-R: Revlon Matte Top Coat, no top coat, Barielle Matte-inee

The Verdict:
BOTH topcoats alter the finish of glossy nail polish. They also change the color of the polish ever so slightly.

• Barielle Matte-inee creates a satiny finish (which is what their product claims to do). Application was smooth and very easy. However, this product is rather pricey. This product also conditions nails and does a great job as a ridge filling polish. Would be great for guys or gals who want to condition their natural nails without a high shine polish.
• Revlon Matte Top Coat creates a matte finish. This polish was difficult to apply (maybe it was just my bottle?). It was very thick and was hard to apply evenly, which is very noticeable in the above picture. This top coat was inexpensive and easy to find, but does not claim to have any conditioning ingredients.

Revlon polishes can be purchased at many pharmacies and groceries. I paid $3.99 for my top coat.

Barielle polishes can be purchased online from their website. This matte top coat retails for $16.00.

Disclosure: The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the manufacturer or their PR company for consideration.  For more information please visit the tabs below the header.

Spring Polka Dots

Along with the Pantone Color of the Year, emerald, PINK is making a huge statement this year. Pink on nails is no exception. Many collections include varied shades, textures, and finishes of pinky polishes. Other than the stripe manicure featured yesterday, polka dots are another fabulous way to transition manicures from season to season. Besides, what classy lady doesn't love cute polka dots???

Polishes used: Barielle Eli's Magic and SinfulColors Easy Going
Nail art tip: Use a bobby pin for dots instead of buying dotting tools:)

"The Stripe" Nail Art

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the single stripe nail art that popped up at past fashion weeks. This is easy, classy nail art that leans more minimalist than past nail art ventures. To recreate the single stripe nail look, I used coordinating shades from Barielle's Some Like it Hot (summer '12) and Sweet Treats (spring '13) collections.

This is a great way to transition from season to season by bringing pastels and brights together. Here they are from in-your-face to subtle (also least favorite to favorite).

Green Apple Chew with Lily of the Valley stripes.

Banana Drop with Sunshine stripes.

Orange Parfait with You Gotta Have Fate stripes.

I really like this concept. I must also say I really don't like the green combo above. I am not sure if it is the mix of finishes, the extremes of the colors, or if the colors are just unappealing together. Also, I'm still not loving Green Apple Chew. You win some you loose some;) The coral combination is definitely my favorite but the yellow one is pretty too. I cannot wait to try this with other colors.

Have you tried this easy minimalist nail art yet?  What are your favorite colors to use?

Barielle Sweet Treats

Press Samples

When I received this package in the mail from Barielle, I was pumped to get to share the new spring collection with you. I love spring collections. Spring collections bring out my girly side and make me anticipate the warmer weather (which is still not here). Upon opening the package and finding five candy inspired shades, I was more than excited. Here is the new Sweet Treats collection, inspired by and named after candy.

Green Apple Chew is described as a "bright creamy lime green." I prefer to call it baby Shrek green. It is hands down the most unique polish in the collection. It is a very on-trend chartreuse cream polish. I think this will probably be the most popular out of the collection, however I think it does nothing to flatter my skintone. Perhaps it will grow on me, but I'm not sure.

Barielle has named this "creamy banana yellow" Banana Drop. This soft, creamy, pastel yellow still has a bright quality to it. It reminds me of baby chicks of the pale yellow variety;) This polish was not a pain to apply (considering it is a yellow) and this shows three thin coats. When I imagine a yellow that will be flattering on me, THIS is what I imagine. I have finally found a yellow that I like!

Lilac Jelly Bean is a "creamy grey violet." This polish is so dreamy. I love how subtle and sophisticated this pale purple polish looks on my nails. The above picture shows two coats. While this may not be the most unique color in the collection, it is still beautiful. I will have to see how this beauty compares to other light purples. 

This "frosted opalescent sea blue" was named Blue Cotton Candy. This is the only polish in the collection that does not have a cream finish. This beauty is packed with fine silver shimmer and was not streaky. This was one coat, but it could/should have been two. I really love this one. This polish appears to be pretty close to Butter London Victoriana (which I do not have or I'd compare).

Finally, meet Orange Parfait a "creamy soft coral." When I initially saw this I thought it looked like a dirty, browned, creamsicle orange. But once this was on, I changed my mind. I think it is quite lovely against my skintone. This was two coats.


The Verdict:
Again some of the names of these polishes were a touch odd, but I don't buy polish for the name. ALL of the polishes in this collection had flawless application and were quite pigmented. NONE of these polishes stained my nails. I really enjoy these pastels a lot for spring. My favorites are Banana Drop and Lilac Jelly Bean. Orange Parfait and Blue Cotton Candy were also lovely and I can definitely see myself wearing them a lot. Green Apple Chew might take some time to grow on me. It is the most unique, but also the most unflattering (on me) color of the collection.

**Barielle is having a special on their site through March 29th, go check it out**

This collection can be found at the Barielle website and retails for $25.00.  You can also purchase the polishes individually for $8.00.


Disclosure: The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the manufacturer or their PR company for consideration.  For more information please visit the tabs below the header.

Playing With Polish--Ugly Tribal/Easter Egg

Okay, so I had this great idea that I would create a pastel tribal pattern on my pinkish manicure. Little did I know how positively hilarious this would turn out! See for yourself...

This was definitely a "miss" in my book. The manicure which was supposed to be a pastel tribal, ended up looking like an ugly Easter egg! Oh well, here is to next time! *cheers*

St. Patrick's Day Funky French

For my festive St. Patrick's Day manicure, I decided to use my FAVORITE green glittery polish: Bad Ass Polish Go Pack Go! It only took me a few moments to decide how to display this beauty in an Irish inspired manicure. Behold my funky French:

I really ended up liking this a lot. It was just festive enough without seeming childish. Also, I highly recommend checking out Bad Ass Polish. Amy is a polish wizard!

Polishes used: Barielle Lily of the Valley and Bad Ass Polish Go Pack Go

Playing with Polish--Art Deco Jewelry #2

Here is your next installment of "art deco nail fails." This was inspired not only by beautiful jewelry, but also the color of the year (emerald).  Here is what inspired this manicure:

Source: http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/40-1-855 

And here is the resulting manicure...

Hahaha:)  This one is almost comical!  I think the bracelet is gorgeous, my manicure does not even come close!  I hope to continue playing with polish and trying out new designs from new sources of inspiration.  Not every manicure is perfect, wearable, or beautiful and that is why I have my "Playing with Polish" posts.

Does anyone have any suggestions for my next edition of Playing with Polish?  I cannot promise that they will turn out well, but I can promise that fun will be had:)

Playing with Polish--Art Deco Jewelry #1

Recently I decided to play with polish and started looking for sources of inspiration.  I ended up being inspired by the art deco jewelry that was popping up on my pinterest feed.  I decided to narrow down a couple of pieces to use for manicures.  Well, let's just say these were both "fails" in my book.  But I won't prevent you from staring at the trainwreck;)

Here is #1, which was inspired by this necklace:

Source: http://www.rubylane.com/item/443546-RL1451/Art-Deco-Pendant-Necklace-Rhinestones 

And this is what this ended up looking like...

Not bad, but not exactly what I was hoping for.

How often do you find something to inspire you, but end up wondering "what was I thinking?"

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope your day is full of love!

Here is a pink manicure to celebrate the day.

A while back I was wearing Barielle Greenwich Village at Dawn.  I wore this neutral pink manicure for a couple of days and then decided to add an accent nail in Confetti Dreamdate.  The subtle accent nail is perfect for work.  I think I will have to use this layering combo again some time:)

Valentine's Manicure--Take 4

This one really requires no explanation, it speaks for itself...

Valentine's Manicure #4

Xs and Os liven up this manicure as does the glittery pink heart.  Classy and themed enough without being in-your-face.  This is a very simple look to achieve, just pick your favorite polishes and go!

Nail polishes used to create this manicure: SinfulColors Easy Going, Barielle Gold Digger and Cherry Blossom Sparkler