"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?

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:)

Barielle's Some Like it Hot Collection

Press Samples

Last week you saw the Dazzling Diamonds Collection Barielle sent me.  Here is the other one, Some Like It Hot.

Please ignore the stray glitter in some photos, these were swatched immediately following the glitter swatch fest that was Dazzling Diamonds.  I also apologize for the condition of my hands & nails.  I had spent a week at the beach and they were dry to say the least from sunscreen, salt water, sand, and also from remover after swatching.  

This collection consists of bright summery colors in 2 finishes, cream and shimmer.  ALL swatches show 2 coats.

 Life of the Party is described as an "opaque pink with a touch of coral."  This is a pretty accurate description of this hot pink.  The coral brightens it making it perfect for summer.

 Gotta Have Fate is a coral!!!!!! It is described as just that an "opaque creamy coral."  Perfect tangerine leaning coral that adds some warmth to any summer ensemble.

 Sunshine is the first true yellow I have EVER tried.  It is perfectly described as a "warm yellow with shimmer."  The shimmer is subtle, but beautiful.  It makes the polish apply nicely and also gives it a glow so it isn't too flat.

 Lily of the Valley is, well, GORGEOUS.  The perfect emerald green that is shimmery but not streaky or frosty.  Barielle calls it "Irish green with shimmer" which is accurate, but I prefer to call it emerald:)  Lovely gemstone inspired color, perfect for any season.  I am actually really excited to wear this one again, even though I usually don't wear green polish.

 Surf's Up is "deep Caribbean blue."  I really love this color and I have nothing like it.  The blue is lovely and bright.  I must warn users that you MUST use a base coat that prevents staining or you will become smurf-ified!


The Verdict:
I love this entire collection.  As usual I have favorites:)  Due to my coral obsession, Gotta Have Fate is perfection.  I also adore Lily of the Valley, I have always loved emerald greens, but never had a polish that was emerald before.  I also loved Surf's Up against my skin tone.  If your collection is lacking in these colors or finishes I would suggest snatching them, however you might have some similar polishes already if you're a die-hard polish-aholic;)

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.