LOVE-ly Manicure #4

This Valentine's Day manicure is inspired by current manicure and color trends. I used the Pantone color-of-the-year for 2015, marsala, and the negative space (aka. bare nail) trend.

 

I love this look!

Polishes used: Zoya Pepper

A Tell Tale Manicure

It's no secret that Halloween is not my favorite holiday. I have never enjoyed being scared and I have always been on the squeamish side. However, I have always loved the creepy, insanity and darkness of some classic literature. I have shown this in some of my past Halloween inspired manicures including Jabberwocky and The Raven. This time I bring you another Edgar Allan Poe classic, The Tell Tale Heart. It's a short story about a character who is rather insane and paranoid after committing a crime. If you have never read it, here it is in its glory.

I included EKG lines to show the beating heart, blood spatter and smear, the words "like the sound a watch makes," and a heart of course. I apologize for the smearing that occurred when I added my topcoat :-(

Polishes used: Zoya Jacqueline, Livingston, Pepper, Claire, Harley, and Dot

Here are some other Halloween inspired manicures (& enter your own while you're at it leave a comment and I will vote for you!):
http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/halloween-nail-art-challenge/

Autumn Nail Art Challenge--Red

I was invited to join the "Blogger Bragger Autumn Nail Art Challenge" (via a facebook group). I enjoy participating in challenges as they encourage me to think outside of the box while providing some sort of inspiration or theme for a manicure. This is perfect timing as I have been in a bit of a nail art rut lately. The challenges are once a week for the next twelve weeks. They all have an autumn theme and incorporate one particular polish color. This week the challenge is...

RED

I love red polish. I know that many people do not. I was excited to try to incorporate some of my favorite red polishes into one cohesive nail look. I decided to hand paint a maple leaf to add an element of fall into the look.

Polishes used: Zoya Oswin, Jacqueline, Livingston, Pepper, Edyta

I also love looking at all of the great work that comes out of challenges. Take a look at the other fabulous autumn manicures:
http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=448814 

Feel free to join the group on facebook and join the challenge!

Playing with Polish--Contemporary Color Block Edition

Yesterday Zoya announced a new feature on their website, a trend guide. I was very excited since it also boasts of tutorials for each trend. The trends are inspired by none other than the runways of New York Fashion Week. While perusing this new feature I was intrigued by the "Contemporary Color Block" manicure mentioned. I began conjuring up other fabulous trios to try. Below you will see three other ideas (along with the original color suggestion). I came up with a red, mint/sage, and ivory/neutral version. I haven't decided which one to wear for a full manicure yet. I might just have to try something new! I could have created so many other pairings, I might have to have a sequel to this post sometime!

Polishes used: (base, moon, stripe)
Index: Neely, Bevin, Vespa
Middle: (original) Genevieve, Ryan, Dahlia
Ring: Jacqueline, Jules, Bar (Godiva or Tomoko would also look gorgeous with this. I had trouble deciding)
Pinkie: Livingston, Pepper, Oswin

I do realize that I forgot to make the "moon" portion curved, maybe next time:)
What other combinations would you like to see? What do you think of this trend?

Check out Zoya's new Trend Guide for Fall 2014!
Also check out their new promotion/sweepstakes #MyNameMonday

Zoya Cashmeres Collection

Press Samples

Autumn is my most favorite season. I love the brisk mornings, the changing leaves, sweaters, and all of the richness of color that accompanies the season. This means that fall collections are usually among my favorite. Also, Zoya has been known for turning out some head-turning, top-selling fall collections in past years (Smoke & Mirrors; Designer, Diva, and Gloss). This year Zoya brings us the luxurious Satins and Cashmere Collections. Just the names of these collections excite me! 

Today I have the Cashmeres Collection for you. This collection is full of rich, jewel- and earth-toned, creme polishes. Take a peek...

Livingston is a "lush autumn red." This true red applied like a dream. This swatch shows two effortless coats.

Pepper is described as a "brick red cream" and it has warm brown undertones. Two lovely coats made a lovely deep fall manicure.

Sailor is a "classic dark navy cream" that appears to be a dusty indigo in some lighting. This beauty was a one-coater!

Hunter, described as a "dark sea green cream," is somewhere among pine and military green. It too applied beautifully in 2 coats.

Louise is a delicious "rich chocolate brown cream." It exudes the warmth and comfort of a mocha or coffee. This manicure had me craving dark chocolate. And it was a sweet, chocolatey smooth application in two coats. 

Flynn, a "lush camel brown nude cream," was flawless in two coats. It reminds me of something that I just can't put my finger on...coffee with cream? butterscotch? wool camel trench coats? 

The Verdict:

The formula of these is perfection. I love that this collection combines the wealth and beauty of the earth through jewel-tones and earthy browns. The creme polish lover in me (which is a HUGE part of me) thinks that this is my favorite fall collection yet. I love every color and cannot wait to wear them a second, third, fourth...time. This collection is timeless, yet right on trend for the season. It has a little something for everyone. My personal must-haves are Sailor, Hunter, and Louise.

Zoya nail polish is available for purchase through their website and retail for $8.00 each.  Sign up for a Zoya account today and receive points that can be redeemed for promotions and discounts.