Spooky Trees

Today's festive fall manicure is simple and straightforward. I love seeing autumn trees covered with colorful leaves, however that beauty does not last forever. Eventually the leaves fall off, giving way to trees that beckon toward the winter sky. These spooky trees were the inspiration for my manicure.

While this may not be my most favorite manicure, I really loved the combination of essie Bobbing for Baubles and Bad Ass Polish Dusk. It also made me rekindle my love for essie Bobbing for Baubles. Dusk adds some light and beauty to the manicure while creating mystery and intrigue.

Do you have a favorite topper that adds more character to manicures, like Dusk did for this manicure?

Pretty in Pastel

Many of you are aware of my obsession with pretty, pale hues.I am always in search of pretty pastels that I can wear to with anything and everything. In my mind, pastels are a bit of a neutral. This summer I discovered a new favorite in Essie's A Crewed Interest. 

The Verdict:
This is a definite new favorite. I love peachy and coral polishes and this beauty fit right in. It reminds me of soft flower petals. Also, I have worn this multiple times, proving it as a new go-to polish.

Essie is a polish that retails for about $8 and can be found in many grocery, pharmacy, and beauty stores.

NCLA Nail Wraps in It Don't Matter (& a brief tutorial)

Press Samples

I was contacted by NailPolishCanada.com to test and review NCLA Nail Wraps. I was so excited to try out another brand of nail wraps/polish strips. Everyone is pressed for time in this day and age and NCLA Nail Wraps are a saving grace. When you want to have killer nail art but either don't have the time or skill to execute it, NCLA Nail Wraps come to the rescue.

Here is a brief tutorial on how to apply the NCLA Nail Wraps:
Each kit comes with 2 sheets of 22 wraps (good for 3-4 applications), a NCLA nail file, easy-to-follow directions. 

This kit is called It Don't Matter and features a variety of black and white geometric designs. The images below match the instructions described below.

1. Apply a base coat to clean nails.
2. Choose the size and design that you would like to wear. Peel the chosen strip off of the backing.
3. Line the curved side up with your cuticle. Stretch the strip and smooth out the bubbles.
4. File off the excess in a downward motion using the included file.
5. Apply a top coat to seal and protect your nail wrap.

The result...

The Verdict:
These are a time saver. They are quite durable. These are beautiful without the painstaking work of creating these designs as nail art. NCLA Nail Wraps can be worn as a full manicure or as accent nails. The wraps come in a variety of sizes. I have VERY small fingers so it made it somewhat difficult to wear this as a full mani. I don't know if there are strips small enough for my pinkies. That being said, these can be cut so they can be the appropriate size.  I would definitely recommend these to anyone and everyone. 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), essie Barefoot in Blue

Playing With Polish--Beach Towel Inspired

I know what you're thinking, a weekend post?!?!?! Yes my friends, a weekend post:)

Before heading out in my Caribbean adventure, I had a blast getting outfit ideas, browsing Pinterest, scavenging blogs, and shopping for my trip. I unearthed my summer attire and swimwear, got out my floppy hat and broke my sunglasses. All the while I was inspired by airy fabrics, bright colors, and days full of sun.

I channeled this inspiration by playing with polish. I guess you could say this is beach towel/bag/swimwear inspired. It's really just a bunch of patterns as fun skittles on the nails.

I used a base of Essie Mint Candy Apple and painted designs using Barielle Surf's Up. The glitter accent nail is a layer of Barielle Star Dust over Essie Mint Candy Apple. My favorite is definitely the glittery nail. I'll have to try this on its own. Without my playing with polish I would never have thought to combine these two.

Hope your day is fabulous!

Golden Elegance

Every season has its trends that help to make way for the next fad. Last year Essie came out with their   luxe effects. Prior to this a number of brands were creating "toppers" that changed the appearance of a polish with glitters, duochrome shimmers, and flakies. The trend has since evolved into gold flake topcoats.

Originally I was smitten with this concept, but after much thought I decided that the gold flakes were not my style. I'm sure if I tried them I'd change mind. To curb my appetite for a real gold topcoat I decided to break out As Gold As It Gets from the Essie luxe effects collection.

I layered this golden beauty over L'Oreal Sweet Nothings. This was quite lovely and I received many compliments on this golden manicure. It reminds me of golden sun rays and sparkling warm sand. I love trying out new layering combinations. And although this is nothing like a gold topcoat I still find it beautiful and stunning.

Essie Butler Please

How can you deny the beauty of this polish? Essie Butler Please is a bright, cobalt-periwinkle. I simply adore how pretty and vibrant this polish is.

The Verdict:
This reminds me of warm tropical waters, coral reefs, and lazy lagoons. The formula is so butters smooth that this only needed two coats to reach full opacity. Perfect for spring and summer or adding some much needed brightness in the cooler or dreary months. I've heard this is not a dupe of Nails Inc. Baker Street as it is a touch dustier, so take your pick but this shade is a must have any way you look at it!

Essie Mint Candy Apple

Today I'm sharing a polish that reminds me of springtime and summer. I know that this originally came out as part of a winter collection a few years back. Meet Essie Mint Candy Apple:

This bright pastel turquoise almost appears to be a neon shade in some lighting against my pale winter skin.

The Verdict:
I love this for spring and summer. I am so jealous of how awesome this shade looks on people who have deeper and warmer skin tones. Very beachy, very bright, and fabulously fun! Not too streaky or chalky. It gave me no application issues.

Time Warp Challenge--Day 6

Today's challenge is...

They sure don't make 'em like they used to!

Today is brought to you by the letter "d" and the number "11."  Ok, but really let's be honest, they really don't make things like they used to.  Today's theme reflects classic toys and games of our past or from history.  This one was so easy to think of ideas for, but so hard to pick one to do.  My top choices of inspiration sources were pick-up-sticks, Parcheesi, Yahtzee, marbles, and dominoes.  Do you want to see which one I picked?

Fun fact: my family still plays this every new year's day!

Polishes used: (too many) Zoya Purity, SinfulColors Black on Black, OPI Skull and Glossbones, Barielle Surf's Up, Barielle Life of the Party, Barielle Sunshine, Essie Fear or Desire, Barielle Lily of the Valley, Essie Barefoot in Blue, PritiNYC Geisha Girl

What game or toy would you have chosen?

Time Warp Challenge--Day 3

Today's challenge is...

I remember when...

Personal or historical events were the inspiration and focus of this challenge.  I focused on history since I find it more fascinating than my own life:-P So many great historical events flooded my mind.  I listed and sketched so many ideas.  I ultimately landed on what I was most excited to recreate on my own nails...

October 4, 1957

The launch and orbit of Sputnik.

 I'm pretty pleased with my choice of this event and of the final product.  I think it's a pretty neat twist on a galaxy manicure:)

Polishes used: Too many:) Seriously, I don't know if I remember all of them!  Here's my best shot (not in the order applied): SinfulColors Black on Black & Nail Junkie, piCture pOlish mirage & orbit, essie Fear or Desire, and Zoya Purity

What event would you have chosen? (My other choice was the fall of the Berlin wall)

Beautiful (& Barefoot) in Blue

So I was trying to change it up and wear a color I neglect often, even though I love it...BLUE.

I reached for essie's Barefoot in Blue and painted my nails.  I love this color, it's SO pretty! I wore it for a few hours, but then decided to go all crazy and add glitter for an accent nail;)

I loved the result.  So classy and pretty even with the crazy multi-sized holographic glitter pieces.  The above pictures show 2 coats of essie Barefoot in Blue topped with one coat of Barielle Starchild on the ring finger.

What's your favorite way to spice up a manicure?

*FYI* Barielle is on sale today at HauteLook! (8th item down 1st column) Individual nail polishes are $4/ea and polish sets (w/ 5 polishes) are $12.50! Get 'em while they're available!!!!

One, Two, Three Strikes You're Out!

This weekend I'll be sporting a baseball inspired manicure.  My cousins, aunt, and parents are coming in town tomorrow to see some of the Little League World Series games.  I grew up watching baseball with my dad.  My family is a baseball family.  So naturally I had to sport festive nails for the games:)  

This manicure is simple and classic.  Anyone can do this!  I painted my ring finger with a white polish and while that dried I used essie bobbing for baubles on the other 4 nails.  It made me realize how much I truly love this color...AND I may be addicted to navy blue again.  Once my ring finger was dry I added a forward and backward "c" shape to the nail with Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby.  I finished it off adding the smaller lines as stitch marks on the laces.  I love this, I really do.

 How do you like the cameo of my t-ball all star patch?  Yup, that's right t-balll all star right here.  Be very jealous;)

What are you up to this weekend?

Summer Fun Challenge--Day 4

Lindsey at the Neverland Nail Blog is so incredibly creative.  I love her blog so very much and about 3 weeks ago she announced The Summer Fun Challenge.

Day 4: WE LIKE IT HOT, HOT, HOT!

I thought about taking out some of my nearly neon nail polishes for this one, but decided on a glittery/jelly gradient instead.  Summer of course reminds us of the squelching heat.  I was instantly drawn to use Essie Fear or Desire so I painted all of my nails wit this beauty.  Then I sat there admiring my small polish collection, waiting for inspiration to strike.  I decided that Sinful Colors I Miss Yuo could make a beautiful gradient because of its purple jelly base and holographic glitter.  I think this turned out pretty well, even if it isn't as great of a gradient as I had hoped (another thing I need to work on).

Other HOT manicures:

Summer Fun Challenge--Days 1 & 2

Lindsey at the Neverland Nail Blog is so incredibly creative.  I love her blog so very much and about 3 weeks ago she announced a fun summer challenge.

I was immediately thrilled to participate and I actually went to work right away trying to create manicures for the 8 themes.  Unfortunately I lost my camera's USB cord so I could not upload, which meant I couldn't pre-plan the posts despite the preparation I put in:-\  Anyway...I found my camera's USB cord on Sunday.  Therefore I am a little late to the party, but I will continue to add 2 posts per week that follow the themes.  

Here's a little catching up...

Day 1: GRILL MASTER

 I took this literally.  I was not crazy about putting meat or veggies on my nails, it kind of weirded me out. I decided to create a grill on my fingernails.  I really loved this.  I used a base of Sinful Colors Black on Black then I carefully sponged Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby and Dr. Remedy Tranquil Tangerine to create flames.  This glowed, a lot!  For the grate I used Barielle Granite Glitter and a nail art brush.

Because I was too late to the party & unable to add my link, check out the other Grill Master inspired nails here or here:


Day 2: Summer Lovin'

All I could think of is Grease.  I was stuck & without ideas.  So I recalled one of my favorite summers, the summer my husband proposed.  We were at the beach (but I really didn't want to do beach nails) and there were beautiful clear skies all week.  My father-in-law was really sweet to take pictures of the whole thing from a distance (so I wouldn't know it was happening, so I wouldn't get frazzled, etc.).  So this was my inspiration.  I used Essie Barefoot in Blue for the background then I sponged Zoya Purity to make clouds (and a heart-shaped cloud too!).  The rest of the details (including polaroid style pictures & silhouettes) were created using Zoya Purity, Sinful Colors Black on Black, and  Barielle Granite Glitter.  I'm not thrilled about how this turned out, but my other attempt at a Summer Lovin' manicure was worse.

Check out the other Summer Lovin' manicures here or below.

essie Fear or Desire

It is no secret that oranges have made a HUGE comeback this year.  Also it is becoming quite evident that essie is becoming more adventurous.  While I do enjoy traditional nail polish shades, which essie has definitely flourished in, the increased variety in their colors is definitely appreciated.

Today I am going to share a lovely little bottle of essie nail polish from their latest summer 2012 collection, Bikini So Teeny.  I received this polish from a perk on klout and was randomly sent a polish.  I tore open the box on Tuesday and found this orange shade tucked inside.  

While it is a beautiful orange, I'm not sure I ever in a million years would have bought it for myself.  It's not that I don't like oranges, I'm just afraid of yellow leaning ones (vs. red leaning oranges).  In fact, I think that may be how I can relate to the name, you either fear this color or desire it:)  

Here is Fear or Desire:

This creamy yellow leaning orange is still not too yellow.  It's a bright sunny shade without approaching neon.

The Verdict:
I actually really like this color.  Surprisingly it compliments my skin tone nicely.  Ready for a shock?  The above picture is of ONE COAT of this lovely.  I could have done 2, but it was opaque in 1 medium coat.  The bumps you see on my nails are not from this polish, they were just some stubborn flakies that were stuck to my nails.  I didn't know I missed them until I painted my nails:-\  Hence the one coat (I removed it, then repainted).  Overall, I do enjoy this orange.  I'm surprised I like it as much as I do actually:)

essie nail polishes retail for about $8 per bottle and can be found at many pharmacies, drug stores, and beauty suppliers.

All That Glitters...essie Shine of the Times

Confession: I am afraid of glitter polishes.

I LOVE glitter polishes in the bottle.  I LOVE the potentially amazing things you can do and create with glitter polishes.  BUT they're a pain to take off & sometimes they make me feel like a little kid.

This week I am going to share with you my silver, gold, & glittery friends that do not get the credit that they deserve.  "All That Glitters.." week has already taught me to love my glitters more.  Check it out:

All That Glitters is...

essie Shine of the Times

I am completely aware that Shine of the Times is a flakie, but the shift does hit gold at some points:)  I love how flakies dress up a manicure.  Above you can see one coat of shine of the times over a dark polish and over a light colored polish.

The Verdict:

I know flakies are a "fad" but this is a fad that I will take any and every day over shatter/crackles.  This beauty applied like butter.  I love how it transforms over different colors.  My biggest problem with flakies (in general) is that sometimes they "sink" into polish  making it not look smooth even after it is completely dry.  Also they can be annoying to remove (though not as bad as glitters).  If you don't have a flakie, I would definitely recommend this one, it's so beautiful!  I love how it made my fingernails look like little opals.

Essie polishes can be purchased for about $8.00 each and can be found at most pharmacies and grocery stores with beauty departments.

Do you have a favorite flakie?

I've Got the Blues--Essie B4B

Hello loves!  This week I will be featuring polishes that are my favorite color: BLUE!  Strangely enough, although blue is my favorite color, finding a blue polish I like is a bit of a problem.  Many of you are aware of my cool pale skintone which can morph a blue at times.  And to complicate things, my lovely plethora of freckles are warm toned.  Basically, I'm a picky blue polish wearer.  This week I will share my favorite blue polishes with you:)

Last but definitely not least...blue polish #5:

essie bobbing for baubles

This polish is a dusty dark blue.  Last fall, I became wildly obsessed with finding a navy blue that would not look black.  It seemed that every polish I was tipped off about ended up looking so dark that it was black.

The Verdict:
The dustiness & hint of green in this beautiful blue separated it from the rest and makes it wearable in all seasons.  This is a must-have for me and it is my absolute favorite blue that I own.  I have worn this in the winter & spring.  I cannot wait to wear this beautiful saturated jewel toned blue this fall.

Essie nail polishes can be purchased at many retailers including at most pharmacies for $8.00.

I've Got the Blues--Revlon Whimsical

Hello loves!  This week I will be featuring polishes that are my favorite color: BLUE!  Strangely enough, although blue is my favorite color, finding a blue polish I like is a bit of a problem.  Many of you are aware of my cool pale skintone which can morph a blue at times.  And to complicate things, my lovely plethora of freckles are warm toned.  Basically, I'm a picky blue polish wearer.  This week I will share my favorite blue polishes with you:)

Blue #3...

Revlon Whimsical

**I know that everyone and their mother and sister and aunt's friend's first cousin's wife have posted on this polish.  It's one of my "blue" favorites though so you'll have to deal with it one more time;)**

This is a light blue jelly with light pink and light aqua hexagonal glitter suspended throughout.  There is also fine light pink and aqua glitter within this squishy blue base.  The above shot shows 3 layers of Revlon Whimsical on all nails.  And here she is layered over essie barefoot in blue (1 coat):

The Verdict:

This polish is fun and...well...whimsical;)  It's definitely best for layering.  It looks amazing layered over Zoya Kristen (but I forgot to take a picture!).  While I love this polish, I also do not believe that it deserves all of the crazy hype it got in the late winter.  Additionally, it was hard to get the glitter to apply evenly (see first shot).  But nonetheless, I love this concoction as it reminds me of birthday parties and cupcakes.  While this is not necessarily a must-have, it is fun and can be layered many ways.  

I've Got the Blues--essie barefoot in blue

Hello loves!  This week I will be featuring polishes that are my favorite color: BLUE!  Strangely enough, although blue is my favorite color, finding a blue polish I like is a bit of a problem.  Many of you are aware of my cool pale skintone which can morph a blue at times.  And to complicate things, my lovely plethora of freckles are warm toned.  Basically, I'm a picky blue polish wearer.  This week I will share my favorite blue polishes with you:)


Bluey #2 is...

essie barefoot in blue

This is such a pretty blue!  It's definitely a light blue that reminds me of clear, spring, sunny, blue skies.  This beauty is a limited edition polish that was given away by Toms and essie for Toms' One Day Without Shoes campaign.  On April 10, I went without shoes for the day and wore this beauty on by toes.  I also recently purchased my first pair of Toms.  Fun fact, Toms donates and distributes one pair of shoes for each one pair you buy every and any day.


The Verdict:
This pretty polish brightens any gloomy day.  I was very concerned about this polish at first.  My first coat was very thin and uneven.  It ended up settling itself and covering quite evenly, this is 2 coats.  The formulation and pigmentation was good and there was no staining.  I think everyone needs one beautiful blue like this one.  It makes me want to have a picnic!

Do you have a favorite sky blue shade?

Watercolor Manicure

I recently entered the spring nail art competition by beautystat.  I chose to do a watercolor manicure to showcase some beautiful polishes and this great technique.  Take a look at my entry and what I said on the site: 

"My watercolor manicure was inspired by pastels and light, airy spring and summer fabrics.  Watercolor nails look gorgeous against the spring trends and can be done in various hues of one color or in a variety of colors. I painted all of my nails with Lumos Instant Impact Bottom Coat topped with two coats of Sally Hansen in Pure White.  I applied Lumos High Speed Top Coat and waited for the polish to dry.  I chose a series of colors that I wanted to watercolor with.  My colors of choice were: PritiNYC in California Bluebell (a dark periwinkle), Essie in Barefoot in Blue (a light periwinkle), Diamond Cosmetics in Don’t Teal My Heart Away (a medium teal), Rimmel London in Sunset Orange (a bright, orange-y coral), and China Glaze in Champagne Bubbles (a warm, yellow gold). Starting with the first polish mentioned, I placed a few small drips of polish on a nail, one nail at a time.  With a nail art (or small paint) brush that was dipped in nail polish remover, I smeared the polish around the nail.  I continued this process with each color on every nail.  When completed, I topped my nails with one last coat ofLumos High Speed Top Coat to set the polish."

I made it as a finalist and I am super surprised!  I would LOVE your support/votes.  It's super easy you just have to comment on this post. You're more than welcome to vote for someone else too:) 

Thank you so much! (Mine is the watercolor manicure by Kate).

Playing with Polish--Peacock

I've had this edited for a while and I've just been waiting for the right time to publish this.  Due to my lack of posts this week (*cough* grad school *cough*), I figured the least I could do would be to show you some lovely nail art:)

Here is my peacock feather accent nail:

Polishes used: 
base color: Pro 10 Moonlight
feather nail art: Diamond Cosmetics Don't Teal My Heart Away, Barielle Gold Digger, NOPI Turquoise Shatter, and (I think) essie Bobbing for Baubles

Thanks for checking it out:)