Autumn Nail Art Challenge--Silver

This week the challenge was difficult because I usually associate warm colors with autumn, not cool metallics. I tried to create a unique design without it looking too wintery and was rather unsuccessful. It looks like an icy winter manicure. But that's what you get when the challenge is...

Silver

I kind of took some liberties with this one and used more of a grey/pewter/silver approach. I tried to do the design on the ring finger on all of my nails but was wildly unsuccessful so I created a different look instead.

Polishes used: Zoya Loredana and Seraphina

Take a look at the other silver autumn manicures:
http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=448837

Autumn Nail Art Challenge--Purple

Another week, another colorful autumn manicure. My posting has been limited as my infant son has thrown sleeping out the window. I've been focusing on being a mom versus a blogger for the past two weeks, I apologize but that will happen at times as my family is a priority. Thank you for sticking with me through everything so far, you guys are the best.

Until this week, I was unaware of how many different purple-toned polishes I own. I really love purples, but find them hard to pair together in nail art because of their varied tones. Purples can be so complex, I love it! Without further ado, this week's autumn manicure in...

Purple

This was supposed to look like mums. It kind of looks like brocade, but still seems autumnal:)

Polishes used: Zoya Hudson, Savita, Belinda, Sansa

Take a look at the other fabulous autumn manicures:
http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=448828

Autumn Nail Art Challenge--Blue

This week's Autumn Nail Art Challenge ended up forming in a very similar manner as last week's green manicure. I took out all of my blues, played around with different combinations and then just decided to go crazy with a bunch of colors. Say 'hello' to this week's manicure for the Autumn Nail Art Challenge...

Blue

 Polishes used: Zoya Rocky, Rebel, Mosheen, Liberty, Song, Remy, Ryan

Not super autumnal, but still beautiful in its own right. :)



Take a look at the other fabulous autumn manicures:
http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=448823

 

Feel free to join in at any time!

Autunn Nail Art Challenge--Green

In the autumn most things are changing color and taking on more vibrant hues. That being said, green is not very high on my list of autumnal colors. Trying to be inspired, I took out nearly every green polish I owned, put a few away, and used the rest. Here is the result for...

Green

I think it kind of looks like leaves. Due to the leaf-like nature of this manicure, I decided to see how the leaves would look on trees...

Not sure which I prefer. It was fun to experiment and play with my greens:)

Polishes used: Zoya Neely, Vespa, Bevin, Evvie, Chita, Veruschka, Suvi, Hunter, Edyta
Take a look at the other fabulous autumn manicures:
http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=448820

Autumn Nail Art Challenge--Yellow

I love how happy the color yellow is. However, I do not own many yellow polishes. Also, I recently did a yellow manicure so I was stumped on finding something new to do! I eventually decided that I wanted to use a yellow and grey color scheme and created this for this week's challenge...

Yellow

I like how Darcy brings out the golden/yellow flecks in Yuna. I'm also happy that I decided not to use a cream grey, the shimmer definitely adds interest and depth to this manicure.

Polishes used: Zoya Darcy, Yuna, Seraphina

Take a look at the other fabulous autumn manicures:
http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=448818

Autumn Alternative French Manicure

I love cream finish polishes. Some think its boring, I like to think it's classic. That being said, sometimes I paint my nails with a polish and get bored. Sometimes a plain cream finish is enough, other times you yearn for a little more pizzazz. This manicure started out completely satisfying me. I wore it for days on its own. It complimented my outfits, made my nails look lovely, and was an understated classic. Then I wanted more. I added a metallic tip and gave this manicure new life.

Polishes used: Sally Hansen So much Fawn and Gilty Party

Gilty Party might be my favorite fall metallic. What do you do to spruce up a manicure that you're tired of?

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?

SinfulColors Mirror Metallics--Gold Medal

Press Samples 

The Mirror Metallics nail polish collection from SinfulColors features seven sparkling shades guaranteed to steal the spotlight. Infused with sensuous shimmer, these luminous tints will light up your holiday celebration. 

I was sent 4 of these metallics to try out, Blue Steel, Triple Platinum, Simply Silver, and Gold Medal. All four of these metallics had the same metallic formula. Finally, I have a classic metallic for you in Gold Medal.

Gold Medal is "a  golden, glimmery goddess."

The Verdict:
This, as well as the other Mirror Metallics, dried pretty quickly and applied nicely. As with many metallics, there were visible brush strokes after application and drying. They are not as visible as a frosted finish, and were more visible in some of the polish hues. These also appear as more of a brushed metal rather than a mirrored metal, but they're still lovely:)

Gold Medal is the perfect gold. It is not too yellowed or brassy and will flatter most skin tones. The photo above shows 2 easy coats. This was only slightly streaky, but can be easily overlooked because this golden goddess GLOWS. If you need/want a lovely gold look no further than this affordable neutral gold. This might just be my favorite gold because it is so flattering.

SinfulColors Mirror Metallics, $1.99 exclusively at Walgreens for Holiday 2013.

SinfulColors Mirror Metallics--Simply Silver

Press Samples 

The Mirror Metallics nail polish collection from SinfulColors features seven sparkling shades guaranteed to steal the spotlight. Infused with sensuous shimmer, these luminous tints will light up your holiday celebration. 

I was sent 4 of these metallics to try out, Blue Steel, Triple Platinum, Simply Silver, and Gold Medal. All four of these metallics had the same metallic formula. Today it's the standard silver Simply Silver.

Simply Silver is "a sparkling ornamental shade of silver."

The Verdict:
This, as well as the other Mirror Metallics, dried pretty quickly and applied nicely. As with many metallics, there were visible brush strokes after application and drying. They are not as visible as a frosted finish, and were more visible in some of the polish hues. These also appear as more of a brushed metal rather than a mirrored metal, but they're still lovely:)

Simply Silver is a very white, untarnished silver metallic. It brightens your manicure and gives it just the right amount of flash. This is sure to be a holiday staple and will work beautifully as both a solid manicure or as nail art. The two coats above applied rather smoothly, but brush strokes were still visible. Still a beautiful polish and if you don't have a silver get this one before it's gone!

SinfulColors Mirror Metallics, $1.99 exclusively at Walgreens for Holiday 2013.

SinfulColors Mirror Metallics--Triple Platinum

Press Samples 

The Mirror Metallics nail polish collection from SinfulColors features seven sparkling shades guaranteed to steal the spotlight. Infused with sensuous shimmer, these luminous tints will light up your holiday celebration. 

I was sent 4 of these metallics to try out, Blue Steel, Triple Platinum, Simply Silver, and Gold Medal. All four of these metallics had the same metallic formula. Next up I have the purple-y Triple Platinum.

Triple Platinum is "a light shade of lilac tinted with tinsel." Photo shows 2 coats.

The Verdict:
This, as well as the other Mirror Metallics, dried pretty quickly and applied nicely. As with many metallics, there were visible brush strokes after application and drying. They are not as visible as a frosted finish, and were more visible in some of the polish hues. These also appear as more of a brushed metal rather than a mirrored metal, but they're still lovely:)

Triple Platinum was a touch on the streaky side, but the lovely lilac toned platinum makes up for it. I love the softness of this metallic color, it's just enough to command attention while staying classy. It's a nice twist on a traditional platinum shade. Definitely an excellent, affordable choice for all purple polish lovers!

SinfulColors Mirror Metallics, $1.99 exclusively at Walgreens for Holiday 2013.

SinfulColors Mirror Metallics--Blue Steel

Press Samples

The Mirror Metallics nail polish collection from SinfulColors features seven sparkling shades guaranteed to steal the spotlight. Infused with sensuous shimmer, these luminous tints will light up your holiday celebration. 

I was sent 4 of these metallics to try out, Blue Steel, Triple Platinum, Simply Silver, and Gold Medal. All four of these metallics had the same metallic formula. First up, I have the cool, denim-like Blue Steel.

Blue Steel is "a brilliant blue gush of gift-wrap."

The Verdict:
This, as well as the other Mirror Metallics, dried pretty quickly and applied nicely. As with many metallics, there were visible brush strokes after application and drying. They are not as visible as a frosted finish, and were more visible in some of the polish hues. These also appear as more of a brushed metal rather than a mirrored metal, but they're still lovely:)

I love the pigmentation of Blue Steel, I did 2 coats in the above photo. This color is perfect for the holidays. It would be lovely with a silver or glitter gradient or even some snowflakes painted on top. While it is not the most unique color, it's cheaper than most other polishes that make a similar color. Blue lovers, this one is for you. BONUS: this one had minimal brushstrokes visible, what you see in the photo is what you get:)

SinfulColors Mirror Metallics, $1.99 exclusively at Walgreens for Holiday 2013.

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

Once Upon a Midnight Dreary...

Yes, lovelies, I created a manicure inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's well-known poem, The Raven. I think this is a very classy way to wear "Halloween Nails" without being too grotesque or juvenile. If you've never read this poem (or the Tell Tale Heart) it is a great, seasonal read. In the poem the mysterious bird repeats "nevermore" as the narrator wrestles with himself. I chose to focus on the eerie message of the raven and use the bird's words as inspiration. Since I am no expert in the field of nail art, I chose to keep it as simple as possible. Here is my take on this haunting poem...

I have to admit, I really love this look despite it having no semblance of a bird. Maybe some day when I have a steadier hand I will be able to create a silhouette of a raven. Until then, this is as good as it gets. I think I will have to recreate this for Halloween, perhaps replacing Dahlia with Dhara:)

Polishes used: Zoya Purity, Dahlia, and Claudine (CONFESSION: I used a Sharpie to write the word "Nevermore")

Jewel-Toned Stained Glass

This autumn rich, jewel tones are everywhere. I must admit that I adore this trend. Jewel tones favor my complexion and are very flattering on me. Due to the fact that many polish brands have a bunch of this gorgeous tones in their polishes, it has made choosing a polish to wear ridiculously difficult. So what is better than deciding? Why, wearing all at once of course!

I created this lovely stained glass manicure using beautiful, glowing jewel inspired shades. After painting my middle and ring finger nails black I let the polish dry before dividing my nail into random sections using striping tape as painters tape. I then randomly painted the sections with beautiful metallic colors. Before the polish dried, I removed the tape. After it dried, I applied a clear topcoat to level it out. To avoid too much darkness in this manicure, I painted the rest of my nails with a beautiful textured polish.

I like this and think it adds a bit of flair to an otherwise boring autumn manicure. Besides, I was able to wear all the polishes that I could not decide between:) How do you wear jewel tones?

Polishes used: SinfulColors Black on Black and Zoya nail polishes in Mason, Neve, Channing, Giovanna, and Tomoko

Zoya Zenith Collection

Press Samples

Will I have the right words to express the wonder and beauty contained in these elegant glass bottles? Probably not, but I will try...

Zoya created another Winter/Holiday collection that contains a variety of finishes/formulas. There are jelly polishes with holographic flecks, a metallic, polishes with fine metallic glitter flecks, and even a tinted jelly packed with color-shifting bar and teeny glitter pieces. It is a collection that is sure to wow everyone, despite the lack of a red for a holiday collection. 

Many other bloggers said it is nice to see barely any trace of red or green in the Zenith Collection. I agree to a certain extent, but I also always love a new red or green polish with a new twist. On the other hand, it is nice for those who celebrate Hanukkah to have a collection that falls into the color wheel of the holiday celebration. Without further delay, let's browse the beauties...

Seraphina is a "Polaris silver metallic." She is an ethereal platinum hue with fine glittery, foil flecks that are more of a white gold color than silver. It took 2-3 coats to reach opacity with Seraphina, some areas were patchy. 

Cassedy, described as a "celestial pewter metallic," is packed with fine glittery, silver, foil flecks. This pewter shade has the slightest tinge of green in its dark, metallic charcoal base. The above photo shows 2 easy coats.

Belinda, a "cosmic purple metallic," is the only true metallic in the collection. She is a rich, dark, royal purple hue with fine metallic flecks of cobalt and magenta. The above swatch shows 2 streak-free, easy coats.

Payton is a "galactic cranberry with holographic glitter." Cranberry really is the perfect descriptor of this polish. This jelly polish is packed with holographic glitter pieces that are prismatic in almost any lighting. The above photographs feature 2 coats. I let the polish dry between coats due to its squishy nature.

Dream, a "deep space blue with holographic glitter," is one of the most raved about and anticipated colors from this collection. This bright, navy blue, jelly has holographic glitter that likes to appear as icy shards unless they are kissed by sunlight. The above swatch shows two coats (you must let the polish dry between coats to avoid dragging) and left NO staining on my nails!

Mosheen is described by Zoya as an "astro ice blue topper." This clear, light blue base is packed full of miniature bar and glitter in a beautiful iridescent iciness. Above it is shown as an accent nail with Dream. The accent nail is one coat of Dream with two easy coats of Mosheen.

The Verdict:

I adore the nod to astronomy in this collection. I took an astronomy course in college and loved it (probably the only physics class I would ever willingly take). The variety of finishes in this collection, along with the colors, make it something special. I love the flawless application of these and the rich pigmentation. My favorites are Payton, Seraphina, and Belinda. I think everyone should be able to find at least a little something to tickle their fancy in this collection.

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.

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear--Coin Flip

Press Samples

Today I have ANOTHER metallic from Sally Hansen:) If you remember back to last week, you might think I accidentally reposted about a Sally Hansen polish. However, I am here to stress that Coin Flip is in fact different from Golden-I. Coin Flip is Golden-I's bronze sister. It's the exact same finish, just bronze instead of gold.

Coin Flip is a metallic bronze polish. It has the same silvery-pewter base (as Golden-I) with flecks of bronze. The flecks & base make this a very wearable, understated bronze that almost looks like a metallic taupe. The swatches shown do not have a topcoat. 

The Verdict:

Again with the minimal brushstrokes. But this is not at all frosted. The bronze flecks are stunning! I can see this polish becoming an autumn staple. It seems like that perfect "almost neutral" to wear with layers and boots. I love how luminescent this is too, it almost makes your skin glow:)

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Sally Hansen CSM--Gilty Party

Press Samples

Another Sally Hansen metallic, this time from their Complete Salon Manicure line. Meet, Gilty Party...

 Gilty Party is a neutral metallic (somewhere between silver and gold) packed with coppery flecks. The pictures show two coats without a topcoat.

The Verdict:
This was easy to apply. I usually don't like large/wide brushes due to my petite nail beds  but the Complete Salon Manicure brushes are not too large or flat or curved on the tip. They made application quite easy. Gilty  Party was quite lovely to work with (& nearly brush stroke free!). The color was pretty and I cannot wait to wear it again:)

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.