Birthday Nail Art....

I know you guys have seen this hundreds of times... but I couldn't come up with anything else on short notice.  My birthday is right after New Year's Day so I didn't have much time to dwell on it... but cute it came out, I think.  :)

I did two coats of Kimber by Zoya and drew on the proverbial celebratory cupcake on my accent nail.  My 6-year old told me to.  LOL  And again, one coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust on the pinky.  *shrugs*  Why not. 

 

 

 

 

Happy Polishing!

Happy New Year!!! My not-so fancy nails....

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year!  I ended up going to my best friend's and hanging out... nothing fancy.  Just good friends and good laughs. 

My nails for the occasion?  Just two coats of China Glaze Gossip over Gimlets and one coat of Fairy Dust for subtle extra sparkle, which you can see in the blurry pic below. 

 

 

 

Happy Polishing!

My new favorite PURPLE!

I know it's no secret my favorite shade is purple... and this is a doozy I found at a dusty. 

Anyway.  This is Creative Fantasy by China Glaze and its simply delicious.  Look at it!  It's a jelly, so it took like 4 coats to get it to look like this and STILL, I found a little patchiness, but the shade more than makes up for it.  Who cares?  Nobody but me is going to be looking that closely at my nails.  :)

Then I used one coat of Fairy Dust, also by China Glaze, on the accent nail.  I just love that holographic prismatic glitter.  There's a picture below that's a bit blurry just so you can check it out.  *love*

Happy Polishing!

Sorry for the #latepost... but better late than never!

This was my last Christmas mani, my pretties.  And I decided to go untraditional and use pink.  YES, PINK!  Tell me what you think.  Colors and swatches all listed below... and you know the nail art is all done with tiny brushes I personally find at Michaels and acrylic paints from the crafts store.  One day I want to invest in real honest to goodness nail art brushes.  Alas.... 

 The flash really makes that pink glow, right???4

 Here are pics in daylight.

Happy Polishing!

Christmas Mani No. 2: Rudolph

And today I bring you Rudolph.... at the request of my children.  LOL

I used Zoya's Jacqueline as the base, Flynn for the actual reindeer, and then my other nails have one coat of China Glaze's Phat Santa topped with one coat of their Ruby Pumps.

 
The actual reindeer is done with tiny nail art brushes, as usual... and a little acrylic pant for the antlers.  The kind you find at your local arts and crafts store.  *love that place*

 

 
This picture was taken without the flash.

Happy Polishing!

Christmas Mani No. 1: Snowman

Hi there!  I'm super excited this week because I get to start on Christmas nail art.  Fall, although nice and the colors are rich and fabulous, just doesn't thrill me when it comes to nail art.  Christmas?  Whole different animal.

 
I used the following colors: Zoya Blu on all nails... and did a slight gradient on the accent nail using Misa Heaven White and Bahamian Escape by China Glaze. 

 

Then used a dotting tool for the snowflakes.

Cute, huh?

 
You guys know me and acrylic paint... take those tiny art brushes from Michael's and a little steady hand and that's all it takes.  Especially with the amount of inspiring nail art you can find online these days...

 

 

Happy Polishing!

A slew of BLUE!

Sometimes I get creatively challenged and cant even pick a color I want for my nails.... so I ask the boyfriend and he'll shout out "red", or... "peach with white tips"... and this week he chose BLUE.  Not a bad choice.  Not very Fall-ish, but still pretty cute.  Here are the results. 

I did a couple coats of Breezi, topped the middle finger with a coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust, and used Ibiza, Dream and Blu to make some stripes on the accent nail.  What do you think?  Striping tape is a wonder. 

 

 

 

 

Next week, you'll get a turkey.... promise.

Happy Polishing!

Plaid hearts....

This is my poor attempt at a mani I saw last weekend by the lovely and talented Quiche Girl. You can see her amazingness here.  Seriously?  How gorgeous are those nails?  Now.  In my defense... I WAS running around with my children and kinda in a hurry to leave the house and head north to the boyfriend's.... and I will also say I WILL be attempting this manicure again.  Soon.  So we'll see.  Maybe if my tips were more rounded?  But I just cant bring myself to round them off.... I'm such a squoval lover.  :/

I hope you guys enjoy it either way. 

I used Mason by Zoya, Spontaneous and Millennium by China Glaze, and Liquid Leather by Orly.  How bad does it look?

 

  Happy Polishing!

Sew Psyched....

This is totally not the first time I swatch this shade.... but to me, it's a great Fall color and it's one of the few greens that doesn't give me lobster hands.  This is two coats of Essie's Sew Psyched and I used Millennium by China Glaze and stamped on the paisley design from Bundle Monster plate 315.  Cute, no?  Then I added a little rhinestone from one of my wheels from Born Pretty Store.  Nothing fancy. 

To be honest, I was having a little creative block.  Two failed attempts at plaid will do that to you.  LOL

Happy Polishing!

China Glaze launches Happy HoliGlaze

MAKE THE SEASON MAGICAL WITH CHINA GLAZE®

CHINA GLAZE® CELEBRATES WITH NEW HOLIDAY COLLECTION

Reindeers won’t be the only ones lighting up the night sky this holiday season. China Glaze® launches Happy HoliGlaze, a party-perfect collection sure to get the celebrations started off right. These twist-on-traditional shades and gift sets make perfect party favors, stocking stuffers and gifts (shhh, we won’t tell if the gift is for yourself!). 

The China Glaze® Happy HoliGlaze collection features 12 new polishes and one color traveling top coat.  

There’s Snow One Like You: Limited edition white Texture with matte glitter
Elfin’ Around: Red rust with an aluminum-like mirror finish
Just Be-Claws: Red with an aluminum-like mirror finish
Santa Red My List: Pink/red with an aluminum-like mirror finish

Put A Bow On It: Magenta glitter
Be Merry, Be Bright: Multi-magenta purple glitter
All Wrapped Up: Midnight purple and blue glitter 
Your Present Required: Multi-sized and multi-colored glitter 

So Blue Without You: Blue with an aluminum-like mirror finish 
Bells Will Be Blinging: Blue and gold multi-colored glitter
Mingle With Kringle: Fierce gold with aluminum-like mirror finish 
This is Tree-mendous: Green with fine gold glitter 

Travel In Colour: Iridescent travel effect top coat (not pictured)

The China Glaze® Happy HoliGlaze collection also features 10 seasonally-inspired gifts.  Gift sets include:

• Be Merry: Mini bottles of Just Be-Claws, Santa Red My List, Put A Bow On It and Be Merry, Be Bright (MSRP: $20.00)
• Be Bright: Mini bottles of Your Present Required, Bells Will Be Blinging, Mingle with Kringle and Be Merry, Be Bright, (MSRP: $20.00)
• Touch of Twinkle: Just Be-Claws, Santa Red My List and Be Merry, Be Bright (MSRP: $15.00)
• Dash of Dazzle: Mingle With Kringle, Bells Will Be Blinging and So Blue Without You (MSRP: $15.00)
• Oh, Joy!: Just Be-Claws, Santa Red My List, Your Present Required, and So Blue Without You with a “Joy” necklace (MSRP: $30.00)
• Good Spirits: Bells Will Be Blinging, Mingle With Kringle and a blue frosted shot glass (MSRP: $15.00)
• Sparkle All the Way: Your Present Required, Be Merry, Be Bright, Just Be-Claws, and a purple compact mirror (MSRP: $22.50)
• Get Carried Away: Santa Red My List, Your Present Required, So Blue Without You and a silver change purse (MSRP: $22.50)
• Snow Buddy: There’s Snow One Like You, Be Merry, Be Bright, Elfin’ Around and a plush polar bear (MSRP: $22.50)
• Holiday Travels: 18 mini bottles of Travel In Colour in a 12 pc. bucket (MSRP: $117.00)

The China Glaze® Happy HoliGlaze collection will be available in November 2013 at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide. Individual shades have an SRP of $7.50. The collection will be available in 24- and 36-piece counter displays, a 36-piece rack and 36-piece prepack in addition to the gift sets. 

 

China Glaze® is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. 

 

China Glaze® nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook (@ChinaGlaze), Twitter (@ChinaGlazeOfficial), Instagram (@ChinaGlazeOfficial), Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze) and YouTube (youtube.com/chinaglazeofficial).

Guest Nails: Pink Leopard

These nails belong to my friend, Jenn.  I got her hooked on nail care and her nails are now super strong and healthy.  She's also been delving into nail art on occasion (or convincing me to give her a manicure when we're together).  LOL 

 

This is China Glaze's Hang Ten Toes with free-hand leopard spots running down the side using Konad Black.  All topped with Seche.  I know it's not very Fall-festive but it was done a few months ago.  Consider it a #latepost.

 

Happy Polishing!

Halloween Mani No. 2: Mummy

I used the lovely and pure delight to apply Jacqueline by Zoya on all my nails except these two.  I started the accent nails with a base of Liquid Vinyl by Orly.  Then I used Jacqueline again to draw on some bandages, followed by Konad White with a striper brush.  I drew on the teeth with a ball point and the eyes are composed of dots of Four Leaf Clover by China Glaze and Glowstick by Orly.  Covered them both with China Glaze's Matte Magic and Voila!  Mummy nails.  :)

 

 

 

Happy Polishing!

Halloween Mani No. 1

Add caption

This is October mani No. 1.  LOL

 

October... seriously being one of my favorite months of the year.... the weather, Halloween, like, what's not to like?  Oh, and Walking Dead returns.  :)

 

Anyway.  I digress.  Here I used two coats of Kelly by Zoya, a slight glitter gradient using Some Like it Haute by China Glaze and then using Winstonia plate W116 stamped a few of the images using Konad Special Black.  I started off simple, no?

 

Happy Polishing!

 

 

A little Cynthia....

This is the gorgeous Cynthia by Zoya.  A beautiful blackened teal shade.  Two coats with Seche Vite as the topper (like that's a surprise).  Then I used Millennium by China Glaze to stamp the image from Bundle Monster plate 204.  Hope you like it!

 

 



 

Happy Polishing!

China Glaze® Introduces Six Limited Edition Shades for Halloween 2013

Join China Glaze® this October at the Monsters Ball, where 6 limited edition shades are just dying to dance with you . . .

COME ONE, COME ALL: YOU’RE INVITED TO THE MONSTERS BALL

China Glaze® Introduces Six Limited Edition Shades for Halloween 2013

Los Angeles (September 2013): This October, you’re invited to celebrate with the ghosts and ghouls at the darkly decadent Monsters Ball, hosted by China Glaze®.  Attended by spooky sparkles and tantalizing textures, you’re sure to have a hauntingly good time with this limited edition six-piece collection shrouded in mystery and dripping with lavish color.

Dance the night away in six colors and finishes perfect for All Hallows Eve:
 

Howl You Doin’: Shadowy purple glitter

Bat My Eyes: Ominous gold glitter

Boo-Gie Down: Multi-sized orange, black and white glitter

Fang-Tastic: Mysteriously mixed up green, blue and magenta glitter 

Bump In The Night: Hair-raising black texture 

Ghoulish Glow: Glow-in-the-Dark top coat

Ideal for creating holiday manicures that are a true work of art, the China Glaze® Monsters Ball display features artwork by renowned artist Abigail Larson, best known for her illustrations inspired by the various things that go bump in the night.

China Glaze® Monsters Ball will be available in October 2013 at fine salons and beauty supply stores.

China Glaze® is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze® nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook (@ChinaGlazeOfficial), Twitter (@ChinaGlazeOfficial) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze).

China Glaze® is a division of American International Industries. 

China Glaze Bitz 'n Pieces for Spring 2013

China Glaze Bitz ‘n Pieces Collection for Spring 2013

Razzle Me, Dazzle Me with China Glaze®’s newest generation of chunky glitters, Glitz—Bitz ’N Pieces. Gorgeous 3D glitters, combined with black Bitz ’N Pieces create a Mosaic Masterpiece on nails. Get the perfect Scattered & Tattered look for any occasion, and show that edgy side. Heads will surely turn as Glitz ’N Pieces entice bystanders. So, Bling it On this winter, and add a little Graffiti Glitter to those nails.

• Mosaic Madness Deep blue glitter with black Bitz ’N Pieces
• Glitz ’N Pieces Chunky silver glitter with black Bitz ’N Pieces
• Bling it On Royal Purple glitter with black Bitz ’N Pieces
• Scattered & Tattered Luscious Red glitter with black Bitz ’N Pieces
• Graffiti Glitter Bold emerald green glitter with black Bitz ’N Pieces
• Razzle Me, Dazzle Me Pink glitter with black Bitz ’N Pieces

Availability: February 2013 at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide.

Make a Minty Spectacle

Oh, how I love greens.... and I've been lucky that most of them don't give me lobster hands. Here we have two coats of Zoya's Neely from their new LOVELY Collection. It's such a pretty, creamy color. After it dries, it's not so minty and more-so a light jade. Very nice and slightly muted. I covered two of my nails with Make a Spectacle by China Glaze (two coats). What do you think?

Happy Polishing!

Inky Combo...

This turned out to be such a pretty combination.  Not very festive, but still Winter worthy considering it's dark and vampy.  This is two coats of Midnight Ride by China Glaze and one coat of Orly's Fowl Play on ring fingers.  Midnight Ride is like a shimmery eggplant.  Gorgeous.  Fowl Play has glitter, microglitter and duochrome flakes in shades of red, blue, irrisdecent silver... all in a purple jelly.  It's beautiful and a must have.  And as usual, no formula problems and I topped it all off with Seche Vite. 

Happy Polishing!

Snowflakes in Miami

Snowflakes in Miami...or as close to snow as we might get anyway.  For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope it was absolutely wonderful.  Now, Christmastime is around the corner.  Where DOES the year go?  Anyway, let the holiday nail designs begin, right?  I've seen so many pretty designs, I dont know where to start.  I had my kids this weekend so this mani took me a while, but I finally got around to it.  Whenever the girls see me doing my nails, they want theirs done too.  *rolls eyes*
 
This is two coats of Snowcone by Orly.  One of my favorite blues.  I've had my bottle like three years and it's still good as new.  No formula issues, ever.  Then I took the snowflake images from Konad plate m59 to stamp using Ibiza from Zoya, Millennium by China Glaze and Konad Special White.  Pretty, no? 

 

 

 
Happy Polishing!