Be Mine - 2014

VDay 2014 mani #2

Pink ombre manicure using (from L to R) Orly Soul Mate, Finger Paints Louvre This Pink, China Glaze Go Go Pink, and Zoya Purity; All topped with Finger Paints Kiss By The Tree.

Congrats Seahawks!

I don't really watch football, and I'm not from Seattle. While thinking up my manicure yesterday, I looked up the colors for the teams in the Super Bowl this year, and decided on silver and blue...Go Seahawks then...I guess! :)

This is two coats of Zoya London (grey) and Zoya Liberty (blue).

After the Seahawks' win, I learned it was their first Super Bowl win ever, so that was exciting to see. Congrats Seahawks! 

Floating Hearts

Let the Valentine's manicures begin!

This design began with a base coat and two coats of Zoya Godiva.

Over that, I used Bondi Horny Mistress + Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-H18 to create the heart design.

I usually leave Pixie Dust polishes in their naturally grainy/matte state, but since I wanted this one to be glossy, I added two coats of Sephora X top coat over the hearts to finish the manicure.

Products Used

Sephora X Nail Cleanser

One coat Nailtek Hydration Therapy II

Two coats Zoya Godiva

Bondi Horny Mistress + Bundle Monster BM-H18

Two coats Sephora X Top Coat

Pixie Zebra

Two coats of Zoya Dahlia, stamped with Konad white stamping polish + Konad plate M57.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

For this manicure, I began with a base coat and two coats of Sephora X Thrilling. Next, I used Zoya Chita to draw in the trees. For the ornaments, I dropped a little bit of white polish onto a metal stamping plate, and used a dotting tool to make white dots where I wanted ornaments to go. Then, I dotted each ornament color onto the white dots. I sealed the design with two coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Products Used

1 Coat Nailtek Foundation 1

1 coat Sephora X Base Coat

2 coats Sephora X Thrilling

1 coat Zoya Chita for the trees

Zoya Purity, Zoya Solange, Zoya Liberty, Zoya Chyna, and Zoya Destiny for the ornaments

2 coats Seche Vite Top Coat

Deck The Nails With Pixie Dust

Deck The Nails With Pixie Dust.....Christmas Gradient!

For this manicure, I began with a base coat and a layer of Sephora X White Matter, a white polish, to create an opaque background for the gradient. Over that, I added one coat of the lightest color in this gradient, Zoya Tomoko. Next, I dropped some of Zoya Chita, Zoya Chyna, and Zoya Tomoko side by side onto a metal stamping plate. I then took a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge and dipped it into all three colors at once, and dabbed that to my nails where I wanted the gradient to be. I repeated this process, giving the layers time to dry in between dabbings, 2 or 3 times until I had the desired gradient effect.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 28: Inspired By A Flag

Finland

This design is pretty straight forward. Two coats of Zoya Liberty, with striping tape in the shape of crosses, topped with one coat of Zoya Tomoko.

Being my first time trying this, I learned that striping tape doesn't stick well to these textured polishes. So I used a nail art brush to touch up the lines that got flooded under the tape.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 25: Inspired By Fashion

For this design, I drew inspiration from the Pantone Report for Fall 2013 and a gold dress.

I painted each nail with one color from the Pantone Report that I had in my polish collection, and a layer of top coat. After letting that dry for a while, I added random patterns with striping tape, added a layer of Zoya Solange, and immediately pulled off the tape.  

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 24: Inspired By A Book

5o Shades of Grey

This design began with a base coat and two coats of Zoya Carey. Then, I used Color Club Dark 'n Stormy to stamp images from a variety of plates (Bundle Monster BM-H22, BM-416, BM-420, BM-425, BM-H18; Shany SH07; Mash 32).

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 23: Inspired By A Movie

The Color Purple

I chose this movie more for the name rather than the content, I wanted to wear my new Zoya Stevie :p, so I began with a base coat and two coats of this purple polish.

Over that, I chose Zoya Monica and Bundle Monster plate BM-H18 to create the hearts that symbolize the sisterly love between Celie and Nettie throughout the story, that remained strong despite the hardships they both faced.

Baby, you're a firework!

I just received a trio of Zoya Pixie Dust polishes in the mail, so I decided to take a small break from the marathon to try one on! 

This is two coats of Zoya Tomoko, with Konad black stamping polish + Bundle Monster plate BM-H14 fireworks stamps.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 22: Inspired By A Song

Baby, it's cold outside!

For this manicure, I chose a design with grey skies, autumn leaves, and swirling breeze. 

I began with a base coat and two coats of Zoya Carey for the base color. Next, I painted the nail tips with China Glaze Starboard to represent grass. I sealed this with a layer of Zoya Armor top coat, and let it dry overnight.

The next day, I added the stamping. The swirling wind is Zoya Purity + Shany plate SH03, the trees are Konad black stamping polish + Bundle Monster plate BM-409, and the house is Konad black + BM-224.

To create the leaves, I used a tiny dotting tool and alternated dotting Bondi Chasing The Sun, Brick Road, and Horny Mistress. The yellow lights on the house were made with the same tiny dotting tool + Bondi Brick Road.

Lastly, I sealed the manicure with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 19: Galaxies

For this manicure, I began with a base coat and two coats of Orly Androgynie. Next, using a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, I alternated sponging small amounts of Zoya Giovanna, Sinful Colors Cool Gray, and Zoya Rory in random patterns on the nail. 

Over that, I applied one coat of Orly Shine Bright Crazy Diamond, and small amounts of Icing Frost Yourself. I finished the manicure with Zoya Armor top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 17: Glitter

To represent Glitter, I began with two coats of Zoya Brie. Then, I painted small amounts of Zoya Twila onto a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, and dabbed that to the tips of my nails where I wanted the glitter to be concentrated. I added two layers of Gelous gel top coat to smooth out the glitter, and finished with one coat of Zoya Armor top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 16: Tribal Print

For this mani, I started with a base of Zoya Tamsen, and then added stripes of Zoya Rekha and Zoya Anja. Over that, I used Konad White stamping polish and Bundle Monster Plate BM-402 to create the tribal pattern. Lastly, I added two coats of Zoya Coraline and sealed the design with top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 15: Delicate Print

Happy halfway point, Marathoners! The 'delicate' print that I have chosen for this manicure is 'Laces'.

I began with a base coat, two coats of Zoya Gie Gie, and a top coat. 

After that had dried, I chose Konad black stamping polish and Bundle Monster plate BM-420 to create the laces and corset. 

I used a dotting tool and a silver polish to add 'buttons' to the laces, and sealed the design with another layer of top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 13: Animal print

Ferret Tracks

Two coats of Zoya Megan, stamped with Konad black polish & stamping plate M48.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 7: Black & White

The 7th task in the 30 Mani Marathon is Black & White.

To represent Black & White, I began with two coats of Orly Au Champagne, and added stripes of Bondi City Slicker and Zoya Raven. To that, I added white hexagonal glitter pieces from China Glaze Whirled Away, and sealed the manicure with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 6: Violet Nails

The 6th task in the 30 Mani Marathon is Violet Nails.

To represent Violet Nails I have layered one coat of Kleancolor Holo Chrome over two coats of Zoya Pinta.

This one could not be accurately captured with a photo, so please check out the Instagram video here for the full effect!

Funky Pippa - Are You Drunk?

Today I wanted to do a look using an unconventional color combination. Something fun and funky and out of the box. This is what I came up with!

This manicure began with Zoya Anchor base coat. Next I added two lovely coats of Zoya Pippa, and then a layer of Zoya Armor top coat. I then let the polish dry and cure overnight.

The next day, I dabbed some China Glaze Scattered & Tattered onto a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, and dabbed that to the tips of my nails, creating glitter tips.

I finished the look with two coats of Gelous gel top coat, and one layer of Seche Vite.

Products Used:

One coat Zoya Anchor Base Coat

Two coats Zoya Pippa

One coat Zoya Armor Top Coat

China Glaze Scattered & Tattered Glitter 

Two coats Gelous Advanced Gel Top Coat

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat