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

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 21: Inspired By A Color

I chose OPI Fly as the nail polish color inspiration for this manicure.

I began with a base coat and two coats of OPI Fly. I added one coat of China Glaze Faily Dust, and then a layer of top coat. Over that, I used Konad white stamping polish, and Bundle Monster plate BM-307 to create the butterfly design. Lastly, I sealed the manicure with another layer of top coat.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 18: Half Moons

Half Moons.....literally.

This design began with a base coat, and one coat of China Glaze First Mate. Next, I used Zoya Purity to create half-moon shapes on my nail tips. Over the moons, I painted two thin coats of China Glaze Ghoulish Glow glow-in-the-dark polish (the moons really glow!). I covered everything with one coat of Orly Shine On Crazy Diamond, holographic glitter polish. I finished with a coat of Zoya Armor top coat, and let the polish dry overnight.

The next day, I used Sinful Colors Cool Grey and Red Angel stamping plate RA-113 to create the moon crater effect, and Konad white stamping polish with Bundle Monster plate BM14 for the stars. Finally, I sealed everything with a coat of Seche Vite 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 12: Stripes

The 12th task in the 30 Mani Marathon is Stripes.

Here I have a 'Jelly Stampwich'! Base coat (Nail Tek Foundation 1), two coats of China Glaze Aqua Baby, Konad special white stamping polish + Bundle Monster plate BM-423 for the stripes, three coats of China Glaze Isle See You Later, and 1 coat of Seche Vite. :D

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 4: Green Nails

The 4th task in the 30 Mani Marathon is Green Nails.

To represent Green Nails, I chose to create Melty Chocolate Mint Chip Waffle Cones! I began with a base coat, two coats of a chocolate brown Color Club that isn't labeled, and a coat of Dreams Nail Lacquer top coat. I used China Glaze Below Deck, and Bundle Monster plate BM-315 to create the waffle cone design. I topped that with a layer of Hard Candy Matte top coat to give the 'cones' a dull look that would contrast with the 'ice cream' drips.

Next, I used a large size dotting tool and China Glaze Re-fresh Mint to create the mint green drips, and added a thin layer of Dreams top coat to the mint green only. Then, I used a flat nail art brush to dab small amounts of Lush Lacquer Salt n Peppa over the green to create the 'chips' or 'sprinkles'. Finally, I added a layer of Gelous Advanced Gel top coat to the green drips only.

Click here for all the 30 Mani Marathon details, list of tasks, and timeline.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 3: Yellow Nails

The third task in the 30 Mani Marathon is Yellow Nails.

To represent Yellow Nails, I began with two coats of Bondi new York Brick Road, followed by one coat of Zoya Gilty (gold flake), and one coat of Seche Vite top coat.

Then, I used Konad black stamping polish and Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-313 to create what was supposed to be a yellow brick road design, but I think ended up looking more like honeycomb! I sealed the manicure with another layer of Seche Vite.

Click here for all the 30 Mani Marathon details and list of tasks.

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 2: Orange Nails

The second task in the 30 Mani Marathon is orange nails.

To represent Orange Nails, I began with two coats of China Glaze Sun of a Peach, one coat of China Glaze Golden Enchantment (a golden holographic micro glitter that can be seen in the sun, but not so much in the picture), and a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

Then, I chose Finger Paints Cordur-Orange and Bundle Monster plate BM-308 to stamp the orange slices design on each nail. Lastly, I sealed the design with another coat of Seche Vite.

It's not too late to join in on the 30 Mani Marathon, check here for all the details!

Bondi Color Block Jigsaw

For this design, I began by painting a color block design on each nail in a rainbow pattern, using all Bondi new York polishes. Each nail has two colors, I painted each nail with the lighter of the two colors, and then used scotch tape to section off half of the nail to paint a coat of the darker color on half. Then I added a layer of top coat.

Then for fun, I used Konad black stamping polish and Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-319 to add a jigsaw puzzle stamp to the color blocks. I sealed the manicure with another layer of top coat.

Products Used:

One coat Dreams Nail Lacquer Top Coat/Base Coat

Color Blocking with Bondi New York Fuschia-istic, Horny Mistress, Chasing the Sun, Brick Road, The Limelight, NYPD, Uptown Girl

One coat Dreams Nail Laquer Top Coat/Base Coat

Konad Black Special Stamping Polish

Bundle Monster Stamping Plate BM-319

One coat Dreams Nail Lacquer Top Coat/Base Coat

Teal & Purple Leopard

Today's manicure is a mix of colorful gradients and leopard stamping. To begin, I applied one coat of Zoya Purity, a nice white polish. I like to begin colorful gradients with a white base, this gives the gradient polish something to *grab* on to, and makes the colors more vibrant. Taking a small piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, I then dabbed China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle diagonally across the nail, and Chine Glaze That's Shore Bright on either side, repeating this process until I reached the desired gradient effect. I then added a coat of Seche Vite top coat to seal the gradient. Adding top coat to a gradient also smooths and helps blend out the faded color effect.

To that, I used Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-221 and Konad special white stamping polish to create the leopard spots. I sealed the stamps with another later of Seche Vite.

Products Used:

One coat Beauty Secrets Moisturizing Base Coat

One coat Zoya Purity

Diagonal Gradient of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle & China Glaze That's Shore Bright

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Bundle Monster Stamping plate BM-221

Konad White Special Stamping Polish

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Tumble Weeds

Today I am wearing a polish I received in one of my June Birchboxes, Color Club London Calling.

I began with a base coat, added two coats of London calling, and then a layer of top coat. I then used Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-312 and Konad black stamping polish to create the grass-like design.

After giving the stamps a few minutes to dry, I finished with another layer of top coat to seal the design and protect the stamp.

Products Used:

One coat Beauty Secrets Moisturizing Base Coat

Two coats Color Club London Calling

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Bundle Monster Stamping Plate BM-312

Konad Black Special Stamping Polish

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Shattered

Today's manicure begins with base coat, two coats of Sinful Shine Royal Flush, and one coat of Seche Vite top coat.

To that, I used Bundle Monster stamping plate 208 and Konad special white stamping polish to add the cracked design.

I wanted some sparkle, so I added a coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust, and finished with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

You'll notice that in the before after pic, it looks like two different polishes...bizarre! The top pic was taken in afternoon sunlight, the bottom pic was taken at sunset. It's interesting how different kinds of sunlight can change the appearance of the polish in pics so drastically. The funniest part, is that neither pic looks exactly like the polish color. Purpley-pinks are so hard to capture accurately. Oh well!

Products Used:

One coat Beauty Secrets Moisturizing Base Coat

Two coats Sinful Shine Royal Flush

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Bundle Monster Plate 208

Konad Special White Stamping Polish

One coat China Glaze Fairy Dust

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Guest Post at Olive + Hazel's Blog!

Today, I have done a guest post for Jessica from Olive + Hazel, click here to check it out! I've created a cheery and bright stamping design, and all the details are there, including the before and after pic, and a bunch of great stamping tips. Don't forget to browse Jessica's blog and follow her while you are there, she has tons of great beauty reviews, subscription unboxings, nail looks, beauty deals, and more! 

Fancy French Bows

Today I have another french tipped design, I am much happier with this than I was with my French Sequins manicure. I used scotch tape and white polish to create the french tip on each nail. I've attempted to depict this simple process in the photo collage below. 

As always I applied a base coat and let it dry. Then I took a small piece of scotch tape and stuck it to my arm to make it less sticky, you don't want the tape to pull off your base coat. Turn the piece of tape sideways so the flat edge is toward the tip of your nail, and position on the nail leaving enough space to create the desired tip, press down so the tape is flush with the nail. Using Zoya Purity for the white, I painted one even coat across the tip and immediately removed the tape. I followed that with  two coats of Sation - Of Corset I'll Call You, which I received in my April Ipsy Bag (both 1 and 2 coats depicted), plus a coat of Zoya Armor top coat.

The bow stamp is from Bundle Monster Stamping Plate BM-317, and is stamped with Konad white stamping polish. Tiny pink rhinestones add a cute, whimsy touch to the middle of each bow. I sealed the bows and stones with another coat of Zoya Armor.

Products Used:

One coat Beauty Secrets Moisturizing Base Coat

One french tip coat Zoya Purity

Two coats Sation Of Corset I'll Call You

One coat Zoya Armor Top Coat

Bundle Monster Plate BM-317

Konad Special White Stamping Polish

Tiny Pink Rhinestones

One coat Zoya Armor Top Coat

24 hours later - One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Hippity Hop

Happy Easter!

This years Easter manicure began with a layer of my fave base coat, as always. I followed that with one coat of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Lacey Lilac, which was the perfect base color to match this Hard Candy glitter I have been dying to try. After letting Lacey Lilac dry for  bit, I added one generous coat of Hard Candy Pixie Pink (which is more of a purple, instead of a pink).

To that, I added a layer of Seche Vite top coat. I always add top coat to my polish and let that dry before attempting any nail stamping, as it will allow you to gently wipe off the stamp once or even twice if you aren't happy with it. This saves the polish underneath in case of a stamp disaster :) 

The stamps I chose came from Bundle Monster plate BM-302, and are stamped with Konad Black Special Polish. I added a small purple rhinestone to the center of the flower design at the base of the egg that the thumb-bunny is sitting in, and sealed the nails with another layer of Seche Vite.

 I just love the way these came out! The hippity-hopping bunnies across the nails are just too darn adorable. In hindsight maybe I should have done one up, one down, one up, one down to make them seem more hoppy...oh well!

Products Used:

One coat Beauty Secrets Moisturizing Base Coat

One coat Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Lacey Lilac

One coat Hard Candy Pixie Pink

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-302

Konad Black Special Stamping Polish

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

And here's a 'bonus' throwback picture of last years Easter manicure.