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.

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 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 5: Blue Nails

The 5th task in the 30 Mani Marathon is Blue Nails.

To represent Blue Nails, I began with two coats of Orly Snowcone. Next, I painted small amounts of  Wet n Wild At the After Party on a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, and dabbed that to the tips of my nails. I sealed the manicure with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

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

The Limelight Can't Be Tamed

Today's manicure began with two coats of Bondi New York The Limelight. I then painted small amounts of Orly Can't Be Tamed onto a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, and carefully dabbed that to the tips of my nails to create the glitter gradient. I added two coats of Gelous gel top coat to smooth out the glitter and let that dry overnight. The next day, I sealed the manicure with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

Products Used 

One coat Dreams Nail Lacquer 2-in-1 Base and Top Coat

Two coats Bondi New York The Limelight

Glitter Tips of Orly Can't Be Tamed

Two coats Gelous Advanced Gel Top Coat

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Sparkling Garbage Bubbles

I've been wearing Sparkling Garbage For Audrey for a few days, and today I decided to add some bubble stamps on top.

I used Konad special white stamping polish and stamping plate Mash-43 to create the bubbles, and sealed the design with one coat of Diamond Dry top coat.

Below is a collage of all three steps that create this manicure. China Glaze For Audrey on the left, For Audrey + Orly Sparkling Garbage in the middle, and For Audrey + Sparkling Garbage + Bubble stamps on the right.

Products Used for the Bubbles:

Konad Special White Stamping Polish

Mash Stamping Plate Mash-43

One coat Diamond Dry Top Coat Brilliance

Sparkling Garbage For Audrey

I'm a big fan of blue-green and holographic polishes. So when I walked past an Orly display the other day and spotted Sparkling Garbage, a lovely teal holo glitter, there was no question that it would be the newest addition to my collection.

Since Sparkling Garbage isn't quite opaque on its own, I chose to begin this manicure with two coats of China Glaze For Audrey.

Over that, I layered two coats of Orly Sparkling Garbage, and finished with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

Polishes like these are infuriating to photograph, they never reveal their true beauty in pictures. Sparkling Garbage is densely packed with very fine holographic glitter that sparkles and shines in any light, and is especially breathtaking in direct sunlight. I tried and tried to capture the amazing holographic nature of this polish, just trust me that it is 100x more stunning in person! Below I have added a shot taken indoors with flash that shows a bit of what I'm attempting to describe. 

Products Used:

One coat Beauty Secrets Moisturizing Base Coat

Two coats China Glaze For Audrey

Two coats Orly Sparkling Garbage

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Happy St Patrick's Day/Happy Birthday Me!

Obviously, I would have liked to get this post up yesterday, but with it being St Patrick's day AND my Birthday, I had a full day of festivities! So, Happy St Patrick's Day everyone, and Happy Birthday to me! Below is the manicure I created to honor this special day.

I drew my inspiration from the colors of the Irish flag. For the orange, I reached for my untried China Glaze in Sun Worshiper. I hated this polish!!!! This is 4 coats of runny, streaky, draggy, no coverage AT ALL Sun Worshiper. I don't know what it's problem was, but it was horrible, and I'll be throwing it away shortly. Anyway, after getting it somewhat presentable after 4 coats, I topped it with some Seche Vite, and that helped to even out the mess and give it a smooth & shiny look. When that was dry, I applied some Orly Mermaid Tail glitter onto a piece of cosmetic wedge sponge, and dabbed that to the tips of my nails. I followed that with one coat of Gelous gel top coat to smooth out the glitter.

The shamrock stamps are from Bundle Monster Plate BM03, and I used Konad special white polish. After letting the stamps dry for a bit, I applied another coat of Seche Vite to seal and protect the manicure.

Products Used:

One coat Beauty Secrets Moisturizing Base Coat

Four coats China Glaze Sun Worshiper (blah)

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Orly Mermaid Tail Glitter

One coat Gelous Advanced Gel Top Coat

Bundle Monster Stamping Plate BM03

Konad White Special Stamping Polish

One coat Seche Vite Top Coat

Here's a 'bonus' picture of me, in my birthday hat and Irish nails, celebrating at the local Saint Patrick's Day Festival! 

And here's a couple of throwback pics of last year's birthday manicure, Pots of Gold :)