Sunday, December 15, 2013

30 Mani Marathon Recap!

It took me a little longer than I'd planned, but I finally completed the 30 Mani Marathon! I had a blast creating these manicures, and I hope you also enjoyed following along :)

Here is a quick recap of all 30 designs, just click on the manicure name for more details.




































































30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 30: Inspired By A Tutorial

The tutorial I have chosen as my inspiration is this Glitter Gradient Tutorial By Lucy's Stash



I began with a base coat and two coats of Nicka K Ripe Apple, and added China Glaze Twinkle Lights for the gradient. I covered that with one coat of Gelous gel top coat, and finished with a coat of Seche Vite.





Friday, December 13, 2013

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 29: Inspired By The Supernatural

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy


Two coats of Finger Paints Louvre This Pink, dabbed with a bit of Finger Paints Van Gogh's Violet on the tips of the nails. Stamped with Konad Black Stamping Polish + stamping plates RA-111, RA-112, RA-113, Mash-33, and M28 . Sealed with a coat of Dreams Lacquer Top Coat. 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Influenster - Violet Vox Box

"So you've heard about our famous VoxBoxes, and want to know more?
VoxBoxes are boxes filled with complimentary products from your favorite (or soon-to-be-favorite) brands. Not all Voxboxes are created equal: some programs feature an assortment of products while others will spotlight one awesome brand. But make no mistake: All VoxBoxes are created awesome!"


Influenster - Violet Vox Box



Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo


Size Received: 1.6 oz Travel Size
Value: $1.37

"I know you're busy keeping up with that social life! So don't waste precious time in the bathroom, just use Clean Freak. Get that perfect hair (and the perfect guy!) before all the other girls. Expect more room on your social calendar because this salon formula dry shampoo will have you and your hair ready for a night out on the town."


Soy Joy Cranberry Bar


Size Received: 1 Full Size Bar
Value: $0.99

"Soy Joy is an all-natural, gluten free snack bar made with non-GMO soybeans and real fruit pieces. Between 130-140 calories, Soy Joy is a great on-the-go snack or it can be enjoyed warm (unwrap and microwave for 8-10 seconds for a "fresh-baked" experience!) with coffee or tea."


Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spas Red Earth Clay Cloth Mask


Size Received: 1 Mask
Value: $2.49

"Join the revolution and start a new weekly skincare regime with the Clay Spas from Montagne Jeunesse. These natural bamboo fabric masks are infused with clay for a cleansing experience that is better, quicker and easier than ever before."


Sally Hansen New triple Shine Nail Color in Reef-Raf


Size Received: Full Size Bottle
Value: $4.99

" New triple shine nail color! Daily Defense from water and wear. Get ready for the shiniest nails ever! Water to workout, day in and day out, nothing will dull these nails. Available in 30 shades."


Goody Athletique Headband


Size Received: Full Size
Value: $6.00

"Goody Athletique provides hold and comfort so you can be physically active and strong in body and mind."


Box Cost: Complimentary
Box Value: $15.84

Goodebox - November 2013

Goodebox is a members only service providing expertly curated, trial sized healthy, eco-sensitive & effective beauty and personal care products, along with occasional samples of natural & organic health and wellness products. $18.00 per month.

Goodebox - November 2013



Sweet Riot 65% Dark Chocolate Covered Cocao Nibs (Vegan)


Size Received: 1oz Tin 
Value: $3.75

"Don't underestimate the riot a little tin of these lightly roasted cacao nibs dunked in dark chocolate can cause. At only 1 calorie per all natural, fairly traded "peace", they'll make a great holiday gift if you can stop yourself from getting to them first! Sweet Riot's dairy, GMO & gluten free cacao treats also cater to good old fashion milk chocolate lovers with nibs smothered in 50% dark chocolate and coffee lovers with nibs that add in a hint of espresso."


Lotus Wei Flower Essences Mists in Inner Peace & Infinite Love (Vegan)


Size Received: Two 10 ml vials with atomizers

Value: $8 Each, $16 Total

"Mist and inhale throughout the day, 5 times each day. At work: mist yourself, your co-workers, around the office, before/during important meetings, or during stressful times. At home: mist yourself, your loved ones, your bedroom, sheets, and pillows.

Infinite Love: Flower power courtesy of wild fireweed, Hong Kong orchid, pink magnolia & other exquisite aromatic plants come together to dissolve irritation, codependency, past trauma & hard heartedness with every spritz. You'll feel a dramatic difference in your every day state of mind within 2-3 days as these flower essences magnify gentleness and compassion, promoting unconditional love for yourself and others around you.

Inner Peace: We all know the holiday season can be anything but tranquil. Luckily, the gift of inner peace is just a spray away with this little bottle chocked full of calming, comforting & stress relieving flower essences that work harmoniously to literally calm the air. Pink lotus, arctic lupine & red hibiscus are just a few of the flowers in this blend who's healing energy work to dissolve high levels of stress, anxiety, lack of feeling supported & heart palpitations."


Deep Steep Candy Mint Foot Stick (Contains beeswax)


Size Received: Full Size
Value: $5.95

"Simply spa-worthy pampering for tootsies that have been on the go all year long, this festively hydrating stick works wonders on heels and cuticles. Peppermint and spearmint essential oils instantly refresh and promote increased circulation as organic cocoa butter, shea butter & coconut oil bring softness. Paraben, SLS, fragrance & chemical free, this foot candy stick is a step in the right direction!"


Hip E Chick Winter Wonderland Soy Candle


Size Received: No size listed, estimated 1.5 oz
Value: Estimated $4.50

"This 100% hand poured pure soy wax and essential oil candle makes a mighty sweet smelling gift! Delightfully scented with a delicious blend of Mexican wild greens, fruits & poinsettia, it is lead free and devoid of synthetic dyes or additives making it safe for your family and a welcome treat for any lucky loved one. Available scent options to liven up your home include Maui Wowie, Flower Power & Grapefruit Gypsy."


Shea Radiance Ultra Rich Shea Butter & Baobab Antioxidant Cream (Vegan)


Size Received: No size listed, Estimated .5 oz
Value: Estimated $2.00

"Antioxidant rich Baobob oil blends with unrefined shea butter, marine, fruit & flower extracts to protect against free radicals & promote elasticity for soft, youthful, radiant skin. Inspired by the beauty, strength & dignity of the women harvesting & processing shea butter on the West African savannah, this healing cream is beneficial for all skin types, even oily and blemish prone, and ideal for chronically dry, sun damaged, or eczema prone skin."


Box Cost: $16.00 (since been changed to $18.00 per month)
Box Value: $32.20

Thursday, December 5, 2013

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.

Monday, December 2, 2013

30 Mani Marathon - Manicure 27: Inspired By Artwork

X-ray Roses

I bought this painting and the one below it several years ago from a man in a van who said he was selling model home overflow. I'm told they are X-rays of actual roses, and they look great over my couch.


I began with Sephora X Cleanse and Base, and added two coats of SX White Matter. I used a nail art brush and SX Radioactive to paint on the leaves, SX Dark matter for the stems, and finally SX in Flashy for the roses. Next I added details to the roses with SX Dark Matter, and finished with SX Top Coat.