Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Glitter Flames

Happy Tuesday my Darlings!!  I hope you are a having a beautiful day!  Today I have some more new yumminess for y'all.  I have Glitter Flames, or an impressionistic idea of Glitter Flames:
I Used:
Orly- Hawaiian Punch (fuschia shimmer)
Sinful Colors- Star Dust (dark purple jelly with fuschia and purple glitter)

So as you see, not true to life looking flames, just the impression.  I love this.  But of course there's purple and glitter and I think I would love anything covered in purple glitter!! 

I started with two coats of Orly Hawaiian Punch.  I loved this color,  It's a fuchsia matte/neon polish with a fuchsia shimmer.  The formula was perfect.  It went on without any bald spots or dragging,  It did dry matte like a neon, and sort of is a neon.  It is a very bright polish.  Love!!!

Then the flames are Sinful Colors Star Dust.  I won this incredible polish in a giveaway from Over The Topcoat.  Love her!!  Star Dust is a dark purple jelly with small pink glitter (although the purple base makes them look more fuchsia) and micro purple glitter.  Yes please!!  Sadly it was cloudy the entire time I wore this and the pictures just do not do this polish justice.  It is just fabulousness (I know not a real word) in real life!!  Thank you Natalie!!  And don't worry, I will definitely be wearing this again soon!
I hope y'all enjoy this mani.  I can not tell you how much I love these two polishes!  And together they are just a dream!!  See y'all soon!  Happy Polishing!!

Monday, April 29, 2013

Classic Pedicure

Hi again y'all!!  If you follow my facebook page, you know that I have THREE PEDICURES for you this week!  Yep, three!  They range from classic to elaborate.  I know I've been slacking off a bit on the pedicures, but I plan to fix that.  Also, this is to show you that whatever design I've done on my nails CAN be done on your toes.  And since I keep my toe nails pretty short, it shows what the designs look like on short nails.  So should I get to it?

My first pedi of the week is a classic one, Orly Unlawful:
I love this look, simple and sexy.  And of course it would go great with a matching mani:
I truly love Orly Unlawful (for a full review of Orly Unlawful click here)!!  It has become my favorite red!!  I cannot tell you how much I love it!  Stay tunes for the rest of the manis and pedis coming this week!  Hope y'all are having a fabulous Monday!!  Happy Polishing!!!

Orly Fantasea & Sinful Colors Scene Stealer (Review)

Happy Monday y'all!!!  How was your weekend?  Ours was great!!  The little one had ballet rehearsal Saturday, then Sunday we just rested.  We all have a big week coming up, so it was nice to take it easy.  But before we made it home, I had to hit Sally's one more time for their buy 2 get 1 free polish sale!  As a result, I have two new polishes for you.  One is new to me, Orly Fantasea and the other is brand new, Sinful Colors Scene Stealer.

First up is Fantasea by Orly.  It's part of their permanent collection and some how I missed it.  But it's such a gorgeous polish!!  It's hard for me to describe the color...kind of a purplish mauve with gold and pink shimmer.  It is pretty sheer, but was opaque in three thin coats with no visible nail line.  The polish was thin, so be careful of flooding your cuticles.  It also has an almost metallic finish but without any brushstrokes.  I love this, such a pretty color and it would be great for the office:
Isn't it pretty??  It almost has a pink/purple duochrome look about it.  Pictures show Fantasea (on index, middle & pinkie fingers) in three coats with top coat.  If you don't have this, what are you waiting for?.
Scene Stealer is from Sinful Colors new Diamond Lust Collection.  I found them at Walgreens for $2.99 each.  Scene Stealer is a packed glitter polish with bright pink/fuchsia and light pink small glitters and medium sized, light pink, diamond shaped holo glitter.  It is such an unusual polish.  It actually looks almost like a rose colored glitter.  The formula was great, not thick at all.  And the glitters were easy to get out although I did do a little dabbing.  The pictures show one coat of  Scene Stealer (with top coat) over two coats of Orly Fantasea.  Out of the entire collection, this one was by far my favorite.  The others were all pretty typical...one color small glitter with matching diamond shaped holo glitter.  They had a light pink, silver, green, gold, light blue and violet and are all $2.99 each.

I hope y'all enjoyed this.  Let me know if you pick up any of them!  Happy Polishing!!!



Friday, April 26, 2013

Plastic Wrap- Autism Awareness

Hi Y'all!!!  TGIF!!!!  I hope you are having a great Friday!  Do you have any big plans for the weekend?  My not so little one has rehearsal for the her ballet Saturday then on Sunday we are just going to rest.  She has 7 straight days of 4 1/2 hour rehearsals and then 6 shows in 3 days coming up, so we are going to need that day of rest! 

It's hard to believe it, but today is the last day of the Autism Awareness Challenge.  I've loved being a part of the challenge and helping to bring awareness to autism.  I've really been looking forward to today's challenge:  plastic wrap nails.  I've never tried this technique before. I really wanted to, just haven't gotten around to it yet.  So here are my plastic wrap nails:
I Used:
Maybelline- Color Show Pacific Blues Limited Edition (blue crème)
NYC- Skin Tight Denim Crème (dark blue metallic)
Saran Wrap

What do y'all think?  Isn't that the coolest effect?  It looks like marble and is so easy to do!  I started with two coats of Maybelline Color Show Pacific Blues.  This is a limited edition polish that was just released and I have a lot to say about it.  Look for my review coming soon.  Anyway, once that dried it was time to start the plastic wrap portion.  All you do is take a small piece of plastic wrap and wad it up.  Just make sure it doesn't have a smooth surface, the rougher the surface the better the effect.  Then I just placed a couple of drops of NYC Skin Tight Denim (the darker polish) on a paper plate or piece of paper and dipped the plastic wrap in it.  Blot the plastic on the paper a couple of times, then just start dabbing it on your nails.  Turn the plastic as you dab so it won't look uniform.  Then just apply top coat. 

That's it!  Super easy technique with a huge payoff!  You will be seeing this again really soon! I love how this looks.
And although I had to take literally about 50 pictures to get these, the colors are true to life.  This is exactly what it looks like in real life.  I hope you enjoyed today's mani and tutorial.  Be sure to click on the links below to see all the fabulous plastic wrap designs.  And, as always, Happy Polishing!!
Alicia from Makeup and Nails, Not War
Carmina from Cubbiful
ChiChi from I’m Just Me... ChiChi
Cordia from Seriously Swatched
Erin from Paint Those Piggies!
Jessica from Nail Polish Anonymous
Jillian from Jilltastic Nail Design
Kelly from Peace Love Lacquer
Laura from Little Laura Loves
Nicole from Dipped in Lacquer
Paulina from Paulina’s Passions
Rachael from Rachos Nail Love
Roxana from Beautylicious
Tammy from Lacquer and Leather
Tes from Tes Did It NailsAlicia
Tina from Light of the Moon Nails


Thursday, April 25, 2013

Review: Orly Glowstick

Hi my Lovelies!!!!  I am so thrilled to see y'all today!!  I just wanted to take a minute and let you know how much I appreciate you all!! And I read and love every comment.  For some reason they've all disappeared, but I did see and read them!  Computers, the most fabulous and frustrating invention ever!!  Ha ha!

Now to my review, Orly Glowstick came out as part of their Summer 2012 collection, but I missed it.  Now it's part of their permanent collection.  Yay.  At least in my tiny rural town it is.  (How tiny?  Although we do have a Sally's Beauty Supply, cows once shut down our main road for over an hour, lol)  Here it is:
Isn't it amazing???  This  picture, and the ones following it, were taken outside on a cloudy day.  Yep, super overcast, about to get rain kind of day.  I swear it glows!
 
The pictures show two coats of Glowstick over two coats of Nina Ultra Pro French White.  While you could wear this polish on its own and it would be fabulous, if you want to get the full effect of the neon I highly recommend wearing it over white.  The pictures are true to life; this is what the polish looks like in most light.  The formula was great.  Sometimes neons can be thick, but this was great.  It was completely opaque in two coats without any pulling or balding.
 
Bottom line?  LOVE IT!!!  It's bright and beautiful without being obnoxious.  I am so happy I got a second chance at Glowstick.  I expect you're going to see a lot of this polish this summer!  I hope y'all liked this review.  Remember if you ever have any questions or requests, just let me know.  You can leave a comment, message me on facebook, or email me at glitteryfingers@gmail.com.  I'll see y'all soon.  Until then, Happy Polishing!!!
 
 


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Autism Awareness- Hands

Hi again friends!!!  Can you believe it??  Three posts in one day!!  So this one is short and sweet.  Today's autism challenge is hands.  Hands?  Really?  But I gave it my best try.  I went with hand prints:
I Used:
Sinful Colors- Sugar Rush (light blue crème)
Maybelline Color Show- Pacific Blues Limited Edition
Small Dotting Tool

My idea behind it was a child's hand print in finger paint.  And, again, I apologize for my cuticles.  They are still healing from my incident and look a little rough (for the meanie who told me to take care of my cuticles :p), lol.  They will look normal again soon.

And for more information on Autism, such as signs and how you can help, check out the site Autism Speaks.  Be sure to check out all the other great hand designs!!  And Happy Polishing!!
Carmina from Cubbiful
Cordia from Seriously Swatched
Jessica from Nail Polish Anonymous
Kelly from Peace Love Lacquer
Laura from Little Laura Loves
Nicole from Dipped in Lacquer
Paulina from Paulina’s Passions
Rachael from Rachos Nail Love
Roxana from Beautylicious
Tina from Light of the Moon Nails

ABC Challenge: P is for Polka Dots

Hello my Lovelies!!!  How are you today?  Are you glad the week is half over?  I'm not.  Saturday starts theater week for my little one.  That means 5 days of rehearsing for the ballet "Snow White" in the actual theater, from 5pm to 9:15 pm, followed by shows in three days.  It is an exhausting week for her and me.  I honestly don't know how she does it.  Me? I'm already stressing.  I've been running around trying to make sure she has enough tights, false eyelashes, shoes are in good shape....ugh.

Anyway, on to the challenge!  Today's ABC Challenge is the letter P and I've done Polka dots.  Just a warning, you may want to put on your sunglasses:
I Used:
Nina Ultra Pro- French White (white crème)
Orly- Glowstick (neon yellow)
Orly- Hot Shot (neon pink)
Scotch Tape
Large Dotting Tool

Bright, huh?  Wait!  You have to see it out in the sun:
I love this!!!  The colors are just, wow! 

To create this mani, I started with two coats of Nina Ultra Pro French White.  To make neon pop and live up to its full potential, always start with a white polish. I then topped it with two coats of Orly Glowstick, a phenomenal bright yellow (I'll have a review of Glowstick in a couple of days). Once that dried, I placed a piece of scotch tape diagonally across my nail and painted a coat of Orly Hot Shot, a medium pink neon (it looks a little more orange in the photos, but it's actually a pretty pink).
Then using a large dotting tool (a pen would work great for this) and the opposite color, I started making the polka dots.  Start the dotting on the line and make sure the dot touches the line so that it looks like it's running.  Then just keep making dots in a line to the edge of your nail.  Finish with a top coat. 

This is such a neat effect, and the colors just screamed summer to me.  And I can't begin to tell you how many compliments I got on it.  I hope you enjoyed this mani.  Be sure to follow the links below to see what the other fabulous ladies have come up with for P!!  Happy Polishing!!





MABB Bi-Weekly Question 4/24

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Every other Wednesday, the Metro Atlanta Beauty Bloggers will answer a beauty-related question just for fun! This week's question is... Product testing aside, on a daily basis do you stick to your "tried & true" favorites or do you like to experiment with different products?

Yes!  Ha ha.  I love doing both.  I'm pretty loyal to some of my tried and true products.  For example, I've been using the basic Oil of Olay lotion since I was 15.  I have tried a few others over the years, but I love my Oil of Olay.  And I used to be pretty loyal to my make up companies.  I only used two for the longest time, Merle Norman and Maybelline.  But about 15 years ago, after Merle Norman discontinued a favorite shade of blush...again...I started experimenting more.  And discovered there was a huge, wonderful world of make up out there!! I love to experiment all the time, unless I'm in a hurry!  Then I stick with my tried and trues.  Or if I have a big day or night ahead of me.  An important night isn't the time to try a smoky eye for the first time.  Trust me.  Been there, done that, and failed, ha ha.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that you can get some great make up for less.  If you only can invest in a few things, make them your make up brushes.  Great tools can work wonders with any make up.  But overall  I guess I'm pretty loyal, but always willing to experiment!!  What about you?

  - - - - - * - - - - -

Be sure to check out the other Metro Atlanta Beauty Bloggers' answers!

Ashley Elizabeth from Ashley Elizabeth's Beauty Blog
Dionne from Glittery Fingers & Sparkling Toes
Emma from Manicurity
Harri from TrailerHood Chic
Mandy from MandysSecrets
Pam from Pammy Blogs Beauty
Quinn from Mama Fashionista

If you would like to see previous questions and answers, you can do so by viewing the Question Archive here. If you're a beauty blogger in the Metro Atlanta area and would like to join us, please visit our website! We would love to connect with you!







Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Review: Born Pretty Store Nail Art Foils

The following products were furnished to Glittery Fingers & Sparkling Toes for review.  The opinions expressed are my own and were in not influenced in any way.

I was recently contacted by the Born Pretty Store to review a product of my choice.  The Born Pretty Store is an "online one-click everything you could possibly want including everything you could ever need for nails" store.  Lol, that is a real description!  Here are just a few samples of nail supplies:  acrylic nails, acrylic drills, rhinestones, brushes, stamping plates, polish, containers, honestly just too much to list here.  And if you aren't interested in nail supplies, how about jewelry? Or make up, hair extensions, kitchen gadgets, pet supplies, greeting cards, toys or even a no-slip mat for your tub?  There is so much on this site I feel like I've barely scratched the surface!  (This is going to be pick heavy, lol)

So what did I choose?  Metallic Nail Art Foil:
I chose #3 the holo pink foil and #10 silver.  (I couldn't find the number for the multi colored)  Foil Nail Art has been around for well over 20 years and was one of the first things I experimented with, but I have to tell you, it's come a long way!  These foils come in strips 113 cm long and 2.5 cm wide and arrive in these convenient storage containers.  These were all so easy to apply!  All you do is paint your nails a base color.  Born Pretty Store recommends using dark polishes for best result which I did.  Each foil was placed over two coats of Sinful Colors Black on Black.  Although I can't wait to experiment with lighter polishes. 

First up is the pink holographic design.  This was metallic pink with random holographic spots  Once the base color is dry, top with a top coat (do not use a fast drying one, I used a clear polish) and when it's tacky and you can leave a soft fingerprint, apply the foil where you want it to go, I decided to cover the majority of my nail, and remove:
Before top coat
After top coat
Then just top with top coat.  My one and only disappointment with the pink and silver foils is that the holo was severely reduced.  And you have to put the top coat on.  The holo was still there, just very subtle.  But they were still beautiful!  Spoiler Alert:  I loved these!!
The above photo is outside in direct sun and below in my light box:

Next up is the silver with a more linear and subtle holographic effect.  The accent nail is the multi color foil.  The first picture is outside in the sun and the second in my light box.
You can still see the holo, it's just very subtle.

And last, and my absolute favorite, is the multi color metallic foil.  Once again the first picture is outdoors and the second inside with the silver foil as an accent.
Isn't that just the most wonderful, shiny, goodness you've ever seen???

Application was extremely easy and hassle free.  In fact, it was so easy that with a little more careful application you might be able to get almost 100% coverage.  And I still have plenty left over.  I only used about 4 inches of each strip.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved these.  I got tons of compliments and everyone thought I spent hours on them instead of a couple of minutes. I can not recommend these enough!  And now I have to try every color!!

These foils are listed at $2.99 each, but the more you buy the cheaper they are.  And by using this code you get 10% off:
And they always have free shipping...anywhere!  And as always, Happy Polishing!!


Monday, April 22, 2013

Braids for Autism Awareness Month

Happy Monday Friends!!!  I hope y'all are all rested up and ready to begin your week with energy and enthusiasm...at least one of us should!  Ha ha!  This is the last week of the Autism Awareness challenge and today is braids or fishtails.  I love this look...I've never tried this look.  I gave this my best shot, but I definitely need some more practice:
Sorry for my beat up hands
I Used:
Hard Candy- Crush on Gold
Sally Hansen- Co-Bolt Blue
Orly-Blue Collar

While not a complete failure, I need to try it again.  I will give the instructions then...when I figure them out, ha ha.  Until later, I hope you have a fabulous day and Happy Polishing!!  Opps!  Don't forget to check out all the Autism Awareness manis for today!!  List below picture!!
Carmina from Cubbiful
Cordia from Seriously Swatched
Jessica from Nail Polish Anonymous
Kelly from Peace Love Lacquer
Laura from Little Laura Loves
Nicole from Dipped in Lacquer
Paulina from Paulina’s Passions
Rachael from Rachos Nail Love
Roxana from Beautylicious
Tina from Light of the Moon Nails

Thursday, April 18, 2013

For Boston and Texas

Morning all.  Today's post is a little different then my normal type, but I hope you will enjoy it just the same.  Due to the video embedded in this post, it may take a minute to load, but I think the video is worth it.
I woke up this morning to discover another tragedy occurred, this time in Texas.  And while my heart breaks for the loss, that is not going to be my focus.  Instead I want to honor the lives of those lost, they deserve to be celebrated.  I won't think of those who commit these horrors or of how accidents can occur any where at any time.  Instead I'm going to concentrate on the resilience of the human spirit.  Instead of fear, think of the love shown by those around the world and those who rushed towards the chaos to help.  With that in mind, the nail blog community has come together to honor those in Boston.  And I would like to include everyone injured in the bombing and those in the explosion in Texas. 

You will be seeing a lot of red manis and designs from me this month, but for this first one, I kept it very simple, just Orly Unlawful.  Pictures show base coat, three coats with a top coat.
Please excuse my beat up fingers, it was a rough day for my hands, lol.  Orly Unlawful is from their 2012 Holiday collection and is a gorgeous, bright, reflective red with blue undertones.  I absolutely love this color.  The polish itself was ok, but a bit tricky to work with.  It was so thin!  Almost like water.  But if you go slow, it's fine.  I think because it is so thin, it took three coats to hide the visible nail line (VNL).  But it's so beautiful, it's worth the little extra work.  And don't forget the top coat!  Whether your nails are natural or acrylic, red will dye your nails, so be sure to use a good base coat.
I have no idea why my pinkie and index finger are darker in the picture, but they all look the same in real life.
I hope you have a fabulous day!  Smile!  Love!  Let your light shine on others!!  Never let the darkness dampen your spirit!  Happy Polishing!!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Double Challenge: ABC & Autism Awareness

Happy Wednesday!!  I have a really busy day ahead so I've combined my two challenges for the day, the ABC Challenge and the Autism Awareness.  Just as a reminder, for the ABC Challenge, each week we have to use a polish brand or name, or a nail art or technique that starts with that weeks letter.  This week the letter is O and I've gone with Orly.  And for the Autism Awareness we have blue ruffian nails:
Direct sun
I Used:
China Glaze- Hook and Line
Orly- Shockwave
Orly- Angel Eyes

This design is called Ruffian nails and is actually pretty easy to do; it just takes a slightly ste ady hand.  For this mani, I started with one coat of China Glaze Hook and Line, a grayish silver metallic.  Then just using the brush that came with the polish, I painted two coats of Orly Shockwave, a gorgeous, almost royal blue crème.  Then, because I can't leave well enough alone, I painted my ring finger and thumb with one coat of Orly Angel Eyes.  Angel Eye's is a clear base with micro blue glitter and small hexagon holographic glitter (YUM).

I  really didn't like this design when I started.    I felt like it made my nails look shorter and my cuticles looked 1/4 inch long.  But once I added the glitter (glitter makes everything better), I kind of liked them.  I think I would like them more in a different color combination. Although I LOVE Shockwave and Angel Eyes together! I will have to try them again,  Until later, have a fabulous day and remember we are half way to the weekend!!  Be sure to check out all the amazing ladies in both challenges!!  And, as always, Happy Polishing!!
Light box

Autism Awareness Challenge Ladies:
Alicia from Makeup and Nails, Not War
Carmina from Cubbiful
ChiChi from I’m Just Me... ChiChi
Cordia from Seriously Swatched
Dionne from Glittery Fingers & Sparkling Toes
Erin from Paint Those Piggies!
Jessica from Nail Polish Anonymous
Jillian from Jilltastic Nail Design
Kelly from Peace Love Lacquer
Laura from Little Laura Loves
Nicole from Dipped in Lacquer
Paulina from Paulina’s Passions
Rachael from Rachos Nail Love
Roxana from Beautylicious
Tammy from Lacquer and Leather