Black & Silver French Tips

Happy Monday Everyone!!  How is your day going?  I'm actually happy it's Monday! The now-a-teenager and I have the day off after a very long seven days.  The ballet was wonderful and if I say so myself, she was the best raccoon ever!  But now I'm absolutely exhausted!  And I guess she is too since she didn't wake up until 11:45!!  So today's post is be kind of short because as soon as she woke up, it was nap time for me!

These are the nails I wore to the actual ballet.  I had bought a gorgeous black and white chevron dress to wear, but the weather didn't cooperate (it was 59 and constantly raining), so these were designed to match that dress:

I Used:
Sinful Colors- Black on Black (black crème)
Milani- HD (silver scatter holographic)
NYC- Matte Me Crazy (matte top coat)

I thought these were fun and they were easy to do.  I started with two coats of black polish (Sinful Colors Black on Black) and topped it with NYC Matte Me Crazy.  I love that top coat.  Instead of having to buy a bunch of matte polishes, this makes any polish matte.  Then just using the brush that came with the polish I painted Milani HD on the corners of my nails.  But you can use scotch tape to do this too.  In fact, I ended up having to do my nails in an extremely short amount of time, so when I do this again I will probably use the tape.

Here is a picture from in the theater.  It's really dark, I know, but it shows the holo:

I hope y'all enjoyed this!  I'm off to drag the kid out of bed so I can go back to sleep, ha ha.  Happy Polishing!!

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

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

Tes from Tes Did It NailsAlicia

Tina from Light of the Moon Nails

MABB Bi-Weekly Question $20 FOTD

Every other Wednesday, the Metro Atlanta Beauty Bloggers will answer a beauty-related question just for fun! This week's question is...  Can you create a FOTD for $20 or less? Show us what products you would use!

NOTE: For this, we are not figuring sales tax, brushes, tools, or implements, just the regular cost of the actual make-up products.

Whew! I made it!  Usually here I say how much I love this week's question, but this week was really, really hard!!  One, I've had problems with my thyroid for 1 1/2 years and it's played havoc with me, so I'm not fond of pictures of me. And two, I love make-up!!  But limiting an entire face to only $20??  But, I kind of did it, ha ha.  The make up I bought for this challenge came to $18.85!  Yay me!  But I used an old blush and have no idea how much it cost.  I know it was pretty cheap (NYC), but the label is even worn off so I can't look it up.  So I'm going with the $18.85 :D Here are the items I bought:

NYC Individual Eyes Created for Blue Eyes $1.25 (on clearance for 75% off) *Although I don't have blue eyes, mine are gray)
NYC Smooch Proof Lip Stain 498 Berry Long Time $1.25 (on clearance for 75% off)
Maybelline Fit Me 132 Brute Beige $5.94
Maybelline Master Precise Eyeliner, black $6.44
Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express, black $2.97 (Buy 1 get one 50% off)
LA Colors Lip Gloss & Lip Stick (no name) $1.00
And the much worn NYC Cheek Glow in front

And the finished look:

So what do y'all think?  Did I make the $20 FOTD or did I cheat?  LOL  P.S. Sorry for the garbage can in the background.  Thank my bestie for that!  Don't forget to check out the other lovely MABB ladies and see what they chose!


 - - - - - * - - - - -

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!

ABC Challenge: M is for Matte

Hello my Darlings!!!  I'm so happy for this challenge.  Mainly because I finally feel like myself again.  I just need to build my stamina back up.  So does the little one, although there is definitely an advantage to being 13.  And thank you so much to everyone for all the well wishes.  We are back at about 95% now and feel SO much better.

Now on to today's challenge.  It's the letter M.  So I've gone with a matte look over Nina Ultra Pro in Lilacing Discipline and China Glaze Razzle Me Dazzle Me...both untried!!  And then I used NYC Matte Me Crazy top coat:

I love this shade of purple!!  It's just a perfect Spring lilac.  The formula was perfect, as most Nina polishes tend to be.  I've always loved Nina Ultra Pro, I have some bottles going back 15 years from them...I'm just not sure what I think of their new "Professional double brush".  It's as wide as most of my nails...and wider than my pinkie finger.  I haven't decided if I like it or not. 

Then the pictures show one coat of China Glaze Razzle Me, Dazzle Me.  This polish has matte bar, large hex and micro round black glitter with small hex and micro light pink glitter.  I like this polish, don't love it, but like it.  It has nothing to do with the formula, or even that it's China Glaze, for some reason, it's just not my favorite.  And that is a rare thing for me to say about glitter!  The last picture shows it before the matte is added.  (I don't know why the index finger is a different color...shooting purples and blues is hard)

The top coat is NYC Matte Me Crazy.  Pictures show one coat, and I have no complaints.  The formula was fabulous.  And since matte isn't my favorite thing (hence the name of my blog), I like having a matte top coat so I can make anything matte.

I hope you enjoy my very rare matte design.  Be sure to check out what all the other fabulous ladies came up with for M.  Happy Polishing!!!

 

Without Matte

Day 9: Rainbow, R31DC

Hi Everyone!!  How are y'all doing today?  Any big plans for the weekend?  There is so much going on this weekend I'm sure it's going to be fun.  "The Vampire Diaries" are filming in town.  You may think so how will you ever see them?  But when I say I have a small town, I'm not kidding.  Downtown is one block.  And TVD puts signs up pointing to where everything is!!  And all I can say about Ian Somenholder is, drool!!  And yes I've met him!!  And my almost teenager is getting her first pair of pointe shoes!!  And that means a trip to the city!!!  Wonder if there is an Ulta near the dance store?

Ok, enough about all that, on to the challenge! First I've decided to abbreviate it to R31DC as opposed to writing out Relaxed 31 Day Challenge.  Next, today's prompt is rainbow.  I didn't know what I was going to do until the blue  challenge last Monday (sorry, for some reason I can't get the link to work today).  So here is my rainbow:

I Used (from lightest to darkest):
Green:
     Pure Ice- Wild Thing
     Wet-n-Wild- SaGreena the Teenage Witch
     Finger Paints- Avante Garde Green
Yellow:
     NYC- 114A
     Kleancolor- Neon Yellow
     Spoiled- Designated Driver
Blue:
     Bonita (name missing)
     Wet-n-Wild- Saved by the Blue
     NYC- Skin Tight Denim Crème
Red:
     A mix of China Glaze- Rougish Red and white polish
     Wet-n-Wild- I Red a Good Book
     Orly- Torrid
Purple:
     NYC- Lavender Cupcake
     Wet-n-Wild- On a Trip
     China Glaze- VIII

I had a lot of fun creating this manicure, despite the first words out of the almost teenager's mouth that I got the colors in the wrong order, lol.  I love it anyway!!

And here is the rest of the challenge:

Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend!!  Be sure to check out the other designs and check back next week as I add another, albeit, relaxed challenge! Happy Polishing!!

Red French Tip

Hi again!  As promised, here's my second post of the day.  If you are looking for a more classic look, or something more elegant, I may have what you are looking for:

This is a matte/glossy French tip.  And I promise the hardest thing about this design was figuring out what to call it!

I Used:
Orly- Smolder (dark red shimmer)
NYC- Matte Me Crazy (matte top coat)
Pro FX- Quick Dry High Gloss Top Coat
Crystal Rhinestones

I started with two coats of Orly Smolder .  After that had dried completely, I taped off the ends of my nails (see my tips for creating the perfect French tips here) and then painted the nail beds with the NYC matte top coat.  Then I painted the tips with the Pro-FX high gloss top coat free hand.  You do need to paint the tips to give your nails a smooth finish and feel.

One special thing I did was use real crystal rhinestones as opposed to the acrylic ones sold in beauty supply stores.  You can find them at your local hobby/craft store.  I found mine at Michael's for under $5.00.  I do have two different sizes on too.  Start by placing a dot of the matte top coat in the middle of your nail.  Then place the largest rhinestone.  Then repeat, placing the smaller rhinestones around the larger one.'

I hope y'all enjoy it!  Have a fabulous New Year's Eve!! And be sure to post pictures of your nails and outfits on my facebook page.  Happy Polishing!!

Mr. Heat Miser & Mr. Snow Miser- 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

Hi Everyone!!  I've been so excited about this challenge and choosing which movie to use easy!  Although I try to always watch "It's a Wonderful Life", "Scrooged" and "elf" there is only one that I absolutely can not miss.  It isn't even Christmas until I see "The Year Without a Santa Claus"!  And what is my favorite part? Mr. Heat Miser and Mr. Snow Miser of course!!  I love them!! And of course their song (which is now stuck in a permanent loop in my head).  So here is my manicure:

I Used:
China Glaze- White on White (white creme)
China Glaze- Liquid Leather (black creme)
Ulta- Red Carpet Red (red crelly or creme and jelly)
NYC- Times Square Tangerine Creme (orange creme)
Sinful Colors Nail Art- Morning Breath (yellow crelly)
Orly- Halley's Comet (aqua blue shimmer)
Ulta- Bam-Blue-Zled (light blue creme)
China Glaze- Prism (mainly purple multi colored glitter)
China Glaze- Electrify (gold and red glitter)
Sinful Colors Nail Art- Love Me (blue and purple glitter)
Kleancolor- Neon Yellow (yellow creme)
Orly- Blue Collar (blue creme)
City Colors- Light Gray (light gray with silver shimmer)
Liner Brush
Detail Brush
Dotting Tools

I really hope y'all enjoy my tribute to the great and powerful Miser Brothers!!  Be sure to check out every one's designs!  I can't wait to see what they've done.  Happy Polishing!!

P.S.  Here is the proof of my black and red Christmas trees that I promised:

Thanksgiving Water Marble

Hi Everyone!!  Are y'all ready for Thanksgiving?  I just went out and bought my turkey, can't wait to eat! Can you blieve I bought a 22 pound turkey for just 6 people?  But I love the sandwiches with the left overs even more than the turkey!  So does the hubby, so...I got a big turkey!  So today I thought I would do a water marble for Thanksgiving.

Click here for the step-by-step tutorial on water marbling!

I Used:
China Glaze- White on White
Pure Ice- Jaguar (perfect gold color with gold shimmer)
NYC- Times Square Tangerine Creme (orange)
Orly- Chocoholic (dark brown with silver shimmer)
Scotch Tape (for taping fingers, see above link)

So here is the finished water marble:

I started with two coats of China Glaze- White on White:

Then dropped the nail polish into the water.  I tried to draw a design that reminded me of turkey feathers.  How'd I do?  Don't forget to click on the link above to see step-by-step directions and pictures for how to water marble.  Hope y'all enjoy this design!  Happy Polishing!!

Halloween Water Marble

Hi Everyone!  I've been so excited to do this:  a Halloween water marble.  I really had a hard time deciding on what colors to use.  At first I thought I would just do orange and black (and I still may), but I'm not a huge fan of two color water marbles.  Then I thought I would use white, orange and yellow for candy corn, but that made me crave candy corn.  Yes, I love candy corn...don't know why but I do!  But then I started thinking, how can I do a Halloween water marble without black?   I love black polish.  So, I finally decided to use them all! 

I Used:
China Glaze- White on White
China Glaze- Liquid Leather (black)
Spoiled- Designated Driver (yellow)
NYC- Times Square Tangerine Creme

Note:  Be sure to check out my step-by-step  water marble tutorial.   This one was done the exact same way as the Fall water marble.

I started with two coats of white polish to help the other colors pop.  The order I used for my bull's eye was white, orange, yellow and black.  I was disappointed that the white barely showed and that the yellow was so dominate.  But that happens sometimes with water marbles.  You can't always tell 100% how they are going to turn out.  That's also what makes them fun.  I also ended up with bubbles, sorry.  I dropped the yellow bottle but I waited 30 minutes before using it in the marble, but....bubbles.  I tried to pop them in the bull's eye, but it didn't work.  So let that be a lesson for y'all...you can't pop the bubbles on the surface of the water.  They are evil and just hide!

All that being said, I love my Halloween design.  But then again, I love water marbles!  And they are one of my favorite techniques.  I hope y'all enjoy it too!  Happy Polishing!!




Right hand, my favorite



Left Hand

Purple Art Glass

Hi Everyone!! I hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend.  We are having a nice, quiet weekend at home.  But I do have a new design for you, and can I just say I am in love!!!  I was in an antique store the other day and fell in love with this art glass vase.  It was purple and sparkled!! What was there not to love?  Other than the price that is.  So since I can't buy the vase, at least I can wear the design on my nails! 

I Used:
Orly- Decoded (gray)
Wet-n-Wild- Buffy the Violet Slayer
NYC- Lavender Cupcake
Rimmel- Wild Orchid
Orly- Charged Up
Orly- Ingenue

I started with two coats of Orly's Decoded, a pretty dark gray from their Electronica collection.  When that was dry, I used a medium (about 1/2 inch) stripping brush (see my tip on brushes) for the stripes.  Just make random stripes of different lengths and widths along your nails.  Make sure you don't completely cover your base color.  If you don't want to use purple but still get the same effect, you need to use a combination of creme, shimmer and glitter polishes.  This will give your design depth and make it look more like glass.  There are endless combinations.  (They had the same vase if multiple colors!)  Don't forget your top coat.  I used two coats to help give this design a smooth, glassy appearance.

I hope y'all have fun with this design.  I would love to see some of your interpretations!   Post them in the comments below.  Happy Polishing!!

P.S.  The glitter polish is Orly's Ingenue.  It's an unbelievable color!  Purple duochrome with an extreme gold shift.  Love it!!

Left Hand:

Right Hand:

Sparkle and Matte

As you may have gathered, I LOVE GLITTER!! Matte is not my favorite finish, but I've found I do like the effect, especially if I can combine it with sparkle!  I've fallen in love with this manicure.  It's so simple and elegant.

I used:

China Glaze- Liquid Leather

NYC- Matte Me Crazy

Rhinestones- Crystazzi - SS6

Start with two coats of the China Glaze Liquid Leather.  Once dry, paint one coat of the NYC Matte Me Crazy.  The matte finish will show almost immediately.  When the matte is almost dry, just tacky, it's time to add the rhinestones.  Using the matte top coat, put a dot of polish, about the same size as the stone, where you want it.  In this manicure, I put them along the french tip line.  Then place the rhinestone on the drop and gently press down.  Continue for each finger.  Usually you would put a top coat over the rhinestones when done, but in this case it would ruin the effect.  By setting them down in the dot of polish, that will hold them just as well. (The pictures were taken 24 hours after I did the manicure and it still looks great.)  When you're done, if you see the matte polish leaking out, just apply another coat of the matte top coat to that half of the nail and it will disappear.

I absolutely LOVE how this manicure turned out.  As I'm typing this my fingers are glittering like crazy!  The only sad thing is that it was really hard to get a good photograph.  I promise this manicure is a show stopper!  And as always, if you have any questions, leave a comment or send me an email (glitteryfingers@gmail.com) I love this mani and I hope you do too!  Happy Polishing!!

Update:  It's day3 and I still have my rhinestones!

 

Outside: