The First Mani of Spring

Hey Y'all!  So, it's theoretically Spring here in the south...  This is such a "fun" time of year, lol.  Today is supposed to be a warm 73 degrees, tomorrow 79...and Saturday is supposed to be 56.  Have I mentioned how much I hate the cold recently?  So despite the overcast and rainy day today, it is supposed to be warm and it is officially Spring, so I have a Spring mani for you today:

I Used:
Sinful Colors: Yellow Out There, a bright yellow jelly with small holographic bar glitter
Finger Paints:  Aloha Lei, an orange glass fleck shimmer
Make Up Sponge

I started by using Sinful Colors Yellow Out There on my pinky and middle fingers and on my thumb.  Yellow Out There is a bright, pretty jelly polish with very small holographic bar glitter.  The pictures show three coats with top coat.  This was a pretty typical jelly polish in that even after 3 coats, there is still a very visible nail line.  I can't wait to try this in a jelly sandwich!  And why I love the holographic bar glitter, I wish there was more!

Next I painted my index and ring finger with Finger Paints Aloha Lei, a bright orange glass fleck shimmer.  I loved this color!  Pictures show two coats with top coat.  I was a bit disappointed in the wear time.  I had to wait until the next day to take the pictures in the sun and as you can see, I already have some wear.  On my middle finger, I used a make up sponge to sponge on a gradient.

While I'm not loving all the weather changes, I do love this mani!

I hope y'all are enjoying Spring where you are, without snow!  Have a fabulous day and Happy Polishing!!

Summer Water Marble (Neon Orange & Purple)

Hey Y'all!!  TGIF!!!  A bit early.  The teen has a show tomorrow and I'm going to run a bunch of errands before, so I thought I would post this a little early :)

For today, I have a Neon Orange and Purple Water Marble perfect for Summer:

I Used:
Orly- Scattered (dark purple neon)
Orly- Tropical Pop (bright orange/peach neon)

For my tutorial on water marbling, CLICK HERE!!

I really love how this turned out!  Be sure to work extra quickly whenever you use neons in water marbles.  The polishes always dry fast in the water, but the neons dry super fast!

I hope you enjoyed today's post, and that you have a wonderful Friday!  Happy Polishing!!

Summer Neon Water Marble

Hey Y'all!!  Happy Monday!  Did you have a good weekend?  We did!  We went our 65+ miles to get the teen new pointe shoes.  And of course, since it was so far, we had to have lunch.  We went to Pappadeaux!!! I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE that place!  They have the absolute best alligator in the world!  And this one had a BUFFET!  Ate myself sick and I'm not even ashamed!  The rest of the weekend was spent Spring cleaning and catching up on America's Got Talent.

Today I have a fun Summer Neon Water Marble for you:

I Used:
China Glaze- White on White (white crème)
Orly- Ablaze (neon orange with a micro gold shimmer)
Orly- Neon Heat (bright neon pink crème)
Studio M- Neon Greenlight (bright neon green)

For my water marble tutorial, just CLICK HERE!!!

I painted two coats of China Glaze White on White as a base.  Then I used it and the other three polishes in the water marble.  I added the white in the water marble to make the neons really pop.

I really love this mani. And I think it works great for Spring into Summer time!

I hope y'all have a fabulous day!!  And Happy Polishing!!

Neon Dots

Hey Y'all!!  Ok, so yesterday stunk.  Seriously.  So I'm going to pretend it didn't happen and just start over today.  Today is going to be a good day!  Hear me Universe??  No crap today, ok?  LOL

So I know that it's still "technically"  Spring, but here in the southern corner of the US, it's summer.  That's why I have a fun Neon Dotticure for you today:

I Used:
Orly:  Tropical Pop (neon peach crème)
Orly- Saturated (dark purple neon crème)
Orly- Hot Tropics (dark magenta neon with a gold micro shimmer)
Dotting Tool

I started with painting three fingers with Orly Tropical Pop, a fun neon orangy-peach color.  Then I painted my ring finger with Orly Saturated, a deep purple neon...you know I loved this color!  And finally, I painted my middle finger with Orly Hot Tropics. This color is hot!  It's a dark magenta neon with gold micro glitter giving it such a gorgeous shimmer.

Then using the same colors, I started dotting away skipping the base color for that nail.  I used a large and small dotting tool, but you could use a toothpick and a ball point pen instead.  I dotted just one half of my nail.  I think the key to dotting is to overlap some of the dots.  It gives it a more random look.

I hope you enjoyed today's post.  And I really hope you have a fabulous day!  No more bad days for us!

Happy Polishing!!

 

Tahitian Sunset (or Peach/Orange Gradient)

Hey Y'all!!  I've missed y'all so much!!  I told you things were insane, and they have been!  The end of the year is always so busy, but this year seemed even busier than normal.  And if all that wasn't enough, I thought I would enter a nail art competition.  Ah, stress.  And even though I'm losing the competition, I at least have a bunch of nail art designs coming up for you!  And if you follow me on Instagram, you can see all the designs :)

For today I have what I'm calling Tahitian Sunset because it reminds me of Tahiti:

I Used:
Sinful Colors- Hot Chili (dark rusty orange with micro holographic glitters)
Sinful Colors- Coral Riff (bright coral with subtle blue shimmer)
Sinful Colors- Anchors Away (yellow creme with strong orange undertones)
Make Up Sponge

Y'all know how I do gradients (and if you don't, just click gradient under the labels in the left hand column), so I'll skip the directions.

These Sinful Colors all came from their Simmer Down collection.  I can not tell you how much I love this collection!!  All the colors remind me of sultry, tropical nights!  And all the formulas worked beautifully!

I hope y'all have a fabulous day!!  Happy Polishing!!

Spring or Summer Daisy Pedicure

Hey Y'all!!  So as promised, I would give you the tutorials for the designs used in the May issue of Atlanta Parent.  I did three designs for the article, so here's tutorial number 1.  This was my favorite design, but they didn't use it.  Oh well.  These daisies will be perfect for Spring and Summer!

I Used:
Wet-n-Wild- Cursed (orange jelly)
Wet-n-Wild- Get Lucky (yellow crème)
Finger Paints- First Edition (dark neon purple)
White Rhinestones
Medium Dotting Tool (toothpick would be perfect here)

This is a quick and easy pedicure.  I started with three coats of Wet-n-Wild Cursed.    Drop a couple of drops of your polish(es) on a piece of paper to dip your dotting tool into.  Next I started making the flowers with a medium sized dotting tool.  Start with a small dot to show the center of your flower.  Then make five slightly larger dots around that dot.  A toothpick would work perfectly for this.  Be sure to leave a little space between your center dot and your petals for the rhinestone.

Next, apply your top coat.  Make sure to make it a pretty thick coat, and do only one nail at a time.  Before it dries (or move on to the next nail), drop your rhinestone in the middle of your flowers.  Then press them down very easily.  This will set the rhinestone down into the top coat and give you a very secure stone.  I wore this design for a long time without losing a stone.

Hope y'all enjoyed today's pedicure!!  Two more to go!  Happy Polishing!!

Rainbow Splatter

Hey Y'all!!  TGIF!!!  I don't think I've ever been more excited to see a week end!!  I've decided that Friday is the end of the week, cause I can't take anymore bad days!  The teen and I have a bunch of running around to do, so let me get to today's post!

I have a Rainbow Splatter for you:

I Used:
Sinful Colors- Snow Me White (white crème)
Orly- Grave Mistake (dark red crème) on pinky only
Sinful Colors- Feel The Vibe (bright orange crème) on pinky & ring fingers
Sinful Colors- Chick Chick (bright yellow crème) on ring & middle fingers
Sally Hansen- Kelp Out (green crème) on middle and index fingers
Sinful Colors- Jolt (bright blue crème) on index fingers & thumbs
Sinful Colors- Go Go Boots (purple crème) on thumbs only
Plastic Straws
Beauty Secrets Nail Polish Thinner

So splatter nails are not my favorite technique...by far!  Although I did change how I did it this time, it was still kind of hard and messy.  For this mani I started with two coats of Sinful Colors Snow Me White.  Once that dried, I put tape around my fingers to help with the clean up.  Then I put a few drops of polish on a paper plate and added about 4 drops of thinner to it.  For what polish was put on what finger, check the list above.

Then just dip the straw into the polish and blow.  Which is easier said than done, lol.  For me, only one out of every 15 blows worked.  I was finally getting the hang of it on the last nail, of course.  I will advise you put down a newspaper.  And blow gently.

I hope y'all enjoyed today's post!  Happy Polishing!!

Review: Wet-n-Wild Street Art Collection, Part 1

Hey Y'all!!  How are you?  I've missed you.  I'm so sorry I've been missing the last couple of days.  I have two excuses though!  One, I had to work on an exciting project!!  Which, I can't tell you about for another three weeks, but it's a very fun thing!  Second, I was so sick for the last few days.  But it's a cold, rainy, yucky day here, so I'm going to work on getting caught up on all my posts!

And this is a fabulous one!!  I have the new Street Art Collection from Wet-n-Wild.  I have to tell you, I'm beyond happy about the bold, colorful collections for this Spring and Street Art is fabulous!!  All polishes were bought by me for $0.99 each.  Let's get started!

Get Lucky



Get Lucky is a bright, highly pigmented yellow crème.  Pictures show three coats with top coat.

The formula was fine.  It was very streaky, but that's pretty typical of any yellow polish.  It did smooth out perfectly in three coats.  And the intense yellow is worth it!  So bright and pretty!

Cursed



Cursed is a bright orange jelly.  Photos show three coats with top coat.

The formula for Cursed was great!  It took three coats to make it opaque, but it kept it's wonderful squishiness.  There wasn't any balding or streaking.

Temptation

Temptation is a highly pigmented salmon crème.  Pictures show three coats with top coat.

The formula for Temptation was good.  There was some streaking which is why it took three coats.  And, both acrylic and natural ladies, be sure to wear a base coat because there was a little staining.  Although the stains disappeared after the next mani.  Even though this was the hardest of the six to apply, it is well worth the effort.

These colors were all gorgeous!  I love each and every one of them!  And for only 99 cents each, you can't lose!  There are three more colors in this collection, and I'll have those up for you next!

And don't forget to enter the fabulous GIVEAWAY sponsored by Coupons.com!!

Stay warm, and if you have sun, enjoy it for me!  Happy Polishing!!

Peach Dry Brush Nail Art & Tutorial

Hey Y'all!!  Well here we go, Spring in Georgia!  77 degrees yesterday, 65 and windy today, 28 tomorrow night.  It's amazing we don't all have pneumonia!  But, I'm ignoring the weather again and have another Spring mani for you using the dry brush technique:

I Used:
Barielle- Pillow Talk (nude, pink leaning crème)
Sinful Colors- Cream Soda (pastel peach crème)
Sinful Colors- Sunburnt (bright peach/salmon crème)
Zoya- Dhara (orange glass fleck textured polish)

To start this mani, paint your nails with two coats of the lightest color, in this case, Barielle Pillow Talk:

Then you're going to use each color, going from lightest to darkest, the same way.  I used Sinful Colors Cream Soda first.  Using the brush that came with the polish, scrape off as much as the polish as you can.  You want the brush as dry as possible (he he, hence the name).  Be careful of all the polish between the brush and the cap dripping down.  Then, starting at the tip of your nail, brush towards the cuticle:

Be sure to go only 3/4 of the way.  Just lift the brush as you go.  Then use the next color.  In this case, Sinful Colors Sunburnt.  This time going only 1/2 the way up the nail.

Then use the last color, Zoya Dhara, only going 1/4 of the way up your nail.  Use this color to wrap your nails.  And yes!  Everyone, natural and acrylic ladies, need to wrap their nails!!

Be sure to protect your work with a good top coat!!

I really love this look.  It gives your nails so much detail and interest and it's so easy to do! 

Hope y'all enjoyed today's nail art and tutorial!  Have a fabulous Wednesday and Happy Polishing!!

Review: Sinful Colors Bolacious Collection, Part 2

Purchased by me

Hey Y'all!! I'm so sorry I didn't get this up Friday.  My now-a-teen's surgery took a lot longer than expected.  She did great!  But sadly, she has two more to go.  Anyway by the time we got home, I was exhausted.  Then we were up early for a long day of dance then home with 4 now-a-teens for a sleepover/birthday party.  I've decided that I'm too old for sleepovers!  It wore me out!!

But I finally have the second part of the Sinful Colors Boldacious collection!!  And I have to say this half is probably my favorite!  So let's get started!!

Feel The Vibe

Feel The Vibe is a highly pigmented bright orange crème polish.  Pictures show three coats with top coat.

The formula was great, wonderful consistency.  Although it did take three coats to make sure there weren't any bald spots.  And it did take a little longer to dry than some of the other colors, but it's such a purty color, it didn't matter to me!  I loved wearing this color!

Hip To Be Square

Hip To Be Square is a highly pigmented periwinkle blue crème.  Pictures show three coats with top coat.

The formula is great.  Like with all the light colors in this collection, I used three coats to make it completely opaque, but with this one, it was because of the photos.  To the naked eye, two coats would have been fine.  Drying time was great.  LOVE this color!!

Chick Chick

Chick Chick is a bright, highly pigmented yellow crème polish.  Pictures show three coats with top coat.

The formula was great on Chick Chick!  I probably could have gotten away with two coats, but as I've mentioned before, the camera sees things the naked eye doesn't.  Drying time was a little long, but so worth it!  Look at this color!  Gorgeous!!  It's a bright yellow without being neon or leaning toward a mustard color.  Love it!!

Go Go Boots

Go Go Boots is a saturated purple crème that leans towards the blue.  Pictures show two coats with top coat.

Obviously this is my absolute favorite from the collection because it's purple.  Sorry, I'm not sorry :p  But it's such a gorgeous shade of purple!!  Love!!!!  This color makes my heart happy!!

I have to tell y'all, this is one of my favorite collections to come out in a long time!!  As you may have guessed by looking through my blog, I'm not much of a pastel girl, and finding so many bright colors just made my week!!  Sinful Colors polish can be found at Walgreens and Rite Aid for $1.99 each.

Or you can WIN the entire collection in my GIVEAWAY (just click here)!!!!!

Hope y'all are having a great week!!  Meanwhile, we're preparing for more ice...yay,  Happy Polishing!!



Mish Mash Challenge: Two Colors You Would Never Normally Pair Up

Hey Y'all!!  It's Wednesday and that means it's time for the Mish Mash Challenge!  Now, I've said before that I was born with an incredibly strong tacky gene...meaning I love what other people find tacky.  According to my mother, it came from my grandmother (her mother-in-law, lol).  For example, there is no such thing as too much sparkle! 

Which brings me to this week's theme, Two Colors You Would Never Normally Pair Up.  Ummmm, such a thing exists?  I love weird color pairings, purple and red, blue and orange, I even love brown and black together!  So coming up with two colors that I don't think go together was pretty much impossible for me.  I decided to go with two colors that aren't my favorite together:  orange and purple:

I Used:
OPI- Vant to Bite My Neck? (dark purple crème)
Orly- Flicker (deep orange shimmer)
Make Up Sponge

And you want to know something?  I like this!  I didn't think I would, but...guess my tacky gene is still going strong, lol!

Be sure to join me in checking out everyone else's challenge mani.  I know they are all amazing!  I'll see y'all tomorrow!  Happy Polishing!!