More Dollar Nail Art Foils

This started out as my first attempt at a patchwork look using tape, but my base color wasn't cooperating (probably because it was only $1). So Dustin had the idea to try it with foils. It worked out pretty well, the downside is that foils barely last and a perfect application is hard to achieve. This picture was right after they were done:

Kinda reminds me of a windbreaker from the '90s. :P

I got my foils from Dollar  Nail Art. Base color is E.L.F Mint Cream.

I just got 5 new polishes today and expecting 12 more in the next week... I went quite the binge lately!! haha  I also just got Seche Vite topcoat. I have heard it's a learning curve...any tips? 

My Butchering of Zoya Valerie

These pictures really suck. Let's just get that out of the way right now! I got a little lazy and haven't been using the homemade light box Dustin made. But now that Valerie hasn't been given all it's glory, I think I will! Valerie is amazing! A true one coater and it's gorgeous!

I hadn't had a chance to use this polish since I got it in the Zoya 3 free promo. So even though I really wanted to use bright springy colors, I couldn't help myself! Plus my Zoya summertime collections will be here by Monday...which is perfect since it's my birthday!!

 I stamped with Orly Luxe, and used Konad plate M64.

                                             Hopefully no more botched pictures after this!

Flower Power

Today's post is short and sweet. I used Rimmel Pop Apricot as the base, Orly Luxe and E.L.F. Chocolate for stamping. The design is from the Bundle Monster plate 03. Don't love this look but don't hate it either! Now off to my screaming baby!!

Sweet Giveaway!

Varnish Vixen is having a 1 year blog anniversary giveaway and the prizes look pretty dang good! This is just one of the prizes:

Check  Varnish Vixen out!

Blue Gradient and Randomness

I am sad because I am so busy with wrapping up this semester and all my projects that I haven't had much time to devote to this hobby. I really hope to pick up the pace in the next few weeks! That said, my nails aren't that exciting these days. I'm sure that will change because my 12 Zoyas from the promo and a polish from OPI's Texas collection are on the way! I'm super jealous of those who have already gotten their Zoyas. That's what I get for living in one of the most inaccessible places in the US. But that will not last long thank goodness! By the time I get them they will be old news, but I don't care because they are so pretty!

This mani happened by accident, but I actually really like it! I think it's more of a winter season look though. 

I used LA Colors Metallic Silver with Claire's Bright Sky layered over top to create the gradient look. Metallic Silver stamps pretty well and has a chrome effect. Bright Sky is really pretty and wears well alone in 3 coats. 

The holo glitter is always a plus...love it!

Here's my stamp design...I'm really not a fan of it. Probably because I stamped it myself this time... Dustin is busy with the end of school too. ha

It actually looks better in this pic than in person. I used Born Pretty Store plate M37 for both designs and Konad White and Pink stamping polish.

And here's the randomness:

3d Fantasy from China Glaze's Tronica Collection. And this actually looks better here than in person. It's a lot more rusty than it looks and almost has a matte finish.  I know lot's of people were disappointed about this collection because they were expecting true holographic polishes, myself included! It's more like a micro holo. :P I decided to try one anyway. Can't say I'm better off, for me it's just blah. I will say that the application was pretty good. Maybe I will give it another chance sometime and like it more! :)

 

Betsey Johnson Inspired

This post is a WELCOME break from the 10 page paper I have due tomorrow. Unlike this post, it's been painfully hard to write! I am very happy that there are 2 1/2 weeks left in this semester and I'm DONE!!! I'm not excited or anything...

On to the point of why you are here! This mani reminds me of Betsey Johnson, and like so many other things, if my budget allowed, I would indulge in her stuff often...like this beauty:

The base for this look is Zoya Penny. So far, the Zoyas I own don't disappoint when it comes to unique color and easy application. Penny is not as orangy as this picture shows...it looks exactly like a shiny new penny! Go figure! I forgot to do a base coat with this color because I haven't been very religious with that habit anyway and this color turned my nails the most nasty yellow! I know it's my own fault, but I have to say some of my Zoyas are the only polishes I have that so intensely stains nails! That scrapped my plans for my next idea...a french tip using foils. Hopefully soon!

The design is stamped using Konad plate M56 and 57 using Konad special polish in black and white.

This is after a few days of wear. I had rhinestones on the middle of the bows that perfectly matched Penny, but by the time I actually got around to taking pics they had all fallen off!

P.S. I took advantage of Zoya's promo today and I can't wait for the new polishes to get here! I wish I would have gotten a few more after I had actually ordered, but with the way Zoya loves their fans, I'm sure this isn't the last time they will have such a great promo!

St. Patrick's Day!

I always welcome an excuse to go a little crazy with my nails and use stamps I wouldn't normally use. I really like my end result... I used my latest project as inspiration.

I used a polish similar to Nubar 2010 over the green nails, but I'm dissapointed it doesn't show up in these pics. It definitely adds something to the overall design.

Here's what I used:

The love and beauty polishes are from Forever 21 and don't have names. I also used rhinestones from Born Pretty for the rainbow. Finally I used a stamping plate from GCOCL A02 (the one with the Hello Kitty).

Happy early St. Patricks Day!

Guest Nails!

My old roomies Crystal and Emily came over to get their nails done a few days ago. Emily also brought her twin sister Marie. Dustin was put to work but he loved it. These are Marie's: 

the base coat is Sinful Colors Innocent stamped with Konad Black stamping polish. The plate is m26 from the Born Pretty Store. He used a tiny paint brush to fill in the flowers.

These are Emily's:

Base is China Glaze Secret Peri-Wink-le (PS...Pics don't do it justice...I LOVE this color!) with N.Y.C. Skin Tight Denim Creme sponged at the tips. The plate was M08 from Born Pretty Store. He also used the yellow polish from their set of stamping polishes to fill in the stars. 

And here are Crystal's: Very detailed...Dustin loves going all out! The base here is Charla. Perfect for an under the sea mani. Stamped with Konad plate M27. It's dedicated to sea creatures. Once again he filled everything in using a paint brush and random polishes. Anytime Dustin does nails this one is always popular!

My St. Patricks Day mani is coming up and I'm really excited about it!

My Weakness...

...is blue-green/teal/turquoise polish. I'm pretty sure that makes up the bulk of my collection. So that explains why this color reminds me of Zoya Charla. But it's not near as sparkly and the application was a pain. That being said I still love the color! It's Claire's Glam.

I

        This is before stamping...thus the messiness. You can also see that the color didn't go on evenly even though this is 3 coats and it was a real pain to take off...especially with no pure acetone on hand!

I used Konad stamping plate M64 with Konad Special Polish in White. As always, credit to Dustin for stamping!

LA Splash

I took a little break from stamping for this manicure. I have been on a nail polish buying binge lately and have an embarrassing amount of polishes that I have yet to use. But really though, it's not like I'm going to pass up a polish just because I have some at home I haven't used yet!! And it doesn't help that Dustin is just as addicted as I am so I have no one to stop me! haha

Anyways...I know that I love a color a lot when I really don't have a desire to stamp over it. This one is from LA Splash and it's called Golden Seahorse...kind of a jade color. Such a fun name I think! I like the effect of the golden glitter already in the polish.

I got this at Ulta...all their LA Splash polishes were buy 2 get one free. I am not too familiar with the brand, but they had some unique colors. The formula was a little thick which made the application tricky but I think it's worth it.

Claire's Holo

I have been coveting some holographic nail polish for a while now but can't bring myself to pay the high price of them on ebay. If I wasn't a broke student with a hubby and baby you know I would be!! They aren't in stores really so I was very excited to find  gold and silver holo top coats at Claire's of all places! They work pretty well on their own though not just as a topcoat.

Zoya Julianne

This is Zoya Julianne with Konad plate M62. Simple but classy I think! I am a fan of Zoya...their polishes are unique and there are tons of colors. I don't think most pictures do them justice but in person they are amazing! I just missed out on their 3 greens for $5 promo which was slightly depressing considering my obsession. : P Their Facebook page is promising an amazing promo in the next few weeks so needless to say,  I am really looking forward to that. :)