boozy brunch and a mint sundae

Today I've got a special treat: a two-manicure post!  Both are takes on Nailside's awesome cloud manicure.  This wasn't my first attempt at her retro look, but the third time was definitely the charm for getting the technique just right.  

Here's look number 1: Boozy Brunch

The base is a new L'Oreal polish in "Boozy Brunch".  I then added in Sally Hansen's "Whirlwind White", Verity's "Yellow Follow", and OPI's "Strawberry Margarita".  As you can see, the clouds aren't quite even in their location or application in this look.  I went back and checked out the original before my next attempt: Mint Sundae nails!

The base of this look is Color Club's "Twiggy" with Sally Hansen's "Whirlwind White" and OPI's "Rainbow Connection" over top.   In my previous attempts I had tried to paint the "cloud" only on the corner of each nail, and they didn't look quite right.  By applying the three strokes across the entire tip of the nail the effect is bolder and looks more deliberate.   I'm glad I went back and checked out my inspiration photo before this manicure, because now I love my mint sundae nails!

What nails are you rocking this week?  Keep the comments and ideas coming!

movie star gone overboard

I took a trip to my local nail supply store today and grabbed some great new polishes.  Today's manicure features two of them: Essie "Go Overboard" and Verity "Movie Star".  "Go Overboard" is a  gorgeous deep teal color and is a part of Essie's Go Overboard - Spring 2012 collection.  Verity "Movie Star" is a mix of small, silver and larger, hexagonal pink and blue glitter in a clear base.  I found the brand in the back of my nail supply store, and, when I heard it was only $2 a bottle, I bought several!

I used "Movie Star" as an accent on my ring fingers on each hand.  The blue and pink hex glitter work really nicely with the deep teal of "Go Overboard".

With flash "Go Overboard" takes on a more blue hue.

Once again, with flash.

Natural light.  Here you can see the greener side of the polish.

What type of manicure are you wearing this week?  Comment back with your projects and any requests!

80's power suit barbie

Happy Friday everyone! I'm super excited for my 3-day weekend and I decided to celebrate with a bright (and easy) manicure based on a project I did over the summer I called "malibu barbie".

My attempt then...

and now!  

 I thought this one was a bit more sophisticated(?) and it reminded me of barbie at work!

To achieve this look I started with 2 coats of pink polish.  I then freehanded in diagonal patches of purple glitter.  I gave the look a little more finesse by covering up the break between the colors with a solid black line.  I used OPI Strawberry Margarita (bright pink), Milani One Coat Glitter - Purple Gleam (purple glitter), and Milani Black Sketch (black w/nail art brush).  

Enjoy!

butter london swatches!

Today I'm excited to share a manicure featuring two of my new polishes from butter london.  I'd been hesitant to try butter london's polishes because they are so pricey, but I ended up treating myself to one for the holidays.  Luck for me, some of my friends (and fellow nail polish enthusiasts) also got me three butter london polishes as gifts!!!  I'm thrilled to have them as part of my collection, but also afraid of how many more I'll now want to get!

Today's manicure features the polish I bought ("yummy mummy") and one of the gift polishes ("all hail the queen").  Both polishes are a subtle beige/neutral color.  They differ slightly as while "yummy mummy" is a regular creme polish, "all hail the queen" has a shimmer to it.  

You can see the slight sheen of "all hail the queen" here on the left.

I went with my go to simple manicure: all one color with an accent nail (my ring finger here).  I used "yummy mummy" for my all over color and "all hail the queen" as my accent.

I love the simplicity of this look.  I know I will be using these polishes a lot in the future! 

Enjoy!

pretty boy swag

Happy New Year everyone! I was out of town for the holiday and did not end up posting my NYE mani, but rest assured...I used all of my sparkly/glitter polishes together and it was intense!  Today I've got another request: a manicure based on Soulja Boy's "Pretty Boy Swag".  If you haven't checked out the awesome music video click here and be amazed.

I decided to base the design on his clothing in the video, because I wasn't quite sure how to capture the lyrics (what does a condo look like in manicure form??).  I loved his pleated leather jacket, and I knew I needed to incorporate the appropriate amount of bling.  I went with black polish with matte stripes mixed with white polish and a chain decoration.  

 It's a bit hard to see the chain decoration here, but you can see the free-hand matte stripes I put over the black polish.

I reversed the pattern on my right hand.

A sloppy pic, I know, but you can get a feel for the chain a bit better here.  I used Wet N' Wild Ebony Hates Chris (black) and Whirlwind White (white), Essie Matte About You (mattifying top coat), China Glaze Icicle (silver) and Champagne Bubbles (gold), and Nicole by OPI Make U Smile (silver glitter).  I hope you enjoy!