Back online!!

So in my little hiatus from the blog world I completed my first 31 day challenge and then promptly lost half of those pics when my phone went hay-wire (WHY didn't I back everything up!?) Needless to say I became a bit unmotivated...

BUT! I did/do miss it so hopes of making amends I've posted the pics that actually still exist and survived the failing of my iPhone; I also want to begin a 31 Day challenge anew (dare I try again??). 

Day 28: Inspired by a flag (Nigeria)

Day 20: Watermarbled

Day 19: Galaxies

                           

These are just some of my fave nail designs from 2013 that didn't really get any press:

                                  


                                  
                   
                   
                                 
 

31 Day Challenge, Day One: Red

So I have decided to finally take the leap and do my first 31-day challenge!

What I used: OPI- "Big Apple Red", OPI- "Be-Claus I Said So", and Konad- "Black" along with my Konad nail plate.

I love the look of glitter trapped under the fishnet nail plate, gives the design lots of depth.

One layer of "Big Apple Red" and two coats of "Be-Claus I Said So"

Tape Me Up

I decided to start if the new year with some tape manicures, LOVE tape manis! The first was actually inspired by my boyfriend, who although he makes fun of nail obsession he does ask me questions that force me to see my colors differently- sometimes less is more. My second look is inspired by packapunchpolish, I just LOVED this manicure the moment I saw it.

Look #1
What I used:

Essie- "Angora Cardi"
Nails Inc. - "Black Taxi"

Look #2

What I Used:

"High Hopes", "Grape Pop", "Four Leaf Clover", "Heli-Yum", & OPI- "Havana Dreams"
the Glitter used but not shown is OPI- "Spark-Tacular! Top Coat"

Using nail tape to create the boxes and then fill them in randomly did take time, but it was definitely worth it!

::Dots or Hearts <3

So this time around i tried out two new polishes. I'm not overly fond of polishes with too much character, i prefer to create my own character in designs... But when in a rush interesting polishes can give you and easy out. The two polishes I used were: Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer, Love Your Life and Channeling Coco Nail Polish.

Please forgive my less than stellar cuticles!

What I love about this polish is the smooth application and the quick drying effect it had even before the top coat!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...!

So I was really excited to do a Christmas tree and Ta-Da! It's a really simple design but I like how it turned out.











What I used:

Milani- "Twinkle"
Seche Vite (Top Coat)
Brucci Acrylic (Basecoat)
Nails Inc- "Chelsea"
China Glaze- "Four Leaf Clover"
OPI- "Be-Claus I Said So" (ornaments)














       

As usual there's the issue of properly trying to capture glitter on camera

In this up close shot you can see the purple glitter more clearly

Right hand


In other news my Bundle Monster case came!

Happy Polishing!

Glitter: Shine Vs. Matte

So I'm trying to get into glitter, mainly because this whole matte glitter trend is really wowing me right now. But I didn't want to totally discount the joys of glitter with shine, after all it is the original way to go! So for my shine glitter example I used one coat of OPI: "Big Apple Red" which is a great jelly red and then two coats of OPI: "Be-Claus I Said So". For the kisses I used Bundle Monster 02.

  

 

I tried to take pics of this glitter in different lights but I still feel the overall shine of this polish wasn't represented 100% by the camera.

VS.

Next I used a matte glitter that I've been dying to use since the first time I saw it, Amy's Nail Boutique: "Pink Lemonade".

 My amateur palm tree is my attempt at free-hand designs... I really have to brush up on my free hand skills! Thanks for reading and Happy Bloggin'!