Animal Mani

Twinsie Tuesday: Biggest Splurge

9:00:00 AM


Hello and Happy Tuesday!  I'm happy to be back posting with the other Twinsie's after skipping last week.  I do apologize about that, but time really got away from me!  Kind of like how today is the last day of September....where did this month go!?  Just crazy....crazy, crazy, crazy!  Oh well, that means it's time for me to start planning some Halloween posts and a Halloween Nail Art Wheel!!

Let's not rush into that though, time to talk about this post right here, right now.  Today we are posting all about our "Biggest Splurge."  I really wasn't sure what to do.  If I had to pick a week to skip, I would have picked this one because honestly I do not splurge on nail polish.  I refuse to spend more than $5 on a bottle.  Maybe I would spend $6 or $8, but it would have to be a really awesome one.

So since I don't have a biggest splurge polish, I wasn't sure what to show you today!  After thinking about it for a while, I decided to share the polishes which I cannot get enough of and have purchased numerous back up bottles of.  That's kind of a splurge right?  When you spend $5 on each bottle and have 5?  I'm going to go with it.....

The polishes I have numerous back ups of at the moment are China Glaze Capacity to See Beyond, OPI Eurso Euro, and OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls.  Let's take a look at the mani I came up with using all three!




Colors Used:
  • China Glaze - Capacity to See Beyond
  • OPI - Eurso Euro
  • OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls
When The Giver Collection first was released by China Glaze, I really wasn't feeling it, until I saw swatches of Capacity to See Beyond.  It is the perfect blue polish that I have searched for since I started my little nail polish hobby.  After snatching up one bottle, I realized it wasn't going to be enough and I went back to every Sally's until I had more!  The polish applies perfectly in two coats and is so bright and shiny.  It's perfect.

OPI Eurso Euro is a gorgeous polish which I purchased originally because it looked pretty in the bottle and at the time I needed a dark blue.  It was on sale and I thought why not.  Notice, the polish was on sale...I refuse to purchase OPI at the $9 retail price.  It's the perfect dark blue which I think everyone needs to grab a bottle of.  Applies perfectly in two coats, and looks amazing with a top coat of INM Northern Lights.  I went for a complete cream look here, so I stayed away from my glitters.

OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls was a polish I never saw myself purchasing.  When the Spiderman collection came out, I saw it and thought "Why would anyone spend $9 on a white polish?!"  After hearing many bloggers rave over it, and many of my nail girls told me I needed it, I caved and purchased a bottle on sale.  I kicked myself that I didn't get it sooner!  It's the perfect off white base for nail art...not too bright, and not too dark.  To date, I think I've purchased 5 bottles, mostly on sale.  Most recently I found two bottles at Beauty Plus Salon on clearance for $3.95 each.  How could you pass it up?!  I may go back and snag the other two I saw there the other day!



I attempted to do a plaid design on my accent nail, and really hated it, so it was removed almost immediately.  I was looking through my Pinterest boards for inspiration, and came across my owl manicure from last year.  I always do owls in the Fall and thought a little blue one would look adorable!  I did him a little differently than I normally do.  I used my polish brush to create the body, then drew on the ears with a nail art brush. I like him better than the whole nail owl look.  I'm happy I went with an owl accent...he's so stinkin cute in blue!

What do you think?  Liking this look?  Is it passable for a splurge post?  Is there a polish you cannot get enough of and would buy numerous back up bottles?

Don't forget to check out the other Twinsie's posts!


Amanda at Amandalandish
Amber at Nails Like Lace
UntilAnna at Going to the Showing
Bridget at A Painted Nail
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Cordia at Seriously Swatched
Elizabeth at Did My Nails
Jessica at Blue Velvet Lacquer
Kelly at Tuxarina
Lakeisha at Refined and Polished
​Marisa at Polish Obsession
Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les
Stephanie at A Little Polish
Tiffany at Polished To Precision​
Traci at Drinkcitra

Goodness, I wrote a lot!  I guess I'm very passionate about my favorite polishes!

Until next time, <3.

Gradient Mani

Gradient Tape

9:00:00 AM


Hello there and Happy Sunday!  We are having the most perfect Fall ever!  Yesterday it was in the 70s and it's supposed to be like that again today.  Then, this whole week looks GORGEOUS outside meaning I'm going to be spending every minute I can in the great outdoors!  Hopefully it is gorgeous in your neck of the woods as well!

Today I'm posting a fun gradient tape manicure.  I think these are my favorite type of tape manicures to do.  You start off with a plain base coat, then put the tape down however you want, then add your gradient and remove!  They always look so unique and fun!

Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • Finger Paints - Paper Mache
  • Orly - Gumdrop
  • Cult Cosmetics - Catalina
  • Orly - Frolic

Really pretty right?  I decided to combine these colors after receiving Catalina from Cult Cosmetics.  It was such a neat blue/purple cream that needed to be part of a gradient.  It really blended well with Gumdrop and Frolic!


I love the star looking design on the ring finger the best.  Looking at it now, they all sort of have a star shape to them except that pinkie finger.  Hmmm, I guess I was subconsciously trying to get the same abstract star on all my nails!  Funny how that happened!

What do you think?  Liking the color combo?  Do you think this is something you would do?

 Well, I am off to enjoy the weather!  Until next time, <3.

Galaxy Mani

Galaxies!

9:00:00 AM


Hi! I'm here!  I did not forget about you lovelies!  The past week has been kind of hectic for me so posting went by the wayside.  Seriously, I cannot believe it's already Friday.  Where oh where did this week go??  I meant to have this post up yesterday, but shortly after editing the photos, I went to sleep.  Yup, I'm the blogger of the year over here.

Well it is September and lots of other lovely bloggers are doing the 31 Day Nail Art Challenge.  I refuse to do this challenge because I know that it will be near to impossible for me to create looks and post daily.  Literally, it would never work out.  Not to mention I would get frustrated after Day 2 of having to stick to a schedule and I would probably back out.

Anywho, sometime last week one of the prompts was Galaxy Nails.  After seeing all the crazy awesome manicures, I became inspired and had to do my own galaxy nail art!  I looked at my manicure from last year for some inspiration and I really think that this years is so much better looking!

Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • Orly - Liquid Vinyl
  • Sinful Colors - Snow Me White
  • NYC New York Color - Copabanana
  • OPI - Hey Baby!
  • Color Club - Over the Moon
  • INM - Northern Lights
  • White Acrylic

Really cool, right?  I love the look of galaxy nails.  I know that they are a dated design in the nail art world, but I still think they're super neat.  I need to do another pastel galaxy manicure soon.

I got the look by starting off with a base coat of black polish.  I then took a make up sponge and sponged on white where ever I wanted my little galaxy.  With the yellow on the make up sponge, I dabbed it a bit on the white, followed by pink on the outer edge, then the holo blue to blend it a little more together.  I then went through and added INM Northern Lights so I could have dozens of little shimmer stars.  Then when it was dried, with my acrylic paint, I went through and added the stars.


I found out last year that using holo polishes on a galaxy design = amazingness.  It makes the manicure really pop and so much more sparkly.  Then when you add Northern Lights on top of the holo polish, it's even more amazing.

What do you think?  Are you a fan of the galaxy look still? 

 I promise to be back again and post another manicure before Tuesday!  I've missed blogging and it's been less than a week!  I couldn't imagine being gone for months!

Until next time, <3.

The Beauty Buffs

8:00:00 AM

Soooooo, you all are going to hate me.  I am skipping this weeks post alongside the lovely ladies of The Beauty Buffs.  I was excited for this week too, but kind of forgot we were posting this week.  Really thought it was next.  Le sigh.  First Twinsie Tuesday, now The Beauty Buffs....I'm a slacking blogger.

Please check out the other ladies posts!  This week they are posting all about favorite items, like bags, clothes, wallets, etc.  Honestly, I probably should have snapped some photos of my wallet because I'm in love with that thing.  Hmmm....I'll have to do it as a catch up sooner or later!





An InLinkz Link-up

I promise to bring you a post tomorrow!  Love you all!

Until then, <3.

Twinsie Tuesday

9:00:00 AM

Hey everyone!  Unfortunately I have to pass on Twinsie Tuesday this week.  The day got away from me and there was no time to paint, take photos, and create a post.  Instead of stressing, I figured it would be easier to just take a step back and relax for the day.

This week's theme is neutral!  Make sure to check out the other girls posts!


Amanda at Amandalandish
Amber at Nails Like Lace
UntilAnna at Going to the Showing
Bridget at A Painted Nail
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Cordia at Seriously Swatched
Elizabeth at Did My Nails
Jessica at Blue Velvet Lacquer
Kelly at Tuxarina
Lakeisha at Refined and Polished
​Marisa at Polish Obsession
Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les
Stephanie at A Little Polish
Tiffany at Polished To Precision​
Traci at Drinkcitra

I'll be back next week posting alongside these lovelies! 

Until next time, <3.

Animal Print

Gradient Animal Print

9:00:00 AM

Purchased Myself/Press Sample 

Hi all!  How are you all today?  It's yet another Sunday.  Can you believe it?!  I'm really tired of the weekends just flying by us! What can you do though?  Just have to enjoy each day.  They all are blessings!

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite animal print gradient manicures that I did back in July.  I can't believe that this manicure got lost in the TLC Vault.  I love animal prints and gradients, so when the two come together in one manicure, I instantly fall in love.

Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • Orly - Oh Cabana Boy
  • INM - Beatrice
  • China Glaze - Too Yacht To Handle
  • INM - Northern Lights
  • Orly - Instant Artist - Black
Gorgeous, right?  I cannot tell you how much I love the combination of the three colors.  I'm still trying to determine if I really used Too Yacht To Handle for the bright mint color in this gradient.  It is the color I had written in the draft of this post, but now that I'm looking at the photo, it looks darker to me.  Hmmm, maybe it's because I haven't used the  color in awhile.



An overall easy look to create.  I started off with a base coat of white, then did my gradients.  Originally I was going to do zebra print on all the nails, but after I flipped the gradient on my pointer and pinkie, I thought it would be fun to do a leopard print on those nails!  Really happy I did because the end result was more fabulous than I imagined!

What do you think?  Liking the look?  Something you would wear?

I am off to enjoy my Sunday.  Maybe I'll get around to responding to the zillions of comments you lovelies have been leaving me!  Thank you all for each of them!  I swear life will be less hectic and I can respond more!

I hope everyone has a great day!  Until next time, <3.

Bestie Twin Nails

Bestie Twin Nails with Fashion Footing!

9:00:00 AM


Happy Friday!  Hope you all will have a great day!  This week has dragged and I am so happy Friday is finally here!  I'm also happy to be posting today's awesome Bestie Twin Nails with Amanda from Fashion Footing!  I love this new monthly feature that we're doing!

For today's Bestie Twin Nails, we decided to do pineapple manicures.  Amanda and I are huge fans of the show Psych, which I found out shortly after doing today's manicure was cancelled.  I really failed at watching the last season.  Anywho, one night during her binge watching and our discussion of all things Psych, the idea to do pineapple manicures came to mind!

We took to Pinterest and started searching for ideas.  Amanda originally did a pineapple on her full nail, and I did white nails with little teenie tiny pineapples.  I wasn't pleased with mine so I took it off almost immediately, and went back to the drawing board.  I found this manicure by The Nail Trail and decided to give it a go accenting it with the perfect Psych green!  After seeing my manicure, Amanda re-did hers because she wasn't fully pleased with hers.  Both her manicures are awesome, I hope she posts both!

Enough of my babbling, let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • Zoya - Tilda
  • OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls
  • NYC New York Color - Copabanana
  • Black Acrylic
So I'm not a huge fan of these colors and normally would never pick them to go together for everyday nail art, but holy crow after using them, I'm in love.  Zoya Tilda is an awesome green polish which applied perfectly in two coats.  Such a bright vibrant color that I have used a lot for nail art and am happy to finally have a little swatch of it.  I most certainly will be using it more for accents, especially since it does not stain!

Copabanana is an awesome yellow polish.  You can't tell from the picture, but it has a slight shimmer to it in the bottle and it does slightly show up on the nail.  I have had bad luck finding yellow polishes I actually like.  Some are too sheer, some are too mustardy, and others just stain or make me look jaundice.  This yellow though is perfect.  It's bright and a true yellow.  I can see myself using it a lot.



I tried doing a bottle shot with something other than my INM top coat and kind of failed.  Oh well.  The look was easy to get.  I started off with a base coat of white polish then using the yellow polish I created the yellow pineapples.  While the yellow was drying, I used a nail art brush and Tilda to create the leaves.  I then went through with my nail art brush and black and added all the details.  The dots were done with a toothpick.

What do you think?  Loving the pineapples?  Are you a fan of the show??

Don't forget to check out Amanda's manicure!


Time to plan Bestie Twin Nails Round Five?  You know that's right.

Until next time, <3.

Accent Nail

Twinsie Tuesday: Accent Nail

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  Happy Tuesday to everyone!  Since it's Tuesday, that means it is time for yet another Twinsie Tuesday!  With "accent nail" being the theme, millions of ideas were running through my head.  Accent nails are the perfect way to add a little spice to a simple manicure.

When my interest with nails and nail art started, I had no idea what an accent nail was.  After reading many blogs, I discovered that girls would paint one or two of their nails differently in order to accent the main color and draw attention to the manicure as a whole.  At first, I wasn't fond of the idea, but after a few accent nail manicures, I fell in love with it.

For today's manicure, I of course did an accent nail which was filled with nail art to the extreme.  I was scrolling through my Facebook and saw a picture of CutePolish's newest design for some bubble look.  I thought this would be perfect to recreate since not only did I recently purchase acrylic paints, but I also failed the bubble theme week here with the Twinsie's.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this manicure!  Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • Accent Nail
    • Orly - Gumdrop
    • Zoya - Ling
    • NYC New York Color - Copabanana
    • Zoya - Rooney
    • White Acrylic Paint
  • Pink Nails
    • Zoya - Rooney
    • INM - Northern Lights - Silver
Kind of awesome, right?  The accent nail was so simple to do and I can't wait to recreate the look on all ten of my nails!  I started off with a base coat of white polish.  I then sponged on the four colors as if I were doing a galaxy design.  That reminds me, I should do galaxy nails again.  Anyway, after all the colors were sponged on, I added a quick top coat.  

To get the bubbles, I mixed some acrylic paint with a little bit of water.  Using my large dotting tool, I added white dots all over the nail.  After letting the white sit for about 10 to 15 seconds, I took a q-tip and lightly dabbed the white dots which soaked up the water.  This left behind the bubble look.



I picked Zoya Rooney for the main color of the manicure because it went well the best along with the accent nail.  Rooney applied evenly in two coats, but since I can't leave creams alone, I added a top coat of INM Northern Lights.   Pink + sparkle = win.

What do you think?  Like the accent nail?

I can't wait to check out the other Twinsie's manicures!


Amanda at Amandalandish
Amber at Nails Like Lace
UntilAnna at Going to the Showing
Bridget at A Painted Nail
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Cordia at Seriously Swatched
Elizabeth at Did My Nails
Jessica at Blue Velvet Lacquer
Kelly at Tuxarina
Lakeisha at Refined and Polished
​Marisa at Polish Obsession
Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les
Stephanie at A Little Polish
Tiffany at Polished To Precision​
Traci at Drinkcitra

Until next time, <3.

Dot Mani

Roses Inspired by Trendy Polish

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  I'm a lazy girl on this lazy Sunday so I have decided to dig into The Little Canvas vault and post an old manicure I did ages ago.  When I say ages ago, I really mean it.  I think I did this manicure in March or April.  I'm kind of kicking myself that I haven't gotten around to posting it until just now.

Goodness, March or April, that seems like forever ago, doesn't it?  I'm not so sure if I'm going to completely remember the back story behind this manicure other than it was inspired by Trendy Polish.  Excuse me as I pat myself on the back for uploading the photos forever ago and putting a title on the post which said "Inspired by TrendyPolish" so I didn't forget.

Well I'm too lazy to think about the whole back story, so let's just take a look at the manicure!




Colors Used:
  • Zoya - Rue
  • Zoya - Josie
  • Sally Hansen - Fuchsia Flare
  • Sinful Colors - Snow Me White
  • Orly - Liquid Vinyl
Excuse me as I pat myself on the back once more because I put the colors I used in the post too when I uploaded the photos.  Although, I am questioning the whole Sally Hansen Fuchsia Flare for the roses.  I thought I used all Zoyas....no wait I did use the Sally because I liked the brightness of the pink better on top of the nude base.

To get the look, I started off with a base of Zoya Rue.  That polish matches my skin tone perfectly and created a really neat look with the white polka dots on top.  I've used this polish since this manicure and can tell you that it does apply evenly in two coats.  Once that was dried, I put on the white polka dots.  I clearly remember being so proud with my white polka dots that I almost didn't put the roses on top.  I then took my dotting tools and nail art brushes and created the little roses.



I really love how these turned out.  Looking back on these photos, I really want to re-create the look.  I think it would look great with some Fall colors or maybe again as an accent.  Hmmmm, I shall brainstorm.

What do you think?  Have you seen this look?  Happy I finally posted it after months and months and months?

I hope everyone enjoys their Saturdays!  I'm going to stop being lazy and get to painting my Twinsie Tuesday manicure!  I have so many ideas running through my head.  You'll see why on Tuesday when the theme is unveiled!

Until next time, <3.

Press Release

NYC New York Color Fashion Queen Collection Press Release

11:00:00 PM

Hey everyone!  Another press release for you all tonight!  This one is for the new New York Color Minute Top Coats and three new New York Color Minute Nail Polishes.  Glitters and creams perfect for Fall!  Those glitter toppers are gorgeous!

_______________________________________________

THE WORLD IS YOUR RUNWAY WITH THE NEW FASHION QUEEN COLLECTION 
FROM NYC NEW YORK COLOR

THINK: Fun, fearless fashion for your face and nails.

WHAT IT IS: Metallic and jewel-tone beauty products that bring runway style to the street. This fall, get the designer look with the new Fashion Queen collection from NYC New York Color. With shimmering topcoats, rich polishes, and silky eye palettes, this collection is the perfect accessory for the most stylish outfit. Famous for delivering uptown style at down to Earth prices, NYC New York Color will glam up any makeup look this fall, tailor-made for those who live for all things fashion.

The latest eye-catching favorites include:
  • In a New York Color Minute Topcoat ($1.99): Add a stunning shine to your nails with this sparkling topcoat in six shades. Large specs of glitter suspended in color make it perfect on bare nails or for layering over your favorite polish. The special formula dries quickly, and the flat control flow brush gives a professional application every time. With royal shades like Ruby Queen, NY Princess, Fashion Queen, Blue Majesty, Queen’s Jewels, and Rule the City, this polish adds noble glam in a flash.

  • In a New York Color Minute Nail Polish ($1.99): Specially formulated to dry quickly, this nail enamel has a hint of shimmer for depth of color and brilliant shine. Three limited-edition hues are packed with pigment and infused with magnesium, iron, copper, and calcium to strengthen nails, with a no-fade finish that dazzles. Shades include Royal Chic, Queen of the City, and Crown Gold.
  • Individual Eyes Custom Compact ($4.99): Get runway glam with these sultry shadow collections, specially coordinated to intensify and enhance your eye color. With a formula that contains nourishing Vitamins A and E, and Green Tea extract, these silky powders blend smoothly and evenly. Each shade can be worn alone or blended, and kits include a double-ended professional applicator and step-by-step instructions to help you highlight, contour, and define your eyes. The two limited-edition sets include Queen B and Manhattan’s Elite.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Chain drugstores and mass merchandisers nationwide. To find a retailer near you, please visit www.newyorkcolor.com

Press Release

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Press Release

11:00:00 PM

Good evening everyone!  Finally getting around to my e-mails and I found this awesome press release from Sally Hansen regarding their new Miracle Gel polishes!  Take a look!  I've seen them around stores already and the colors are GORGEOUS! 

______________________________________

INTRODUCING MIRACLE GEL
THE REVOLUTIONARY NEW GEL MANICURE SYSTEM WITHOUT THE LIGHT

THINK: The fusion of color and science

WHAT IT IS: The first salon-quality manicure that combines pure nail color with high techno gel...exclusively from Sally Hansen. Love the high shine, glossy look of a gel manicure but could do without the complexity of LED lights, time consuming removal, and expensive price tag? Now, Sally Hansen, the leader in nail color innovation, is making manicure history with an entirely new way of thinking about long lasting nail color. Its new, patented Miracle Gel, is the first ever part lacquer, part gel manicure system that delivers up to 14 days of lasting color and shine in just 2 easy steps. Simply apply two coats of the Miracle Gel Color Coat, followed by the Miracle Gel Top Coat, to achieve the most convenient manicure, ever.

THE TECHNOLOGY: The Miracle Gel manicure contains patented Tube Technology. This allows a higher level of actives and continuous care ingredients to release into the gel lacquer film, prolonging the integrity of the filmresulting in beautifully durable, shiny nails. The advanced Color Coat, which is a combination base coat and nail color in one, and Top Coat formulas contain an oligomer, and the Top Coat also contains a photoinitiator. The photoinitiator in the Top Coat formula reticulates with the oligomer contained in the Color Coat, thus curing the formula without the need of an LED/UV light. As the manicure cures over time, it becomes more durable due to the increased hardness of the film. So LED/UV lamp curing is not necessary, only natural light. Then, when you’re ready to change up your look, Miracle Gel comes off easily with both acetone-based and acetone-free nail polish remover – no soaking, wrapping, scraping, or filing necessary.

THE COLORS: Available in 47 new and of-the-moment shades, cutting-edge Miracle Gel gives you a whole new way to think about color. Today’s color trends don’t follow rules, they make their own. Day or night, summer or winter, the hottest nail looks defy boundaries and capture timeless beauty with a playful, joyful confidence. So go ahead and embrace the pleasure of Miracle Gel’s color palette that complements all skin tones with fresh color categories.



THE COLOR COLLECTIONS:

Flawlessly Nude: Five clean and natural skin tone colors elongate nails for a polished, minimal look.

Love Pink: Seven pinks create the ultimate chic and confident nail statement.

Street Pastels: Muted meets edgy with this sweet, feminine collection of seven perfectly washed out pastels.

Runway Shock: Seven punchy, outrageously playful brights turn up the glam for a pop of intense, bold color.

Daily Delights: Seven yummy feminine colors that create a soft and creamy effect.

Mad Mod: Seven retro inspired shades to bring out your ultra-confident, graphic ’70s side.

Fired Up Metallics: Seven super saturated multi-colored hues create an intensely reflective collection bursting with fiery bright shimmer.

WHAT THEY COST: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Color Coat and Top Coat, $9.99 MSRP

WHERE TO FIND THEM: The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel collection is available nationwide August 2014 at chain drugstores and mass retailers nationwide

The Beauty Buffs

The Beauty Buffs: Fall Theme: Apple Nail Art

8:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  I'm happy to report that the headache that plagued me yesterday and caused a short Twinsie Tuesday post has gone away!  Goodness it was a killer.  Today though I feel like I'm in some zoned out state where I just want to curl up and fall asleep in a corner somewhere.  Maybe it's the crazy weather we've been having.  Hot cold, hot cold....literally the weather can't make it's mind up.

Today is Wednesday which means that it is time for another post with The Beauty Buffs.  This week we are posting all about Fall!  Fall is peaking it's head around the corner here, but since I'm still holding on to Summer, I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do.  Very few trees are changing colors, so I didn't want to d anything including foliage yet.  It was waaaaay too early for a pumpkin manicure as well.  I was feeling so uninspired that I was thinking of sitting out or posting a few ideas from Pinterest.

Then, it hit me....apples!!!!  Fall is prime apple season where I live, and at the local farmer's markets all the apples are starting to appear!  I love going apple picking each year and wandering through the orchards, then later going home and baking goodies with the fresh apples.  Nothing smells better than fresh apple baked goods.

I did a quick search for apple nail art for some ideas and found this cute manicure by fellow Twinsie, Elizabeth from Did My Nails.  I decided against doing the mini apples and just copied her accent nail!

Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • OPI - My Vampire is Buff
  • INM - Red Rover
  • Zoya - Louise and Tilda

 Fun, right?!  They came out cuter than I imagined!  I started off with a base coat of My Vampire is Buff.  This is my favorite nude polish that I'm glad I purchased a long time ago.  I'm also beyond thrilled that it's part of OPI's core collection at Sally Beauty Supply!  It's the perfect base for nail art!

When my base was dry, I used INM Red Rover (from the new INM polish collection) to create the apples.  I did not require any nail art brushes to do so, I just swiped the brush twice on my nail like I was doing a weird scalloped tip.  Red Rover is such a gorgeous red!  Perfect apple red, as well as had great coverage over the nude base.  I only had to paint the tip once!  I'm not a huge fan of red, but I love this and it for sure is now going to be my go to red polish!


While the red was drying, I used a dotting tool and Zoya Louise to ad the little stems.  By the time I was done doing that on all ten nails, the red was dry enough for me to add the leaves using a nail art brush and Tilda.  I then went through with white and added the "shine" mark.  Finished with some INM Out the Door and admired my cute apples!

What do you think?  Liking the design?  Think it's a good Fall manicure??

 Don't forget to check out the other Beauty Buff's Fall posts!



Until next time, <3.

Dot Mani

Twinsie Tuesday: Teal Nails for Ovarian Cancer Awareness

9:00:00 AM


Happy Tuesday everyone!  Going to try to make this a quick post today because I have the worst headache.  Alaina + migraine = incoherent typing.  So it's just better if I make the post short and sweet.  I bet my head wouldn't have hurt so bad if I decided to maybe edit the photos a day earlier.  Adding watermarks can be a pain!

Anywho, today is Tuesday, which means it is time for another post with the lovely Twinsies!  This week we are sharing teal manicures for to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer.   For my teal manicure, I really wasn't sure what to do, so I went with polka dots.  You can never go wrong with dots.  Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • Salon Perfect - Gone Sailing
  • Salon Perfect - White
  • Zoya - Storm
How awful that I don't remember the name of the Salon Perfect white polish I received with my neon pop polishes earlier this summer.  As you may remember, they were a prize from Sunday's Twitter #nailglossip conversation!  Still in shock that I won them!  Lately though I've been jumping around from whites that I cannot keep any of them straight, and typically I'm really good with knowing all the polish colors without looking.  Headached Alaina is refusing to look up exactly what it is and instead will continue writing this rant about how she can't remember what the color's name is.

I do remember the name of Gone Sailing though!  Such a fun bright teal shade.  I've always wanted a shade like this but couldn't track one down.  It applies evenly in two coats, but I used three on my pointer nail because since it dries matte, it has a tendency to drag a bit.  Nothing awful, but it just was more noticeable on my pointer so I threw on one more quick coat.  I added a shiny top coat to even it all out.



I then went through with my dotting tool and added all the different dots.  I remember when I started this blog, I was so afraid to do polka dot manicures.  Now I feel like they are my go to design.  I was looking back a week or so ago at my original dotticures and I've really come a long way!

What do you think?  Liking the teal?  Liking the dots?

Make sure to check out the other Twinsies!


Amanda at Amandalandish
Amber at Nails Like Lace
UntilAnna at Going to the Showing
Bridget at A Painted Nail
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Cordia at Seriously Swatched
Elizabeth at Did My Nails
Jessica at Blue Velvet Lacquer
Kelly at Tuxarina
Lakeisha at Refined and Polished
​Marisa at Polish Obsession
Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les
Stephanie at A Little Polish
Tiffany at Polished To Precision​
Traci at Drinkcitra

Until next time, <3.

INM

INM Zinnia and Glitz Nail Art

9:00:00 AM


Good morning!  Happy Sunday to everyone.  Don't the weekends go by way too quickly?  I really do not understand where the time goes.  Hopefully today will be a lazy Sunday where I can just hang out and the time can go super slow.  I doubt it though, Monday will be here again before I know it.

Today I am posting a pretty rose manicure featuring two of the six new INM nail polishes!  Last week, I received a large surprise box of goodies from INM.  I was not expecting anything and came home one day to a large box just sitting at the front door.  If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you saw that it contained their new polishes, some top coats, cuticle oils, and a whole bunch of nail files!  They truly spoiled me!

Since I am a purple girl, I immediately knew that I had to use Zinnia and Glitz first.  I'm so happy I did!  I love the look I came up with!  Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • INM - Zinnia
  • INM - Glitz
  • INM - Northern Lights
  • OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls
  • Orly - Instant Artist - Jet Black
I am in love with Zinnia.  It is such a pretty purple cream.  In fact, it is the color that I have been searching for since my beloved bottle of Sinful Colors Verbena dried up almost two years ago.  It applied evenly in two coats, but because I was pairing it with a glitter, I had to add some silver Northern Lights.  It added a whole new dimension to the already gorgeous polish.

Glitz is an awesome glitter topper.  When I received it, it was really separated and I was worried this meant there was more base than glitter.  After shaking it up and applying it on my nail, I found that there was rather even coverage!  I had to dab it maybe once to fill in a bald spot here or there, but nothing major.  I placed the glitter from Glitz onto my nail using a toothpick on the nails which contain the flower.  You can tell I was going for a polka dot thing until I realized I didn't like it and tried to scatter them but failed.  It's an awesome glitter polish.


I'm kind of loving how all the purple made My Boyfriend Scales Walls kind of lavender looking in the photos.  I think it paired really well with Zinnia and Glitz!  Now that I think about it though, I should have used the new gray polish from INM that came with these.  I was so focused on the purples I really didn't pay much attention to the other polishes!  Silly me.

What do you think?  Liking the roses?  Fan of the purples?  Have you ever used an INM polish?

 Make sure to follow INM Nails on their Instagram, They've had some great deals on Northern Lights as well as these polishes lately!

I'm off to enjoy my Sunday!  Until next time, <3.