Are You Ready for the Glam Finale?!

Press Sample

It's December, which means it's time for holiday partying, and all the glitter and glam that goes along with it. The new Glam Finale collection from China Glaze has a great mix of colors and finishes, and a few colors you'll want to wear all year long; they'll see from from Deck the Halls to Auld Lang Syne and everything (and party) in between! Hit the jump to see swatches and pick out your favorites!

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend - 31 Day Challenge - Day 8

Nothing to Disclose

When Marilyn Monroe sang 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend', I don't think these are quite the diamonds that she had in mind...but I am in LOVE with them! I can't take credit for the idea- Andrea of Chickettes had something similar on her sample nail wheel at Cosmoprof, but in a regular gel, and I decided that it would look super rad AND fit today's 31 Day Nail Art Challenge if I added a touch of chrome. :D Hit the jump for more photos and to see what I used!

Gimme a Kiss!

One more Valentine's Day nail design! This was today's nail art, and I am excited to show it to you because my super kickass boyfriend surprised me with a package from Amazon today- something to help with the blog. What was it, you ask? A tabletop lighting set for my lightbox! You can say that not only am I head over heels for Chris, but he lights up my life --->Literally! lol  The reason I'm excited to show you this design is because I got to try out the new lights when I took the pictures. I definitely have a lot of learning/experimenting to do before I get everything how I want it, but the colors are far better with these new lights. I'm already super pleased!

This Valentine's nail design is another twist on a half-moon inspired design- Hershey's kisses! :) I'm totally in love with China Glaze Adventure Red-y, despite the fact that I usually loathe red polishes. Dunno, something about this one. the coverage, color, and application are fantastic.

Anyway, to the nails, I hope you like them!

I used:

Red: China Glaze Adventure Red-y
Silver: Zoya Trixie
Silver Shading: Zoya Trixie mixed with American Apparel Hassid
White: American Apparel T-Shirt
Blue: Zoya Yummy mixed with American Apparel T-Shirt

Basecoat: Cult Nails Get it On

Topcoat:  Seche Vite

I've Gotta Go No. 2! Nail Art Tutorial

So I hear it's Back to School time!  Man, is it happening earlier and earlier now, or is my memory shot? I could swear that we didn't usually start school til after Labor Day back when I was a kid? Well anyway- my oldness aside, I've got a fun Back to School nail art tutorial for you today!

This one is based off of the I've Gotta Go No. 2! design I did a few years ago. Look out for another Back to School themed tutorial soon!

Also- I've recently upgraded my method of filming tutorials- I'd love to know what you think! :)

Are you looking forward to going back to school (or your kids going back to school?)

Instant Gratification

I decided to something simple today- just a plain silver, satin-finish manicure. Im not sure how well it turned out- maybe this is why I do crazy nail art- I mean- look at it...it's horrible. Bumpy, uneven, and I mean, look at those brushstrokes. UGH. 

HA! Just kidding. While today's design/technique didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, I still thought it was a fun enough idea to share. 

I dunno about you folks, but I can't resist a good instant lottery ticket—my weakness? BINGO or crossword scratch-offs. :-D (I feel like I'm getting more entertainment for my money) Since they don't have lottery in Nevada, and obviously not in India, I only get to buy them when I'm visiting my home in Michigan, and I totally have to set a limit for myself. :-D They say that lottery is a tax on the poor, but I don't really play with the expectation of winning, it's more like a slot machine handle pull or a hand of blackjack for me... purely entertainment. When I was reminded the other day on Pinterest of a tutorial I saw a few years back about making your own scratch-off tickets, I knew that I had to do a scratch-off manicure! :)  To make the scratch-off finish- all you need is 1 part dish soap and 2 parts silver (or any metallic) acrylic paint. 

Granted, this is kind of a single-use and VERY impractical manicure, but you know me....

I used:

White: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On

Blue: American Apparel American Denim

Dark Grey: Nubar Stronghold

Topcoat:  Seche Vite

Scratch off 3 nail polish symbols and you're a winner!!