Cosmoprof 2011 - China Glaze Preview!

If you're like me, you're super eager to check out the upcoming China Glaze collections, right?

Check 'em out at The Daily Nail: Reviews!

Cult Nails Hypnotic Collection

Curious about Cult Nails Hypnotic collection?

Check them out on the The Daily Nail: Reviews!

Cosmoprof 2011 - CND Shellac

Curious how Shellac fared with the horrific stress I put on my nails?

Check out the results at The Daily Nail: Reviews!

Reverse Rockabilly

Have you ever had one of those ideas that you have to do, even though you have almost no time, and in that time, you should probably be doing something else?  I had one of those today. It, in a way, is kind of a throwback to one of my designs I did for Cosmoprof 2010 (yes, last year's Cosmoprof!) The design was called Between a Rockabilly and a Hard Place, and it was a leopard print nail with a red moon. Today, for some reason, it struck me to try the reverse of that design. In my mind, it was something that was a tad more subtle than the full-on leopard print, perhaps even a tad more office-friendly?  In any event, it was awesome in my head, and pretty much the only way I'll wear red. I have to admit, I love it. I keep looking at my hands. lol  I hope you like it too!! I also got to use Zoya Carmen, which I got to try at Cosmoprof this year! It's a really great true red. Very fiery and retro.

I used Zoya Carmen as a base, with American Apparel California Trooper for the moon. For the leopard pattern, I used OPI San Tan-tonio for the tan blobs, and American Apparel Raccoon for the darker brown. Topped everything off with Nubar Diamont top coat,  which I was given as a free gift with purchase at IBS 2011.

Are you ever so excited to try a nail design that you drop everything and do it?

Cosmoprof 2011 Preview! OPI MUPPETS!!

So you wanna see the awesome upcoming Muppets collection a little closer up? (read: REAL PICTURES?!)

Check it out on The Daily Nail: Reviews!

Retro Freestyle

Sorry everyone, I know it’s been a while. Life has gotten particularly crazy lately. Lots of exciting things afoot, but also enough stress to kill an elephant. In any event, I’ve been neglecting you guys, and for that, I apologize! :)

The day that I received the Finger Paints fall Fashionista collection, I dug in and immediately fell in love with the two colors that I used for this manicure! I knew that I wanted to use them together, and I love the retro vibe they have, so I honestly just started painting without really having any specific design in mind. This is what I came up with! I liked it a lot, and hope you do too! :) It’s a fairly simple, but I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. :)

I used butter LONDON Minger for the base on the thumb and ring finger, and Finger Paints Catwalk Queen for the yellow nails. For the designs on the orange nails, I used Finger Paints Cordur-Orange, and for the designs on the yellow nails, I used Barielle Aura Angora. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Do you ever start painting your nails without having a set design?

Blast from the Past: La La La La La La La La La La La ....

In honor of 'The Smurfs' movie coming out today, I though this blast from the past would be appropriate! :-D

Try getting THAT out of your head!! *muahahahahahaha* Ok, anybody who's ANYBODY knows who the Smurfs are, and how...Smurfy they are. :-D I remember many a Saturday morning growing up waking up and watching the Smurfs on tv, since I grew up in the boonies, we didn't have cable, *GASP* (yes, that's for REAL. My parents STILL don't have cable) so Saturday mornings were the only time that cartoons were on TV, so we definitely made the most of them, most likely eating S'mores cereal, maybe Count Chocula, or perhaps my dad's amazingtastical fried eggs. (I am 29, and I STILL can't make fried eggs as well as he can.) Ahhh, the memories....

Can I also mention that two of my friends (and readers) got married today!! Congratulations Len & Sarah! I wish you both all the happiness in the world!!

And now, on to the nails! I did Papa Smurf on my thumb, Painter Smurf on my index finger, Smurfette on my middle finger, Vanity on my ring finger, and Brainy Smurf on my pinky. :)

I used Zoya Yummy as a base, with Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud for the hats and eyes, Eyeko Saucy Polish for Naughty Nails for the tongues (when you see 'em, the stem and spots of the mushroom, and Papa Smurf's hat. For Smurfette's hair, I used American Apparel Manila, which I also used for the center of the flower on Vanity Smurf's hat. For the top of the mushroom, I used butter LONDON Minger, which I also used for the paint splatter on Painter Smurf's hat. For his paintbrush, I used American Apparel California Trooper as a base, with a mixture of Color Club Best Dressed List and American Apparel Manila. For Vanity's flower, I used Color Club Ms. Socialite, then I used a combination (not mixed, just whatever I picked up on my brush) of Pure Ice Wild Thing, L.A. Girl Army Green, and Zoya Shawn, and as always, I used American Apparel Hassid to outline everything.

I have to say, I think this manicure is pretty smurfy. the only nail I'm not loving on my left hand is Smurfette, she was the first one I drew before changing my technique, and she looks a tad wonky. Ah well.

Sorry, no Gargamel this time, perhaps when the Smurfs movie comes out next summer. :-D