January 31, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 11: Polka Dots

- Pink on Pink Polkas -

I put those dotting tools to good use again today with this simple but adorable pink on pink polka dot manicure. I love the clean look of this, and it was so easy to do! All you really need are a few complimentary polish colors, a large dotting tool and a steady hand, and then there you have it!


Polka dot nails
Polka dot nails
Polishes used: China Glaze - Something Sweet & Happy Go Lucky

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January 30, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 10: Gradient Technique


 - Bam! Take THAT, super difficult gradient technique! IN YO FACE! -

For today's challenge I revisited one of my favorite looks with this blue to purple gradient. As much as I love this look, I'm always a little anxious when it comes time to paint. 

This technique can be tricky, polish that is too thick can create strong lines instead of the faded look, and polish that is too thin causes the two colors to overblend. This means a lot of trial and error when it comes to picking out the right polishes, but I have found that the two China Glaze polishes For Audrey and Beach Cruise-r play together very nicely to create a perfect fade!

China Glaze For Audrey
China Glaze - Beach Cruise-R
Polishes used: China Glaze - For Audrey and Beach Cruise-R, O.P.I - Pirouette My Whistle

If you are going to be trying this technique, I do have a few tips to help you along the way:

First, use wax paper to pre-mix your colors. Paint a strip of each color side by side, then use a dotting tool or toothpick to mix them slightly in the middle. 

Next, wet a makeup wedge and ring it out, leaving it damp. Dip the wedge in the polish on the wax paper and pat straight down on the nail, moving up and down slightly. 

Repeat as necessary and finish with a quick dry top coat. 
Once you add the top coat, you will notice how well the colors will blend together!




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January 29, 2013

Indie Alert - Carnival In Rio by KraftyGurlDesigns

- Birthday Party of 5 -

If my fingernails were celebrating a birthday, this is definitely what they would wear for their big night out on the town. I feel like confetti just fell from the sky and landed perfectly in all the right spots with this Indie polish from KraftyGurlDesigns. It's a party on my hands and you're invited!

Carnival-in-Rio

Carnival-in-Rio
1 coat of Carnival In Rio over Essie - A Crewed Interest

Carnival in Rio by KraftyGurlDesigns is a mix of yellow, teal, and hot pink glitters suspended in a clear base. I found that the glitters were super easy to place as desired just by manipulating the brush strokes, which is important if you are anything like me and find that you are super particular about the placement of glitter on each of your fingernails. 

The colors are bright and vibrant, and the glitter is solvent resistant so there is no risk of bleeding or fading either. I layered the glitter over Essie's A Crewed Interest, but in my opinion this glitter would also look fantastic and really pop with a black or white base. I just love it!

Carnival In Rio retails for $6.50 and is available through KraftyGurlDesigns on Etsy


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31 Day Challenge - Day 09: Rainbow

- Rainbow Dotticure -

When I accepted this 31 day challenge, (I say that as if someone actually challenged me, but I like to think the universe was challenging me by having such a challenge exist) I had NO idea just what a challenge day 9 would be. 

I did my nails no less that 4 times trying to come up with a design for today that I was happy with. My first attempt at splatter nails failed miserably. Polish, polish everywhere. More on that someday in the future if I ever decide to post a few out takes...

After much heartache, a few shed tears, and possibly a bald spot, I finally decided on this simple dotted rainbow manicure... 

Rainbow nails
Sinful Colors - Aquamarine, Revlon - Posh, China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky, China Glaze - Papaya Punch, WetNWild - Everybody Loves Redmond


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January 28, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 08: Metallic

- Metallic Madness -

While today's theme may seem simple in theory, you wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find a nail polish that keeps its perfect metallic sheen when dry. In a momentary fit of rage, I debated working a bit on tin foil into my manicure, but thought that might constitute as cheating, so I continued the search for metallic polish.

Waaaaay down deep in the bottom of my nail polish bin, I found the perfect polish! Of course it's a lesser known brand called Magicolor Cosmetics that I must have picked up somewhere along the way in my travels, and I have no idea where it came from, or how to go about purchasing any more should I run out. This means I must use it sparingly, but I love you all enough to use some of it today.

Metallic nail polish
Metallic nail polish

If you happen to randomly find the brand and pick it up, I must warn you that the formula was a bit on the streaky side and also takes a veeeeery long time to dry. Seche Vite does not play well with it either, it seemed to make it more goopy as opposed to having the quick dry effect it has on most polishes. Be prepared to spend a lot of time sitting perfectly still until this one dries completely. 

I finished the look off with a bit of metallic striping tape, and there we have it, day 8 down!


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Kaley Cuoco's Heart Themed SAG Awards Mani


Just when I think Kaley Cuoco couldn't get any cuter, she somehow manages to find a way. I absolutely ADORE the heart themed manicure with nude cutout hearts she was sporting last night at the SAG awards! The mix of candy apple red and nude is very playful, and a recreation would be perfect for Valentine's Day, so adorable!

Kaley Cuoco Sag Awards
Photo: Getty
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January 27, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 07: Black & White

- High Contrast Sugar Spun Nails -

For the black and white theme, I decided to try a technique that is new to me. I've heard lots about sugar spun nails, and honestly thought they would be perfect for day 7. I love the way my nails seem to pop with the white on black.

China Glaze White On White

China Glaze White on White
Polishes used: China Glaze - White on White, Orly - Liquid Vinyl

Sugar spun nails consist of using a dotting tool or toothpick to drag very tiny strands of goopy polish from side to side across the fingernail, which makes it extremely time consuming, but the end result is well worth it. 

I quickly found that there is a bit of a learning curve with this one, it took a bit of trial and error to get the strands to be the right consistancy, but once I got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing from there!


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January 26, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 06: Violet

 -A Little Bit Of Purple Passion For Zoya Aurora-

By my own admission, I have never been a huge fan of violets or purples in general, so in all honesty I was not entirely looking forward to the color of today's challenge. (I know, I know...Please direct all hate mail to IhateUnitedInBeauty@thisemailisfake.com) 

I'll understand if you feel the need to make a voodoo doll with my name on it after reading that confession. If there is one thing I've learned in my 30 years on this colorful Earth it's that people are passionate about their purples.

If you're still reading, I have great news! There's no need to track me down and cover me in purple paint in a fit of rage! Luckily, my Zoya haul from the 2013 promotion arrived in my mailbox today, and included was Aurora - an intensely sparkly and holographic wonder of a polish - perfect for today's theme! I think these pictures speak for themselves:

Zoya Aurora
Zoya Aurora
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January 25, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 05: Blue

My Balloon Gone Wild

I felt like today's theme needed a little bit of extra oomph after yesterday's plain colored mani, so here we are with my balloon in the sky look.

I started by painting all the nails with a Orly - Snowcone. After they were dry to the touch, I sponged on a few white clouds using China Glaze -Snow, and added the red balloon and black string with a bit of acrylic paint I had lying around.

As you can see, I need quite a bit of practice with my brushwork. Let's just use our imaginations and pretend it's not all funky looking, alright? Pretty please?

Red balloon
Red balloon
Polishes used: Orly-Snowcone, China Glaze-Snow
To give you a few different views of the colors, the first picture was taken outdoors in direct sunlight and picture two was taken indoors.



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January 24, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 04: Green

Gorgeously Green

Day 4, here we are with green. Today's color is a bit bitter-sweet for me... I'll start with the sweet part. Sweet because it just happens to be my absolute favorite color, and also one of my wedding colors! I laboriously worked to pick out the perfect polish in the exact shade of green that I adore to show you today, and came up with Revlon's Posh. 

Now for the bitter part of today's challenge. In my excitement, I for some reason opened the bottle like an angry gorilla eating a banana after a week long fast and splattered polish all over my favorite white blanket... what sadness. How could I be betrayed by something I love so much? Nooooooo! I'll never look at you the same, wonderful green polish, never.

On the upside, I was able to get some great daylight shots that really show the true color of this polish. If you're in need of a good green, consider Posh.

Revlon Posh
Revlon Posh
Revlon Posh
3 Coats of Revlon - Posh
  
Could we have a moment of silence for this wonderful blanket that sacrificed  perfection for this manicure to be possible? <Insert silence here> R.I.P white blanket. You served me well.



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January 23, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 03: Yellow


Before I get to debuting day 3, let me first just say that I blame this manicure completely for giving me a hefty dose of Spring fever today, while in reality it's a snowy, blustery 2 degrees outside. At least for the time being I can look down at my cheery nails and imagine I'm sprawled out on warm sandy beach somewhere with a drink in my hand, so that  gives me a miniscule amount of comfort. 

Now let's get down to business...


 2 Coats of China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky









In all fairness, I really think yellow polishes have a habit of getingt the shaft from a lot of people, myself included. I think this polish changed that for me. This is 2 coats of China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky with Seche Vite on top. 

There is another China Glaze polish called Sunshine Pop that is extremely similar in color, however that polish has a shimmery sheen to it, while this is just pure yellow color. Personally, I prefer the pure brightness of this shade. 
I will definitely be working this color into the rotation more often once Summer hits!


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Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Cuticle Eraser + Balm

Over the weekend I realized I was completely out of cuticle cream and almost completely out of the Vaseline I had been using as a backup, so as part of my weekend mini haul I picked up some Sally Hansen Cuticle Eraser + Balm from Wal-Mart. 

Typically, I'm a bit of a penny pincher when it comes to cuticle creams, but I felt like a little splurge and went for it even though it rang up at a hefty $7.49. As soon as I got home, I couldn't wait to tear open the box and try it (hence why you are seeing stock photos right now) and let me tell you... IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY. 

Sally Hansen Cuticle Eraser + Balm

Sally Hansen Cuticle Eraser + Balm

Sally Hansen Cuticle Eraser + Balm



Firstly, I think it goes without saying that the green and white swirls of this product are freakin' adorable. Can we all just agree on that? We can? Good. One of my favorite things about it is the fact that it is non greasy and doesn't take long for your skin to absorb it, although after my acetone use this afternoon, I think my skin was begging for it!  The smell is nice, sort of a mix between fresh cucumbers and watermelon... 

I keep catching myself smelling my fingertips. (Which I'm sure is a joy for others to witness.) I immediately noticed a difference in my cuticles, they went from worn out and ragged to smooth and nourished. This will definitely be a daily use product for me, so if you have been debating on whether or not to add this to your beauty regimen, then I seriously suggest you stop hesitating and go for it. I am adding it to my list of beauty must-haves!


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January 22, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 02: Orange

Orange Gradient Topped Off With 3d Fruit Slices

The theme of the day is orange, and what better way to represent than with a bit of fruit on my nails? I started out by painting the entire nail in China Glaze Peachy Keen, then used the sponge technique to create a gradient by adding in CG Papaya Punch and High Hopes. 

Once dry, I dipped a dotting dool in topcoat and used the tip to pick up the orange slices and place them randomly on each nail. Finished with Seche Vite and viola, here we have day 2!

Fruit-salad.jpg

Fruit-salad.jpg

Fruit-salad.jpg
 
Fruit-salad.jpg
Polishes used: China Glaze Peachy Keen, Papaya Punch, and High Hopes



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Victoria's Secret To Release 21 Nail Polish Colors


Stop the presses! Victoria's Secret is joining the ranks of the latest big name brands to debut their own nail polish line. I have heard some mixed reviews about the polishes sold at VS in the past, but I'm always willing to give new polish a try. The colors seem to be a bit on the basic side, and the bottles are reminiscent of Butter London, which may make them easy to store with the existing brands you already have in your stash. 

The new VS polishes will become available at the end of the month and will retail for $10.00.

Victoria's Secret Nail Polish
Photo: Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret Nail Polish
Victoria's Secret Nail Polish
Victoria's Secret Nail Polish
Victoria's Secret Nail Polish
Photos: HelloBeautiful









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January 21, 2013

31 Day Challenge - Day 01: Red

 Wet N Wild - Everybody Loves Redmond

While out and about today, I picked up a bottle of Wet N Wild - Everybody Loves Redmond because, well because it's a lovely red and everybody knows I can't pass up a polish with a good pun for a name. 

Everybody Loves Redmond is a thick, red creme polish with orange undertones that covers well with only 2 coats. The color becomes a bit deeper with an added 3rd coat, but that is really just a matter of personal preference and not necessary at all. Be extra careful with this one to polish carefully, I did notice that the red is very potent and will definitely bleed over and stain the skin and cuticles if not cleaned up right away.

In person, the color reminds me of being in elementary school and drawing fire on my notebook paper by rubbing the red crayon on top of the orange crayon to get that perfect firey blend.

The 1st three pics are with the flash, and the last picture is without flash to show the orangeness of the polish.


Wet N Wild Everybody Loves Redmond
Wet N Wild Everybody Loves Redmond
Wet N Wild Everybody Loves Redmond
Wet N Wild Everybody Loves Redmond


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31 Day Nail Polish Challenge


As if I'm not crazy enough, I've decided to go ahead and take on the 31 day polish challenge. For those of you unfamiliar with this insanity, I am going to attempt a different nail design each and every day for 31 days. I may succeed, I may fail, but either way I am going to document all this craziness for you to enjoy.

If you want to follow along with me, here's the 31 day challenge chart:


 Hold on, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

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Sinful Colors Sinfully Magnetic - Polar Opposites


Honestly, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed in this Sinful Colors magnetic polish. It simply just did not meet my expectations, and all I really expected was for it to look somewhat like the advertisement. Admittedly, I am a novice user of magnetic polishes, but I personally believe that nail polish should not be something that requires expertise. 

I know you're thinking, "Oh, it can't be that bad... show us!" but trust me, it is. It's B-A-D, bad. Bad enough I even thought to myself I must have done something wrong and ended up taking all the polish off and trying again not once, not twice, but THRICE times. (Yes, that's the fancy way of saying three) Each result was pretty much the same, meh.

Since we're all friends here, I'm going to share my embarrassment with you. Trust me, I'm only doing this for you, if it were anyone else, no way Jose! Look below at your own risk!
 Sinful Colors - Polar Opposites
 Sinful Colors - Polar Opposites
 Sinful Colors - Polar Opposites




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January 20, 2013

* GIVEAWAY * ENTER TO WIN JULEP - BLAKE!


To celebrate our new website we are giving one lucky reader a chance to win Julep - Blake!
Julep - Blake
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January 17, 2013

Today's Motto - Keep Calm and Paint Your Nails

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January 16, 2013

Rihanna "Rude Boy" Inspired Manicure

 "C'mere rude boy, boy..."

What else can I say? 
Well, I definitely have to say that I am FEELING this Rihanna "Rude Boy" inspired nail design HARD today. Looks like if you're in a polishing slump a little RiRi can work wonders! 
 


Here's a few images from the video that sparked my inspiration:




Rihanna Rude Boy Inspired Manicure
Rihanna Rude Boy Manicure
Rihanna Rude Boy Inspired Manicure


Polishes used : 
China Glaze - Papaya Punch
China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky 
KleanColor - Neon Green
O.P.I - Planks a Lot
O.P.I - French Quarter For Your Thoughts
Ruby Kisses - Teal Envy

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the video (I'll warn you though, it's catchy!)

What do you think, would this manicure do Rihanna proud? Any songs you'd like to see manicure-ized?
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Snoop Lion (Formerly Snoop Dogg) Shows Off a Thugged Out MANicure In Latest Instagram Photo


Now I'm all for equal polish rights, and I've most certainly been called pro-metrosexualism, but I have to be honest... A myriad of thoughts run through my head when I try to imagine what made Snoop Dogg decide to go from busting caps to busting out a French Manicure on Instagram. 

I can't say that I blame him though, the Frenchie is a classic, so choosing that design probably took the stress out of his life that would come along with trying to pick out the perfect polish to compliment such a classy self portrait. 
I know he has mellowed out in his wise old age, but part of me can't help but wonder if he won't go back to his old ways after he feels the infuriating pain of his first chipped nail...

Take it from me, a chipped manicure can really bring out the thug in a person.

Photo: Instagram





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