Holiday Party Perfection - Look of the Day

Holiday Party Perfection by UnitedinBeauty on Polyvore

After thinking on it a bit, I've decided to venture outside of my comfy world of nails and expand the blog a bit by including both beauty and fashion items as well, and here is my first look! I tried to come up with something effortless, yet polished and holiday party appropriate. This entire look is based around my recent 12 Days of Christmas green holographic manicure featuring Color Club - Holiday Splendor. No doubt that green sparkly polish will look amazing with this cute lacy party dress and the green and gold jewelry. 

One of my favorite parts of this look is the cute little clutch, I used to be such a big fan of oversized purses, but now I find a clutch to be so simple and streamlined. Plus it stops me from cramming it full of everything I've ever purchased in the past 10 years! Honestly, a clutch is perfect for tossing in the essentials - an ID, some cash or a credit card, and a lip gloss. No need for a heavy bag, just grab and go!

Color Club Holiday Splendor - 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Manicures Day 8

Ho-Ho-Holy Holographic Polish, Batman! I am losing my mind today over this amazing sparkly holographic green, Color Club Holiday Spendor is seriously just so much yes in a bottle. SO. MUCH. YES. I was tempted to ramp up the nail art again today while I was still  riding on yesterday's stamping high, but I just couldn't bring myself to cover up the natural amazingness that is this polish.

I've been dying to get my hands on this polish for the longest, and just like a Christmas miracle, my dreams have come true! I must have been a very good girl this year, or very good at hiding from Santa - could go either way... This is 2 coats of Color Club Holiday Splendor topped with my go-to topcoat, Seche Vite. I added the gemstones just for a little extra somethin' somethin.

I honestly wish I could get my camera to take it all in, these photographs really don't even do this polish justice. It is so much more sparkly in real life, take my word for it. If you spot this little gem, better grab it up because I think before long this will be one of those ever coveted holos that become the stuff of legends.

Snag the look:
Color Club - Holiday Splendor
Seche Vite Fast Dry Topcoat
Nail Art Gemstones

Is all this holographic goodness striking your fancy? Share your favorite holo polish, I'm always on the hunt for more!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Nails - 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Manicures Day 7

Hold on to your stockings people, if you thought ugly Christmas sweaters were only for holiday parties at Grandma's house, better chickity-check yo self because they have found quite a cozy home right here on my fingertips too. Ho-Ho-HOLLA if ya hear me!

What started out as a fun idea quickly turned into a not-so-gentle reminder that my stamping skills need some serious work. There will definitely be more stamping to come in the future, just so I can practice up if nothing else. The base for these nails is 3 coats of Zoya Dove. I could have gotten away with 2 coats, but as always I felt the need to overdo it.

 

The sweater pattern was done using white Konad stamping polish and stamping plate 38 from Pueen. The stamping plate I used for the accent nail is Pueen 63, my first time using both of them and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality. My pink Konad stamper picked up everything without any trouble at all, but my white soft "marshmellow" stamper just wasn't havin' any of it today. I now realize the stamper holds all the power, lesson learned. I gotta admit, I kind of love this manicure. Bummer it's got to come off for tomorrow's look!
 
                                                             Snag the Look:
Zoya - Dove
Konad White Stamping Polish
Pueen Stamping Plate Collection (Including 38)
Pueen Stamping Plate Collection (Including 63)
Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat

Are these ugly Christmas sweaters a hit or a miss for you guys? What do you say?

Red and Green Christmas Polka Dots Dotticure - 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Manicure Series Day 6

I've gotten a few requests to come up with a Christmas-y themed manicure for beginners, and that's exactly what I've got for you today! This is a look that anyone can do, and best of all is that it doesn't even require any special tools. If you've got a bobby pin, a toothpick, or even a makeup brush laying around then you've got all you need for this red and green holiday dotticure. 

My camera wasn't cooperating with me today, or I would have grabbed a few more photos for you, alas we must work with what we've got, right? BTW, if you follow me over on Instagram, thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday! You guys are the best! 

Polishes used: China Glaze - Dandy Lyin' Around, OPI - Don't Mess with OPI, Ruby Kisses - Red Cameo

First I started with 2 coats of China Glaze - Dandy Lyin' Around (which has a beautiful sheen that my camera somehow refused to pick up) and let that dry.Next I used my medium sized dotting tool to create the red and green dots all over the nails in random spots. If you do not have an actual dotting tool, no biggie! Just use the end of a bobby pin, a toothpick, or the end of a makeup brush and dip it in the polish. Use a light hand and dab the dots onto the nail and with a little practice you'll get perfect circles. 

Let the dots dry completely before adding your top coat, even if it's Seche Vite. I cannot stress this enough, I repeat, let the dots dry! Take it from me... Seriously, if not you'll get some gnarly streaking and it will ruin your manicure, and possibly your day. Once you are complete dry, add your top coat and you've got the finished look!