MIX AND MATCH FOR AXA!

[Photo above taken from Axa's blog]

[Excuse the bodge job photo booth pictures (below), I didn't have my proper camera with me!]

LEE ♥ COCO / THE ORIGIN OF LOVE

[Photo taken from Axa's blog]

MIX AND MATCH FOR MICHAELA!

[Excuse the bodge job photo booth pictures, I didn't have my proper camera with me!]

ZIG ZAG TIPS FOR MAMA

FINGERNAIL MOUSTACHE'S

ALICE IN WONDERLAND (DISNEY REMIX)

I don't think I have ever done a post that is not about nails before, but I got shown this yesterday, and I am absolutely in love with it.

I am going to watch Alice in Wonderland and do some Alice inspired nails soon!

Olive You, Leopard!

I love weird leopard print color combinations, and this one is no exception. Its colors remind me of green olives with the pimentos in them, sitting in the jar waiting to accompany some poor schmuck's gin. 

I can't take credit for this color combination, to be honest, I saw a rug that had the pattern, and I adored it (I wish I had bought it!) so I snapped a picture knowing that it would find its way onto my nails at some point.  I love the 'gradient' (ok not so much a gradient as a color change) from the tip of the nail to the cuticle edge.  The color of the orange shows up really red in the pictures, but its more of a burnt orangey red in real life. I think someone needs to develop one of them so I don't have to mix it. (think Essie Alligator purse, but more orange than red)

Anyway, on to the nails- for now all I have are pictures from the iPhone, because my camera is MIA right now. Hopefully I find it tonight, so I can take a picture of them with a real camera before they get destroyed by acetone. :)  

I used American Apparel California Trooper> as a base, with American Apparel MacArthur Park for the green, and a mix of Essie Alligator Purse and China Glaze Life Preserver for the orange. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

SOUL DEEP

MONOCHROME TIPS

PURPLE POWS AND PEOPLE

VALENTINES SPESH

GINGER & LIZ and Barielle Nail Treatments on Hautelook!

Fun stuff for pretty nails today on Hautelook today!

There are Barielle Nail Treatments, as well as a bevy of Ginger & Liz nail colors at great prices!

Check it out at Hautelook

Gild the Lily

Last week, I showed a photo of the lovely flowers I received from my boyfriend. In the arrangement, there were several of a flower called Alstroemeria, which are commonly known as the Peruvian Lily, or Lily of the Incas. Since those flowers are still alive and going strong (all but the roses and one of the tiger lilies), I decided to use the Peruvian Lilies as inspiration for a nail art design. I love the way the color gradates from fuchsia to white with just a touch of yellow, then is punctuated with dashes of dark brown! I tried to represent it the best I could on my nail, using a drier brush than normal, and sort of 'flicking' from the cuticle toward the nail tip.

One of the Alstroemeria from my flowers- the inspiration!

and the nails:

I used MAC Vestral White as a base, with Finger Paints Heavenly Hydrangeas and Essence Surferama 'flicked' from the cuticle edge up, a mixture of American Apparel Trenchcoat and BB Couture Kokomo for the dash of yellow, then a mixture of American Apparel Hassid and Barielle Coco Bar for the dark brown dots/dashes. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat

WOOT! That's 3 posts in 2 days, trying to get back on track now that my hours are slightly reduced!! :)

China Glaze CRACKLE Glaze (Preview)

I know you've all probably been bombarded with this press release, but for those of you that haven't seen it or haven't heard of this collection (have you been living under a rock?! JK!! :-D ), I'll post it up here because I am SO freaking excited for it! I'm a dork, I loved Crackles when Cover Girl had them back in the 90s, and was elated when I saw that some of the bigger nail polish companies were bringing them back and making them better!! This China Glaze collection is no exception- the colors it contains are so beyond wonderful, and I can't wait to get my eager little paws on them!! (Especially Cracked Concrete and Crushed Candy!!!)

Here is the release from China Glaze in all her beautiful glory!!

LET’S GET CRACKING!

China Glaze Introduces Six New Crackle Colors

Los Angeles, CA – December 2010: Roughed up grunge meets gorgeous glam! China Glaze brings a whole new level to the game with “Crackle” polish! Create endless edgy looks and make a statement with fun, fearless, color. Everyone has asked for it, and now China Glaze is giving it to them! The six different Crackle colors include:


Lightning Bolt – White Crackle
Black Mesh – Black Crackle
Broken Hearted – Pink Crackle
Cracked Concrete – Grey Crackle
Fault Line – Purple Crackle
Crushed Candy – Teal Crackle


An innovative technology allows you to play with a wide array of color combinations and achieve an edgy, new wave look. This unique formula was developed to give your nails a “crackled” design over traditional nail color. Contrasting colors are used one over another to achieve a deconstructed shatter look that takes place right before your eyes. Instant art for your nails!


How do you do it? It’s easy! Apply your favorite China Glaze glitter, shimmer or crème. Depending on the color you are using, apply either one or two coats for full coverage. When the colored enamel is dry, brush on a thin layer of the Crackle color. Allow the Crackle to work its magic during dry time. After approximately 5 minutes when the crackled design has completely formed, apply a top coat to seal the design for prolonged wear.


China Glaze Crackle will be available starting February 2011 at Sally’s Beauty Supply and BSG in 12 piece displays and 3 pack color kits which will include a base color, a crackle glaze (Black Mesh, Broken Hearted or Crushed Candy) and a China Glaze Top Coat.


China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.


China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com>www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze>http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze


China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.


About American International Industries
For nearly 40 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women. Our product lines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi- Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com>www.aiibeauty.com

Love Stinks!

OK, so love doesn't stink, and my Valentine's Day was wonderful, but I didn't want to post the gooey, sappy, heart-laden mushfest that comes out every Valentine's Day. I wanted to do a fun twist on love, since I experience a fun twist on it every day. My boyfriend is the sort to surprise me with a fountain Dr. Pepper instead of flowers, a bubblegum squirt gun instead of jewelry, and that shows me just how well he actually knows me. Anyway, I digress. This Valentine's Day, I did a quirky ode to love, and it was a super quick one too because it was late, so it's far from perfect. I did two skunks- a boy skunk and a girl skunk, and their tails make up the heart on the middle finger nail. I also used the Nicole by OPI Step to Beat of My Heart polish for the heart shaped glitter on my thumb and pinky. (the pinky hearts fell off during the day- sorry)

I used American Apparel Rose Bowl as a base, with American Apparel Hassid and MAC Vestral White for the skunk bodies. FOr the eyes, I used MAC Vestral White with a small dot of CND Anchor Blue for the iris. On the girl skunk, I painted a bow with Milani Red Sparkle, as well as using Orly Candy Cane Lane to paint lips on her and hearts on the ring finger and index finger nails. For the heart glitter, I used the Nicole by OPI Step to the Beat of My Heart nail polish from the Justin Bieber collection. (I cringed a little because it had his pic on the tag, but it's actually a cute polish) Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

PEE-EWWWW! ;)

U-G-L-Y, You Ain't Got no Alibi

Ok, so I'll admit, these nails are from several days ago, and I either didn't have the time, energy or what have you to get them posted. Fun thing is, when I DID have the time/energy (read: last night), my damn laptop (which boasts a hefty 7.5 years of heavy use) decided that it no longer wanted to recognize its airport card. What's this mean to you and I? It means no internet unless I want to haul my happy ass (and my power cord, since my battery no longer holds a charge) upstairs to the office where I could lay on the office floor, plug in the ethernet cable, and write up a fun little post for ya. Not gonna lie, I mean, I love you guys, but that's a little more work than I had energy for.

However, due to that little hiccup, you get two nail design posts today!! Rock 'n Roll, right?!

This nail design was requested by Chris, who suggested on multiple occasions that I do 'Ugly Doll' nails. If you're not familiar with Ugly Dolls, they're little stuffed monster dolls that, despite their name, are quite adorable. I'm showing both hands on these because both hands were different, please excuse the horrifying cleanup job- my hands were super dry when I tried cleaning them up, and the black pigment in the polish kind of sunk into the skin. (awesome.)

I used American Apparel Hassid as a base for all nails.

Left hand:

Thumb:

Finger Paints Chrysanthe-mum's the Word for the monster, MAC Vestral for the eyeball, a mix of MAC Vestral White and Orly Candy Cane Lane for the tongue, and American Apparel Hassid for the mouth and eyes.

Index:

China Glaze Life Preserver for the monster, MAC Vestral White for the eyballs, and American Apparel Hassid for the eyes and mouth.

Middle:

Finger Paints Carnation Creation for the monster, MAC Vestral White for the eyeballs, American Apparel Hassid for the mouth and eyes, and OPI Banana Bandana over MAC Vestral White for the teeth.

Ring:

Heavenly Hydrangeas for the monster, MAC Vestral White for the eyeball and teeth, and American Apparel Hassid for the eye and mouth.

Pinky:

A mix of American Apparel MacArthur Park and BB Couture Poison Ivy for the monster, American Apparel Manila for the eyeball, MAC Vestral White for the teeth, and American Apparel Hassid for the mouth, eye, and hair.


Right Hand:

Thumb:

Finger Paints Aren't You Glad-iolous? for the monster, American Apparel California Trooper for the eyeball and teeth, and American Apparel Hassid for the eyes and mouth.

Index:

Essie Alligator Purse for the monster, American Apparel Trenchcoat for the eyeballs, MAC Vestral White for the teeth, and American Apparel Hassid for the eyes and mouth.

Middle:

I THINK this monster is a mixture of Essie Alligator Purse and American Apparel Trenchcoat, but not 100% sure. For the eyeballs and teeth I used American Apparel California Trooper, and for the eyes and mouth, I used American Apparel Hassid.

Ring:

For the monster, I used American Apparel MacArthur Park, for the mouth and eye, I used American Apparel Hassid and for the tongue, a mixture of Orly Candy Cane Lane and MAC Vestral White.

Pinky:

Sally Hansen Gray by Gray for the monster, with American Apparel California Trooper for the eyeball and teeth, and American Apparel Hassid for the eye and mouth.

Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Yellow Brick Road (Preview)

Deborah Lippman, Lady Gaga?  Who ISN'T a fan of these two amazing women?  Check out this fabulous new color that comes out in April!  Gaga donned it for her Grammy performance this weekend. I'm super stoked for it- I LOVE yellow polishes!!

Are YOU excited?!

Lady Gaga is always pushing the envelope and exploring new trends. This year’s Grammy Awards proved no different. The award winner arrived in an egg pod and emerged wearing a bold, yellow nail.

  

The nail color is a new addition to Deborah Lippmann’s line and is called Yellow Brick Road. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann selected the color with the star to complement the canary yellow outfit she donned during her stage performance.

Yellow Brick Road launches on April 15 and will be available for $16 at www.deborahlippmann.com.

My World is Shattered

Hey all! I know I've been kind of MIA lately, and for that, I apologize! Things have been really hectic, and my work schedule just got more and more hours. I finally got to the point where I felt like couldn't keep up with everything in the way that I wanted to, so I decided to cut back on hours at the second job... from 35-40 down to hopefully 20-25 in addition to my 40 hours at my day job. I hope that in the next couple of weeks I'll get back on a more regular posting schedule, and I appreciate y'all being patient!! :-D

Today's nail art utilizes the super kickass new polish from OPI, Shatter! For those of you dear readers that were alive and interested in cosmetics in the 90s, you'll remember the Cover Girl Crackle polishes... this one is much better. ;-D I love that the cracks happen in the direction your brushstrokes go, so you can really play with it to make cool designs (I did diagonal on my thumb, and some zig zag when I initially tried the product (not pictured).

I also used the new Nicole by OPI Liquid Metals collection in this manicure!

I used Nicole by OPI Give me the First Dance (from Justin Bieber collection), with Nicole by OPI It Starts With Me, Nicole by OPI Miss Independent, Nicole by OPI Rich In Spirit, and Nicole by OPI The Next CEO sponged over it randomly. For the crackle, I used OPI Shatter in one quick coat. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Also, check out the awesome flowers my boyfriend sent me yesterday!! :-D It was a HUGE surprise! :-P

FRESH WHITE WITH COLOURED AZTEC PATTERNS FOR JOSEPHINE!

HERE ARE THE BOOM NAILS FLYERS I HAVE JUST SENT OFF TO BE PRINTED!!

COLOURFUL TRIANGLE OUTLINES ON GREEN NAILS

ELIZA DOOLITTLE TALKS TO GRAZIA ABOUT HER NAILS AT V FESTIVAL

I painted the lovely Eliza Doolittle's nails last summer - and here she talks to Grazia magazine about what she's wearing, including her nails. (00:26)

FRESH TO DEATH LEOPARD.