Zoya Jem

This is another Zoya I picked up with my $20 gift certificate from Bloom.com.

Jem is a deep burgundy shimmer polish with a hint of fine gold glitter.  I have a mini bottle of polish from Flirt cosmetics from Kohl's - and I wanted to find another one similar  - I didn't know Jem would be the match.

 The application of this polish was just as nice as Myrta.  Opaque in one coat and a semi-gloss finish. 


To finish this manicure off I wanted to do an off set stamp - I love a stamp set off to the side at an angle.

This was stamped using a Bundle Monster Set 2 with Konad Special White..

Thanks for reading and keep on painting!

- Sharon

Pampered Chef / Bloom Giveaway - First OPI and Zoya

For mother's day Pampered Chef partnered up with Bloom.com to acknowledge mothers.

So I wrote a passage about my mom - a shorter version of my previous post - just to see if it was true.  And it surprisingly worked!  I received a $20 coupon code for Bloom.com.  And was entered in a contest to win a whole bunch of pampered chef products for my mom and I.  Well I didn't win the contest, but I did snag my first OPI and Zoya polishes!!


I don't know why I waited so long to buy these brands....I am a cheapskate - I admit it.  But WOW!  The first one here is Zoya Myrta - an orange shimmer from the Summer 2012 collection.  It is beautiful!  The formula is so smooth and coverage is great.  The photo below is two coats without top coat.

This next polish has been a wish list item for awhile - since the first time I saw Chanel Peridot.  I am a HUGE fan of green and a huge fan of duo-chromes.  When I first saw the OPI Spider-man collection and spotted this polish I knew I had to have it - regardless of the price!  So when the $20 credit came through, this was the first polish in my basket.

The photos below do not do it justice!  I wish I could have taken more pictures to capture the color better - but OMG wow!!

The formula was smooth and clean.  The coverage unbelievable -  I need to own more OPI!!

Thanks for reading and keep on painting!!

- Sharon

Adventures in Stamping - Sunday Challenge - May 6th

I'm a bit behind in blogging so tonight i am trying to catch up. 

Last Sunday in our Facebook group Adventures in Stamping the challenge was Un-natural Animals.

Being a child of the 80s - who doesn't love Lisa Frank?  Bright neon colors, happy animals and Stickers galore! She was my inspiration for this weeks challenge.
Lisa Frank Website

A few weeks back, doing some polish shopping I came across the 6 pack of LA Colors Neon Polish.  As soon as I saw this collection I thought of doing a Neon Water Marble.  This was the perfect challenge to attempt this!  Unfortunately my water marble attempt with the colors was an epic failure.  I was rushing, ceiling fan on and waiting too long to marble. So I scrapped that idea - and went for a rainbow gradient across my nails using the LA Colors.  I used pink - orange - yellow and then green -blue - purple.

To make the animal pattern I used Konad Special Black and Cheeky XL plate D to make a lizard skin.
I was so happy with how this turned out, it brought me right back to the 80s and collecting Lisa Frank items.

Thanks for reading and keep on painting!!

-Sharon

Mary Kay Polish - Lavish Sable

One of the benefits of being known as a polish enthusiast is friends giving me polish they won't use and I never turn down a free bottle.  That being said my old office mate at work dropped off my first bottle of Mary Kay Polish called Lavish Sable.  It is a cream cocoa brown color.  Unfortunately the formula of the polish leaves quite a bit to be desired.  It was thin, and required 3 coats to provide the finish you see below.

 I loved the color once the 3 coats were complete.  The finish of the polish was more of a semi-gloss - this photo shows the polish with a coat of Seche Vite - my favorite top coat.

It's been months since I wore just a plain color on my nails, so I felt this needed a bit of a pick me up.  And I had just the right flair to spice it up a bit.

KleanColor Tahiti Sunset - It is a brown/gold glitter that has small and medium orange glitters as well as holographic bar glitter.  You may have to fish for some of the holo bar glitters - but it coated evenly with the brown/gold and orange glitters. 

This photo is just a single coat of the Tahiti Sunset. 

Thanks for reading and keep on painting!

Sharon

April Showers Challenge #8 - Matte Magic

I love matte manicures!  It was a matte manicure that started my delve into the polish world.  :)

For this challenge I wanted to try to do a splatter manicure under the matte top coat.  But I also wanted to incorporate the Finger Paints flakies in this manicure - because Matte does something beautiful to flakies!

I started the manicure with Orly Le Chateau, a deep rich green.

With Flash - looks slightly Blue

Under Incandescent Light - Looks Black

Another view under Incandescent Light

Natural Light - shows the deep green.

To do the splatter I chose three bright metallics from KleanColor - Jazz Olive, Fuchsia and Metallic Purple
Then used my dotting tool to gather a drop of polish and then drag it out to the sides of each drop to create a splatter.

Then I topped it off with a coat of Finger Paints Asylum flakies - it is hard to see from the picture below.  So I took two others trying to get the flakies to shine in the pictures.

I then topped off the entire manicure with a coat of NYC You Matte me Crazy.   This dulls the colors of the splatters but makes the flakies shine.

Check out these other talented ladies who are doing the April Showers challenge with me!


-          http://diypolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-day-8-matte-magic.html
-          http://nearlynaturalnails.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-challenge-day-8-matte-magic.html
-          http://charlottes-nails.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/april-showers-challenge-matte-magic.html
-          http://karinea0a.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-8-matte-magic.html
-          http://onenailtoanother.blogspot.com/2012/04/another-untried-and-asbmf-matte-maic.html


Thanks for reading and keep Painting!

April Showers Challenge #7 - Glitter Tips

In a previous post I talked about picking up the new Elle brand polish from Kohl's.  This is the second color I picked up while shopping it is a deep blue that reminds me of a beach blue.  This color is called Seaside Chic.  The formula is the same as the About Thyme, opaque in one coat and an unbelievable shine with no brush marks.  This picture was taken before any top coat was applied.

For the glitter I chose KleanColor Firework, it has orange and blue circular glitter and fine gold glitter in a pale yellow jelly polish.

I loved the combination of these colors, it looks so elegant!

Check out the other talented ladies who are doing the April Showers challenge with me!



-          http://diypolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-day-7-glitter-tips-and.html
-          http://nearlynaturalnails.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-day-7-glitter-tips.html
-          http://charlottes-nails.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/april-showers-challenge-glitter-tips.html
-          http://onenailtoanother.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-glitter-tips.html
-          http://karinea0a.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-7-glitter-tips-for-autism.html

Thanks for reading and keep on painting!!

April Showers Challenge #4 - April Showers

For this challenge manicure,  the only thing I could think of was rain clouds.   For the base coat I used Sally Hansen's Blizzard Blue,  I picked up this color during one of my Target runs.  It is a light pearlescent blue that is quite sheer.  This picture shows two coats,  to get a color closer to the bottle you would need 3 or more coats.  But I was going for a light background for a nice contrast for my rain drops.

For the clouds I used LA Colors white and made a scalloped french tip.  Then topped it off with fine silver glitter from LA Colors.

For the rain drops I used Klean Color Beach Blue and one of my dotting tools.  Made a dot and dragged it upwards towards the clouds.
I then topped it all off with a coat of Seche Vite.


Check out these other talented ladies doing the April Showers challenge with me!

-          http://diypolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-day-4-april-showers.html
-          http://charlottes-nails.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/april-showers-challenge-april-showers.html
-          http://onenailtoanother.blogspot.ca/2012/04/asbmf-april-showers.html
-          http://footballandfingernails.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers_13.html
-          http://www.manicurator.com/2012/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers-april.html
-          http://nearlynaturalnails.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers_11.html
-          http://polished-prisms.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-4-april-showers.html
-          http://karinea0a.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-4-april-showers.html
-          http://countingdowntobliss.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-day-4-april-showers.html
-          http://allthispolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-asbmf-challenge-4-april-showers.html

Thanks for reading and keep on painting!

April Showers #2 - Ladybugs - Elle - About Thyme

Last weekend I was at Kohls shortly after they set up the Elle display of nail polishes,  so I had to take a look.  Two colors caught my eye,  this green was one of them.  Its called About Thyme.   It is a great formula that covers in one coat.   The picture of the color below is without a top coat, it is so smooth and shiny...its hard to cover up its natural shine.

With todays theme,  I am using my tattoo as inspiration.  my tattoo is located on my right ankle and represents my two daughters.  One lady bug has 6 spots and one has 2;  they represent 2006 and 2002 the years they were born.

To create the lady bug I made a dot of red konad special polish on my nail and then used shany plate SH12 and Konad special black to stamp the lady bugs on the nails.
And of course topped it all with Seche Vite.

Check out these other talented ladies doing this April Showers Challenge with me!


-          http://diypolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-day-2-lady-bugs.html
-          http://www.agirlandherpolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-challenge-day-2-ladybugs.html
-          http://mandyspolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-lady-bugs.html
-          http://charlottes-nails.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/april-showers-challenge-ladybirds.html
-          http://creativenaildesignbysue.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers.html
-          http://www.manicurator.com/2012/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers.html
-          http://rusticcomfort.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-challenge-day-2-ladybugs.html
-          http://polished-prisms.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-2-ladybugs.html
-          http://footballandfingernails.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-showers-challenge-ladybugs.html
-          http://kayonolan.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-2-ladybugs.html
-          http://countingdowntobliss.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-challenge-2-ladybugs.html
-          http://allthispolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-2-ladybugs.html
-          http://karinea0a.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-2-ladybugs.html
-          http://countingdowntobliss.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-challenge-2-ladybugs.html

Thanks for reading and keep painting!

April showers #3 - Glitter Sammie

Here is my mani for the second entry in the April Showers challenge.

Base coat - Claire's Neon Glow in the Dark Pink
First layer - WnW Coloricon - dense blue and plurple fine glitter
Second layer - Claire's Candy Shop
Third Layer - Claire's Neon Glow in the Dark Pink
Top coat - Seche Vite
My first glitter sandwich.....and you cannot go wrong with Candy Shop!!

Check out these other talented ladies who are doing the April Challenge with me!


-          http://diypolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-day-3-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://charlottes-nails.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/april-showerschallenge-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://mandyspolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://creativenaildesignbysue.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers_11.html
-          http://polished-prisms.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-3-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://kayonolan.blogspot.de/2012/04/spring-challenge-3-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://rusticcomfort.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-challenge-day-3-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://www.manicurator.com/2012/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers-glitter.html
-          http://footballandfingernails.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers.html
-          http://onenailtoanother.blogspot.ca/2012/04/asbmf-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://allthispolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-challenge-3-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://countingdowntobliss.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-day-3-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://agirlandherpolish.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-challenge-day-3-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://karinea0a.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-3-glitter-sammy.html
-          http://countingdowntobliss.blogspot.com/2012/04/asbmf-day-3-glitter-sammy.html

Thanks for reading and keep on Painting!

Dark Eggs - Ulta Goth Blue

I wish I knew the name of this color - it was from my nieces collection - it is the goth based blue.  It is very hard to see the color in the picture.  I then used the Cheeky plate to stamp wiggly lines over the color - made it look like evil Easter eggs.  :)

I am so impressed with my Cheeky plates they stamp so well and evenly everytime.  I cannot wait to complete my collection of plates and buy the rest of the XL plates.  I only have A, B, D and J right now.

First experience with shrinkage!

I have heard of polish shrinkage but never experienced myself until the week before my vacation!

I was wearing my Rimmel English Rose manicure with the gold stamp.  The following afternoon after I did the manicure, I was waiting at the bus stop and admiring the design....then I noticed it!  It wasn't tip wear, it was true shrinkage!  It was even across all nails,  here is a picture showing the shrinkage.

I am anxious to try this color again, with only Seche top coat and without to see if this repeats!

Rimmel and Gold Stamp

I picked up this beautiful Rimmel color at Target during one of their sales a few weeks ago.  This is the first Rimmel nail color that i own.  I would describe the color as a dusty dark coral color.

It is English Rose

This photo shows two coats of polish over Orly Bonder with a top coat of Seche Vite.  It is a great coverage with a smooth finish even without the top coat.

I then used one of my new Bundle Monster plates - BM - 206 to do a lace like design down the center of the nail.  I used KleanColor Americano for the stamp.

Once this design was done I didn't think I was finished, so I added a coat of Finger Paints Asylum (polish loaded with flakies) and NYC matte top coat to show off the flakes.  Unfortunately the flakies don't photograph well but here are some attempts.

Top photo is in the sunlight and the bottom photo is indoor light.

Thanks for reading!!!  Keep painting!

Sunday Stamping Challenge - April Fools!

Todays stamping challenge was actually a un-stamping challenge.  We were to design nails without using our stamp sets.  :)

So I decided I wanted to try water marbling.  It would be my first time.  So I didn't have high expectations for the result but I am happy.

I followed the instructions provided on Chloe's Nail blog. - Chloe's Nail Water Marble Tutorial

I used
Sally Hansen - InstaDry - Petal Pusher - Pale pink
Sally Hansen - Xtreme Wear Blizzard Blue
Sally Hansen - Xtreme Wear Crushed
Milani - Lemongello
Top Coat - Seche Vite

I taped off the edges and here is the result!

KleanColor Chunky Black Holo

I have been searching for this polish for a month.  My local beauty supply stores carry the KleanColor lines but they don't usually have the most recent colors.  So when I went to the last one in town without any luck I finally bit the bullet and ordered it online.  I recieved it on Thursday and could not wait to try it! 

I started with a base coat of Prisma Red Glitter polish (no name for this polish that I know of) - this has a very fine red glitter in a red base.

I then added a coat of Chunky Black Holo - you cannot see the effect in artificial light with a camera very well.  But this picture shows the color within the bottle.

Then I gave it a bit of a highlight with a star designed tip from my new Bundle Monster Plates - BM 220 and Wet and Wild French White.

Here are a few pictures taken outside to show off the holo effects!  (Pictures enlarged for detail)

Thanks for Reading!!

Layered Stamping

I saw a beautiful manicure on my stamping group Adventures in Stamping on facebook.  It was layered with blues, white and black. I wanted to try something similar, so I went with greens and brown.

I started with a base of Spoiled Toadaily Amazing.  I love this color, the brush could use some improvement but the coverage is great and it has to be my favorite color of green.

I then added a layer of Klean Color Green Holo - I am in LOVE with Klean Color Holos - they sparkle so much in the sunlight.  They are eye catching.

Then using Sally Hansen Green Chrome and Klean Color Espresso I stamped with my Cheeky J plate some floral patterns.  Started with the green and layered the brown on top.

Then topped it all off with a coat of Seche Vite.

Thanks for Reading!!!