I'm handicapped! (for nails for now)

Here is what I have to deal with. I am actually right handed. But I have enough dexterity with my left hand, that I actually do stuff with it. So, I'm slicing fimo sticks (you know, for nail art) and whoops, there goes my thumb.

Here it is....gross, bloodstained, since it can't be scrubbed off, a huge chunk just gone. So I had to do something pretty simple. Also, totally broke off my pinky nail, so the others had to go.

This is China Glaze "Watermelon Rind", Bundle Monster BM16 plate with white Konad special polish, and yellow Konad special polish with a dotting tool. Considering I can barely use my thumb, I don't think it turned out too bad.

Layla Hologram...round 2

I was eye-balling this color. I have been more on a lilac color kick when purchasing colors lately. This is Layla Hologram in "Ultra Violet". I really love the color and of course the holo effect is spectacular!

Here's a side view of the hologram. So pretty :)

I like this fall theme....

Magnetic polishes are not new. I have used this one and have posted it before even. It's Nails Inc "Spitalfields". I was liking the effect of the last post that the magnet created. It's funny how the same polish can look so different with a different magnet pattern.

Feeling a bit like fall

I am in the mood for fall. Seriously, bring on the hoodies! Who's with me?! So, I got this on clearance the other day at Sally Beauty Supply. I was like, why is this on clearance for $2? It is one of the Finger Paint ones called "Cop an Attitude". I used my China Glaze magnet with it though. (Why does it seem like all of the brands like that weird wavy chevron pattern? And then puts them on all the caps) Anyway, this color puts me in the mood for fall :)

Don't throw away unused Sally Hansen Salon Effects Strips!

I have a tip for you all today. As we know, I am a Sally Hansen Salon Effects strips whore. I'm not ashamed :) But what happens when you have those few extra leftover? Sometimes, I am able to use one package at a time out of the two. This usually means that I have broken a nail and have to start over with stubbies, but I still have that unopened package of 8! I am usually able to cut a few in half and use one strip for two fingers. However, I am usually rocking longer nails, so I can only use one strip for one nail. So then you have 5-6 strips left over, right? Do you wanna toss them? I just spent an average of $10 for this box and only get to wear it once? No ladies....NO! I store and save the extra strips. I thought about it and came up with a few ideas. Firstly, you need a fairly airtight container. I chose an empty prescription bottle. These are designed to keep pills dry and fresh, right? Secondly, you don't want them to fade from sunlight. I wrapped the bottle in black paper, blocking the sun completely. (Don't keep them in direct sunlight just like regular polish, because they still get hot and can dry out from that) That's it. If they do dry out a bit from being in there for like 6 months (which some of mine have been) OPI has a dropper bottle of polish thinner. Let a drop or two fall on the paper backing, and let that soak in for a minute. They are nice and pliable again. Is this method just as good as opening a fresh package? Not by any means, and I'm not claiming it as such, but you can at least do a little something with those extra ones! Use them on your toes the same day, use them as french tips, or do random nail art as I have done above. I used OPI "Nein! Nein! Nein! Ok Fine!" as the base. I wanted a little something extra, so I had some of the SHSE strips left in "Stud-io Time", cut them into small strips following the lines in the pattern, and viola! Studded Gunmetal!

Oktoberfest...Wunderbar!

This is the OPI German collection "Every Month is Oktoberfest". The color is so much prettier in person. I used 3 coats, only because I don't like to hold my hand to the light and see through the tips of my nails. So, after almost 2 days, the wear is ok, but because I wear gloves all day at work, and I put it on thick, I tend to have a lot of tip wear no matter how good the polish. Even when I do a gel manicure, the tips wear in a few days. Have a great Wednesday!

Happy Shark Week!!!

In honor of shark week, I decided to do....you guessed it, SHARKS!! This is "Who Let the Dorks Out?" of the Sephora OPI Glee Collection. I used Konad special polish in white and Konad plate M27.

Polish only for nails?

I love the idea of using polish for things other than nails. This is Kleancolor "Chunky Black Holo".

I love the way the holo works. I have decided to sell these. If anyone would like them, based on the design they would like, they are $5-$10 plus shipping. I will take any requests as well, color combos, glitters, anything! Just email me at maryann76@hotmail.com and put "polish ring" in the subject line!

Follow the turquoise fairy...?

I wasn't sure what to do with this color. In all honesty, I got this polish at the dollar store. I really like the color, however, it doesn't seem much different than Sephora by OPI "Mermaid to Order". I wanted to do this fairy design, but I didn't want it on a dark background. I think it looks a little odd in black though. I don't know. The polish is Cutie Girl brand. I don't know the color (it was on the package, but not the bottle, and the packaging is long in the trash) I want to say it's Ocean something. Then I used Konad special polish in black and Konad plate M35. Finished with a coat of China Glaze "Fairy Dust" which seemed appropriate :)

I love a pink nude color!

I am becoming more and more comfortable with pastel creme colors. As I had said before, I was resistant to them as I had always opted for a shimmer color. This is from the new OPI Germany collection. The color is called "My Very First Knockwurst" and I find that hilarious. So as the name can implement a "naughty" connotation, I decided to do an equally "naughty" design. I used Konad special polish in black with Konad plate M79 to create that fishnet pattern. I free-handed the black french tip. I kind of see this pattern as black thigh-high stockings...hence "naughty". Have a great Thursday!

Backyard Inspiration

This is a "Rose of Sharon" plant in my backyard. From what I understand, these are a type of hibiscus.

So I decided to do a hibiscus mani.

I used Essie "Play Date", Konad special polish in white, and Bundle Monster plate BM318. Happy Wednesday!

Black and gold

Happy Monday! You ever need a weekend to recover from your weekend? Anyway, I keep using this Sally Girl "Poser" (the black) and end up hating it. It's really nice by itself, but when a top coat is put over it, it gets weird. It's like putting water on a dried out sponge, like it doubles its thickness or something. It thickens so much, it almost looks like I have a gel polish manicure, or acrylics. Also it tends to shrink after about an hour. See where the tips look worn? This is only 12 hours later and 8 of those hours were sleeping, so not like scrubbing a toilet or anything! At any rate, I used my Konad plate M76 and Konad Special polish in gold for this design.I like it, but....meh.

La la la la la la, la la la la laaaaa

The color on this is so skewed as it is cloudy here today. This is actually China Glaze "Frostbite". Seems not as royal blue in this photo, but it was the best my camera would allow. We have a new coworker in our department (who just switched departments, so we know him) and he is lovingly referred to as "Papa Smurf". Let me tell you, I have some of the best male coworkers! They totally listen to my ramblings about nail polish and seem genuinely interested....most of the time :) Anyway, I noticed that my Fan Ur Nails Fun 1 plate had a Smurf design, so I had to play up the nickname. And anytime to theme your nails for something is always fun :) I used pastel blue Konad Special polish for the stamping. Seems like most of my designs lately are blue, or blue on blue, or at least have something blue to do with them. Funny how you can get into a pattern and not even realize it.Also, my skin is really foul right now. I am in and out of gloves all day in the hospital and my hands sometimes pay the price. This is even after cuticle butter! Ugh. Happy Friday!

Bikini So Teeny

I was on nail hiatus for the past few days. Not to say that I didn't DO my nails, because....well, that's not true. :) I had scoured town looking for a bottle of Essie "Bikini So Teeny" and everywhere was out. I looked at places online and they were sold out. I think I spent twice as much in gas as I ended up spending on the actual bottle. I ordered it off of Amazon and paid $10 for it. I know I should've just bought it when I saw it and that it was considered a limited edition and all that good stuff. Live and learn, right? So, I had on just crap polish for the past few days, let it chip even....GASP! I was just not in the mood and was in the mind set that I would just be happier when my bottle finally came in. I didn't build myself up, I actually was really happy when it came in and this is the mani I did on the first try! (Usually I get too excited and mess it up and have to do it 12 times to get it right) Well, this is what I came up with :) I used Konad blue stamping polish and Konad plate M56. It looks very Indian to me...like Henna tattoo designs. I'm loving it! (Not a shout out to McDonald's either) Have a great Wednesday!