8 More Beiber Polishes

I'll admit it, I'm so NOT a Justin Beiber fan, and I was mightily embarrassed to purchase any of the collection, but they ARE pretty colors (if you can get past that HAIR...*cringe*)

Anyway, they've released 8 new colors in the Beiber line...

NICOLE BY OPI ONE LESS LONELY GIRL
8 New Lacquer Additions

WHAT: Nicole by OPI is unveiling eight more shades in the One Less Lonely Girl collection! With colors created by Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, these eight new Nail Lacquers are inspired by Justin Bieber’s songs and his devoted fans.

The One Less Lonely Girl Collection was conceived to raise awareness for Pencils of Promise, an organization that builds sustainable schools for underserved children in the developing world. In addition to educating consumers about this non-profit, Nicole by OPI has committed to building two such schools.

LACQUERS:
• My Lifesaver
Go overboard in color with this soft mint green!

• “Baby” Blue
A sweet light blue that totally loves you.

• One Time Lime
A vibrant lime that’s worth your time.

• I’m A Belieber
This popular purple has quite the following.

• Red-y to Runaway Love?
Run away with this riveting red.

• Make U Smile
Mood-boosting bunches of silvery glitter!

• I’ve Got Bieber Fever
This gorgeous dark plum is super contagious!

• Not A Gold Bigger
A genuinely glamorous gold that you’ll never take for granted.

RETAIL PRICE: $7.99 each
AVAILABILITY: January at Walmart and February at select Target, Sears, ULTA, and other retail locations, for $7.99 each.

ABOUT PENCILS
OF PROMISE:

Pencils of Promise, a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, builds sustainable schools, partnerships and solutions to enable basic education for underserved children in the developing world. More information about Pencils of Promise is available at www.pencilsofpromise.org.

OPI Texas Collection (PREVIEW)

From the state where bigger is better, and cowboys are king... OPI brings a collection of colors for Spring/Summer 2011!

OPI comes “home” to the USA with timeless style in the Texas Collection for Spring/Summer 2011. These vivid shades are as iconic as images of an American summer – adding a fresh, effortlessly chic look for nails and toes.
“Texas provided the inspiration for this season, with bright colors and classic neutrals that draw from the American spirit,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Taking cues from the state’s naturally beautiful backdrop, the Texas Collection features warm tones from honey and tangerine to dazzling hues of violet and sky blue.”
This season, American classics come to life with sunny peach (Big Hair…Big Nails) and vivid honeysuckle (Too Hot Pink to Hold ‘Em). Lush berry (Houston We Have a Purple) and grassy green (Don’t Mess with OPI) add a splash of the USA’s most vibrant colors to the season’s must-have neutrals (San Tan-tonio).
“The Texas Collection complements trends from the runway, where white made an appearance as the new black,” explains Suzi. “Wearing these colors on fingers and toes will accessorize the season’s must-have pieces – from brightly colored botanical prints and filmy scarves to relaxed trousers and jackets and fuller, longer skirts – all done in shades of white, ivory, cream and taupe.”

Texas Collection accompanies spring and summer fashion favorites with the following shades:

San Tan-tonio
A “honey” of a ten-gallon tan!

Suzi Loves Cowboys
But she loves this campfire chocolate shade s’more!

It's Totally Fort Worth It
A shimmery lavender grey that’s so worthy of you.

Don't Mess with OPI
A lean, mean, kick-grass forest green.

Austin-tatious Turquoise
Cowgirls love this bodacious blue-green.

I Vant to Be A-Lone Star
You won’t want to share this starry Texas-sky blue.

Y'all Come Back Ya Hear?
This Texas tangerine will be waitin’ for ya!

Big Hair...Big Nails
A rosy pageant peach.

Guy Meets Gal-veston
An “engaging” coastal coral.

Too Hot Pink to Hold 'Em
A red-hot pink-red that deals a winning hand.

Do You Think I'm Tex-y?
A “berry” sexy bloom of Dallas dahlia.

Houston We Have a Purple
A galactic red-violet that’s ready to “rocket roll”!

OPI’s Texas Collection Nail Lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

There is also a new finish that OPI is introducing, called 'Sorbet':

From the company that brought revolutionary nail textures like matte, suede, and Black Shatter to women around the world, OPI announces a new special finish – semi-transparent sorbet shades. Featured first in the Texas Collection by OPI for Spring/Summer 2011, these lacquers give fingers and toes a lightly glossed appearance.

“These sorbet-style formulas for nails will be in full swing by 2012, but women can get a jump start on this trend with colors in the Texas Collection,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Unlike thicker creams or light sheers, these twelve shades are slightly translucent – similar to the look of icy, water-based sorbet!”

From sea blue and berry pink to tangerine and bright peach, the Texas Collection features classic American colors. Designed to complement trends from the runway, these candy-coated lacquers accessorize the season’s must-have neutral pieces.

“To achieve the desired effect, an initial coat of Nail Lacquer should be applied to all ten fingers first – without doubling up coverage,” explains Suzi. “Be sure to start from the pinky finger on one hand and paint through to the pinky on the other hand; then, after the first coat has dried, apply a second coat.”

Texas Collection by OPI will be available February 2011, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com.

Finger Paints Palette of Petals Spring Collection (PREVIEW)

Holy cuteness. I'm lovin' this new collection for Spring from Finger Paints- and those flower rings?! Adorable. Can't wait to see these in person- I love fun colors!! I think Dahlia My Number and Chysanthe-mum's the Word are my favorites just from the pictures!

Aren't You Glad-iolous?

Carnation Creation

Chrysanthe-mum's the Word!

Dahlia My Number

Did You Ast-her Out?

Heavenly Hydrangeas

Graphic Neon

This week has been crazy X 10. I feel like all I do is work and sleep. (I worked a 17-hr day on tuesday- that is redonk!) I'm trying to get swatches and reviews of new products done, as well as attend to my actual life necessities, like bathing, and putting food in my head. I've got a few things in the next week or so I hope you'll get a kick out of, or at least take something from. I feel bad about all the simple, non-crazy detailed nail designs lately...to be honest, I just don't have the energy, but I'm TRYING, I promise!! :)

I used Nubar Stronghold as a base, with Zoya Dove for the lighter grey and MAC Vestral White with Color Club VOlt of Light over it for the neon yellow dots (man was that color hard to capture correctly on camera, I can never show the actual brightness of it as it looks in real life!) TOpped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Don't forget- you still have until tomorrow (Friday) at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time to enter the contest!! :)

American Apparel INFO

Since there has been a lot of concern recently about the American Apparel polishes, so I contacted American Apparel, and here's what I found out:

"American Apparel set out to produce this nail lacquer collection with a Made in USA company, and our deep affection for this family-owned corporation was a motivating factor in our decision to work with Forsythe. But one thing we value even more is the safety and health of our customers. This is why American Apparel paid for the costly international recall out of its own pocket, even trading one old bottle for two new bottles of polish to all customers, immediately after we discovered problems with the packaging. We wish no ill-will towards this fellow American manufacturer, but need to seek a fair and accountable solution to this incident."

Hope that calms some concerns. No 'exploding' nail polishes. :)

American Apparel Giveaway!

UPDATE: The contest is open to international readers :)

I've made no secret of my undying love for American Apparel nail polishes. For a fledgling nail polish line, I think they've really hit the mark. I'm a big fan of creme finishes, which comprises all but 2 of their polishes (Echo Park & TopCoat/Basecoat), so naturally each and every one of these beauties has found their way into my collection, some I even have bought multiples of! (Cotton and Hassid, I'm lookin' at you!)

Well, in an exciting twist, the lovely people at American Apparel have offered me the chance to share my love of their polishes with YOU, my dear readers.

The lucky winner will receive a mix of 4 American Apparel polishes!

To be eligible:

1. Send me an email at thedailynailcontest@gmail.com with:

• your contact information (so I have it if you should win)

• whether you want to be included on the American Apparel newsletter email list (you can get discounts, sales, deals, and other information!)

• what you would do with 4 American colors if you had them (and which colors!)

2. Be a follower of The Daily Nail- whether on Twitter : @dailynail or here on the blog with Google Friend Connect - make sure you tell me which you follow with in your email! :)


3. If one of these things is NOT in the email, you will not be eligible to win this prize!

Contest entry deadline is Friday, January 28, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Looking forward to your emails! :)

Color Blocked

I've always been a fan of simple, clean design, whether it be on packaging, in ads, or in architecture. I love interesting combinations of colors, and their applications in everyday life. Today's nail art design is based off of a tile pattern that I saw in an elevator when I was watching TV the other day. In this manicure, I used some french tip guides I received for review from Nailene. Since I rarely (if ever) do a french manicure, in addition to reviewing them (in the next few days) in the regular application, I wanted to see how else I could utilize them. I decided to use an X-acto knife to cut each straight guide in half, creating thin strips of nail stickers. To achieve the manicure you see below, I used those strips to create a grid and then painted in between the lines. As you can see, some polish seeped underneath, but I'm guessing that was since they weren't meant to overlap, and they started lifting at the intersections. In any event, I'm still relatively pleased with out it turned out.

I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with American Apparel MacArthur Park, American Apparel Trenchcoat, American Apparel Port, China Glaze Flyin' High, American Apparel Raccoon, and Essie Alligator Purse. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Disclosure: Some products in this post were provided by the manufacturer for review.

Well... hello there!

Hey guys!


Sorry I've been MIA lately.  I know, I know.  I totally need to make a video.  I mean.  Come on Abby.  It's not like you died or anything, pick up the pace!

But, there has been some personal things going on in my life right now, and not only have I been busy, but I have not been able to make videos because my editing program crashed!  Sheesh.  I know.  It always does this to me, and then it makes me look like I totally forgot about you guys.  But I promise I didn't.  Although, I did enjoy my break.  Now it's time for some video making!  Well... when I get the video editing program working again.

But, in the meantime, I have something for you guys!

You may have already noticed....

<a border="0" href="http://www.simplenaildesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a444/abby789_2010/SimpleNailDesignsButton2.jpg" /></a>

 I finally made a new blog button!  It took me forever.  I really didn't like my old one.  I made it when I had no idea what I was doing, and besides that, the picture was an old nail design.


So, you can go ahead and replace it, if you want.  Or if you didn't have the old one, you can put on the new one!  I'm totally fine with that....  {wink} ;D.

Also, I got tagged!  So I will get to that ASAP.  It was like a couple weeks ago, so I feel really bad about that. 

That's it for me guys!

Thanks so much for reading and watching my videos!  AND following.  ♥ you all!

REDtro

First off, I want to thank everyone for all of your amazing comments and emails. I was kind of worried posting that letter, because I wasn't sure how it would be received. However, your replies just confirmed what intelligent, caring, compassionate, awesome people you all are!

Anyway, that said, here's the nails! :)

I love retro fabrics, prints, colors, etc. Today, when I was looking at the local antique store after lunch, I came across some really awesome vintage fabrics, and today's nail design was inspired by one of them! I didn't buy it, but I did end up buying a cute leather 70s handbag for $15. WOO!

I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with Essie Alligator Purse and American Apparel Hassid for the design. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Dear Readers...

Dear Readers,

Lately it's been commented on that I have posted less often than I used to, as well as that I've posted a few press releases lately. I'll get to both of those points in this open letter, post, whatever you want to call it.

Lately it's become an epidemic of sorts on nail and beauty blogs (not just mine) where readers are expecting instant swatches, reviews, and essentially for us to inquire 'How high?' when asked by our readers to 'Jump!'. I can only speak for myself when I say this, but while blogging is a very important portion of my life, it is NOT my life. I have friends and loved ones, as well as other hobbies, responsibilities, desires, and jobs that comprise my life as well. While I do have ads, which generate minimal amounts of income (not even close to enough to cover costs of maintaining the blog, purchasing all my polishes and tools, etc), I DO NOT make money from this blog. It is NOT my job, nor do I wish for it to feel that way. I blog about nail art and nail polish because I enjoy it. It's something that I'm interested in and passionate about...but it's not the sole reason for my existence.

If you read my posts, I'm sure you've heard my mention of another job. THIS is why I haven't been posting as much as I used to. I now work approximately 65-70 hours a week. For instance, of the 48 hours that comprised Tuesday and Wednesday, over 30 of them were spent working. When one works from 8 am to 11, 11:30, 1 am, what have you, it doesn't leave much (or ANY) time for nail blogging on those days. I honestly have time to eat, sleep (about 5 hrs?), and shower before I have to leave again to head for work. After days like that, on the days where I have only my 8-5:30 hours, I come home and have little energy to devote to things I don't have time for on other days, things like laundry, housework, errands, and nail blogging. Truth be told- I put most of my free time and energy into blogging right now, leaving other things on the back burner. For those of you that have commented, emailed, etc., I hope you understand this, and cut me some slack, as I wish that I could post more often, but just can't.

In regards to my posting of press releases:

I, from time to time, and from certain companies, receive press releases on new products, new color collections, etc, and I WILL post them. This blog was designed not solely as a place for weird and quirky nail art, inspiration, and curiosity, but also as an information source. I LIKE being able to read about collections before they come out, so I can plan what I want to get, and allocate money in my budget to purchase those items. In response to comments pertaining to the desire to hear my thoughts on a collection instead of a cookie cutter press release, I can only say that that was my plan, but I post my comments about a collection when I actually swatch and review them, when I actually have them in my possession, which I don't when I post the press releases, hence the designation in the title of 'PREVIEW'.

I beg that you don't think of this as whining, it's a simple statement because I'm unable to respond to every email, comment, or tweet that I receive about the above topics. I LOVE you guys, I respect your comments, encourage them, etc., but wanted to make you aware of where I stand on the subject of my nail art blog. I will continue to post as often as I can, with designs to make you laugh, groan, think, or even smile, and hopefully you'll continue to stop by, enjoy, leave your comments, whatever you want to do here at 'The Daily Nail'. If you choose not to stay, I'm sad to lose your company and insight, but it's your prerogative, and I can't stop you from going.

I hope you understand!

XOXO

Melissa
(the weirdo redhead with the goofy nails)

Pizza! Pizza!

So I was totally craving a pizza tonight, and Little Caesar's Hot N Ready was offered up. While I enjoy Little Caesar's for what it is, a utility pizza (meaning it gets the job done, but isn't huge on awesome), I was craving more of the tasty variety, like Grimaldi's, or something else equally delicious. However, Grimaldi's doesn't make for good nail art (and I'm not sure Little Caesars does either, but you get it anyway) :-D Anyway. Wanna know the crazy thing? I didn't even eat pizza. :) (not so crazy, I'm aware.) To the nails!!

I used MAC Vestral White as a base, with CND Electric Orange for the the orange, and American Apparel Hassid for the black. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Ok, now that that is posted, I need to get back to watching Brad Meltzer's DECODED and freaking out about the apocalypse instead of what I SHOULD be doing...sleeping.

Color Club Alter Ego PREVIEW!

Alter Ego!

Color Club lets you create high-fashion looks for every identity with Alter Ego, their latest collection of diverse, long-lasting lacquers!

Alter Ego’s consists of 12 shades! Go incognito with our opaque shades or rendezvous in full view with our sheers of Alter Ego ‘LIGHTS’ and ‘DARKS’!

Alter Ego’s ‘Reveal Your Mystery Collection’ 7 piece salon pack includes Get a Clue, Revealed, Incognito, Secret Rendezvous, Sheer Disguise, and Give Me a Hint shades plus Milky White Base Coat. Their ‘Keep It Undercover Collection’ 7 piece salon pack includes Alter Ego, Secret Agent, Total Mystery, Alias, Ulterior Motive and Masquerading plus Vivid Top Coat.

For more information call Color Club at 800-221-8080, email support@cosmeticgroup.com or visit us online at www.cosmeticgroup.com

ZOYA Intimate Collection (PREVIEW)

Spring 2011 Nail Color (available 01/15/2011)
intimate
a color romance

Temptations, whispers, dreams, secrets, illusions, liaisons, trysts... lingerie... kisses.
Zoya Nail Polish presents six new, elegant, full coverage yet revealing, metallics 
and creams for Spring 2011 to rendezvous with.


Click on image to enlarge and see color detail!

Zoya Intimate Collection
Marley (ZP542) - lavender pink with a whisper of metallic
Dove (ZP541) - delicate, pale gray cream
Caitlin (ZP540) - misty, moody gray violet cream
Dannii (ZP537) - sparkling, enchanted orchid metallic
Jules (ZP538) - soft, glimmering gold kiss metallic
Gemma (ZP544) - mysterious green/purple duotone metallic

Zoya is the new color of fashion... The Zoya Intimate collection was 
designed to recreate the custom looks developed for and inspired 
by the runways of New York Fashion Week - Spring 2011.

Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers  by Zoya are free of harmful 
industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, 
formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known 
to cause cancer and birth defects.

Find Zoya Intimate as well as over 300 other ultra high-fashion
Zoya shades at www.zoya.com. As always, each and every 
Zoya color is made for women so we name them after women.

Intimate by Zoya - available January 15, 2011
Sug. Retail $7.00 per 0.5 fl. oz. bottle (US)
http://www.zoya.com

Close, But No Cigar.

They smell wretched, they've been involved in political scandals, they've been used as props, and certain kinds are illegal here in the United States... you guessed it, I'm talking about cigars. Having bartended in my younger days, I've inhaled my share of secondhand, putrid-smelling cigar smoke, and though I find them rather vile, I DO have to admit that the cigar bands/labels are super cool looking, which is why I decided to do a cigar inspired manicure! All the cigar band designs in this manicure are based off of actual cigar band designs. :)

I used American Apparel Raccoon as a base, then mixed with American Apparel Trenchcoat to give it a bit of texture. For the thumb, I used American Apparel California Trooper as a base for the band, China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold, American Apparel Hassid for the black, and American Apparel Port for the wine color. For the index finger, I used American Apparel Manila as a base for the band, American Apparel Port for the red, American Apparel Hassid for the black, and China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold. For the middle finger, I used China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold, and American Apparel Hassid for the black. For the ring finger, I used Essie Alligator Purse as a base, with American Apparel Manila for the yellow, China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold, MAC Vestral White for the white, and American Apparel Hassid for the black. For the pinky, I used Essie Alligator Purse for the borders, American Apparel California Trooper for the cream border, and flower base, for the tips of the flower petals, I used a mix of American Apparel California Trooper, China Glaze Flyin' High and American Apparel Port. For the leaves, I used BB Couture Poison Ivy, for the red, I used ORLY Candy Cane Lane, and for the gold, I used China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

*cough cough*

Tore Up From the Floor Up

Today's nail art was originally based on the floor tile pattern in one of the elevators at Caesars Palace here in Las Vegas. The floor design is the yellow circle with the yellow rectangles with the circle's curve on one end, all of which is outlined in black on a cream background. I LOVED how it looked when I saw it, but it didn't really translate well to the nail, in my opinion, so I kept adding color to it, and ultimately, it has more of a tiki or tribal retro feel to me now. I also have to say, I'm not terribly excited about it, hence the blog post title. :-D

One fun thing that happened today is that I met Elizabeth, who writes the Lacquered Lizard blog! :)

It was fun meeting her, and talking about nail polish, blogging, honestly, lots of stuff, we were all over the map! Plus, we ate delicious pancakes from Blueberry Hill. YUM. They're 1/2" thick pancakes of pure deliciousness. We both brought each other little gifts (I have to send part of hers because I didn't finish it), but I gave her a Dare 2 Wear polish, a green polish from Urban Outfitters, and one of the super pretty polishes from ALDO! She brought me two awesome Del Sol polishes (the UV sensitive polishes) in Ruby Slippers & the Halloween one, as well as a bottle of Seche Vite (which will definitely be put to good use!!), and a cool peach color from a Dutch brand (I believe?) called Hema! :) It was definitely a good time- and I even introduced her to Island Girl nail polishes, we HAD to go nail polish shopping after breakfast, I'm pretty sure it's some sort of law.

Anyway, on to the nails! :)

I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with American Apparel Manila for the yellow, American Apparel Hassid for the black, and American Apparel MacArthur Park for the green. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Beauty Review: REN & Clarins Masks

After an intense week back at medschool I could tell my skin was in need of some definite TLC! Being product obsessed I was given truck loads (not really but a substantial amount) of lotions and potions as Christmas gifts. So last night I tried two new products and without a word of a lie I woke up this morning feeling like a new woman! My skin was literally glowing! Didn't even need to wear foundation... Yes, these were that good!

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask:

This little bottle of gold juice is designed to renew the complexion by removing dead skin cells (I was glowing, not shining - key difference), reduce the appearance of fine lines (which I don't have yet but prevention is better than cure, right?) and dramatically improve skin tone (my skin appeared more even, less blochy) whilst getting rid of blackheads and blemishes (not one in sight)!

I love it! Don't think I'll ever use another mask! 

Clarins Skin Smoothing Eye Mask:

I love eye creams but a mask is extra luxurious, this one contains:


- Serrated Palmetto: decongests, prevents swelling.

- Wild Rose: drains, prevents puffiness.

- Rice Starch: absorbent, promotes a matte appearance.

- Chicory extract: smoothing, energizing.

- Apricot: moisturizing.

- Rose Water Concentrate: softening  

I once read an interview with some high-end magazine editor (think it was French Vogue, not too sure) who in her forties was praised for her lack of crow's feet. She blamed the early use of undereye cream & had bought her first bottle at 21! You can imagine reading that at the tender and easily influenced age of 19 how eye-cream crazy I went! Upon every visit to the chemist I would attempt to slip eye lotions into my mom's shopping basket & she would in turn promptly put them back on the shelf. The nagging eventually paid off because I got one for my 20th birthday and have been hooked ever since. If it makes any differnce only time will tell - watch this space...

*Note: My great skin could be due to the 3 week beach holiday, morning runs, drinking lots of water and eating way too many berries but the mask really was great & pepped up my skin the whole day.

First Week Back at Medschool & I'm Feeling A Bit Trigger Happy.

I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus over the holidays, if anyone may have noticed, attending to my alter ego- the one who isn't a medstudent. The holidays were great while they lasted but now it's back to medschool & loosing the tan I so diligently worked for the past few weeks.


Week 1 of 5th year has had it's ups and downs. UPs: receiving my first oto & ophthalmoscope (the accessories are everything); and  DOWNS: writing an exam on emergency medicine skills today -which wasn't so bad. It's probably been the most exciting week of medschool ever, I could possibly save someone's life now. Wow I sound like such a medschool brat!

Way too eager

Emergency Medicine is all about pneumonics (HHH, ABCD or CAB, and OMI GOSH), algorithms, CPR & the Defibrillator (which I'm trying to convince my parents to get/invest in for the house- you never know someone might drown or have an MI*). Also shaped up on my suturing skills & am now one step closer to being a surgeon!


Here's my personal favourite pneumonic of sorts (I really do use this every time I pack my clutch before a night out**):

 Dont forget to drink a glass of MILK filled with Vit C!

M - Money
I - Identity Document / Driver's License
L - Lipgloss
K - Keys
& Vitamin C - Cell phone


*For the non-meds: MI = heart attack - but we're never allowed to say that because "the heart doesn't attack"
** Yes I am the biggest dork - the geekiness has reached it's saturation point!

Hodgepodge

Inspiration comes from the oddest places for me... I was watching TV the other night, and in the background, there was a great color combination...a pea green, burgundy & a turquoise/teal. I mentally matched the colors to polishes in my collection while I was watching, and I wanted to do something fun with them, since it wasn't a conventional color combination. I decided to do a hodgepodge design with a different pattern on each nail, which allowed me to use the three colors in a bunch of different ways! :)

I used American Apparel MacArthur Park as a base for all the fingers except the ring finger, where I used American Apparel Port. The third color I utilized in this manicure was China Glaze Flyin' High. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

A Little Birdie Told Me

I have to ask this, since it's 5 days into the new year... who is still sticking to their resolutions? I'm one of those people that are so bad at resolutions that I never even got around to making any this year. :-P I've been SO busy lately, which I love, but it makes it hard to make as much time as I'd like to for everything in my life, and I hate spreading myself so thin.

Today's nail design might look familiar to those of you that have played with the page layout program 'Pages' from Apple before. These cute little birdies were on one of the templates for a thank you card, and, after the suggestion of my co-worker Justin, decided that they indeed WOULD be lovely little nail art designs!! I love their simplicity and retro vibe & color scheme.

I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with Essie Alligator Purse for the body of the birds, and American Apparel Raccoon for the tails and legs. For the speech bubble, I used American Apparel Trenchcoat. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

And, I finally got around to looking through some of my photos from Christmas, and this one cracked me up, even though I'm making an odd face, I had to share. Zach is 130 lbs. Zach also thinks he is a lap dog. Hilarity ensues. At least he's warm, and I'm glad ONE of us is comfortable?! lol

ZOYA featured in 'Black Swan'!

Funny how life works out sometimes...

Growing up in the Soviet Union, a little girl named Zoya dreamed of being a ballerina and dancing to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Now, many years later, after a life immersed in music as a classical pianist and becoming a star in world of cosmetics, dreams have come true.

Enter the recent theatrical release of Black Swan. Early on in the film as the lead dancer, Nina (portrayed by Natalie Portman), prepares in her dressing room for a gala where she will be revealed to the masses as the new Swan Queen, a solitary elegant bottle of nail polish briefly takes over the screen. This is where the line between a little girls fantasy and reality blissfully blurs. The bottle shown is Zoya Nail Polish in a delicate shade of pink named Bela.

Zoya Reyzis (founder of Zoya Nail Polish) and the Swan Queen of Swan Lake together at last.

Zoya Nail Polish can be found worldwide at quality salons and spas or online...

http://www.zoya.com

Available in Bela and over 300 other long-wearing, beautiful colors, the healthy formula of Zoya Nail Polish is completely free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and camphor.

Zoya is the new color of fashion!

China Glaze Anchors Away! (PREVIEW)

OK, so I showed you all pictures of this from when I saw it way back in July at CosmoProf, but here the polishes in all their professionally photographed glory. :-D I am seriously SO excited with what China Glaze has coming out so far this year!!!

I am predicting my favorites of the collection being Life Preserver, Starboard, First Mate, Pelican Gray, Sea Spray, Below Deck, and Sunset Sail, in no particular order. :-D I <3 crèmes!

ALL HANDS ON DECK

China Glaze Introduces 12 New Glitters And Crèmes For Spring 2011

Los Angeles, CA – (October 2010): Sail away this spring in 12 nautically-inspired colors from China Glaze. These bold and confident brights are reminiscent of a carefree natural getaway, with soft ethereal hues that inspire leisurely thoughts of sand and sea. Colors in this collection include:


· Life Preserver: Highly pigmented and luxurious poppy crème.

· Hey Sailor: Vibrant crème red.

· Ahoy!: Delightfully intense pink that flashes with reflective glass speck.

· First Mate: Sophisticated and rich navy crème.

· Starboard: Hip and playful green crème.

· Lighthouse: Multi-dimensional, bright yellow glass speck.

· White Cap: Whimsical and sparkling multi-dimensional white.

· Pelican Gray: High shine, cool toned grey crème.

· Sea Spray: Calming pale blue crème.

· Below Deck: A flirty mix of taupe and violet.

· Sunset Sail: Delightful peachy pink high shine crème.

· Knotty: Micro-particle beige shimmer.


This spring, take a relaxing trip to the shore and sail away with China Glaze. Stop and smell the sea breeze!

The China Glaze Anchors Away collection will be available in two 6 piece acetates, a 12 piece display, a 36 piece rack, and as open stock colors.

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 or follow China Glaze on Twitter: 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.