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.

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.

OPI BRIGHTS - Inspired by POTC: On Stranger Tides! (Press)

SO looking forward to this collection!  I LOVE the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and cannot WAIT for the next one to come out!  I'm super curious to see the SILVER shatter!! How totally kickass does that have the possibility of being?!  I think that the Shatter, as well as 'Stranger Tides' will be my favorites of this collection, at least based on description- can't wait to see pics! (or see them in real life!)

EDIT: Silver Shatter pic!!

Discover a Treasure Trove of Color with New BRIGHTS by OPI, Inspired by Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Create Waves with Silver Shatter!

OPI captures the bright colors and breathtaking escapades seen in Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with six limited-edition Nail Lacquers and a new Silver Shatter!  Disney’s highly-anticipated fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise is directed by Rob Marshall and features an all-star cast, including Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz.

To celebrate the new film, OPI launches its Spring 2011 BRIGHTS Collection, which features a groundbreaking new color addition in the Shatter coat formula– Silver. Inspired by graffiti art, this shade leaves behind a crackled, two-texture silver finish when painted over any dry OPI hue.

“OPI is thrilled to celebrate the latest film in this beloved series,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides lacquers were inspired by a world filled with mythical mermaids, gleaming treasure, and high-seas adventure. With shades ranging from sage and lavender to khaki gray and pastel pink, these colors are evocative of a warm, tropical setting, with a classic nautical influence.”

The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides collection includes:

Skull & Glossbones

Best light gray ever, no bones about it.

Mermaid’s Tears

Few have seen this magical green.

Steady as She Rose

This gorgeous pink is your final destination.

Planks a Lot

Dive into style with this lustworthy purple!

Sparrow Me the Drama

This cool, collected pink means business!

Stranger Tides

Explore this uncharted sea of sage.

Silver Shatter

A shimmering sea of silver with a two-texture finish.

The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides-inspired Nail Lacquers by OPI contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application. 

This limited-edition Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides collection will be available beginning May 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. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

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ABOUT THE MOVIE

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penelope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.

The screenplay for “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” was written by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio, suggested by the novel by Tim Powers.  The film opens in theaters on May 20, 2011, in Disney Digital 3D™.

Valentine's Day Nail Art - Easy Heart Design

 Sorry this is up a few day late - my computer was broken for like 3 days, so that delayed me in getting this up, but it's finally here! I hope this is up early enough for you to do this design in time for V-day!

Plus, I uploaded it on Youtube and noticed the narration was totally gone! So I had to fix the raw video, save it again, and then upload it to Youtube again. Not that hard, but time consuming, especially since I'm already so behind.

This will probably be my last Valentine's Day nail design, at least for this year. =D

This is like a super easy, not tutorial needed design... but... yea. Whatev. Sorry if it seems too simple, but it is Simple Nail Designs, right? ;D




Thanks so much for watching guys!! ♥

Feel free to leave a comment below! I will answer any questions you might have, and I love getting comments! If you have any requests, please let me know :) 

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

The Adventures of Gemma

So the other day, Zoya Nail Polish posted on facebook and twitter that it was 'Bring your Zoya Nail Polish to Work' day. I decided to participate, and document Gemma's day at the office (and the aftermath) Check it out! :)

To start off her day with me at work, Gemma decided to help out. Here Gemma is totally helping me out by doing some stapling.

She helped cut some stuff up for me too.

She DID have some issues with the tape though.

Not cool, Gemma, not cool.

She's a great little note-taker, too.

Lunch time! Gemma is totally ready to go outside in the Vegas sun!!

On the way to lunch, Gemma took over my car radio and made me listen to her favorite song. (Yeah.... NKOTB)

After lunch, Gemma wanted to try her hand at photographing some nail polish swatches!

Gemma totally forgot her facial waxing appoint this week. What's a polish to do?!

Gemma decided to go for a walk while holding hands with her 'buddy' Domo on her break.

She took it off-road when nature decided to 'call'.

Next, Gemma decided to help me out with some typing that needed to get done.

Too bad she stopped a few keystrokes in because she was hungry...

Gemma decided to show me her skincare regimen...she definitely understands that moisturizing is key.

Now she's just showing off. 'Look! no hands!'

Come on in, the water's fine!

Gemma really wanted to do some nail art on me...

Bedtime!! All the work and excitement wore Gemma out! Goodnight!!

I hope you enjoyed the 'Adventures of Gemma' as much as I did!! :)