Thursday, June 27, 2013

Born Pretty Review - Nail Art Studs

Hello hello!

I have a fun review today of some Nail Art Studs from Born Pretty Store !

I chose some super cute metallic nail art studs that can be found here and here!


The studs arrived within the expected shipping time, and the wheel contents hadn't shifted.  I like these wheels because they are harder to turn and open than some other wheels I've had, so I don't get a big mess in my nail art drawer or when I go to move a wheel. One of the wheels had mostly larger studs in a variety of shapes and sizes and the other containes a variety of smaller ones.  I did 2 manicures that combine nail art stamping with an accent stud and one manicure with just an accent nail.  I have several more ideas for how to try these, but I thought I would share what I have with you now!

On to the nail art!

The first manicure was using Cheeky XL plate B and some medium sized gold square studs.  The base was Finger Paints Go Van Gogh.  Barielle Mint Ice Cream Cone for the stamp.


The second manicure used an image from XL plate using a base of LA Colors Rain Drops and sponge gradient China Glaze Avalanche and L'Oreal Luminescence.  Stamped using Sally Hansen Chrome Crystal and topped with a large silver coloured square stud.

The last manicure, and what I am currently sporting is 1 coat OPI Off with Her Red and 2 coats Pirate Polish Five by Five (AWESOME polish by an equally awesome brand--I'll be reviewing this very soon) and an accent nail that used one of the tiniest gold dots and a large gold grommet type stud as well as some red rhinestones from my stash. I really like how this addition dresses up the manicure.  It's just plain GOOD to have hot red on my nails but the little added bling makes me feel fancy!


I am really enjoying playing with these rhinestones and can't wait to try more!

I want to say thank you to Born Pretty Store for sending me these items to review, and thank all of you for popping by to take a peek!

If you go shopping at Born Pretty Store, remember you can get a 10% discount by entering the coupon code!


What would you do/have you done with studs? Leave a link! I'd love to check it out!  Please no spam.
Happy polishing!

JQ

Monday, June 24, 2013

Pastel Snake Skin





For this manicure:
2 coats Pure Ice Superstar!
Sponged areas of various pastel colours
Image plate: BM-215
Stamp Polish: Claire's Black Hole
1 coat Essie Shine of the Times
Top: Seche Vite

Things are insanely busy on out little acreage this summer.  The boys are very active.  Lots of general upkeep.  Gardening and keeping my nails pretty is a big deal!  I just love watching all the perennials burst into bloom!  Still waiting on the Peonies (my absolute favorite).  They are so lush, voluptuous and heavy...

I also have a show of my inkle woven and tapestry pieces at a local gallery/coffee shop and am preparing for the reception! Very cool!  I am doing some weaving demonstrations.

What's your favorite summer pastime?

Thanks for peeking!

JQ


Thursday, June 20, 2013

From the Vault: Matte Colour Block

This mani was inspired by all the super cute colour block manicures out there to date, especially the pastel matte color block design by Kitties26 over at More Nail Polish

I took these two lonely pictures right after I finished painting them and then they promptly got lost in the vault. 


I didn't keep tabs on the polishes I used, but if I remember I used a white base, then taped off and painted each block and then I had to touch up the lines with more white before adding Orly Matte Top.


This was done with slivers of masking tape and it was so fiddly that by the end I was bonkers.  I got some nail art tape from Born Pretty so I'll be using that next time and hopefully it will help a little.

My next colour block HAS to be similar to this badass manicure by Jen over at The Nail Polish Project.  ERMEGERRRD. 

And then sometime in the future I have to take a day and make a mani inspired by Chalkboard Nails' amazeballs dual gradient manicure

Are you into Matte Topcoat or is it a thing of the past?
Do you you have a favorite colour block manicure?  I'd love to see it! Leave a link!

Thanks for peeking!

JQ