ABC Challenge: U - LA Girl Uninhibited + China Glaze Shell-O

Self-purchased

LA Girl Uninhibited has small and micro black, matte hex glitters in a clear base. I used 1 coat over China Glaze Shell-O. This combination makes me think of a radioactive watermelon! :D The formula was great and easy to apply, though I wish there was more small hex glitter. It was too packed with micro glitter. It dried a bit bumpy. No top coat.

China Glaze Shell-O is a neon pinky-coral jelly. I stopped at 4 coats. The formula was good, but sheer and a bit thin. Despite using so many coats, the patchiness was very persistent. (You can't see them in the photo though.) I didn't have any trouble applying it though. It dried matte and didn't level well. A good top coat will fix the leveling issue. No top coat.

Thanks for looking! See you on the other side of the day!

Michelle

Les Nail Smiths: May 2015 - Water Decals

Welcome to May's LNS! Wow, it seems like ages ago since Mille and I last did one! We had to push back May's LNS because I had finals and my undergraduate graduation ceremony while Millie had a lot of plans in the beginning and middle of May. This month's prompt is all about water decals. I really didn't know what to do on my nails, but I knew I wanted to use these Chi (from Chi's Sweet Home, a manga and anime) and rose decals. (Unfortunately, the Chi decals are no longer available. :( ) I decided to just wing it! I ended up with somewhat-negative space nails with accent nails featuring a creme polish.

I first applied the water decals after soaking each in water for roughly 30 seconds. Then, I painted Maybelline Gilded in Gold to fill up the negative space on my nails and Julep Mystery Shade (from one of Julep's mystery boxes two or so years ago) on my accent nails. I finished everything off with top coat.

The decals were a bit of a disappointment. I didn't realize the rose decals had white patterns on the gold glitter circles since the decal backing was white. I thought the blotches were just air bubbles. I ended up having to cover up the white patterns whenever I could. The rose decal on my right thumb was supposed to be for my right ring finger, but it was too big. Similarly, while the Chi decals were really cute, they were also quite large for my nails. I wish both the rose and Chi decals were a friendlier size so they could fit any nail size.

Anyway, I had fun doing these nails! It was very therapeutic. (I've been suffering from stress and anxiety since spring semester. Oy.)

Thanks for looking! Make sure to check out Millie's mani for this month's LNS!

Michelle

ABC Challenge: T - OPI The Impossible

Self-purchased

OPI The Impossible is a whimsical pinky-red texture with silver holographic hex, star, and fine glitters. The holographic fine glitter put a wonderful sparkle on the nail~ Unfortunately, I couldn't photograph it because it was a cloudy day. I used 2 coats. The formula was amazing! It was very pigmented and easy to get out the star glitters. I'm super happy! :D The textured finish materialized quickly. No top coat.

Thanks for looking! See you on the other side of the day!

Michelle 

Class of 2015

The cap is actually black. Terrible lighting!

Though I officially graduate in Summer 2015 (*sobs* summer session!), today officially marks the end of 4 years of hell and hopelessness! I'm SO thrilled that I'm finally done with undergrad! I know most people love their college years, but they've been nothing, but misery for me. I won't miss these years at all! It's time for the next huge step in life.

In Fall 2015, I'll start on my Master of Science at my university's medical school. Yes, I'll become a graduate student! I was very lucky I decided to attend the info session for the master degree I ended up pursuing. I was doubly lucky that the school system still recognized me as a junior because that allowed me to apply for a progressive degree. (Class standing is formally based on credits one has fulfilled, not necessarily by one's age or the number of years in school.) My university's progress degree program allows undergraduates to be admitted early to one of its graduate school's master degree programs. Students must fulfill the appropriate course requirement before applying. Other requirements, such as the number of letters of recommendation and minimum GPA, are dependent on the master degree program. Anyway, I seriously didn't know what to do after summer school, though I knew I was going to continue researching with my PI, supervisor, and other undergraduate research assistants during the summer.. Was I going to apply for an internship or part-time job while studying for the GRE and applying to one or two master programs? I really thought I was pass the credit limit for the progressive degree programs. I'm already so excited for my next graduation ceremony! I'll get to wear the red hood that signifies that I'm a graduate student!

As for life after academia? Well, I'm thinking about working at my university in some capacity (hopefully, either as the program assistant for my progressive degree program since I'd love to give back and offer other students the same opportunity or at the medical school's hospital) and then going for another master degree there so I'll get free tuition. Or, God forbid, I'll go for a Ph. D... But it'll probably be too much academia for me.

OPI Samoan Sand and Zoya Gilty

Oh, I'm going to Seoul (South Korea), Hong Kong, and Macau for two weeks this summer! I'm so ecstatic for two reasons! One, I'm going with my mom and two aunts - my mom really wanted to do a sort of "mother-daughter" kind of trip. We invited my aunts to come along so it'll be more fun though.  Two, it's probably my last vacation before I earnestly start working and pursuing my life goals. And I have very big life goals. (I like to think I set myself up for failure, hey.) After this sort of "transition" period, I'm going to be a proper adult. (I use "adult" very loosely though. Because all adults know how "adult" we really are. A.k.a "I have no idea what I'm doing.")

I had a very wise general chemistry professor way back in freshman (!) year. He noticed that everyone was very tired and struggling not to fall asleep. (On top of general chemistry being such an important class, we loved the professor dearly. He was like a grandpa-figure to us.) He decided to stop lecture for a few minutes to give us a life lecture. He wanted us to realize what we were here for, what we wanted to do with our lives, what we hoped life would be later. He knew that some of us were only here to make our parents or others happy, some were here for a stable and high-paying career in the healthcare field, and others actually wanted to help people in need. He knew these were the reasons why we decided to sacrifice our whole lives for. But what about our own happiness?

"Life is terrible, and then we die."

So, do your best to be happy. Do what makes you happy.

Michelle

ABC Challenge: S - Sally Hansen Sugar Cloud

Self-purchased

Sally Hansen Sugar Cloud is an enchanting sky blue texture with pink to gold shimmer running throughout. Since it was sheer, I decided to do a gradient to show how each layer looked like. At the cuticle is 1 coat, the middle of the fingers shows 2 coats, and the tip shows 3 coats. The formula was great and easy to apply. The textured finish materialized very quickly. Unlike many other textured polishes that usually dry to a "smooth" texture, Sugar Cloud had a rough, sugary one when it dried. No top coat.

Thanks for looking! See you on the other side of the day!

Michelle 

Essie Topless & Barefoot

Self-purchased

Essie Topless & Barefoot is a nude creme with pink undertones. It's a great staple for cool/pink skin tones so no wonder it's such a popular shade! I used 3 coats. The formula was thin and watery so I had to polish slowly and carefully. It dried shiny, but I still used top coat. Despite the formula, I still recommend this shade because it's work appropriate and very versatile.

Thanks for looking! See you on the other side of the day!

Michelle

ABC Challenge: R - Sinful Colors Rainstorm

Self-purchased

Sinful Colors Rainstorm is a chic, grey-toned dark blue creme. Depending on the lighting, it can look more grey or more blue. It was SO close to being a one-coater, but I used 2 medium coats. I have no doubt that it'll be a one-coater in one thicker coat though. The formula was spectacular - creamy and extremely pigmented. Application was a breeze. (Boy, I haven't said that in a long while!) It dried shiny so I didn't use top coat. Rainstorm is definitely one of Sinful Colors' hidden gems so I'm really glad that Millie the Nail Smith enabled me to get it! Unfortunately, it was limited edition, but I'm sure you can find it on blog sales and eBay. ;)

Thanks for looking! See you on the other side of the day!

Michelle