Underwater

Today, I have a mani that was on my mind for quite some time. I finally just went with it to see how it would turn out. Luckily, it came out pretty well! (Though I could have done better on the glitter gradient...) The mani conjured thoughts of Ariel the Little Mermaid, mermaid tails, and sparkly fish scales so I bequeathed it "underwater". :D

I used Nicole by OPI Khloe Had a Little Lam-lam, a dark, green-leaning teal creme, on all ten fingers. I can't believe it was my first time wearing this gem because it is seriously gorgeous! Then, I applied Jordana Carnival, a Deborah Lippmann Across the Universe dupe, on my middle and ring fingers. After declaring my ring fingers as my accent nails, I tried to do a glitter gradient with Milani Gold, my go-to gold glitter polish. Next time, I'll use a less chunky glitter polish so I can do a proper glitter gradient.

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

Michelle

Moustaches and Polka Dots for Movember

Today, I have a mani that showcases moustaches (and polka dots) for Movember! Movember actually started as a way to raise awareness about men's health issues, such as prostate cancer. (I feel that much of the public, unfortunately, doesn't actually know about the movement's focus.) I'm showing my other hand because, even though I waited for what seemed like forever and floated my fast dry topcoat, I still managed to badly smear my left ring finger. Figures. -_- 

For my base, I used Wet 'n Wild 2% Milk, a great sheer beige nude. For the polka dots, I used Ulta Little Black Dress and my second smallest dotting tool. On my accent nail, I used a moustache glitter that came from my Doctor Lacquer Stubs & Movember polish and bag of moustache glitter set. I'm feeling quite fancy now!

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

Happy Thanksgiving!

Michelle

Orly Snowcone with White Polka Dots

Today, I have a very simple, but cute manicure! I can't keep my nails naked for very long before I start picking at them anymore so I chose to do some polka dot nails. I did this really quickly (probably 15-20 minutes tops) so please pardon the slight smears!

I used Orly Snowcone, a wonderful cornflower blue creme, as my base. I got it in a mini bottle so I'm thinking about either purchasing a full-sized one or hunting for a cheaper alternative once I'm done with it. Then, using my second smallest dotting tool, I carefully dotted with Zoya Purity, an opaque white creme. I'm really making progress with polka dots since they're much rounder and more uniform now. :P I topped everything off with NYC Grand Central Station, a new (and very cheap!) fast dry topcoat I recently got and am testing.

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

Michelle

Inspired by Smudged Polish: Girly Pink and Black Manicure

Today, I have a mani I wore a couple or so weeks ago. It's a skittle manicure inspired by Smudged Polish on instagram. I actually didn't like it as much as I thought I would! I guess I prefer girly manicures on others' nails to mine. On another note, I can't decide if Julep Brandt is a grey-toned black or a very deep charcoal!

What I used:
Duri Rejuvacote as basecoat
Thumb: polka dots with Julep Brandt over OPI Don't Burst My Bubble
Index: OPI Don't Burst My Bubble
Middle: Cover Band Sticks 'n Stones over OPI Don't Burst My Bubble
Ring: individually-placed glitter from Milani Silver over OPI Don't Burst My Bubble
Pinky: Julep Brandt
Poshe Fast Dry Top Coat

Thanks for looking!

See you guys on the other side of the day!

Michelle

Halloween/Spider Web-inspired Glitter Gradient

Today, I have a Halloween/Spider Web-inspired glitter gradient! I'm super late in posting this because of MIDTERMS, MIDTERMS EVERYWHERE. 

I first used China Glaze Glistening Snow, a full-coverage holo silver glitter, as the base glitter. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture the majestic holographic sparkle on camera, only glimpses of it. :( Then, I used LA Girl Uninhibited, an underrated drugstore black glitter topper. I created the gradient using the polish brushes. It was really simple, yet very pretty; I ended up wearing it for almost a whole week! 

Though it long passed, I hope your Halloween was enjoyable!

See you guys on the other side of the day!

Michelle

Orly Miss Conduct

Orly Miss Conduct is a gorgeous magenta/red-violet/berry with holographic glitter-flakies. The base closely resembled a crelly, and was already very pigmented on the first coat. I used 3 coats for swatching purposes, but I think it could have passed with 2 coats. The color became deeper and richer with each coat though. The formula was wonderful - smooth and easy to apply and control. It dried to a nice shine. The only complaint I have is that top coat dulled the holographic effect of the glitter-flakies a little. (The plus side is that the base appeared to have even more depth.) I used 1 coat of top coat here.

What do you guys think? I'd love to know!

See you guys on the other side of the day!

Michelle