Mani Monday: Vanilla Snowflake

     It's been quite awhile since I've done a Manicure Monday!  Since I've been wearing so many dark vampy colors for fall (if you caught my Autumn Nail Polish post, then you definitely know!) I was feeling inspired to switch into a pretty winter-y look.  My favorite candle from Bath & Body Work's winter collection this year - Vanilla Snowflake is what did the inspiring.

     I don't know what it is about that candle but I've been crazy about it recently.  Last year I was all about 'Tis the Season, but this year I can't get enough of the crisp, clean vanilla smell that has the tiniest hint of mint and coconut in it.  Vanilla Snowflake is so delicate and sweet, that's exactly what I wanted my nails to look like.  I started with Essie's Ballet Slippers - a soft sheer pinkish white and topped that off with a pearly top coat to give subtle sparkle and sheen.  Then I used a simple silver glitter from Forever 21 to create a "falling snow" effect.  I concentrated the glitter on my ring finger and working in light layers made it gradually fade out along my other fingers.

Essie Ballet Slippers, Glitters out of Forever 21 Sheer Opulence Set

Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite winter candle or what you're wearing on your nails!

Autumn 2013 Nail Polish with Swatches

     I know that I started out Fall posts really early in September, but you guys didn't think I was done did you?!  Fashion week was really my inspiration for going over autumn's trends over a month and a half ago, but now Autumn is finally TRULY here!  I started pulling out some fall nail polishes the last week of September and have been going crazy since! I don't think I have ever polished my nails more frequently than I have in the last 3 weeks. 

Here's My Top Picks in Nail Polish for Fall This Year:

"Shoot for the Maroon" from Nicole by O.P.I.

     I thought I was excited for the nude nails trend, but I've discovered some really amazing vampy colors that just have me giddy for fall.  (I'll get into the nude nails as soon as I've gotten a couple more weeks of dark and edgy in.) My absolute LOVE this year, the first vampy polish that I put on and can't wait to wear again, Shoot for the Maroon from Nicole by O.P.I.  It's this insane Burgundy, Maroon, Plum with slight greenish-gold shimmer that creates a different effect when the lighting changes. Very dark and entirely amazing.

Essie "Bahama Mama" and "Downtown Brown"

     Next, I have 2 polishes that are close in depth.  Bahama Mama (on the left) is a classic vampy purple and Downtown Brown is a deep Oxblood/Dark Red.  Instead of wearing a classic red for fall, Downtown Brown takes it to a whole new level.  Never thought I could pull super dark polish off, but I'm really loving it against my super pale hands.

"Over the Knee" by Essie

     When I'm not feeling super vampy, but I still want a fall colored polish this is my go-to pinky-brown.  Over the Knee is a perfect transition from the pretty pinks of summer into the more natural and cozy colors of autumn.  It has a subtle and pretty sheen to it that makes it feminine while still being a neutral brownish color.  Wrap that up in a sweater and snuggle it.

Essie "Demure Vix" and "Sand Tropez"

     Lastly, the NUDE NAILS that everyone has been in shock over.  Everyone went crazy when they saw the flesh-toned nails on the runway this year.  My favorite nude for all-time is Sand Tropez; it's just a very light neutral color (maybe a little more cooler than warm in tone).  I'm also looking forward to prettying up the nude nail trend with Demure Vix!  This color sneaks up on you - it looks light and neutral but it has a pink base and reflux that spins a purpley opal into the mix! Gorgeous.

"Matte Me Crazy" by NYC

     One last polish I have to mention is the NYC Matte Me Crazy Mattifying Top Coat.  Don't want to spend a lot just to get trendy matte nails? Me either.  This one is around 3 bucks and works just as well as the 8-30 dollar ones. You're welcome.

Hope you all enjoyed this! Let me know what you're wearing on your nails this fall!

Manicure Monday: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Blue Me Away and Staming Flowers

I was feeling very summery when I decided to paint my nails over the weekend.  I was shopping through my nail polish collection and Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Blue Me Away really stood out to me and I instantly knew I had to pair it with white (I used Essie's Blanc). Why not pull out the nail polish stamper and make use of it?

I love that this is a bright cream blue; a really pretty summer color and looks great against my skin. I painted my middle and ring fingers all white and then stamped one big flower on each. Easiest thing in the world but I LOVE how it turned out. The blue contrasts and compliments the white so well. I got quite a few compliments for this look over the weekend.

I will say that the paint on my toes was still perfect, so I left them the same. I didn't paint them to match. Is that weird? It used to bother me unless one was a french manicure or something neutral to match.
Does that bother you? Do I need to stop being lazy?

Guest Post for Mommies' Manis

Hey everyone! Nik and Desirae over at Mommies' Manis have found themselves quite busy so I shared a nail look on their blog that is quick and easy but still has the cute I-put-time-in look.
Check the post out here and let me know what you think!

Manicure Monday: 4th of July Nail Tutorial

 

Independence Day is this week! I don't know about you, but I always look for excuses to do something special with my makeup or nails. I obviously had to do a 4th of July themed nail tutorial. I've been liking a clean and polished look on my nails recently, so instead of doing crazy, intricate fireworks I went for a color-blocked look. I used green, gray, and orange poli-- no, you already know I used RED, WHITE, AND BLUE nail polish. Grab some scissors and tape and polish those fingers!

Here I've got (left to right): Essie Grow Stronger Base Coat, Essie Blanc, Essie Scarlett O'hara, Essie Aruba Blue and Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat on the end. 
 

I found this As Seen on Tv Saloon Express Nail Art Stamping Kit at Big Lots for around $6; or you can find it here. It works just like the Konad Nail Art Set that many people love, but it comes with 5 plates and is a really affordable buy.
♥ If you don't have this, no worries! I only used it on one nail! ♥

 

On To The Tutorial:

1. Paint 'em all white! I used two coats for opacity.

2. Next I stamped a star pattern onto my ring fingers using my blue (Essie: Aruba Blue) 

{{I can do a review/tutorial on this little gadget if anyone is interested; let me know!}}

3. On to the triangles! Get a piece of tape and stick it on the back of your hand. Leave it there. Wear it around, paint it, show it off. Just kidding; stick it there once and remove to take away a bit of the adhesive so that it doesn't pull off your white polish. You're going to need 6 of these for all of your other fingers. (Excluding ring fingers and thumbs)

4. Cut a triangle into the bottom of the tape in a size that will fit your corresponding nail.

5. Place the tape on your nail with the bottom edges lining up against your cuticle. I painted my middle fingers and pinkies red (Essie: Scarlett O'Hara) and my pointers blue. Paint it! After only 5 seconds peel the tape off quickly and firmly.

6. Thumbs! Cut two small strips of tape and place them just a little bit apart on your thumb horizontally. (Underneath the tape will be the white stripes.) Paint two sections blue and the middle one red. Remove the tape just like before.

 7. BANG! (oooh, ahhh) Paint your fast drying top coat over all of them and these are sure to spark up a conversation this 4th of July (sizzle up some interest, ignite a flame, go out with a bang, sparkle someone's curiousity, dazzle your audience, blow up your ego . . . That was bad.)

Happy 4th of July!

Top 5 Essie Summer Nail Polishes 2013 with Swatches

The Brand:

Essie is one of my favorite brands of nail po--that's a straight up lie. Let's just start over; I'll be real this time. Promise.

Essie IS my favorite brand of nail polish. {{ I have 57 }} You can find it at ulta, you can find it at department stores, you can find it at drugstores. Go get 'cha some.

{{I can do an Essie collection if anyone is interested. Or all time top picks - yeah, that would probably be less crazy-looking on my part.}}

All of their colors are unique, highly pigmented, the formulation evens out on the nail well, wears well without chipping easily, and they have a HUGE selection. Go get 'cha some. Now. Seriously, I'll wait...

Ready?

Colors I'm Loving for This Summer:

1. Peach Daiquiri:

 It's this crazy medium/dark but bright pink that looks great on tanned summer skin. It really pops without being neon. One of my all time favs; been excited to pull this little bottle of love out.

2. First Timer: 

New this year. Came out in the Resort 2013 Collection. It's the perfect blend of sea-foam green, yellow, and blue. Eye-catching without being a classic neon. It's like a bright blend of a neon and pastel.

3. Naughty Nautical: 

Darker/medium teal color like you've never seen! Somehow Essie is making even darker colors seem bright and really pop. This one is part of the Summer 2013 Collection and like some of the other polishes from that collection has a new different glitter in it. Not a glitter that is chunky or hard to take off; subtle, almost unnoticeable but reflects light in a pretty way.

4. Fiji: 

This is a color you've prolly heard a lot of people rave about. Of course, it's the perfect bright, opaque, light pink. You have to love that.

5. In The Cab-Ana:

 Also new in the Resort 2013 Collection; bright, bright, bright blue. Obviously, I'm really likin' bluish colors. Each season, Essie has been coming out with really great blues and each of them keep getting better and better. I thought I had found my 'holy grail blues' with the baby blue color Where's My Chauffeur and the color Turquoise and Caicos, but I love how this is an even brighter color. (again being a bright neon pastel hybrid - lovin' that!)

Keep 'em comin' Essie!