Work Wear Wednesday: Halloween Edition

Hello! I hope you are having a fantastic week! It is once again Work Wear Wednesday! I feel like these weeks are going by so fast. This week I decided to do a Halloween version of Work Wear Wednesday. I wanted to incorporate Halloween colors without going overboard, so I created a two tone look that I feel is very work appropriate but with a little edge to it. I used A England Lady of the Lake and Sinful Colors Black on Black for this look.

Frankenstein Drips

Today, I have a new to me technique. I have seen drips all over the place, but have never tried them myself. I was trying to think of another Halloween design, and I thought of drips in Frankenstein colors! I started with a base of Maybelline Color Show  Flash of Purple and added drips on Color Club Sunrise Canyon.

Candy Corn Nail Art

It's candy corn nail art day! I feel like everyone has to do candy corn nail art at least once near Halloween. I actually like candy corn, so this is perfect! I did sort of a non-traditional version. I did a dotticure kind of like I did for this post, but with white, yellow and orange. I started with a base of Sinful Colors Black On Black and then dotted various sizes all in white, I used Pure Ice Superstar. I then went over the ones at the base with Sally Hansen Insta-dri Heat Flash and then the middle dots with Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow. 

Halloween Haze

Halloween is less than a week away! It seems like it came really fast. I am already thinking about the holidays. So, I decided to do some Halloween nail art! I wanted to stamp, but I realized I didn't have any Halloween stamping sets, so I worked with what I had here. I used Orly Goth, Pure Ice Superstar! and Silver Star, and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Heat Flash. I also used Born Pretty Store plate D14. I love that plate! If you want to purchase anything from the Born Pretty Store you can use my code: HANDX31 for 10% off!

My Top 10 Fall Nail Polish Picks

Today I have a top 10 list to share with you! I love fall and I really enjoy all the collections that come out in the fall. So, I decided to pull together a list of my top 10 favorite fall colors. These aren't all from this year or even from a fall collection. I just love these colors for the season! They remind me of all the things I love about fall: the cooler temperatures and rain, the pumpkins, apple cider and harvest festivals. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Work Wear Wednesday Tutorial Subtle Ruffian

Today I have a subtle look that I actually wore for a meeting, so this has been beta tested! It is a super easy, three step, no tool look that anyone can pull off! I have a simple, subtle ruffian manicure to share with you today!

The Perfect Fall Color

I can't help myself, I was going to save this color for a later post, but I need to share it with you now. Today I have a swatch of OPI Every Month is Oktoberfest. I love this color for fall! It is so beautiful and vampy! I've only ever used it for nail art and today I discovered it's beauty all on it's own. It is a gorgeous red/purple. The formula is great and I only needed two coats for full opacity. 

Dermelect: Take Two

So, some of you may remember my previous experience with the brand Dermelect. I was really upset that the beautiful color had chipped within a day. Yes, a day. I was at my local Ulta and saw these three Dermelect polishes on clearance. I grabbed them, then put them back a couple of times before finally deciding to give them a second chance. I decided that I would do a bit of a wear test on one to make sure it lasted more than a day, so I could share them with you. The three colors I have are Ferosh, Renegade, and Fearless. 

Sinful Colors Prosecco with Dupe Comparison

I have what has proved to be a difficult to find polish today. Sinful Colors Prosecco from the Sinful Shine line has exploded in popularity in the polish world. I had seen swatches of it and didn't really think too much about it, but when I saw only one left at my local drugstore, I decided to give it a go. I am really glad I did! It does take three coats to become opaque, but it has a nice and easy formula. It is a sort of nude leaning grey with gold/iridescent shimmer throughout. I also have a comparison to China Glaze Fast Track at the end. 

China Glaze All Aboard Collection Part II

All Aboard Collection Part II swatches and review are here!! I loved Part I, so I hoped to like Part II just as much! I have What Are You A-Freight Of?, All Aboard and Lug Your Designer Baggage today! I again decided to do a stamp on my accent nail and I used the same Born Pretty Store plate QA88. Reminder if you want to buy from the Born Pretty Store, you can use my code: HANDX31 for 10% off and they always have free shipping.

Introduction to Work Wear Wednesdays and Tutorial

Guess what day it is?! Move over "hump day" it is now Work Wear Wednesday! I have decided to create a new series called Work Wear Wednesdays! I will be creating nail art that is work appropriate for professional work environments. We all know that our love of nail art can sometimes be a bit too much for the workplace, especially if your employer is particularly strict or if you have clients you want to impress. This series is meant to be a guide to give you ideas on how to execute simple nail art that you can show off at the office without raising any eyebrows. Every workplace is different, so feel free to work off of these designs to make them your own and appropriate for what you do!

Nail Care Product Review: Up&Up Nail Polish Remover Dip-It

I have a nail care product review for you today! I hardly ever do this type of review, so it is kind of a nice change of pace for me. I have seen this type of nail polish remover system in the past, but passed it up because I figured I didn't need it. Then I thought I should try it out for you all to learn from my experience! I have Up&Up's Nail Polish Remover Dip-It to share! It has the acetone in the tub and little scrubbers to remove the polish. You just stick your finger in and the polish is removed! We'll see about that!

 

Nail Art: Orange Flannel

I love fall! One of my favorite things is going to the pumpkin patch for all of the best things fall has to offer! We went this weekend and I wanted to make sure I had the right nails for the occasion. I love flannel and plaid prints, so I created another plaid look! This time I used orange, black, and brown/maroon. I started with a base of China Glaze What Are You A-Freight Of? and added strips of Nailtini Mai Tai. I also used my black stripper for the fine black lines. I really liked how it turned out, even though it is pretty similar to my last plaid look. 

China Glaze All Aboard Collection Part I

Today I have three of the twelve piece All Aboard Collection from China Glaze. I have six total, but wanted to split it up in two. I have Choo-Choo Choose You, Conduct Yourself, and Don't Get Derailed. Please note that all of these have top coat, usually I don't do that. I don't know what got into me! I also added an accent stamp for each color, all using plate QA88 from the Born Pretty Store. I think it might be one of my favorite plates. Reminder if you want to buy from the Born Pretty Store, you can use my code: HANDX31 for 10% off and they always have free shipping. 

Finger Paints Masquerade Affair Collection Nail Art

I have some nail art using the entire Finger Paints Collection that I shared with you the other day! I love this collection, so I knew I needed to do nail art with it! I decided to do a tape mani so I could incorporate all of the colors! I think the end result was interesting, but I wish I would have mattified it!

American Horror Story Freak Show Nail Art

I have anxiously been awaiting the premier of the TV show American Horror Story! I love how every season is different and how the premise of the show is always something dark and foreboding. The first season was Murder House, the second was Asylum, and the third was Coven. Tonight is the premier of the fourth season and the season premise is called Freak Show. Here is the show description from their website:

American Horror Story: Freak Show begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. A troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike. This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience.

-http://www2.fxnetworks.com/shows/american-horror-story/about

This brings me back to the nails. I wanted to celebrate the premier with two techniques I have never tried: letters and splatter. Can you tell where this is going? I am not very good at painting realistic subjects, but I wanted to try my hand at letters. Take a look:

Press Release: Gabriel Cosmetics Nail Collaboration

Press Release

Gabriel Cosmetics is doing a nail collaboration with a celebrity, Brooke Anderson. Gabriel Cosmetics is headed down South just in time for fall with Brooke Anderson by Gabriel Cosmetics Nail Collection! The collection of SIX “5-Free” Limited Edition shades are a wink and a curtsy to the Entertainment Tonight Host’s Southern Georgia roots infusing beloved Southern expressions from classic films like Gone with the Wind and everyday Southern terminology into a collection fit for a Southern Belle

• Blue Belle: Mariner Blue / Shimmer 

• Darlin’: Aqua / Turquoise Glitter 

• Hush Hush: Steel Grey / Shimmer 

• I Do Declare: Graphite / Sparkle 

• Shine Y’all: Chrome / Glitter 

• Southern Belle: Boysenberry / Shimmer 

A collaborative effort by both Brooke and Gabriel, the collection is inspired by the ideals of happiness and a central theme of femininity – and of course some good ‘ol Southern charm, y’all! The line showcases Brooke’s fun, witty spirit by marrying rich, bold colors with high-shine, sparkle, and shimmer finishes that any farm or city girl will love. The Brooke Anderson by Gabriel Cosmetics Nail Collection is available October 1st through the holidays at www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com and retail individually for $8.50.

Finger Paints Masquerade Affair Collection Swatch and Review

I have a beautiful collection to share with you today! I have been seeing swatches (Betty's Beauty Bombs and Lavish Layerings) all over of this gorgeous collection and I knew I had to swatch and review these for you as well. Finger Paints Nail Polish is new to the blog. I do own one other, but never posted about it for some reason. It is sitting in my vault of unused photos! I'll have to pull that out again someday, but today I have the entire Masquerade Affair Collection! Finger Paints is only sold at Sally's Beauty Supply, so hopefully you have one near you. The collection features four colors with some vampy tones but also some brightness to it that I didn't expect. 

Above the Curve Nail Lacquer: Harry Potter Inspired Collection Part II

Press Sample

Today I have the second half of the Harry Potter Inspired Collection from Above the Curve Nail Lacquer!! I was very happy to have been asked to review the second half of the collection as well. Being a Harry Potter fan, this of course, made me super giddy! I loved the first half of the collection, which included Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Patronus Charm, and Wingardium Leviosa.

Behind the Scenes and Overview of the 31 Day Challenge

I wanted to take the time to write up a recap and reflection on the 31 Day Nail Art Challenge. This was the first longer term challenge I have completed, so I wanted to share my thoughts and insights. After first getting into nail art, I got really excited about doing challenges, but often found myself not completing them. I really wanted to make an effort to complete this one! I started four days late and finished one day late, so I had a lot of double post days. I hope that didn't annoy you all! I am really elated that I finished though and proud that I have expanded my body of work. Below, I will go over different aspects of the challenge and show you my complete collage!

Nail Art: #31DC2014 Day 31 Honor Nails You Love

My last 31 Day Nail Art Challenge post!! I was inspired by someone I have mentioned on this blog before! The Nailasaurus is amazing, and I love her work. She does beautiful work and has a wide variety of designs. Her line work deserves much respect and I attempted to recreate one of my favorites! When I first saw this, I thought it was achieved with tape, but no, she freehand painted it! She just painted with all nail polish, but I did my lines with acrylic paint first because it is easier to control, then I went over it with Lancome Ginger Swing. The black I used was Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro in Black Satin (discontinued), but it doesn't matter what black you use. 

Nail Art: #31DC2014 Day 22 Inspired by a Song

This challenge was extremely difficult for me! I love music and listen to it every day, but I have a difficult time putting music into visuals. I remember feelings I get when I hear songs, but not images. I didn't want to recreate scenes from music videos either, because that felt like cheating. Finally, after scouring youtube for ideas and rediscovering music I haven't listened to in ages (Chuck Berry!) I came across Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood. I have embedded the video at the bottom of the page, just so you can listen to it! I don't know why I love it so much, but it just makes me happy in the way that cinnamon perks up my coffee. When the song was new, it was one of those I had to listen to over and over again. So I did a loose interpretation of sweater weather nails. I used Essie Rock the Boat and Color Club Abyss as well as Maybelline Bold Gold as an accent. I used matte top coat, again.

Nail Art: #31DC2014 Day 29 Supernatural

So, today is the day that everyone is finishing up the daily nail art challenge, as today is day 31. I, however and still finishing up a few, so stick with me here, I'll be finished soon! It will feel so great to complete this! Today, I have day 29, which was to be inspired by the supernatural. I've been watching Witches of East End, so that kind of influenced my decision here. I created a purple sky and hand painted one witch, but after doing so, I realized I had decals...lol. So, guess which one I painted! :)