Week 29 - Inspired by Fashion

So I needed a cute themed manicure that would still go with a dress I wanted to wear to my friend's wedding today (Congrats Emily!!). I didn't really want to match it to my dress because I didn't feel like doing a black and white floral pattern with bright pink to match my cardigan, PLUS having to take a picture of me in it.  Basically, I knew I wanted a cute black and white funky french, polka dots, and little red bows and it was just a matter of finding something cute and fashion-y to base my vision off of!  

CG's White on White
SOPI's What's A Tire Iron? 
Zoya's Sooki

So, while this was inspired by this shoe, it was done with appropriateness to the special occasion in mind. It still went really nicely with my dress! I just did a straight-up solid application of the bright red I used for the bows (Zoya's Sooki) on my other hand but couldn't get a very good photograph before the weather turned bad. Here's the link to a quick review post because hey, solid color application clearly counts as a swatch, even if it isn't documented at each coat. 

Back to the my left hand (the one based off the shoe): While I worked darn hard on on the clean-up, my thumb's cuticle line was so stubborn (even after a hot shower). Also, my cuticles insist on being kind of dry here and there despite constant application of this cuticle oil I got from Sephora (by OPI) about a month ago. I've almost gone through the whole thing (with generous application): 

While the reviews on the cite are largely positive (and it does smell great), it only sort of works for me. I think my thumbs just refuse to hydrate no matter what I do (this cuticle oil + VS hand lotion + prenatal vitamins), so I guess I'm in the market for some kind of crazy hardcore cuticle moisturizer.

Also worth mentioning: Blue Cross Cuticle Remover is amazing and I do notice a difference between that and this OPI cuticle oil in most of my nails... but big guns are still needed from somewhere for my needy, stubborn cuticles. :(

Week 27 - Easter

In the shade

In the sun

Conversation between my husband and I:
"Man, I don't know what I'm supposed to do for Easter nails. I don't celebrate it, I hate pastels, and I won't force myself into drawing eggs and/or bunnies."
"Hm ... So do zombie nails?"
"... but of course!"

...And that is all I will say about this week's theme. Although I do think its kind of weird that it's this week and not next week, seeing as Easter Sunday is April 8th.

From left to right:
Orly's Here Comes Trouble
Essie's Sew Psyched
Essie's A Cut Above the Rest
CG's Glittering Garland
CG's Red Pearl

I started with two coats of Sew Psyched and added one light coat of the green Orly glitter, Here Comes Trouble. For the red splatter: I took a straw, dipped it into Red Pearl's polish well, aimed it over the nail and PUFFED. For the zombie ichor, I took a toothpick dipped in Glittering Garland and pressed it/dripped it randomly here and there. I didn't want to risk overwhelming the blood splatters.

For the brain gore-chunks, I brushed a random streak of pink glitter, A Cut Above, and set a light-pink rhinestone (brainssss) some where in the glitter trail.

In-doors, pre-clean up

This PC picture was taken with my hubby's iPhone (because I'd left my camera's SD card at work). I think it really adds to the effect!  You can see the crazy red splatter, and my initial attempts at doing dark green splatter before I realized I'd rather do it manually.

Week 26 - Pastel

CG's Sea Spray
Zoya's Trixie

So with Easter just around the corner, and me not being a big fan of pastel colors in the first place, I decided to take some inspiration from the recent Dallas weather.

First attempt doing a cloud manicure - came out looking pretty darn good if I say so myself!

First time using Trixie since I got it and I have to say, I am in love. It far exceeded my expectations in the context of this manicure (stormy clouds, overcast skies). 

It goes on beautifully but is rather unforgiving when it comes to nicks and dents. But still, it perfectly fills the role of foil-finish silver for my collection.

Second time using Sea Spray, but first time using it as solid color. Opaque in two coats, applies smoothly and evenly, Sea Spray is another quality example of why China Glaze is one of my favorite brands.