Luvocracy - Obsessed!

Hi!

I'm having a little trouble finding the cord to upload pictures from my camera, but I still wanted to post today! I've recently discovered a new website and mobile app - Luvocracy. 

Think of Pinterest - you can view people's collections, see items they recommend, and "trust" them (the same as liking or following them).. but the best part is you can shop through the website! When you are viewing someone's collections and you see something you need to have, you buy it straight from their page and Luvocracy will even search to try and get the best price available for the product!

Its a lot of fun - and you can even earn credit towards your purchases when someone buys through your page!

I don't want to go on and on - check it out for yourself! While you're there, you can hit the "trust" button on my page so you can see what I recommend. I do have a nail polish/nail product specific collection that I plan on updating frequently, so follow me!

Thanks for reading!

Color Club Swatches!

Hi!

This last Christmas (2012) my boyfriend was a genius and put a bunch of Color Club nail polish minis in my stocking! I have tried one or two of them but its October now and I wanted to swatch them finally! I also think the colors he picked are pretty great for the upcoming Fall season as well.

This is my first "swatch" post and my pictures aren't perfect - fair warning ;)

Top pictures are without flash, bottom pictures are with flash.

 

Dreamin is a pretty medium pink. I really like the color, but it was both a little bit thick and a little bit sheer, which made it a bit difficult to apply.

Shown is 3 coats of Dreamin.

 

Strawberry Sharbet is a super sparkley pink glitter. I was so excited about this one but was sorely disappointed! I don't know if its just my bottle or what, but this polish was SO thick, it was nearly impossible to apply. I want to try it again with some thinner in it. You can really see on my pointer finger how difficult it was to apply evenly! However,  it is totally wearable by itself and is nice and opaque for a glitter. Anyone else have this problem with this polish?

Shown is 2 coats of Strawberry Sharbet.

 

Flair is a pretty tomato red. This polish applied much better than the first two! What a relief. Also, if you look at the flash its got a gorgeous orange sheen to it! A really nice polish.

Shown is 2 coats of Flair.

Black-ish is a GORGEOUS bronze-purple-red-brown color. This is perfect for fall, and is my favorite of the bunch. This applies smoothly and is very opaque. You really only need 2 coats of this. I will probably repurchase this in the future in full size!

Shown is 3 coats of Black-ish.

 

First of all, I am 99% sure this is Blue-Topia, but the label on the bottom was gone before I even got it for Christmas, waaaah! I wish they didn't put their labels on the bottom. This is a dark navy jelly and is honestly very pretty, but I'm not crazy about it. It applies nicely, but its so dark it looks like black most of the time. If it were a shade lighter I'd be absolutely nuts about it! Also, this stains like crazy, be careful!

Shown is 3 coats of Blue-Topia.

These colors are all super unique in my collection, none of them are like anything I have. I might have to try some nail polish thinner on Strawberry Sharbet, but for the fall these will be great to have.

Thanks for reading!

Emerald Shimmer!

Hi!

Today I have a surprising combination for you - at least in my opinion, I didn't expect these two polishes to look so freaking gorgeous together.

And it was even prettier in person!!

I couldn't stop looking at my nails while I wore this. This is a greenish Pure Ice layering polish over a navy Color Club polish. Who thought greenish + navy = gorgeous emerald?

I want to wear this one again. The navy polish (in my opinion) is just way too dark on its own, too near to black. However, I just want to layer everything over it now!

Products Used:

Base Coat - Seche Vite Ridge Filling Base Coat

Color Club - Blue Topia

Pure Ice - Heartbreaker

Top Coat - NYC Grand Central Station

By the way.. I've swatched all the Color Clubs that I have (5 of them) so keep an eye open this week (probably next Sunday) for those.

Thanks for reading!

Easy Peasy Grey with Purple Glitter Manicure

Hi!

For my late night Sunday post this week, I have a pretty and simple manicure with a super colorful glittery polish!

I love grey, it looks good with so many colors and is a nice change from white and black! I could have done more coats of the glitter as well, but I liked the sparkle that just one coat leaves. As you can see, it is a mix of blue, red, purple, and silver sparkles! Super pretty.

Products used:

Base Coat - Sally Hansen Nail Protex Vitamin-Fortified Strengthener

NYC - Sidewalkers (Grey)

NYC - Big City Dazzle (Glitter)

Top Coat - NYC Grand Central Station

Thanks for reading!

Tiffany Blue Sparkle Gradient

Hi!

I was in a glittery mood, and then this happened..

I'm kinda obsessed with both of these polishes, and wanted to attempt a gradient glitter effect instead of just glitter everywhere. I did 3 layers of the glitter, and made it get denser and denser as it got closer to the cuticle. I love this so much! I want to do this sort of thing again but with a super tiny and opaque glitter instead of a chunkier one like this.

Products used:

Base Coat - Sally Hansen Nail Protex Vitamin-Fortified Strengthener

L'Oreal - Not A Cloud In Sight

Pure Ice - Over You

Top Coat - NYC Grand Central Station

Thanks for reading!

P.S. Have fun with iOS7 today, iPhone users! I'm super excited.

Simple Tape "French" Manicure and Planning Ahead

Hi!

I quickly wanted to mention that I want to start a "schedule" to my posts - this is barely a real schedule, but heres what I have in mind:

- I will post at the very minimum one post on Sunday. I have been busier due to my job and Sundays are a good day for me to post and do blog related things.. so this seems like a good fit! These posts will almost always be nail related.

- I will try to do an additional post at some point during the week. I have a sort of regular schedule but sometimes I will have Tuesday off, sometimes it will be Friday, etc. Depending on my life goings on, I will do my best to do an additional post then. Plenty of these will be nail related, but this is when I'm more likely to do a makeup/off topic sort of post.

Thats out the way, now for what you came here for!

This is a simple french manicure using scotch tape to get crisp, defined lines. I always jump at pinks and purples, so I wanted to throw some lesser used colors in! Really easy manicure to do, very cool effect! 

Products used:

Base Coat: Sally Hansen Nail Protex Vitamin-Fortified Strengthener

E.L.F. - Nude

NYC - High Line Green

China Glaze - Shower Together

Top Coat: NYC Grand Central Station

Thanks for reading!

Blog Your Heart Out Award!

Hi! I've been nominated for the Blog Your Heart Out Award by The Nail Snail!! Hooray!

I'm going to answer these 5 questions for you, and then recommend 5 bloggers with less than 100 followers so they can gain a little bit of visibility! It was really cool to learn that people actually see my blog and think I'm doing a good job. Being a new blogger can be an odd experience when you're learning how it all works and hoping that people actually see your blog. Getting this award motivates me to keep going! So thank you so much, The Nail Snail!

Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover Review

Hi!

I have to admit, while I have always loved polishing my nails, I can't honestly say I've taken care of them. Not that I abuse them or anything, I actually have mild eczema so I've always been pretty good with skincare - but I haven't particularly had a routine for nail care. I would say my biggest issue is cuticle care. Honestly, my cuticles have not been a pretty sight. You can probably tell from pictures I've posted up to a week or two ago. 

I purchased Sally Hansen's Cuticle Remover from Target for $4.99 plus tax. I needed something that would be wallet friendly and still work. 

I wanted to give this a good trial before I made judgments about it, so here's how my experience has been. 

The idea is that you squeeze this gel onto your cuticles, let it sit for a short while (the box says 15 seconds, I gave it 30 seconds) and then scrape off the dead skin with an orange stick. My first experience was a good one - using this did get off a good amount of the excess cuticle - but it wasn't all gone. I was using a soft cuticle pusher that is on the end of my The Body Shop Almond Oil Cuticle Treatment which isn't nearly as solid as a regular old orange stick, so I decided to wait a week and give it another go.

The second time I used it a week later, mostly dry skin came off the sides, but my cuticle is still a little bit not right. However, I used the same "stick", so I honestly think before I try again I'm going to pick up some real orange sticks and that will enable me to really get my cuticles to go away!
Also, note that a little goes a long way, so this bottle will last me a long time.

I encourage you to give it a try, and thanks for reading!

The simplest dotted manicure ever!

Hi!

So sorry that I haven't posted this week - I just started a new job and not only have I been busy, but I've been exhausted! Also, fair warning - this manicure was done and photographed during this tiring week, so the pictures aren't fantastic. Anyway, enough disclaimers!

I started with a base of Sally Hansen - Mint Sorbet (#340). This is my first true mint color - I have a few that come close, but are really more regular greens and teals. This one is a real subtle mint pastel. It looks a little lighter in person, and these pictures were also taken at night. I took these in case it chipped before I got a chance to take daylight pictures, and boy did it chip! Don't worry though, this was due to working, not due to bad polish.

Next I created dots with Color Club - Dreamin'. This is a pretty warm pink color. Over the Mint Sorbet, it looked a bit orangey. I made the dots with a pin, since I lost my dotting tool a few moves ago. I really should grab a new one.

I thought this looked cool, and then my boyfriend commented that it "looks like fungus in a good way". I decided today was just not the week for color choices, I guess.

Thanks for reading!

Pure Ice - Over You

Hi!

I recently saw this polish at Walmart and I couldn't help but pick it up. Over You by Pure Ice is a gorgeous and unique polish - a purple shimmer with light blue/teal glitter. Some of the teal is bar glitter. If you haven't tried Pure Ice polishes I beg you - stop by your local Walmart and give it a go. These polishes have good formulas, unique colors, and they only cost about $2 a pop!!

This is one coat on top of Ulta - Tutu Cute. 

Also, I've read that there are two different "Over You"s, one is like mine, the other is a light blue micro glitter. Odd that they would name two of their polishes the same name when they are so different looking! If I ever spot "Number Two", I'll pick it up and compare them.

Thanks for reading!

B.P. by Nordstrom Blue "No Name"

Hi!

Today I wanted to show you one of my favorite blue polishes that I own. It is by B.P. by Nordstrom, a brand from their junior's department. My main issue is that while it does have a name, it is not listed on the bottle. It is one of their older style bottles so it is no longer listed on the website. If I manage to find the name I will update this post... wish me luck.

Sorry for the pre-cleanup, I had worn it as nail art and I didn't clean up until the end.

This is a gorgeous darker blue with a sort of vinyl or matte finish. The formula is smooth and is opaque in two coats. I love B.P. nail polishes because they're good quality and full price they are $5 with free shipping. You can find them in store or at the rack too, and you might find them on sale (this was marked down to $2.49, plus I had my discount at the time). 

Thanks for reading!

Some (awesome) changes!

Hi!

If you've been to my blog before you may notice that it looks completely different. Yesterday I decided Nailsss needed an upgrade and I am about 95% done tweaking it for now. It took a good chunk of time to get right, so please let me know if you like it or if you see anything not functioning as intended. 

I've added some awesome things, such as some pages at the very top where you can read a short "About Nailsss" post, access my full list of every polish I own, and contact me. I'm going to start working today on a list of my most wanted polishes, and once it is completed (for now) I will post it on top as well.

I've also made it easy for you to follow me! You can go up top to follow me via Bloglovin and follow me via Instagram. You can also add me on Google Friend Connect via the sidebar.

Also, you can shoot me an email at nailsss@mail.com with any comments, questions, requests, etc.!

I hope you like the changes (I do!)

Since I had no nail polish for you today, here is a picture of my cat, Flapjack. He claimed that shoebox as soon as the shoes were out of it!

Thanks for reading!

No Sponge Gradient (Essie Lilacism and Essie Pop Art Pink)

Hi!

It feels like its been a week since I've posted, but its been more - sorry about that.

Today I have a simple manicure inspired by this post on the Chalkboard Nail blog that illustrates a no sponge gradient manicure! I haven't had the greatest success when trying sponge gradients, so I was super excited to give this a try!

First I applied Essie's Lilacism, a beautiful lilac/lavender color. This polish takes 3 coats for full opacity.

Next, I did 3 coats (and a little extra for touch up) of Essie's Pop Art Pink, and painted less of the nail each coat to create a gradient effect.. I hope that makes sense! I topped it off with Sally Hansen Hard As Wraps.

I love these colors together, I'd been wanting to do something interesting with them for ages. 

If you decide to try this, here are a few things to keep in mind that I learned with this manicure. Make sure you use very thin coats to make the manicure less thick. I would also recommend waiting a few minutes between coats to help with it drying. The top coat makes it look much more seamless! Once I was finished I wasn't happy with the results, but after a top coat - magic!

Unfortunately, once it fully dried, I noticed it got all bubbled up!

Its hard to see here - you can tell mostly on the middle finger, but all of my nails are pretty bubbly. Sadface!

Thanks for reading!

Milani #583 Hot Pink over some.. hot pink.

Hi!

I felt like being bright and girly with this manicure. I started with Pure Ice - Flirt Alert. Its an opaque hot pink! I love this one.

After that dried, I did my first coat of Milani #583 Hot Pink.

This is full of hexagon glitters in pink and silver. I found that one coat wouldn't do, and it was a little bit difficult to spread out the glitter.. so for my second "coat", I put the polish on a piece of paper, and transferred the glitters with a toothpick. I topped this off with my NYC clear coat.

I love this glitter, but it is too easy to make a really thick, globby coat of it. Probably will stick to applying the glitters manually in the future!

Thanks for reading!

Project 10 Pan.. lets do it!

Hi!

Its about time.. I've been slowly collecting makeup and beauty products over time without finishing (or even using regularly!) the things I already have! I've decided to try this and see if I can get rid of some of these things I just have sitting around!

This might be quite the wall of text - be warned!
If you want more information about any of these products, let me know!
Click the photos to enlarge.

1. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave In Conditioning Cream

75% Left

I've had this for awhile, and there are plenty of reasons I haven't finished it. I found that it kind of weighed my (very thin) hair down and it would still be frizzy. However, I used to always slather my scalp with conditioners and I really shouldn't. I've also found a new product that I prefer over this one. I'll give it another go - this time concentrating on my ends instead of my scalp!

2. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

90% Left

This is not the normal size for the product - this is a sample bottle I received in one of those monthly goody boxes. I LOVE the smell - it reminds me of summer and the beach. However, I didn't really find a way for it to be useful for me. I'm going to use it in curls, and try it again.

3. E.L.F. Eyelid Primer #7501 Sheer

75% Left

As a lid primer, this.. is not good. I have dry skin and it just felt slippery and didn't really do anything for enhancing or prolonging my eyeshadow. However, I read that it was decent for use as an eyelash primer, and it actually is! I just always forget to use it.

4. The Body Shop Moisture Foundation SPF 15 Shade 3

25% Left

I used to work for The Body Shop, so I wore their makeup a lot. This foundation is nice but I started using a different one with heavier coverage. With so little left, I need to just finish it. Lighter coverage is better for the summer, anyway.

5. The Body Shop Loose Face Powder (Translucent) Shade #2

10% Left

This is my favorite face powder I have ever tried, but I've been using a more affordable one that I can feel less guilty about using a lot of. I'm so close to finishing it, but I just haven't! I will buy it again once I feel more comfortable dishing out the cash for it. It isn't THAT much ($16.50, and its often on sale) but I think I paid $3 full price for the one I'm using now. Also, its translucent, so I don't know why it has different shades..

6. Milani Shadow Eyez #01 Winter White

50% Left

I use this as a shadow base. I liked it enough until I tried the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk and I will never turn back. It works, but it is basically the same price as Milk and its half the quality. I'm tired of seeing this around. Lets use it up.

7. Ulta Ultimate Brows Shade & Shaper Pencil - Warm Brown

75% Left

I purchased this on a whim when I was getting into makeup but I'm not crazy about it. I prefer powders for filling my brows, as mine are thin and they can look really fake really fast. 

8. N.Y.C. Cheek Glow 655B Central Park Pink

90% Left

This is a nice color for paler skin like mine, but I just never pick it up for some reason. Its getting kind of old - it needs to go.

9. Love & Toast Crush Rush Lip Glaze #60

90% Left

I received this for Christmas last year and it smells like fruit punch! However, I tend to wear one extreme - either lipstick, or just chapstick - so I never use it. It'll be great for the summer, so I'm going to use it finally.

10. Ulta Lipstick "Parisian Pout"

90%

Pretty red that looks nice for everyday, but I loooooove my MAC Midimauve so I never use this one. My boyfriend says Midimauve is too dark (it isn't!!) so he'll be pleased to see me in this instead (for awhile..)

*phew*

Wish me luck, and thanks for reading!

NYC #145 Rock the Party! Interesting color..

Hi!

I recently picked up a new polish at Target (its so hard not to look!) and wanted to show you - NYC #145 Rock the Party!

It is an interesting polish, for sure. It is SUPER translucent - I don't think you'd be able to build a full coverage of it by itself even after layers and layers of it. In the bottle it shines in dark purples and greens, and in my opinion it has a sort of pearly finish.

I decided to try it over one coat of NYC #264 Lincoln Square Lavender. Here it is by itself...

I absolutely LOVE this color! It is a tad bit more purple in person. It reminds me of Essie's Splash of Grenadine from their 2010 collection (which I have). Maybe I'll compare the two sometime for you guys.

I topped it off with NYC Grand Central Station as a top coat (NYC day, anyone?) With only one coat of Rock the Party, it appears much more purple but with two it is much easier to see the different shades in the polish. I want to try this another time over a green or blue color.

Thanks for reading!

Creeper nails

I haven't blogged on here.. in so. long.

I am such an on and off person with stuff like this.. but I'd love to change that.

Lets get straight to the point, shall we?

I decided the other day to do creeper nails. If you don't play Minecraft, here is a couple reference pictures for you:

This bad boy likes to sneak up behind you in game and blow up! Certainly not fun. But makes for an interesting idea for nail art, I suppose.

I didn't have proper tools handy, unfortunately, so the black part of the nail is done with a toothpick. Not bad, considering.

I can't decide what I should do next. I've been stuck and just painting my nails plain colors (not that that is a BAD thing.. but I love my nail art). Hopefully I'll figure it out soon.

Until next time..