Nails to ring in the New Year ♥

Simple and chic, but with just a little something extra – a dash of Millionaire!

So I finally tried out the half-moon manicure trend, also sometimes called a moon or reverse french. Personally, I’m really loving it – at least with this pair of polishes and it looks gorgeous in person.

The only thing I forgot to do was apply a layer of top coat over the glitter polish before applying the black, so the black did not come out as smooth as I would have preferred it to be, but I just didn’t feel like starting over

I hadn’t cleaned them up yet, so pardon the messy nails…

What’s on my nails:

Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Salon Strengthener as my base coat, since I recently trimmed my nails down very short and wanted to get a little length back for the holidays.

Nailtini “Millionaire” Lacquer (2 coats) – you can read my thoughts on this polish in my last post.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro “430 Black Satin” Lacquer – love these polishes!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

Have a very Happy & Safe New Years!! See you in 2013 ♥

Killer Nails

It’s BLOODY SUNDAY!!!!

Dexter + The Walking Dead + Halloween + Blog + Saturday Boredom = Killer Nails!!

This trend pops up frequently around this time of year, for obvious reasons, and of course I had to have a go at it – and I’m definitely loving them!

Plus, for any fellow Dexter fanatics, a little homage to his signature bad guy slice, which of course (if you have been watching this season) he has now had to abandon that killer blood slide trophy ritual.

Personally, I feel this look is best with a deep rich red on nearly nude nails, but you can do with any colors.

No special tools needed here either, just a bobby pin and a flat surface to ensure you can steady your hand and be precise.

Oh, most important, remember to allow the “drips” to thoroughly dry (I would say a good hour or longer), otherwise the color will streak/smear – possibly ruining your work – when you apply the top coat. You can always judge by the first 2 nails you do if you need to allow for more drying time.

What’s on my nails:

• Essie all in one base coat
• Ulta It’s Nude to Me nail lacquer – single coat.
• Ulta Plum Street nail lacquer
• Ulta top coat (so sad, I ran out of my preferred Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat)

Nails: Matte Charcoal & Red Tips

I found myself experimenting again… and this is what came of it. My nails feel very Autumn/Fall now – with the deep matte charcoal that reminds me of wool and the rich burgundy red tips!

What’s on my nails:

1. Essie “all in one base” multi-treatment base coat
2. China Glaze “Stone Cold” (from The Hunger Games Collection)
3. Butter London “Matte Finish” shine free topcoat
4. Ulta “Plum Street” nail lacquer
5. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat (on tips only)

♥

Nails: A French Twist… Imperfect Chevron Tips

Just a quickie today… I have seen this look pop-up recently at a few fashion/style events and am loving it. I say it is a modern take on French tips, but what I really love is that it is super easy, chic, great for Fall/Autumn and doesn’t have to be perfect!

1. Your favorite base coat.
2. A single coat of clear or sheer skin-toned polish. 
3. Grab your favorite Fall nail polish and swipe it across the tips, at your desired angle. 
4. Top with your favorite top coat!

 

So easy! Warning, you will get nail polish on your fingers, but you can shield the sides with small pieces of tape or just clean up with a q-tip and polish remover.

Pardon the crappy photo quality. 

What’s on my nails:

1. Essie “all in one base” multi-treatment base coat
2. Sally Hansen Diamond Strength no chip nail color in “Flawless”
3. Tip Color: “Status Update” (Birchbox and Color Club® Custom Collection – from the September Birchbox – review coming soon)
4. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat

 

♥