NYE Pretty Peach Party Nails!

Hello, Fireflies!

It's here, the last day of 2013!

I'm wrapping this year up with a soft, pretty, glittery mani that should work for all occasions.

I started with Lacquer Lust Sweet Georgia Peach.  Unlike my other Lacquer Lusts, this one isn't a holo! Color me surprised.  Peach surprise.  Yum!

Not absolutely in love with the formula, actually.  You can see that I had a little trouble getting a smooth, opaque nail.

I love this new color from Mariah Carey's OPI Holiday collection.  Ski Slope Sweetie is sheer, but with a heavy gold shimmer.  You can be looking at it one way, and not see much at all, and then when the light hits it from a different direction, the shimmer is so opaque, the polish just looks gold!

Darling Diva Polish The Big "O" is chock full of iridescent glitter.  They're not flakies, per se, but they're not mylar shards, either.  They are closer to the awesomeness of flakies, but in a glitter.  I love them, and they look spectacular when they catch the light.

There is something about the iridescent glitter over the gold shimmer over the delicate peach.  It's like I'm riding a unicorn out of 2013! Onward and upward!

Bottle shot:  Lacquer Lust Sweet Georgia Peach, OPI Ski Slope Sweetie, and Darling Diva Polish The Big "O".

How are you bringing in the New Year?  I love to watch the holiday special Rudolph's Shiny New Year every NYE! 

I wish all my Fireflies a wonderful and happy New Year! Thanks for being with me this year on my journey!

Heart Tips - #NailArtForNubs

Hello, Fireflies!

This is my second post of the day!  If you missed it, please check out my review of a set of Crown Brush HD Cosmetic brushes.  I highly recommend them!

I'm kinda excited about today's nail art.  I was inspired by this Pinterest pin, which, of course, doesn't tell me who to credit. Argh!  Well, whoever you are, thanks for the cute design idea!

I did this for a nail friend who was having a rough time.  Some of us decided to do pink manis in an attempt to cheer her up and show our support.


I started with Jade Aurora, a lovely bright, light pink holo.  Have you picked up a Jade holo yet?  For about $7, you get just about the best holo bang for your buck.  They are a Brazilian brand, so if you're like me, you'll have to order it from Llarowe or Ninja Polish.

No muss, no fuss, just a beautiful linear rainbow.

I've outlined hearts several ways - sometimes I paint the whole heart in the outline color and then do a smaller heart inside.  This time, I did the pink heart first in Zoya Mason, and then did an outline with my black nail art striper.

I also used the striper to make the swirl around the heart.  With longer nails, this looks more like a French tip, but by making the swirl thin out and curl at the top, you can give the illusion of more length.

I even painted my right hand... though it took a lot longer, and I made more mistakes.  This is still a proud moment.  *sniff*

This would also be a fun mani for Valentines' Day, or maybe even an anniversary.  I would caution against wearing this on a first date, lest you seem too eager.

Bottle shot:  Jade Aurora, Zoya Mason, and a black striper

I don't normally wear a lot of hearts, but I do like these!  Not too cutesy, but definitely an attention-getter!  Would you wear your heart on your nails?

Make Up Monday - #iFabbo and #CrownBrush

Hello, Fireflies!

I can't wait to tell you about these brushes...but I'll make you wait for one second while I tell you that I'll have a second post today!  It's my #nailartfornubs post that goes live at 9am Eastern!

About a year ago, I had to be convinced to buy makeup brushes.

I know, right?  My friend Kimberly from Libby's Pink Vanity took me aside at 2012's Make Up Show Orlando and marched me over to the Crown Brush booth and pretty much forced me, kicking and screaming, to buy a brush.

I had only ever used the sponge applicators that came with my makeup before that, really.  And, ever since that fateful day, I can't get enough makeup brushes.  I've since bought more from various manufacturers, and I won't ever go back.

Imagine my glee when I got to try this set of Crown Brushes through iFabbo!  I was hoping for the purple ones, but I'm actually glad I got the orange ones (I didn't have a choice, but you do! They come in purple, white/blue, and orange.)  It's actually easier to see when they're dirty because of the bright white and orange.  I'm much better at cleaning my brushes now, and it makes everything better - from my skin to my makeup!

Up to this point, my fave brushes have been Crown's Italian Badger brushes.  Maybe not anymore.  I am absolutely in love with these brushes.  I don't own any that are any softer than these are.  They are also  synthetic and vegan friendly! Synthetic brushes are easier to clean when you're using cream products, too.

The set comes with the 6 HD Cosmetic brushes, the tweezers, and the case has a mirror!  It zips up to make sure everything is secure, too.

I am still pretty new at using lots of different brush styles, so I love that each of these is labeled with a suggestion as to what they're best for.  Of course, you can use them for whatever you want! I won't tell.

If I had to pick just one, I'd have to go with the Pro Powder.  It's replaced all other powder brushes.  I'm currently using a sample powder tin, and even that big brush gets just enough powder without getting it everywhere, and distributes it evenly and softly.  Afterwards, I can sweep it all over my face and get the excess off.  It feels wonderful.

If I could pick two, I'd also highly recommend the blender.  I'm a blending fiend now! I love it.

If you'd like more information on Crown Brush, you can find them on their web page, Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram!

Don't forget - I have my #nailartfornubs post that goes live at 9am today!

Stamping Sunday - Subtle Green Holo

Hello, Fireflies!

As I write this, I'm about to leave for vacation... about a week before you're reading this.  I have no idea what today's stamping challenge will be.  And, I really don't have an easy way to blog while I'm gone.

So, here's a random stamping mani that I hope fits in some way or form with what the challenge is!  We'll make it work!

I started with the gorgeous Jade Mirage, a turquoise holo with green flash.

Jade holos are amazing.  No muss, no fuss, 2 coats and they look good everywhere.  I wore one out for evening, and even in the streetlights you could see the holo.

I love geometric stamps, so I picked this square pattern from Winstonia W113 and Zoya Cassedy, a silvery-grey polish.

I love how a subtle stamp can give the illusion of texture.  It just subtly changes the pattern of the holo.

Bottle shot:  Jade Mirage and Zoya Cassedy

So, if this didn't fit the challenge, don't tell on me, okay? I'll try again next week!

Art Challenge - Starts Abstract..goes even more Abstract

Hello, Fireflies!

Yes, yes, YES! This is the LAST art challenge!  I love challenges because they make me try new things that I might not have tried otherwise.  I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed the feeling of inadequacy, though.  This month was so hard for me, and I'm truly humbled by artists who know what they're doing!!

Today's mani was inspired by this "Abstract Tree with Hearts and Birds" that I found on a stock photo site.

I used Wet 'n Wild Black Creme for the background, and Revlon Indigo Night for the tree and birds.  I mixed in a little black where I needed some darker areas, and where I needed a highlight, I mixed in some Aly's Dream Polish Bayouberry.

Bottle shot:  Wet n Wild Black Creme, Revlon Indigo Night, and Aly's Dream Polish Bayouberry.

Are there any nail challenges you dread or refuse to do?

Sparkly Party Nails!

Hello, Fireflies!

Are you getting ready for the NYE parties?  I saw this nail art in a pamphlet I received from Sephora, and I thought it would be perfect for the blingy holiday season.

I started with a stripe of  Everybeauty Blasted, a collection of silver glitters in a clear base.  This was easier to do by painting the glitter on a makeup sponge and dabbing it where I wanted.  Otherwise, you'll have too much base to get a thick layer of  glitter.

Then I painted Color Club Williamsburg, a metallic blue with shimmer, on the sides.

In retrospect, I should have put a strip of tape down the center of my nails, painted the sides, let it dry, and THEN added the glitter.

I bet it would have been easier, and I'd have straighter lines.  With the sponge technique, it's easier to get the glitter exactly where you want it, too.

I think this is so unique!  If you have longer nails, and you don't like the VNL showing through, I'd think using a sheer nude under everything would help with that. 

What kinds of party nails have you been wearing this holiday season?  I'd love for you to share them on my wall!

Starry, Glittery, Snowy Night

Hello, Fireflies!

Can I just share with you this gorgeous midnight blue polish with tiny sparkles?  Oh, it's pretty.  It's Rescue Beauty Lounge Under The Stars.

I used Cult Nails Tempest to add a snow effect to the bottom of my nails.  I could have left it like this, it's cute!

I received some very festive holiday glitter from Above The Curve in my last order!  I love it! I've never seen *snowman* glitter before! 

Of course, the snowflake on my thumb is ridiculous! But it's pretty.  I didn't keep this mani on for long, anyway.  It was just a hoot to do, though.

Bottle shot:  Rescue Beauty Lounge Under The Stars and Cult Nails Tempest

Life's too short not to have a little fun now and again!  What kinds of things are you putting on your nails this holiday season?  Bells that ring? Real gems? Sparkle and stones?

Holo (day) French Tips

Merry Christmas, Fireflies!

Or, if you don't celebrate this particular holiday, Happy 25th of December!

Either way, today calls for a super shiny holo.  This is Enchanted Polish Dime Piece.  It's like liquid Spectraflair, it's so holo.

I have seen some comparisons online that make this a very close likeness to the Color Club Holo Hues silver holo, which you might have an easier time getting, as Enchanted Polishes are a beast at restocks, and go for upwards of $25 in the resale market.

Today's holiday nail art was inspired by this collection, which I've mentioned before as one of those theme posts that may not have links back to the original artists. I'm sorry I don't know who to give credit to for this idea.

I used Colors by Llarowe Holly to make the French tip.  The first pass of this polish is very thin, and looks purple! It takes 2 or three coats to get that deep green, and even then there is a bit of duochrome effect.  I gotta hand it to Llarowe, her collections have been getting better and better.

Next, I used the Milani gold glitter striper over the green.  Looking like a garland now!

Finally, I made dots with Enchanted Polish November 2013, a pretty reddish holo. 

Silver and Gold, Red and Green - I think I got all the holiday colors in there!

Bottle shot:  Enchanted Polish Dime Piece, Colors by Llarowe Holly, Enchanted Polish November 2013, and Milani Gold nail art striper.

From all of us, to all of you, I wish you much happiness this holiday season, and all through the year.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share my love of nail polish and beauty stuffs with you!

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Hello, Fireflies!

I grew up in northern Virginia, where we rarely had White Christmases, but it was seasonably cold, and there was always that hope.

It was always great when it snowed, because the whole town would shut down if it even *looked* like snow, and we'd get a day off from school! yay!

Now that I live in Florida, there's no chance of snow.  In fact, it's pretty darn warm here as I write this.  But, I can still have a white Christmas on my nails!

I started with Colors by Llarowe Oh Christmas Tree. 

This is such a neat holo - it's emerald green, but with a LOT of blue in it.  Almost a duochrome holo effect.

The snowflakes on my thumb and ring finger were done from this very cool Fair Isle Snowflake tutorial.  I loved the stylized flakes! I don't know if I've ever seen them before, but certainly not in nail art.  The other snowflakes were patterned after this Snowflake tutorial.
 

For my middle finger, I just went through my box of used nail art stones and just put random bling on!  So much fun.

Bottle shot:  Colors by Llarowe Oh Christmas Tree, black and white nail art stripers.

Are you dreaming of a White Christmas, or like me, having to make do with painted snowflakes?