Paint the Town Red and Gold

Hello, Fireflies!

Two posts today!  Come back later for the second installment of this months' Challenge Your Nail Art All Things Blue challenge.

But first, the last installment of this month's Nail Challenge Collaborative.  We've been doing copycat manis for the 3rd anniversary of the group, and I chose a simple, but elegant dotticure that looks holiday or special-event ready.

Blue Jungle Wallpaper

 Hello, Fireflies!

For the last installment of this month's wallpaper challenge, I went all out with this gradient, glittered, stamped mani.

The Vault - Glitter Ideas

 Hello, Fireflies!

I haven't done very many holiday nail looks this season, but one thing I can always make time for is a little glitter to feel festive!  I have a few looks I pulled from the vault to share with you today.

Smart Nails Nail Art Stencils

Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.

 Hello, Fireflies!

Y'all know how I love my nail art - freehand, stamping, and now, STENCILS! I had the opportunity to try out some fun stencils from SmART Nail Art, and I can't wait to show you how easy they are to use.

Stamping Over Shiny Stripes

Hello, Fireflies!

Two challenges today, and two posts! If you'd like to see my last Challenge Your Nail Art post with my campfire nailart, click HERE.

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge was to stamp over a striped base. 

I've been loving all these metallic chromes and foils lately, and I just picked up two from the SephoraX line on clearance.  This is Artic, an icy blue.

I took Glacier, which I thought was pink, but is actually silver, and made freehand stripes - just using the regular brush.  In Real Life you could see these better, but the contrast isn't huge.

Also, these polishes brought my camera to it's knees.  It was begging me, no more! No more shiny! These polishes are ridiculously shiny.  If it could be too shiny, it would be.

I thought it would be clever to take this Sisi & Cici08 stamp with this crosshatch pattern, and put it over stripes. 

You know, like diagonal lines in different directions over a vertical striped pattern? Crazy!

Funny, right? haha. ha.  ha. *ahem*

I wasn't trying to line up the pattern, but I have to admit that I like the centered one on my ring finger a lot. 

Not only did these chromes reduce my camera to tears, but I couldn't seem to get a precise stamp, either.  These polishes laughed in the face of anything trying to capture them.  They just could not be contained or subdued. 

These chromes just want to let their freak flag fly. 

Both of the chromes came with their own special base coat, too, not pictured.  SephoraX Glacier, Artic, and Cult Nails Nevermore.

How do you feel about the resurgence of  metallic chrome polishes for Fall? I'm so happy!

Neapolitan Dipping Dotticure - #NailArtForNubs

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's look was inspired by jessuhhhkuh on IG.  I loved the pink base, and the way she did the triple dots, but I wanted to change up the color scheme a little.  I didn't realize I was going for a Neapolitan Ice Cream look, but that's what happened!  Who wants ice cream?

SephoraX Invincible is a pale, pale pink creme.  This was three coats - typical patchy pastel, but I think it leveled out okay in the end.  One of those classy neutrals that looks good with everything, but I am not really classy enough to pull off.

I used Laura Mercier Bare Mocha for the first layer of dots.  I love this chocolate/taupe kind of color.  So soft and pretty, and the formula was really nice, if a little thin.  I got this in a set from Hautelook, which has become my go-to site for Laura Mercier products.

Revlon Spirit was the white I grabbed for the next layer of dots... and promptly dinged my hand on something.  How I ever finish a nail art is beyond me, I can never keep from banging my hands on everything in sight.  Luckily, we have another layer of dots, and they will be strategically placed!

That bright pop of pink is Seche Snapdragon.  Love! What a bright, cheery pink. 

I'm always amazed at the transformation with topcoat.  All the dots just melt into one layer. 

Bottle shot:  SephoraX Invincible, Laura Mercier Bare Mocha, Revlon Spirit, and Seche Snapdragon.

Here's your personality test:  Which do you see? Dippin Dots Ice Cream, or deranged, crazy pink eyeballs?  Which will you see when you close your eyes tonight when you go to sleep?

An InLinkz Link-up

If you missed it, my DermOrganic review went live earlier today! Check it out HERE.