Crumpet's 31DC: Blue Base

I wish I had thought of this for contrasting/complementary colors.  I added a different colored accent at the last minute and kicked myself for not thinking of this a couple of days ago because I'm diggin' it!

*1 coat Gelous base
*5 (that's right, 5) coats Zoya Phoebe
*5 (again) coats China Glaze Sun Worshiper
*1 coat Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots
*1 coat Out the Door

I know, 5 coats?!?!  These polishes are so sheer.  It was only after the second that I thought "wow, I should have started with a white base" under Sun Worshiper.
The upside?  Both polishes are mattes.  The downside?  Both polishes are mattes.  This means that my first nail was dry by the time I hit the last.  The coats went really fast.  Too fast.  I tend to stroke over the nail to even out coats and this causes major dragging and bald spots because the polishes had already started drying before I was done with the nail.  This was another reason why I went with so many coats, but mostly because they were SO sheer.

I am not so keen on mattes, so in addition to the amazing black and white glitter, I added a shiny topper.  I LOVE how the glowing shimmer comes out in Phoebe with a topper!

Do you have any polishes that take a ton of work but are totally worth it when you're done?

Black and white and pink all over

As my first day of class gets closer (2 more days!) I'm seeing that my free time is getting more scarce.  I'm getting back into blogging and polishing and really enjoying it again, so I'm going to try to find a way to keep it up.  What have you, busy nail lady, found that works?  Scheduling posts?  Any good juggling tips?

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This look right here is why I know I HAVE to keep enjoying my polish time.  I mixed a couple of polishes on a whim a couple of weeks ago and never wanted to take it off!  I was looking for a quick color change and, of course, that also includes glitter. 

*1 coat Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hardener
*2 (maybe 3...I don't remember) coats China Glaze Pink Plumeria
*1 coat Maybelline Polka Dots
*1 coat Out the Door

LOVE IT!  Pink Plumeria is a pretty neon-ish light pink.  It has a stunning shimmer to it that translates really well from the bottle to the nail--an excellent summer polish! 

There are a million black and white matte glitter polishes out there with tons of different price tags.  I've wanted a good one for a while (and a good black glitter on its own, but that's a different story) and love some of the indies out there, but don't have the money for them.  I'm not big on bar glitters, so that rules out a decent number.  Then, for three dollars, this showed up at Target!  The glitter is dense but easy to maneuver, just one dip across each nail.  I love the contrast between the glitter and polish on this one!  What's been your favorite way to use black and white glitters?

State love

This mani is a little late--things are getting a bit crazy getting ready to go back to school!  But I'm trying to make it an excited crazy, not a scared-that-it's-been-too-long-since-I-graduated crazy.  The only time of year I can tolerate my current retail job is really back to school.  I love the new college freshmen moving in and getting excited for their new lives.  I like talking with the parents and answering questions.  I like being excited for them.
So, with two major residential colleges moving in, we are busy!  But I did decide to show a little excitement with some school nails.  San Diego State moved in first, last weekend, and these were my Aztec nails.

*1 coat Yello-Out
*2 coats OPI Danke-shiny Red
*Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Black Out
*1 coat Northern Lights
*1 coat Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots
*1 coat Out the Door

I used Danke-shiny and Black Out for the SDSU colors.  I have fallen a little in love with Polka Dots, so I added that black and white glitter as my accent.  After taping off the tips and adding the black, I used a coat of Northern Lights to soften the lines just a bit.  I maybe should have stopped with just the black cream and the shimmery red, but when it comes to glitter, I really don't know when enough is enough!
These actually held up pretty well and got some compliments from customers happy to see a little school spirit.  My parents are both proud Aztecs and, while I may have chosen the college on the hill instead, I love getting to tell all the new freshman that I have State blood in me!

New 31DC: New Technique

I planned this challenge poorly. I painted my nails using a new technique last night, but what I really wanted to post was the removal, which I wanted to give some time to. I tried Elmer's Glue as my base last night under a glitter polish.

**Warning: There are some majorly stained nails in this post. NOT for the faint of heart!

 

This is the magical result or working very hard to peel off my polish.  I was so bummed!  I have been very good lately, but I love to peel polish off.  To a damaging degree.  When I get bored, I peel.  So, I was so excited to know that there was a safe way to peel!  It really did not work for me, though.  I did not notice a difference in wear, though, compared to my usual bases, which is good to note.

*1 coat of Elmer's Glue
*3 coats Maybelline Color Show Sapphire Masquerade
*2 coats Out The Door

 I wanted to really test this out, so I went with a glittery polish.  Sapphire Masquerade is a blue-purple tinted jelly base with micro purple glitter, larger purple hexes and scattered large magenta hexes.  I know I'm not the only person to mention this, but I find it so interesting that such big, mainstream brands have been taking strong cues from indie makers lately!  This was kind of a pain to use, but not horrible.  The first coat was really sheer and the glitter was sparse.  The second and third (you may only need two--I was being cautious) coats built easily, though.  This is a dense, chunky glitter, and comes with all of those problems.  While pretty, it dries really gritty (and fast, which was great!).  I used 2 thick top coats and still wanted a third, but I really like my nails smooth and glassy. 

 

I used an old polish brush, cleaned with acetone and water, to scoop out and apply the glue.  I didn't pool it on my nails, but I don't think I skimped either.  I waited until the white glue turned completely clear before polishing.  While it did not peel well, something very interesting happened when I tried to remove it.  I use one of those little pots of acetone with bristles to remove my polish (and I know, it's probably horrible for my nails, but they seem okay and it's so fast and effective!).  When I put my nail in and twisted it once or twice, the acetone gelled the glue.  Then, it was easy to push/peel off, almost gummy.  While this is not what I had hoped for, it was much easier than usual for taking off chunky glitter, so it wasn't a total waste.

Have you used a glue base for peel off polish?  Did I use the wrong glue?  Did I miss something?  Any tips to make this dream base work?  I'd love to know!

New 31 DC: Gold

I love glitter.

Like, a lot. 

On my nails, on cards, on art projects, anywhere.  For today's challenge I did something that I don't typically do--full coverage glitter.  I love to layer it over just about every single mani, but I don't really do multiple coats because they are a beast to remove, especially when the glitter is chunky.  I'm going to need to figure out PVA glue base coats, though, because full coverage glitter is A-mazing!  I used this pin as my inspiration (it leads to nowhere--if you know the original source, please let me know!)

*1 coat Hard As Nails Hardener

*1 coat Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Golden-I

*2 coats Maybelline Color Show Gold's Night Out

*2 coats Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Bubble Gum Pink

*1 coat Hoof Lacquer

*1 coat Seche Vite

 

I used 1 thin coat of Golden-I as a base to make sure that any space between glitter wouldn't be too obvious.  I picked up Gold's Night Out at Walmart a while ago when there was a full display of Color Show.  I still have more of these pretties to try out.  The clear base is PACKED with micro gold glitter, small hex gold glitter and large hex gold holo glitter.  It could probably use some thinner for smoother application, but because of all of the glitter it will never be super smooth.  The great thing about this is that there is SO much glitter!  There is no fishing or pushing to get holo pieces.  I used 2 coats for the full effect, but 1 coat is still pretty opaque. 

I always think of glitter for an accent, but like the idea of a cream as an accent.  I even tried a new finger!  I used Bubblegum Pink instead of a coral, like the pin, and added a stripe of Golden-I.  My Seche Vite and Out The Door are both getting low and SUPER thick and messy.  My index finger was a bit of a victim...but I got a new bottle of OTD, so no more fighting with top coats!  I love how this one looks!  How do you feel about full coverage glitter?  Have you tried any of the Sequins collection? 

Fantasy Fire comparisons

So, I have been sadly saving my teeny tiny bottle of Fantasy Fire.  I know--life is short, so wear the good stuff!  I think this needs to be my new motto.  Why spend money on polish just to have it to look at in the bottle?  What's the point in that?  I have just decided, right now, to wear this sucker and enjoy every sparkly moment of it!
BUT, because it is so small and hard to get in the US (hi international readers!  If you want to work out a swap in place of some outrageous prices this goes for, talk to me!) I have been looking for dupes/similar polishes.  There is one more that I want to nab (I just can't tell you yet because pay day is far off and I NEED this bad boy!  Once I have a bottle I'll let you know and then you can buy all you want!).  I do have a couple of polishes to show you now, though, that might satisfy a craving for this beauty!
Warning: there are a lot of pictures in this one.  I personally recommend that you keep going, but I'm putting in a page break in case you are tired of hearing about Fantasy Fire (but I can't image that's possible).  These are a bit messy because I was way too excited for clean up before my pictures in the little bit of sun coming through my window, but you really should click on the pictures for a bigger look at these lovelies!

Here's what I've got for you.  Can you guess which polishes these are?