31 Day Challenge Day 10 - Gradient

Today's theme for the challenge is gradient nails.  Seems like white has been a trend in most looks this week and today is no exception.  This look started with a base of Zoya Purity then I created the gradient look with Zoya Jolene.

I've also been dying to try Lemonade Lemonade from Sassy Cats Lacquer since I got it a few weeks ago and this look was perfect for it.  This is one very easy "dab and place" coat topped with HK Girl topcoat as usual. 

31 Day Challenge Day 9 - Rainbow

Way too many colors to list on this one!  My orange is indistinguishable from the red I used but other than that I'm pleased with how this one turned out.

31 Day Challenge - Day 6

If you follow me on Instagram you know that I'm trying to participate in another 31 Day Challenge.  Work has been absolutely crazy lately leaving me with little time for much of anything but I'm trying to get back to taking care of myself and doing some of the things I love.  Today's theme is "violet".
Base is Zoya Purity on index, middle and pinky fingers.  Then I added stripping tape to make a chevron look and topped with Zoya Mira.  On my thumb and ring finger is a base of Mira topped with Brilliance by Sassy Cats Lacquer and my beloved HK Girl topcoat.

Watermarble Wednesday: Navy, Yellow, and White

This weeks watermarble sort of happened by accident (well, the color combo anyway).  I had several colors sitting out on my table working on other design ideas and these sort of migrated together and I knew I had to try a marble with them.  It didn't turn out as "crisp" as I would like, but I still love the colors.

Zoya Sailor and Purity, Julep Catrina

Leave me a comment below with combos you would like to see used for next weeks watermarble!

Simple Stripes

This is a super simple mani, but I LOVE the way it turned out!  Super girly looking!  I started with two coats of Zoya Lara and waited until it was completely dry.  Then I added a single piece of striping tape across the tip of each nail and two on the thumbnail and painted over it with one coat of Zoya Auora, removed the tape and added a topcoat (HK Girl from Glisten and Glow is my current favorite!).

I did a look similar to this a back in March 2013 with Zoya Storm and Orly Miss Conduct but added stamping.  If you are interested in that look, you can find it here

Water marble Wednesday

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have been doing a lot of water marble looks lately.  This one was created using just two colors, Zoya Purity and Jancyn.  Looks a bit like a creamsicle, don't ya think?

If you have suggestions for future water marble colors or other looks you would like to see, leave me a comment below!

Zoya Blu Swatch and Review

This is not a new polish to me but for some reason I don't think I have reviewed it on here.  If you are looking for a pastel, baby blue polish, you NEED this one!  The color is beautiful but the formula is perfection!  Not at all streaky, unusual in and of itself for a pastel shade, but this one is seriously perfect. Two coats and it is perfectly opaque and simply gorgeous.  I always get compliments when I wear this shade.

Coral and Silver

Here are just two of the beauties I picked up from the Zoya Earth Day sale, Maya is a gorgeous coral shade, this one is pretty sheer, three coats for it to be opaque but so worth it!  I have worn this shade at least 3 times since I got it and it is currently on my toes as well!  I used one of the new Magical Pixie Dust polishes in Cosmo for the accent nails (two thin coats).  This is a bit more textured than the regular Pixie Dust finish with larger pieces of glitter but oh so gorgeous, especially in the sun!

Don't Be a Flake!

I picked up a couple of the new China Glaze polishes at Sally's the other day and couldn't wait to play!  Here is the look I came up with for Don't Be A Flake.

Other colors used, OPI My Vampire is Buff, Nicole by OPI It Starts with Me, Essie In the cab-ana, Julep Princess Grace and Sally Hansen Black Heart.  All topped with Glisten & Glow HK Girl topcoat.

If you don't already, be sure and follow me on Instagram, sometimes I post mani pics there that don't make it to the blog for whatever reason!

Easter Nails Inspired by The Little Canvas

Today's post is my attempt at following a tutorial put together by Alaina over at The Little Canvas.  I used different colors, specifically China Glaze Sweet Hook, Dance Baby, Electric Beat, Papaya Punch, and Lemon Fizz.  Zoya Purity for the white and Sally Hansen Black Heart for the black and my new favorite topcoat from Glisten and Glow (seriously, if you haven't tried it you MUST!).  For more info on how I created this look, head over to Alaina's tutorial here.

Dots and Lines

For today's look I used all colors by Julep.  I wanted to use the two newest colors I got Mariska a beautiful neon orange with the slightest of simmer (this one dries to a satin finish, if you don't like that look, be sure to add a topcoat) and Caitlin a neon pink shimmer.  To make them pop even more I used Bunny a white with gold shimmer (though I really don't notice the shimmer on the nail...) as a base.

If you are interested in signing up to become a Maven, click here and use code "freebox" to get your first box FREE!!

Light It Up Blue

A bit late in the day but here nonetheless.  For those of you who don't know today is World Autism Awareness Day.  Chances are many of you know someone who is affected by this disorder as it is a rapidly increasing diagnosis around the globe.  For more info, check here.  As part of Autism Awareness Month here is my "Light it up Blue" mani.

Zoya Blu and Sailor Hard Candy Pop Star
Stamping Plate Bundle Monster BM319

If you guys have suggestions for color combos or other ideas you would like to see me try, leave them in the comments or find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

Pink and Green for Spring!

The weather here was beautiful today!  I actually got home from work a bit early for a change and had time to actually paint my nails!  I wanted something colorful and this is what I came up with.  I also wanted to use mostly polishes that I hadn't used before so that was a little extra challenge.  If you follow me on Instagram  then you may have seen the basket full of "unused" polish I posted tonight as well.  It's a bit embarrassing.
Colors used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls Essie First Timer and Secret Story, and Salon Perfect Kaboom

Mardi Gras Nails

My computer is being super slow tonight so this is going to be a quick post since I have to get up far earlier than I want to...
A few different techniques used here for this years Mardi Gras nails.  What do you guys think? Do you do "theme" nails or opt for a more "traditional" look?

Happy Valentines Day

A couple of different looks for you all tonight, hope everyone had a great Valentines Day spent with someone you love.

What has been your favorite look this week?

Sweet Valentine's Nail Art

Something a bit more traditional today when it comes to Valentine's day.  The stamping on my index finger is not as clear as I would have liked but I just didn't have the time to redo it.

Stay tuned to see what else is in store for Valentine's nail art. 

Tainted Love

Well, Valentine's Day is this Friday so I decided to do a selection of looks this week around that theme.  Today's is a bit of an "nontraditional" look.  I found this topcoat by Salon Perfect at Walmart the other day.  It is called Hearts A Flutter.  Beautiful sort of fuchsia glitter with gold hearts in a clear base.  I was trying to determine what color to layer it over and finally decided on black to make the colors really pop.  I love the result!

What do you think? Is this a look you would wear for Valentine's Day?

Black and White Damask Nails

**This post contains affiliate links which means if you click those links and make any purchases, I may receive a small percentage at no extra cost to you.**

I am in love with the classy look of damask print.  I have small touches of it allover my "office".  When I ordered the Pueen plates a while back, I didn't even realize this was one of the images!  

Base Color: Zoya Purity
Stamp Color: Zoya Black Swan
Image Plate: Pueen 44

What do you think of this look? Any other color combo suggestions??

Snow Day!!

I had another snow day today!  While I often feel overwhelmed with work, I am very thankful to be working for a company that puts the safety of their employees first.  

Since I had an unexpected day off, I had some time to do my nails and try out some new polish.  I also purchased some stamping plates before Christmas and have not had much of a chance to play with them either so today was the day! 

I started with a base of Sally Hansen Lavender Cloud on all except my middle finger.  My bottle seems a bit wattery so I actually used 3-4 thin coats then topped it with Seche Vite.  My middle finger is 3 thin coats of Julep Love from the February box.  I used Pueen plate 35 for the design on my ring finger with nails inc. victoria for the stamp color.  Finally, I added some studs from Born Pretty Store that I painted with victoria so they would blend in with the look.

What? A new post? FINALLY!

It has been another crazy period around here!  Job is keeping me busier than I would like in the evenings so I haven't had much time to do my nails...though somehow I keep acquiring polish...not sure how that is happening.... And on top of that my computer has a virus (which I'm currently trying to get rid of) so everything takes an insane amount of time and frustration!
Anyway, thanks to a "small" winter storm here in the midwest, I don't have to work today! So for the first time in weeks I retreated to my hideout for some swatching.
More than a year ago, I came across this post by The Polished Perfectionist and fell in love with a england She Walks in Beauty and promptly ordered it.  I have worn it a couple of times but I don't think I ever posted pics here.  This week I was cruising the makeup aisles at Walmart and came across Maybelline Gilded Rose  and immediately  picked it up thinking it looked very close to a dupe.
Swatched today over Zoya Neely and if there is a difference, it is very slight.
a england is on the index and pinky fingers, Maybelline on the middle two.

List of where to buy a england  polish based on country can be found here on their website, Maybelline can be found at most drug stores and mass retailers.