pink glitter ombre nails...with a bow!

No ramblings today; just a photo that I pulled from a vault.

Base: OPI You Callin Me a Lyre?
Top: Various pink chunky glitter polish (China Glaze Bad Kitty & Sinful Pinky Glitter are both great).

I bought the bow on my ring finger from this etsy shop.

New Sephora X Nail Polish in Prudish

I got lured into Sephora the other day by the giant display of holiday gift sets that sat inside the entrance. The lit-up platform, the clear acrylic case with the product displayed inside like a museum...when I came to, I was already inside. 

Just when I thought I made it past the organized pile of temptation, I bumped into the all new Sephora X Nail Polish display. I picked one up - it was pink and glittery - and felt the weight of the bottle (i'm a tactile person). Then.... BAM! Sales rep ambush.  She preyed on my curiosity, and won.

I don't know how I feel about this nail polish. I love the color, but I didn't think the formula OR finish was a game-changer. It's meant to have the strength and longevity of a gel manicure, but for me it didn't last that long.  Maybe it was my top coat - the Seche Vite caused some shrinkage, which was disappointing because it's my go-to top coat. 

It also took 3 coats for opacity - it's not unusual for lighter colors to require more coats, but I guess I expected a little bit more because of all of the over-promised sales pitch/marketing copy. 

I will give this another try with a different top coat -- but for now, I'm not all that impressed. Sorry, Sephora! 

marie antoinette nails

The only reason I call these "Marie Antoinette" nails is because it was inspired by a singular image from Sophia Coppola's 2006 film.  In this production still is Kristen Dunst, sitting back on a luxuriously cushy pastel blue chair in a decadent white dress, salmon pink tulle peeking through the bottom. There are trays of pastries in the background and a french maid in the foreground. 

I love everything about this image. This is how I feel on a late Saturday afternoon sitting in a beauty salon. It's how I feel when I allow myself the luxury of room service, and as I'm being ushered into a room at a spa. 

"ahh, this is the life." -- that feeling. 

Soft colors and unapologetic bling: that's what I channeled when I made these. 

nautical nails

My love of all things nautical stems from one singular source -- sailor moon.  As a girl, I was obsessed with that show, much in the same way that boys were probably obsessed with Ninja Turtles and such. I read the books, I watched the TV show, I knew all the songs, I knew I was destined to be the 11th member.

These press-on nails were something I designed when my friend and I were working on a side project together. Among many, many other things, she and I share a love (obsession?) of nail polish and nail art.  She's original and hilarious and kind -- one of my greatest friends, and definitely would have been an essential 12th member of the sailor moon squad in my imaginary world :)

Chevron Accent Nail

One shot, two obsessions: chevron pattern & strawberry Kit Kats

[China Glaze Sneaker Head]

glitter accent nails

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a nail enthusiast - there's probably a more accurate, but less glamorous, term for what is actually a legit addiction to nail polish, but facing such realities is not one of my forte. 

I have tons of glitter polish I could have used, but my favorite way to do this is to dip my entire finger in a pot of glitter. It gives a chunky, thick pile that when finished with a top coat, looks way dynamic and dimensional. Like glitter in a snow globe. 

I start with a base coat, then apply gold nail polish - this is so that any bald spots won't be as noticeable.

[pictured: China Glaze I'm Not Lion]

The rest is pretty self-explanatory. Dip, tap & brush excess off. Top Coat. 

[pictured: LA Splash Nail Art Glitter in Lady Luck] 

The rest of my fingers are in Essie's A Crewed Interest, which is easily one of my favorite summer nail polishes :)