31 Day Challenge: Day 12 and my first franken!

Hello everyone!

Today is Day 12: STRIPES and  at first I wanted to do a matte/shiny stripe combo, however,  it turned out horribly, and I have no idea what I did wrong. After that fail I thought I'd stick to something more basic and fool-proof, so I did what I'm showing you today- something on the nautical side:

I used OPI Alpine Snow as a base, then I used my Migi Nail Art Pen to make the stripes. Now, for those of you who don't know, Migi art pens are so good for nail art that involves making skinny lines, or teeny drawings. Here's a photo of what the tips look like:

image source

See? They are so tiny, and perfect for small nail art. I used my blue one for the stripes, and yes, I know they aren't the best stripes on the planet, but they were freehand and very small. Be gentle! After I made the stripes I went over them with a small brush and Essie Mesmerize to deepen the blue because it wasn't dark enough for me. 

Then on my ring finger I did a red anchor, and here's where the franken comes in. I was originally just going to use China Glaze Salsa, but I kind of wanted a more orangey red, so I thought I'd franken one. I used China Glaze Salsa, and Style Wars, and Orly Terracotta for this, and this is how it came out (I only made a little bit because I knew I'd just be stamping):

I thought it was a really nice orange-red. A little pink, but who cares? I was wrong. I don't know if the stamp (Bundle Monster BM08) was faulty or what, but it was very sheer, and the stamp didn't even pick all the color up. I was disappointed.. So I just used the same brush I was using to paint the stamp-and darken the stripes- and freehanded the anchor, using China Glaze Salsa. 

All in all this manicure was, in my opinion, way more trouble than it was worth. I got the idea for this manicure from here. I want to give credit where credit is due. See you tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!

~Emily

EDIT: I'll actually be seeing you later today, I typed this last night, but my computer had a complete freakout and said no battery was detected.. I couldn't figure it out to save my life, but today everything's right again and I have no idea what I did. So, see you later!

31 Day Challenge: Day 2

Hey everyone :)

It's the second day of the 31 Day Challenge and it's ORANGE nails day! For today I used Essie Vermillionaire and Forever 21's Love and Beauty Opal Glitter as an accent on my ring fingers and thumbs: 

closeup of the glitter :) 

I really like Vermillionaire. It's very shiny, and was good in about 2-3 coats. The only thing I can say is I thought vermillion was red... See you tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!

~Emily

Essie- Knockout Pout!

Hi all! :)

Today I am showing Essie- Knockout Pout from the summer 2010 collection. :) This is a nice, coral, pinky neon. :)

 

I love this color. :) Honestly, I think my bottle is faulty though because on all of the other blogs, I am seeing a bright, creamy neon pink, but mine looks more like coral! Not at all like I expected it. Also, the formula was horrible. This was five (!) coats of polish! FIVE! It didn't need it for opacity though, I needed it for everything to be evened out. It was streaky, and watery, and every time I would move my fingers, the polish would run and pool all over my cuticles. Needless to say I won't be using this again for a while. If I want a good neon pink, I will turn to one of my Color Clubs, or China Glazes, or Orlys. :) This is a neon so it does dry matte, so if you want it to be glossy, you'll need a topcoat.That will be all for today! But just for fun.. It matched my new blush (a random Physician's Formula btw.) perfectly!

Thanks for reading!

~Emily

P.S. An update on Mayzie: I ordered a dress, so I will post pics as soon as it comes! (It shipped today!!) Also, I am ordering feather boas tonight, and I plan to do a "Mayzie Series" and show you everything I have planned. :)

Haul: ULTA! (Again..)

Hey ladies!

Yes, I went to ULTA again.. It's my home away from home.. :) But I brought home some lovely polishes!

From left to right: First Row: Essie- Haute as Hello; Splash of Grenadine; Playa Del Platinum; Turquoise and Caicos; French Affair; Knockout Pout. Second Row: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails X-treme Wear- Green With Envy.

The Essies-

 Sally Hansen-

And one final group shot-

And there they are! :) I can't wait to use them. Most have been long time wants of mine! Yay! I finally have them! :D

Thanks for reading!

~Emily

NOTD: Spring Has Sprung!

Hi all! :)

Today my NOTD is Essie- Lilacism, with stamping from Konad plate, m21, this design:

It was stamped in Savvy- Deep Amethyst, one of the most beautiful purples I own. :)

Only 2 fingers today. This is from a couple days ago, and I had some tipwear.

I loved this. It was so cute, and sweet! Totally made me think of spring--and Easter... :) I love Easter.. and bunnies.. :) So, I guess I'll have to do some Easter manis next! Sorry I didn't get up the St. Patrick's Day Ideas. There's always next year!

Thanks for reading!

~Emily

NOTD: Orly Gumdrop + Essie Mint Candy Apple!

Hey guys! :)

So this is the mani I did from that ULTA haul.. It is a base of Orly Gumdrop, and stamping from Konad plate m21 with Essie Mint Candy Apple. I think it is very pretty! And quite springy! :)

Please forgive the chips. It was ready to come off, but I didn't have any pics! First I did 3 coats of Gumdrop, because it was kind of runny, and stringy. Then I konad-ed over that with Essie Mint Candy Apple, and loved it! It was kind of subtle, but not so that you can't see it. After adding topcoat, I added a tiny pearl to the large flower's center. It was so cute! ^.^

Thanks for reading!

~Emily

Haul: ULTA!

Hi ladies!

I have a new favorite store! ULTA! Last Friday I went up and got, well, a little crazy.. :) Take a look at my new beauties!

 First row: left to right: Orly Gumdrop; Orly Cotton Candy; Orly Pixy Stix
Second row: left to right: Essie Midnight Cami; Essie Mint Candy Apple; Essie Mesmerize; Essie Lilacism; Essie Van D'go

The Orlys:

The Essies:

And one more group shot:

:D I love them! I have already done manis with Gumdrop and Mint Candy Apple, Lilacism, and Midnight Cami, not to mention a pedi with Mesmerize! I will post soon! :)

Thanks for reading!

~Emily

TOTD: Essie Mesmerize + Nautical Nail Art

Hi ladies!

Just a quick post for today. On Friday I stopped at my ULTA and picked up a few Essies, and Orlys. I. Love. ULTA. It's the best store I've ever visited. :) Anyway, here is Essie Mesmerize:

 Above: Essie Mesmerize- Alone, with Seche Vite topcoat. I wore this alone for two days, and then it got a little boring, and since this is the perfect blue (Essie calls it a "Royal Va Va Blue") I decided to add some nautical nail art. :)

 Above: Essie Nautical: With free-hand stripes on the tiny toes, and a free-hand anchor on the big toes. I started out trying to stamp the anchor from plate bm08 in China Glaze Cheers to You, but... that didnt look good: first, I missed the center of my toe on the first try, so then I tried stamping randomly all over (FAIL!). Second, it was too sheer. Third, the stamp was too tiny. So I did this! And I really cannot take my eyes off of it..

 

 I got so many compliments at school today! :) Thanks Alyssa, and Ms. Portwood, specifically! (if you read it that is..) I know I really shouldn't put this up until I get pics of the actual haul, but I couldn't wait! :)

Thanks for reading!

~Emily