NOTD - RED GLITTER ZEBRA

First, I have a really great idea for some Easter nail art I planned on having for you today. However, things were not working out as I planned last night, and I felt myself rushing through it and I didn't want to have messy nail art, so I decided to try again tonight and get it done.


Now on to the NOTD. I have been wanting to do a sparkly, glittery base with a creme konad, so I finally decided on that for my konad.


I used Super Star Nail Lacquer - Walk The Red Carpet for the base. I painted two coats of this. I really like this color, but I really can't say much for the formula. I have tried four polishes out of the five that I bought of this brand, and all four have had "wear" issues. Usually they have a problem with chipping. I can not remember the last time I had a nail polish that chipped in the first day. And not just one little chip, the polish was chipping OFF. Walk The Red Carpet hasn't chipped (yet) but as you will see, there was tip pulling. I know that when I have used glitter polish in the past, I usually do get the tip pulling. This polish was so nice and thin though, I thought that it might not happen. This is really bothering me, I almost didn't want to post these pics up, it looks like I have had this on for three days or something. I am pleased with how the design aspect of it came out though.

BABY TOUPEE

An anon. commenter left me this video in the Baby Bangs comments. I thought you all might get a kick out of it!



Thanks ANON for sending me the link for this :)

EAT YOUR HEART OUT JI BAEK!

I'm sure most of you have seen the pictures of Rescue Beauty Lounge's spring collection. If not, check them out below:

These nail polishes (just like all of RBL's) sell for a whopping $18.00 each!!!

I am not a fan of this collection for a couple of reasons. The first being that I don't like the color combo's of the glitter. The combo's just aren't "ME" I guess. Of course lots of ladies out there are itching to get their hands on all three bottles. But what bothers me most about this collection (as it has several other people too) is the little back story that Ji gives. Basically that with the economy the way it is, people don't have a lot of money right now. So buy her $18.00 nail polish and you can "be cheap and look rich" . . . . . . . . . . . uhh, whatev's Ji baby!

So Miss Baek, I say to you, THIS is how glitter is done AND at half the price too!!
Couldn't you just put a straw on that nail and slurp this all up???

A little tip wear, but like most thick, glitter polishes this will happen. It isn't nearly as noticeable as it is in this enlarged pic though.


This is a pic in the SHADE ladies!!

That's my steering wheel I am holding on to, this nail polish is a definite road hazard! I couldn't quit looking at my nails while I was driving!

This nail polish was OPAQUE in ONE coat!!!

Look at that rainbow of glitters!

ooooohhhhhhh!! aaaaaahhhhhhh! Just like watching Fireworks!!

Extreme closeup of my nail. Jam packed full of glitter and color!

Hey PIXIE - here is a pic of my giant thumb!! :)

Did you get your glitter fixx ladies? I know I did :)

Of course, this nail polish is only available in Japan right now (thanks again Super Jen!).

Eat your heart out Ji Baek :)))))

HOMELAND - WHERE THE CARROTS ARE

Do you guys remember that was Homeland's slogan?? What does that mean?
Either way they need to change it, I'm thinking something along the lines of:



HOMELAND - WHERE THE NAIL PRISMS ARE



OMG!!!! I am so freaking giddy over these! Can you believe I found these??? How long have these been sitting on that shelf virtually untouched?

I know, I know, I'm on a no-buy, but how could I let these stay for some unknowing soul to snatch up?
I couldn't,
so I didn't,
I got them all!
(((Insert me, laughing maniacally, with hands FULL of Nail Prisms)))
Take a look-see:




Enlarge pic to see the names. Do you all remember my SWATCHES of Ruby Diamond?


Enlarge pic to see the names.

Can you believe my good fortune?? AND (yes there is more) not only did they have SH Nail Prisms, they have the SH OPALS!! I didn't check to see if they were the Star of Fire) I didn't pick any of these up because I wanted to get all the Prisms. I wished I would have taken my purse in, because then I could have taken a pic for you all, but alas I was only in there to get hamburger buns.

Can you believe it ladies? Am I the only one sh**ing a brick right now? lol :)

The only bad news was that these were not marked down, they cost me $6.41 each!!!!!! That's like 2 1/2 bottle of china glaze! But I keep telling myself that if these were in their clearance bin then they would have all been long gone by now.

They also had two bottles of a brand called Heaven Nail Polish, have any of you heard about this brand? I had never seen it before, and these were such bright colors, plus they were only $2. so I grabbed them too.

(These are the exact same bottles as Super Star Nail Lacquer)




You should have seen the ladies face when I went to check out. "Boy someone likes nail polish!" And as I tried to explain how rare these were, and that they were discontinued, I glance at her face and the lady standing in line behind me and just close my mouth. I swear to you, they had that look on their face like "oooooooooooook" and not in a good way! lol


What do you all think, should I go back and get some of the Opals???

BARIELLE WEDNESDAYS - WEEK 1

This is the first post in a series entitled Barielle Wednesdays. I informed you all yesterday of the products that I would be using on a daily basis to track my nail growth and nail health while using these.


EXTRA GENTLE CUTICLE MINIMIZER - This is taking the place of my Sally Hansen cuticle remover. The only difference I noticed was that the directions on the Barielle say to let the product soak in for 2-3 minutes, where the Sally Hansen is only 15 seconds. The Barielle product comes with a little orange stick, which is handy since it fits right in the box, and I don't have to hunt one down. This worked great on softening my cuticles and allowing me to push them back. This says for me to use daily.




GROWTH ACTIVATOR FOR NATURAL NAILS - The box claims this is a perfect product to use after removing acrylics - which HELLO! That's just what I need! I have tried several products like this recently, however, they all interfered with me painting my nails. One was to oily, another caused my nail polish to apply gloppy and one didn't let my polish dry. Needless to say I was really hoping that this wouldn't cause any adverse reactions to me painting my nails. This product is just like a nail polish, you just brush it on. The directions say to apply 1 coat to nails 2 times weekly and then to remove after 7 days. This one I won't be following the directions to the "t" since I remove my nail polish everyday, I don't see how this would help to only apply 2 x's a week. I will apply this daily, or after every removal of nail polish.
BTW - I painted my nails after the treatments (the succulent grapes post) and I had no problems what so ever with this product effecting my nail polish.




NAIL STRENGTHENER CREAM - This one I am to massage daily into nails and cuticles in a circular motion (I wonder why?). It says for especially damaged nails you can use it 2-3 times daily. I am going to try to apply this at least 2 a day. The packaging says to allow 3-4 weeks for noticeable improvement. For best results apply right before bed to allow the cream to penetrate overnight.




INTENSIVE NAIL RENEWAL OIL - This oil claims to replicate the body's natural lipids (lipids provide flexibility to your nails reducing breakage) that are diminished by water, soap & detergents. This product you just brush on to the cuticles and the nails. I am going to aim at applying this 2 times a day. For best results apply this right before bed to allow the oil to penetrate into the nails and cuticles overnight.




::::All product names can be clicked to direct you to Barielle's website for more info on each product::::

Both hands after all four treatments. I can already tell a little bit of a difference.

Right hand after treatments.

Left hand after treatments.


Next Wednesday I will have new pics posted up of my results after a week of using these products. I hope you all stick with me through this and give me HONEST feedback on what you think of these products based on my weekly pictures. You won't hurt my feelings, so please give me your honest opinions, Thanks!

SUCCULENT GRAPES

Well, I told you all I was feeling artsy yesterday, so I knew I needed to get some nail art in last night. I didn't get in as much as I wanted, but after being stuck in traffic an extra 30 minutes, having to stop at the best grocery store ever (more on that later- bwhahahaha), cook dinner AND watch American Idol - I was just about plum out of time! sheeeew!




I painted the base color with China Glaze - Agent Lavender. Then I used a fauxnad plate I have that has a bunch of grapes and used the Konad SP in black to stamp with. Then I used my LA Colors Art Deco in Green Glitter and "painted" over the stems and leaves of the bunch of grapes on each finger. Then I got a piece of wax paper and put a little blob purple glitter nail polish from Hot Topic on it (you don't want to put too much, or it will dry up and get gloppy) and used a paint brush to "dot" on purple glitter grapes.





HERE IS WHAT I USED:

HERE IS THE FINISHED NAIL ART:

Don't be afraid to decorate your konad stamps! Just by adding a little bit of glitter, these have the appearance of a hand painted design. It was really quick and easy, and I was able to do this on both hands with out any problems!

NEW BLOG ON THE BLOCK - TAKE 2

I was notified yesterday of three more wonderful nail blogs that I was currently unaware of. (Am I falling down on my job here or what?)


ALEXLYNDRA - How did I miss your blog?? You have left me tons of comments and usually I am so good about clicking into profiles from comments left?! So I am sorry :)
Can I just say WOW on all of the nail art pics! This is the place to go for some nail art inspiration. I believe the blog is in Swedish (correct me if I am wrong please), but you can still check out her pics, or if you have a question let her know in the comments and I am sure she will get back with you.
::::EDIT:::: Alexlyndra has just informed that she will start writting her blog in English too starting on Friday April 3rd! That puts double the work on you Alexlyndra but it will be really appreciated, thank you so much for doing this !


LIVVY LU LU - This is a fairly new blog. Olivia has swatches posted up from OPI to Sinful Colors, so she has something for everyone. I am really excited to see how her blog progresses. Good luck Olivia!


PAINTED RAINBOW - This one is a REALLY new blog, she only has 2 posts up so far. Her profile says she is a 25 year old nail polish and cosmetic addict who moved to France and doesn't know where to shop. Good luck with your blog, I hope you stick with it and do lots of really great posts :)


I hope you all take a few moments to visit these blogs and leave them a comment or two welcoming the new comers and letting the old pros like Alexlyndra know you appreciate all their hard work they do.


There you have it girls - more places to go and stare at nail polish pics :)