Born Pretty Store Studs Review

Sometimes two colors work so perfectly together that my heart skips a beat when I see the result. That is how I feel about the combination of Barielle Blue Cotton Candy stamped with Sally Hansen Color Quick Pen in Turquoise Chrome. I was actually worried it wouldn't turn out since they looked so similar, but man am I glad to be wrong in this case...

Barielle Sweet Treats for Spring 2013

Barielle Sweet Treats collection offers some beautiful creamy shades for Spring. With names like Green Apple Chew, Banana Drop, Lilac Jelly Bean, Blue Cotton Candy and Orange Parfait my mouth was watering before I even tried them. The collection is set to release on March 1st so here are some swatches to hopefully wet your appetite in the mean time...

Tutorial Tuesday: Dotticure

It has been way too long since I've put together a tutorial despite all my good intentions. My boyfriend has been constantly reminding me that I'm not acting on these intentions and need to post more tutorials. I'm still not sure who put him up to it, but instead of trying to figure that out I think there is no better time to make one than now...

After I posted this really quick dotted manicure last week I was quite surprised by the number of people that that thought it was time consuming. Sometimes the simplest things can seem deceivingly complicated and I wanted to show just how quick and easy it is to create this look...

Supplies:

• Two polishes of your choice. I used OPI My Vampire is Buff for the base and I Saw…U Saw…We Saw…Warsaw for the rest
• Dotting tool (or dotting tool alternative)

Steps:

Instructions:

1. Apply desired number of layers of base coat color (OPI My Vampire is Buff pictured here)
2. Using the nail polish brush, paint a thin line along the tip using the 2nd color (OPI I Saw…U Saw…We Saw…Warsaw used for this manicure)
3. Starting in the center of the nail slightly below the tip and working out towards the edge, add dots in a gentle curve
4. Add dots to complete the curve along the nail line
5. Starting at the center of the nail again, add dots as shown above
6. More dots to mirror what was done in step 5...
7. Using the dotting tool add overlapping dots to create a line
8. Still working with the dotting tool, add overlapping dots to create a small oval and two dots.
9. Finish with a top coat and enjoy! 

Note: Starting each time from the center and working out toward the edge helps to ensure that I stay as symmetrical as possible. Whenever I start at the edge it comes out much more lopsided....

Let me know what you think of this tutorial. 

Did I make it look easier or even harder?

I hope you give this a try! Send me a link/photo if you do! I'd love to see it...

As always, don't hesitate to ask questions if something is not clear. 

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

** Polishes were provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

Tips & Tricks: Dotting Tool Alternatives

While trying to put together a tutorial for my recent dotted manicure, I started to think about other things around the house that can be used as dotting tools if one was not available. Here is what I found so far...

• Push pins - these can create very fine dots, just be careful not to pin yourself in the process
• Toothpick or wooden barbecue skewer
• Plastic dental pick
• Mechanical pencil (0.5mm) - I actually use this a lot even when I have a dotting nearby
• Mechanical pencil (0.7mm)
• Paper clip
• Old pen - might not work afterwards, so don't try with a pen you love...
• Small flat head pin - stuck into the eraser end of a pencil to prevent painful pricks...
• Round head pin - also stuck into an eraser...
• Brush handle tip

What other things have you tried making dots with?

Hopefully this is useful for some of you!

Let me know if you are interested in seeing other random tips & tricks for nail art...

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

OPI Euro Centrale Fine China Nail Art...

Playing with the OPI Euro Centrale collection, I couldn't help by want to create a manicure with the ivory and blue shades. I automatically thought of all those beautiful blue and white china patterns for inspiration. My initial thought was to try stamping to replicate some of the more complex patterns and while I will likely do that at some point as well, today I decided on a dotticure of sorts inspired by a plate...

OPI Euro Centrale 2013 Collection - Part 2

Today I have the rest of the OPI Euro Centrale collection to share with you. If you missed the first half of the swatches, you can see them here. Despite some light colors in the mix, this half of the collection strikes me as the darker, moodier half. Of course that is just fine by me since I'll take a dark vampy cream any day of the week or season...

OPI Euro Centrale 2013 Collection - Part 1

Today I'm excited to show you the first half of the OPI Euro Centrale Spring/Summer collection. This half contains mostly creams and one gorgeous glitter named polka.com which can be layered over any of them. Did anyone else try to visit polka.com half expecting to see something from OPI? The website disappointed  but these gorgeous lacquers do not...

Sunday Stamping: Crazy Neons

It is not often that I reach for a neon shade when creating a manicure. Today I picked three of them thanks to another challenge in Adventures in Stamping. The Sunday Stamping manicure theme this week is crazy neons. My initial idea for the manicure was very different than the results, but as soon as I created the gradient it insisted on being citrus fruit and who was I to argue...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all! I've mentioned before that my boyfriend and I don't really celebrate the holiday besides exchanging the "Happy Valentine's Day" greeting. Matter of fact I will be working this evening leaving him to fend for himself as usual. Since I work in a hospital, I thought I would do something to fit the theme. The beeping of heart monitors is well ingrained in my head and although I will not be working in the critical care units tonight, I thought a rhythm strip manicure would be fun. I will say however, that anyone with an actual rhythm strip that looks like this would not be having a happy Valentine's Day... so maybe this is an anti-Valentine's Day manicure after all?...

Valentine's Day Gradient...

I've got another super pink and girly Valentine's Day manicure to show you. It features a double gradient technique that I first saw on Globe & Nail and have been wanting to try ever since. I kept putting it off since it looks complicated and I didn't want to start something I didn't have time for. Turns out it was quite easy to make and it is definitely one of those manicures that looks more difficult than it really is. I'm glad I finally found the time to try it because I can't stop looking at it...

Mardi Gras!

Between Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras and Valentines Day, this week is full of excuses to try some themed nail art. I took advantage of my extended weekend and went a bit crazy playing with my polishes. Mardi Gras gave me the chance to go a bit outside my comfort zone with bright colors and embellishments  It might not be my proudest manicure, but it sure was fun to make...

2013 Year of the Snake...

Yesterday marked the beginning of the year of the Snake according to the Chinese calendar. This year the snake's element is water and it's color is black. I wanted to feature both of these characteristics in my manicure. For the water element I used water decals as accents and the snake itself of course had to be black...

I wish everyone a wonderful and prosperous Year of the Snake!

Press Release: OPI Oz The Great and Powerful Limited Edition Nail Lacquers

OPI Celebrates Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful 
with Limited Edition Nail Lacquers, 
Including NEW Liquid Sand™ Hue

OPI announces the launch of six limited edition nail lacquers and a new Liquid Sand™ shade, inspired by Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful. With an all-star cast that includes James Franco and Michelle Williams, this highly-anticipated film opens in theaters on March 8, 2013.

 “OPI is very excited to take this fantastical journey with Disney,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Inspired by the magic of Oz The Great and Powerful, this SoftShades collection captures the whimsy seen in the film, from glittery shades packed with white, gold and silvery iridescent confetti – Lights of Emerald City, When Monkeys Fly! and Which is Witch? – to soft neutrals in white, beige and pink – Don’t Burst My Bubble, Glints of Glinda and I Theodora You.

“The new Liquid Sand nail lacquer – What Wizardry is This? – features OPI’s groundbreaking technology for a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “This rich taupe hue was designed for James Franco’s character, the great Wizard of Oz, and is sure to make a bold statement this spring.”

With a mix of soft crème and warm glitter shades, the line is ideal for layering to create rich, complex looks. In addition to the Liquid Sand nail lacquer in What Wizardry is This?, the promotion includes:

Lights of Emerald City 

White confetti adds city girl flair and style to nails.

Don’t Burst My Bubble 

Don’t wake me...I’m dreaming about puffy clouds of white.

When Monkeys Fly! 

 I’m simply bananas for this gold confetti.

Glints of Glinda 

Only a good witch could turn beige from meek to chic.

Which is Witch? 

Is this silver glitter with iridescent sparkle or the other way around?

I Theodora You 

 This adorable, sheer pink is bewitching on you.

As with all OPI nail lacquers, the shades inspired by Oz The Great and Powerful contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

 This limited edition promotion will be available beginning March 2013 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

ABOUT OPI 
As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

ABOUT Oz The Great and Powerful 
Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well.

“Oz The Great and Powerful” is produced by Joe Roth, with screen story by Mitchell Kapner and screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire. Grant Curtis, Palak Patel, Philip Steuer and Josh Donen are serving as executive producers. “Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in U.S. theaters on March 8, 2013.

** Disclaimer: All information and images in this post provided by the manufacturer or their PR **

Sunday Stamping: Valentine's Day

With Valentines Day just a few days away, it is the theme of this weeks challenge in Adventures in Stamping for Sunday Stamping. I decided to try a skittle manicure with each nail a different design. This is something that I love but I am usually too scared to try it myself. I never feel that I can coordinate them well. Let's just say for this manicure I redid a few nails more than once and what initially was a mix of four colors ended up as two. I like how it turned out and just need to keep working on it to build up my confidence with skittle manicures...

Bracelet Inspired...

Hi Ladies! Today I have a manicure to show you that is inspired by one of my other hobbies... jewelry making. I actually have not made anything recently, but I went a little nuts last weekend and ordered a bunch of new beads that I'm really excited to play with. I might have to come up with manicures to go along with my creation just for an excuse to show them to you. For now, let me show you a manicure inspired by a bracelet that I made a few years ago. It reminds me of flames...

Press Release: Nicole by OPI Collaboration with Kellogg's Special K

NICOLE BY OPI ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH KELLOGG’S® SPECIAL K®

Three custom shades available with the purchase of eligible Special K products

• @NicoleByOPI and @SpecialKUS offers free bottle of lacquer with purchase of @SpecialKUS product in April

Nicole by OPI announces that the brand will be producing three custom nail lacquer shades for Kellogg’s® Special K® beginning in April to pair with a campaign encouraging women to “show off your confidence with color.” Shoppers will have the opportunity to receive free full-size bottles of Nicole by OPI nail lacquer by signing up for the Kellogg’s Family Rewards program and entering codes from specially marked boxes of Special K products, while supplies last.

The three custom shades include: Challenge Red-y (crème red), Pros & Confidence (crème turquoise) and Be Ama-Zing! (crème pink).

With the purchase of three eligible Special K products, consumers will receive the shade Challenge Red-y. After submitting the purchase codes from eight eligible Special K products, consumers will receive all three lacquers – Challenge Red-y, Pros & Confidence and Be Ama-Zing!

“Nicole by OPI is delighted to partner with Kellogg’s to offer such an exciting reward to Special K consumers,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “At our company, we always say that nail lacquer can change your look – and your outlook. In working with Kellogg’s Special K, we hope to inspire and motivate women who are striving for beauty both inside and out.”This promotion will be available in the US where Special K products are sold.

About Nicole by OPI: 
Nicole by OPI offers a salon-quality range of bold, fashion-forward nail lacquers. The brand’s heritage is based in OPI’s well-established foundation of excellence in both color and technology, providing premium products to a broad range of consumers looking for trendsetting nail lacquers.

About Kellogg Company: 
At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), we are driven to enrich and delight the world through foods and brands that matter. With 2012 sales of $14.2 billion, Kellogg is the world’s leading cereal company; second largest producer of cookies, crackers and savory snacks; and a leading North American frozen foods company. Every day, our well-loved brands nourish families so they can flourish and thrive. These brands include Kellogg’s®, Keebler®, Special K®, Pringles®, Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Kashi®, Cheez-It®, Eggo®, Coco Pops®, Mini-Wheats®, and many more. To learn more about our responsible business leadership, foods that delight and how we strive to make a difference in our communities around the world, visit www.kelloggcompany.com.

** Disclaimer: All information and images in this post provided by the manufacturer or their PR **

Raining Hearts - Valentine's Day Nail Art Contest Entry

There was something intriguing about the Harlow & Co Valentine's Nail Art Contest, so I decided to join. The challenge was to create a manicure using at least one polish sold by Harlow & Co. I only have a few shades that they sell, which is what made this a fun challenge for me. I ended up using three shades, all of which are available in their catalog...