Delicate Flowers...

As bad luck would have it, I broke a nail yesterday before I finished swatching the Color Club Halo Hues collection, which I was hoping to show you today. I'm putting that on the back burner for a few days and instead would like to show you a manicure that I created last weekend. It uses one of the holographic beauties form that collection for stamping. I originally intended this mani for the flower themed Sunday Stamping challenge last week. I ended up posting a different flowery manicure and this sweet lilac one has been waiting for it's moment in the spotlight...

Color Club Flamingo...

When I was first getting into nail art, I got somewhat hooked on nail stickers. My attention quickly switched to stamping and freehand, but in a short amount of time I managed to acquire more stickers than I know what to do with. It is kind of a shame to see them just sitting there deprived of their moment in the spotlight. I  decided that it would be fun to experiment with some of them again....

Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Campaign

I got something interesting in my email box recently and thought some of you nail art lovers might be interested too! Check out this fun nail art contest hosted by Sally Hansen. For full details visit the Sally Hansen Facebook page...

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SHOW YOUR NAILS SOME LOVE

WITH THE SALLY HANSEN I <3 NAIL ART CAMPAIGN

Be your own nail artist for the chance to win.

WHAT IT IS: A monthly contest celebrating the best and brightest in nail art. Sally Hansen has always delivered the tools to express creativity and individuality through vibrant, vivid, bold nails. Now the nail authority is giving every aspiring artist the chance to show off her handy work with the I <3 Nail Art Campaign. Each month, Sally Hansen will post a new nail art challenge on Facebook and enlist fans to post photos of their most inspired, intricate and ingenious nail looks.

Sally Hansen’s own nail ambassador, celebrity manicurist Tracylee, will serve on the panel of judges choosing the winner. “I constantly take inspiration from fashion, architecture, events and pop culture in creating my nail art,” reveals Tracylee. “I’m so excited to see the kind of creative submissions we get and find new inspiration in my own work.”

Each month, a new winner will receive exclusive Sally Hansen prizes and a trip to New York to compete in the Grand Finale, where competitors will be asked to create nail art looks on the spot. The expert panel will select the grand prize winner, who will be named the Sally Hansen Nail Art Sweetheart and will win $2000. She will also be featured in Sally Hansen promotional materials, showcasing her winning nail art.

So if you <3 nail art and think you have what it takes to be the Sally Hansen Nail Art Sweetheart, visit Sally Hansen’s Facebook page beginning February 4th to enter.

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Thanks for looking!

Anutka :)

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

Matzah Nail for Passover!

Happy Passover!

Happy Passover to those of you who celebrate it! This weekend, I got a gentle reminder from my friends that I should do a manicure for the occasion and matzah nails was strongly suggested. I got the hint and knew exactly who to turn to for inspiration. Last year 10 Blank Canvases created her matzah nails for Passover and I knew that I wanted to try and recreate the look. Luckily, she created an easy matzah nails tutorial which I followed (for the most part)...

Sunday Stamping: Flowers

Despite the snowfall that fell over Seattle last Thursday night (and melted by Friday afternoon), I think it is safe to say that most people are ready for Spring. Ready to put away the warm clothes, enjoy the sunshine, and watch everything start to bloom. This week the Sunday Stamping challenge of flowers is just right for the mood...

Press Release: Zoya Stunning and Irresistible

JUST LIKE THE SUN, YOU ARE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION!

STUNNING & IRRESISTIBLE

Twelve new Sun Inspired Colors for Summer 2013.

Summer brings the sunniest colors to nails! Including six super shiny creams and six fresh foil metallics to put all the focus on the brightest shining light in any room - YOU!

Zoya SUMMER 2013: STUNNING Collection

• Darcy (ZP663) - Sunny Yellow Cream - Full Coverage.
• Thandie (ZP664) - Citrus Orange Cream - Full Coverage.
• Micky (ZP665) - Amazing Coral Cream - Full Coverage.
• Yana (ZP669) - Rubine Red Cream - Full Coverage.
• Josie (ZP667) - Grassy Green Cream - Full Coverage.
• Rocky (ZP668 ) - Serene Blue Cream - Full Coverage.

Zoya SUMMER 2013: IRRISISTIBLE Collection

• Kerry (ZP684) - Yellow Gold Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Amy (ZP670) - Red Orange Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Tinsley (ZP671) - Rose Gold Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Bobbi (ZP672) - Hot Magenta Pink Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Hazel (ZP673) - Blue Green Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Rikki (ZP674) - Fern Green Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.

Shipping April 15, 2013

Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful
industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate
(DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com.

Each and every color has a name as unique
as the women who inspired it.

ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!
$8.00 ea. (US).
Available on Zoya.com



Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

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

Press Release: OPI Bond Girls Collection

Polish Galore!

OPI Joins Bond 007 to Release Six New Revolutionary Liquid Sand™ Nail Lacquers Inspired by 50 Years of James Bond

OPI announces the launch of Bond Girls, a collection of six new Liquid Sand™ nail lacquers featuring a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle fitting the allure surrounding the Bond Girls.  In hues of white, pink, blue, purple, gold and coral, Bond Girls offers a range of shimmering shades with the distinctive Liquid Sand finish.

“OPI is extremely excited to partner again with EON Productions,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI co-founder & Artistic Director. “Following the success of the holiday promotion with the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, it’s been a thrill to create colors for the women who’ve captured Bond’s attention over the last five decades.

“The six shades are named after some of the most iconic – and my favorite – Bond girls, including: Solitaire, Pussy Galore, Tiffany Case, Vesper, Honey Ryder and Jinx,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “Worn without top coat, these Liquid Sand lacquers give nails a pebbled, matte finish worthy of the captivating ‘Bond Girls’ name.”

Bond Girls by OPI features six Liquid Sand nail lacquers:

Solitaire 

This diamond-sparkling white is totally engaging.

Pussy Galore

This light feminine pink has the purrrfect amount of shimmer. 

Tiffany Case

A classic light blue worth investigating. 

Vesper

A mysterious and intriguing deep purple. 

Honey Ryder

Take a ryde on the wild side in this shimmery gold. 

Jinx

This mesmerizing matte coral has lucky sparkle. 

OPI Liquid Sand lacquers should always be worn without top coat.

Bond Girls by OPI nail lacquers feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. These six new shades will be available beginning May 2013 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Chatters, 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. 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 Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions
EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family. Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with MGM, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising.   EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company which makes the James Bond films.   The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-three films produced since 1962.  Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli succeeded Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including CASINO ROYALE, QUANTUM OF SOLACE and SKYFALL.

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

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

Franken Gone Wrong... Continued...

First of all I would like to say thank you for all your wonderful feedback to my Franken Gone Wrong post. I am glad to know I'm not alone in this. Some of you had this happen to them, some offered logical explanations for the color change (cooper vs true gold) and some of you were intrigued by the resulting green and requested samples. I debated if I was brave enough to swatch this and turns out I am. My nails have not fallen off yet and I'm really hoping that remains the case. For now, here are a few swatches as requested...

Franken Gone Wrong...

I wanted to show you a little frankening experiment that I tried over the weekend. I had set out to make a DIY gold leaf top coat. There are a few tutorial floating out there and they seemed simple enough. Start with some clear polish and gold leaf from the craft store, mix the two together and voila... cheap gold leaf top coat. I was really excited to make it and try it out for St. Patty's day. Here are my supplies all ready go to...

St. Patrick's Day Manicure

Somewhere halfway through the day I decided to change my subtle St. Patricks's Day manicure to something a bit... greener. Since I didn't have much time to work on it, I opted for one that was quick and simple...

Sunday Stamping: St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

This week's theme in Sunday Stamping is quite appropriately a manicure to celebrate the occasion or just create something with an Irish theme. I didn't have anything specific in mind when I started on this manicure, but somehow ended up using everything and the kitchen sink for it. The end result turned out being sweet and subtle and matches my mood perfectly...

Winstonia First Generation Stamping Plates Review

I was waiting to show you the Winstonia stamping plate set, the latest set to join my collection, until I had a chance to try them out. I finally used them for the beach manicure last weekend and can share my thoughts on them...

Press Release: ZOYA PixieDust - Summer Edition

INFUSED WITH SUMMERY MAGIC AND WONDER

Because everyone wants more of it... the color experts at Zoya went back to the lab and created six more beautiful, long-wearing textured, matte and sparkling Zoya PixieDust Colors!

This incredible and best-selling formula is sure to captivate with a magical sparkle and sugary finish like no other.

ZOYA PIXIE DUST - SUMMER EDITION

• ZP683 - Solange: EXCLUSIVE PIGMENT!!! Gold Metal sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.
• ZP677 - Beatrix: Tangerine Metal sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.
• ZP676 - Destiny: Coral Metal sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.
• ZP682 - Miranda: Rose sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.
• ZP675 - Stevie: Violet sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.
• ZP681 - Liberty: Blue sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

Ultra long-wearing, nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

PixieDust Application: For BEST RESULTS apply 1-3 (for full coverage) thin coats of polish. Allow product to dry completely for full effect. Do not use a base coat or top coat.

Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com. Each and every color has a name as unique as the women who inspired it.

ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!

$9.00 ea. (US)
Available on Zoya.com

SHIPPING APRIL 1, 2013 (no joke)



Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

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

Zoya PixieDust Collection for Spring 2013

Have you joined the textured polish bandwagon yet? I sure have! That is why I'm so excited to show you my swatches of six Zoya PixieDust shades for the Spring collection. I find the texture so fascinating and different that when I wear them, I can't stop looking at or touching the nails. It seems to have that effect on others as well since I've had people both stare and touch my nails as I was wearing these...

Polish Days: Vintage

Things got a bit hectic last month and I didn't get to participate in the monthly Polish Days challenge, but I'm happy to have prepared something this month. The theme of this month is to be inspired by or incorporate something vintage. I actually jumped the gun and had this done in time for last Tuesday because I confused the challenge day. I've been waiting since then to share this with you.

For this challenge, I initially wanted to swatch and do some nail art with the most vintage polish in my collection which was actually my mom's when she was my age. That didn't quite work out since the polish is falling apart and is sadly unusable. Instead, I started looking through my pinterest board of vintage nail polish ads and decided to copy one that actually featured some nail art...

Sunday Stamping: Plate Ending in Six

Well it is once again time for a Sunday Stamping challenge. They seem to sneak up on me faster and faster each week. This week the challenge is to use a plate with a number ending in six. I decided to try out my recently purchased Winstonia plates. As soon as I saw the beach themed images, I though of this manicure by Casey of No Nude Nails. I resisted the urge to look at it until I was finished with my manicure, just so they wouldn't be identical, but I had it in the back of my mind for sure! The beach scene was also the perfect opportunity to infuse a bit of Zoya PixieDust into my nail art...

OPI When Monkeys Fly Glitter Jelly Sandwich...

Happy International Woman's Day Ladies! 

I am ashamed to say that I completely forgot about today's special occasion and prepared nothing appropriate to show you. Instead I would like to show you a little layering experiment with two shades from the OPI Oz The Great and Powerful collection which I showed yesterday. While swatching, I was the least thrilled about these two particular shades, but there was something about them that prompted me to experiment further. In sandwiching the two together, I changed my mind about both of them and I must say I do like the resulting look. Playing off of the name of the glitter polish, When Monkeys Fly!, I couldn't resist stamping a little monkey accent...

OPI Oz The Great and Powerful Collection Swatches and Review

Today I'm excited to show you the beautiful new OPI Oz The Great and Powerful collection. This is a limited edition collection inspired by the Disney's new movie.  I have not seen the movie yet to know where the inspiration for these shades is coming from, but I don't think that matters when deciding what I think of these lacquers. The collection is made up of three sheer jelly shades, three glitters and a new Liquid Sand shade...

Tutorial Tuesday: Striping Tape and Gradient

Today I would like to share with you a tutorial for the technique used to create the striping tape and gradient manicure yesterday. If you read my spoiler alert at the bottom of that post, then you were probably already expecting this. It is a manicure that I think looks complicated, but is actually pretty easy to make. The fun part is experimenting with colors and tape placement for endless manicure possibilities. If you have not tried this technique yet, I hope this will encourage you to try it...

Supplies:

• 3 polishes of your choice (Barielle Banana Drop, Lilac Jelly Bean, and Green Apple Chew used for this manicure)
• Striping tape in any color 
• Makeup wedge or other sponge

Steps:

Instructions:

1. Apply desired number of coats of base color and allow to completely dry
2. Cut and apply pieces of striping tape in a desired pattern
3. Paint a stripe of each gradient color directly onto makeup wedge or sponge
4. Gently tap the sponge over the nail moving it slightly back and forth to blend the gradient
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 by applying more polish to the sponge and gently tapping on the nail  for a second coat of gradient. This helps build color opacity for the gradient
6. While the polish is still wet, carefully remove the striping tape one piece at a time
7. Using a Q-tip clean the cuticles of excess polish.
   Tip: clean up any fine details with a brush as demonstrated here
8. Add a layer of top coat (or two if the sponging is bumpy) and enjoy! 

As always, please let me know what you think of this or if you have questions!

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 **

Barielle Sweet Treats, Striping Tape and Matte-inee

I had quite a bit of fun playing with striping tape and a few of the beauties from the Barielle Sweet Treats collection. The resulting manicure is something that I have been wanting to try for a while and I am loving the result. It feels a bit like the cold gray winter transitioning to spring...

Sunday Stamping: Stamping and Dots

What happens when it is 3 am, I am exhausted, but determined to come up with a manicure for today's Sunday Stamping challenge? The answer would be this manicure. The challenge was to create a "stamping and dot, dot, dots" manicure. I may taken that "dots" part a little too seriously because I couldn't stop with the dotting tool...

Gals Princess and Fairy Stamping Plates

I purchased the Gals Princess and Fairy stamping sets a while ago, but have not gotten around to showing them to you until now. Having finally used them for the first time for yesterday's manicure, I figured it is about time. This is also part of my bigger project to show you all the plates that I have, since I get a lot of questions about it.

Gals, a sister or sub-company of Cheeky, recently released two 25 piece sets. One is named Princess (plates GA1-25) and the other is named Fairy (plates GA26-50). Both of these have similar quality to Cheeky plates and stamp well.

I have scanned my actual plates so these are not stock photos. Click on the images to see them in full view...

Princess Set