Black and White Challenge Day 8 - Sponging

It is day eight of the Black and White Challenge which means a sponged manicure. I had in mind a marble or granite look, so I turned to the internet for inspiration, as I often do. Somehow it helps to have a picture to stare at as I work. While searching for black and white stone, I stumbled upon a photo of Emma Stone in a black and white dress that I just couldn't resist...

Emma Stone photo Source

Hawaiian Sunset

This is an exciting post for me because it means that tomorrow I will be heading off on my vacation to Hawaii. I will be sneaking away with my mom for some much needed rest and relaxation as we leave our boys to fend for themselves. To mark the occasion, I created a Hawaiian Sunset manicure. I've seen ones like this before and have always wanted to try it...

I started out with two coats of Color Club Almost Famous (yellow) and sponged towards the base of the nail with Color Club Warhol (neon pink). These are both from the Color Club POPtastic collection and happen to be the same colors used in the flames manicure a few months ago. On top of Warhol, at the base of the nail, I sponged Sinful Colors Let's Talk, a pretty metallic purple. The tip was then sponged with Wet 'n Wild Black Creme.

The palm tree was stamped using Wet 'n Wild Black Creme and Shany plate SC19. Since the stamped palm tree is just an outline and I wanted it fully shaded, I filled in the shape with a small detail brush and black acrylic paint. I love how this turned out. I'm hoping to see a sunset just like this...

Here was the image that I used for inspirations. I found it here. Such an amazing sunset...

Source

I would love to know what you think of this!

Also, just to let you know, I have prepared swatches and some nail art for the time that I will be gone. I do not plan on having internet access, so I will respond to any comments left when I return! :D

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

Barielle Unraveled Rust Gets Rusty...

The last polish from the Barielle Argyle in Style collection that I played with was Unraveled Rust. I loved the rich dark chocolate brown, but it really didn't make think of rust, so I decided to change that. After googing images of rust, I found one that I loved and used it as my inspiration. To get the look I used a combination of sponging, dry brush, and even crackle. It seemed as though I threw every polish I own into the mix. Probably couldn't do it again even if I tried. In the process, I discovered that I don't have quite the right turquoise blue to really make it pop, however I still love how it turned out....

This is the inspiration image, which I found here. I love the colors in this. Really wish I had the right blue to make it stand out. Guess there is always room on the wish list for more colors...

Polishes Used:
Maybelline - Summer Spice
LA Colors - Current

Essie - Braziliant
Color Club - Almost Famous

Barielle - Unraveled Rust 

China Glase Crackle - Crushed Candy
LA Colors - Sea Siren

Avon - Gleaming Gold

I hope you like this manicure and I would love to know what you think of it!

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

Ulta Casual Mauve

Leaving the fun and bright New Years flames behind is this back to work safe brown. For the manicure I started out with two coats of Ulta Casual Mauve. For a little sparkle, I sponged with Ulta After Party. To be completely honest this was mostly because it was still on my desk from last year's week's manicure. The red glitter in After Party completely disappeared against the brown and all that was visible was the silver. A bit disappointing, but now I know. Also, the sponging left my cuticles covered in glitter which was extremely frustrating to try to remove. Remind me to be more careful next time...

Below is Casual Mauve by itself. I don't see to much mauve in it, more of an earthy brown. The formula on this creme is great. No problems with application. I used two coats plus a top coat here....

I definitely liked this one more in person than I do on the photos. It is nice to try something different occasionally...

Swatch Details
	Brand: Ulta Line: Salon Formula Color Name/Number: Casual Mauve Number of coats: 2 Top Coat: Yes Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

A Fiery New Year!

Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone had a great celebration. I had a busy one, which is why despite all my great intentions, I'm posting my New Years manicure today. The theme for the party I attended was fire, so I took that as a challenge. My inspiration for the manicure was one done by Jane from Nailside. The moment I saw her manicure, I knew I would someday try and this was the perfect opportunity. I even used the same polishes: Color Club Almost Famous and Warhol. The only thing I changed was to reverse the direction of the flames. I chose to have mine going up toward the tips. This was so fun for the weekend! :)

Here is what the gradient looked like before the black was added. I started out with two coats of Color Club Almost Famous (yellow) and sponged on top with Color Club Warhol (hot pink). This combo looks so great together...

I hope you had a fun New Year's celebration!
What kind of manicure did you wear?

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

Tutorial: Flower Field

I had promised to do a tutorial for this flower manicure from challenge Day14 a few weeks ago, but got wrapped up in all the Halloween fun and didn't get around to it, so here it is. Hopefully better late than never :)

	Supplies: - For the colors I used: Sally Hansen - Mint Sorbet, Wet n Wild - French White Creme, Ulta Professional - Green With Envy, Sinful Colors - Envy, Barielle - Tight Knit, Two-Way Nail Art Pen in Yellow - Detail brush, mine is size #000 - Piece of faux seafoam sponge (or cosmetic wedge)
	Step 1: - Apply desired number of coats of base color. - I used 2 coats of Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet
	Step 2: - With the white draw petals to create a basic daisy shape - I used Wet n Wild French White Creme for the petals
	Step 3: - Draw desired number of daises
	Step 4: - With a dark green, draw stems from each daisy to the tip of the nail - Add a few extra stems without flowers as desired - I used Ulta Professional Green With Envy for the stems
	Step 5: - Add a yellow dot at the center of the flower - You can do this using a toothpick, dotting tool, or Nail Art Pen as I did
	Step 6: - With a brown polish add a small outline above the yellow at the top of the flower center - For this I used Barielle Tight Knit
	Step 7: - Place a dot of green polish on a disposable work surface such a piece of paper or plastic - Tap the sponge into the polish to work it into the sponge - Gently tap the sponge on the tip of the nail. - Don't forget that you can always add more color, but you can't take it off, so be gentle :) - For sponging I used Sinful Colors Envy
	Done! - Add a top coat and you are done!

As always, I'd love to hear your thought, comments and suggestions!

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)