Nail-aween Challenge Day 4: Mummy Nails

Day 4 of the Nail-aween Challenge is a bit later than planned, but I'm determined to catch up to my self imposed schedule. That is one thing that I love about this particular challenge, there is no time line other than to finish all ten manicures before the 31st. I am hoping that I can handle that. Now back to the challenge mani for today which is Mummy Nails. I thought it would be a fun one to stamp and embellish. It didn't turn out looking particularly like mummies to me and my boyfriend has a completely different theory on what they resemble, but I think they are pretty cute anyway...

Sunday Stamping: Red & Black

It is Sunday Stamping again in the group Adventures in Stamping and this week the challenge is "red and black," which was the perfect opportunity to try this manicure. I've tried it once before, but the stamp didn't turn out well so I never posted about it. I'm excited that this time it turned out much better and I can show it to you. Also, before I go on with the post, I want address a question I had last week. The stamping group where these challenges come from welcomes all stamping enthusiasts regardless of your skill level so please don't hesitate to join if you are interested!

Zoya Gems & Jewels Recap...

Maybe I shouldn't call this a recap since I'm about to show three new manicures, but I did use the same polishes, so hopefully you'll let is slide ;). These manicures were inspired by a mermaid manicure done by Marta of ChitChat Nails. I just fell in love with it and had to try it. Since the Zoya's Gems & Jewels polishes were all still sitting on my desk, I thought it would be fun to try them. I think they turned out pretty cute although I wish I would have sponged the glitter on rather than using a brush...

Zoya Holly & Rina
For the base I used two coats of Zoya Stephanie, a great sheer that I love to use for french manis. Then I stamped over it with Holly using Bundle Monster plate BM-208. The same plate that I used in my original Holly/Rina manicure. I panted the tips with Rina, which for some reason is the hardest of the glitters for me to work with. I couldn't get a nice thin layer of it. Next time, it will be sponged on for sure. You can see swatches of Holly & Rina here (in case you missed them a few days ago). It makes me think of a sports field. If I ever need grass for nail art, this would be a good place to start...

Zoya Izzy & Kissy
Next up is the pink version of the mani. Again, I started out with two coats of Zoya Stephanie. I stamped with Izzy using Bundle Monster plate BM-209, same as for the original Izzy/Kissy mani. See how they all tie together? Tips were painted on using Kissy, the most holographic of the three glitters. Everything was topped off with a thick top coat to tame the glitter. You can see swatches of both of these polishes on their own here. This one turned out so sweet...

Zoya Noel & Twila
And I saved the best for last because again the Noel/Twila combo turned out to be my favorite. You can see swatches of each of them here. For this mani, I started out with surprise, surprise two coats of Zoya Stephanie. Stamping was done using Noel and Red Angel plate RA-108. Tips were then added using Twila. Everything was topped of with a nice layer of top coat and voila... :)

I think the metallic/foil properties of the Holly, Izzy and Noel made them great for stamping. I'm really pleased with the result. I hope you like it!

As a note of warning, when using these bar glitters for tips or a full mani, make sure there are no bars sticking out on edge of the nails... they are sharp little things :D

Let me know what you think :)

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

Zoya Izzy & Kissy

Today I have for you the next two polishes from Zoya's Gems & Jewels collection. They are named Izzy and Kissy. How cute is that? I'd love to be on Zoya's name picking committee. What a fun job that must be! Well, without further adieu, here are Zoya Izzy, Kissy, and some stamping...

Izzy
A pink polish with pink and silver shimmer and some foil/metallic properties. Great formula and application. Full coverage in two coats. Swatches with a top coat...

Swatch Details
	Brand: Zoya Collection: Gems & Jewels (Holiday 2011) Color Name/Number: Izzy, ZP579 Number of coats: 2 Top Coat: Yes Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Camphor

Kissy (over Izzy)
Another complex glitter from Zoya. This one is made up of small red and pink glitter as well as purple and holographic bar glitter. This one contains the most holographic bar glitter out of the three glitter shades in this collection. A very unique polish indeed! This is two coats of Kissy (plus a top coat) over two coats of Izzy from above.

Swatch Details
	Brand: Zoya Collection: Gems & Jewels (Holiday 2011) Color Name/Number: Kissy, ZP578 (over 2 coats Izzy, ZP579) Number of coats: 2 Top Coat: Yes Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Camphor

I decided to stamp this one with another lacy pattern. I think it is really pretty how the glitter peaks through all the holes. It gives the manicure some depth. For this stamping I used Bundle Monster plate BM-209 and Wet 'n Wild Black Creme.

Let me know what you think of the polishes or stamping!

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)