Feathers!

Hello Everyone!

Today I have a feathery manicure to share with you. On a recent visit to a local drugstore, a little L.A. Colors beauty caught my eye and I was really itching to try it out. What can I say, I'm a sucker for flakie shimmer and not ashamed to admit it. It just calls to me. I paired it with some simple stamping for this look...

Nail Art Tutorial: Interlock

Hi Lovelies! As promised, I have a tutorial to share with you for the manicure that I posted yesterday. You may have seen this technique before, but I had a request for it a while ago, so I went ahead a created the tutorial. Somehow life got in the way between then and now so I didn't get around to writing it all up. Let's just chalk this one up to me being a bad blogger. Hopefully it is still better late than never.

Supplies:

• 2 polishes. I used Nicole by OPI My Sol Shines Brighter and Live in the Momentum
• Dotting tool. Don't have a dotting tool? Check out these dotting tool alternatives

Steps:

Instructions:

1. Start out with a base of 1-2 coats of your lighter shade.
   (The coral Nicole by OPI My Sol Shines Brighter is shown here)
2. Using the second shade, paint a diagonal line across your nail and fill in toward the tips. Don't worry if this is not perfectly straight because it will be covered up by dots.
   (The blue shown here is Nicole by OPI Live in the Momentum)
3. With a dotting tool dipped into your second color (ie. blue), add dots along the edge of the diagonal. Leave some space in between the dots as shown above.
4. Dip the dotting tool into your first color (ie. coral) and place a dot on your second color between two of the dots created in step 3.
5. Repeat step 4 to add dots along the edge of your second color, in between the dots of the second color created in step 3. 
6. Add a top coat and enjoy!

I think my instructions might be a bit confusing, but it is really easy once you actually do it, so don't let them intimidate you! Give it a try and I would love to see how it turns out! If you post on Instagram, tag me #lookwackylaki and I will be sure to see your creations.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

P.S. You can find lots of my other tutorials here!

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 **

Interlock!

Hi Lovelies! Today I have a manicure from waaay back in the archives! Just look at that black background. It has been ages since I've switched to white. Kind of miss the black at times though. Anyway, my weekend was filled with housework and home repairs. There is still a ton to do and soaking wet boxes to go through in the garage. I'll be hiding for a bit while I take care of that, but I've got lots of manis that I haven't shared yet, so this will be the perfect time to unload the archives, right?
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Nail Art Tutorial: Strawberries

Hi there once again! As promised, I have another tutorial to share with you today. I think I finally found my grove for making these and now I'm having way too much fun. The tutorial is for this cute strawberry nail art that I showed you in my last post. It is an intermediate tutorial and assumes that you know how to make a gradient. I will try to make a separate tutorial for gradients the next time I'm doing one. For now, I hope you enjoy this...

Supplies Used:

• Nicole by OPI Leapink for Joy, The Coral of the Story, Shaved Nice and Lay it on the Lime
• Cosmetic wedge
• Small nail art brush

Steps:

Instructions:

1. Start out by painting your nails using the the lightest of the two pink shades. Nicole by OPI Leapink for Joy is shown here
2. Apply the two pink polishes directly onto a cosmetic wedge and tap on the nail to create a gradient. Shown here using Nicole by OPI Leapink for Joy and The Coral of the Story.
• Note: you can skip steps #2 and #3 if desired to avoid making a gradient. If you are unfamiliar with making gradients, but want to try it, you can take a look at this tutorial which explains gradients in a bit more detail. 
3. Using a q-tip or brush dipped in acetone clean up the cuticles (you can save this step until the end if desired).
4. Apply a coat of glitter polish. Shown here with Nicole by OPI Shaved Nice
5. Using a small nail art brush and green polish draw the strawberry calyx (crown) on the nail half-moon. Don't worry about making it perfect since strawberries aren't perfect either. I used Nicole by OPI Lay it on the Lime for this manicure
6. Using the same detail brush and green polish, randomly dot strawberry 'seeds' on the nail
7. Seal with a top coat and enjoy!

I will leave you with this adorable turtle vs strawberry photo because I just couldn't resist including it here. I stumbled on it while trying to look up for the proper name of the strawberry crown. It is the calyx! My motto for the day is live, learn and find adorable photos in the process...

(source)

As always, I would love to know what you think of this tutorial and 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 **

Seize the Summer Strawberries

Hi Everyone! Have I mentioned already that I'm not ready to part with Summer yet? Well I'm not and although I'm looking forward to the Fall colors and nail art, I'm going to stretch the Summer shades out as long as I can. This is a manicure that I created while reviewing the Nicole by OPI Seize the Summer beauties. I wanted to see if I can combine the four of them into a fun and fruity summer manicure. Initially I thought of watermelons, but I since I've done that already, these strawberries came to be...

Nicole by OPI Seize the Summer (Summer 2014)

With Fall lacquers on the horizon, gorgeous as they are, I find myself dragging my feet and still not ready to let go of Summer yet. To prolong the sunny feeling this season has instilled in me, allow me to show you some bright and happy shades from the Nicole by OPI Seize the Summer release...

Teal Swirls...

Hi everyone! Today's out of the archives manicure is one of my favorites that I didn't get a chance to share with you before. This was a look that I created while playing around with the Nicole by OPI 2014 shades. There are so many pretties in that release, but as usual, I gravitated toward the teal...

Emerald Butterflies...

Hi Everyone! Today I have another manicure from the archives to share with you. I created this while playing around with the shades from the Nicole by OPI 2014 releases at the beginning of this year. I just adore this teal duochrome shade and it seemed the right spot for some butterflies to land...

Sweet Daisy...

Hi Everyone! Today is the first post out of the archives and I hope you will enjoy it. I created this while reviewing the Nicole by OPI Carrie Underwood collection. The manicure was inspired by the name of the peachy shade used to create this look...

Nicole by OPI Collaboration Shades with Kellogg’s Special K

All you ladies in the US, have you been collecting codes from specially marked boxes of Special K products for your free Nicole by OPI shades? The collaboration was such a success last year, that the two companies worked together once more to re-release the classic red and two new shades...

Needle Drag...

Hi Everyone! Today I have another manicure for you that has been unposted for quite some time. I created this while swatching the Nicole by OPI new 2014 lacquers. I have wanted to try needle drag nail art for a while, but my few previous attempts were less than appealing and never even got in front of the camera. This is the first decent one that I've been able to create and although it looks messy, I'm quite proud of it...

Nicole by OPI Be Awesome Glitter Placement

Hi Lovies! Today I would like to show you a manicure that I created last month while swatching the Nicole by OPI 2014 lacquers. The diamond glitter in Be Awesome is fun when brushed/dabbed on in a random pattern, but like so many others, I couldn't resist picking out the glitter from this lacquer and doing some arranging...

Press Release: Nicole by OPI Partners with Kellogg’s Special K on Nail Lacquer Launch

Encore of a Colorful Collaboration!

Expanding on the momentum of last year’s partnership, Nicole by OPI has once again collaborated with Kellogg’s® Special K® to launch three custom nail lacquer shades for its "Shine Brighter" campaign. The campaign inspires women to be their best selves - healthy, confident and positive, to look better, feel better, and shine brighter.

“Nicole by OPI is excited to offer exclusive lacquers to Kellogg’s Special K consumers for a second time, because last year was such a big hit!” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “We encourage women to show off their confidence in a positive way through color. When you look good, you feel good!”


The three custom shades include: Challenge Red-y (crème red), Live in the Momentum (crème blue) and My Sol Shines Brighter (crème coral). 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.

With the purchase of three eligible Special K products, consumers will receive the shade Challenge Red-y. After submitting the purchase codes from five eligible Special K products, consumers will receive two lacquers - Live in the Momentum and My Sol Shines Brighter.

Nicole by OPI Signature edition Special K packages designed by Suzi Weiss-Fischmann will be available exclusively at Target. The designer packages are available only for select flavors (Original, Red Berries & Chocolatey Delight).

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality. This promotion will be available April 2014 in the US where Special K products are sold. For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

** Press Release photos and information provided by the manufacturer or their PR. **

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

Roughled Turquoise...

Hi Everyone! Today I would like to show you a manicure which I consider a bit of a happy accident. I had been wearing the Nicole by OPI On What Grounds? for a few days after swatching it and as I often do, I decided to play around with nail art before removing it. It always gives me the freedom to try various things without the fear that I need to make it perfect. Most often I end up with a different design on each nail. The ones that turn out well get stored somewhere in my brain to try out later and the whole mess usually gets promptly removed. This time however, I liked the idea enough to try it out  right away, despite the visible (at least to me) nail growth. I think this looks a bit like marble or turquoise...

Nicole by OPI Roughles Swatches and Review!

Every time I think that I've seen it all when it comes to texture, I'm happily surprised with new colors and effects. Such is the case with the Nicole by OPI Roughles (pronounced "ruffles") which I would like to show you today. These pastel matte textured shades are a refreshing change from the usual sparkle loaded or solid color textures lacquers. These are so sweet for spring. They make me think of yummy berry yogurt...

Review of Nicole by OPI Top Coats & Treatments for 2014

Hi Everyone! Today I would like to share with you my thoughts on the Nicole by OPI Top Coats and cuticle oil released at the beginning of this year. I wanted to give them a thorough test so I tried them out while swatching and creating nail art with the Nicole by OPI 2014 Nail Lacquers.

Nicole by OPI Nautical Doodle

Hi Everyone! I must confess that I'm a pretty bad swatcher. Whenever I swatch a collection, I get sidetracked and start dreaming up nail art ideas. I make no apologies though since I love bringing such spur of the moment ideas to life. This is one of the manicures that I created while swatching the new Nicole by OPI 2014 shades which I showed you yesterday...

Nicole by OPI New Nail Lacquers for 2014 Swatches and Review

Today I have prepared for you swatches of the new 2014 Nicole by OPI nail lacquers! I'll leave my blabbing to a minimum because this post is very photo heavy. Consider yourself warned! Let me know what you think of these new shades!

Busy as a Bee!

Hi! I've been busy and sleep deprived a lot more than usual lately. Although I've been swatching and playing with nail art whenever I can, I've really been slacking when it comes to processing the photos! Just something about starring at the monitor after coming home tired from work is not sounding too appealing these days. Go figure! This is one of the manicures that I created while swatching the Nicole by OPI Carrie Underwood collection and just haven't posted until now. I was inspired by the name of the polish, Sing You Like a Bee. As soon as I read the name, I knew I had to add some cute little bees to it...

Gradient of Hearts Featuring Nicole by OPI Carrie Underwood Shades...

Hi! Valentine's Day is just a few days away so I've been playing around with pink polish once again. My boyfriend and I actually don't celebrate this holiday, but I have fun with themed manicures none the less. Anyone else like me out there? Don't celebrate it, but have fun making the manicures for it anyway?...