31 Day Challenge: Day 13

It's a jungle out there!

Today's challenge was animal print and I took a stab at some leopard spots.  I actually did this all yesterday, but I just bought a new camera and was figuring things out.  By the time I was ready to update, it was late at night and my indoor pictures weren't as good as taking outdoor pictures.  So this one is a little late, but it's so worth it because it's awesome!

I did a neon rainbow leopard print with holographic microglitter on top.  Essie Instant Hot is the base because it had a little shimmer to it (although, I'm starting to feel that a stark white polish would have been better).  The neon rainbow spots are China Glaze Towel Boy Toy, China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada, Orly Glowstick, Orly Popsicle, China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, China Glaze Purple Panic, and Kiss Nail Art Paint in Black.  Then I swiped China Glaze Fairy Dust all over it.

I name this manicure:  Lisa Frank Inspired Leopard Nails.

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 12

Happy Hump Day!

Today's challenge is Stripes and I pulled my inspiration from this beautiful modern quilt seen here on flickr (Copyrighted, so I'm not going to steal the pic.  Just go check out its loveliness, please.).  I just loved it and knew that I wanted to try to recreate those funky stripes.

I used China Glaze White on White, Essie Power Clutch, and China Glaze Towel Boy Toy for my funky modern stripes.  It was kind of fun because all I had to do was cut up some tape in crooked (but straight) lines, apply, and paint.  YAY!  My lines bled a little because I put the top coat on before my stripes were completely dry, but I love how it turned out.

Hope you enjoy!

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 11

Polka Polka Polka Dots!

I'm getting more and more comfortable using my dotting tool, and I loved doing my nail art today.  I did a pink, white, and gray combination with my polka dots and am pleased as punch by the result.

For today's challenge, I used Confetti Dance Party Pink, Confetti First Kiss, Essie Power Clutch, and Kiss Nail Art Paint in White.

So now that I've unwinded today with a little nail art, I've got some din to get started to feed the hungry hubs!

Have a great evening!

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 10

So, today's post is a day late...  Sorry!  I hope every one had an enjoyable Mother's Day.

Today's challenge is "Gradient" and it was tough!  Not to mention I hacked away my cuticles with my new snippers (ouch).  I use Revlon Blue Lagoon (that could be a dupe to Sinful Colors Cinderella) and China Glaze White on White.  The technique I attempted can be found here at The Nailasaurus. 

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 9

Every time I see a rainbow I have to stop what I'm doing and enjoy its beauty.  Fortunately for me, today's challenge is to create nail art incorporating a rainbow.  I was inspired to try this design from color-happy.blogspot.com because it was just too stinkin' cute to pass!

It was surprisingly easy to do, too.  First, I did a white base coat with Orly White Tips.  Then I rounded up the best rainbow colors in my stash:  OPI OPI Red, OPI A Roll in the Hague, OPI Lemonade Stand By Your Man, Revlon Posh, China Glaze Towel Boy Toy, and OPI Purple With A Purpose.  Then I topped it off with China Glaze Fairy Dust, a holographic microglitter.  The perfect glitter to put on top of a rainbow!

It's so cheery!  It's too bad I have to take it off tomorrow.

Happy Saturday!

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 8

Today we experiment with Metallic polish!

I chose to use Mary Kay Gold Leaf, Nicole by OPI It Starts With Me, and Essie Set in Stones for this challenge.  I wouldn't choose to wear this in the spring/summer, but I think it would be wonderful for a holiday party.  It's been a little overcast today so the picture is a little dark.  One day, I will get my hands on a decent camera.

Here we have it:

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 7

In my head I'm singing "Ebony and Ivory" because today's challenge is Black & White!

There are so many things you can do with black and white, but I wanted to do something a little different.  I saw this tutorial on The Beauty Department and was so inspired to try it myself.  Mine is a little rough, but it's super tough free-handing!  Just one of those things that takes practice.

The Peter Pan Collar

It took seriously forever, but luckily I had ample time to dedicate to my black and white creation.
I used Fright Night Claw Polish (no relation to the horror flick) in black and Orly White Tips.  I had a lot of fun with this one, and I think I may attempt this one again some day.  It's just so cute!

Happy Thursday to y'all (and Happy Graduation to my sister-in-law)!

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 6

Today's challenge is Violet (or purple)!

So, please excuse my non-creative manicure today.  I was kind of rushed because we're leaving tonight to see my sister-in-law graduate tomorrow.  Yes, I'm that dedicated to put my nail art challenge ahead of my packing, cleaning, and overall preparedness for our quick trip.  Dedicated... or crazy.

So, in lieu of attempting this challenge in a small window of time, I stuck with dots.  I used three different shades of purple here:  OPI Purple with a Purpose, Essie Love & Acceptance, and Pure Ice Busted.  Then to try to make it look like I put more thought into it, I added rhinestones.  Yay for rhinestones!

Not my best effort, but consider it accomplished!

Tata for now!
-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 5

Day 5 of the challenge and I'm having a showdown with Blue.

First of all, I only own a super pale frosty blue (that isn't my favorite) and a neon blue and OPI Russian Navy.  Those don't really go together.  So I bought Sephora by OPI Teal We Meet Again.  Technically NOT blue, but it would have to do for today's project. 

I used Essie Turquoise & Caicos, Essie Instant Hot, and Sephora by OPI Teal We Meet Again to create a scalloped nail design.  Then I topped it off with blue rhinestones on my accent nail.  Teal We Meet Again could've used another coat to get rid of the streaks, but overall I am super pleased with this!  Surprisingly, this design was easier than I thought it would be.

Essie Turquoise & Caicos, Essie Instant Hot, Sephora by OPI Teal We Meet Again

Now I must finish my other hand because I was totally distracted by pizza and haven't finished yet.  LOL

Teal we meet again (hah, had to do it!),

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 4

Green day!  It's day 4 of the challenge and I'm ready to show-n-tell.

I picked up a bottle of Revlon Posh especially for this day.  It's a cream kelly green and it reminds me of my high school's colors (Go Pirates!), green and gold.  I so would've worn this for Spirit Day.

Posh was a really nice simple green.  The formula was good and it smoothed out nicely - 2 coats for opacity.
I jazzed it up with some experimental dots (Posh mixed with some white I had on hand).  I'm still new with nail art so my dot lines are a little off-centered - whoopsie!

Revlon Posh

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 3

Today's Challenge is all about Yellow.  So, I actually WAS challenged with this because I don't normally wear yellow polish and I certainly don't own many.  Fortunately for me, as I was buying some nail stuff, I stumbled upon Orly's "Glowstick"  (*shrill of excitement*) and quickly decided that I had to use that for today. 

Glowstick is a neon yellow, nearly greenish yellow, that truly looks like a glowstick.  It's oh so deliciously neon, bright and blinding just the way I like it!  The formula was great for a neon (usually they are terribly streaky) and was opaque in two coats.  I used China Glaze "White on White" as a base.  This color seriously makes me want to go bowling at midnight when they turn on all the black lights.  Yes.  I said bowl. 

My camera had some serious trouble capturing the neon-ness of Glowstick, so I took a sunlight picture and a shade picture.  The sunlight picture didn't turn out very good - it looks more pastel yellow and my hands look like they're sunburned, therefore I've removed it (it was just too weird).  The shade picture translates more truer to the polish's neon, although it still looks more pastel yellow.



Shade

 Enjoy and see you on "Green" day, day 4 of the Challenge!

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 2

Today's challenge is to use the color orange, and I honestly didn't know if I should keep it simple or get creative.  So I just kept it simple and easy peasy.

I'm using OPI A Roll In The Hague from the Spring/Summer 2012 Holland Collection (which happens to be the newest polish I own).  Gotta say, it wasn't my favorite polish to apply.  It was a tad thick, however, it smoothed out nicely once it dried.  The end result was muy bueno!  I topped it off with Essie As Gold As It Gets (a gold flake in clear base) from the Luxeffects Holiday 2011 Collection.  I just love As Gold As It Gets!

Yay!  We have acheived Orange!

OPI A Roll in the Hague
Essie As Gold As It Gets

-Kris

31 Day Challenge: Day 1

Today's challenge is to use RED - one of my favorites.

I pulled all my red polishes out, set them on the table, and demanded that my husband pick one.  Of course, they all looked the same to him so he just randomly picked one.  Fortunately he picked a good 'un. 

OPI "OPI Red" - this was my first OPI polish and I remember feeling super womanly after wearing it.  How can you not feel wonderful and feminine in this beautiful, slightly shimmery red?  It went on really well and looked good after just one coat.  I applied two coats for full opacity and even mixed it up with a little white heart as an accent.  I also used Mary Kay Top Coat/Base Coat (which works surprisingly well).

Day 1 complete.  I hope all those that I challenged today did something really fun for Day 1!

OPI OPI Red

-Kris

31 Day Challenge

I was perusing some nail blogs today and found a most interesting post from Nails and Noms:  A 31 Day Challenge!

How fun!  Since today is Friday and I have the whole weekend off (FINALLY!), I'm going to initiate the 31 Day Challenge for myself.  Anyone else interested in joining me?

See below:

http://nailsandnoms.com/2011/10/coming-soon-to-nails-and-noms-31-day-challenge/

Check back tonight for Day 1: Red Nails.  I'm thinking this should be pretty easy since I have a lot of Reds in my stash. 

Until tonight,
-Kris

Essie Luxeffects Shine of the Times

I finally got my paws on Essie's "Shine of the Times"!  This is a fantastical opalescent glitter flake that Essie came out with for its 2011 Holiday Collection.  In some light it looks blueish or purple and in other light it looks goldish pinkish, and I LOVE IT!  It goes on so easily and every stroke gives a good amount of flake.  In this combination, I'm using Essie "Who is the Boss" as a base from the Essie Wedding 2012 Collection (more on that collection to come).

Essie Who Is The Boss
Essie Shine of the Times

I'm also so excited about my latest purchase:  three awesome polishes from The Hungry Asian (from Etsy).  That girl sure does glitter right!  I got these three little minis in the mail today.  Behold:  "u jelly?", "Sneeze Breeze", and "Vote for Purple".  Check back for swatches!

The Hungry Asian Sneeze Breeze, Vote for Purple, U Jelly?

Ta-ta,

-Kris