Camel Whoa

Today, I managed to snag my major nail polish lemmings- China Glaze Classic Camel and China Glaze Ingrid! :) (I decided to grab Swing Baby as well. I love the Vintage Vixen collection!! Today in Vegas it feels disgusting. I know that I shouldn't complain, but after living in the desert for 2.5 years, 41% humidity is HELL. (on top of the 100°+ temperatures. It makes me think of the days in Michigan where you step out of the shower, and then feel like you have to shower all over again. Humidity is the devil, and the devil is in Las Vegas. I did another relatively simple design today, since a few people expressed that they dug the simpler stuff. I think it sort of has a vintage feel to it as well, so I think it fits with the color collection I used. :) BTW Class Camel was so totally worth the wait. I am in love with this polish, even though it looks horrid with my skin. :-P

I used China Glaze Classic Camel as a base, China Glaze Ingrid for the scrolls, China Glaze Swing Baby for the dots. Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

There's No Place Like Home!

It's GIVEAWAY time!!! To thank all my lovely readers, (new and old) I decided to do a giveaway!!!

The theme? HOME.

The challenge? I want to see a nail design that reminds you of home, whether it's a place you love to go when you're home, what you think of when you think of home, or what home means to you.

The rules:

You MUST be a follower. When you send your entry, please put your Google ID in the Subject. Also, I ask that after you send the entry, please comment on this post. :) All entries should be sent to thedailynailcontest@gmail.com by August 8, 2010. One entry per person please! Depending on the number of entries, I will post all of them in one post for you all to vote on, or I will whittle them down to a reasonable number if there are a lot. YAY!

Now the important part: THE PRIZES!!

A special thank you to reader Patti, who donated some fun (and a tad naughty- sorry dad) chapstick holder keyrings, and to the First Place winner, an eyeshadow quad palette with choice of colors! Check out her sites Etsy (chapstick holder) and Bella Sugar Cosmetics.

FIRST PRIZE:

The Daily Nail cosmetic bag (hand screen-printed and sewn by yours truly!)
Color Club Rebel Debutante Set
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color Collection mini set
essie Berry Hard
Claire's Mood Polish in Calm/Wild
Piggy Polish Free Toes
Piggy Polish Teeny Pink-ini
Eyeshadow quad with choice of colors from Bella Sugar Cosmetics!
Naughty Chapstick Holder- ADULT WINNERS ONLY

SECOND PRIZE:

The Daily Nail cosmetic bag (hand screen-printed and sewn by yours truly!)
Sally Hansen Lacquer Shine Nail Color Collection mini set
Orly La Playa
Orly Top 2 Bottom
Dare To Wear Inspiring Surrounding
Rimmel Tequila Sunrise
Revlon Lavender Light
LA Colors Live
Naughty Chapstick Holder- ADULT WINNERS ONLY

THIRD PRIZE:

The Daily Nail cosmetic bag (hand screen-printed and sewn by yours truly!)
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color Collection mini set
Orly Bailamos
Orly Top 2 Bottom
Rimmel Night Before
LA Colors Phenomena
Naughty Chapstick Holder- ADULT WINNERS ONLY

Who else is excited?! I love giveaways!!

Mint Mesh

Konad Plate: M57 
Base Colour: Barry M - Mint Green
Konad Colour: Sally Hansen Chrome - Amber
Top Coat of NYC

OPI Diva of Geneva

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I have another OPI Swiss for you today, Diva of Geneva.  This one's a purplish red shimmer that took three coats.  So far, I've only shown you the shimmers from OPI Swiss, but the collection's half cremes - I'll have to get moving on showing you some cremes soon!

I like Diva of Geneva.  It reminds me of a toned down SpaRitual Days of Wine & Roses.

OPI Diva of Geneva Nail Polish, Three Coats

Today I decided to forsake the annual wearing of SpaRitual Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - it's my mom's birthday today.  I figured she's probably too busy in heaven making God bake her a cake to notice...

That's what I have for you today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Retro Zig Zaggin'

Today's nail design was quick, I'll admit it, I'm in a rush today- lots to do- Colin Hay concert tonight! woo! The design was inspired by the paint job I saw on the side of a building in southern California, I just thought that it had a really retro vibe to it, which, of course, I love. I also got to use a new polish I picked up from Milani- they have a new collection of nudes out now!! :)

I used Milani Teddy Bare (which is pretty close to Essie Mink Muffs) as a base, with American Apparel Cotton for the ivory line, and Zoya Jancyn for the orange line.

Sorry for the lack of complexity today, I feel kinda guilty when I don't do crazy stuff. :-P

♪♫ Everybody's Starry Eyed.

Plate: Bundle Monster - BM20
Base Colour: W7 - Purple Paradise
Stamp Colour: Miss Sporty - Zodiac
Top Coat of NYC

Grease is the Word

Lately, Paramount decided to re-release the movie GREASE in select theaters, but this time with a little twist- it's a SING-A-LONG! They added graphics throughout the movie when there were songs to be sung, and how they handled some of the lyrics was pretty damn amusing. The graphics were amusing, but some were distracting and too much. All in all it was a fun experience. In honor of the re-release, I did GREASE nails!! :-D

I used:

Thumb:

American Apparel Hassid as a base, with Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud as a base for the red, and for the letters in 'GREASE', with Nubar Sexy Red for the red of the car.

Index:

Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud as a base with Nubar Sexy Red for the Rydell High logo.

Middle:

American Apparel Hassid as a base, with Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud for the T Birds logo.

Ring:

Yachty Yachty Yadda as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the words.

Pinky:

Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud as a base, with Nubar Sexy Red for the lightning outline, and China Glaze OMG for the silver.

Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

We go together like rama lama lama ke ding a de dinga a dong, just thought you should know.

♪♫ The Flowers You Gave Me Are Rotting...

... and still, I refuse to throw them away.

Plate: Bundle Monster - BM21
Base Colour: Collection 2000 Hot Looks - 17 Wow
Stamp Colour: W7 - Black
Top Coat of NYC

OPI The Color to Watch

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I have another OPI Swiss nail polish for you today, The Color to Watch.  It's a kind of dusty lavender shimmer with a blue flash, and was a three coater for me.  It's an odd shade, but I like it.

OPI The Color to Watch Nail Polish, Three Coats

That's just about all I have for you today, Dear Reader.  Until tomorrow, love and nail polish to you!  

We're Gonna Rouge Our Knees

and roll our stockings down...

I have yet to come across a musical that I DIDN'T like, and CHICAGO is no exception. I LOVE this musical. I love the movie version, and though I've only experienced the soundtrack of the stage version, I adore that too! I love the glamour of it all, the sex, the crime, the Richard Gere?! :-P Anyway, today's nails were inspired by all that jazz...

The 'glow' is far more subtle in person, but the camera really seemed to pick it up.

I used American Apparel Hassid as a base, with the orangey red from the Color Club Yacht Club collection for the glow of the neon letters, mixed with a little American Apparel Hassid to try to fade out the glow a bit, and with Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud to create the glowing neon of the middle C. For the black of the other letters, I used American Apparel Hassid.

So who's your favorite Velma? Bebe Neuwirth? Catherine Zeta Jones? Someone else? Are you more of a Roxie Hart fan? Maybe Mama? Billy? *rawr*

OPI Yodel Me on My Cell

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

I got my OPI Swiss nail polished today, and I used Yodel Me on My Cell, a blue shimmer.  I also had to cut my nails off this week - I've got some computer stuff to set up, and some of the connections are dang near impossible to do with long nails, so I lopped them off.  They'll be back!

Even with the short nails, I needed three coats of Yodel Me on My Cell for it to be completely opaque.  Here it is finished with top coat.

OPI Yodel Me on My Cell Nail Polish, Three Coats

I'll have more OPI Swiss Collection to come.  Until then, love and nail polish to you!  

♪♫ Hold Me Real Close...

... clap me in irons. Come on Caligulove me.

My computer keeps warning me that a 'hard disk failure is imminent' so I may be out of action for a while. I have a new one on the way and once it's in, service will resume as normal!

Also. I'm going on a short break this weekend which is when my giveaway ends, so the winner will be announced some time next week. So if you haven't entered yet, you have until then. If my computer blows up in that time, you might have a bit longer :D!!

Plate: Bundle Monster - BM12

Base Colour: BYS - Matte Grey
Konad Colour: Collection 2000 Maxiflex - Moonlight Shine

Atomic Wedgwood

I've always been a fan of all things retro in the art world, and the plates that today's nail art was inspired by are no exception! I love the atomic era art style, so when my friend Chris showed me his plates and suggested they'd make great nail art, I completely agreed. So, I palmed a plate, and headed to my nail art desk, and got to work!

The inspiration:

The Nails:

I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud as a base, with a mixture of Essie Mink Muffs and American Apparel California Trooper for the beige, Orly Gumdrop for the turquoise, Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Spring Green for the green, and MAC Showy for the dark brown line work. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

A few more pictures of GOSH Holographic (Swatches)

Here are some better pictures of the GOSH Holographic polish I got on the weekend. Monday's post didn't really show it in all its Holographic Glory.

This time, I applied it without using a base coat, which I read to do somewhere, and it was a much easier application.

Sorry, but I couldn't get a good video on my crappy old digicam and my SLR doesn't take them.

(click the pictures to enlarge)

Before you go, don't forget to check out today's Konadicure.

♪♫ Golden Brown...

... Texture like sun.

Or rather - Gold 'N' Brown!

It's totally flipped now and I'm doing mani's to match the songs!!

Anyone got any ideas that I could do using the Bundle Monster plates that matches up with a song or some lyrics?

Plate: Bundle Monster - BM01
Base Colour: E.L.F - Smoky Brown
Stamp Colour: Sally Hansen Chrome - Amber
Top Coat of NYC

Just Push Play

So, since I've been feeling pretty under the weather for the last few days, I've become very acquainted with the TV remote. I seem to have caught some sort of bug. *bleck* Anyway. There are a few things I make myself get out of bed/get off the couch for- and this is one!! :) (Groceries is another) Anyway, today's nails were inspired by my buddy, the remote, the clicker, the changer, your children, whatever you call the little thing that allows you to channel surf. :-P

I used American Apparel Factory Grey as a base with American Apparel Cotton for the symbols. For the red of the record 'button', I used Nubar Sexy Red. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Did you know the Travel Channel has wicked awesome shows? I'm totally addicted. between that, Discovery, History, and ID, I'm totally hypnotized. In addition, can I say I am loving Anthony Bourdain?

♪♫ Can we pretend that...

...airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars.

Perhaps I will just use songs as titles all week!!

Plate: Bundle Monster - BM21
Base Colour: Collection 2000 - Hot Purple
Stamp Colour: Collection 2000 - Moonlight Shine
Top Coat of NYC

Nails Inc Sorbet Collection: Pelham Place

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I'm finally getting back to the Nails Inc Sorbet Collection ofter being distracted by new Fall colors for a while.  Today's Nails of the Day is Nails Inc Pelham Place, a very pale pink creme.  I needed three coats of Pelham Place, which is pretty typical of a really washed out pink.

Nails Inc Sorbet Collection: Pelham Place Nail Polish, Three Coats

That's all I have for you today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Puttin' on the Ritz

High hats, and arrowed collars, white spats and lots of dollars....

Who'd have thought that a song would inspire a nail design? Well, whether you like the Fred Astaire version or the Taco version, this is a great song, and it DID inspire today's nail design, spats!

I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the black of the shoes and the buttons. Topped with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Why don't you go where fashion sits?

♪♫ Red and Orange, Yellow, GOSH and Blue

Sorry about the late post. I've had trouble with my internet connection all day but I finally got it working. Turned out to be as simple as turning the router off and on.. DUH!

This is my new GOSH Holographic. Now I know what you're thinking... Sammy, whatever happened to your budget?

I've been lemming this for a while and yesterday, my darling Mummy was nice enough to buy it for me when she saw it on my nail after I tested it in Superdrug. She is very attracted to shiny stuff and bought one for herself too.

It chips easiliy and application is a bit frustrating but once you get the hang of it it's fine. You just have to make sure the first coat is dry before the next one else you will just smudge off the coat underneath. It says 'Special Formula' on the side and you should buy a special base coat for it. This is probably why. 

The picture doesn't show how eye catching this is. I will get another one up soon and maybe a video to show you the full holo-ness.

 

Plate: Bundle Monster - BM05

Base Colour: GOSH - Holographic

Stamp Colour: W7 - Black

Top Coat of NYC

However, I did spend more money on some Collection 2000 polishes that were on sale in Boots. There was a big tub of them reduced to £1 so it was really hard to resist such a bargain

For them to be reduced I assume they are end of line. But I saw the two 'Maxiflex' shades after in Superdrug and they were in different packaging - well, the same but with black lids so I guess that's the reason for the reduction. The one on the left, 'Moonlight Shine' is great for stamping too!

Pillow Talk

Today's manicure was inspired by the design on some pillows at IKEA! :) I used the VILMIE RUTA pillow as inspiration, to be precise. :-D I've always been a fan of simple shapes and bold, bright colors, so of course this pillow caught my eye!

I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with Nubar Sexy Red for the red, Zoya Jancyn for the orange, American Apparel Factory Grey for the lighter grey, and American Apparel Factory Grey mixed with American Apparel Hassid for the darker grey. For the blue, I used Pure Ice French Kiss, and for the beige, I used a mixture of American Apparel California Trooper, American Apparel Manila, and Essie Mink Muffs. I then topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

China Glaze Awakening for Halloween 2010

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

As promised, I have more China Glaze swatches for you today, this time of their Awakening Collection for Halloween 2010.  These were manufacturer samples.

Here is the press release for them:

AWAKEN YOUR HALLOWEEN SPIRITS WITH GLAMOURISHLY GOULISH NAILS

China Glaze Introduces Three Limited Edition Halloween Polishes

Los Angeles, CA – (July 2010): Sink your claws into these three ghoulish glitters from China Glaze, perfect for a night of fright! Uniquely alluring and unlike any other Halloween colors before them, this collection is sure to entice. Colors in the promotion include:  

·        Zombie Zest: A mossy green shade with gold flecks of micro glitter.

·        Ick-A-Body: A dark green base chock full of orange glitter.

·        Mummy May I: Vampy, wine colored purple with flecks of hot pink glitter.

The 18 piece display will be available at Sally’s Beauty Supply Stores only and the 4 piece with free Fast Forward Top Coat will be available at all other beauty and nail supply outlets, stores and e-tailers. 

All three shades are great for Halloween.  Here's Zombie Zest, of which I used three coats for opacity.

China Glaze Zombie Zest Nail Polish, Three Coats

I used two coats of Ick-A-Bod-y since the glitter is so dense in this one.

China Glaze Ick-A-Bod-y Nail Polish, Two Coats

Mummy May I is my favorite, a two-coater that I'd wear when it's not Halloween.

China Glaze Mummy May I Nail Polish, Two Coats

I'm wearing Mummy May I now, and it's passably smooth with just one coat of top coat.  It seems like another coat would make it glassy.

That's China Glaze's Awakening for Halloween 2010 - another hit!

Until tomorrow, Dear Reader, love and nail polish to you!  

Purple Polka Dot (Bikini)

I really like this polka dot design but it's so hard to get it to look perfect because of the Bundle Monster designs being so small. I might have to buy the Konad plate with the polka dots soon.

Plate: Bundle Monster - BM19
Base Colour: BYS - Ultra Violet
Stamp Colour: Miss Sporty - Zodiac
Top Coat of NYC

Start Spreadin' the News

Today's nail art was a suggestion from a reader that was traveling to New York City, so she asked me to do NY themed nails. I looked through my emails a million times, and now I can't find her email- so PLEASE, if it was you- email me, so I can credit you!! I had a few other requests for NYC themed nails too, so here you go!! :) I decided to do the iconic I <3 NY image on the thumb, with a city skyline on the other 4 nails, and King Kong hanging off the Empire State Building on the ring finger. :-D (I thought it was a nice touch)

 I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the black, Nubar Sexy Red for the heart, and Nubar Milk Chocolate Creme for King Kong. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

It's up to you, New York, New York.

Simple Summer Nails

Konad Plate: M71

Base Colour: Barry M - Berry Ice Cream

Konad Colour: BYS - Glamourpuss

Top Coat of NYC

China Glaze Fight Like a Woman

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I received samples of China Glaze's Fight Like a Woman, their Breast Cancer Awareness Collection, and I have swatches for you today.  These are seriously nice BCA colors - no wussy sheers here!

So we all know what we're talking about, here's the copy of the press release:

Los Angeles, Calif. (July 2010) – Join China Glaze Nail Lacquer this October in the battle against breast cancer, one nail at a time! The professional line of nail lacquers brings on the fight with three powerful pinks. Inspired by the women who fight everyday and those that support them in their battle, these fabulous shades are sure to help you defeat the toughest opponents with style and class. China Glaze representative Rachel Schafer voiced that “in an industry dominated by women, for women, it is important that we strive to work together towards finding a cure.”

The three colors in “Fight Like A Woman” include:

Encouragement – A baby pink shimmer that brings on the cheer

Endurance – Power through the punches with this raspberry shimmer

Empowerment – Stand up tall with this cotton-candy crème on your nails

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organization dedicated to the science of cancer and promoting international collaboration in cancer research.

The “Fight Like A Woman” Collection will be available at professional beauty supply stores and select salons this September. Availability will be very limited internationally.

China Glaze colors may change from season to season, but our formula remains the same amazing longwearing lacquer with hardeners. Designed with the professional in mind, our 220-strand brush is great for ease of application. Best of all, our non-thickening formula provides great coverage. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com.

Here are the colors.  I used three coats of each for opacity.

Encouragement is better than it sounds - it's a glass flecked baby pink.  Very wearable, very beautiful.

China Glaze Encouragement Nail Polish, Three Coats

Endurance is a vivid glass flecked  raspberry, really pretty and really not what I expect from a BCA shade.

China Glaze Endurance Nail Polish, Three Coats

The one creme is Empowerment, which is a perfect medium light pink.

China Glaze Empowerment Nail Polish, Three Coats

This is definitely not what I'd expect from a BCA collection - no sheers and all distinct colors.  I'm a big fan of the polishes in themselves, let alone the fact that a portion of proceeds goes to a good cause!  Thanks, China Glaze, for making really cool BCA colors!

That's what I have for you today, Dear Reader!  I hope to have more China Glaze swatches for you tomorrow.  Until then, love and nail polish to you!  

To My New Zealand and Australian Readers

I have a special request for you, recently reader Kate brought to my attention the fact that my blog was featured with 7 other blogs in Cosmopolitan magazine, and I would LOVE to have a copy. If any of you would be willing to send it to me, I can paypal the money for the magazine and shipping! It is the Cosmopolitan with Leighton Meester on the cover. :)

E-mail Me!

Thank you!!! :)

On Orange Alert

So my goodies (and Chris) arrived from India today! He brought back awwwwesome stuff!! I posted yesterday about the nail polishes that he found for me, and today, I decided to use them for my nail art!! To my Indian readers, I need your help- do you know what color this is? I have two VERY different colors with the same color name label!

I used Lotus Herbals Colour Dew Orange Alert (different than the one on their website- it's an amazing orange creme, totally looks like the color of papaya) as a base, with American Apparel Cotton for the flower, outlined in the actual Lotus Herbals Colour Dew Orange Alert, which IS the shade on their site, a shimmery golden color. Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

My goodies!!

Pashmina shawls, the 2 on the left are mine, the green one flashes orange from different angles, and the one on the right is my roommate's, and is hand embroidered! The beads were the gift of a few of the men Chris was working with in India, they thought I'd like them, and they were right, they're lovely! :)

Emerald green Kurta, it's a type of Indian attire that women wear- somewhat like a tunic. :) Its hand embroidered and lovely!

Lilac colored kurta, this one is also hand embroidered, and is long-sleeved!

RBL The Real Housewives of the Tudor Dynasty

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

I'm back with swatches of the Fall 2010 Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polishes (samples from RBL), and they are fantastic.  All were good in two coats, and all four are gorgeous shimmers.  You can read about Ji Baek's inspiration for the collection here. RBL will announce their availability on Facebook.

Jane is a pale neutral with a hint of pink and lavender, and just the perfect subtle shimmer.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Jane Nail Polish, Two Coats

Anne is a grey green with just a hint of pink shimmer.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Anne Nail Polish, Two Coats

Catherine H. is a gorgeous Wedgewood blue shimmer.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Catherine H. Nail Polish, Two Coats

My favorite is a real stunner, Catherine, which is a deep purple shimmer.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Catherine Nail Polish, Two Coats

I am absolutely in love with all four of these!  What do you think?

That's it for the RBL Extravaganza today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!