Sunday, October 31, 2010

Inspired

I've been really lacking in ideas for nail art this month but finally came up with something decent for today's mani!
And thanks to Cel for helping me choose which colour to use today because I had a really hard time deciding.


Plate: Bundle Monster - BM05
Base Colour: NYC - Prince Street
Stamp Colour: Collection 2000 - Moonlight Shine
BYS Flirty Sparkle applied with a paintbrush for the insides of the flowers
Top Coat of NYC

Even More Halloween Nails

Happy Halloween, Dear Reader!

Well, I didn't get as many Halloween manicures done as I wanted to this year, but I have today's and another to show you today.  The one from last week was done using the Color Club Cast a Spell set of Halloween minis along with some Halloween Art Club rhinestones for Halloween, both of which Color Club sent to me.

The mini set has a black, orange, holo, and dark purple shimmer (the same purple as last year, I think).  The really cool thing it has is some fun decals.  I was just playing around with it and did an orange manicure with a black accent nail, then applied the decals to the orange nails and a line of orange rhinestones to the accent nail.  This is what I came up with.

Halloween Nails Using Color Club Cast a Spell
Halloween Nails Using Color Club Cast a Spell Mini Set

For today, I did a simple manicure, but it's the scariest one for me.  I'll even tell you the little story of why it's the scariest (if you don't care, feel free to skip to the paragraph after the story).  It's spider-related, so if they care you skip it.

Six or seven years ago, I lived in new house on the edge of town, in a neighborhood that was being developed in what used to be corn fields.  Now, I've always been terrified of spiders, and when the construction guys would dig a new lot out of this corn field, the spiders and bugs were everywhere.  So gross and scary... After a few months of panicking at the sight of a spider, I decided I'd be all Zen and not kill them anymore, just ignore them and go about my business in order to get over my fear of them.  Good plan, right?  I soon saw two spider webs in the corner of the bedroom a few feet from my side of the bed, and for a few days was all pleased with myself for ignoring them.  Pleased, that is, until I woke up one morning to zillions of tiny spider dots all over two walls of the room and squished all over the bed.  The two spiders had mated and the eggs had hatched overnight.  I have never again felt compelled to peacefully coexist with an arachnid, and am more freaked out than ever about spiders.

Back to the manicure!  In honor of my scary spider story, I decided to do a spider in a web on my left ring nail.  For the base color, I decided on Chanel Rouge Noir - it's a good dried blood color, and sufficiently Halloween-y on long nails.  For the web and spider, I used stamping plate BM13, white for the web and black for the spider, both Konad Special Polish.  To make my spider even scarier, I added a red dot (Zoya Lisa) to its back to make it a Black Widow.

Black Widow Nails over Chanel Rouge Noir
Black Widow Nails on Chanel Rouge Noir

Black Widow Nails on Chanel Rouge Noir, Closer
Black Widow Nails on Chanel Rouge Noir, Closer View

I really like this manicure because it's not overtly a novelty, the accent nail is more like a little surprise if someone looks closely.  And I couldn't handle more than one spider on my nails, lest they become friends and make zillions of tiny spider dots.

So, that's the update on Halloween manicures and your scary Halloween story to start out the day.  I hope you have a great day today, and until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Happy Halloween



The base colour is Jay Jays Ablaze with W7 black for the stamps from Bundle Monster plate BM13.

Also, check out the Frankenstein inspired mani I posted earlier in the week.



Craving Nail Art?


A week or so ago, BellaSugar.com asked me for a couple of my favorite Halloween manicures, and I did two designs especially for them!! They included them in their Halloween Manicure slide show- I'm number 8 & 9! :)



You can find them here (or click the picture above): Halloween Manicures at BellaSugar.com

Friday, October 29, 2010

Blanket Blue


Konad Plate: M54
Base Colour: Franken
Konad Colour: NYC Glossies - 243B
Top Coat of Essie Matte About You

Dior Aztec Chocolate 886

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Today I have a swatch of Dior Aztec Chocolate, one of the new holiday colors from Dior.  It's an elegant brown with a visible shimmer.  It applied like a dream and dried quickly, which is typical of Diors for me.  This is two coats.

Dior Aztec Chocolate
Dior Aztec Chocolate Nail Polish, Two Coats

I love browns for Fall, and I especially like how understated this one is.  I think it's really gorgeous.

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

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Illamasqua Viridian

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

Today I got to try out Illamasqua Viridian, and it's every bit as good as Scarab.  Viridian is a bluish green shimmer, and it's also really glowy.  These two may have the best application ever.  Two coats was all it took.

Illamasqua Viridian
Illamasqua Viridian Nail Polish, Two Coats

Ain't she a beauty?  I think it's fantastic.

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

Pink and Gold


Plate: BM21
Base Colour: Barbara Daly - Cardinal
Stamp Colour: Sally Hansen Chrome - Amber
Top Coat of NYC

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

No7 Poolside Blue

I always find No7 polishes a bit frustrating. They have some great colours but I hate the tall bottles and the brushes. It's impossible to keep the rim of the bottle clean and the brushes don't spread over the nail as you swipe so you have to swipe at least 3 times to cover the nail.
But, as I said, the colours are amazing and this one's no exception. It's the boldest blue I own and I love it.

In Stitches



Base Colour: Collection 2000 Hot Looks - Spangles
For the stitches I used BYS Glamourpuss and then W77 Black over the top. I used a little paintbrush.
I used a top coat of GOSH and then one of NYC to flatten all the red and black.

Illamasqua Scarab

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Today I'm wearing a nail polish with a good name for Halloween, Illamasqua Scarab.  It's a dark red shimmer with a hint of brown to it, and the shimmer really glows.  Application of Scarab was exceptionally good - the polish seems a little thick, but I used it as-is and it pretty much applied itself.  This is two coats.

Illamasqua Scarab
Illamasqua Scarab Nail Polish, Two Coats

From the picture, you can see how easy Scarab was to apply.  I didn't do any cleanup to my nails or to the picture, but the line where the polish ends at the cuticle is really crisp just because that's how it went on.  Good stuff.

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

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

FingerPaints Winter Dreams Collection

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Sally Beauty Supply sent me samples of their FingerPaints Winter Dreams Collection for Holiday 2010 to review, and I have swatches of them for you today.  I'm a fan of FingerPaints in general, particularly the seasonal collections, but the FingerPaints holiday collections are always my favorites with great colors and finishes.  The Winter Dreams Collection does not disappoint, either - every one of these polishes is a winner.

Winter Wishes is an elegant champagne shimmer with very fine gold glitter.  I used two coats of Winter Wishes and topped it with a coat of Seche Vite so you could see how it really looks (the glitter was making it look less than attractive without top coat).

FingerPaints Winter Wishes
FingerPaints Winter Wishes Nail Polish, Two Coats

Holly Good times is a mixture of gold and red fine glitter in a clear base.  I used two coats to make it opaque, and somehow this one reminds me of apple cider.

FingerPaints Holly Good Times
FingerPaints Holly Good Times Nail Polish, Two Coats

Just Plum Fun is a rich plum with a subtle shimmer, also a two coater.

FingerPaints Just Plum Fun Nail Polish, Two Coats

Merry Mittens is a rust red shimmer with fine gold glitter.  In two coats, the polish is opaque and the fine glitter shows through very well without being over the top - it's festive without being too much at all.

FingerPaints Merry Mittens
FingerPaints Merry Mittens Nail Polish, Two Coats

Mistletoe Mischief was the only one of the six that required a third coat for me.  The polish was a bit thin, but for a Christmas green shimmer with tiny flaky bits, I'll do a third coat.

FingerPaints Mistletoe Mischief
FingerPaints Mistletoe Mischief Nail Polish, Three Coats

Last up, in keeping with the traditional ordering of things, is my favorite of the collection, Mulberry Madness.  This one's a mulberry base with silver and mulberry glitter.  It's gorgeous and it's good in two coats.

FingerPaints Mulberry Madness
FingerPaints Mulberry Madness Nail Polish, Two Coats

So those are the six colors in FingerPaints' Winter Dreams, and I really like every one of them.  As for generalities regarding the collection, I found the shimmers with lots of glitter (Winter Wishes & Mulberry Madness) were quite thick, but after two thin coats and two coats of top coat, they're perfect.  With the other four, when applying them I questioned whether they could be possibly opaque in inly two coats because the first looks really thin, but they're just fine.  No changes have been to the brush or bottle, and I had nary a wonky brush, so I really have nothing at all to complain about.

The FingerPaints Winter Dreams Collection will be available online on Sally Beauty Supply's site and in stores in November.  That's all I have for you today, Dear Reader, so until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Monday, October 25, 2010

The Daily Nail v2.0!!


I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you all for participating in all the giveaways, and to the winners that have yet to email me- please hurry, so I can get your prize sent to you!

The Daily Nail version 2.0 is coming soon, so bear with me for a few days while I get things redesigned! Thanks for being patient!! :)

XOXO

-M


Flamin' Hot Giveaway! WINNER!


And the winner of the Zoya COlor 'Wardrobe' is....

Liz!!


Liz- please email me your contact information to thedailynail@gmail.com!!

Polka Dot Blues



Plate: Bundle Monster BM19
Base Colour: Glo Baby Glo from Primark - Electric Blue
Stamp Colour: China Glaze - Adore
Top Coat of GOSH

Konad Plate M56

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Konad plate m56 is my favorite tip pattern plate, but I haven't used it in a long time because I haven't been able to find the plate.  After many, many months, I finally bit the bullet last week and got a replacement, so I have two manicures using m56 to show you today.

First up is one using two patterns from m56.  I started with two coats of Nubar Barricade, then stamped the free edge with the swirly pattern on the plate in Konad Pink, then did the little ribbon and bow pattern at the nail line in Konad Black Pearl.

Konad Plate m56 over Nubar Barricade
Konad m56 over Nubar Barricade Nail Polish

I'm not as wild about that one as I'd hoped to be, but I guess I just won't love them all... It's more about how the colors look together than the patterns though.  I'll likely try the same thing again with different colors to see what I think.

The second one, I like a lot.  For this one, I started with four coats of China Glaze Shocking Pink.  Four coats is high maintenance, but Shocking Pink is worth it to me.  I then painted my tips white, gave them a minute to dry, and stamped the white part with the checkerboard tip pattern using Konad Black.  I really like the outcome, and it's what I'm wearing today.

Konad Plate m56 over China Glaze Shocking Pink
Konad m56 over China Glaze Shocking Pink Nail Polish

The picture here just hints at how truly retina searing Shocking Pink is, and with the black and white checks, it's a little hard on the eyes!

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

Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Lap of Luxury - WINNER!


and the winner of the full set of Color Club Untamed Luxury polishes is....

Janna!


Janna, please email me you contact info at thedailynail@gmail.com

A 'Pendant' for Polish! - WINNER!!


and the winner of the beautiful pendant made by Tracey of Ginger Kitty Designs is... *drumroll*

~Elizabeth aka Lacquered Lizard!!!



Contact me with your info at thedailynail@gmail.com!!

Models Own Purple Grey

I won a giveaway at Forever The Ugly Duckling last week and here is one of the polishes from the beautiful selection.
It's a bit tricky to see the design but I promise it's there!






Plate: Bundle Monster - BM08
Base Colour: Models Own - Purple Grey
Stamp Colour: Sally Hansen Chrome - Anemone
Top Coat of GOSH

Flamin' Hot Giveaway!


The last giveaway prize is awesome...it's a...




AND a


Zoya Color Lock System!!

How awesome is that!?!


To be eligible, here's what you gotta do:

NUMBER 1- Be a follower of the Daily Nail - and I'm curious - tell me how long! :) (be honest, if you're a brand new follower- I don't care- that's awesome TOO!!)

NUMBER 2- What's your favorite color of Zoya Nail Polish?

That's it! Just leave it in the comments, and I'll select the winner randomly!! :)


Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, Oct 23.




"I follow The Daily Nail on both twitter AND on blogspot! I've been following for 374 days! My favorite Zoya color would have to be Yummy or Trixie!"


Products up for giveaway were provided by the manufacturer, and can be purchased online at Zoya.com.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

A 'Pendant' for Polish!


Today's giveaway prize is from one of the nail polish community's own, it's a handmade creation from Tracey, creator of Ginger Kitty Designs!




If you're not aware of Tracey and her gorgeous creations, now is a great time to go check out her Etsy Store! There are some incredible pieces of jewelry there- bracelets, rings, earrings, and pendants- ALL MADE WITH NAIL POLISH!! How awesome is that?! The best part is while her products are gorgeous, they are ALSO inexpensive, and with the holidays are coming up, they'd be wonderful for those nail polish fanatics in your life! (OR YOURSELF!!! :))

The pendant that she made for this giveaway was all made with CND Colors and Effects!! I'm drooling over it, and I'm so jealous of the winner... though she made me a gorgeous ring with Nfu Oh 51!!

Click picture for larger view!!


To be eligible, here's what you gotta do:

NUMBER 1- Be a follower of the Daily Nail - and I'm curious - tell me how long! :) (be honest, if you're a brand new follower- I don't care- that's awesome TOO!!)

NUMBER 2- If you had any colors of nail polishes in the world to work with, what combination would YOU put together if you could make a pendant??

That's it! Just leave it in the comments, and I'll select the winner randomly!! :)


Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, Oct 23.




"I follow The Daily Nail on both twitter AND on blogspot! I've been following for 374 days! If I could combine ANY colors of nail polish to make a pendant, I think I would like to see Zoya Shawn, L.A. Girl Army Green, my franken of American Apparel California Trooper and American Apparel Manila, with just a tiny bit of Essie Alligator purse to set off the greens, and a sparkly gold to add some ribbons of shimmer!!"


Products up for giveaway were provided by Tracey, creator of Ginger Kitty Designs, which can be purchased from her Etsy Store!

Friday, October 22, 2010

you Set My Hemp A-Flutter! - WINNERS!!


The winner of the LUSH Lemony Flutter is... *DRUMROLL*

zeldamac!!


and...

The winner of The Body Shop Hemp Moisturizing High Balm is

Brittan!!

Both of you please email me your contact information to thedailynail@gmail.com

Thanks!!



Essie Going Incognito

Good morning, Dear Reader!

I just got some (most) of Essie's Winter 2010 Collection this week, and I have Going Incognito to show to you today.  It's the green creme in the collection.  It's a really nice polish - a well pigmented two coater that's easy to control. It's roughly the same tone as Pretty Edgy but Going Incognito is a bluer shade of green.

Essie Going Incognito Nail Polish
Essie Going Incognito Nail Polish for Winter 2010, Two Coats

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

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Lap of Luxury


Giveaway Day 8- and they just keep coming!! lol

The awesome prize I have for you today is...

Photo courtesy of Color Club

The ENTIRE Color Club Untamed Luxury Collection!!
(seriously awesome stuff!)

To be eligible, here's what you gotta do:

NUMBER 1- Be a follower of the Daily Nail - and I'm curious - tell me how long! :) (be honest, if you're a brand new follower- I don't care- that's awesome TOO!!)

NUMBER 2- What's your most luxurious habit?

That's it! Just leave it in the comments, and I'll select the winner randomly!! :)


Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, Oct 22.



"I follow The Daily Nail on both twitter AND on blogspot! I've been following for 373 days! My most luxurious habit would be either painting my nails daily, or indulging in delicious, rich foods and desserts!"


Products up for giveaway were provided by the manufacturer, and can be purchased online at transdesign.com, 8ty8beauty.com, and a plethora of other online retailers.

A Glaze-ing Seche-ion - WINNER!!!


YAY!! The winner of the set of China Glaze Vintage Vixen nail polishes, and the Seche treatment line is.... *drumroll*

ReaderRita!!


Email me at thedailynail@gmail.com with your contact information!!

200th Post!!


Plate: Fauxnad M69
Base Colour: Franken
Konad and Half-Moon Colour: BYS - Glittering Purple
Top Coat of NYC

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

You Set My Hemp A-Flutter!


Giveaway, Day 7!!

Today's giveaway has two smaller prizes for two different winners. This giveaway was intended to be the last one, but since I'm waiting on some info for the other ones, I moved it up in the rotation!

The two prizes are:



A tub of Lush Lemony Flutter 
(which saved my cuticles!!)




A tin of The Body Shop's Hemp Moisture High Balm
(which is new, and I LOVE it!)

To be eligible, here's what you gotta do:

NUMBER 1- Be a follower of the Daily Nail - and I'm curious - tell me how long! :) (be honest, if you're a brand new follower- I don't care- that's awesome TOO!!)

NUMBER 2- Tell me which balm/cream you think you'd like better, and why!

That's it! Just leave it in the comments, and I'll select the winners randomly (one from the people who want to try Lemony Flutter, and one from the people who want to try The Body Shop's Hemp Moisture High Beam!!) :)


Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, Oct 21.

I'll start!


"I follow The Daily Nail on both twitter AND on blogspot! I've been following for 372 days! I love the LUSH Lemony Flutter because it totally conditions and moisturizes my cuticles, and helps protect them from the damaging chemicals in all the polish remover I have to use!"


You Continuously Deserve Royal Treatment! - WINNER!


The randomly selected winner of the Sally Hansen Continuous Treatment line of products is...*drumroll*

Toesthattwinkle!!



Please send me your contact info to thedailynail@gmail.com!!!

Barry M Instant Nail Effects Swatch

When I was out shopping today, I remembered that someone had mentioned in my previous post about this new polish that they tried it on in the store. So instead of buying it, I sneakily painted on a layer while in Superdrug. I was wearing BYS Matte Grey at the time, which I realise isn't the best colour to demonstrate a cracking black polish but it was very spur of the moment.


I have only ever tried one other crackling polish from BYS which is no where near as good as this. This one cracks within seconds of touching the nail and continues for a little while so you can actually watch it cracking which is great fun.

You can see that it hasn't cracked as much on my pinky, but I think that's because I painted a thinner coat.

I wouldn't buy this polish myself, although I could be tempted if they were to release other colours, but it is a great effect polish that makes it so easy to get a different look especially if you don't have much time to spend on your nails.