Golden Lace Stamped Nails

For this manicure, I used 2 coats of Zoya Goldie as a base and then stamped a design using 2 stamping designs and Konad Special Polish in black.  

I recently purchased Goldie during Zoya's 3 for $10 Share the Love promotion.  I had been wanting to try it for quite a while, but never got around to purchasing it.  Golds are so iffy with me.  I have mentioned my love/hate relationship with gold polishes several times on this blog.  I adore gold polishes in the bottle.  Unfortunately, if the gold polish is a bright and strong shade of gold, it makes my hands look not-so-good.  So, when I read on Zoya's website that Goldie is in the "cool" family, I thought maybe, just maybe, it would work my skin.  Sadly, it gives me red-hands as well. 

Because of this, I figured I would have to use Goldie as a base for layering or for nail art.  That's when I decided to try this design.  It had been floating around in my head for a few weeks, and I really love the way it came out.  To create the lace, I first stamped the fishnet design from Konad plate m57.  I then stamped the all-over roses design from Konad plate m65 over the fishnet.  I then topped the whole thing with 2 coats of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri topcoat (it was still a little rough after one coat).

Zoya Goldie was purchased by me.  The above link links to the product page for Zoya Goldie on Zoya's website and it is connected to my Share the Love account.  When you make a purchase using my referral link, I will receive points which I can use towards Share the Love promotions.  If you prefer not to use my Share the Love link, please go to www.zoya.com.  

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July, US girls.  :)  

This is a manicure that I have had floating around in my head for about 3 months, and I finally had a chance to do it.  :)  I just love the way it came out.  

Here's what I used...

Thumb and index finger - BB Couture Fairy Blood

Middle finger - Revlon Royal with Konad White Special Polish

Ring finger - Nails Inc Floral Street with Konad Red Special Polish

Pinky finger - Jessica Majesty Blue with Dollish Polish It's a Me Mario

Stamping plate used was BundleMonster plate BM20.  

I hope everyone in the US has a safe and happy Fourth of July, and that everyone in the rest of the world has a safe and happy Wednesday.

Minnie Mouse Nails

Right before I was getting ready to remove Zoya Layla, I decided to play around with stamping and nail art (this has become a common occurrence for me).  This design was created using the polka-dot stamp from BundleMonster plate BM19.  I used Konad Special Polish in white for the dots.  I then added a black french and a silver glitter, using a glitter striper to hide any unevenness in my line.  To create the black french, I first stamped a french design on my nail using BundleMonster plate B39 and Konad Special Polish in Black.  I then filled in the design of the french, making it solid, using Color Club Where's the Soiree.  It's not a traditional way to create a french, but so much easier than freehanding or using french guides.  

I really wasn't even thinking of Minnie Mouse when I came up with the design.  However, once I completed it, I looked down and that's the first thing that popped in my head.  I think this design is so cute and if I wasn't ready to remove Layla, I probably would have kept it on my nails.

Green Zebra!

Because I can't leave well enough alone, I decided to add a stamped design to my Barielle Date Night mani.  As I had rediscovered my China Glaze Romantiques (again, lost in my previous polish mess.  LOL), I figured I'd use one of them.  But then came the "what design? question.  I stared at my stamping plates without getting any inspiration, and then I remembered this stamped design I did a few years ago, and decided to copy myself.  :P  

 I think I may like this one even more than the inspiration (which has been a favorite of mine since I did it).  This is 2 coats of Date Night topped with ChG Cherish and Konad Special Polish in white and Konad plate m57 for the design.  I love the contrast of the foily, light green against the deep emerald of Date Night. 

Also, I know I used to say it often in the past and then stopped because I stopped stamping, but the polishes in China Glaze Romantique collection are the best polishes for stamping outside of the Konad Special Polishes.  Lately, I've used only Konad Special Polishes, as I find that regular polish has a tendency to be too thin or doesn't adhere as well to the nail.  However, the polishes in the Romantique collection are perfect for stamping, even though I really don't like them to use for a manicure.  I still see the Romantiques on China Glazes website, so they still should be readily available if you are looking for some great polishes for stamping.

All polishes in this post were purchased by me.  The above links link back to posts within this blog and are not affiliate links.  

X Out Inspired Nail Art Project

Recently, I received an email from Gunthy-Renker's PR regarding a nail art project they are hosting for one of their brands, X Out.  X Out is a acne medication specifically for teens, created by the founders of Proactiv.

The idea behind the project is to create an nail art look inspired by X Out's packaging and manifesto.  For every participating blogger in this project, Gunthy-Renker will donate $200 to Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center.  As soon as I read that, I was more than happy to participate.  <3

To assist with the idea process, X Out sent out a a PR image of their packaging for X Out, as well as their "manifesto"...

When I first saw the PR images, my mind immediately thought of a literal translation to take the letter "X" and words from their packaging, and put them on my  nails.  The only problem is that I kind of stink at freehand nail art and I really don't have any proper supplies for freehand art (my kids steal my brushes).  Thus, I realized I needed to think more outside of the box.

So I re-read the "manifesto" and remembered just what it was like to be a teenager.  I'm 37, which to teens may seem old, but honestly, I feel like I was just there (guess my parents really weren't as ancient as I made them out to be.  :P).  I remembered being pulled in a thousand directions, all-the-while trying to be somewhat cool and get my resume college-ready at the same time.  Now that I have a mortgage and kids and I'm 20 years out of high school, it all seems somewhat simpler than life now, but I definitely remember high school being a stressful time.  I also remember it being fun and a little (lot) crazy.

So I took all of that in to consideration and this is what I came up with...

Using the colors in X Out's packaging and "manifesto", I used Zoya Malia and Zoya Yummy to create a gradient as the base.  This is 2 coats of Malia with 2 coats of Yummy sponged over top.  I then used Konad Special Polish in black to stamp the "stars and arrows" design from BundleMonster plate BM20 over the gradient.  I then added one coat of Deborah Bring on the Bling over the stamp to add a bit of sparkle.  

I really, really loved the final product on this and it has spawned tons of other ideas in my head.  It also got me compliments from the drive-thru girl at Burger King (it makes my day when people ask to see my nails).  :)  

I hope you girls love this one as much as I do.  If you are interested in more information on X Out, please check out their website.  For more information on the Pacer's National Anti-Bullying Prevention center, please click on the link above.  

X Out packaging and manifesto images were provided by Gunthy-Renker's PR.  The links within this post are not affiliate links.

30 Days of Blues for Autism Awareness - Orly Snowcone

Today is Day 20 in my "30 Days of Blues".  For today's manicure, I had a specific look in mind... a blue/grey with a black Konad design.  Then I struggled with that look for over an hour.  Gave up, and applied an idea I had for later in the month...

This is 2 coats of Orly Snowcone topped with designs from Konad plate m77 using Konad White Special Polish.  

Snowcone is a cornflower blue creme, but you wouldn't know it from these pictures.  No matter how many pictures I took, I couldn't get complete color accuracy.  The bottle color in the first picture is probably the closest to the actual color.  Nevertheless, Snowcone is an amazing blue creme.  It came out with Orly's 2010 Sweet collection and it is still available.  

Thank you all so much for reading my "30 Days of Blues" posts.  I will be posting the Blogger Round Up later today (and it actually may be the early hours of tomorrow), but I will get to it... promise.

30 Days of Blues for Autism Awareness - Sonic Nails

Today is Day 14 in my "30 Days of Blues".  Today, I am cheating a little bit because right now IRL, my nails are naked.  I've had a crazy day and just haven't had a chance to sit down and paint them.  So, for today, I am bringing you one blue manicure that I have yet to post (though I did post on FB and tweet about it)...

Right before I was getting ready to remove OPI Swimsuit... Nailed It!, I decided to play around with stamping and glitter.  I used a Bundle Monster plate (I can look up the plate # if anyone is interested) and Konad White Special Polish and then topped it with OPI Gettin' Miss Piggy with It.  I called these "super-hero nails", but Blake called them "Sonic the Hedgehog" nails, so it kind of stuck.  

Hope you all are enjoying these posts for Autism Awareness.  I will be back tomorrow with a new blue manicure.  

30 Days of Blues for Autism Awareness - Zoya Breezi

Today is Day 12 in my "30 Days of Blues" for Autism Awareness and today's blue polish is Zoya Breezi...

I apologize for only have one photo today.  I've been trying to take more shots of my manicures, including outdoor pictures, but I just wasn't satisfied with any of the pictures I took for today, so I had to go with the one photo that was, in my opinion, relatively decent.

Anyway, Zoya Breezi is a dusty, medium-toned Aegean blue creme.  This polish is from Zoya's Summertime collection from Summer 2011.  It's dustier and deeper than Zoya Robyn.  The formula on Breezi is fantastic.  She was almost a one-coater, but I did 2 because there were a few thin spots.  I just realized that I have used several Zoyas in my "30 Days" posts.  I'm guessing that's because, at some point, Zoya has replaced OPI as my favorite brand.  OPI will always have my favorite pro-wide brush, but I am finding myself constantly impressed with Zoya's formula and their color range.

Zoya Breezi is available for purchase from Zoya's website.  Zoyas retail for $8 a bottle, though I highly recommend that you follow them on Facebook and/or Twitter, as they frequently offer promotions.

And because no manicure is no complete with out something over it, I went with a simply konad design over my tips in Konad Black Special Polish (which streaked on me something awful, despite waiting several minutes for it to dry) using a floral design from Konad plate m51.

Thank you so much for reading my "30 Days of Blues" posts.  I hope to be back posting collection reviews within the next few days, in addition to the blue polish posts.  I had a nasty break on my middle fingernail that I'm trying to grow out just a bit.


Zoya Breezi was sent to me for review

30 Days of Blues for Autism Awareness - Happy Easter!

Today is Day 8 in my "30 Days of Blues" for Autism Awareness.  It is also Easter Sunday.  As I really didn't want to remove my manicure from yesterday (I loved it that much), I was a little at a loss for how I was going to do my manicure today, then I found the perfect Konad plate in my stamping supplies...

This is 2 coats of Zoya Yummy (a medium blue creme) and 3 coats of Zoya Pippa (a bright yellow creme) on my ring fingers and my thumbs (which you can't see).  I can't get enough of Zoyas lately.    I also applied the bunny and chick stamps on Konad plate s10 using Konad White Special Polish.

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter and thank you so much for reading my "30 Days of Blues" posts.  

30 Days of Blues for Autism Awareness - Black and White and Blue All Over

Hi everyone.  Today is my 7th day of my "30 Days of Blues" for Autism Awareness.  Today, the idea for my manicure came from the oddest of places... my contacts case.  The other day, I was having a moment of "manicure block" and my eye then focused on my contacts case sitting on my desk and I had a sudden moment of inspiration.  I knew I would have to do a konad for the manicure for it to look right, so I just kind of tucked it away for future use, but once I found my konad supplies tonight (I'm reorganzing my stash), I knew I had to do it.

For your reference, this is a picture of my contacts case.  Well, mine is all faded (hence the generic picture), but this is what it looked like when it was new...

And here is what I came up with...

This is 3 coats of Zoya Robyn (I am addicted to this one) with OPI Alpine Snow Matte on my ring finger.  I then stamped a design from Konad plate m63 using Konad polish in black.

I am in love with this one.  Seriously... L-O-V-E.  You know when your manicure looks so pretty that you can't stop looking at it?  I'm like that with this one.  And I needed that kind of happy.  Today was a very autistic-fueled day.  

By the way, this was my first time konadding in almost 2 years and I think I've got the bug again.  LOL.  I keep thinking of designs.

Hope you all are enjoying my "30 Days of Blues".  Please feel free to participate with me.  If you are a blogger participating in Autism Awareness month (in any capacity), please let me know and I will feature your blog on my sidebar.  You can reply in this post or email me at megan@apolishproblem.com.

KOTD: Crazy Zebra

Tonight during my training class, I decided that the new cover on my Blackberry would make a great design for a konad.  So instead of during my homework, that's what I did.

I started with a base of Piggy Polish Silver Scream.  I then used bits and pieces from the zebra full-nail image from plate m57 in a variety of colors to create this design.  I used the following:

Orly Sol Cabana
Essie Mesmerize
Konad Black
OPI Who the Shrek are You?
ChG Turned up Turquoise
ChG Heli-Yum
ChG Grape Pop

KOTD: OPI MPJ holo w/ Konad White

I took my MPJH mani from yesterday and added a konad design using Konad White Special Polish.  Plate is m77.

Sorry for the tipwear on this one.  I didn't realize it was that bad until I took pics. 

KOTD: Zoya Mimi w/ Konad White Special Polish

This konad uses 3 coats of Zoya Mimi as a base.  I was a little wary of using 3 coats of a Zoya polish simply because, most of the time, Zoya doesn't play nice with me after 2 coats.  But I had no issues.  I don't know if that's my TC (Rush) or the polish itself, however.  Honestly, when I saw Mimi when various nail bloggers reviewed the Sparkle collection, I wasn't wowed by it.  Just about everyone that reviewed it oooh'd and ahhh'd, but it just didn't do anything for me in pics.  I decided to pick this up (along with Nidhi) on a whim during the Zoya exchange.  Afterall, I already had Charla and Ivanka from the same collection, but I wasn't expecting mych from Mimi.  Well, holy smokes, was I pleasantly surprised when I put it on.  So much so, that I'm planning on picking up Gilda and Alegra (the 2 from this collection that I don't own).  I know everyone claims that Charla is the standout in the collection, and well, it kinda is... but Mimi comes in close behind her (yep... I actually like Mimi a bit more than Ivanka *gasp*).  Mimi is a medium toned byzantine purple shimmer that has the same glass-flecked, foil finish as Charla, and the same golden shimmer, but unfortunately, it just doesn't translate well onto computer screens.  This one defintely is a "try it to really like it" polish.  If you are a purple lover you will love it.  Or, if you are like me, a former purple that has become a bit disenchanted with the color, definitely give this one a try.  It might having you falling back in love with all your purples. 

I then applied a konad design over it using Konad Special Polish in White as the stamp color.  I don't know the plate number off the top of my head, and I'm too lazy to go hunt it out right now, but if anyone is interested, I can check it out in the morning. 

Zoya Mimi is part of the recent Sparkle collection as is available at Zoya.com and at various etailers and on eBay.

KOTD: OPI What's With the Cat-titude w/ Ogre-the-Top Blue, and Who the Shrek are You

Goodness, that title was a pain to type.  LOL.

This is 4 coats of OPI What's With the Cat-titude as a base with OPI Ogre-the-Top Blue as the stamp color.  I also used OPI Who the Shrek are You for the dots inside the bows.  The stamp is from plate m56.  Even though the base was 4 coats, it dried remarkably fast.  I guess it's a combo of my topcoat (Rush) as well as the fact that each of the 4 coats was very thin.  Ogre-the-Top Blue was okay to stamp with, though it was a little thin for my liking.  I used my dotting tool for the dots.  Again, the formula was a bit thin, but it was fine for the job.  All 3 polishes are in OPI's Summer Shrek Forever collection, and you can pick them up at various retailers, non-discounting e-tailers, Amazon and on eBay.  You can also check TD for the time being as they still OPI colors available as they are liquidating their stock.

KOTD: China Glaze Emerald Fitzgerald with Konad White

This is post #2 in my China Glaze Vintage Vixen Konad Challenge.  I admit, this one is a little odd.  However, I find it completely mesmerizing.  Granted, the finished design was nowhere near what I had initially planned.  I wanted to have mermaid nails, complete with my fauxnad mermaid stamp, but that just didn't turn out.  So I took what I had, ran with it, and created this.  This look has one coat of ChG Emerald Fitzgerald as a base.  I then applied a mix of Zoya Charla and Zoya Ivanka using a detail brush, so my nails had a very underwater look.  The stamp is 3 layers of the fishnet pattern from plate m57.  The first 2 coats are Konad White and the 3rd coat is ChG Emerald Fitzgerald. 

I will have other konad posts using this collection in the near future.

KOTD: ChG Jitterbug with Pink and Black Leopard

Yesterday, I realized it's been months since I've done a konad, so I decided to give myself a bit of a challenge, use all the colors in the new ChG Vintage Vixen collection in konad designs, either as the base or as the stamper.  Here's the first one:

This is ChG Jitterbug as a base with Migi black as the leopard stamp from plate m57 and I used to pink striper to accent the leopard design.  I'm not too happy with the pink spots, but this is my first time doing this type of design, so I was a bit unsure of how to go about it.  I definitely plan on practicing, because I love the effect in other pics I've seen.

KOTD: Random Ribbons Funky French

Lately, I've been finding myself trying to push myself to be more and more creative with nail art.  More times than not, it's just me thinking about designs before falling asleep, but sometimes it actually comes to fruition.  This was one of those ideas that actually made it to my nails.

I started by using a base coat of Orly Love Each Other, a purple shimmer top coat, so the color of my natural nails could show through.  I want to experiment more and more with konadding on bare (basecoated) nails.  I then applied a konad design using plate m63.  I used the ribbon stamp and three different colors, ChG Grape Pop (bright purple creme), ChG Light as Air (lavender creme), and ChG Devotion (a purple/silver metallic).  I made sure the pattern was completely random by only using a part of it, or turning it in a different direction before stamping.  I then topped with a coat of Out the Door.

I waited about 2 hours for my konad design and base coat to be completely set before I applied a funky french to my tips using one coat of ChG Grape Pop (I had to go back and touch up a few patchy spots, but the majority is one coat) .  To get clean lines, I used Orly French Manicure Guides and waited 20 minutes or so until they were fully dry. Lastly, as I felt it needed a final element to look cohesive, I added a glitter line using Art Deco Striper in Silver Glitter under the French line.  I then topped the entire nail with another coat of Out the Door to set it.

Okay, I realize it looks like I just threw everything but the kitchen sink on my nails, but I really love this.  I love my natural nail color peeking though the konad.  I love the subtle sparkle of the base coat, and I especially love my bright purple tips.  There's something so unexpected about it that I absolutely adore and I can't wait to try this same "formula" using other colors and konad designs.

Also, I'm not going to lie to you all and tell you that it wasn't completely time-consuming.  All-in-all, it took about an hour of stamping and painting to achieve this look, so it's not something that you'd want to do before you were rushing out the door, but I knew I'd have a bit of time while I was watching LOST and V to have my design set, and a little more time to complete the funky french before I went to sleep.  Which is where I'm heading now. LOL.

Hope you all like this one and I'll see you in the morning.  :)

N/KOTD: Orly Goth (with Misa Got to be Real)

For the longest time (okay, maybe a couple of months.  LOL), I lemmed Dior Black Sequins.  The concept just seemed so awesome... black polish with silver glitter.  I saw it on Sephora over the holidays and then by the time I'd worked up the nerve to spend $20 on a polish, it was sold out.  I consoled myself by reading reviews stating that it was a bit underwhelming, but I still wanted the look.

Enter Orly Goth.  I'm almost certain Goth is in Orly's regular line up.  Or, if it's not, it's around enough in special collections (like Halloween and the current one at Sally's w/ Beyonce on the ad) that you can certainly pick it up.  Also, it's usually less than $5, especially from an e-tailer. 

.......drumroll.........

Swoon.  I swear, I want to marry this polish and have it's babies.  I love it that much.  In fact, I usually change my polish everyday or every other day, and I've had this one on since Saturday morning and honestly, it's not going anywhere for at least another day (I did add a konad, but more on that in a minute).  This was one regular coat and one thin coat to even out a couple thin spots.  The application was perfect.  The formula was great.  :) 

For anyone that was looking at Dior Black Sequins, you may want to seriously consider picking up Goth.  Sure, it's not HE, but it's truly amazing.  It's multi-sized, round, silver glitter suspended in a black jelly-ish polish.  It's not a true jelly as you can make it opaque pretty quickly, but it does have jelly qualities.  The best part?  The glitter does not get lost in the black polish.  There's also a uniform randomness to it.  I guess that sounds ridiculous, but unlike some other polishes *cough* Funky Chunky *cough*, you don't get a little bit of glitter here and a little bit of glitter there.  There are places that have more and places that have less, but your entire nail is convered with a smattering of silver glitter.  I know Essie SSN is supposed to mimic a night sky, but this one truly reminds me of the sky at night.  Pitch black with shimmers of silver.  Sigh.  I think this has got to be the sexiest polish I own.

Also, like I mentioned, I added a konad, as yesterday was Valentine's Day (happy belated Valentine's Day, btw).  I had shows all weekend, so I didn't get a chance to switch to red, so I did the best I could w/ Goth.  I think it turned out amazing, if I do say so myself.  :P

This is plate m73 and I used Misa Got to be Real for the silver.  I am totally in love with this mani.  Pardon the pun.  LOL. 

PS- Here's a bonus pic of my nails now.  I know a few people were interested in seeing them w/o polish.  I think it's been 12-13 weeks since I removed my glue-ons.  It's still going to take a little bit of time to totally un-do the damage, but I think they look pretty dang good.  :)

KOTD: OPI Lunch at the Delhi with Migi White

Sorry for the craptastic pic, but I wanted to go on and post this while it was on my mind.  If I think about it, I'll take another pic in the morning.

LatD is a muted, corally red.  When it was released, OPI described it as a coral.  It does have a hint of coral, but it's definitely a dusty red.  I used b/c I was kinda lemming Essie Chubby Cheeks, but LatD looks close and there's no need for a dupe of this kind of color, no matter how pretty.  This is 2 coats, though it could have used a third, you can still see VNL IRL.  If I wasn't doing a konad, I would have done a third.

As for the konad, this is another one of the fauxnad eBay plates.  I have a small obsession with lobsters and crabs (not live or cooked ones (blech), but cute ones.  LOL) and I was lemming this plate something awful.  Unfortunately, it didn't apply/release all that well, so it wasn't great, but I still love it.  I think it would look awesome in the summer.

EDITED to change my 2am typos.  :)

KOTD: ChG White Out w/ ChG Heli-Yum and Migi Black

I was in the mood for something black and white and very graphic with a pop of color.  I think this one fits the bill, but there's also a lot going on.  I don't consider it a fail, but I won't cry when I take it off tonight.  LOL.  BTW, pardon the dry cuticles.  I hadn't had a chance to moisturize yet this morning.

The base is 3 coats of ChG White Out.  I wanted a very stark white and WO works, but it takes so freaking long to get the desired look.  I've heard OPI Alpine Snow Matte is a great white base and is opaque in one coat.  Plus, if you use a TC, no one is the wiser that it started off as a matte. 

After almost 2 hrs of drying time, I applied a full nail konad in the houndstooth pattern using plate m63.  The color is ChG Heli-Yum.  H-Y is amazing for konadding.  I find of all the non-konad and non-nail art polishes (like Migi) polishes, ChG is the most consistent and best for using with the konad system.

Then, because I am horribly addicted to layered konads, I applied a flower using plate m21 in Migi Nail Art Black.  I'm sure you've seen that I've used my white and black Migis in konadding quite a bit now.  I was sent these a few months back by Migi and I mainly used them for dotting my nails.  Then the pen tip on my white quit working, so I had think of another use.  They have a brush and they are very thick, so I figured they'd be perfect for konadding.  Turns out I was right.  :)