Let It Snow Nail Art Challenge: Snowflakes

Hello!  Today marks the start of a new nail art challenge I'm participating in with a group of fantastic ladies known as The Nail Challenge Collaborative.  This is the "Let It Snow" challenge!

Our first day's theme is "Snowflakes". Here is what I came up with. I thought the little shapes on my ring finger looked like snowflakes before I put them on....once they were on my nail, not so much :/  I did the rest of my nails with little blue beads that reminded me of snow collecting on the ground (Zoya Natty is the base color):

What do you think?!  Not my favorite, but I'm a little rusty in the nail art dept...this challenge will help whip me into shape!

Here are the other themes we will be working on:

Don't forget to check out the other participant's Snowflakes too!

Zoya Ornate Collection: Ziv Nail Polish Plus Some Layering

Here's one more from Zoya's new "Ornate" holiday collection- "Ziv" is a gold metallic nail polish with a flecky type finish. I used 2 layers here:

SO, yesterday I saw my friend Eugenia's post about some gorgeous up and coming A England polishes. One of them is a gold base with rose colored glitter mixed in. I knew I needed to at least attempt a sad imitation of the beauty she showed me to tide me over until I could get my hands on the real deal.  I did one coat of Essie "A Cut Above" on top of Ziv:

 

 

OK. So it's nothing like the A England "She Walks In Beauty" that I am clamoring over. Still gorg, but I will have to get my hand on the real McCoy ASAP!

What do you think of Ziv? (In case you missed it, see 'Blaze' here , also from the Ornate Collection)

Neener Neener Nails (N3) Nail Polish Pictures!

Today I have some polishes from Neener Neener Nails (N3) to show you!  This is an 'indie' brand of polish that is sold in their shop on Etsy.

How cute is this?!

First up is "Snow Confetti", which has a white creamy base and fine, multicolored glitters. LOVE.   3-ish layers:

Next is "Butterfly Kisses", a sheer pink base with blue and pink hex glitters and pink butterfly glitters too! I wanted to see how this looked on it' own. This was 4 layers. I loved how shiny it was:

And, of course, I had to see what this looked like layered over a baby pink creme (Julep Penelope).  So gorgeous!

Then we have "Naughty 'N Nice", a sheer red base with gold and red hexes and bar glitters. Again, I wanted to see how this looked on it' own. This was 3 layers:

And here's "Naughty 'N Nice" over gold (Zoya Ziv):

Last but not least- "Ice Princess". This has a sheer seafoam base and blue/teal hex glitters and large star glitters. 2 layers:

And this is one layer of "Ice Princess" over teal creme (Zoya Wednesday):

I loved these polishes and thought the application was great. Some of the glitters had to be fished out (I'm looking at you butterflies and stars :) but they were not troublesome at all to apply, and I found the sheer bases to be ultra shiny!!

You can purchase these polishes and see a ton more in their Etsy shop here! 

Which one is your favorite??

***Disclosure: Polishes in this post provided for review***

Twinsie Tuesday: Oldest Polish

I can't wrap my head around the fact that it's Tuesday again...already!  This week's Twinsie Tuesday theme is "oldest polish".  Since I've already showed you my oldest polishes (the OPI's from the amazing Wild West Collection of 1999 here, here, and here) I decided to show the oldest one that I've actually owned and held onto since I bought it, which is not terribly old. You see, if you've read my blog in the past, you would know that I was not always the polish hoarder that I am today. In the past I would GET RID OF any polish that didn't do it for me (can you even imagine?!).  Now I know better. My polish tastes do change from time to time, and when that happens, I can sometime fall in love with something that I had previously "written off".

Anyway, here is OPI's "OP-I Love This Color".  This came out with their 25th Anniversary collection back in 2006 (Fun fact: Did you know that OPI was originally started in the 80's as a dental supply company called 'Odontorium Products Inc'?).  I bought this color, and have held onto it. That is quite a feat:

"OP-I Love This Color" is a warm burgundy wine shimmer.  I haven't pulled this one out in years, but it is still such a fantastic color!

What is the oldest polish in your collection? Do you hang onto them for awhile?

Don't forget to see which oldies the other Twinsies have on their blogs today:

Amanda at Amandalandish

Anna at Going to the Showing

Anne at Grape Fizz Nails

Ashley at Art Evolve

Brandi at The Collegiate Nail

Chelsea at Nailed Blog

ChiChi at I'm Just Me...ChiChi

Cordia at Seriously Swatched

Elizabeth at Did My Nails

Jenn at All That is Gorgeous...

Jenna at I'm Still Thinking...

Katherine at Haul of Fame

Maribeth at Obsessive Cosmetic Hoarders Unite

Marisa at Polish Obsession

Meredith at Polish and Charms

Nory at Fierce Makeup and Nails

Rachel at Top Coat It

Sarah at See Sarah Swatch

Tara at Polishy of Truth

   

China Glaze Cirque Du Soleil "Worlds Away" Collection: My Picks

There are only a few times during the year when the anticipation of a collection's release really sends me over the edge with obsession. The latest to do so is China Glaze's Cirque Du Soleil inspired collection, "Worlds Away".  I was able to pick up some (half the collection) recently and I COULD NOT WAIT to get them on my nails!

First up, "Running In Circles" (bright emerald green with a glass fleck finish- 3 layers):

Next, "Water You Waiting For" (blue glitter mix-3 layers):

Next, "Get Carried Away"  (sheer black jelly base with black hex and stick glitters as well as silver and  coppery-rose colored hexes- 4 layers).  This was a little thick and would probably be best used as one single coat over an opaque creme base color:

Then, we have "It's A Trap-eze!" (creamy white base with multicolored rainbow glitter- 2 layers of deliciousness):

Here is one of my absolute favorites from this set- "Surreal Appeal" (almost neon coral creme- 2 layers) The formula was almost a one coater- great coverage:

And lastly, there's "Whirled Away" (clear base with big matte white hex glitters, medium black hexes, as well as black stick glitter) on top of "Surreal Appeal"...a match made in heaven:

This combination is my absolute favorite!!!

As you can see there are quite a few standout polishes (glitters imparticular) that comprise this set.  Beautiful, different, and definitely not what we have come to expect from a "main stream" companies. Do you know what this means? They are paying attention to the demand for new finishes as well as unique glitter combinations, which is excellent news!!

Are you going to be picking up any from the 'Worlds Away' collection?? They should be available everywhere in December!

Zoya Ornate Collection: Blaze Nail Polish (Pictures)

Hi there! I'm finally emerging from my Thanksgiving induced coma-like state, and I am wearing this beauty on my nails- Zoya Blaze!  "Blaze" is described by Zoya as being a cool toned mulberrry red with microfine diamond holographic glitter. It's a very festive alternative to the traditional reds that flood the market this time of year:

This applied easily with just 2 layers- excellent formula:

For the picture below, I dialed down the lighting on my camera in order to show the depth of the glitter on this:

So beautiful!  It reminds me of wine....or sparkly cranberry sauce!

If you use my link to Zoya's website and create a new account with them, you automatically get a coupon code for a free bottle of polish (also, add 2 more polishes to that, and receive free shipping as well!).

Are you a 'red' person for this time of year?

***Disclosure: this post contains a referral link. I receive "Love Points" from Zoya for each friend I refer to them***

Julep Maven- November Nail Polish Box (Boho Glam)

Here are the contents of Julep's November Maven box. Mine is the "Boho Glam" style:

Inside this month's box, there were some great things: 2 'suede finish' polishes in the colors "Nora" and "Amber"; a large tub of Julep Pink Grapefruit Body Frosting; and 3 nail polish remover pads.

First, we need to discuss the Pink Grapefruit Body Frosting- THIS IS AWESOME! The fragrance and texture are absolutely heavenly. It truly has that 'whipped' consistency, and glides into the skin effortlessly, without making it feel greasy.  Also, as I may have noted before- if you name something after food, I am all up in that:

Onto the polishes!  First, here's "Nora", a charcoal polish with silver flecks that dries to a suede (matte) finish.  2 layers:

 And here's 'Nora' all shiny with topcoat:

Next is "Amber", a warm taupe suede. 2 layers:

 And, with topcoat (I think this is my favorite):

Also included were a few of the Julep Nail Polish Remover Pads, and they work really well.  The pad itself is thick and sturdy similar to a felt material.  I was able to remove all 10 nails with just a single pad!

Interested in signing up to be a Maven?  If so, you can use my referral link here; be sure to enter the code: COLOR2012 to get your first month for just 1 penny.  This is a great way to try them out and see if it is something you would like!

Do you lke suede/matte polishes?

 

***This post contains a referral link; I receive "credits" towards my monthly Julep box for each friend that I refer***