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Things to Come

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Hi Everyone!  I just wanted to give y'all an update.  I was doing SOOOO well, with tons of posts...and then I broke 4 nails. =(  I had decidec to give my nails a break and let them be completely bare for a few days.  And then it happened: one nail broke; and then another; and then another...

My nails are so weak, I think I need to keep at least a moisterizing base coat on them, even if I'm not weaing polish to keep their strength up.  I've already decided on how I wanted to do my animal print nails, and I think I can still pull them off because my ring finger on my left hand is still nice and long.  Well, technically both ring fingers are long, so I guess I should stop giving excuses and just get it done. =) I plan to do it in a couple days...the baby stole the bottle of polish I had picked out and hid it.  I'm on the hunt, but I do have a backup color if I can't find it.  So yes, more of the challenge coming soon! =)

On another note, today, one of my best friends commented on how she only has 100 blog posts, even though she's been blogging for two years.  I told her "That's awesome! That's about once a week!"  After settling into work, I checked my blogger account, and bam...I only have 84 (85 now!) posts, and I've been blogging since the end of 2009.  Mind you, I did have that baby, so I feel I'm allowed to be short! LOL  One of my NYE's resolutions was to blog more, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job of that so far.  I know I'm not blogging every week like I had envisioned, but I did have a small chunk of time where I blogged twice a week. Har har, yes...it's like that. =)

Upcoming Posts:
31 Day Challenge - Day 13: Animal Print
Kat Von D's Lip Paint Review (it's pretty awesome!)
The long awaited Gelish Magneto Review! (can't wait to pick up a bottle on Friday!)
Did I ever talk about LASIK?
Getting back on Latisse
Silk'n Flash n Go (noticable difference after just one month)
Random Thoughts on Getting a Brazillian while Pregnant (tee hee...yes, 2 years later...)

Not in any particular order, mind you.  And of course, I plan to continue the challenge. =) 

So there you have, a quick update!

Till Next Time!
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31 Day Challenge - Day 12: Stripes & Review of Nail Foils

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Hey Everyone!  OMG, I finally did stripes!  I've been trying to decide for-like-eva(!) on what type of design I wanted.  In the end, I thought I would just get these nail stickers (for lack of better term), and test them out.

Soo...the last time I was at the store (when I got all those awesome OPIs), I passed by these nail stickers on the way out.  They kind of reminded me of the Sally Hansens stuff, so I thought I would try them out.  UGH, they suck.  Like really hard.  Let me explain...

So, when I saw these suckers, I thought they would be all polish-like (like the Sally Hansens ones), but they weren't.  They were all stiff...perhaps I should've melted them w/ a heat gun, but I decided to follow the instructions on the back of the package.  So the basic instructions were:

Step 1: Manicure your nails.
Step 2: Lightly buff your nails.
Step 3. Choose the sticker that fits closest to your nail size.
Step 4: Stick it on and press firmly.
Step 5: Cut off excess.
Step 6: Continue to press firmly to get out all the creases
Step 7: File off excess using a downward motion.
Step 8: Apply Top Coat.

I think the biggest issue was that the stickers weren't sticky enough.  They creased and wouldn't stay flattened, no matter how hard I pressed.  It looks okay-ish, but I was so annoyed with it I decided to remove it.  My hair kept getting caught up near the cuticle area, the feeling wasn't that smooth, and all the creases just bothered me.  I didn't throw a top coat on it, but at this point, I doubt it would've made a difference.

Would I recommend? NNNOOOO! Absolutely not.  I can't even think of an instance where I would...

Here's the challenge:

Next up is Animal Print.  I'm not a big animal print gal...I prefer other patterns.  But I think I have an idea of what I want to do for this challenge...stay tuned!

Till Next Time!

Disclaimer:
1. I did not receive any products I used for free.  It was paid for with my own money.
2. No one asked me to review this product, or create a video/blog about it.
3. I am not affilated with any of the companies who's products I used.
4. These are my honest opinions.
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Kaviar Mani

Sunday, May 13, 2012
Hi Everyone! Yes yes, I know...I have that 31 Day Challenge hanging over my head....but I couldn't help it.  I've been craving to try this since I got my weekly email from Sephora.  No...this is not the Ciate Caviar Manicure Kit.  This is just some plain old (okay, like an FX) polish, and some microbeads I had bought a couple years back.  In fact, I've used them in my Summer Flower mani.  Of course, I didn't cover the entire nail, but still...microbeads are not a new thing in the nail world.  It's just now been made mainstream!  And, as with all other random nail fads, I wanted to check it out. =)

So...I've been hounding my local Sephora, and they haven't gotten the Ciate kit in...they're telling me it will be next week, but we'll see.  Online, it shows that they're the only local store to have it in stock!  Don't you get the feeling that the employees are hiding them for themselves...?  Just a suspicion, hnahaha.

Anyhoo, so in the meantime, I decided to bust out my old microbeads.  I think the whole set of 8 colors was maybe $5 or $6.  Obviously this is significantly less than the Ciate version, but (judging from the picture) you get more beads with Ciate?  I guess I'll find out when I eventually get it...if I get it...I'm sure I want it...must justify....nevermind.  I'll argue with myself later, lol.

Okay, so, here in these pics, I'm wearing Orly's Out of this World (an FX polish).  It's a purple-ish green-ish base with purple shimmer. I think it's a pretty cool color, although not entirely work appropriate!  But then again, that hasn't stopped me...I shall desist only when asked.  =)

I don't even remember where I got my beads from, but it came with a bunch of colors.  Basically I just put on 3 coats of Out of this World to make sure the beads have something to stick to, then dropped and pressed on the blue beads.  After I put away the blue beads, I added purple beads to give it another dimension.

The main problem I faced was that the nail polish dried too quickly to get all the beads stuck on well.  I would have to keep adding more beads to the nail and push them in (like 4-5 beads @ a time after the main bunch).  After, getting all the beads on, my next problem was with the top coat.  I used Seche Vite.  On my left hand, I glopped it on, to make sure the beads would stick.  However, it looks kinda weird.  I know the pic is semi-blurry, but you can see how the beads almost look like their in a gel or something?  Where as the pic above, you can clearly see each bead.  Yeah...which was the look I was going for...

So on my right hand I just used a thin layer of top coat, and was able to get the look I wanted...however, beads are falling out at an alarming rate.  I'm missing more than 11...which isn't too noticeable from a normal glancing distance, but annoying to me, because I can see where they're missing.  Grrr...

So....basically I'm planning to try the Ciate kit, and compare to this cheaper method.  Supposedly the Ciate base color is a more sticky formula, that you can really stick the beads to.  Hopefully they'll have it in stock at Sephora later this week...and maybe w/ a tester?  I would prefer to try before I buy...hahaha.

I still need to get stripes out...bah! Lol

Till next time!

Disclaimer:
1. I bought every product I'm showing by myself (nothing was sent to me for free).
2. No one has paid me or compensated me for this video or blog.
3. I am not affiliated with any of the companies of the products I used.
4. These are my honest opinions.
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O.P.I. Shatter Polish (and Significant Other Color) Review

Friday, May 11, 2012
Hi Everyone! I hope you've all be enjoying my sudden wave of posts.  I know that I haven't posted this much since 2009 (crazy to think that I've been doing this for so long!), and I've really enjoyed it.  On the days I don't work overtime, I feel a nice amount of relaxation from doing my nails.  I probably won't be able to keep changing my nails so often, but I'll try to keep the posts coming. =)  So, I'm taking a short break from the challenge to give you this review. Hehehe, but don't worry, I'll be back working on Stripes soon enough!

Anyhoo, I got a chance to use Significan Other Color, which is a light pink, shimmery polish, along with Pink Shatter (both from O.P.I.). 

I actually a good amount of pics, although not all of them are the clearest.  As a total sidebar, I just wanted to let you know that the MyTouch 4G slide (with a boasted 8mpx camera) was what I had been using to take all these pics recently.  At first, the pics I took were amazingly clear.  And then, for some reason, the quality started deteriorating.  And also, it wouldn't focus on the right spots - for instance, I would try to focus in the middle of the screen, but it would focus on the outsides.  STUPID THING!  I was getting so frustrated!!!  But anyhoo, my contract is up in a couple weeks, and I will be getting the Samsung Galaxy S2.  Its camera is supposed to be good...and I guess you all will get the chance to see it for yourselves. =)  Kk, back to the review....

Here's Significan Other Color with 2 coats.  If I was going to wear this color without the shatter/crackle on top, I would definitely use another coat.  Although it's hard to tell from the pic, every finger has 2 coats, except the middle finger has 3.  Can you see the difference?  It's a little more opaque and more even.  Another O.P.I. polish that needs three coats from the haul!!! LOL  I suppose it's not a big deal...like I said, 2 coats works for the most part.  I just like having a more even look.

As for the Pink Shatter, I actually like it alot!!  Okay, so this pic on the right is how it turned out on my left hand.  The crackle is pretty gross, right?  Well...this is because I used a very thin application.  I was just testing to see how it would turn out...and (obviously) it turned out badly!  Once again, it looks like I just did a bad job of putting on polish, hahahaha.  This makes me want to go back and re-try the China Glaze one that's been giving me issues.  I'll prolly go with a really thick application and see how it works.  At this point, I believe that this pink crackles better than China Glaze's pink, but China Glaze's black crackles better than this Pink Shatter.  I will try more tests and confirm, hehehe.

Moving on to my right hand.  I did a semi-thick coat on my thumb, and progressively got thicker towards my pinky.  I definitely think this is the "trick" to this polish.  Just lay it on thick enough that you can apply polish to the whole nail with it starting to separate (crackle).  Also, try to swipe only once per part of your nail...sections where I overlapped didn't crackle as nicely.

All in all, I think it was a nice crackle polish to work with.  Once I got the "trick" down, it seemd to work pretty well.  As always, with crackle polishes, make sure your base color is COMPLETELY dry.  I absolutely love this bold pink color (similar to Essie's Watermelon!) and I'm glad a part of the proceeds with to help fight breast cancer.  As for price, I paid $4.50, so I think it's totally worth it.  However, I know the regular price of O.P.I. is around $8-$10, and I would really have to put more thought into it if I had to pay full price.  I think I would get this anyway, because I like the color and it shatters nicely.

I didn't test how it worked/looked if you swipe the the crackle polish from side to side or diagonal.  I guess I'll have to do it sometime, to see how it turns out.  I've seen XSparkage do that in a video (I might look up the link to to post here), and the polish crackles in differen directions.  I think it's kinda cool, although (for some strange reason) I just like the classic verticle cracklet best.

I'll probably be working on the next challenge soon.  I have an idea or two...I think...LOL.  Anyhoo, till next time!

Disclaimer:

1. I bought every product I'm showing by myself (nothing was sent to me for free).
2. No one has paid me or compensated me for this video or blog.
3. I am not affiliated with any of the companies of the products I used.
4. These are my honest opinions.
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31 Day Challenge - Day 11: Polka Dots + O.P.I. Haul

Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Hi Everyone!  I have started on the second range of the challenge - Patterns.  I kinda don't do polka dots well, so I decided to go with polka rings? Lol...Just a random design I wanted to try out with the new polishes I just got. =)

Sorry this pic is kinda funky and you can't see the design THAT great.  Basically, I put on two coats of O.P.I.'s I Don't Give a Rotterdam, and then drew dots on my tips with O.P.I.'s Yodel Me On My Cell, and then put dots of I Don't Give a Rotterdam in the middle of those dots.  That way the have a ring-like effect. =)  I used my biggest dotting tool, but I think (if I ever attempt this look again), I will use the next size down.  I mean, my nails aren't that long, so I don't have the real estate for big giant dots, hahah.

Here's the challenge:

Next up is Stripes.  I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'll try to have something up in the next few days.  Can you believe I've actually been consistently posting?!?  Hopefully I can keep this up (or at least once a week up) for a while. 

Now on to the Haul!  So I finally had a little bit of extra pocket money, and decided to update my nail polish stash.  Normally, I don't buy too much O.P.I. mainly because it's pretty pricey.  However, I got a pretty good deal on the 6 bottles I got ($4.50 each), so I decided to limit my purchases to O.P.I. =)  There wasn't too much new China Glaze or Orly polishes available that I was interested in.  The store had quite a limited selection for those...I think I'll have to go to the other local nail supply store to pick up the new collection items, if I want them.  But....I'm limiting myself to one more nail polish splurge, and it's kinda price ($25!!!), so I probably won't be buying anything else for my stash...for a short while. =) I miss the days when I could just go buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted...it's hard growing up! LOL  Damn these bills and responsibilities!

Okie, so here are the six polishes I got (mostly from the Holland collection) from left to right:  Yodel Me On My Cell, Pedal Faster Suzi!, I Don't Give a Rotterdam, Lucerne-Tainly Look Marvelous (get it? har har), Significant Other Color, and Pink Shatter.

So far, I've tried I Don't Give a Rotterdam, Yodel Me On My Cell, and Lucerne-Tainly Look Marvelous (on my mom).  I can't wait to try the Pink Shatter, and compare it to the China Glaze ones. =)

For I Don't Give a Rotterdam, I used 2 coats for a semi-even coverage.  If I wasn't planning on doing a design, I probably would've used 3 coats for a more even coverage.  The coats are pretty thin, so I guess it's not a biggie to use 3...just more than I'm used to.  Like I've mentioned in the past, I prefer 2 coats. =)  For Yodel Me On My Cell, I only used it to make dots, so I can't really comment too much about the polish.

As for Lucerne-Tainly Look Marvelous, I used 2 coats for a pretty even coverage.  It's kinda sheer, though, so a 3rd coat might make it a little more opaque.  I think it looked pretty with just 2 coats, and I plan to get a swatch out.  I didn't do any designs or anything this time for my mom...just a basic mani.  Maybe when this project is over and I have more free time...

Overall, I enjoyed using O.P.I.  The brushes are a lot thicker than I'm used to (with Essie, especially), so it only took a few swips to get full coverage.  However, the colors I've used in this batch have all felt pretty thin/sheer.  I'll let you know how the rest of the colors work out.

Till next time!!

Disclaimer:
1. I bought every product I'm showing by myself (nothing was sent to me for free).
2. No one has paid me or compensated me for this video or blog.
3. I am not affiliated with any of the companies of the products I used.
4. These are my honest opinions.
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31 Day Challenge - Day 10: Gradient

Sunday, May 6, 2012
Hi Everyone! Wow, I'm officially 1/3 of the way through this challenge.  I'm going to give myself a small pat on the back...could've been bigger if I was really able to keep up with doing this everyday.  I've read some blogs where the author has found it pretty frustrating...which I can totally identify with.  Once again, I'm not thrilled with how my mani turned out.

So, I chose my colors (the scented Eternal and Essie's Watermelon), and then I decided to do a gradient on each nail.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the makeup sponges I normally use for this, so I thought I'd try with a different one.  TOTALLY didn't work.  The sponge I used was too dense...so it litterally looks like i just did a bad french mani job.  UGH!!!  And of course, now that I'm working, I don't have the time to just do it over. 

Here's the Challenge:


As a side note, I've been wearing these looks to work.  Now, I wouldn't wear these looks to court....and I don't really think they look "professional", but what harm is there?  I'm not meeting any clients (except my own private ones, and seriously, they don't care that my nails look funky), and I do my work well.  No one's said anything, so Imma keep at it.  Randomly, I bought a pair of work slacks yesterday...but now that I look at them in the office, they kinda look like jeans....I wonder if someone will reprimand me, hahaha.
Day 11 is going to be Polka Dots....I think I'll have to choose some more colors....

Till next time!

Disclaimer:
1. I bought every product I'm showing by myself (nothing was sent to me for free).
2. No one has paid me or compensated me for this video or blog.
3. I am not affiliated with any of the companies of the products I used.
4. These are my honest opinions.
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31 Day Challenge - Day 9: Rainbow

Thursday, May 3, 2012
Hey Everyone! I'm back for Day 9 of the challenge.  To your left I have a rainbow on each nail, and to the bottom, I have just one color on each nail.

I'm not sure which I like better...On one hand (literally, har har) I have rainbows that look drawn by a child, and on the other hand, I have a funky manicure (which I kinda made weird with those butterfly decals).  *Sigh*  I feel that Rainbow Day is Full of Fail Day.  I will be happy to proceed to the next challenge (Gradient) ASAP!!

If you're interested in what colors/polishes I used: Left Pic is all Nail Star (over China Glaze: White).  Right Pic is (Pink) Eternal Scented, (Orange) Orly's Pumpkin Punch, (Yellow) Nina Ultra Pro: Solar Flare, (Green) China Glaze: Turned Up Turquoise Neon, (Purple) Finger Paint.

I got the butterfly decals at a local nail supply store. Admittedly they apply pretty easily, and seem to stay on okay, but now that I've tried them a couple times, I think they just look weird, hahaha.  Kinda like, "what's that on your nail?!?"

I've decided on how I want to do my Gradient look, but haven't chosen colors for it yet.  I will definitely get that out to you soon!

Here's the Challenge:

Till next time!

Disclaimer:
1. I bought every product I'm showing by myself (nothing was sent to me for free).
2. No one has paid me or compensated me for this video or blog.
3. I am not affiliated with any of the companies of the products I used.
4. These are my honest opinions.