Creative Layering

Its Monday again, so its time for another nail art challenge from Polish-aholics Anonymous. This week, we could pick between Franken/Indie and Creative Layering. I chose the latter.

For my creative layering, I used three different polishes. Two coats of Ulta Sun-sational as my yellow base. It is a lovely yellow creme with great application. Then I sponged on Pure Ice Rio and Wet n Wild Party of Five Glitters. I wish Rio had blended a bit better, but otherwise I'm happy with how this turned out.

Ulta Nail Lacquer retails for $6 at Ulta. Pure Ice retails for $2 at Walmart and Bari Cosmetics. Wet n Wild Fast Dry retail for $2-3 at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Ulta, and many other stores, all of which are listed on their website.

Colorful Gradient

Its Stamping Sunday! Two themes were neck and neck for winner. So, we could do either. Stamping over a gradient or using two stamps. I went with the former. I have been wanting to try a sponge gradient for awhile.

I was inspired by this blog post on Laynie Fingers. I did one thick coat of Pure Ice Super Star! as my white base. For my sponging, I used L.A. Colors Phenomena, Kleancolor Neon Green, and L.A. Colors Shock.  I love this technique! Automatic gradient. Now for the stamping. Using plate BM10 and Color Club Blue Topia, I stamped on little flowers. Since Blue Topia is a jelly, the petals are slightly faded. But I like that. Using a dotting tool and Super Star!, I dotted middles for each flower.

Spring Surprise!

Another exchange on PAA! Secret Santa, Be My Valentine, and now Spring Surprise. Names are drawn by random and who is sending our gift is a surprise.

I received a wonderful gift from Gwen, who runs SpaceLifeThoughts.

A sweet note, polishes, glitter, and candies

Essence Blue Addicted & World Inspired Colours by Herôme Bogota

Up close shot of Bogota

Up close shot of Blue Addicted

Holographic bar glitter

I had never heard of World Inspired Colours by Herôme until today. Bogota is gorgeous! I cannot wait to try it! Its no surprise if you've been reading my blog that I love Essence polishes (and the rest of their cosmetics). Blue Addicted is not sold here in the US, so I was beyond thrilled to receive it. I have wanted it for awhile.

The holographic bar glitter is amazing in person. I'm not sure if I'm going to franken with it or just use it like sprinkles on a manicure. Either way, it will definitely get used. The little candies are coffee candies. How amazing is that?! As soon as I snapped the picture, I popped one in my mouth. Coffee heaven!

Nabi Candid

I hope you are enjoying your Thursday! The weekend is near! I have a very pretty magnetic polish to show you today (two in a row)!

No, you are not imagining things, I used this polish before I cut my nails. I painted a thin coat of Candid on each nail as a base. Then one nail at a time, I did a generous layer and held the magnet over. The magnet is located on the top of the cap. The lines form rather quickly. I love the way this looks once the magnet is held over it. The shimmer is pulled into lines while the gorgeous glitter remains. Absolutely gorgeous in person. I cannot wait to wear this for Autumn.

Nabi Magnetic polish retails for $5 at Walgreens.

China Glaze Drawn to You

I hope you are enjoying your Wednesday! I have a pretty polish from the China Glaze Magnetix Collection to show you today.

I cut and filed my nails down before applying this polish; so no, your eyes are not playing tricks. I painted a thin coat of Drawn to You on each nail as a base. Then one nail at a time, I did a generous layer and held a magnet over. I used the magnet from my Nabi polish for the horizontal lines. I love this polish! The application was perfection and the design stayed once I pulled the magnet away. As you can see in the last couple of pictures, it has a lovely sparkle and some depth to it.

The China Glaze Magnetix Collection retails for $6-10 a bottle at Sally Beauty Supply, Ulta, and various other stores/sites.