Fun with Nails!

[mpls_girl26]

Has anyone tried the Shellac process from CND (http://www.cnd.com/Products/Color/shellac-hello.aspx)? I've had it done the past three manicures and it is really amazing. I don't have very thick nails and they're susceptible to breakage. I also have a tendency to mess up my polish rather quickly, so this is the perfect solution for me. I usually just go with clear polish on my fingernails, but this last time I went with a very pale and natural pink. They have many different colors in the line to choose from, so there's probably something for most people. It takes a little bit more time than a regular manicure because you have to put your nails under the UV lamp after each coat, but it's totally worth it. My nails are rock solid when I leave the salon, they're protected and the polish doesn't chip.

They say it's good for about two weeks, but I've kept it on longer and it still holds up like a champ... would just really depend on how fast your nails grow.

I did the Shellac last March and was totally impressed that I didn't chip the paint off by the time I got to the car. Unfortunately, I can say that the shellac does NOT hold up to knife welding while cutting tons of peppers and onions for fajitas...lol. A few nicks too many and cut a few spots in the polish.

I'm also AWFUL about peeling polish off my nails. I read up on the Shellac a lot before getting it done and say how awful it was to peel them off, that they have to be taken off with Acetone but.......I didn't listen. Do not be like me. :doh:

[Miss Vickie]

I have found OPI Envy to be the best at getting my nails to grow out. They are pretty thin and break/peel REALLY easily but if I am vigilant about using Envy they really grow. They have different formulas based on your nails - dry/brittle, thin, etc.

Ooooh! Guess what I'm going to go buy today! I painted my nails up nice and pretty but started peeling the polish off. I guess that's better than peeling my NAILS but still... I gotta learn to leave my freakin' hands ALONE!

[SoVerySoft]

Has anyone tried the magnetic polishes? Those look pretty cool. The colors my salon had were too dark for this time of year, so I'm waiting a bit.

If you aren't familiar - the polish has metallic bits in it and you hold a special patterned magnet over it and it pulls the metal to the surface and makes a design.


OK, so I took the plunge. What do you think? I think the stars are a little muddled, but overall I like it! Looks like tie dye.

Nervous because I am likely meeting my boyfriend's sisters tomorrow for the first time and I didn't want to do anything TOO crazy, but I think this looks nice. I hope. :D

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[HottiMegan]

OOHH those are SOOOOO cool!!! I love the purple too :)

[Cors]

Hi ladies! I opted for a Gellish manicure two days ago (French, love the natural look and shine) and am miffed that the sides are already lifting on two fingernails! Is that normal? :(

[Diana_Prince245]

Hi ladies! I opted for a Gellish manicure two days ago (French, love the natural look and shine) and am miffed that the sides are already lifting on two fingernails! Is that normal? :(

I don't remember having that problem, but I haven't had one in a while (work doesn't let us even have just plain polish on).

In honor of Brad Pitt's new movie, I'm wearing OP for Sephora's I'm With Brad.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T8jmzzBIK-Y/SRvCBXFEK0I/AAAAAAAADfE/0QwNjnWb79U/s400/sephora+opi+nail+polish+i'm+with+brad+1.jpg

I probably won't post pictures of my feet though. They're weird looking.

[AnnMarie]

Hi ladies! I opted for a Gellish manicure two days ago (French, love the natural look and shine) and am miffed that the sides are already lifting on two fingernails! Is that normal? :(

Generally not normal unless they went to close to your cuticle line, or they didn't adequately primer the area before the gel application. You can also accelerate lift by using certain lotions (example, my manicurist tells everyone to stay away from bath and body works products, something about the emollients causes a lot of lifting.)

Sorry, beautiful! :(

[HDANGEL15]

I have found OPI Envy to be the best at getting my nails to grow out. They are pretty thin and break/peel REALLY easily but if I am vigilant about using Envy they really grow. They have different formulas based on your nails - dry/brittle, thin, etc.

i heard that was amazing and bought START to FINISH...seemed like the same product more or less...but get to use it 2x every time...hoping i see results SOOOON

[Cors]

Thanks Diana and AM! I wonder if my long hot showers hours after the manicure could have caused or accelerated the lifting actually. Oh well, it can't get checking out other salons anyway.

It's been a week and I'm loving the lasting power so far. I opted for French, no wear even on the white tips!

[KittyKitten]

I am so in love with this manicure. These are not my nails.

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrrngcYUqw1qdgxcoo1_500.jpg

[LesyaTaya]

I am so in love with this manicure. These are not my nails.

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrrngcYUqw1qdgxcoo1_500.jpg

How.... how.... how did you do that?

Oh then i read: it wasn't yours. Pity ^(

[khrestel]

Oh how you have inspired me. I've had just clear polish for a few weeks now but I just have to get my box out now and do something fun. Most of my polishes are OPIs, Sally Hansens, Orlys or very inexpensive but usually nice Depends. I love colors, all of them, but I guess I'm kinda stuck with purples/turqoises most of the time.

I usually never do my toes as my toenails are ridicuously small and kinda hard to reach with this belly (How do you gals do it?!?).

[HottiMegan]

I got some of those Sally Hansen polish stickers. so far so good but it's only been an afternoon. I had one peel off already but i did a bad job of putting it on, it was wrinkled and sucky. I hope they hold up at least a week but we'll see. It's kind of hard to put them on and smooth it so there are no rough edges. I don't normally do dark polish but i'm a zombie rock star for Halloween. If they stay, i'm going to try some others. I saw that they have candy cane for the holidays :D
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u203/BBWMegan/IMAG0428.jpg

[Jeeshcristina]

I got some of those Sally Hansen polish stickers. so far so good but it's only been an afternoon. I had one peel off already but i did a bad job of putting it on, it was wrinkled and sucky. I hope they hold up at least a week but we'll see. It's kind of hard to put them on and smooth it so there are no rough edges. I don't normally do dark polish but i'm a zombie rock star for Halloween. If they stay, i'm going to try some others. I saw that they have candy cane for the holidays :D
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u203/BBWMegan/IMAG0428.jpg


Keep us updated on them! I've been wanting to try them, but too scared to!

[HottiMegan]

so far so good on the nails! It survived a lot of hand washing today with Halloween makeup application. It also survived a shower which is usually the downfall of my manicure. My regular polish starts peeling after a shower. If it lasts more than a week, i'm going to start using this stuff more!

[Webmaster]

Well, yesterday I got to paint little tiny pumpkins onto someone's Halloween-orange toe nails. Fun, that.

[SoVerySoft]

Well, yesterday I got to paint little tiny pumpkins onto someone's Halloween-orange toe nails. Fun, that.

What? No pics?? How did they turn out?

[HottiMegan]

A week later and the nail polish is pretty good. It shows how much my nails grew. Some of the corners are chipped a little thanks to a lot of heavy housework and nails chipping and what have you. I give this stuff a thumbs up considering how nail polish basically peels off of me after a day or two. I love it! I'm going to get the candy cane stuff next month! :D
I wish they sold a clear coat or faintly colored kind so i can put polish over it.

[vibhasharma]

Well I like to make designs on my nail that is nail art as well as i always put some or the other nail paint specially RED.

[HottiMegan]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u203/BBWMegan/IMAG0453.jpg
love the stickers :)

[HDANGEL15]

love the stickers :)

I am terrified to use them...as I thought they would look beyond CHEESIE...i am so wrong...looking fab on you...I do a lot of creative CONAD stuff...but hate trying to take pix...i just tried to take about 5 pix of my deeeeeep red almost black with silver argyle (that worked perfectly) very shimmery not metallicy....wish i could take a pic :doh:

[HottiMegan]

I really like those nail stickers. I can't get regular polish to stick to my nails and that just sucks. So this stuff stays and looks good for a long time. I only use half a package to do all my nails so for $8 it makes for two manicures.
I just bought some candy cane ones for the holiday season :D

[tigerlily]

Those are VERY cute, Megan. I always hesitated on buying them cause I was afraid how they'd look on, but these are total class.

[tigerlily]

How.... how.... how did you do that?

Oh then i read: it wasn't yours. Pity ^(

This could have been done using a water marbling technique. Mysimplelittlepleasues (note the mispelling) has a youtube channel almost entirely dedicating to showing the various looks you can get using this technique.

[cherylharrell]

Great job there. Looks good. :)

[aocutiepi]

Love the stickers, HottiMegan! Fun.

http://hearts-disfigure.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/holiday-nails-e1322865382850.jpg

In love with this entire collection! I had such a hard time deciding what color to choose. I walked into the salon thinking I'd go with brown anyway, then I saw Warm and Fozzie and loved it. It's got these subtle green and red microflecks that give it almost a dual-tone look in the light.

Then, Kevin, my manicurist, talked me into doing one nail in the Rainbow Connection (love that song!) multi-colored chunk glitter. Yes, he picked my middle finger.

A fun pre-finals mani that's going to take me into the holiday season... time to bust out my holiday fave The Muppet Christmas Carol!

Also, psyched about the new Nicki Minaj collection coming in January. Love her.

[HottiMegan]

Muppet polish?!? Woohoo!! :D:D

[ButlerGirl09]

Muppet polish?!? Woohoo!! :D:D

I just found out about them today because a friend of mine had the pink one on her nails. Now I MUST go get a manicure!

[tigerlily]

Love the stickers, HottiMegan! Fun.

In love with this entire collection! I had such a hard time deciding what color to choose. I walked into the salon thinking I'd go with brown anyway, then I saw Warm and Fozzie and loved it. It's got these subtle green and red microflecks that give it almost a dual-tone look in the light.

Then, Kevin, my manicurist, talked me into doing one nail in the Rainbow Connection (love that song!) multi-colored chunk glitter. Yes, he picked my middle finger.

A fun pre-finals mani that's going to take me into the holiday season... time to bust out my holiday fave The Muppet Christmas Carol!

Also, psyched about the new Nicki Minaj collection coming in January. Love her.

These are lovely. I love the intense earthy, yet colourful metallics. Warm & Fozzy looks even better on the nail. Good call using RC in the middle.

I'mma have to check out the Nicki Minaj collection.

Edit- Did and Save Me looks amazing! :)

[PhatChk]

my nails!!!!!

[Jack Secret]

That looks really neat! What are the little bling things you have on them?

my nails!!!!!

[KayaNee]

I never post in this section, but I had to share my nails... had them done today. Not very Christmas-y I admit, but they will be perfect for New years celebrations.

Before I had the acrylics put on again, I had a manicure done two weeks ago with one of the new Muppets polishes from OPI. I had Getting Miss Piggy with It over Big Apple Red. I wish I had taken a pic of it, but I didn't. They were perfect for the Christmas season.

[HottiMegan]

Those are soo pretty! I wish i could have fake nails.. they're so much prettier.. they just peel off of me though :(

[Cors]

I am terrible with acrylics too but I am loving gel nails! The longevity and shine is just awesome and my brittle nails don't get too worn out. I miss the convenience of switching my polish whenever though but I am lazy and too conservative for most kinds of nail art.

I just caved and bought a DIY Gelish kit with curing lamp at a decent price. Going test it out in a week or so! My fingerpainting skills aren't fantastic but at least it is going to be a fun sisterly bonding activity. :D

[AnnMarie]

You can polish over the gels - it doesn't do anything to them and you can take it off just as easy.

My manicurist's tip is to put on a coat of clear first so that whatever color you pain doesn't get under any lifts you may have.

Enjoy! :D

[HottiMegan]

This shot doesn't do the polish justice. Divine swine from the muppet collection. Now I need to get rainbow connection. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u203/BBWMegan/IMAG0488.jpg
This polish was a great surprise in my mailbox this week :-)

[PhatChk]

I tried doing snowman the best I can do lol :doh::doh:

[HottiMegan]

I tried doing snowman the best I can do lol :doh::doh:

That's so cute!! :D

[HDANGEL15]

I tried doing snowman the best I can do lol :doh::doh:

very nice job...I suck at photographing them...but here's my xmas version...supposed to look sorta like pointsettas

[Aust99]

I got my first OPI nail polishes today... they are hard to get in Australia but my sister found some for me for Christmas... I got Pamplona Purple and the black shatter.... I'm going to test them out on Tuesday... :)

[SoVerySoft]

Here are my Christmas nails (taken at the salon, so still oily. :p)

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[metabliss]

I can't believe that I didn't find this thread sooner! I LOVE nail art! I used to hand paint designs all the time, but I haven't had much time since I've been in school. I love decals though! I only have a few pics, but here goes:

Frankie nails for when I went to see Young Frankenstein the Musical!
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/killherface/frankienails.jpg

Cute pink decals
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/killherface/girlynails.jpg

Lacey Decals
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/killherface/lacenails.jpg

And Toxic Slime nails for a themed party!
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/killherface/slimenails.jpg

[Tracyarts]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Tracyarts/IMG_3175.jpg

A silver base (OPI "Your Royal Shine-ness) with alternating layers of two different silver holographic glitters in a clear base polish (OPI "Servin' Up Sparkle" and Sally Hansen "Hologem").

I seriously love the look of silver nails with little flashes of rainbow from the holographic glitter on top.

Tracy

[PhatChk]

My hello kitty inspired nails..n my work station lol
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[larousse]

I think I'm about to take the plunge into acrylic nails because I heard that gel manicures are not only more expensive, but also more upkeep and I want the easiest method possible. Anyone have experience with both?

[MzDeeZyre]

I think I'm about to take the plunge into acrylic nails because I heard that gel manicures are not only more expensive, but also more upkeep and I want the easiest method possible. Anyone have experience with both?

It really depends on how healthy you want your real nails to be. I have done acrylic and gel's and quite honestly, I prefer gels over acrylics. Acrylics tear up the natural nail bed, and make it hard to transition into having real nails again should the need ever arise.

You can get the acrylic look with gel. Just ask for a gel set rather than acrylic. Acrylics will always be cheaper, because most salons use cheap low grade acrylic. When you get fills with acrylic, it is impossible to get a nice no lines fill. I personally don't always like to have polish on, sometimes I like the natural look, and with gels my nails look natural. They are a natural pinkish color, and there are never fill lines.

Of course this is all based on personal preference, and finances because Gel nails do cost more to upkeep and start, but IMO they are much worthwhile.

[larousse]

It really depends on how healthy you want your real nails to be. I have done acrylic and gel's and quite honestly, I prefer gels over acrylics. Acrylics tear up the natural nail bed, and make it hard to transition into having real nails again should the need ever arise.

You can get the acrylic look with gel. Just ask for a gel set rather than acrylic. Acrylics will always be cheaper, because most salons use cheap low grade acrylic. When you get fills with acrylic, it is impossible to get a nice no lines fill. I personally don't always like to have polish on, sometimes I like the natural look, and with gels my nails look natural. They are a natural pinkish color, and there are never fill lines.

Of course this is all based on personal preference, and finances because Gel nails do cost more to upkeep and start, but IMO they are much worthwhile.

Yeah I know acrylics destroy your nails, which is why I don't wear them. I'm very VERY low maintenance (aka lazy) when it comes to my nails and I hate the fact that my manicure is usually destroyed within a week. Plus I work at a job where presentable, polished nails are preferred but I'm so bad at painting and maintaining my own nails that I usually give up and just stick to natural nails. I'm thinking acrylics would be easier because they seem to require the least amount of upkeep.

[TrickBaby]

Love, love love this thread! So many lovely nails I dont know where to start. Hope I can play too.

Ive been inspired to sort out my talons and invest in OPI (not so easy to get hold of over here)

[Mishty]

Bored, and did my nails with some random OPI polish my cousin had. My nails don't grow pointy, they grow square but if I keep them blunt and straight they bend and break. I suck at nailing. :doh:


(sucky webcam shot,looks white,but the color is a silvery,pearl with chrome glitter)

[PhatChk]

Galaxy Nails ...My new nails ^_^ wish I hd a toothpick the stars would have been smaller...tutorial vid : http://youtu.be/3EMgt4_jW5U

[HDANGEL15]

I love this thread...my lime/red leopard/zebra nails this week

[MzDeeZyre]

One of my favorite companies to buy nail products from is Zoya. They have great colors, and always have great sales.

Zoya (https://www.artofbeauty.com/rd/FB2690)

[HottiMegan]

I'm thinking of taking the gel or uv nail polish plunge. I was talking to a lady the other day at Sally when i was getting my pink hair color. She said it's expensive to start out but well worth it. She had the same peelage issue i have and said it works wonders and you can use regular polish over it. I'm thinking of getting a starter kit at Sally for my birthday or mothers day.

[MzDeeZyre]

Megan...

I used to have the same peeling issues also. One of the reasons I love the Zoya polishes I linked aboved is that they don't peel on me at all. I don't know why, or how, but no peeling. At $8 a bottle, with killer sales when they have them... that can't be beat. The colors they have are pretty sweet too!! And they are formaldehyde free.

[HottiMegan]

I clicked on that link. I'll check it out after the move :) I am always in for trying a new polish :D
My nails are so short and icky right now. I keep breaking them with this move. They need some TLC

[CrankySpice]

I'm thinking of taking the gel or uv nail polish plunge. I was talking to a lady the other day at Sally when i was getting my pink hair color. She said it's expensive to start out but well worth it. She had the same peelage issue i have and said it works wonders and you can use regular polish over it. I'm thinking of getting a starter kit at Sally for my birthday or mothers day.

I'm a DIY kind of gal (plus there weren't any local salons offering gel nails at the time) so I bought a starter kit and UV drying lamp from Sally's to start off. This is what I bought:

http://www.sallybeauty.com/IBD-gel-kit/SBS-527300,default,pd.html?green=8EDD77FB-652B-5A06-0428-288F8686922C&cm_vc=MYBUYS

and

http://www.sallybeauty.com/uv-curing-lamp/SBS-128400,default,pd.html?cgid=Nail03

I also had a chat with AnnMarie's manicurist, who gave me some tips about doing the gels. Basically, you want to get a tiny "ball" of gel on the end of your brush and start at the middle of your nail and push it to the edges of your nail before smoothing it forward (rather than starting at the cuticle and working forward). This gives a more even spread and you're less likely to have the gel hit your skin.

Also, make VERY VERY thin layers. The thinner they are, the stronger they'll be when cured and you're less likely to have buckling or wrinkling. The gels cure fast, if your layers are thin enough you'll only need a minute, minute and a half under the light to cure them. For me, 3-4 layers were enough.

AM's manicurist suggested that I do two fingers at a time, then cure, do the next two fingers, cure and so on. I never had the patience to do that, though.

One tip if you get that particular starter kit -- don't bother trying to use their white builder gel to give yourself a french manicure -- the white is too translucent and by the time you use enough to make your tips white, it will be lumpy and odd looking close up. If you want a french, get an "extreme" white instead.

Oh! I also found this video helpful (I think they cover how to do a french with gel at the end): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6et-rMZE0wc They sell their own line of gel products, too.

Lastly, I started buying colored gels online and this store has great selection and awesome sales. They also shipped quickly: http://www.beautywests.com/

Another tip I'd have is to start with colored gels first. This will allow you to see your mistakes better (easily corrected with a file for the most part) which is good for practice. I would often overstep my nail bed and hit my skin a little bit, which will give your nail a sharp lifted edge instead of a smooth at-the-base edge. I would just file them down till they looked more normal.

Also, you don't do gel fills like you do with acrylic -- you start over fresh each time. That means you have to file off all the old gel first. This is another reason to start with colors -- it's easier to see when you are done! lol I considered buying an electric file like the pros use but since I'm poor and was already splurging enough, I hand filed. It would take me about an hour to do both hands, less as I got used to it. I would just watch a show while I filed and the time passed quickly.

I'm not currently doing my nails...just like getting pro manicures, you have keep doing them regularly to maintain them and I just got tired of it at one point. But I had a lot of fun learning how to do it and it's fun to know you did it yourself. Plus after a few manicures, you've pretty much covered the cost of your supplies compared to having a pro do it. I have all my supplies packed safely away and will probably break them out again when I go through a girly phase.

Anyway - hope that's helpful to you and let me know if you have any questions!!

[AshleyEileen]

I always had peeling problems. I switched to Orly Bonder as a base coat and Hong Kong Girl for a top coat and haven't had any problems. A manicure would last me 2 days tops. Now, I can get up to a week. Well, that's if I don't want to change it before then. :)

[Tracyarts]

Hopping onto the "flaky/flakies" nail polish bandwagon for the weekend!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Tracyarts/flakiesmani.jpg

I used cheap and reliable Sally Hansen "Black Out" for the base, two coats. And then one coat each of two different iridescent or color shifting flake glitter special effect top coat polishes over it. China Glaze "Lush and Luxe" from their Hunger Games movie tie-in collection (which has larger flakes), and Essie "Shine of the Times" from their Holiday '11 collection (which has smaller flakes). Then a layer of Poshe' top coat to help protect the glitter and bring out the depth and shine.

Tracy

[ConnieLynn]

I haven't had fake nails in years. I have good nails and they grow fast, I just never find the time to keep them painted, and a manicure doesn't last very long for me. After all the gel nail talk, I went and got a set (natural with white tips $30). I love that they look good with no effort.

My only complaint is that I had sore nail beds for a day or so following. Is that typical? I don't remember that from acrylics.

[BigBeautifulMe]

Spring colors. :)

http://tinyurl.com/bue3tul

[CrankySpice]

I haven't had fake nails in years. I have good nails and they grow fast, I just never find the time to keep them painted, and a manicure doesn't last very long for me. After all the gel nail talk, I went and got a set (natural with white tips $30). I love that they look good with no effort.

My only complaint is that I had sore nail beds for a day or so following. Is that typical? I don't remember that from acrylics.

Yes, that is typical and should go away as your nails get used to the process. I had the same for both acrylics and gels, although in my case acrylics hurt more I think because they were over-filed so my nail bed was too thin. Oh, the things we do for pretty nails! haha

[sarahyourprincess]

I'm loving the sally Hansen salon effects nail stickers well stickery type things I had hounds-tooth last week and this week it's floral patterned :D
super-cute and they've held up amazingly

[HottiMegan]

I'm loving the sally Hansen salon effects nail stickers well stickery type things I had hounds-tooth last week and this week it's floral patterned :D
super-cute and they've held up amazingly

I love those stickers. They last until i'm sick and tired of the color/pattern and want a new one :) (about a week to ten days for me)

[HottiMegan]

Yes, that is typical and should go away as your nails get used to the process. I had the same for both acrylics and gels, although in my case acrylics hurt more I think because they were over-filed so my nail bed was too thin. Oh, the things we do for pretty nails! haha

I always had such sore nails after getting my acrylics. I too thought they filed down too much. I want to try gels after the move.

[BigBeautifulMe]

Spring colors. :)



I got bored on my lunch break and painted the tips of the pink ones orange, the tips of the blue green, and the tips of the green, blue. Loving it.

[HottiMegan]

I got bored on my lunch break and painted the tips of the pink ones orange, the tips of the blue green, and the tips of the green, blue. Loving it.

That just sounds fun :D

[Fluffy51888]

Did these for the Hunger Games premiere a few weeks ago!

[Fluffy51888]

Did these for Easter today. :) Wanted to try a glitter accent nail, and I love it!

[HottiMegan]

I love what you did in both pics Fluffy.

[Fallenangel2904]

Did these for Easter today. :) Wanted to try a glitter accent nail, and I love it!

I love it! What number is that coral color? And what did you do the glitter nail with??

[Fluffy51888]

I love what you did in both pics Fluffy.

Thanks! :)

I love it! What number is that coral color? And what did you do the glitter nail with??

I know it looks coral in the picture, but it's actually a pink. It's Sinful Colors number 313, Pink Forever. And the glitter is my new favorite polish! It's the Nicole line by OPI. The color is Rainbow in the S-Kylie. I love it because the flakes are so diverse! :)

[AshleyEileen]

I always forget to check in here! :(

I really liked this manicure.

http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/154600199678468982_dBrbLo5a_c.jpg
(http://plumpandpolished.blogspot.com/)

This is:
Orly Bonder
Zoya Dove
OPI My Pointe Exactly
OPI Pirouette My Whistle
Seche Vite

It's from my blog post here: http://plumpandpolished.blogspot.com/.

[ConnieLynn]

That's lovely!

I always forget to check in here! :(

I really liked this manicure.

http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/154600199678468982_dBrbLo5a_c.jpg
(http://plumpandpolished.blogspot.com/)

This is:
Orly Bonder
Zoya Dove
OPI My Pointe Exactly
OPI Pirouette My Whistle
Seche Vite

It's from my blog post here: http://plumpandpolished.blogspot.com/.

[HDANGEL15]

going for N'awlins theme.....

[HottiMegan]

I got a polish from LA Girl on impulse. It's an orangeish sparkely polish and once it dried, it smells like strawberry :D It's weird but kinda cool. Hubs wont smell my finger lol :)

[SoVerySoft]

Last mani-pedi I got this color, in anticipation of an upcoming trip to New England. It's called "I Eat Mainely Lobster". What could be more perfect for me?

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[miafantastic]

Deborah Lippmman is killing me softly.

Mermaid's Dream
http://g-lvl3.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Large/3/_6779743.jpg

I like her stuff lots and saw how sea magical Mermaid's Dream looked on a coworker, BUT 20 bucks a bottle is kinda of ridic. Sooooo, I'm making a knockoff with something I've already got:

Loreal Club Prive
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/cm/cosmopolitan/images/Ev/cos-07-loreal-nail-polish-mdn.jpg

And something I picked up for 7 bucks:

Nicole by OPI A Million Sparkles
http://www.perfumania.com/wcsstore/PerfumaniaSAS/upload/images/products/PRFM-195177.jpg

A Million Sparkles has a blue glitter base with more gold glitter and less pink glitter than bottle pics suggest. I lurve Mermaid Dream's seafoamy iridescence, and hope the glitter's yellow with the polish's teal will channel some of that. So far, I really like the way my test swathes look on paper, so YAY.

[CastingPearls]

Deborah Lippmman is killing me softly.

Mermaid's Dream
http://g-lvl3.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Large/3/_6779743.jpg

I like her stuff lots and saw how sea magical Mermaid's Dream looked on a coworker, BUT 20 bucks a bottle is kinda of ridic. Sooooo, I'm making a knockoff with something I've already got:

Loreal Club Prive
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/cm/cosmopolitan/images/Ev/cos-07-loreal-nail-polish-mdn.jpg

And something I picked up for 7 bucks:

Nicole by OPI A Million Sparkles
http://www.perfumania.com/wcsstore/PerfumaniaSAS/upload/images/products/PRFM-195177.jpg

A Million Sparkles has a blue glitter base with more gold glitter and less pink glitter than bottle pics suggest. I lurve Mermaid Dream's seafoamy iridescence, and hope the glitter's yellow with the polish's teal will channel some of that. So far, I really like the way my test swathes look on paper, so YAY.
Oh god the first two I must have *in a trance*

EDT: $20 for a bottle of nailpolish is nuts. Your idea is better.

[PhatChk]

Hi I haven't been around but I wanted to share these with you:

When it's 3am n you can't sleep do your nails lol. Tuxedo nails done two ways. Right hand was a fail lol.

[CorinaJade]

wow,
I LOVE those tuxedo nails, they're so adorable!
Very nicely done ^.^

- Cori

[Delightfully Peculiar]

Wow...so many creative nail looks here. I usually go pretty basic, but I thought I'd try the Sally Hansen nail stickers. I think they are neat.

[toni]

I <3 nail stickers. They are cheap, quick, easy and cute!

[Kamily]

Hi I haven't been around but I wanted to share these with you:

When it's 3am n you can't sleep do your nails lol. Tuxedo nails done two ways. Right hand was a fail lol.




That is so neat!! :D

[cutiecat]

The tuxedo nails are brilliant!

[PhatChk]

Strawberry nails. Some done with a dotting tool some with black little stones. ^_^

[Gingembre]

Strawberry nails. Some done with a dotting tool some with black little stones. ^_^

LOVE these! You are so good at nails! :bow:

[PhatChk]

My cookies look great my cookie monster so so lol

[HottiMegan]

You make such cute manicures!!


I did these yesterday.. and surprisingly, they didn't peel off by the evening! I filed the surface of my nails a little and added sticky base coat.. i'm hoping they last a few days..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u203/BBWMegan/IMAG0725.jpg

[HDANGEL15]

I JUST splurged on the RED CARPET MANICURE LED GEL set. I got the UV lamp that works on 4 AA batterys, the Prep, Structure, 1 LED Gel Polish, Brilliance & purify. IT WORKS!!! IT is easy, I have been doing my nails for years, so have gotten pretty good at it. I love the endurance of these, and the cost of ALL this was about the same as ONE TIME PROFESSIONALLY!! WIN WIN

[HottiMegan]

very cool! I was thinking of spending my birthday money on a gel system.

[PhatChk]

Dandelion Nails

[fat9276]

This is a color called Spark... you can't really tell in the pic but there is a bit of deep purple as well as the dark blue.

[Aust99]

Love the shape of your nails B!

[Tracyarts]

A nude pearly polish topped with two layers of an iridescent "flakie" glitter polish.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Tracyarts/IMG_3633.jpg

China Glaze "Luxe and Lush" over OPI "Nomad's Dream".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Tracyarts/IMG_3626.jpg

Tracy

[SoVerySoft]

Was ordering from Amazon and needed to get my purchase to $25 to get free shipping. I decided to get this:


103484

It's really too expensive ($14 for a smaller than normal bottle) but it's "3 Free" (doesn't have formaldehyde, toluene or DBP) so I thought I'd give it a try. Should arrive tomorrow. I'm hoping it's as pretty as it looks in the pic!

Anyone have experience with the Butter brand? This color is called "Knackered" by the way.

[QuasimodoQT]

Was ordering from Amazon and needed to get my purchase to $25 to get free shipping. I decided to get this:


103484

It's really too expensive ($14 for a smaller than normal bottle) but it's "3 Free" (doesn't have formaldehyde, toluene or DBP) so I thought I'd give it a try. Should arrive tomorrow. I'm hoping it's as pretty as it looks in the pic!

Anyone have experience with the Butter brand? This color is called "Knackered" by the way.


Wearing that brand on my toes right now, a teal color. First bottle of it I've had. Not sure how it will go on fingers, but it covered in one coat, and hasn't flaked or chipped in 2 weeks. Going to do a 2nd coat, just to fill in the growth! I'll be curious to see how it goes for you.

[fat9276]

Was ordering from Amazon and needed to get my purchase to $25 to get free shipping. I decided to get this:


103484

It's really too expensive ($14 for a smaller than normal bottle) but it's "3 Free" (doesn't have formaldehyde, toluene or DBP) so I thought I'd give it a try. Should arrive tomorrow. I'm hoping it's as pretty as it looks in the pic!

Anyone have experience with the Butter brand? This color is called "Knackered" by the way.


I sooo want this! I love the color :wubu:

[intraultra]

Sometimes giving myself a french manicure turns out pretty well...
http://i46.tinypic.com/2exmq2u.jpg

And this was from a while ago, but I like it! I saw something similar on Pinterest and tried to replicate it.
http://i49.tinypic.com/6gbxna.jpg

[SoVerySoft]

Wearing that brand on my toes right now, a teal color. First bottle of it I've had. Not sure how it will go on fingers, but it covered in one coat, and hasn't flaked or chipped in 2 weeks. Going to do a 2nd coat, just to fill in the growth! I'll be curious to see how it goes for you.

I needed 2 coats, but it stayed on great! Over a week!

Problem was, that indoors it mostly just looked silver on my nails. Not pretty and colorful like in the bottle. Later, I was in my car and glanced at my nails and WOW. Very pretty in the sunlight. Just like in the bottle. But it doesn't photograph well. Still looked like plain silver in pics.

[QuasimodoQT]

I needed 2 coats, but it stayed on great! Over a week!

Problem was, that indoors it mostly just looked silver on my nails. Not pretty and colorful like in the bottle. Later, I was in my car and glanced at my nails and WOW. Very pretty in the sunlight. Just like in the bottle. But it doesn't photograph well. Still looked like plain silver in pics.

Oh, mine was a creme- yes, I'd suspect you'd need more coats to bring out sparkle or holo or something. I have a few that need sunlight too, in several different brands.

[Mishty]

You can't really tell how shocking the pink is because the yellow is true neon.
My 8 year old god daughter gave me this manicure Monday.....

$.99 Wet&Wild polish.

[HottiMegan]

I love this silver sparkle polish i got. It's so pretty! It was a Wet and Wild for like $2.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u203/BBWMegan/silversparkle.jpg

[Tracyarts]

Sally Hansen magnetic nail color: "Kinetic Copper", using the wave pattern magnet that came with it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Tracyarts/kineticcopper.jpg

I think it's a really nice shade of copper, and I like the soft and subtle magnet pattern it left on my nails. Of the three brands of magnetic polish and magnets I have tried (China Glaze, Absolute, and Sally Hansen), I like the Sally Hansen the best. Both the formula and magnet are really easy to work with.

Tracy

[HottiMegan]

That's really pretty!

[TwilightStarr]

http://d1535dk28ea235.cloudfront.net/preset_64/img_991_newspaper-nail-art.jpg

I want to try this soon!!

[CastingPearls]

Sally Hansen magnetic nail color: "Kinetic Copper", using the wave pattern magnet that came with it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Tracyarts/kineticcopper.jpg

I think it's a really nice shade of copper, and I like the soft and subtle magnet pattern it left on my nails. Of the three brands of magnetic polish and magnets I have tried (China Glaze, Absolute, and Sally Hansen), I like the Sally Hansen the best. Both the formula and magnet are really easy to work with.

Tracy

I bought the same one and really like the results.

http://d1535dk28ea235.cloudfront.net/preset_64/img_991_newspaper-nail-art.jpg

I want to try this soon!!

Is this is a stick on? I'd like to try it too.

[TwilightStarr]

Is this is a stick on? I'd like to try it too.

No it's not stick on, you soak your nail in rubbing alcohol then lay the newspaper over it.

Here is a tutorial on how to do it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kcdt4_5Ncc

:)

[QuasimodoQT]

No it's not stick on, you soak your nail in rubbing alcohol then lay the newspaper over it.

Here is a tutorial on how to do it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kcdt4_5Ncc

:)

I've seen tutorials on this too- lots of ways to do it. You can also just soak the newspaper strip, and you can use water instead of rubbing alcohol.

I'm going to try it too at some point. Wish there was a a way to do it that didn't reverse the text.

[sarahyourprincess]

http://i48.tinypic.com/al5a8o.jpg

I am in love with the nail effects

[Saoirse]

http://i48.tinypic.com/al5a8o.jpg

I am in love with the nail effects

I used to use those all the time and houndstooth was my favorite!

[TwilightStarr]

I've seen tutorials on this too- lots of ways to do it. You can also just soak the newspaper strip, and you can use water instead of rubbing alcohol.

I'm going to try it too at some point. Wish there was a a way to do it that didn't reverse the text.

Yeah me and a friend were trying to figure out how to do it without reversing the text and we thought maybe typing something backwards, printing it out and trying it that way.

[QuasimodoQT]

Yeah me and a friend were trying to figure out how to do it without reversing the text and we thought maybe typing something backwards, printing it out and trying it that way.

I didn't even think about a backward font, but part of the success may depend on the newsprint. Worth a try, though!

[CastingPearls]

I didn't even think about a backward font, but part of the success may depend on the newsprint. Worth a try, though!
I'm going to try it the second I get my hands on some light gray nail polish. I keep seeing 'cement' as a color but I'm wondering if that's too dark.

[QuasimodoQT]

I'm going to try it the second I get my hands on some light gray nail polish. I keep seeing 'cement' as a color but I'm wondering if that's too dark.

I have several grays, I think more than one of them reference cement, and all too dark. To try it out, you could just mix your own, dropping some white with a few drops of black/brown on some tinfoil or wax paper, mixing with a toothpick or something. Just enough to do 10 nails.

[CaAggieGirl]

Dandelions

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j446/kacinrobin/IMG01260-20120908-1626.jpg

[melinda333]

Mine at the moment.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2408/imag4473.jpg

[imaginarydiva21]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/156586_10151491787635577_467081398_n.jpg



heres mine :happy:

[Mishty]

Yeah,they look kinda sloppy because I was just messing around with my new Kiss nail sticker things. I love the bling factor.

[Aust99]

heres mine :happy:

Are they stickers?? Look awesome!

Yeah,they look kinda sloppy because I was just messing around with my new Kiss nail sticker things. I love the bling factor.

Love the metallic! You have great shaped nails Babe!

[dharmabean]

Ooooo!! Stars!! How did you do it?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/156586_10151491787635577_467081398_n.jpg



heres mine :happy:

[imaginarydiva21]

yeah they are the nail art stickers you can buy in the shop they was cheap as well really easy to put on and lasted a week got loads of different designs but don't get to wear them much because of work....... i swear for Christmas i got loadsa nail varnish think im gonna have to experiment now i found this thread :D

[Gingembre]

Yeah,they look kinda sloppy because I was just messing around with my new Kiss nail sticker things. I love the bling factor.

Oooh, these are lush!

[dharmabean]

I would love to have someone to this for me, since I think it'd be too hard to try to do my one hand alone. Henna Inspired Nails.

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/014/e/e/30__henna_inspired_by_dreamwalker412-d5rihv5.jpg

[Mishty]

I had to trim my nails for work,but before I did,I went vamp red for a few days. (this polish was from walgreens for like, $1.75 was great stuff.)

[Gingembre]

I would love to have someone to this for me, since I think it'd be too hard to try to do my one hand alone. Henna Inspired Nails.

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/014/e/e/30__henna_inspired_by_dreamwalker412-d5rihv5.jpg

LOVE this!

[imaginarydiva21]

Here is what i done for my night out last night i used a Barry M nail varnish cant quite remember the color and why the nail varnish was wet i stuck the gems on and put a top coat on as i wasn't sure i only stuck one gem on and they are still all on over 24 hours later i think next time i am gonna be more adventurous with a pattern

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/582273_10152409708855577_1321389172_n.jpg

[Gingembre]

They look lovely!

I'm also a Barry M fan...currently sporting tangerine on my thumb, index, middle and little fingernails, and gold foil on my 4th fingernails. I love feature nails!

http://www.barrym.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/382x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/e/gelly_nail_paint_7_s_7b7263.jpg http://www.barrym.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/500x500/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/o/gold_foil_2.jpg

[Jack Secret]

Here is what i done for my night out last night i used a Barry M nail varnish cant quite remember the color and why the nail varnish was wet i stuck the gems on and put a top coat on as i wasn't sure i only stuck one gem on and they are still all on over 24 hours later i think next time i am gonna be more adventurous with a pattern

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/582273_10152409708855577_1321389172_n.jpg

God, I love a woman with beautiful hands…

[melinda333]

Not my nails, but I'm wearing/love this color:

http://i49.tinypic.com/nxu8n9.jpg
credit to makeupbytiffanyd blogsspot

[sarahyourprincess]

I had to trim my nails for work,but before I did,I went vamp red for a few days. (this polish was from walgreens for like, $1.75 was great stuff.)

I am jealous of your nails! I wish mine were that long and neat

[imaginarydiva21]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188995_10152601053035577_1711422319_n.jpg

hey thought i would upload a pic of my nails i love them

[Piink]

For those who have the stamp plates, how do you store them? I got a couple and I want to try them, I just need to find a way to store them without having them flop around my nail trunk!

[Ms Amy]

Nice Posts but in my point of view this thread can't complete without the talking about nail polish brands. At this time only few best nail polish brands in my mind. E.g OPI, Essie, China Glaze, Sally Hansen and last one is but no least is Zoya. I am interested to know more.

[imaginarydiva21]

The more expensive a nail varnish tends to be better the quality even tho i have had a few decent cheap ones my fave make is barry m and rimmel especially bright shades.... my summer colors are gonna be pastel colors

[imaginarydiva21]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/p480x480/305994_10152665649525577_1942803502_n.jpg

i have been experimenting again

[Jack Secret]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/p480x480/305994_10152665649525577_1942803502_n.jpg

i have been experimenting again

That looks cool :)

[imaginarydiva21]

thanks :)

[fat9276]

My nails right now... put a bit of glitter on just one. Really loving this color :)

[Mishty]

My nails right now... put a bit of glitter on just one. Really loving this color :)

I'm stuck in the single digit rut! I've had a single nail on each hand a different color so long,I can't wear a normal manicure. Even if it's only a dot,or some matte stripes,I've gotta have that special finger. Yours look grrreeaat. Blue is a great color with your skin tone!

[Mishty]

I had a meeting this week,so I went bland with the new Spring soft nudey pinks.
I think I actual like the soft shades though,they look so neat. If you look hard enough you'll see dark spots under my nails and on my cuticles. I got a littttle carried away dying eggs Sunday,and now my nail beds are stained. :doh:

[HottiMegan]

I got myself a great base coat (so far) It allows my nail polish to stay on my nails more than just a few hours. I'm on day two with no signs of it chipping or pealing off! So this is my current nail ensemble.. China Glaze Tickle My Triangle polish and some cute flower stickers :D
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HAWuT1LQSxY/UZASfNgA53I/AAAAAAAADEk/599M9Hxv-ss/w491-h600-no/DSCF1254.JPGhttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ncjVU2kB5D0/UZASbI86ODI/AAAAAAAADEM/ilJ8cJ2RPf0/w855-h641-no/DSCF1250.JPG

[HottiMegan]

I attempted to make it look tie dye-ish but didn't really turn out like that but it's still kinda cool. It's SOOO hard to do special effects on teeny tiny toenails :) Scuze the not so pretty toes. My toenails are never naked though :)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V4sIcyXPWdQ/UZUtDyhNmuI/AAAAAAAADJo/EFYH11ORePM/w853-h640-no/DSCF1264.JPG

[HottiMegan]

I'm a busy bee these days.. cherry blossoms!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HisMkfqprso/UZw8B5xJm9I/AAAAAAAADLs/6FHn0VyOwJE/w600-h450-no/DSCF1286.JPG

[fat9276]

I must say, that I am not thrilled with OPI brand. I own the Lincoln Park After Dark and it chips and peels BADLY after a day or two. :/

Sally Hansen's Diamond brand holds up way better than OPI from my experience. L'Oreal and Maybeline have also faired better.

[HottiMegan]

I really like the Finger Paints brand i get at Sally. It's my favorite as far as lasting goes. I also found a GREAT base coat that keeps me chip free for about 6 days.
I love OPI colors and stuff, but yeah, it doesn't stand the test of time for me.

[Donna]

I went a little off my normal style with these...but my manicurist talked me into the dots after I picked the blue. By the time I left the salon, three other people had asked for polka dots as well.

[CaAggieGirl]

I'm normally just a French tip girl with some type of cute design but for some reason I had an urge for orange today. The toes are all orange with one white.

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j446/kacinrobin/94fa99c2-9b47-441e-9231-5315844e1b7e_zps9c0182d4.jpg

[fat9276]

I went a little off my normal style with these...but my manicurist talked me into the dots after I picked the blue. By the time I left the salon, three other people had asked for polka dots as well.

so cute Donna!! :)

[ConnieLynn]

This time of year I get a pedi once a month when I get my hair colored. I keep forgetting to check the brand of polish. It holds up 4 - 5 weeks without a blemish.

108651

I'm sporting pink and white gel nails these days, but played around tonight painting them. Revlon fast dry 'stormy' (sort of dark gray with plum), topped with glitter. I like the way glitter looks over dark polish, but hate the way it feels.

108652

[BigBeautifulMe]

...and getting glitter polish off can be a PITA, too! :)

[ConnieLynn]

...and getting glitter polish off can be a PITA, too! :)

Yep, removed it today. Took forever!