French Manicure Accented

I did a french manicure and almost didn't add the dots! I did the tips in Essie Blanc. I loved the way the tips alone turned out.

Please excuse the super dark photo, as I did this very late at night and lighting is abysmal in this apartment. So then I added dots using Sonia Kashuk Tango Mango:

Super simple manicure, super quick and easy using Seche Vite. After I posted this manicure I actually ended up having a few weddings I was asked to do nails at, which was a compliment that made me flush with pride. I totally am not used to compliments guys.

So yea, loved it!

Sticks n' Stones!

*squeeeeeeeeee*!!! Seriously. I've been trying to get Sticks n' Stones from NinjaPolish.com for forever! They were always sold out. So when I finally got it I was so thrilled yayyyyy! My first experiment with it wasn't anything to write home about, but I loved it anyway.

I made a gradient starting with Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro in Wild Orchid and made the fade with Maybelline Colorshow Impeccable Greys. Grey is actually my FAVORITE color, so to find this particular shade made me very happy. It's hard to find a cute grey. Anyway, Sticks n' Stones! I only applied a super light coat here, unsure how I'd like it. I LOVED it. I actually added 2 more coats after this photo and a day later to preserve the mani a little longer :)

Stamping fail

This stamping manicure did not turn out at ALL how I wanted. But after spending the time to do it, I didn't feel like taking it all off and starting from scratch. Besides, I had a paper to write lol.

The formula for the base was so streaky. I love the color, Pure Ice Calypso, but it always disappoints me without fail. Anyway, I stamped using BM plates with Sephora by OPI Caffeine Fix, and Essie Go Overboard. The dotting accents were with Revlon Colorstay French Roast and Essie Go Overboard again. I despised this manicure so much I picked it off by bedtime that night.

You guessed it.. more hibiscus!

Told you you'd be seeing it again! This is by far, my FAVORITE manicure I've ever done.

*sigh* just beautiful isn't it? My pointer fingernail had just broken off so I wasn't inspired to do anything too great, I was rather angry. I'm still fighting peeling and cracking nails and it's so frustrating. So anyway, it ended up being epic anyway. Awww yeaaaa. The base was Essie Blanc and I created the blue flower using Essie Bikini So Teeny with accents of Essie Aruba Blue and I created the red flower using Sonia Kashuk Tango Mango with accents of Essie Ole' Caliente. The leaves were Wet n' Wild Craze Jade with Wet n' Wild Craze Morbid on top. Oh, and the gorgeous matte affect was achieved with NYC Matte Top Coat.

I can't say enough about this manicure. I really loved it. Also, in the background is my old car's steering wheel. Makes me nostalgic. My boyfriend bought me a new car for my 22nd birthday last month and I cried a little giving up my Suzie Q, my first car ever. (can't find a photo of her right now, I'll likely edit with one soon)

Dotting Tool Flowers

This manicure wasn't a favorite, but I got a lot of compliments so that deemed it worthy of me posting it here. When I went to my chiropractor's appointment the receptionist oo'd and ahh'd over them until it was my turn.. that made me smile :)

I used Essie Bikini So Teeny as a base and dotted on flowers with Pure Ice Electric! The centers of the flowers were Essie Blanc and I added Pure Ice Spit Fire for glitter accents. To top it all off I slathered on some NYC Matte Top Coat. I dunno about anyone else, but I loooooveee what matte coat does to glitters.

Gradient Manicure

I attempted the famous gradient manicure using The Nailasaurus' Picture Tutorial here. I used makeup sponges instead of the coarse sponge she used in her manicure. I loved the way it turned out! This was my first ever try at a gradient manicure:

For the base color I used Wet n' Wild Wild Shine Blazed and created the gradient with a holo of Nicole by OPI It's Possible! I didn't realize using a holo type as the gradient fade color would make it so difficult to photograph! But it looked stellar in person. I love the gradient mani and look very forward to practicing it!