Date in the Moonlight

This week was extremely long and emotional for me.  Luckily I got to spend more time with my friends and family, so that made it easier to manage.  Ironically, when I saw my sister, she noticed the color of my polish and she has the same color on her toes.

For this look, I used three coats of Essence Date in the Moonlight.  Even after three coats, it was a little thin in spots.  It is a nice grey with little royal blue sparkles.  After that dried, I stamped on the images with Kleancolor Metallic Sapphire and plates Mash-41 for the dragon fly and RA-109 for the flower.

I topped it all off with the same top coat I used last time.  I was very careful applying it, but I still ended up with some air bubbles.  I really don't like it and am planning to go shopping for something new tomorrow.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Until later,

Chess

Testing my giveaway!

This is open to all US residents.  If you win the raffle, I will send you one bottle of nail polish.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rosy Pink

Lately I have started watching the TV show Mad Men.  I love the history, fashion, and cosmetics portrayed in the show.  I noticed that the women wear a lot of reds and pinks for nails and lips.  I realize that's because they didn't have as many of the fantastic colors they have now.  This week I decided to go a little more retro for my mani.

I started with a couple coats of China Glaze Life is Rosy.  Then I stamped on the rose image on my ring fingers with China Glaze Liquid Leather and BM-323.  I stamped on one of the roses on my thumbs by strategically placing the polish on the plate.  Finally I topped it all off with Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Flawless.

I was hoping to find a better topcoat than the Diamond Dry I have been using.  It always gets goopy before I get to use most of it.  However, this one is so thin, I ended up with a lot of air bubbles, as you can see in the second picture.  It was much cheaper than the Diamond Dry and the OPI topcoat that I thought about buying. I think it could work if I am just careful, so I will try it again on another mani and see what I think.  I you have any suggestions for another top coat, please comment below.

Also, feel free to comment on the mani in general.  I would love to know what you think.

Until later,

Chess

Silver Leaves

This week has been rather tough, but I'm glad it is over.  I'm hoping to have a relaxing weekend, with some cleaning in between.  We managed to get a large number of items pulled out and donated.

For my mani, I started with a couple coats of OPI Dutch 'Ya Just Love OPI?  Once that was dry, I stamped on the image with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Silver Sweep and BM-210.  I topped it off with the Diamond Dry.  For some reason, it started peeling off.  I guess it's time to buy a new bottle now.

I love the contrast the two colors give.  I hope you love it.

Until later,

Chess

Independence Day 2013

It felt weird not working late today.  I've spent so long working about 50 hours a week, and long days, that I don't know what to do with myself.  The bad news is the next audit should be in next week, but the good news is that it has fewer charts than the last one, by about 100.  I will take what I can get.

This week I used the upcoming holiday for inspiration for my nails.  I realized I had the first liquid sand set by OPI and two of the colors are red and blue, so I decided to use them.

I started with a base coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Whirlwind White.  I placed a coat of China Glaze Dandy Lyin' Around on top of that.  It was too thin to use alone.

Then I used tape on my fingers to create stripes with OPI The Impossible.
 On my thumb, I used star stickers with OPI Get Your Number.  Removing the stickers was a little difficult so I had to use a toothpick to try to make the stars more crisp.

It's not my best work, mostly due to my issues with the star stickers.  Also, I didn't really like the formula of Get Your Number.  It doesn't have the sandy texture like The Impossible does.  So far, I prefer the Zoya Pixie Dust textured polish over the OPI ones.

I hope you all have a great time over the 4th of July, and get to spend some time with your friends and family.

Until later,

Chess