Druzy Rocks

I have always been fascinated with stones, rocks, geodes, and crystals.  One of my newest obsessions is jewelry with druzy stones or rocks instead of gems such as diamonds.  They are unique and more special. They are made up of a bunch of tiny crystals on a surface.

This week I wanted to use one of the new OPI San Francisco collection, and after using it, it reminded me so much of a druzy rock.

For this, I used two coats of OPI Alcatraz...Rocks.  I was very interested in it when I saw the swatches, but these picture do not do it justice.  I have very few specific polishes that I would recommend to anyone, but this is one.  If you are able to get it, make sure you do.
 I don't think you will be disappointed.

There is a bit of tip wear, and it is mostly noticeable because the tip gets a little more shiny.  It loses the texture some and becomes more like a cream or glitter polish.  Even in the second picture, which is after a week on, it isn't all that noticeable.

I hope you love this one as much as I do.

Until later,

Chess

End of Summer

I always love the fall colors, how deep they are.  With the OPI collection that just came out, I really wanted to use any of those colors this week, but I decided to try one more summer mani.

So this week I started with a few coats of Icing Moroccan Spice.  After that dried, I stamped on the flowers with Konda special polish in white and plate Mash-43.

It is really simple, but to me, it is the epitome of summer.  Bright pink with hibiscus flowers.

I hope you like it.  If so, please follow me on here, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Until later,

Chess

Make a wish

I have been struggling with my fears and dreams lately.  I've been trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, so to speak.  I have had many thoughts about becoming a yoga instructor and a belly dance instructor.  I have a Bachelor's in Chemistry and a Master's in Forensic Science.  I am paying off my student loans, but on a small income.  I would love to be able to actually use either or both of my degrees.  I feel trapped where I am and am trying extremely hard to keep my composure most days.  So this weeks mani is fitting.  I am making a wish and putting my heart out there that I can find my way soon.

I started off with a coat of e.l.f Mint Cream.  Then put a thin coat of OPI Sit Under the Apple Tree.  The OPI polish was too yellow, but I didn't want the mint color either.  In the end, adding the layer of OPI on top of the e.l.f. polish made for a perfect combination.

After all that was done, I stamped on all the different dandelion seed images using China Glaze Liquid Leather and Vivid Lacquer plate VL 006.  Finally, I used my Seche Vite top coat.  I still like the Diamond Dry the best, so I guess I will continue using that one, at least when I have stamped images.

I hope you like this one as much as I did.  I had many complements this week on this mani.

Until later,
Chess

Swirls

I love doing my nails, and it is a great way to let my creativity flow, but I always feel like my blog titles are lacking.  Do any of you feel that way?

This week has been better than the last few.  On top of the work being easier, we have been getting a lot of rain.  Everyone tells me that with how much I love the rain, I should be living on the east coast.

This week I decided to go with a teal color.  The photo does not do this color justice, even playing with the color in my photo editing software.  I started with a couple coats of China Glaze Flyin' High.  Then I stamped on the image using plate m64 and Konad special polish in a navy blue color.

One my left hand, the one in the picture, I used China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat.  On my right hand, I used ORLY Sealon Topcoat.  They both made the special polish bleed, which was why I started using the Diamond Dry.  It doesn't cause the bleeding like so many other top coats do.  I couldn't finish this with the China Glaze top coat because of the smell.  Most nail polish has a distinct smell that I am quite use to now.  This top coat had a terrible smell to it, so bad that I was nauseated.  I will never use it again.  The next mani I do, I will try out the Seche Vite that so many people have raved about.

Do you have any other suggestions for top coats?

Until later,

Chess

Something More Simple

This week I decided to go more conservative.  I had wanted to do french tips again for some time.  So that's what I did this week.  I started off with a coat of ORLY Bare Rose to make my nails look a little more pink.  Then I used ORLY Pointe Blanche for the tips.  After that dried, I used China Glaze Fairy Dust over the top.  With that, there was no need to use a top coat.

Since this was such a simple mani this week, I have added a little something extra for your eyes.  It is merely a swatch, as I wasn't terribly happy with the color on my nails.  It is three coats of OPI Austin-tatious Turquoise.  It is extremely thin and I could still see my nail under the polish.  It also had more of a yellow tint to it than the picture shows, and yellow does not look good on me.  I might try putting a blue or green color under this one at a later date and see if it improves any.

Until later,

Chess