Essence Breaking Dawn Part 2: Jacobs Protection and Alice Had A Vision - Again

I have two lovelies from Essence's Breaking Dawn Part 2 Collection; Jacobs Protection and Alice Had A Vision - Again. There are two others in the collection, but I just didn't care for them. These two jem's called to me and my inner dorkiness. Yes, I will admit it. I like Twilight books. I know, it is a bit cheesy, but the books were great, and show an emotional depth that, up until that point, youth books didn't touch. (Besides the amazing Harry Potter.) The movies are kind of a bust, but the story is still a good one.

Jacobs Protection

 Jacobs Protection is a stunning dark blue glitter with hints of green and sometimes purple and gold in a blackened jelly base. This color went on in two, easy to apply, coats. No top coat was used in these photos. This color was beautiful! I definitely see myself wearing this over and over again in the future.

  

Alice Had A Vision - Again

Alice Had A Vision - Again is a beautiful purple glitter with some hints of blue, green, and gold. This is also a great vampy color to add to your "dark" collection. This went on in two even coats, with no top coat. 

Well, I know don't know which is my favorite. Is it the first or, or perhaps the second? Eeekk! Thankfully, I own both. Mwahahahaha! Well, these two polishes were a steal at 1.99 at Ulta. You can't beat that price with these colors!

My one complaint was the brush. These are on the wider side like the Wet N Wild Megalast Pro Brush. If you have narrow nail beds, you might find these brushes a bit too wide to maneuver. Other than that, perfect.

Urban Outfitters Sea Dust

Today I have Urban Outfitters Sea Dust. It is suppose to be a dupe for Deborah Lippmann Mermaid's Dream, but that was not the reason for my purchase. It is stunning. It has a cool sea foam green foil base with with blue micro and large glitter suspended in it. I just love it. It is cool, calm, and refreshing. I catch myself getting caught glancing at it's shimmering glory. (Sigh) Sorry, I got distracted. Anyways, I had full coverage at three coats. It really wasn't that gritty, considering the large pieces of glitter in it. I do have one coat of Seche Vite on top. I wore this as a full manicure and have not had a single chip in 4 days. That is saying something, since I wash my hands incessantly at work. I would definitely recommend getting this, besides, it is only $5 for one or 2 for $8 at Urban Outfitters! Do you think this polish is a necessity like I do?

 So pretty!

Look at that shine!

NO H8!! Are You Going To Give Their Words Power Over You?

Eradicate Hate was created after continued bullying in the nail polish blogger community. I am in full agreement with their stance. Having a sense of humor and the ability to take constructive criticism is necessary to survival when putting out anything in a public forum. The line is crossed when people start making comments that are purely mean and hateful for no other reason than just the joy of hurting someone else. We have all been on both sides of bullying whether we want to admit it or not. What is important is when you realized you were hurtful: did you learn from it and correct it? If the answer is yes, awesome. It means you are human and prone to mistakes. If it is no, and you are looking at all of these bloggers post as an overreaction to a "club" or "funny post," then you are probably still not aware that anything you do is wrong and everyone else needs to "toughen up." Fortunately there are those of us that do it for the fun and joy of sharing something we are excited about. I do it because I love nails, color, art, beauty, photography, writing, and the sheer enjoyment of connecting with others that think like me.

Showing support, bloggers are posting purple manicures on November 8th to stand up against bullying. This is Nfu Oh 51 layered over Orly Stone Cold (2 coats) and Essie No Place Like Chrome (tiger print stamping). I used the Bundle Monster Stamping Plate BM-223. I think the 51 gave a cool "blurple" effect.

This excerpt was created at Eradicate Hate  in response to all of the cyber-bulling in the blogger community.
"Bullying is not funny. It is not cool. It is not right. And more importantly, it is not okay. Most of us are, thankfully, residents of countries that support tolerance and many of our families have settled in these places simply for that reason. Generations later, it is our responsibility to perpetuate that message of tolerance across our new social platforms, including the internet.

As members of the nail polish blogging community, we all share a love of beauty, color, and lacquer. Other than that, we are remarkably different: from our race to our religion to our hair color...even to our polish application techniques. To marginalize anyone because of those differences is completely unacceptable and today I take a stand against that. I refuse to allow other people's view of "normal" dictate how I behave, believe, and blog.

In solidarity with a multitude of bloggers linked below, my purple manicure represents my proud commitment to the No H8 movement. Today, November 8, I dedicate my post to ending bullying of any kind and to encouraging diversity and imperfection among our colorful community."

I am amazed, when reading others blogs how bulling has affected each one of us. We all have at least one story to tell and none of them are pretty. There will be no happy face at the end of the story. No, "that was a good memory" or fond reminiscing  Bullying stays with us. It "teaches" us not to like ourselves. I liken it to a virus. At first, it usually starts as a small comment, but then more negative comments come your way and it builds and builds with no foreseeable "cure," because there is no cure for a virus. The most important thing someone, who is being bullied, can do is talk about it. Silence gives the negativity power that will morph into self doubt and loathing, that can only lead down a very dark and lonely road. Negative people will always be in our lives bringing others down around them to their level. The important thing to consider is: Are you going to give their words power over you? NO!

If you or someone you know suffers from bullying, there is help available. Please visit the following sites for support and encouragement:

StopBullying.org

Report Cyber Bullying

National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1-800-273-TALK(8255)

Eradicate H8

Halloween Blood Spatter! I say it's an A+ (bah ha ha ha)

Happy Halloween!!!! I just had a great Halloween with my family. Good food, fun watching my four year old get thrilled every time he got candy just by saying trick-or-treat, and having one of the goriest/creepiest/most awesome manicures I have had yet! I have been seeing the blood spatter manicures going around and I could not help myself. First, since I am a nurse at a hospital, I knew I could freak out a few co-workers with my "bloody nails." Second, It just looks BAD A$$! This was so much fun to do. I see myself using this technique over and over again. A quick tip that I should have followed, but I was hasty last night trying to get it done. Tape around your nails before spattering! It will help with clean up immensely. You can see in the pictures that I still have red all around my nails despite diligent clean up. Oh well, I think it adds to the effect. I used Sally Hansen White Out for my base, and Essie Blood Curdling, Orly Ma Cherie, and China Glaze Prey Tell for the blood. The "spatter effect" was created by using a coffee stirrer "straw" dipped in polish, then blown onto the nail. All of that bloody goodness was topped off with on coat of Out The Door. What do you think of this crime scene of a manicure? Have you tried spattering/splattering yet?

 Oh yeah, the mysteriously absent right hand makes an appearance!

 I was going for a Psycho pose here.

All I can think of is CSI when I look at this.

Ludurana: Maravilhosa and Supremo

Ludurana is a great brand from Brazil that has everything from creme to color changing polish. I have two of their holographic polishes from the Aurora Boreal (Aurora Borealis) collection. Maravilhosa or "Wonderful" and Supremo or "Supreme" are two stunning linear holographic polishes that are slightly perfumed. I couldn't tell you exactly what the scent is, but it definitely isn't the standard stink of polish. It's more like a sweet floral scent that is noticeable while it is drying. Both of the colors dried to a gritty/dull finish. You will need a topcoat if you want a good shine.

Maravilhosa

A pretty rosy pink, holographic polish. This nail polish went on in two thin coats for full coverage. 

 Outside

Outside

 Shade

Artificial Light

Supremo

A lovely light violet, holographic polish. This nail polish went on in three thin coats for full coverage. This polish consistency was a bit runnier than Maravilhosa and also went on a bit sheerer. 

 Outside

Outside

 Shade

Artificial Light

You can purchase these polishes at either Ninja Polish or Llarowe.

A England: Lady of the Lake and Tristam

I have two beautiful polishes to show you from a england's The Mythical's collection. Let me just say I am in love with this brand from the United Kingdom. These colors were stunning and oh so easy to apply. Now, you all know I have a small obsession with holographic polishes. These two polishes are a scattered/subtle type of holo. Still 100% absolutely beautiful. They both had full coverage at two coats, had great shine without a topcoat, and had one of the best formula consistencies that I have had the pleasure of using. It was quite refreshing how easy these colors were to apply and purely enjoy. I have nothing critical to say about either of the colors! How often does that happen?

Lady of the Lake

A beautiful dusky, red toned, purple with holographic shimmer.

Outside

Outside

 Blurred to see holographic shimmer

 Shade

Artificial light

Tristam

A gorgeous dark, night sky, blue with holographic shimmer

Outside

 Outside

Blurred

 Shade

Artificial Light

You can purchase these beauties at either a england, Ninja Polish, or Llarowe.

Zoya Purple Color Block

Hello all. Sorry for the recent decline in posts. Last week was fall break and I wanted to enjoy as much time off with my family as possible. I even did my very first 5K!!! I am so proud of myself. Trust me, if you knew me, you would know that I only run if someone is chasing after me. Back to my delay in posts, I am now sick. I feel miserable, and the last thing I feel like doing is nail art while blowing my nose and coughing. I now feel the need to apologize if you have the sudden desire to Lysol your computer for fear of contracting my cold over the internet. So, I got some really cool metallic striping tape from Born Pretty last week and decided to suck it up and paint. I went with the ever fashionable color block. I used all Zoya polishes for this look. You see, this manicure gave me an excuse to use three colors I have been dying to try: Marley, Dannii, and Yasmeen. Marley is a beautiful pearl lilac that leans on the red toned side. It went on, thicker than I prefer, in two coats. Dannii is a stunning medium purple that also leans on the red side. It has a gorgeous pink and champagne tinted shimmer. I used it over Marley, so I don't know how many coats I would need for full opacity on its own. Finally, Yasmeen is a stunning dark purple with red toned metallic shimmer. I think Out of these three polishes, Yasmeen is my favorite color. Now, on to the nail art. I had a tough time choosing what color striping tape to use for the separation of color. It was a close tie between gold and silver. I decided on silver, and it did not disappoint! The striping tape I used is from the Born Pretty Store. This stuff is awesome. It is very thin, and came in 12 different colors. I also used the tape when painted each different color. I do recommend that you have a good pair of tweezers on hand because, just like with thin scotch tape, it is really hard to find the starting edge when it lays back on the roll. I received a ton of compliments at work and while out shopping. I really think the silver tape gave my manicure a more finished look. Be sure to use a good topcoat over your finished manicure to prevent the tape from peeling back! Well, what do you think?  

The striping tape from Born Pretty Store was sent to me for review. The people there were nice enough to let me share a coupon code with you for 10% off!! Use the code FJL91 when checking out on their website.

Girly Girl Nail Art Challenge: Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

This week's Nail Art Challenge theme is basically everything girly!! So, what is girlier than pink and glitter? NOTHING! I used two coats of OPI Heart Throb as my base color with a glitter gradient tip using Sally Hanson Xtreme Wear in Strobe Light. This manicure sort of looks like I dipped my nails in sugar. Yum! I just better not lick these. Even though the tips are super sparkly, it is still a pretty subdued manicure for me. The color is so delicate and pale, you could wear it almost anywhere. What do you think?

Flash

No Flash.

Girly Girl Nail Art Challenge: Who Inspires You?

This weeks Girly Girl Challenge asks who inspires you. I had many options; Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, and J.K. Rowling. I decided to go with someone who inspires me every day, P!nk. I have been listening to her music since high school, and always find myself seeing some deeper meaning in her art. Her music can make you laugh, cry, hurt, or fall in love. She is a very independent woman that exudes confidence and beauty. Basically, she kicks ass! I, of course, had to use her namesake as a base for my manicure. I used OPI Strawberry Margarita for the pink base. This beauty went on in two easy coats that left a stunning shine. I used Color Club Hot Couture, which is a multicolored, opalescent glitter, in a sheer pink base for the glitter accents. Acrylic black paint was used for P!nk's name. Once again, the topcoat dragged on the paint and distorted the lettering, but it still turned out pretty cool looking. So, who inspires you most?

Girly Girl Nail Art Challenge: Gotta Love Chick Flicks

Tons of movies come to mind when the term "Chick Flick" comes up. I had a really hard time deciding what to choose. I finally settled on The Devil Wears Prada. One reason, I just so happened to have watched it this week. Second, it screams FASHION!!! I must admit, the results of my manicure were not exactly what I had pictured. I wanted to do so much more, but I ran out of time. I am a renowned procrastinator that likes to paint her nails late at night, the night before she needs to wake up at 5 am. I do this to myself every week. It's like an addiction. I can't seem to help myself. Well, I kind of gave up on my original idea, and modified it for times sake. I used three coats of Essie Bone Chilling for the white bases. Two coats of Zoya Sookie was used for the red nail and the shoe stamping. Finally, Orly Liquid Vinyl was used for my black pointer finger. I also used Konad polishes in Black Pearl for the Zebra print, and White for the Coco Chanel logo. Everything was stamped except for the Chanel logo. I used Konad plate m57 for the zebra print and Bundle Monster BM 213 for the pumps. I definitely think I could have done better but it is what it is. Oh well. Moving on.

 I think the black background gave the picture more of an edgy feel.

Forgive the poor clean up job. I was a little sleepy.

Girly Girl Nail Art Challenge: Inspired by the Runway

This weeks challenge calls for us to be inspired by the runway. So, I hit the internet searching the latest fashion for the "IT" things for the season. I fell in love with the color oxblood. It is a deep red/burgundy that can look almost black. The other trend that caught my eye was all of the uses of leather and reptile prints/embossing. It looks so chic and edgy. Combined, I think I have found the coolest manicure to date. I feel like one bad mam'a jamm'a. I used the beautiful Prey Tell from China Glaze as my base color. I feel dark and mysterious with it on. Next, I used my ManGlaze Matte Is Murder for the matte black, reptile stamping detail. I think this looks too cool. I had two little problems doing this manicure. First, clean up of Prey Tell left evidence. By "evidence," I mean bloody looking cuticles. No matter what I did, they looked red and irritated. The other problem I had was stamping the matte polish quick enough before it dried on the stamper. Matte polishes dry quickly in general. Having such a thin layer for stamping meant I had to move like the Flash. I think the effect I captured was worth the effort.

Ignore my poor index finger. The nail was involved in a small lawnmower starting accident. It will be missed.

Try not to notice the bloody looking cuticle. :(

Looks so dramatic.

One more for the road.

Prey Tell : This was a little tricky to apply. It was fully opaque in two coats, but it was a little "gloopy" in consistency. Even with it being thicker than I prefer, I will definitely wear this color again. Look at that shine!

 

Color Inspiration: Oxblood            Designer: Peter Som 

Picture obtained at Harpers Bazaar

Texture/Stamp Inspiration : Reptile/Leather        Designer: DKNY 

Picture obtained at Harpers Bazaar