Picture Purge

I have had this growing collection of pictures that I haven't either had time to post, or forgotten about. So, I thought I will "purge" them so I can start fresh. Sound good? I will let you know the polish brand and name. If I remember anything else, I will add that info under the picture. TTFN!

Color Club Snow Flakes over Color Club Glitter Wonderland

Color Club Snow Flakes over Color Club Berry and Bright

Candeo Colors Mallard over Zoya Megan
I absolutely LOVED this manicure!

Essence Choose Me

Sinful Colors Cinderella
Pretty color, but kinda sheer.

Nail Pattern Boldness Boop-Oop-A-Dupe over black.
This flashes red, orange, and green. Very Pretty!
(Ignore the tip wear)

Layla HE-07 Ocean Rush.
I love holographic polishes. Drool!

Nfu Oh 65 Holographic pale blue.
A very nice holo! 

Up Colors Disco Azul. 

If you have any questions about the colors, don't hesitate to post a question below! 

Layla Velvet Effect in Passion Mood #10: AKA Fuzzy Nails

 * These products were sent to me for review by PR. All opinions are honest, without bias.*

I received this nail art effect from Layla about a month ago and was trying to decide what to do with it. I have said before that I have issues with texture and that is what "Velvet Nails" are. So one evening, I decided to be brave and try it out. It was a definite learning experience. Let me start off by admitting this manicure did not stay on for more than 1-2 hours, mainly because it grossed me out after I washed my hands. NO, they didn't stay soggy, but as a nurse, it was slightly unnerving. I do think it looked really cool and if I could be less weird, I could have kept it on. Well, that's just me...weird. Alright, I need to focus. The flocking powder or "Velvet Effect" comes in their standard bottle with one little modification, there is a little plastic insert that narrows the opening so (I am assuming) all of the powder doesn't fall out. Honestly, I think that made it  a little difficult to get out. I tried doing this by shaking and tapping the bottle over my wet nails to sprinkle the powder over them. This was very frustrating and not very effective. I think my powder was slightly compressed inside the bottle. I did tap and shake it to loosen it but it just wasn't a very efficient delivery system. I decided to go with a more traditional method of putting it on a surface and dipping my wet nail into it. This worked a hundred times better! I was able to achieve full coverage with a lot less effort. As I hope you can assume, this type of manicure is very messy to create. I had red fuzz all over the place. I think I started to resemble a Muppet after a bit. Luckily it was easily brushed off and I was surprised and pleased with the results. It looked pretty cool! I wish I could get past my own idiosyncrasies and truly wear this about, but I just can't do it. Sorry. Besides, I think it disturbed my husband a bit, LOL! I wish I had taken a picture of his face when he saw it. With the pictures, I am also going to show you what I did, step by step. Enjoy!

Don't forget to click on the pictures for a closer look.

Here is what your manicure will look like. I told you it looked cool.

I used OPI Kennebunk-Port as my base color, a piece of paper to work over to minimize mess and the brush provided by Layla. It helps to choose a base color close to the color of the powder.

I started with one coat of OPI to start to build color. I didn't do any clean up around the cuticles yet since I knew I would have quite a mess on my hands (literally) by the time I was done applying the Velvet Effect. 

I applied a second coat of polish and then dipped my nail into a pile of the Velvet Effect powder, while it was still wet.

Yes, you now have a Muppet finger! This is completely normal. Don't be alarmed!  Press down gently, all over the nail, to make sure you have good coverage of the powder.

Using either the Layla brush or a fan brush, gently brush off excess powder into a container or paper, so that it may be used again.

Ta daa! This is what it should look like after "grooming." I still haven't used my acetone and brush to clean up the cuticles at this point. 

Here it is all cleaned up. Do not put a top coat on, and don't forget the nail polish underneath the fuzz needs to still dry, so be careful! My Muppet nails!

What do you think of the Velvet Effect nails? Do you like your nails sleek and shiny or soft and fuzzy? 

You can purchase Layla nail products online at  Ninjapolish.com. The Velvet Effect retails for around $11.50.

* These products were sent to me for review by PR. All opinions are honest, without bias.*

Layla Red Passion and Burlesque "Caviar Effect"

Now, as you know I have a small issue with texture on my nails. So, I have been hesitant to try one of the "caviar manicures" everyone has been doing since at least last year. I am a picker. If I feel any irregularities , rough spots, or snaggers, I just have to fix it. Saying that, I just knew I would loath any texture other than smooth on my nails. I was surprised when I got sent the Layla Caviar Effect in Burlesque, which is metallic gold balls, to review. I eyed the innocent looking contents with suspicion. They looked harmless enough, but I "knew" it would be a nightmare. I must confess, it wasn't that bad. GASP! I know, I know, "But Kim, you said you couldn't handle any texture." I was wrong (Don't tell my husband I admitted to that!) The beads are so small and packed so tightly together that it isn't nearly as bothersome as I expected it to be. The best way to describe the feel was a smooth ripple. Admittedly, I could not wear this to work (nurse remember) or even wear it daily, but I think this would be a lot of fun to do for a night out. It definitely makes the statement "Look at me!" I left this manicure on overnight to see how many of the beads came off and surprisingly not many did. The area where five tiny beads came off was, unsurprisingly at the tip. What did take them off in greater numbers? Me picking at them the next day. It drove me crazy since there were now ridges and gaps on the tip that would snag on things. I couldn't take it, I took it off. God that felt good. Another big, but pleasant, surprise was the ease it came off. I was prepared for a fight to the death to get the balls of fury off my nail, but it quite easily surrendered to my nail polish remover. It was a bit anti-climactic really. Regardless, I do think this looked neat, would try it out again for a special event. The base color I used is Red Passion in the Ceramic Effect line from Layla. Depending on how heavily you apply it, you will get full coverage with two to three coats. I really like this red creme. It compliments my skin tone and I really liked the shine it dried to. Now, it isn't the glass shine like you get with a clear top coat, but it looks great without assistance.

Depending on how many coats you do of Red Passion, it has a pretty fast drying time . All of these pictures were with no topcoat! I have noticed this color can look darker or lighter depending on what type of lighting you are in.

Burlesque is a great looking gold metallic ball that measures about 1 mm across. These stayed on well with no topcoat needed.

The Caviar Effects come in 12 different shades that include gold, silver, bright colors, and even a multicolor mix called Samba.

You can purchase Layla nail products online at Zappos.com, Aveyou.com, or my favorite Ninjapolish.com. The Caviar Effect retails for around $10.50-11.50 depending on where you purchase it and the Ceramic Effect Polish is around $10.

*These products were sent to me for a honest review.

Layla Ceramic Effect: Gold Shimmer 32 and Pure Silver 27

I received two stunning metallic polishes from Layla over the holiday season that are just too beautiful. Gold Shimmer (#32) and Pure Silver (#27) are metallic polishes from the Ceramic Effect line.

Gold Shimmer is a sheer gold shimmer in a clear iridescent base. This polish goes on quite sheer. So, if you don't like a visible nail line, you will be either doing four coats like I did, or use some "undies." Am I the only one that feels weird calling it undies? I think I shall rename it a less awkward title. Yes, I now dub thee ... UNDERPOLISH! That sounds much better. Anyways, this color had a nice soft shimmer effect. The gold shimmer is a yellow gold that almost glows in the clear base. Very ethereal looking! BTW, no topcoat in the pictures.

 ____

Pure Silver was two coats of silver metallic foil awesomeness! It is similar to some of my other silver metallic's (will do comparison later), but I absolutely love the look of this, and its formula! This went on easily in two coats, with no topcoat in the picture. Surprisingly, there were no problems with brushstrokes that you normally see in these types of polishes. Now you see what I meant when I said I loved this formula. This will be a definite go to for when I crave that rocker chic look.

My favorite out of the two is definitely Pure Silver. What can I say, I am a sucker for silver! It is bright, flashy, fun, and will go with anything! Which one is your favorite?

You can purchase these polishes at Ulta in the store, or online at Ninja Polish or Zappos.

*These polishes were sent to me for an honest review.

Layla Softouch #07 Queen Bordeaux

I must say I am in love with the Softouch Effect nail polish by Layla. This red is stunning!!!! I like the vampy look when it is a suede finish, and the red carpet glitz you get after adding a top coat! This color went on easily in two coats. If I had been more careful, I could have gotten away with one coat. I really don't know what to say, except that it is gorgeous. The closest color comparison I have to this is ManGlaze Fatty's Got More Blood, but that one is more purple toned. Queen Bordeaux is a deep, blood red. I think this might be my go to color for Halloween this year!! Mwahahahaha! I vant to suck your blood!

Is this not a beautiful blood red?  I know it seems a little creepy that I keep referring to "blood red" but that is just the image that comes to mind, sorry. (Be glad I am not posting a reference picture, LOL!)

Isn't this gorgeous with a topcoat? It just takes my breath away. Red carpet, here I come!

In the USA, you can purchase Layla Softouch products at Fabulous Street and Ninja Polish.

* This was sent to me for review.