4th of July 2015 Nail Art: Graffiti Stars and Splats Forever + Tutorial

Yo stamperistas,

I am not the least bit patriotic.  I don't have a flag that I fly in my back yard unless its a geek flag. Generally speaking I do not feel a burning passion erupt from the bottom of my soul when I think of the USA or even the old dusty stars and stripes.  Quite frankly I have some gripes with American history in part as an African American and in part as a tax paying citizen entrenched in a healthcare system badly in need of some reform.  However, I am American and I am a Washingtonian.  There is no escaping the 4th of July here even if I dug a borrow from now until a week later.  People love that jazz here and let's admit it the fireworks displays are epic.  Also while my soul doesn't burn for the stars and stripes it does brim with respect and admiration of our veterans and active duty soldiers. As such I do like to give these things a good old college try but it's always gonna be my way which is a little bit of funky mixed with a little bit of whatever is on hand.  In short welcome to my graffiti style 4th of July.  I really wanted to do a watermarble but the supplies were not on hand.

4th of July Nail Art #2 - Bundle Monster Stars and Stripes

Hey lacquer ladies,


I know it's rare for me to put up back to back nail art posts, but I managed to squeeze out one more manicure for the 4th of July holiday.  This one was a touch more intricate than the last while still remaining relatively simple.  It's been a while since I broke out my Bundle Monster plates so I decided to finally put my Holiday Collection set to good use.

Mani-louge

Basecoat/Topcoat: Duri Rejuvacote / Poshe Fast Drying Topcoat

Basecolors: Zoya Carter, Zoya Pixie Dust Godiva, Zoya Dream, Rica Whiteout, China Glaze Happy Go Lucky

Stamping polish: Sally Hansen Rapid Red, Mundo de Unas #1 and #30

Stamping Plate: Bundle Monster HD25

I chose to accent the french tip using patriotic colored star rhinestones and I think it turned out well.  I kept looking at the pinkie, but thinking hmm I just want to let Blaze sparkle.  Honestly I do not spend enough time using my Zoya polishes so every time I pick one up I'm blown away but the finish and the quality of these polishes.

What do you think? For a simple 4th of July mani I think this came out well especially as I have been really pressed for time these days.  I hope everyone is having a happy Friday and 4th for those who celebrate it.  Thanks for reading and I'll see you next post...

4th of July Nail Art #1: Sally Hansen Color Foil Sterling Silver and Color Frenzy Red, White, & Hue

Hey lacqueristas,

This year I ran behind so late for nail art it was really frustrating.  I have been supremely busy because of school and one other obligation I am taking care of right now and so I've had little to no time to do any holiday nail art.  I was able to create two very simple looks this year.  This one was an instant no brainer with much of the design simply arising from the glitter polish I chose to incorporate.

Mani-louge

Basecoat / Topcoat:  Nail Pattern Boldness Glitter A Peel & Poshe Fast Drying Topcoat

Base color: Sally Hansen Color Foil Sterling Silver

Glitter Topper: Sally Hansen Color Frenzy in Red, White, and Hue

Stamping polish: Sally Hansen InstaDri Rapid Red and Mundo de Unas #1 and #30

Stamping plate: Winstonia Store W107

I decided to break out my Sally Hansen Color Foils again because they are awesome!  And around the time I purchased the first six I also picked up this patriotic Color Frenzy polish - Red, White, and Hue. I knew it would be perfect for the upcoming holiday and it was beckoning me from the stand.  I think a lot of mainstream companies have gotten very wise to the whole matte glitter trend.  Sometimes it's not even about novelty it's about instant availability, and I like that I can go right to the store and pick these up without waiting or paying for shipping or worrying about a store restock.  Instant gratification ;)



So super simple eh?  It's during holidays like these that a little instant mani magic that comes from glitter polish becomes absolutely necessary.  I got a lot of complements on this one even though it was so simple.  Thanks for reading and a Happy 4th of July to those celebrating!  See you next post...

Splattering The Red White and Blue - 4th of July Mani #2

Hiya polished patriots,

I've got another little 4th of July mani here for you.  Let me preface by saying this was supposed to go up yesterday, but all of my shots were so bad when I set down to edit I had to retake them this morning just to get a few decent ones.  Alas! Anyway, this was my first attempt at a splatter mani and to be honest I sort of like the idea of chaos in motion as it applies to this particular holiday.  While I complained before I will admit the firework displays in DC are marvelous! We go all out here, and no matter how old or jaded I become even I can still get lost in the magic of that particular experience.  So I thought splattering the colors could also be pretty cool mimic for all that energy and motion.

Wild right? I wish I was able to get a clearer shot here but I love the effect nevertheless.

Mani-louge
Base + Splatter: Skittles of the following rainbow:
OPI Big Apple Red
China Glaze Frostbite
OPI Alpine Snow
China Glaze Miillenium
Orly Glitz & Glamour

I will always have a special place in my heart for cG Millenium.  Ugh the stamping stuff of legends and an amazing chrome.  If I could ever get my hands on Maybelline Mirror Magic I'd be in chrome heaven!

Pollock anyone? Actually I have a pair of Loubies that would put this manicure to shame with it's splattering.  I may have to try and recreate that design on day soon!

So what do you ladies think?  I thought this was a bit interesting and fun so I'd like to try splattering again in a less obvious manner in the future.  Happy forth ladies or happy hump day for my non-American counterparts. Thanks for reading and I'll see you next time!

My Take On Old Glory - 4th of July Mani #1

Hey lacquer ladies,

I will admit I'm not a super patriotic girl (insert cringing face here).  I grew up in the nation's capital so for me the 4th of July signifies crowds of irritating tourists, drunken acts of debauchery, and loud noises confused as fireworks for a full week before and after the holidays.  Did I mention the irritating tourists? Okay so I'm no super fan, but I love a good excuse to play with polish!  So I decided to do a couple of holiday mani's complete with tutorials dedicated to the cause, and I hope you ladies will enjoy them. First up as a holiday with lots fireworks I'm did something with lots o' bling!

Bling, bling, gleam ;)

Mani-logue:
Base: Nicole by OPI's Make You Smile (Need a substitute? Try OPI's Pirouette My Whistle)
Layer 2: Orly's Star Spangled (yes how appropo)
Layer 3: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Blue It
Detailing: 2mm star rhinestones, gold microbeads, and holographic gold stars

I really love the effect of Orly Star Spangled layered over NOPI's Make You Smile. I somehow got an added dimension that I didn't expect.

Check out the tutorial here on my YouTube channel:

It's bright and cheerful right? I hope this sort of makes up for my general sassy satire in the beginning lol! Thanks for reading and please keep checking back for more 4th of July themed mani's!