CrowsToes, Fanservice Nails, Lights & A Gun - What?!?

Happy Saturday lacquer ladies,

I hope you aren't sizzling like sausages on this 105 weather day like I am today, but at least it's a good day for multi-tasking in the AC with of course you guessed it - polish!  I recently discovered the delectable phenomenon of trigger finger mani's on Nailed IT's blog and knew that I had to recreate a similar look.  Of course I wanted to do leopard, but I've had a lot of feline inspired nail art up lately. But what could be as delicious as a spotted compatriot of the night? Perhaps a finely feathered friend smothered in a decadent jelly sandwich?  I also wanted something that was dark versus bright which led me to one Ianto Jones of Fanservice Nails and the following result.

One hot pistol?

I want to say a few things quickly because there's a lot going on here.  First, I've already raved about Essie's Poppy Razzi collection.  It's sickening - nuff said.

The polishes were calling (left to right): Fanservice Nails Ianto Jones, Essie's Lights, CrowsToes Thing.

Second, Fan Service Nails.  Holy crap ladies - I have struck indie paydirt on this company!  When I first ordered one my polishes arrived damaged in transit - boo :(  I sent along an email and the situation was rectified at lightening speed.  This is my first time taking one of my FSN polishes for a cruise and I am so impressed! Ianto Jones is a glossy finish ONE COATER deep grey polish loaded with holographic microglitter.  I just don't have words ladies - this polish is just so good I am in awe!

Look at the holographic yumminess in Ianto Jones.  This polish is a rockstar especially when seen in direct sunlight!

Third, CrowsToes.  Please y'all know this biatch is fierce!  I don't even have to say a word.  Lauri is so talented every polish I have by her is gold and I have a lot (missing three to complete the collection).  She is being stocked by both Kim at Overall Beauty and Leah Ann at Llarowe but she also has her own store over on BigCartel.  Thing, is without a trace of irony, one of the prettiest things I've ever seen and a gorgeous glistening glitterbomb to boot.

This is indirect sunlight.  You can still see all of the holographic shimmer in Ianto but Thing also really pops into play even in the shade.

Have you recovered from my polish gush yet? I have no self control, but in summation - yay for trigger accent mani's, jelly neons, and indie wonders! There are a lot of indie companies rocking my socks off right now, and I'm pretty pleased these days to have picked up some fine gems. And finally, I'm happy I get to share all my polish passion with you without feeling like a freak.  Albeit, I readily admit my flag is always raised lol! Thanks for reading and 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!

Easy Gradient Nail Art

What's up lacquerheads,

I'm really on a bright is right kick which is a constant for me as soon as it's spring and summer.  I want to wear neons, glitters, eye-popping patterns, and shocking hues! With that in mind I have created a sponging nail layering that I'd like to share with you.  I simply took a cosmetic sponge and started layering after applying my base color  -  OPI Who The Shrek Are You? I overlayed it with Color Club Fly With Me and finally topped by Sinful Colors Green Ocean. Talk about a green dream come true - yum!  The hints of blue fire in Green Ocean is almost edible in it's deliciousness - yes edible.  For the pink I wanted to have a fun and bright contrast so I layered Claire's Paradise underneath Orly Emberstone and topped it with KleanColor Aurora at the very edge. I have to say this is my first time using a KleanColor polish and I was fairly impressed by the formulation on this one.  It glided on with no fuss surprisingly for a dense flakie and only required one swipe to become apparent.  I might have to pick up more of these polishes in the future.

The aurora polish actually had little tiny stars in it which did not show up well and left me rather annoyed because they were difficult to place.

I think this was pretty but somehow it lost it's fizzle for me though I'm not sure why though I suspect it's because I felt it was somehow incomplete without any nail art lol.  In any case I just adore that flakie flash of blue in the SC Green Ocean.  Do you ladies have any flakies or brights that you can't live without this season?