Tag: Fingernails
Jade Kat
Sinful Colors “Jade Kat” was the first polish I grabbed from last week’s haul. I needed a contrast from the pink of “Hayat”, so I went with this bluish green shimmer. It’s a new add to the core collection – I dig it.
“Jade Kat” was sheerer than I expected. This is two coats over Sinful Colors Base Coat and under “HK Girl”.
I cut my nails back down to nubs. I should’ve trimmed my index finger more, but it’s growing in so strong – I couldn’t cut off my best nail!
So we painted our breakfast nook yellow. Or shall I say, “Equatorial”. New nail pic background #1!
Hayat
Hayat is the Arabic word for life. “Hayat” gives me life.
Julep “Hayat” (blazing hibiscus creme) was my first pick from this month’s Julep box. After Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat, the first coat seemed impossibly thick. It wasn’t too streaky, but I was concerned that a second coat would be goopy. I very carefully did a second coat and although there were a few goops – it was absolutely user error.
It was the perfect background for these little palm tree decals – also from this month’s box. Peeling those suckers up with tweezers was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It was like brain surgery…my apologies to real brain surgeons. I ever so lightly pressed them down and finished with a thick ole layer of “HK Girl”.
These would look SO good with my flamingo swimsuit!
What’s A Budget?
“What’s A Budget?” by Trust Fund Beauty came in last month’s ipsy bag. Now that’s a good polish for me – I keep talking about having a budget, but then I just buy whatever I want anyway.
I’m not quite sure how to categorize this color – ipsy says it’s sea foam blue, but there’s a hint of tropical mint. Or maybe mojito? There’s a hint of shimmer in the polish, but it’s hard to see in the picture. Coincidentally, it perfectly matches the color we are painting our living room – Behr “Island Oasis”.
I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat. The first coat was thick, streaky and gross. I nearly gave up and took it off. I persisted and painted a second coat. Like magic, it leveled out and the streaks disappeared. How about that…“HK Girl” finished the job.
I would have kept it on longer, but the edges looked shit after taping off the kitchen…
Marisol
Julep “Marisol” – golden amber metallic – reminds me of a huge hunk of petrified amber, full of glowing bubble that catch the light.
When I picked my Julep box last month, I had no idea how beautiful this polish would be. I just got lucky, I guess
This is two coats of “Marisol” over Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat. The polish is smooth, not bumpy – so I finished with “HK Girl”.
Is it me, or is my index fingernail too long? I feel like it’s too long. I just hate to cut a strong nail that’s not chipping.
DC Vacay Nails
For one of our longest vacations ever, I needed a nail combination that would last 8-10 days. We would be visiting Washington DC/Virginia and each day would be packed with activities – there would be no nail nights on this vacation. I needed a light neutral color, that would render chips nearly invisible.
I chose Sinful Colors “Glass Pink” for my base color. This is two coats over Sinful Colors Base Coat. It’s very sheer, but gives just enough coverage to mask my severely stained nails. I topped with Sinful Colors “Silver Crush” for extra sparkle. I finished with “HK Girl”.
By the way, I took this pic while waiting for a shuttle at Reagan National Airport…multi-tasking!
So, it’s been about…10 days? Sure, it’s chipped, but still looks pretty darn good. Tomorrow is nail night!
Discovery
Formula X “Discovery” is the next polish I grabbed from last week’s haul.
“Discovery” is a peacock blue metallic matte polish. I had high hopes for this polish, but my hopes were shattered as I began applying over Sinful Colors Base Coat. It began drying the moment it hit my nails – too fast! It began streaking and cracking like a shatter polish – oh no! The second coat smoothed out some of the streaks, but there were several deep crevices that would not smooth out. Luckily, the worst ones were on my RIGHT hand.
So I managed to smooth out my nails with 2-3 coats, depending on the streaks. It did indeed dry quickly and was hard as a rock – no sheet imprints, so there’s that. But “Discovery” began chipping immediately. Boo. And then I decided to wash a saucepan. Well fuck, my nails are destroyed now.
The color is amazing, but the formula…not so much. Application is difficult and uneven. It does not have good staying power. I wonder if a different base coat would help?
Jaydra
Plenty of rose, not enough holographic.
Julep “Jaydra” is Tuscan rose sheer holographic, but it’s more Tuscan rose. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a beautiful polish, but the holographic quality is too subtle. I like a little more bling when I go blingy.
This is two coats over Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat and under “HK Girl”. It went on smooth and clean, surprising for such a sheer polish. I got full coverage (no VNL) in just two coats.
It’s a good match for the many rosy nude lipsticks I love so much. It was a good match to today’s color – tarte “Festival”.
Knockout
Damn right that Formula X “Knockout” was the first one I grabbed from my new box – it’s a fucking knockout!
I’ve been in a pink mood lately, so I decided that I wanted a hot pink on my toes for vacation. If I was gonna do my toes, my fingers ought to match – for a few days at least. “Knockout” is pure fire, the hottest of the hot pink. It’s not just a pink creme – there’s a flash of blue in this hot pink.
I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and got full coverage in just two coats of “Knockout”. I topped with “HK Girl”.
Did you notice that I chopped my nails down to nubs again? They were long and strong, except for the broken middle finger…so I went ahead and cut them all to match. Boo.
I’ve got to say, this polish lasts and lasts, even with non-matching brands of base coat and top coat. I put it on Sunday night and it’s still going strong on Thursday. Noice!
Flamingo Swimsuit
Last summer, I found the cutest flamingo swimsuit at Torrid. I paid WAY too much for it, even though it was on sale. I do not care, I LOVE it.
Since I was going on my first dip of the summer, I had to make my nails match my suit. I couldn’t decide on the creamy pink or a glittery pink, so I asked my daughter for advice. Of course, she said to use both…so I did.
I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and then alternated with Sinful Colors “Zest of Times” and “Let Me Flamingo”. I did two coats of each – I forgot how sheer “Let Me Flamingo” is. I topped with Funky Fingers “As If” – it was the closest I have to a black and white glitter. I cannot believe I don’t have a black and white glitter! I finished with “HK Girl”.
It turned out well, huh?
Dressing Up
I don’t really have many opportunities to “dress up”, unless you count my weekly trip to the grocery store. I attended a high school graduation over the weekend though, and wore an actual dress! Of course, my nails had to match.
The main color of the dress was a wine-like shade, but I decided to emphasize the olive green accent. After Sinful Colors Base Coat, I painted two coats of Deborah Lippmann “Defying Gravity”, from the Wicked Trio. I absolutely love this green. I used Sally Hansen “Rogue Red” in varying patterns for an accent. The triangular shards are reminiscent of the triangles on the dress – perfect! I finished off with “HK Girl”.
I absolutely adored this combination…this scorching summer demands MORE glitter.