Tag: Fingernails
Basic Bitch Pink
I am far too old to be concerned about being a “basic bitch” – but come on ya’ll – this is “basic bitch” pink. No glitter, no shimmer – just your basic plain pink.
One time, at Pier One, I made the comment that Pier One used to have cool stuff back when I was in High School, but now it’s stuff for Basic Bitches who want to look like they’ve traveled the world. He gave me the WORST stink eye, probably because we were in the middle of Pier One when I said it.
This is Sinful Colors “Boom Boom” from my Target Beauty Box. Good formula, good coverage – exactly what I’ve come to expect from Sinful Colors. I used the Sinful Colors Base Coat and excitedly opened one of my new “HK Girl” bottles – I LOVE that top coat!
I don’t mind being a little basic, once in awhile.
I’m a Mermaid!
Since I am going to be in the water all day at Schlitterbahn tomorrow, I wanted mermaid nails. For this, I grabbed an old favorite. I’ve had Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure “Mermaid’s Tale” forever…long before I started this blog. Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve ever worn it alone on my nails. (This is the closest I’ve been.)
“Mermaid’s Tale” did not disappoint. Full coverage glitter in just two coats! I started with Orly Bonder…and I had to give up on Dream Polish Gem Glam and go back to the “HK Girl”. It dries so much faster and doesn’t pick up color. My bottle is nearly empty, so it was a struggle to get it on my nails. Immediately afterwards, I had a panic attack and ordered two more bottles.
“Mermaid’s Tale” matches my “Teal Toes” – Julep “Marion”. I don’t remember what base coat I used, but I do remember that I used Sally Hansen Diamond Flash for the top coat. That bottle is also almost empty. ARGHHHHHHHH!
I’m pretty sure that Julep “Marion” is one of the first Julep polishes that I got – I think it was in the November 2013 Diamond Mystery Box. That seems like a million years (and polishes) ago…
Jah-Kwell-In
I have a friend named “Jacqueline” and sometimes she gets called “Jah-Kwell-In”. Hooked on Phonics, for real.
When I was picking my Julep Box for this month, I picked Julep “Jacqueline” first. Julep describes it as bright grenadine shimmer. I think my eyes must be off, because I thought it was orange. It’s not so much orange, but definitely an orange-leaning red, with a pink undertone. I wasn’t sure I would like it, but once the color was on me – I loved it. Of course, I would have picked it it anyway, because…Jah-Kwell-In.
This is two coats with Orly Bonder and Dream Polish Gem Glam. The polish didn’t mesh well with the Gem Glam – it seemed to dry quickly, but SURPRISE! I smooshed the edges opening a goddamn envelope. I’m going to try it again in a few weeks with a different base and top coat.
JAH-KWELL-IN! I think I need to spend some time with Jah-Kwell-In.
Sea Cadet
I’ve been taking biotin over a year, but the last bottle I bought was high dose and I really have noticed a difference in my nails. I finally just cut them all to nubbins – they hadn’t been breaking like they used to. When I cut them, I filed them with my new Delush Crystal Nail file. What used to take me forever with an emery board, took a matter of minutes. Not only was this file faster, it didn’t change the shape I had cut – it just made the edges as smooth as marble. I LOVE it.
I decided to try out two of my newest polishes on my new nubbins. I started with Funky Fingers “Space Cadet”, a solar polish that’s a creamy light turquoise in the shade and morphs into a sickly pale green in the sunlight.
To jazz up the polish, I topped it with Funky Fingers “Broken Sea Glass” – opalescent white, light pink, bright green and purple hex glitter in a clear base. It would really look a lot better over a white or pale blue polish. (I’m thinking Sinful Colors “Tokyo Pearl” or “Cinderella”.)
This is Orly Bonder, 2 coats of “Space Cadet”, one coat of “Broken Sea Glass”, and Dream Polish Gem Glam.
My nails look like toothpaste. Really expensive toothpaste.
Rose Jelly
I had to try a Julep Jelly!
This is two coats of Julep “Tiffany” sandwiched between Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat and Dream Polish Gem Glam Top Coat. I was expecting it to be sheerer, but it was thicker than I expected. It reminds me of melted candle wax. But it’s still a jelly, because I can see my nail line. Julep’s website describes it as Pink radish jelly – I guess radish is pretty accurate.
“Tiffany” is sooooo much like Jenna Hip “Rose Tart” – both match my Knockout Roses, although “Tiffany” is just a smidge darker.
Xmas in June
I received the last package from my online shopping binge yesterday – my Delushies!
I couldn’t pass up the chance to get my hands on a few soon-to-be discontinued shades – “Forever Young” ($3.00) – a beautiful creamy white base with iridescent shimmer and floating red hearts, and “Sugar Plum Surprise” ($2.50) – plum jelly filled with an array of holographic navy, pink, green glitters accented by gold dots.
I also took this opportunity to get a Crystal Glass Nail File – they are supposed to be the absolute BEST. For the first time ever, I am actually looking forward to cutting my nails!
I couldn’t wait – I had to try “Sugar Plum Surprise” immediately.
This is two coats on top of Orly Bonder. There was plenty of glitter – I didn’t have to work to get it out of the bottle. For the top coat, I used Dream Polish Gem Glam. I prefer a thicker top coat over glitter or maybe I should have done 2 coats?
Addiction Perfection
I have a pile of a couple dozen polishes that I haven’t tried yet, so I grabbed Urban Decay “Addiction”. It reminds me of the dark green ink on a new dollar bill.
After Orly Bonder, I did two quick coats of “Addiction”. I was super excited to try Dream Polish Gem Glam Top Coat. It’s quite different than “HK Girl”. It’s thinner and doesn’t smell like epoxy. I actually ordered a scented variety – “Lily Flower”. The scent was almost overpowering last night, but it’s very faint today. It dries a tad slower, but it’s still quick drying. It’s not as smooth as glass and a tad less shiny, but it photographs beautifully. Being slightly less shiny is better, since it lets the polish’s beauty speak for itself. I want to try it over a few different polishes before I declare it the perfect top coat, but I’m really excited that it’s “5 free” – I don’t want to get finger cancer!
Reflecting Skin
It’s glittery, but not. It’s…breathtaking, like skin that reflects pure light.
I decided to do a new version of my old naked rhinestone suit manicure. After Orly Bonder, I used RUFFIAN “Sahara” as my skintone – just one coat. A thick coat of essie Luxeffects “Set in Stones” and then finished off with Zoya Matte Velvet Topcoat. Just four quick coats and dry within minutes. The perfect “before bedtime” manicure!
Salmon Clamdiggers
So Old Navy was having a ridiculous Memorial Day sale – the whole store was on sale and I ended up going twice, knocking out a little of next year’s School Shopping…although mostly shopping for myself. I’d been coveting The Pixie Ankle Pants for while, although on my 6’1 frame, they’re more like what my mother would have called “Clamdiggers” on me.
I’d tried them on several times, but never saw the right color and fit…until now. I came across a pair with a salmon pattern and fell in love. I don’t know why – I’ve never particularly cared for the color, but they were just so…funky. I tried them on and they were like magic pants. I grabbed a salmon colored cardigan (grandma sweater) and white tank top to match…and I saw a Real Housewife staring back at me. I finally have something to wear while skipping out of PTA meetings to go smoke behind the elementary school! Wouldn’t you know, my husband said they’re HIDEOUS.
Of course, I had the perfect polishes to match – Julep “Nan” for my toes and Jenna Hipp “Crème de Cantaloupe”.
I went back to Orly Bonder for the base coat. “Crème the Cantaloupe” was streaky as hell on the first coat and started to worry, but the second coat smoothed out perfectly. My “HK Girl” is getting low and hard to get out of the bottle, but I got it on there – only a few uses left.
That color though…it is NOT for my skin tone. It’s like an electric cantaloupe!
Pink or Purple?
This polish has me all verklempt – is it pink or purple?
At first, I was convinced it was light purple, but when I showed my husband – he said it was very pink. I argued that it was purple, but my daughter agreed – definitely pink. Well shit.
In any case, Jenna Hipp “Très Parfait” was just as awesome as “Rose Tart” – super smooth in two coats. I used Sinful Colors Base Coat this time, but stuck with “HK Girl” – I love that shit, even if it smells like super glue.