Every since I spied the new Pueen plates in person, one of the images reminded me of a certain luxury handbag. Here's how it came out:
Manicure:
1 coat Julep Oxygen Nail Therapy
2 coats OPI Suzi Says Opa!
Stamped using Kleancolor Metallic Yellow and Pueen06
1 coat Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps Hard as Nails
1 coat Dazzle Dry Top Coat
OPI Suzy Says Opa! Verdict:
I am really not a fan of OPI's formula. It's thin and streaky and the color pay off is a disappointment after using brands like Nails Inc, Julep, Zoya and Dazzle Dry. OPI does, however, always have great colors. I picked up this essential (who doesn't need brown polish) on clearance at ULTA. The verdict is still out on longevity, but I'll update this post at the end of the week.
Kleancolor Metallic Yellow Verdict:
This is my favorite gold to stamp with. The only big drawback is the smell. This is the worst smelling nail polish I've every used, but the color payoff is worth it.
This week I wanted something colorful and simple. Here's how it came out:
Manicure:
1 coat Perfect Formula Gel Coat
2 coats Dazzle Dry Rapid Red
Stamped using Kleancolor Black and Pueen25
1 coat Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps Hard as Nails
I love this red. It's so bright and cheerful. Here it is by itself:
I hope you like this one, I've already had so many compliments. Sometimes simpler is better.
This week is a quick one. Everyone and their mother has tried the nail stamping below. This is simply my take on a stamping classic.
Manicure:
1 coat Perfect Formula Gel Coat
2 coats Julep Ginger (this picture does her no justice)
Stamped with Konad Black and Nails Inc Charing Cross with Bundle Monster BM 311
1 coat Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps Hard as Nails
1 coat Dazzle Dry Top Coat
After stamping with Ginger last week I knew I wanted her as a background for my love letter. She truly looks like sand (holographic shade). You can get her at julep.com. She shifts from beige to pink to peach and back again. Love! Love! Love! (no pun intended).
It's that time of year again. Whether you are for Valentine's Day (thinking that this is one day where he can show how much he really loves you) or against (thinking that this is one day where people who are in relationships gang up on those who don't and make them feel pathetic and lonely) I have a manicure for you. This one is for the person in between those two extreme views (thinking the idea of love is great whether you're in a relationship or not and darn it hearts are pretty!).
Here's how it came out:
Manicure:
1 coat Perfect Formula Gel Coat
2 coats Dazzle Dry Vive le Violet
Stamping with Konad White, Kleancolor Black and Nails Inc St John's Wood using BM317
1 coat Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps Hard as Nails
1 coat Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat
Here's how it came to be:
I like to watch the nail art tutorials Robin Moses posts on YouTube. When I saw her do this one, I instantly knew, "I have a stamp for that!" I have been waiting for Valentine's Day ever since. I knew what colors I wanted to use, everything. This is the Robin Moses original:
Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat. (free in the February 2013 Julep Maven Box) Verdict?
I love my Dazzle Dry Top Coat. My concerns with the Julep Top Coat was whether it was going to smear my nail art and if it would truly dry in 2 min when held under a 60 watt bulb. This Top Coat claims to wear like a gel, but act like a polish since you can remove it like nail polish.
I have to say. The shine is different than my Dazzle Dry, almost sharper like glass. But it totally smeared the design I worked so hard to create (I only used it on my ring finger). If you open the pic below you can see it clearly.
You can buy this Top Coat at julep.com for $18, yep $18.
That's why my right had made an appearance today.
I have two more Valentine manicures planned, so enjoy...
UPDATE: I just did the math, so there's only one more Valentine manicure planned :-(
UPDATE:
Sooo, I got my first chip on the second day. You guys know that chips are like alien invasions. First there's one small one (making you think that you can make it through with only that chip), then they multiply taking over your whole hand. That's how I feel about them anyway. The only thing that was different this week was the Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat. Do with that what you will...here are the offenders:
I couldn't walk around like that so I changed the whole thing...
Manicure (abridged version):
Dazzle Dry Midnight Express
Stamped using my new Pueen plates, Julep Ginger (sand holographic)
