So last week I tried to do something different, step out of the box of my normal manicure. I’ve been reading All Lacquered Up for years now and when I saw her ombre manicure I wanted to try it.
My version wasn’t as perfect as hers was BUT I did get lots of compliments. It was one of those manicures that you can look at from a far but when you get close up you realize it’s not as blended as you had hoped (LOL). I’m still going to keep working on it.
I used Urban Outfitters Turquoise nail polish as the base and I layered Sinful Colors I Love You (a jelly like purple) on the top. I only did three layers on my nails but the effect was there and I could see if I took my time and really applied the color slower I might have a better effect but they were fun nails all the same.
My next nail art project is going to be from Steph’s Closet, she did a really cool leopard print nail that I saw on Twitter and HAVE to recreate. Has anyone else tried anything fancy nail art wise at home? Any tips for my ombre mani?
Let’s start Monday off on a happy note and announce the winners of the Seche Perfect Nails System: Genevieve and Brittany L! Ladies email me your full name and address to dwj@theartofaccessories.com and I’ll have the folks at Seche mail you your prizes! Congrats!
Now back to my Monday’s Manicure…
I decided to totally embrace fall (despite the fact that it’s supposed to be hot and humid by the end of the week) and I went for a gunmetal grey nail polish last night. To me, gunmetal nail polish is like a smoky eye, it’s always in style. I dug Zoya Freja out of my nail polish bin yesterday, it’s such a dark and smoldering shade. It has a bit of silver and blue shimmer to it, but it isn’t overpowering or too glittery. I also think this would be pretty nice with a matte top coat if you like matte nails (they’re still a trend). Perhaps next time I’ll try this will silver half moons…hmmm….
I took a break from Monday’s Manicure for a while because I wanted to try other posts and wasn’t focusing on my nails as much. Plus, my nails were peeling like crazy and I thought they needed a bit of TLC. At the same time that I said Monday’s Manicure was going on hiatus, Seche asked me if I wanted to try their Perfect Nail System and if I liked it give away a bottle or two to my readers.
Now I’ve already sung the praises of the Seche Vite Top Coat, I do think it’s the best there is for a fast drying top coat. And because of the track record I had with Vite I decided to give the Perfect Nails a try.
There are 3 products in the line: Retain, Rebuild and Recondition. Retain maintains already healthy nails. Rebuild strengthens weak nails like mine that are prone to splitting. Recondition adds flexibility to dry brittle nails. The pic above is what my nails look like after using it for the month of August. NO PEELING! Finally. I applied it to my nails every 4 days and they just kept getting stronger and strong. Now I’ve switched over to using Retain to keep them healthy and strong. I’ve also been using it as a base coat for my nail polish and I swear my polish seems to last even longer now. I think Seche may have magic in the bottle!
So if you want a bottle of Retain, Rebuild or Recondition, leave me a comment and tell me what your nails are like and I’ll pick a winner or two at the end of the week. And I’ll also start doing more picks of my Mondays’ Manicure and a few Monday’s Mascaras each week again.
It’s another edition of Friend Friday. You guys know the drill and if you want to participate or see what other folks are talking about stop by Modly Chic! This week’s topic, NAILS! That’s a weekly topic here at the Art of Accessories. 1. Do you keep nail polish on your fingers and toes year round?
Fingers all year, toes all summer/spring. I’m wayyyyy too lazy to keep the pedicure up in the winter. I barely shave my legs! LOL
2. What are your go-to colors for the fingers and toes?
Honestly, you guys know anything goes. I will try any color on my fingers but on my toes I tend to stay away from certain shades of green because I think it looks like I have moldy feet. My current favorites are Pretty Edgy, Shower Together (surprisingly the husband’s favorite) and Audrina. 3 very different shades but they’re all pretty vibrant and great all year round.
3. Any tips for strengthening your nails?
I’ve been a very big fan of the Nailtiques systems but I am going to test out the Seche nail system next. My nails tend to peel, so I’m always on the look out for something new to really build strong nails.
4. Do you have any nail ‘rules’ you abide by? (things like toe and finger colors must match, should never be the same, trim them all if one breaks, I dunno…)
I like the contrasting colors of a manicure/pedicure. I don’t do matching fingers and toes and I usually go for combos like orange toes and turquoise tips. There’s something fresh about the contrast.
5. How often, if ever, do you get a manicure and/or pedicure?
I usually get a professional manicure and pedicure at the beginning and end of the season and then I maintain them myself most of the year. Ji Baek’s book, Rescue Your Nails, taught me a lot about how to do my own manicures and pedicures at home and really it’s about taking my time and giving myself a moment to relax.
For me manicures are a great way to express yourself, they’re a fun accessory that can be easily removed. For more manicure ideas, you can always browse my Monday’s Manicure posts or go to the categories section to search by color as well!
Today is the day I show you my most favorite green creme to date, Essie’s Pretty Edgy.
Obviously this is my favorite because it’s the most perfect green I’ve seen in a long time. I don’t like wearing green on my toes (who wants to look like their have a fungus or mold on their toes?) but I love wearing it on my tips and this color did not disappoint me. It comes from the Essie Summer Resort collection, which I think is a bit of an odd mix. There are muted pastels and neutrals, one bold orange and this gem of a green.
I didn’t pick up anything else in the collection, nothing else caught my eye or made me wish I had it as much as I knew I wanted this green. So, so pretty! LOVE!
So last week I tried to do something different, step out of the box of my normal manicure. I’ve been reading All Lacquered Up for years now and when I saw her ombre manicure I wanted to try it.
