✯ PR Sample ✯

Happy Memorial Day! I was up doing some late night nail art. Zoya Jace from the new Island Fun collection, gave me the idea to attempt some camouflage nails. :)

I started with 2 coats of Zoya Spencer for my base. Then using a dotting tool and a nail art brush, I dabbed on Zoya Jace, Nyssa, and Emilia. I used Seche Vite topcoat, and then decided to make everything matte with NYC Color: Matte Me Crazy topcoat. Not bad for a first attempt I suppose.

✯ PR Sample ✯

I'll have a complete swatch review of the Zoya Island Fun collection soon, but for now I wanted to share a cloud manicure I created with four of the Island Fun creams. These four creams are my favorite out of the Island Fun collection.
I started with two coats of Zoya Serenity, and then layered each of the other colors to create a cloud manicure. I used Seche Vite topcoat.

Well, hi there! No, I didn't fall off the face the earth. I'm sorry for the longer than usual blog break. My nails are finally starting to grow long enough where I feel comfortable taking photos, and overall I just needed a little break.

I'm off from work until Wednesday for Memorial Day, whoo! I have to work on some reviews to share with you guys. I will have the Zoya Island Fun, and Paradise Sun collection on the blog soon. I also have 6 new summer colors from SinfulColors to share with you as well. I will be super swatch busy this weekend!

I'm also excited because I finally have my own nail space! :-) I've never shared any posts about where I do my nails, because well, it was my dining room table. My very cluttered dining room table, lol. :-p I've wanted a table/desk to do my nails at for awhile. I've been eyeing this portable manicure table on Amazon for months. I watched the price drop from $100 down to $70, and I finally decided to order it. Free shipping! And- it arrived in 2 days! I set up my new space in the corner of our bedroom. My helmer fit perfectly beside it, the helmer is maybe inch to half an inch shorter than the table.
The best part about this table is there was absolutely no assembly required. I only had to take it out of the box, the storage bag, remove the foam and bubble wrap, and set it up. The table itself is sturdier and more well made then I expected. It has wheels so you can move it around, and it easily folds up to store again if you need too. It also has a small plastic drawer underneath that I am storing some nail necessities in.

There's also a wrist cushion- for doing someone else's nails, but I decided to put that in the corner of my table to keep things from falling down where the table curves against the corner of the wall, and it also works to prop up my Ottlite and other things. ;-)

I ordered myself an upholstered folding chair to go along with my table, but that hasn't arrived yet. The chair I ordered also had free shipping. I may get a more comfortable chair eventually, but this was all I could afford right now.

I'm super excited to finally have a permanent and functional place to do my nails, take swatch photos, or use my laptop to write blog posts. I'm also looking forward to getting back to blogging and sharing with you all again, I've definitely missed it. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

✯ Press Release ✯ SUMMER 2015 FROM SINFULCOLORS

This summer, SinfulColors transports you across the globe with an on-trend collection of 29 hues that reflect the vibrant and eclectic chaos from around the world.  The fusion of saturated cream shades and dazzling neon appliqués channel the pulsating energy of a summer evening.  The offbeat blend of spicy reds, oranges and cooling blues are perfectly paired with henna appliqués and foil tips.  Juicy purples and pinks complement new matte glitter toppers that add a fashion-forward flair while graffiti-inspired splatter glitter topcoats capture the diverse and rebellious vibe of street art. Let these 29 vibrant shades, 6 glitter topcoats and 5 appliqués from SinfulColors express your individuality this summer with an electrifying mani to remember: PINATA BLAST GLITTERS Baila Baila: Clear based peach & royal blue confetti flecks   Fierce Fiesta: Multi-hued red, pink & yellow confetti           Mamasita: Indigo splashed with ruby & white glitter GRAFFITI BOMB GLITTERS Color Tag: Rich navy with pastel glitter     Paste-erd: Night-sky navy with periwinkle glitter                                       Writing On The Wall: Shimmery black with ruby flakes HENNA APPLIQUES Foiled Again: Lustrous rose gold appliques                                    Henna I Do: Tribal-inspired delicate appliques  NEON APPLIQUES Hot Tips: Pop-art pink and vibrant purple appliques                         Neon Splat: A graffiti-style blend of electric neon appliques Swirl: Color-blocked bright yellow, pink & violet appliques PRICE/AVAILABILITY: $1.99 each, nail polish and appliques, at Walgreens and other mass retailers for Summer 2015.

✯ Press Release ✯

I changed nail nail shapes a few months ago from square to round. And, for awhile my nails were growing like weeds and super strong. Then over the past month or so suddenly my nails started peeling again, which hasn't happened in awhile. :( I broke three nails last weekend, and two this week. My cuticles have also seemed like they want to peel for no reason despite my almost religious use of cuticle oil and butters, and the occasional mani bomb every other week. Blah.... needless to say I am not feeling the nail thing right now....

I'm not sure what has caused the current peeling. Maybe the transition to round tips freaked them out, or the weather changing, or the fact I hadn't used any nail treatment in months and months, (besides, my Orly Bonder base coat). I also know a few weeks ago I used a peel off glitter base coat, which ended up leaving white marks on the top of three different nails. So maybe I damaged my nail beds somehow with that. It was Glitter-a-peel, and I've used it in the past with no issues... maybe it's just a combination of things. :(

I ordered some more OPI Nail Envy since my last bottle pretty much dried up with what little was left. Decided to try the sensitive and peeling formula this time. Has anyone used that one? Hopefully it helps. I have used Nail Envy in the past, on and off and it always seemed to make the peeling go away and make my nails stronger. So hopefully it helps.

I've been wanting to do some beachy ocean looking nails for a little while with my Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-505.

I started with two coats of Doctor Lacquer True Compassion. (A gorgeous light cornflower blue holographic thermal polish when warm). Then I sponged Chaos & Crocodiles Sleeper Cell, on the tips of my nails. I stamped in Konad white, and topped everything off with Seche Vite topcoat. The gradient effect with the two blue polishes reminds me of the ocean.

I was inspired to do some nails in the colors of my new Tieks Ballet Flats. :) I used OPI Can't Find My Czechbook, and Zoya Matte Velvet in Loredana. I also used striping tape to make the diagonal lines. I really love how they turned out, the colors go so well together, and I love the shiny/matte look of them.

✯ Purchased By Me ✯

*Check out this updated Tieks post.

I have lusted after Tieks ballet flats for a good 2+ years now.... I've heard great things about them, and that aqua colored sole always spoke to me. (If you've ever seen pictures of my apartment, the theme is black, white, and aqua!)

I posted this on my blog's Facebook page on Sunday, but I wanted to share it here too. I got my inspiration from Amanda Loves Polish who also did some awesome holographic gradients this past week with Chaos and Crocodiles nail polishes. I used Protocol & Reconnaissance for my gradient, and stamped in Konad white with Winstonia Store stamp plate W-04. My stamping isn't perfect, but I still love how they turned out.