Wallpaper Nail Art #2 and Born Pretty BP-17

This is going to be a quick little post as I have Four manicures to post in three days!  This is my second wallpaper inspired mani for The Nail Challenge Collaborative.  Two more coming soon!

I really hate using a flash pic as my intro, but the stamping on this one was very shy for the camera!

I started with three coats of Orly Naughty.  I could have gotten away with two, but added a third because I knew it would deepen the color.  I purchased this oxblood red a couple of years ago around Halloween.  I was looking for a dried blood/scabish looking red creme.  I tested so many, but they were all too bright, fresh bloodish.  This one though was what I was looking for.  Really nice formula too!

Next I stamped with Born Pretty Store BP-17.  I was sent this for review and I absolutely LOVE it, both the patterns and the quality.  One of the things I really like about this plate is that the images are BIG.  Big enough for long nails and big enough to get variety in the stamping over multiple nails.  Since receiving this to review, I have already purchased several more!  Those top too images would be great for lead lighting, but I used the bottom right image.  You can find this plate (and many more) HERE.  Feel free to use my discount code to the right.

I stamped with Julep Maryam.  It is an oh so gorgeous maroon filled with gold shimmer.  It is a one coater, so I knew it would be good for stamping, which it is if you don't use colors that are so close to one another!

I was going for one of those wallpapers where it has a design that is actually a different texture rather than a different color and for that, I feel like this succeeded.  I just wish you could see the stamping better in my pics.  IRL it looked more like my flash pics all the time.

This was the best non-flash pic I could get and shows how I feel about the whole thing.  Two of my favorites are embodied in this mani, a dark, vampy color and subtle stamping.  

Thanks for looking and commenting!

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Girly Bits Stormy Skies and QA49 Review - Nail Art

If you follow my blog, you know that I am not a girly girl.  I tend towards darker colors, in my clothing and especially my nail polish.  Once in awhile, though, I get in the mood for a really feminine manicure, and that is what I have for you today.  

There is just something about lace at my tips that is empowering.  In this case, I think it is because it reminds me of lingerie (tee hee).  Or a cute camisole with pearl buttons.

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Artificial Light

I started with two coats of Girly Bits Stormy Skies over a white base.  This polish is a little sheer, which is why I used a white base, although I am sure you could get good coverage in three coats.  I kind of wish that I had tried it on its own, but I recently used a baby blue that needed several coats and found that the color deepened too much for my liking.  I really wanted the beautiful blue shade to pop, so white base it is.

Stormy Skies applies like the silver lining of a dark cloud, smooth and glorious.  it is filled with entsy wentsy, itty bitty holo particles that flash from the overcast blue.  This is my kind of feminine color!  You may be able to tell from the older style bottle that this has been in my stash for awhile, but it is still available at the Girly Bits store HERE.  There are several international distributors also, just check the distributor tab at the top of the site to find your favorite.

Next I stamped with plate QA49, sent to me from Born Pretty Store to review.  Just like the last plate I received from them, this one is well etched and stamps clearly.  I also used the half pearls from Born Pretty Store that I reviewed earlier.  Have to say, I kinda love those teenie "pearls".  As always, you can use my code (over there to the right, MNQX31) to receive and extra 10% off any purchase from Born Pretty Store. 

"Soft" Rectangle - Hard Rectangle

How did I get the image so straight?  I owe it all to my rectangle stamper.  Makes lining up soooo much easier.  I start at the tip and "roll" towards the cuticle.  I purchased mine from Messy Mansion HERE.  There are several online places you can get these.  They are perfect for those with longer nails too.  They are longer than the large stampers are wide and make lining up double stamping...if not a breeze, at least easier.  They are my go to when I have to have a linear stamp very straight, like in this mani, where it would be very noticeable if it was crooked.

You may notice that the stamping on my middle finger is a bit messy.  That is because I stamped with the loops facing left instead of right.  Guess I didn't get all of the old stamp off before restamping.  You KNOW that having one lace facing the wrong way would have thrown my whole life off, right?

Just one more word about this stamping image.  I LOVE it!  It has so much possibility.  Wedding nails come immediately to mind.  I used pearls, to fill in the little dots in the middle, but you could use rhinestones, or studs, or dots of polish...maybe some textured polish!  Also, you could fill in those little loops with color.  If you are REALLY talented, you could double stamp back to back and have a full flower.  Or separate a double stamp slightly with a different color between the stamps.  You get the idea!  So much potential, so little time!  This stamp will definitely be visited again!

As always, thanks for looking and commenting!

Tina

Barielle Keys Collection Review plus Nail Art

 

Today I have a review of Barielle's summer offering, The Keys Collection.  This collection is full of bright and easily coordinating shades, just perfect for summer!  Just a reminder, for review purposes, I paint to opacity and add one more coat or good measure.  Assume you can get away with one less coat than I did, unless indicated.  Let's start with the warms!

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Panama Pina Colada 3 coats - This is a lovely pale yellow, with an even lovelier formula.  Unlike many yellows, there is no streakiness during application.  Despite this, the formula is not thick and applies smoothly.  It is my new favorite yellow!

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Artificial Light

Hawaiian Sunset 3 coats - A lovely orange shade filled with a gold shimmer.  If you like orange nail polish, this is one for you!  The formula applies smoothly and evenly with  no patchiness.  Just plain gorgeous!

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Miami Heat 3 coats - This may be my favorite from the set.  One of the girls at work called it "night walker red".  Vampires or whores, you decide :)  This is a true red jelly, no blue or orange tints here.  It also applies as a true jelly, shiny with no streakiness of pigmentation.  This color made me okay with VNL and I would wear it all the time if I wasn't so ADHD with my polish.  This will definitely be used in lead lighting soon!

Now on to the cools!

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Topless In St Tropez 3 coats - A bright, pastel, bubblegum pink with a slight shimmer.  It has some issues with application.  It is thick, yet is patchy.  This is the only one of the bunch that I would say needs the full three coats.  A bit paradoxical considering how thick it is.  You may be able to get away with two if you let it dry completely between coats.  The shimmer is very, very subtle, not really noticeable unless you know it is there.  Despite its difficulties, I still love this color!

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Barefoot In Bermuda 4 coats - Four coats?  Yep, but only because I don't like VNL.  Application was really good, but just more sheer than I like.  It will be perfect for lead lighting!  Although it is not a unique color, the sheer formula makes it unique to my collection.

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Artificial Light

Paradise In The Tropics 3 coats - Paradise is very similar to Barefoot, with a few differences.  First, it is more opaque.  Secondly, it leans just a tad blue.  I don't think you need both in your stash, unless you are a polishophile, like me.  Like a sheer polish, choose Barefoot.

Now for some stamping....because you know I just can't leave good enough alone!  I started with Topless in St Tropez.

Next I stamped with Messy Mansion MM12 and Julep Laree.  

Threw in some more stamping with MM12 and Finger Paints Black Expressionism on the accent nails.  I really ended up loving this.  Reminded me of a pepto racing car!  Danica take note!

All in all, I really like this collection with a couple going straight to my "Love It" list.  My picks are Panama Pina Colada, Miami Heat and Barefoot In Bermuda.  Would you agree?  You can find this collection HERE and don't forget to like Barielle on their Facebook page for all the latest news and sales!  Thanks for looking and commenting!

Tina