Pretty and Polished: Tart

Pretty and Polished http://instagram.com/p/RGx4VwjSjQ/?fb_source

Latest Obsession: Indie Nail Polish

365 Days of Color 

(photo: Manicurator)

(photo: A Girl and Her Polish)

Aphrodite Laquer

$8 a bottle

Whimsical Ideas by Pam$10 a bottle

photo:  http://xoxo-jen.blogspot.com


photo:http://xoxo-jen.blogspot.com

photo: http://xoxo-jen.blogspot.com

photo: http://xoxo-jen.blogspot.com



Honey Rainbow$10-$5 a bottle



LlaroweMaking Indie Polish from around the world available to the general public

Candeo  (photo: Let Them Have Polish)

Dollish Polish (photo:  Crystal's Crazy Combos)

Dollish Polish (photo:  Crystal's Crazy Combos)

I wanted to share my latest obsession with Indie Nail Polishes. Indie polish makers are those who "franken" (mix existing polishes) or create their own polishes from scratch. There are some real talented gals out there. I say gals because all the indie polish makers I have come across have been female. After experimenting with making my own indie polish at home, I quickly realized it was a complete fail and I should leave the frakening to the experts.

If you are not familiar with one of the original indie polish trail blazers from NY by the name of Lynnderella (obscure blog), you can see some of her amazing creations here:

Color GuideLynnderella eBay StoreSteffels swatches
I started researching where to purchase Lynderella polishes only to find out they are fetching over $100 a bottle on eBay.  I was shocked to see a few bottles sell between $600-$800!  (There are insane people out there, apparently!)  Upon further research, I got sucked into what can only be dubbed as the soap opera of the indie polish world.  (Doesn't it sound so dramatic? And aren't you intrigued?)  If you have time to waste like I did, this and this was cause for some entertainment.
Being a big manicure DIY'er, I quickly became a fan of Indie Polishes and just as quickly lost my interest in Lynnderella when she basically stated she was too cool to be labeled "indie."  Sorry girlfriend, I know you're laughing to the bank, but you ain't no Loreal or OPI.  
  Here are some of the favorites I have been eyeing.  Some of which I will be buying as a treat from Mr. Granola, because quitting shopping cold turkey can be so hard and he appreciates my 22 days of effort so far!  I'm 1/3 of the way there and hope to keep going strong.
Look out for reviews and features of my Indie Polish purchases as I find ways to kill time (instead of working out) during my 60 day shopping diet.

DIY Nude Blingy Manicure With OPI, Martha Stewart Glitter and Gelish

Hi Friends!
It's been awhile since I posted a DIY nail tutorial.  Here is a step-by-step tutorial of this Nude Silver Bling mani.

All products are linked within the tutorial below:

1.   Give yourself or get a standard manicure.

2.   Paint nails with 1 coat of your desired nail color. Here, I used OPI Did You 'Ear Me Van Gogh.

3.   Right after your 2nd coat of nail polish (on each nail), dip or apply with a sponge the silver Martha Stewart Leaf Glitter.

4.   Use a wood stick to press the edges of the foil down. They have a tendency to flip up, which will be a cause for annoyance later.

5.   Then sprinkle the silver glitter, emphasizing most of your coverage on the tips.

6.   Use blowdryer to dry and blow away loose glitter. 

7.   Apply 2 coats of your favorite top coat. I used Gelish Top It Off with a UV Lamp for my top coat.

I'm on day 4 and the manicure is still going strong.  I utilize Gelish top coat all the time with regular nail polish.  The trick is to ensure the polish is completely dry.  If you can, let it dry overnight.  If Gelish is applied to paint that isn't dry, you will find a soft ripply texture, as opposed to the hardened high shine finish.

Email me if you have any questions and please "Pin This" to share the love. 

Quick Pic of the Day: Nude and Sparkle Nails

Tutorial of this to follow.
Doesn't it remind you of this infamous Britney outfit?

Gradient Ombre Gelish Manicure in Pinks w/ Martha Stewart Craft Glitter

  

  

Thank you everyone for all the "pins" on Pinterest and all the interest generated from my First Ombre Glitter Manicure.  I suppose with the monster pack of Martha Stewart glitter I should just try all the color combos possible.

For my second attempt, I decided to use 4 colors and I think it came out pretty well.  

To my surprise, these last 10+ days and stayed super sparkly.  The great thing about Gelish (or any gel polish) is it doesn't chip and if you feel your manicure is getting "dull," just apply another top coat to bring it back to life.  What a miracle product!

For the tutorial, please click here.

Day 7 of DIY Ombre Glitter Manicure (Gelish/Shellac polish)

Day 7 of this manicure and still going strong!  I looooove Gelish.

I can't quite capture the bling, but it's truly blinding.

Ombré Glitter Bling Gelish Manicure

 I put my "professional" work nails away and gave myself the wildest holiday manicure ever.  I am loooooving my new Gelish goodies purchased from Amazon.  Since trying Sephora nail glitter, I thought, why couldn't I use craft glitter?  So I headed to my local art supply shop and grabbed this monster pack of Martha Stewart glitter for $15 (after 20% sale).

Inspired by this JCrew Sequin skirt (here and here) I attempted the very trendy ombre look and here is the result!  

I was so concentrated on this manicure project, I regret not taking in-process photos.  I will list step by step instructions below, but trust that next time I do this I will take in-process photos to share.

glitter polish at Beso.com

Beso.comAds by

All links below are to the exact products I use.  Again, I follow these steps one (1) hand at a time- rather than alternating between hands. I find working on one (1) hand all the way through the process avoids many clumsy goof-ups.
Step 1:  give yourself a standard manicure- cuticles, file, trim, etc.
Step 2: rub nail beds with rubbing alcohol.  Then apply ph bond.
Step 3:  apply base gel and cure in lamp for 1 minute.
Step 4:  apply thin coat of Vegas Nights- cure for 1 minute.
Step 5:  using an old eyeshadow brush, apply silver* glitter to all fingers.  Then apply gold glitter to all fingers, then copper.  Allow some of the glitter to overlap to create the gradient look illustrated here.
Step 6: apply another coat of Vegas Night over entire nail bed.  At this point, you should have 3 shades of glitter on each nail- cure for 2 minutes.
Step 7:  Apply 2 coats of Top it Off- cure 1 minute each coat.
* the silver I used on my nails is actually NYX Disco Ball #23 glitter from Urban Outfitters.

Thanks for checking out my holiday manicure and let me know if you have any suggestions for my next nail project.
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!
**UPDATE:  see Day 7 of this manicure here

First DIY Gelish Manicure (Shellac type polish)

After my Blingy Chanel Manicure, I was on the search for a Shellac or Gel Polish option that would last longer than 3-4 days.  I know my local nail salon charges at least $30 for a gel polish manicure without any glitter or additional designs.  Thanks to the ladies of TPF Nail Care forum, I was able to find all the supplies needed to try doing this at home.

My total order was less than $80, which will pay for itself after 2-3 DIY manicures.
Helpful links:  Gelish Color Swatches ThreadGelish General Knowledge Thread
Although intimidating at first, it was easy to get the hang of and I've already practiced on a few girlfriends.
Here are the supplies I purchased from Amazon:

1) Gelish Foundation Base Gel 2) Gelish Pink Smoothies  3) Gelish Top It Off Sealer  4) UV Nail Lamp

Note: I follow these steps one (1) hand at a time- rather than alternating between hands.  I find working on one (1) hand all the way through the process avoids many clumsy goof-ups.
First:  Trim, File and prep your nails to remove any cuticles that may be growing on the nail bed.  With rubbing alcohol, remove any excess oils/moisturizers from your nails.
Second:  Apply 1 coat of Foundation Base Gel- cure for 1 min. 

 I wear rubber gloves with the tips cut off to avoid any pre-mature aging

 

Third:  Apply a thin coat of gel nail color of choice. Cure for 2 mins- repeat for a 2nd coat. I used Gelish Pink Smoothie this time.  If the color seems uneven, don't worry too much, the curing process will level out the color.  

  Fourth:  After curing your last color coat, use an old lip brush to apply desired glitter to the tips or in any pattern you like.

Note: I used Sephora Nail Glitter, but any arts & crafts glitter will do.  In fact, visiting a stationary/ scrap booking store will give you many glitter color options.

Here's a picture of left hand application of glitter:

Here's a picture of right hand application of glitter (a bit harder to capture):

 Fifth:  Apply two (coats) of top coat and cure each for 2 minutes.

Note: the glitter will shift around during top coat application.

Here is the finished look.

Since completing my first DIY Gelish Manicure, I've purchased more colors and look forward to sharing more manicure ideas with you!

Here's my Holiday Nail Project if you'd like to see another glitter concept.