Chasing Waterfalls… again.

Today’s manicure is almost kind of aredo to one I did a few months back. I really love the look of waterfall manicures, and so the other night when I was struggling with nail art ideas I decided why not create another one. I had already painted my nails using Revlon’s I’m Electro, which is a beautiful blue duocrome from the Amazing Spiderman 2 collection, so I grab a bunch of my blue polishes and went to work.

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The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Revlon I’m Electro — base color.
  • Revlon Superpowered.
  • Icing Starlight.
  • Sinful Colors Hip to Be Square.
  • Art Club Nail Art Duo in Baby Blue
  • Quo by ORLY Falling Star.
  • Essie Good to Go Top Coat.

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Pretty, aren’t they. I wasn’t quite happy with my waterfall nails the last time I attempted them–and with a couple tweeks I think I’ve made a vast improvement. It doesn’t hurt my nails have quite a bit more length to them now, as opposed to last time. I think using a darker base color (but not too dark) also helped make them pop as well.  =)

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So is anyone else as excited as me about Starbucks releasing their Pumpkin Spice Latte’s today. You apparently need a special code to unlock the drink, so I’ve got mine already to go. I have a Halifax Adventure day planned with my best friend, which always means COFFEE! We’re going to soak in the last of Summer before he goes back to finish his degree and it gets too chilly for our adventuring.

Grey and Silver and all taped up.

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Finally! I’m feeling nail art again after a good short while of being uninspired. Does anyone else ever get like that? You want to paint your nails with something pretty, but every time you try you just hate everything? (I hope it’s not just me… I’ll feel silly!) Today’s nails were just me really, really wanting to do some nail taping, as I don’t often do it. I also really, really wanted to wear Cashmere Bathrobe by Essie, as I adore it for Fall and I don’t think I’ve worn it since last fall.

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The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Essie Cashmere Bathrobe.
  • Maybelline Color Show Lavender Luster.
  • Mariposa Striping Polish in Pink.
  • Seche Vite Quick Dry Top Coat.

As you can see, I managed to do semi straight taping. I think I’ve figured out it’s the tape I’ve been using that’s made me not want to do tape manicure. I have a roll of very thin painters tape, which I bought because I thought it would be perfect. Unfortunately, for some reason, it just doesn’t like sticking to my nails well enough and–because it’s green–I can’t see if I’ve made my lines straight enough. Oops. I think I’ll be switching back to just regular old scotch tape for manicures like this from now on.

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So what do you think of this manicure? I must say–I really, really like how it turned out. I’ve been feeling so blah nail art wise for a while, but now that I’ve broken out of that funk I’m hoping I can get back to playing with my polish as it makes me so happy. =)  Hopefully I’ll have a fun new manicure to share with you coming up.

 

Zig Zag accent nails.

Today I’m sharing a NOTD with you I created on a whim. I was in the mood to do something a little bit different–and keep away from doing another dotticure. Since I have some fun new stripers, I decided to give them another go. I’m also trying to work on creating straighter, cleaner freehand lines so I need all the practice I can get!

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The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Essence Bloom Me Up! in Blow my Mint.
  • OPI in Miss You-Niverse.
  • Mariposa Striping Polish in White.
  • Mariposa Striping Polish in Mint.
  • Art Club Striping Polish in Paisley Paradise.
  • Seche Vite Quick Dry Top Coat.

 

 

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So what do you think of these zig zags? I went with colors that were a little darker, as like I’ve said I’m just craving fall colors. Also, I absolutely love Blow my Mint by Essence. I scored it for a DOLLAR earlier this year at Shoppers, and couldn’t say no. Also… my nails are getting long again! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Pastel Stripes, and a few “diamonds” for good measure.

Finally!  Something that isn’t just polka dots. 😉

I bought some new stripers last week at–of all places–the Dollarama! They’re by the brand Mariposa, whose polish I’ve featured in manicures before. I really love stripers as I’m not as good at using striping tape for manicures. Since I hadn’t had a chance to test out my new stripers yet, I decided to pull them out yesterday to see what they could do. And the end result? I’m very happy with it. The brush is thin, which is important so you don’t end up with gloopy, ugly freehand lines. Also the polish is fairly opaque which means they could be used over darker colors as well.

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The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Birthday Suit.
  • Mariposa Striping Polish in Mint.
  • Mariposa Striping Polish in Pink.
  • OPI I Snow You Love Me.
  • Seche Vite Quick Dry Top Coat.

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So what do you think of this stripey manicure? Also, I’m seriously digging I snow you love me and all the glitter placement possibilities. From a distance, it looks like you have rhinestones on your nails, as they catch the light really well. It’s only when you look up close you see that they’re flat and glitters. Love, love, love.

Nautical themed Bridal Shower Nails.

So I totally misjudged being on vacation. I am a lot busier than I thought I would be, but I guess that goes a long with being a bridesmaid. But I’m still managing to get some nail art time in! I decided to do something fun and nautical themed for my besties Bridal Shower (using her wedding colors, obviously), and this is what I ended up coming with.

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The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Maybelline Sapphire Siren.
  • ACO by Ardene Kiss by a Rose.
  • China Glaze Metro Pollen-tin.
  • ACO by Ardene Golden Luxery.
  • Mariposa Nail Design Striper in White.
  • Essie Good to Go Top Coat.

I’ve been browsing a lot of nautical themed nails on Pinterest, so I wanted to give it a quick try. I created my lines freehand, (and on the go) which is why some of them aren’t as straight as I hoped they would be. But they’re not so bad, and they went great with the dress I wore to the bridal shower!

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I can’t believe my best friend is getting married in 2 days! We used to make Spice Girl videos in my backyard way, way back in the day, and now she’s going to walk down the isle. If I don’t cry, I will be absolutely shocked.

Now, time to go play with some polish. I’m feeling some swatching today. I bought a bunch of new polishes in July I haven’t yet had time to share with you, so I figured now is a good time. With the exception of a little bridal lingerie shopping tonight with the bride to be, I’ve got the whole day to myself. And my stash is calling my name!

Have a great day lovelies!