essence - Gold Rush

Gold Rush is a super shimmery champagne color.  It came out lighter and more sparkly than I expected.  Even though the color isn't too crazy, a lot of shimmer is packed in that little bottle.  I used two coats and then stamped the leopard print pattern from Konad plate m57 using Konad black.

Black w/ Cleopatra Tips

Today's mani was super quick.  I used two coats of black (Sinful Colors Black on Black) and a gradual glittery french tip using China Glaze Cleopatra.  Cleopatra is amazing--it's a gold glitter with a rainbow of other colors thrown in that always make me think of a treasure chest.  To get the gradual look, I started with a regular french tip and then dabbed the brush sporadically right below it.  I like it because it's easy to free hand in a hurry and it doesn't need to be perfect and symmetrical on each nail.  I used thick top coat after the glitter tip so that the glitter wouldn't be scratchy.

Confetti - Just Dancin

Love this color!  Above is Just Dancin from Confetti.  It's sort of a plum / wine color, between a purple and red.  I don't have anything quite like it so I was happy to add this to my collection for just $2.  I wore this plain during the day but I wanted something more flashy for night:

I used tape to cover a section of Just Dancin on each nail then applied a coat of Rage from Orly's Foil FX collection.

OPI Yodel Me On My Cell

My sister is visiting for the holidays and she wanted a manicure using OPI Yodel Me On My Cell, which is a turquoise blue shimmer from the new Swiss Collection.  I just picked it up a few days ago and I think it's a great color.

The gold vine pattern is from Bundle Monster plate BM20 using China Glaze 2030.

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Holiday Nails Pt. 1

Winter is such a great season for nails--I love playing with darker tones, reds, and metallics.  Today I'm wearing one of my favorite deep reds, OPI's Little Red Wagon, which is from the 2008 Holiday in Toyland collection.  I thought it could use a little embellishment so I stamped a design from Bundle Monster (fauxnad) plate BM11 using China Glaze 2030.  The design reminds me of Christmas lights--perfect for the holidays!