31DC2013: Days 8 & 9

Since I'm playing catch up (on blog posts, not on the challenge!) I'm going to combine a few days in the next couple of posts. In reality, I'm on day 16. Sigh. Oh well, here we go! Day 8! Metallic.

The colors used were Sally Hansen Golden -I and Sinful Colors Heavy Metal.

I was pretty uninspired again today. I saw so many wonderful Metallic creations on Instagram, but couldn't come up with my own! I was happy to be able to use some of my new star shaped studs!

Day 9: Rainbow! This has to have been one of my favorite days so far! It was a bit of a challenge, but fun at the same time! I used my Sinful Colors Sugar Rush collection for this mani. I started out with a base of Sugar Rush, like this:

The clouds on the pinkie and the thumb were so simple, I used a dotting tool! Starting with some very large dots, I added a series of small dots around each one, to create the cloud shape.

Next, I added the stripes of each color with a thin nail art brush. Once I added top coat, the colors seemed to blend together quite nicely! 

 I was pretty happy with this one! What do you think? Thanks for reading!

31Day Challenge - Day..... 7? Yikes!

So, really it's day 16! I can't believed I've slacked off this much on the posting! In reality, I haven't missed a day of the challenge. Every day has been done and sent off to Instagram and Facebook, but I'm quite behind on my blog posts! Okay, let's see... where did I leave off?! Day 7, Black & White. Day 7's nails were not my favorite.... but I'll share anyway. I had so many ideas, but for some reason none of them turned out quite right! The colors I used were my basics, Sinful Colors Snow Me White and Studio M Darkest Black.

 I started out with a base of Snow Me White, and covered about 3/4 of the nail with Darkest Black. It worked on the first two nails, I'm not quite sure what happened with my ring and thumb! After that I added a coat of glitter. Glitter cures all!! The glitter I used was China Glaze Glitz N Pieces.

So, definitely not one of my best creations. In fact, I'd probably call this one a #nailfail. Oh well, it's no big deal, since they will be replaced tomorrow!! Thanks for reading!

31DC2013 - Day 6: Violet

I had to be to work at 5:00 this morning, yet I still managed to get up and get my daily nails done! (Call me crazy if you'd like!!) As a result, Violet day wasn't quite as exciting as I'd hoped it would be, but it was at least sparkly! I like to say, when in doubt, use glitter! So that is just what I did. The color of the tips you see in the pictures almost looks like a neon green, but it most definitely was not. It is actually the same color as the glitter, believe it or not! The colors I used were Rimmel London Wild Orchid and Studio M Energy Star, along with Sinful Colors Lush Life.

 I started off with a base of Wild Orchid, then added Energy Star to the tips.

 Then I topped it off with Lush Life, to give it some sparkle!

Probably the easiest manicure you can do. What do you think of this one? <3 H
(By the way, I started this post on Friday, these nails were done on Friday. I have not missed a day of the challenge YET!)

31DC2013 - Day 5: Blue

I know, I know, I'm a day late! I'm not late on the challenge, just late on the posting! Oops! I had a busy day yesterday, ended up going to the Apple Orchard with Zoey, and we were just busy all afternoon. Then, I had to work at 5 this morning, so I went to bed early. Oh well. At least I got my nails done!! Today's challenge was blue! I knew exactly which color I wanted to use. It's my newest blue, and it's so bright and beautiful! These nails were really simple, and they didn't turn out at all how I wanted them to, but I was content with them. Especially since I knew they were only going to be on for 24 hours! The colors I used were Sinful Colors Endless Blue (One of my favorites!) Studio M Darkest Black and a silver Sinful Colors polish. (Can't remember the name of it right now.) I really LOVE this blue, it goes on so well, it takes two thin coats and dries very shiny. It's a really pretty color.

 I didn't like the first design, so I took it off and started over. Here's what I ended up with!

What do you think? Check back soon for Day6: Violet!

31DC2013 - Day 4: Green

I was pretty sad that there wasn't a "pink" day in this challenge, and I've been thinking of ways to incorporate my favorite color! Today's nails were going to be One Up Mushrooms from Mario, thanks to cutepolish on youtube. Unfortunately though, I was tired, and didn't have the patience for that! Instead, I decided to do something simple, yet still pretty. These are actually the first flower nails that I have ever done! I was amazed at how easy they were, and I was pleased with the results.

The colors I used were (suprise!) Sinful Colors Innocent, Sinful Colors Snow Me White, Studio M Neon Caution and Sinful Colors Sugar and Spice. 

 I started out with the basic colors, added a yellow dot for the center of the flower ( with my dotting tool.) and then added the pink dots around, to make a very simple, yet cute, pink flower. I added just a few little spots of green for the leaves.I really love the thumb, which was the easiest and cutest part of all! Thanks for reading! <3 H

31DC2013 - Day 3: Yellow

I had several ideas for yellow! After searching for some inspiration online, I decided to turn my fingers into mini Chucks! I have wanted a pair of yellow Converse high tops for quite some time, but have had no such luck in getting them. Yet. So, I thought I would make some! Of course, it's not the same, but this will work for now! :) Before I even begin, I will say that I thought these were cute overall, but I am really disappointed in how some of the lines turned out! Oh well, not too bad for a first time, I'll say! I'm really loving this challenge, and my reason to practice nail art! For this mani, I used Studio M Neon Caution, Sinful Colors Snow Me White and Studio M Darkest Black. Oh, and Rimmel London French Tip White. I started out with Snow Me White as the base: 

Sinful Colors Snow Me White

After painting the white base, I added in the yellow. I went about 3 quarters of the way down the nail with the yellow, to leave space for the white tip, the "rubber." After the yellow, the next step was super simple. Using my dotting tool, I added 6 black dots to each finger, to make the eyelets for the laces to "go through."

I thought they looked kinda cute already! I used the french tip white to make the laces. That was a lot easier than I thought it would be!

Last but not least, I used a black striping brush for the final lines, to complete the "shoe." Tell me what you think!

31DC - DAY 2: ORANGE!

 Today was day 2 of the 31DC that I am doing, thanks to inspiration from Sarah at Chalkboard Nails. This is her 3rd year in a row doing this challenge in September. I was so excited to see that the challenge was fairly simple, yet I knew that it would be a real challenge, especially since it's 31 days in a row. I have been "off" for the past few weeks, and had no inspiration to polish, so my nails were naked!!! I decided that this was a great way to get back on track. Nails Polished = Happiness! Yesterday was the first day, and the theme was red. I painted some cute ladybug nails, they were so simple, yet extra cute! Today the theme is orange! I had so many ideas for orange that I found! I didn't come up with this one until the end. Oh yeah, I created a new board on Pinterest for the inspiration for this challenge, the link is right here. Okie Dokie! The polishes that I used today were Sinful Colors Snow Me White, Sinful Colors Clementine and Sinful Colors Innocent.The glitter of the orange rind is Color Club Sparkle and Soar, from the 2012 Take Wing Collection.

Inside at night, with flash.

Inside at night, with flash.

Inside at night, no flash.

This design was very simple, and pretty self explanatory. To be completely honest, the hardest part was the little green leaf! What do you think? I was pretty happy with it! Cute and summery. Thanks for reading! :D ~H

31 Day Challenge: Day 1 - Red

Well, the challenge has begun! Yesterday was the first day! I did my nails on time, just didn't get them posted. So, I will have 2 posts today! We're gonna start with day number 1. Red! At first, I was thinking that all of the "solid colors" would be just that. Then I thought, why not use that color as the focus, and practice some nail artsy things?! I have decided to search Pinterest for inspiration for this challenge. Here's my inspiration for day 1.

Credit for this image goes to Suzi, image found on Pinterest. 

The colors I used were Sinful Colors GoGo Girl, Sinful Colors Snow Me White and Studio M Darkest Black.

This design was quite simple, I'm not sure why I never tried it before! I started with GoGo Girl as the base. Next I polished the tips black, and using a thin nail art brush, drew a line down the middle. I used my Sephora dotting tool to make dots in black. Last, but not least, I used the Sephora dotter again to make 2 cute little eyes! I finished it off with a coat of Seche Vite. 

I thought this design was super cute and very simple! It's perfect for Nail Art Beginners, like myself! :) And so, I have successfully completed day 1! Now, off to polish for day 2 post! (Today) 

Thanks for checking this out! -H

The Sun is Rising

"The Sun Is Rising"

When life has cut too deep and left you hurting
The future you had hoped for is now burning
And the dreams you held so tight lost their meaning
And you don't know if you'll ever find the healing

You're gonna make it
You're gonna make it
And the night can only last for so long

Whatever you're facing
If your heart is breaking
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on
Lift up your eyes and see
The sun is rising

The sun is rising

Every high and every low you're gonna go through
You don't have to be afraid I am with you
In the moments you're so weak you feel like stopping
Let the hope you have light the road you're walking

You're gonna make it
You're gonna make it
The night can only last for so long

Whatever you're facing
If your heart is breaking
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on
Lift up your eyes and see
The sun is rising

Even when you can't imagine how
How you're ever gonna find your way out
Even when you're drowning in your doubt
Just look beyond the clouds

Just look beyond the clouds

Whatever you're facing
If your heart is breaking
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on
Lift up your eyes and see
The sun is rising

The sun is rising

Even when you can't imagine how
How you're ever gonna find your way out
Even when you're drowning in your doubt
Just look beyond the clouds

-Britt Nicole

The view of Houghton Lake, Michigan, on a very beautiful morning.

Above are the lyrics to a song that I just can't stop listening to lately. Music is so powerful, it can be so meaningful and so uplifting! These lyrics mean so much to me, I just had to share them! Here's a link to the song: The Sun Is Rising. Enjoy, I hope it is as inspiring to others as it is to me! <3

31 Day Challenge

Lately I've had no inspiration whatsoever. I organized my polish a couple of weeks ago, and I have had naked nails since then! I just haven't felt like doing anything. :( This is not okay! So, in order to get back on track, starting on September 1st, I'm going to do a challenge!! Sarah at Chalkboard Nails (an amazing nail artist/blogger) does a 31 Day Challenge each September, this is her third year in a row. So, What better way to get back in the game than to do a challenge?! I'm excited for this. I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm hoping I can stick to it. Polished nails make me feel better, feel happier, so what am I waiting for?! Wish me luck!!

Library Books!

So, laugh all you want, but lately I've been raiding the library for every possible book about makeup/nails/nail polish. I swear, everyone I know is bugging me to go to nail school, yada yada yada, but I'm just not sure if I want to do that! I love doing my nails, and friends, when I get a chance, but I feel like I have so much to learn! I look at all of the nail bloggers that I follow and think, "Ohmygosh I have such a long way to go!!" I've got a Saturday at home (a first, but only because my little girly needs her mama!) so guess what I'm going to do today?!?! (After laundry, cleaning, making lunch, etc. Blah.)

 

I'm so excited!! I'm really hoping that I find lots of good tips and tricks!  I haven't polished my nails yet today, or in the last few days, I've just been religiously applying Rejuvacote, in hopes that it will work some magic on my broken nails.. :( 

-H

Bloglovin'

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First Time: Sponge Painting

 I know that using cosmetic sponges to paint a gradient on your nails is old news, but I've never actually tried it until now. I learned  quite a few things, and for me, this is something that is going to take quite a bit of practice. I started out trying to do a rainbow of six colors, but it was just not cooperating. (I should have taken more pictures..) So, I decided to just do the three, until I could get the hang of it.
I wasn't  happy with this, but I can definitely see potential, and can't wait to try it again. The colors I used were Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in "Sun Kissed" (pictured), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in "Mellow Yellow," and Sally Hansen Hard as Nails in "Love Rocks."  One Important thing was the base. I started with no base color, but the gradient just didn't show up. Then I tried a white base, which you see pictured. The third thing I did, but ended up on my right hand, was I used the yellow as the base coat. It blended so much better that way!

It turned out quite a bit better in person, the pictures just don't do it justice.

I started this blog awhile ago, so that I could have a place to talk about my favorite things. Nail polish, mostly. I only made a few posts, but I couldn't ever figure out what to write, so mainly I just posted a couple pictures with descriptions. Well, I want to start again! For the past month, (actually, this entire year so far) I have done something different with my nails every day. Sometimes there is design, other times there are color swatches or glitters. I have taken a picture of them every day and posted them on Instagram, in turn sending them to Facebook. I've gotten pretty good response from these pictures, and I have quite a few facebook friends and Instagram followers that want to see more! Yay! My goal was to paint my nails every day for the month of January, to get me back into it, since I had taken such a break. Today is my last day, and there was just one day this month that I let my nails "go naked," so that they could breathe! I did it! I'm not sure how long I will keep this up for, but I have had a lot of fun with it, and I absolutely LOVE having a different color or style every day! It makes me feel good! I've gotten so many compliments on my nails, it is quite fun. :)
Lately I've been thinking that there are a lot of colors (glitter colors) that I would like to have, but can't seem to find without paying a lot of money for one bottle. SO...... I've decided that soon I am going to explore the world of making my own glitter polish! I've found some super cute glitters and styles that I like and I can't wait to get started!!!  I think in about a month or so we'll start seeing some of my homemade glitter polishes. Until then, I'm going to be reviewing and researching different colors and finishes, and dividing my polishes into categories. For instance, today I am wearing Sinful Colors' Dream On, which naturally dries to a matte finish. I know there are some others like that, Sinful Colors Savage is one of them.
There are also a lot of trends happening right now that I would like to try out. Velvet nails, caviar nails, etc.
Right now, I'm off to figure out today's color! Happy Nails! :D
I know, this is totally random and probably pretty boring, but thanks for reading. Thanks for the support!

~H