Baroque Quilt Inspired Nails

Hello everyone!  I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

I posted these nails on Instagram last week, which were inspired by the quilt you can see in the background of the photos.  I've actually had the idea to create these nails for a while now, but I've been in such a mood to wear green lately that they were just perfect.

I started with a white base, using two coats of Cult Nails Tempest.  Then, I painted a wide green stripe across my nails using Barry M Key Lime Gelly.  Using my nail art brush (La Corneille 18/0 Round), I painted three black stripes across the end of my nail.  I didn't use tape for any of the stripes / lines (I was asked that question a lot on Instagram).  For some reason I always end up messing it up with tape, and freehand just works much better for me.

Cult Nails Tempest, Barry M Key Lime Gelly, A-England Camelot, Cirque Colors Sani

Originally, I was going to paint the black pattern (a-England Camelot) on multiple nails, but after my middle nail was finished I got a bit lazy (it was really late at night when I created these).  I ended up adding a quick baroque (or damask?) accent over two coats of Cirque Colors Sani before completing the look with top coat.  Now that I'm looking back on them, I'm actually glad I didn't finish all of the nails, and I'm definitely happy with how they turned out!

I loved wearing this design, and I got a lot of comments at work about how they looked like stamps or stickers.  It's always funny to see people's faces as I tell them they are hand painted!


Thank you all for reading, as always! :)


Kristin

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F.U.N Lacquer Spring 2014 Trio Swatches & Review

Hi everyone!

I have a few more F.U.N Lacquer swatches to show you all today.  This time, it's the Spring 2014 Trio, which consists of a holographic polish, a thermal polish, and a holographic glitter topper.  Each one of these has something quite special about it which I'll explain below.  If you missed my previous post, you can check it out here: F.U.N Lacquer Four Seasons Collection

Dazzling Blue is a bright cobalt blue holographic polish, with a really beautiful foil finish, and a golden shimmer.  The holographic effect is much stronger in person than I could capture in the photos, but it’s one of those polishes that is amazing in all light settings because there’s something special that comes out in each one.  It applies perfectly in two coats, and I included a bunch of photos because it's so pretty!

 

 

 

Pink Tulips On the Green is a thermal polish that is a pearly green in it’s cold state, and changes white when it’s warmed up.  It has an amazing, ethereal gold and pink duochrome shimmer.  The duochrome in this polish is very strong, and was a little confusing for my camera in most of the photos I took (it’s even lovelier in person!).  It has a slightly thicker formula than the others, but still perfectly opaque in two coats like the other F.U.N Lacquer’s that I’ve tried.  I am also wearing one coat of With Sprinkles On Top on my ring finger, which you'll see more of below.

Mid-transition

With Sprinkles On Top is a holographic top coat, loaded with rainbow colored glitter, as well as holographic glitter.  It can be worn at two - three coats alone, or one coat can be layered over different colored bases.  The holographic effect is very strong in the right lighting, and the rainbow glitter makes it easy to wear over any color.  I had a bit of trouble photographing this one, but now I realize I probably should've tested it over some dark colors.  Either way, it's still totally cute for Spring!

One coat over a sheer - pink gradient; two coats on the ring finger.

One coat over Lime Crime Peaches & Cream; two on the ring finger.

I also posted this very Easter-y mani on Instagram a few weeks ago:

One coat over a gradient of Essie Play Date & Elevation Polish Mount Ventoux; two coats of F.U.N Lacquer Purple Crocus on the ring finger.


F.U.N Lacquer will be having a special Birthday sale starting tomorrow, April 18th, until April 25th at the F.U.N Lacquer Store.  Enter the code "BIRTHDAY2014" at checkout, to receive 24% off your purchase!

You can also check out my previous F.U.N Lacquer swatches if you need help deciding!

Thank you for reading! :)

Kristin

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F.U.N Lacquer Four Seasons Collection Swatches & Review

Hello everyone!

Today, I'll be showing you F.U.N Lacquer's new Four Seasons Collection, which consists of four gorgeous thermal polishes.  Each polish is meant to represent a different season, and I think the colors are right on point for their designated season.

Purple Crocus (Spring) is a bright purple with gold shimmer in it's cold state, and changes to a soft lavender - white in it's warm state.  It is opaque in two coats and dries to a satin - matte finish.  The application is so smooth and beautiful, and the gold shimmer really stands out from the base color.  I love it!

Sandcastle (Summer) is a vibrant orange with gold flakes in it's cold state, and changes to a soft white in it's warm state.  It is opaque in two coats, but as it changes there is a bit of visible nail line.  I don't mind that at all, I think it's so pretty in both states, and the gold flakes make this thermal quite special.  It's perfect for summer.

Do You Be-Leaf In Magic (Fall) is a bright shimmery green in it's cold state, and changes to a warm golden shade in it's warm state.  It is opaque in two coats, and was very easy to apply.  This one really reminds me of when the leaves start to change colors, or a caramel apple.  So cool!

Fall to Winter (Winter) is a navy - purple duochrome with bright blue shimmer in it's cold state, and changes to a rosy nude in it's warm state.  The formula on this one is slightly thinner than the others, but just as smooth and easy to apply.  It was opaque in two coats as well, and this one is my favorite of the collection.  It is so unique and the blue shimmer that shines in the sun is amazing!

What are your thoughts on this collection?  Have you tried F.U.N Lacquer yet? 

The Four Seasons Collection is available now at the F.U.N Lacquer store, and I highly recommend checking it out.  You can also find more info about F.U.N Lacquer on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thank you for reading! :)

Kristin

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Nude & Metallic Ikat Nails

Hello everyone!

The blogger Konad Addict and I recently did the #maniswap tag on Instagram, so I recreated one of her mani’s and she recreated one of mine.  I chose to recreate her ikat nails, and I’m so happy with how they turned out!

I used two coats of Marc Jacobs Nirvana as my base, which is a deep military green jelly that’s just gorgeous.  The nude base on my ring finger is my favorite nude polish ever, Marc Jacobs Funny Girl (two coats).  For the ikat, I added a hint of China Glaze Mingle With Kringle, and Cirque Colors Cerrillos (which you’ll be seeing swatches of soon!).  I didn’t have the same studs that Konad Addict used, so I went with some diamond shaped ones, and I think they look awesome anyways.

China Glaze Mingle With Kringle, Marc Jacobs Funny Girl, Marc Jacobs Nirvana, Cirque Colors Cerrillos

Here’s the #maniswap collage I posted on Instagram:

Thank you for reading! :)

Kristin

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