Who Doesn't Love a Dotticure?

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy with Wet 'N Wild I Need A Refresh-mint, Nicole by OPI Candid Cameron and China Glaze Icicle

This next week and a half will be full of big assignments as the semester wraps up, and reading period begins. So today, after an Evolution presentation, I decided to treat myself and paint my nails (because who knows when I'll have time to do them again before summer?).

I wasn't feeling particularly creative today; all I knew was that I wanted to use Flip Flop Fantasy because it's so bright and wonderful. I went for my trusty dotting tools, and this is what happened. I like it. Simple, but interesting.

Also, I really like taking pictures of my nails by my window now. The [indirect] natural light does wonders for the color and overall quality of my photos.

Leopards at Sunset

China Glaze Sun Worshipper, China Glaze Snap My Dragon, and Wet 'N Wild En Voyage with Love & Beauty Lavender

Just wanted to do a quick post showcasing these new nails! I wanted to do something special for myself because I've been so busy lately, I needed to de-stress. Also, I'm so in love with these nails! They're definitely bright and full of fun! I wish I'd gotten a swatch of Sun Worshipper (the orange)! I almost threw up it was so bright and fabulous and perfect.

I hope these nails last forever (come on, Seche Vite, work your magic)!

A New World, A New Manicure

China Glaze Snap My Dragon and Sephora Conceited with Color Club striper in Fine Gold and Sinful Colors Snow Me White

 This weekend, I'll be in Bowdoin's production of Songs for a New World! I'm beyond excited; there is a wonderful cast, and we've been working really hard! Also, I get to play Mrs. Claus. Since the dress for the show is only a black top with blue jeans, I need to spruce up other aspects of my look. I decided to roll with the Claus/Christmas theme, and do a little something on my nails.

At this point, I am willing to admit that I am addicted to mix & match manicures. They're always my go-to, and it gives me a chance to try new things. Like the design on my thumb! I've never tried it, and I love it so much, I did it on all of my right fingernails. And I think my nails will channel Christmas, but not look wholly festive.

Here's to hoping we break a leg!

in indirect sunlight

I've been away a while...

And I am so sorry about that! It has been a crazy busy start to April, and it's not going to slow down until summer! That being said, I have a swatch and a simple mani to show you!

China Glaze Running in Circles

I love this color so much! I've read so many rave reviews about this one; it's said to be the "must-have" of the China Glaze Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away Collection, and I have to agree. I don't have anything like this, and I can't imagine there are any dupes! 

Also, for my BIRTHDAY, which was on the 12th, I did a quick surf 'n turf mani (it's supposed to look like the water and sand colliding)! I just sponged on gold glitter over blue nail polish, threw on a bit of Seche Vite, and I was good to go for my dinner and party. The theme was Under the Booty, so these nails were more than appropriate :)

China Glaze Splish Splash and Sinful Colors Nail Junkie with China Glaze I Herd That

Springtime Mix & Match!

Revlon Empower, Love & Beauty Sky Blue, Sally Hansen Lightening with Sally Hansen Disco Ball Sinful Colors Snow Me White

Here in Maine, we've been experiencing a streak of days with temperatures above 50º F, so it feels (kind of) like spring! To celebrate, I wanted to do something bright and fun on my fingernails! I didn't do anything new, but a nice mix & match always does the trick for me. My only rule was that I needed to use colors that I haven't tried before. I'm so in love with the Sky Blue; it's light and cutesy, but it is opaque in two coats, which is wonderful!

I really like the color combination, and the subtle coat of glitter. The effect'll be awesome once I get some sun on these bad boys!

A+ for Effort

Love & Beauty Lavender with Revlon Empower and Wet 'N Wild En Voyage

So. Today was a rough day in the nail department. I got real inspired by this tutorial, and decided to attempt my first water marble since 2010. It was so bad, I wish I could have taken pictures, but everything was covered in nail polish-watery goop. I couldn't get the polish to spread for the life of me! I may or may not be traumatized. I'll just have to practice, and try out some tricks to get it to work. 

So after that was all cleaned up, I got to practice my gradients, which I suck at. And lo and behold, they didn't come out horribly! Even though I was going for a smoother gradient (like my pinkie nail), I really like the harsher transitions. It's nice. But cleanup was/is a mess. I still can't get all of the polish off of my cuticles. I'm not even mad, though. After spending hours on my nails, I just decided not to sweat it, and let them be.

I Splurged in Sephora. Whoops.

Nails Inc., Haymarket and Sephora Conceited

It was my first time in Times Square, and we were waiting on the rest of our group by the subway station... which just happened to be by Sephora. I decided to treat myself. I fell in love with these two colors, and told myself not to look at the price. The colors are so springy (even though a big snowstorm is headed to Maine as I type). And I expected them to be good quality because of the price, but wow. The application was so smooth, no streaks or bubbles. I'm such a fan, I couldn't bear to put any nail art over this mani.

ASB Nails!

Nicole by OPI's A Phil's Paradise with Revlon Empower and Essie Devil's Advocate
For the first week of my spring break this year, I took a trip with 11 other Bowdoin students to New York City to participate in an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trip. We volunteered as teaching assistants in an elementary school in the Bronx, and did a week long service project in Harlem. I had such an amazing time, and I made so many new friends. It's hard to put into words just how blessed I feel to have gone to NYC.
I did the nails above on the first night, thinking I'd do something fun and simple (and quick) to reflect my optimism and excitement for the week. I had just bought Empower and Devil's Advocate the day before in a Rite Aid sale, and I really wanted to use them. So I just went for it with my dotting tool, and it ended up as leopard print. Not even mad, though. I got many compliments from my second graders and other kids at the school, so it worked out. :)  

China Glaze I Herd That with Sinful Colors Snow Me White

 I did these gold nails for my friend Tori on our last night in NYC, after a long day of volunteering and sightseeing. Since St. Patrick's Day was right around the corner, she wanted something eye-catching and sparkly. I forgot my green polish, but I Herd That seemed to do the trick. Add in a mix and match (my fave), and we were good to go!