Black & White Glitters Rule

Love & Beauty Sky Blue and Maybelline Color Show Blue Marks the Spot

Blue Marks the Spot is in the same Polka Dots collection as Clearly Spotted, only the base is a very sheer blue jelly. I tried using BMtS on its own, but it likely would have taken me 6 or 7 coats to build up the base. So I used a creamy sky blue as "underwear." I love the effect: some areas are darker blue, because of the dabbing motion I used when painting BMtS.

I really like the different sized glitters in this collection, and I they all seem to come out of the bottle fairly easily. I do dab them on, but it's only because I don't have the patience to build many thin layers.

Quick Leopard Mani

China Glaze Desert Sun, NYC Skin Tight Denim Creme, Destined Pale Yellow

This is a color combination that is a bit different from what I usually go for. I love the way these three shades complement one another, though. Also, I hope I'm not losing my touch for leopard print. These nails are struggling a bit in that area, but I just need to practice (as if I needed another excuse to paint my nails)!

Experimental Sponging

Here are some pictures of nails I did one night when I couldn't sleep. They are very messy, and I don't think that the pictures do them any justice. I also topped them with a coat of Sally Hansen Disco Ball, which made everything "pop."

Full list of polishes used:

Sally Hansen Lightening (yellow base)

Love & Beauty Sky Blue

NYC Times Square Tangerine Creme (orange)

Revlon Empower (dark-ish hot pink)

Feature Presentation: Clearly Spotted

Nicole by OPI Candid Cameron and Maybelline Color Show Clearly Spotted

 I have been dying to try any of the Maybelline Color Show polishes, so when I saw them on sale at Walmart for only $2 the other day, I couldn't resist picking one up. Clearly Spotted immediately caught my eye; it reminded me of Lynnderella's Connect the Dots, which has eluded me for almost a year. The glitter is comprised of black and white hex and round glitters of different sizes, all suspended in a clear base.

I decided to layer it over Candid Cameron, which already has a bit of shimmer in it, and the end result is kind of blowing my mind. My camera cannot do it justice, but trust me on this: when my nails catch the light, it's damn near blinds me.

I'm really looking forward to combining this polish with others for different designs. What a great/cheap addition to my collection!

Split Splat!

China Glaze Icicle,  Color Club Bright Pink, Sally Hansen Lightening, and Love & Beauty Lavender

I finally tried out splatter nails! I didn't have a straw or coffee stirrer on hand, so I used the end of a clicky pen, and that worked just fine. Cleanup was hellish, but I honestly think it was worth it. I'm such a fan of the technique.

The Brightest Ever?

Wet 'N Wild Candy-licious and Sinful Colors Pinky Glitter, with Kiss Striper in Soft Blue and Kiss Striper in [some unnamed light green]

It has definitely been a busy and crazy summer, so I wanted my nails to reflect that. I love this color combination!

I did these in about 25 minutes, right before I left to lead a study session. I liked the rush of not thinking about a design beforehand, and just painting whatever.

At the same time, though, I feel like I'm stagnating, depending on a few colors and designs. I really want to push myself, so expect something completely different for my next post (whenever that may be!)

P.S. Follow me on Instagram @donithax

Neon-Metallic Fusion

China Glaze Sun Worshipper and Flip Flop Fantasy, Sally Hansen Gunmetal

Hi everyone! I had my day off yesterday, so I obviously took the time to paint my nails (and catch up on So You Think You Can Dance). I really had no plan with these, I just really liked these three colors together. I needed something bright to combat the overcast skies in Maine. They almost glow; it's wonderful.

Hope you like them! :)

New Job, New Manicure, New Me

L.A. Colors Circuits, Sally Hansen Blue Me Away! and Disco Ball, Sinful Colors Snow Me White

Tomorrow, I begin my summer job, working as a TA (Teaching Assistant) for Upward Bound! We just finished a week of training, and the students arrive tomorrow! I'm so excited to learn, grow, and challenge myself in a new way! That being said, I feel like this summer is going to be a busy one, so I needed my nails to match! I am exhausted, so I fell on a go-to: a mix and match!

I fell in love with the glitter (Disco Ball, which I inexplicably overlook all the time) over a solid black polish, and just went for it with the designs. Nothing earth-shattering here, but I'm so thrilled with the combo of polishes, along with the matte finish. I would use it more often, but it takes forever to dry, and it always smears (#struggles)!

That's it from me! I'll try my best to keep up with weekly posts, but with the way my schedule is looking, painting my nails may have to be put on the back burner :(