Nudes and Glitters

One of my legit favourite combos ever is a glitter gradient over a nude and today I have two for you! First up is Happy Hands Flowers on the Highway. I really love this glitter, it's so much fun and it's very flat (most glitters are so sparkly! Which is fun but sometimes that's not what you want) and kinda has a 60s vibe to it.

And then we have Elevation Polish Ama Dablam. This glitter, I can't even with it. It's seriously the most elegant glitter I own. I wore this for a week I just couldn't bare to take it off. Sadly there's only one more chance to own this polish, on August 16th preorders will go up and you so want to get your email in quick since I'm sure they'll go fast. Seriously, this is a polish everyone needs to own, it's mind blowing.

And here's the nude I used for both of those, Nails Inc Gatwick. This is seriously the most brushstrokey matte I've used but the colour is lovely if not quite mannequin hands (someday!) and the wear is great.

Essie Action + Essie Camera Gradient + Alta Costura Vernis Brightside

Eeek so it's my birthday tomorrow and it looks like this is going to be my birthday mani since I'm far too lazy to change it out and I actually really like it. Ok the right hand is still Essie Camera (with a little something extra) but the left has totally changed. It's a shame I don't have any real birthday plans but eh, it's not like 25 is an important one or anything. Pretty sure those stop after 21 until you hit like 50 or something. Going into the city today for dinner with sister and cousin which should be fun. I'm hoping we hit up Revolution since their beer is fabulous but I haven't been to the brewpub yet. Went to the Two Brothers Hop Juice Fest yesterday with some friends which was also fabulous so I guess it's not a total waste of a birthday weekend... ANYWAY, mani! Right hand; still Essie Camera on the base, added Alta Costura Vernis Brightside accents (is it still an accent when it's 3/5 fingers? Oh well)

Then on the left hand I took off that fail gradient and put on Essie Action which I'm in love with. It's weird, I think VNL is growing on me, maybe it's 'cause my nails are longer?

This is probably the most colour accurate pic I have, some of the next ones will show it as all glowy and awesome and it can look like that in the bright sun but this is definitely how it looks most of the time. Anyway, decided to try out the sponge gradient again and it turned out much better this time! It's really subtle since Camera is a jelly but I love the effect, it looks like a sunset on my nails!

And then of course I had to add Brightside because it's sooooo pretty!

And now I'm just going to bombard you with some pics of both hands together because, well, I really like how they look with each other. I really need to get a tripod so I can take these pics easier. This was a nightmare trying to get the camera to focus on both hands.

Essie Camera + a-England Dragon Fail Gradient

So...I think I'm going to have to give in and buy myself another melmer. Or maybe a helmer. My attempts at purging are just failing miserable and my buying just keeps going up and up...I so need a ban again. I'm allowed 3 purchases in June; Elevation Polish on June 7th, Cult Nails Fairy Tale Collection sometime before June 15th (and I know I could just get it now but somehow waiting makes me feel like I have more restraint?) and a-England Jubilove Set sometime before June 10th. And yes, same deal, could get it now but the thing is if I try and go totally no buy in June I will fail miserably. At least these are planned buys! Unlike today's Pretty and Polished haul or yesterday's Sephora order or the Harlow & Co order over the weekend...you can see why I need a ban right? But it's my birthday on Monday! I needed those treats right? ...Riiiiiiiiiight. ANYWAY, let's talk about what's on the nails now. Ohmigosh I'm in love. Picked up Essie Camera from the Poppy-Razzi collection the other day at Meijer (umm and maybe Action and Bazooka too...I'm trying not to cave and get Lights too to have a complete collection. Hard to say if I'll win there.) on a whim since pinks are so not my thing but it was sitting there looking so bright and pretty and I'd already decided on the other two so Camera just kinda...hopped into the basket. Oops! Still, I was in the mood for something super bright and pink yesterday so on it went and now I'm so glad I grabbed it because the formula on this is amazing and it's so pretty!

See see! (and sorry for the messy pics. Took them this morning before work and applied late last night right before bed so didn't really clean up. It's much worse in the upcoming pics tragically.) Two coats and totally self leveling and I just want to wear it forever! Except then I managed to hit my not quite dry thumb on the night stand and tried to patch it up instead of taking off and reapplying but it looked all bumpy and weird so I decided it was the perfect time to try out that sponge gradient mani everyone has been doing. It turned out...not great. Well actually the first two nails I did were fine but then it was late and I got impatient so I just rushed the last 3 and it very much shows.

Plus the contrast is a bit much so I don't think the colour combo worked as well as it did in my head. Still, glad I tried it since I think I can do it better next time and I really adore the look.

NerdLacquer Holy Grail over Zoya Kristin

When Amanda reopened her shop for a whole 18 hoursish a few weeks ago I swore I was going to be strong and not order anything since I've still got about 20 minis to swatch but...then Holy Grail and Carbon Allotrope were posted and I think I probably blacked out or something because next thing I know I'm staring at a confirmation e-mail. Still, these are gorgeous and unique and I don't regret it at all.

They came in on Friday looks gorgeous but I just wasn't in the mood for full on glitter so I studied my stash, pulled out Kristin, and decided to try for a glitter gradient. Because of how much you have to wipe down the brush to get that application right I had a hard time grabbing a lot of the large glitter pieces but I still really like the way it turned out. In some lights it all looks like one colour with just some sparkle up by the tips. When I was getting my tattoo coloured yesterday I did a bad and peeled the np off my pinky so I just did a couple layers without the undies as you can see above.




I just love the way these two play together! I'm sad I didn't get any pics showing the holo or the glow in the darkness but I suppose that just means I'll have to wear her again!