Pretty Little Beauty Swap Reveal!

Back in July I stumbled across a beauty swap hosted by Southern Beauty Guide & Sleepy Single Girl. 

I was assigned to Aimee from Bows & Beau-Ties, and I love everything she got me!

How cute is that bag! I love little cosmetic bags, especially ones that are plastic-y because they wipe off lovely! She also sent me: Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Sedona Sands, e.l.f. Smudge Pot in Ain't that Sweet, and a Sally Hansen I <3 Nail Art Pen in Magenta.

Some close ups! (And I think a bit blurry. Pfft! That totally describes my entire day today!). But look how beautiful those colors are!

Here are a few swatches. The Burt's Bees Sedona Sands is on the left, in real life the color is way more pink/neutral and not so orange-y (but no matter the color editing, it wouldn't show correctly). It is also so very hydrating! I love that it is a light coverage, I'm learning that my lips like a more lighter coverage lip product (much to my own dismay!). The e.l.f. Smudge Pot in Ain't that Sweet is beautiful! It's a very light shimmer/pearl pink-ish color. I know that this is a shadow, but I can totally see me using it as a highlighter as well. :) Multi-tasking products are always fantabulous!

I really loved this swap and everything Aimee sent me! Thank you Aimee! Check out the box that I sent over at Bows & Beau-Ties.

The Digit-al Dozen Does Neon: Labels Make Handling Chemicals Safe

Final day for The Digit-al Dozen Does Neon and I finish with a little safety precaution for neon (while not actually using any neon colors!)

source

Next time you need to transport or handle neon just look for this label. :)

I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls for thumb and little finger. I used Sally Hansen Blue Me Away, Zoya Sooki, and OPI Candlelight (not sure as it's a mini with no name). For all the writing I used acrylic paints.

I hoped you enjoyed my neon week because I had a lot of fun going against what everyone else had planned. :)

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their final neon manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Floral Week: Polka Dot, Polka Dot, Polka Dot Flowers!

 

Another month = another Digit-al Dozen week! This week's theme is floral! A lot of us were talking about really pushing ourselves to not do just the normal standard floral manis. And I can tell you that I was so tempted to stamp this week, but I resisted! All my manis this week are freehand! (maybe not perfect, but I'm happy!)

Today I have some drag marble flowers! I used So Nailicious' Rainbow Drops Drag Marble Nail Art Tutorial to create my flowers. I haven't done that much drag marbling/needle marbling, but I had a lot of fun and love how they turned out! So happy and cheery!

I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls as my base. The other colors I used: China Glaze Def Defying, BarryM Plum, BarryM Grapefruit, BarryM Guava, Sinful Colors Pragmatic, and Sally Hansen Man-go Team. Sealed with HK Girl Top Coat this mani lasted a whole week on my nails!

I was going to leave them all with just the flowers but thought they needed something else so polka dot polka dot polka dot flowers was born!

Muwahahahahaha! It's all in your heads now! You're welcome! :)

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their florals!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Summer: Raindrops

Day five of The Digit-al Dozen Does Summer and today I have the rain that comes (hopefully) after a Haboob.

I used OPI Here Today.....Aragon Tomorrow Suede as my base (two coats). I then used Sally Hansen Emerald City to create veins on my leaf. I then put on a thin coat of Wet n Wild Matte Top Coat (the veins almost disappeared). I then used a dotting tool and Poshe to create the raindrops.

Not exactly how I pictured it turning out, but it'll do. :)

Phew! I made through Summer! Now if only the Arizona summer would end, I'm hating 110F plus days! Grrrr!

Don't forget to check out what the other ladies did for their final day of summer!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures Week - Canada: True North Strong and Free

Day 4 of The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures Week takes you northward to Canada! Being of dual citizenship (USA and Canada) I had to post about Canada! I moved to Southern Alberta when I was nine years old, I graduated high school there, and I have a ton of cousins there,(I really mean a ton, my dad is 1 of 12 kids!).

For my mani I chose to use Nail Nation 3000 Carpe Diem as my base. It's a slight holo white. I stamped using Konad White and Vivid Lacquer VL006. I then stamped a few maple leafs (duh, it's Canada!) using Sally Hansen Mochachino and Winstonia W119. I sealed the mani with HK Girl Top Coat.

I really liked this mani, it's simplicity is very beautiful to me; just like Canada! 

Don't forget to check out where the other ladies take you today!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures Week - Italian Renaissance

Day two of The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures Week! And today I have for you one of my favorite periods in art history, the Italian Renaissance. This was the period of time in from the 14th century to the 16th century when there was a rebirth of the arts and cultures of classical antiquity. The art during this time grew by leaps and bounds beginning with Gothic flat figures to full on linear perspective and figures that were real, that were made of substance.

I began my Renaissance mani using Barry M Lychee. I then did the saran wrap method using Barielle A Little Exotic and Barielle My Tan Blazer. I stamped using Konad Black and MoYou Tourist 04. My first two fingers represent Michelangelo's Creation of Adam found in the Sistine Chapel and painted in 1511-1512. On my ring finger you have Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man drawn around 1490. The Vitruvian Man is based on the ideal human proportions proposed by the Roman architect Vitruvius. And finally on my pinkie we a sad attempt of a shield, this is the Medici Coat of Arms (or was suppose to be!). I stamped using Sally Hansen Gone Grey and Vivid Lacquer VL 020, then I realized the shield is suppose to be gold! I colored it in using Barry M Foil Effects Gold. I added the red dots using Barielle A Little Exotic. The Medici family were the family during the Italian Renaissance; bankers and patrons of the arts, commissioning many great and wonderful paintings!

I used Essie Matte About because I think it looks more worn and aged that way. Sorry for the bit of an art history lesson. You ever want me to not shut up, let's talk about the Italian Renaissance. My dream job would be a museum curator specializing in the Italian Renaissance. :)

Don't forget to check out where the other ladies are taking you today!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Decades Week: Tinkerbell Cosmetics

Today for Decades Week I bring to you a blast from the past: Tinkerbell Cosmetics.

Source

Now, I'm not sure the exact year of these bottles, but this is what I think of when I remember Tinkerbell Cosmetics. I believe my sister had some and later, in the 80's I did too. But I seem to remember this older set. I tried to track down the exact date and couldn't, so I have put it in the 1970's.

I used BarryM Grapefruit as the base on my first two fingers and as the number and stamping color on the other two fingers. I used Sally Hansen Lickety-Split Lime for stamping on first two fingers and as the base for the other two. I used MoYou Pro04 plate to stamp. I then added a layer of China Glaze Fairy Dust in homage to the body powder with glitter that I had from Tinkerbell Cosmetics!

Do any of you remember Tinkerbell Cosmetics?

Don't forget to check out the ladies and see what decade they visit today!

An InLinkz Link-up

Malibu/Disco Barbie: GOT Polish Challenge and The Nail Challenge Collaborative

Welcome to another two challenge day! This time is GOT (Golden Oldie Thursday) Polish Challenge: Tropical and The Nail Challenge Collaborative: Movies/Music/TV Day 3.

I chose to use Finger Paints Flip Flop Fuchsia (my GOT Polish) as my base for a bright tropical color. I added a flower using: Art Club White, Sally Hansen Brisk Blue, Sally Hansen Mint Sprint, Sally Hansen Lickety-Split Lime, and Sally Hansen Speedy Sunburst. I added little dots using my Essence French Manicure & Pedicure Pen.

I tied this in with Never Been Kissed where there is a Disco Barbie (dots!) and a Malibu Barbie (flower!). 

source

 

Don't forget to check out what the others did for their something tropical!

An InLinkz Link-up

 Don't forget to check out what the others did for their day 3 of Music/Movies/TV!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Prestige: The Neverending Pile Challenge and The Nail Challenge Collaborative

Ok, I have about an hour (my time) until April 21 is done. So I think I can put together this post in enough time! I've been so busy lately what with my new job at Ulta going from a Beauty Adviser to Prestige Manager! It's so fun to be over all the higher end make-up and take classes about them! But it means I work more (it's still only part time) and I've had less time to put up my posts!

Today I am combining two challenges! First is The Neverending Pile Challenge: Drugstore (polishes you can find at your local drugstore) and The Nail Challenge Collaborative: Music/Movies/TV. I just joined The Nail Challenge Collaborative and am super excited! A theme is picked each month and we have to post 4 manis through out the month of that theme.

So today I give you a mani using two drugstore polishes that have never been used (this is for the Neverending Pile Challenge): one coat of Revlon Iconic and two-ish coats of Sally Hansen Frazzle Dazzle. And the movie I chose to go along with this is quite fitting for me: The Prestige. (see what I did there? If not, read the first paragraph again! Hahaha!). 

Revlon Iconic is a really nice grey that has a smoky mystery quality to it (perfect for magic like in The Prestige). And Sally Hansen Frazzle Dazzle is the copper that the Tesla items are made of! Using I pair grey and silver together, but I really do like the way these look! What I don't like is the bar glitter that is in Frazzle Dazzle. Pfft. Didn't know about that when I bought it. 

 

Don't forget to check out the other drugstore polishes!

An InLinkz Link-up

 And don't forget to see what Music/Movies/TV the other chose!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Texture Week: Dandelions!

Welcome to another Digit-al Dozen Week! We have some few new faces in the group now! Welcome new ladies! This week the theme is texture. Ugh! This has got to be the hardest theme for me yet! So I thought I would start out with my best of the week!

Dandelions!

I started out with two coats of OPI Planks A Lot. I then stamped used Konad White and Konad Black with MoYou Pro 04. I sealed the stamp with a layer of HK Girl Top Coat. After that dried, I dipped a toothpick in Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base & Top Coat and sprinkled some flocking powder over it!

I really love how it turned out! It's so cute and delicate!

Don't forget to check out what the other ladies did today for the theme!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Brands Week - Victoria's Secret

Ok, so I saved the best for last! I asked my niece what other brands should I do. Well, she works at Victoria's Secret, so she suggested that and I had to include the PINK line. I thought and thought about how to pull it off. I check the internet for different ideas and found a few to get me started: this one really helped out, I don't know who it is by so I can't give credit. If you know, please let me know!

For the PINK nail I used two coats Milani White on the Spot. I used a pink Sharpie for the words and Wet 'N Wild Black Creme to create the "dog". Yep, I call that thing very loosely a dog because it's more like a blob with legs? Hahahaha!

For the blingy nail I used three coats of China Glaze Glistening Snow and two coats of China Glaze Techno. I love how it turned out! So blingy and perfect for Victoria's Secret! I then used an Essence Nail Art Tattoo pen that I found at Ulta to create the V and S. Let me tell you, that pen is awesome! So much more precise than a Sharpie! Need to get me some more to have on hand!

For my over-the-top ring finger I used two coats of Color Club He Loves Me. Since I don't have much practice with rhinestones I had to ask around how to get that many rhinestones onto to my nail and have them stay. I used a regular top coat (Sally Hansen) that took longer to dry and placed the stones on individually to recreate the stripes that you find on their bags! So I'm not really into 3D items on my nails, but I love this!

On my pinkie I used two coats of Sinful Colors VIP and dotted it with Color Club He Loves Me. All topped off with HK Girl Top Coat. You guys, I really didn't want to take this off! This is the first mani in a really long time that I really really loved! I didn't want to take it off!

Had to show you a macro of the too blingy nails! How cool are they! Bah! I love them!

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their brands!

An InLinkz Link-up

Nail-Art-A-Go-Go Challenge Day 3: Warm vs Cool

For the warm vs cool prompt for the challenge I decided to do a gradient. I really love how this turned out.

The colors I used are: Zoya Sooki, Sally Hansen Crushed, Finger Paints Art Nouv-Yellow, China Glaze Def Defying, China Glaze Electric Beat, and China Glaze Gothic Lolita.

I then stamped over it with KleanColor Metallic Jungle and Metallic Pink using MoYou Sailor 03. I topped it off with NYC in a New York Minute Top Coat. But I wanted to see what it looked like matte.

And this was the final version after two coats of NYC Matte Me Crazy and one coat of Orly Matte Top. Didn't go as matte as I wanted but I still like the softening of the gradient, especially on my ring finger.

Don't forget to check out what the other ladies have done!

The Lacquer Legion: Reinvention! (I did two different ideas!)

So today's prompt comes from The Lacquer Legion. And it is Reinvention, a reinvention of a mani. I had a few thoughts on this and decided to actually do both of my ideas in one post. First up is my favorite. I like to think outside the box. Way out side the box.

Nail manis. Get it? On regular nails!

The first is a tape mani using Essence Bella and Zoya Stevie.

I used Leighton Denny as the base for my stamping of Sherlock with Konad Black and MoYou plate Tourist 01.

Next up is a classic french tip, using Essence Cafe Ole, Milani White on the Spot, Sinful Colors Fashionista glitter and a black heart accent.

Next up are roses on Essence Romeo base. The roses are OPI Dutch 'Ya Just Love OPI and Essence Oh My Glitter!, The leaves are China Glaze Starboard.

And finally we have a Heisenberg mani with Sally Hansen Lickety-Split Lime as a base with hat and glasses sticker decals from Fingrs. I use Finger Paints Black Expressionism for his mustache.

To prove that they are on nails! This was actually really quite fun! I topped them all off with HK Girl Top Coat.

My other idea was a Nail Mani.

Yep, those are nails on my fingers! I used Milani White on the Spot as my base and China Glaze Fairy Dust for added sparkle.

Needed to show it with a hammer right?

I hoped you liked my out of the box reinvention of a nail mani!