American flag nails

I also did a 4th of July mani! I actually planned to do fireworks nails for Independence Day (post to come!) instead of flag nails, but I recently bought a really pretty blue color and the mani was inspired from that. It was a really quick, easy mani that I didn't spend too much time on. After all, I do live in Germany, and most people in Germany don't celebrate America's Independence Day... LOL.

So, like I said, I started with this gorgeous cerulean blue color. It's part of Essence's "Ready for Boarding" airline collection, and it's called "via airmail."

Pretty, isnt it?
I then layered two fingers on each hand with a red from Eva Supreme color. I did quick white brush strokes with a French Mani white from Rival de Loop. I was about to draw some stars when I remembered some 3d star glitter I have.
I started with just a few stars on each blue nail, and thought it looked too plain, haha. So I clumped them on heavy trying to achieve a clumpy type of look. It kind of worked. LOL.

 I applied the glitter with a clear NYC top coat.

Finished with a couple coats of Seche Vite to lock in the glitter.

This mani took me all of 15 minutes and looked really cute!

Blue: Essence's Ready for Boarding: "Via Airmail"
Red: Eva Supreme lacquer "Flame"
White: Rival de Loop French Manicure White
Top coat: Seche Vite

Happy 4th of July!

Essence Snow White mani

The movie Snow White and the Huntsman inspired Essence's newest collection- the Snow White collection.
The collection itself consists of seven polish colors— one for each of the seven dwarfs— and three "special effect toppers." I was immediately drawn to the display in the store, but I wasn't thrilled with the seven colors. I did, however, really like two of the three toppers.

I started with TWO layers of a base coat, in this case, I used Seche Base. I recommend two layers of base coat any time you want to apply serious glitter or sparkle to your nail, simply because it protects your nail bed.

Then I used The Color Workshop Nala nail color in Bronze as a base color. I needed two coats of this color to get the pretty mocha-ish color I was looking for.

One coat:

 Two coats:

Then I used Essence Special Effect Topper: The Evil Witch to paint 8 of my nails. It took two to three coats of the color on each nail to get the desired effect of the glitter.
I loved how the glitter pieces were large and rounded- you don't often see a glitter polish like that.

Then I painted one nail on each hand with Essence Special Effect Topper: The Huntsman.
What I love about this polish? The glitter flecks were all different shapes and sizes. Plus, it had real glitter in it. It shined and sparkled and looked fabulous.
Look closer...

For both the purple and gold glitter polish, the clear polish was wonderful. It was not goopy or sticky or anything - it glided on nicely and held the glitter in well.

I wore this mani - coincidentally actually- to go see the Snow White movie with some friends. It was good! :)

Base coat: Seche Base
Base color: The Color Workshop Nala nail color in Bronze
Purple glitter: Essence Snow White Collection Special Effect Topper: The Evil Witch
Gold glitter: Essence Snow White Collection Special Effect Topper: The Huntsman
Top coat: Seche Vite

Fifty Shades of Grey inspired nails

I am SO excited to share this manicure with you!

Chances are, unless you live under a rock, you've at least heard of Fifty Shades of Grey, if you haven't already read it, that is. I read the first book and I'm currently on the second book, Fifty Shades Darker.

Like so many other things Christian Grey inspires (um, yum!), he also inspired my latest mani!

I only have one grey color in my polish collection, so after a base coat of the grey, I mixed some grey with black and made a darker grey. [A darker Grey... is that possible? ;)]

Thinking it needed a little more seductiveness to accurately portray Fifty Shades, I added a line of glitter between to the two shades.

I also wanted to represent a little bit of Christian personally by incorporating a bit of his Red Room...er, playroom. On my left thumb, I used a deep red instead of a darker shade of grey. On top of the basic design, I painted a dark grey necktie.

I'm usually not a huge fan of NYC colors, but I just thought this color red was the most appropriate for the design. Deep, ruby-red. I sealed it with a top coat to prevent chipping, which often happens with NYC colors.

I have to admit, I'm a bit in love with this mani. It's sultry, sexy, chic.

 

Grey: New York Color's Sidewalkers

Dark grey: mix of New York Color's Sidewalkers and Sinful Color's Black on Black
Silver: Milani Nail Art's Art of Silver

Red: New York Color's i211A
Top Coat: Revlon Base+Top Coat 965

What would you do for a Fifty Shades of Grey inspired manicure?

<3, Cassie

Peachy Shine

I absolutely LOVE this simple, chic, summery manicure!

I bought two new polish colors yesterday.
One is a really pretty, summery peachy-orange color.

I wanted to do something simple with the color- I originally planned to do silver tips. But after I put a couple coats of the peach on my fingertips, I changed my mind and decided to try something new- just a simple swipe of glitter. And I love this- I'll definitely do it again with other colors.

 

Surprisingly, this color was actually matted. And while it was very pretty, I'm partial to that just-painted wet look. So I used my favorite shiny clear polish and made it super shiny. The clear I used is off-brand, I think it came with make-up or something I bought. It's an awful top coat- it does nothing to protect. However, it gives a better shine than most top coats.

I think this would work for business or work, a casual summer bbq or even a night out with the girls. It's so chic and simple! The glitter is eye-catching but not too obtrusive, like tips can be.

Peach: Essence rebels' Peach Punk
Sparkle: Milani Nail Art's Art of Silver
Shine: Quick Dry Top Coat

<3, Cassie