Essence -Jacob's Protection (Breaking Dawn Collection)

Hi,

Happy New Year! Today I'll show you Jacob's Protection from Essence's Breaking Dawn Collection. (two coats in the picture)

I won this a while ago in a giveaway organised by Shannara from Nails and Stuff. She also sent me 

Alice had a vision, which is another beautiful shade and I'm eager to try it.

After having applied two coats of Jacob's Protection, I took my sponge and applied Avon 

-Arabian glow on the tips. Then, I stamped the stars from m14 Konad plate using Special White.

Finally, I applied the Konad -Special top coat. What do you think about my New Year's eve 

manicure? 

2012 Top Ten Favorite Manicures

It's time again for my year in review of my favorite manicures of this year.  I have to say, I have done a few I really like, but for myself, I think I've kind of slacked this year.  I haven't posted as much as I should have.  I feel like I have had to do more "quick fix" manicures and, honestly, it's hard to continue to be creative.  I am probably speaking out of the tiredness that comes with the end of the holiday season.  My new job has changed my time table and energy to devote to posting.  Don't get me wrong, nails are still a love of mine and I am dedicated to continue to use these ten fingers as my mini canvases to have fun on and share with others.  I am going to continue to do my best and that is all I can expect for myself.  So here is a look back on my favorite of the year.  They may not all be the most creative, difficult or inspirational, but they are the ones that make me smile.  As always, click on the link for more pictures and for the original post.

10. Mermaid: You know glitter is my go-to.  This one was the right combination of duochrome, shine and girly perfection.

9. Spangled Stars: It was fun to find the stripe design under the solid color.  

8. String Of Pearls: I liked that this manicure was just a quick inspiration that turned out to be a pretty design.

7. Satin Flowers: This was one of my best use of stamps.  I love the multi-colors in the stamp.  

6. And May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor: First, love Hunger Games.  This was so fun to find names, make some up and have my own reaping.

5. Hint of Lemon: I really slacked on the water marbling this year.  Love the highlighter pop!

4. Holiday Lights vs Winterscape: It's a tie.  I don't want to put two holiday manicures as separate numbers, so I'm putting them together.  Of my holiday manicures these were my fave.  

3. Halloween Night: I was obviously into scenes on my nails this year.  This was so fun and creepy for Halloween.

2. Dots The Best: Super simple, very pretty.  Loved the contrast in colors.

1. Tye Dye: Just a perfect summer manicure.  Bright, fun and totally me!

Bubbly

In honor on New Years Eve tomorrow, I am posting my manicure for the occasion.  It seems a bit subdued for me since the night always seems to need to be so epic, but I think it fits.  It's a representation of the toast I will be making to a great year and continue living a happy life once the ball drops at midnight!  Be safe!  Have a great night and spend some time with the ones you love.

I painted a base two coats of Zoya Richelle and added some glitter from Esther's Nail Center and La Splash Cosmetics in Pot O' Gold.  I painted a coat of China Glaze Swanky Silk on top and added a few more pieces of glitter.  I used two coats of Seche Vite to finish the look.

Best of 2012

Hi,

Here are my 2012 favourites. Do you have any others? Which one is your favourite?

January: Embroidery manicure

February: Green animal print

March: Butterfly nails

April: Jungle manicure

May: Watermelon manicure

June: m36 + m73 Konadicure

July: Seahorse manicure

August: Splatter nails

September: Purple polka dot manicure

October: Go pink Wednesday -Polka dots

November:  Houndstooth nail art 

December: Winter nail art

Presents nail art

Hi,

Today I'll show you my last Christmas themed manicure this year. As presents are being offered at this time,  I decided to wrap my nails, too. I started with two coats of Illamasqua -Kink and then, using a gold nail polish, I stamped the design from m65 Konad plate. After that, I took a thin brush and created two red lines on each nail. The nail polishes used were Illamasqua -Alarm and Astor -060 Iconic Red. Finally, I applied the Konad -Special Top Coat. What do you think?

 A halogen light lamp was waiting under my Christmas tree, so I finally made my first highlight box. I followed Chalkboard Nails' very easy tutorial and I managed to to this. Hopefully, the quality of my pictures will improve from now on. 

Retrospective: Christmas themed manicures

Hi,

First of all, I'd like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays near the dear

ones! Right now, I'm wearing my Santa's suit manicure and I'd like to know what you are

wearing for Christmas, too. If you still haven't decided upon a themed nail art, now it's not

too late! I created a collage of my holiday inspired manicures, here. The images will zoom
in if you position the mouse on them. 

You can find more details about each, here. 

I'd also like to show you my Christmas tree and some of my favourite ornaments. I initially 

decorated it dark purple and gold and then I decided to also add red ornaments. What do 

you think?

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve, Eve and I was working on my manicure like a good little elf. Hoping with last until Christmas.  Wishing all of you a safe holiday full of friends, family, good times and all you wish for.

Santa: Base Three base coats China Glaze Hey Sailor.  Use of China Glaze White On White, Liquid Leather and Orly Luxe.

Bricks and Stockings: Two base coats China Glaze Classic Camel.  Taped off and a two layers of China Glaze Foxy.  Use of colors China Glaze White On White, Classic Camel, Starboard, City Siren, Hey Sailor, Def Defying, Liquid Leather Ulta Envy, Orly Luxe & Au Champagne, OPI Golden Rules!, Zoya Trixie.  Use of Bundle Monster Plate BM11 with Konad Special Stamping Polish in Apple Green.

Chimney and Rudolph: Two base coats of China Glaze Up All Night.  Use of China Glaze Classic Camel, Foxy, Liquid Leather, Orly Au Champagne, OPI Golden Rules! Topped Rudolph's nose with a gemstone.

Seche Vite was my top coat.

Santa's suit nail art

Hi,

Today I'll show a new Christmas manicure I created: Santa's suit. I started with two coats

of Astor -060 Iconic Red and then, I applied a coat of Illamasqua -Scorch in the middle of 

each nail. Using dotting tools and thin brushes, I added the belt and buttons details. I finished

with a clear top coat. What do you think? What manicure are you going to wear for Christmas?

Here's another manicure I did for a friend of mine. Which one do you like the most?

Holiday Lights

I feel better writing this post.  I always have the best intentions to keep you updated, but then fall woefully behind in posting.  But now I got you six new manicures for the holiday season, and if I'm a really good girl, I'll get my Christmas manicure up and out to you as well (course I have to create it yet, but I have some ideas!)  I love the look of this manicure and was worth using most all of my oblong, colored gems.  The hand painting was a bit tedious, but I'm happy with the results.  I really tried hard to capture the fact that even if these lights don't actually plug in and light up, in the right light, they almost look like they do.

I painted three coats of Zoya Harley and then added the gems.  Once dried, I mixed Zoya Edyta and Yara for the strand.  I used Seche Vite as my top coat.

Winterscape

This manicure is shaping to be one of my favorites this round of holiday nails.  It was very simple, but so whimsical.  Even if snow can complicate our every day lives at times, I'm so glad to live in a place where I get to experience it.  Here's hoping it stays around for a white Christmas!

I painted two coats of China Glaze Liquid Leather.  At the base of the nail, I sponged Orly Au Champagne as my snow.  Atop, I added a layer of Orly Twilight for background sparkle.  I stamped using Bundle Monster plate BM214 BM205 with Konad Special Stamping Polish in White.  My final touch was using the dotting tool to make larger snowflakes with Orly Au Champagne.  One coat of Seche Vite used to shine the final product.

Icing and Sprinkles

Every year I get together with my college friends to bake cookies for the holidays.  I try to use that fun day as inspiration, and once I saw this sparkle polish from China Glaze Cirque Du Soleil, Worlds Away polish line, I had a cookie inspiration.  Layering the polish on underlying color, looked like icing and sprinkles: a perfect cookie topping.

I painted three coats of China Glaze Def Defying, Hanging In The Balance, Creative Fantasy as base colors.  I also painted three coats on my pointer and thumb with three coats of It's A Trap-Eze! and used two coats of the sparkle polish to top the solid colors listed above.  Seche Vite was the top coat.