Showing posts with label what's on my nails. Show all posts

Revlon by Marchesa 24k Brocade Review

In Bloglovin' news, I emailed them about the issue I mentioned in my last post, and was pleasantly surprised to receive a very prompt email from them, letting me know that they are having technical issues with followers, but are sorting it out, and are sorry for any inconvenience caused. Normally companies take FOREVER to respond, if they do at all, so it was nice to get a response in such a short amount of time! This is why I like Bloglovin'. So if you're having issues too, know they are working on it.

In nail news, today I have a design for you, though not of my own creation. During my most recent trip to Ulta I picked up a package of Revlon by Marchesa Nail Appliques in pattern 24k Brocade. I was so excited to find them, -Since I couldn't find them anywhere before then.-, and was even more excited to share them with you. Though my high expectations did falter a bit...


Even though it was a very hard decision, and I would have much rather walked out of Ulta with every single pattern, - Though my wallet wouldn't have appreciated it!- I chose 24k Brocade, a teal base with metallic gold damask detailing.



Like most nail applique sets, this one comes with 18 appliques of varying sizes. This set also comes with a weird little spatula thing that I didn't get the point of, and a terrible mini file.
After sizing my nails, I gently buffed them, then cleaned them with some rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt and oil. -Nail polish remover can leave residue.- After that I began the annoying process of applying the appliques.  I first applied them just past my cuticle, then tried to gently smooth them onto the rest of my nails. Then I used the tiny file to buff the remaining applique from my free-edges.
Based on the promises listed on the box, I was hoping for an easy application. Wrong... No matter how gently, or slowly, I applied them, I could not get the appliques to lay flat! They just continued to pucker and bend around the surface of my nails. They also would not stay where I put them! within minutes there was lifting and curling around my cuticles and free-edges.
The box states that these appliques have "UV cured technology that's made to last." I don't know what that means, but I do know that within the very first day of wearing them I already had a chip, and two other nails already had rips and tears!
But I have to admit I am still a sucker for the pattern, and at a distance my nails looked gorgeous.






Sorry, I got a bit picture happy.
I have short, curved nails, so maybe these are better suited for people with long, flat, square nails. Either way, I was disappointed with the application process. Though I was thrilled with the pattern and color. But sadly that cannot make up for the poor application and staying power.
On a more pleasant note, I will say that the pattern itself was very vibrant and pretty, and I did receive many compliments on it. And while the applique itself did chip and split, the pattern never faded.

I still have extra pieces left, so I may try to get my money's worth and use them in some fashion, maybe as an accent nail in a design or something.
I have not given up on nail appliques! I have heard of plenty that have received great reviews from other bloggers, Including the Sally Hansen line. So I may have to give them a try. Though I think I will have to take a pass on the rest of this collection. As a total perfectionist, not being able to get them to lay flat and smooth just makes me crazy, no matter how nice the pattern may be!

Thanks for reading! To check out other reviews I've done click here, and to check out designs I've done myself click here.
-xo Brittany

Have you tried this line of nail appliques? What did you think? Would you recommend the line from Sally Hansen? Let me know in the comments!

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Teal Glitter Gradient

Hello again! Today I have a design using two Milani polishes I picked up at my local drugstore for half off the regular price! I mean, how was I supposed to walk away from that deal!
I didn't plan to use them together, but once I brought both polishes home I was inspired to try to do my first ever glitter gradient!


For this look I used two coats of Milani Quick Teal as my base, then I applied a drop of Milani Pink Flare by my cuticles, cleaned the brush off, then pulled the polish down the length of my nail. I added a bit more of Pink Flare to my cuticles afterwards to touch up the glitter, and make it a little bolder. For my first ever glitter gradient, I think it came out pretty well. It took a couple tries to get the right amount of polish, but I think Pink Flare had the perfect density for it.
I finished the gradient off with a coat of my new Essie Super Duper Top Coat.
I don't remember where I learned how to do a glitter gradient. I think it was from the amazing blog Chalkboard Nails, but I'm not sure. I have a terrible memory!

Glitter gradient under lamp.




Glitter gradient in natural light.
Glitter gradient close up.
I know I went a bit picture happy, but I had a hard time getting the pink in the glitter polish to register in the pictures! It looks silver, but I swear, Milani Pink Flare is a dusty pink base with dense, fine, pink micro glitter, and round holo-glitter in just a rainbow of colors. You can see the true color in the bottle in the pictures, but on the nail, not so much. In person though, it looks fantastic and bright pink.

I plan on doing more glitter gradients in the future, including free-edge gradients. They are just so pretty and interesting to look at. I may have to give color gradients a go as well, though I think that is going to take some practice...

Thanks for reading! To check out previous designs I've done click here.
- xo Brittany


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Let it Snow...

I can't believe this is one of my last posts for 2013!

And what better way to end the year than with a nail design!
I missed making a Christmas themed design because of work, but I still wanted to celebrate my favorite season. And one of my favorite parts of this season is snow, so why not make some winter/snow themed nail art. I made a snowflake design last year, before I had this blog, so I already knew how to make them, so I just expanded on that design. -I'm thinking about making a tutorial on how to make the snowflakes, since I haven't made a tutorial in a long time. so hopefully I actually remember to do that! :p -


For this design I used Sally Hansen Gray by Gray as the base color for all my nails. For my striped nail I applied some striping tape, two coats of Sinful Colors Snow Me White, then quickly removed the tape. I used the same white polish and a fine nail art brush to free hand the snowflakes on my ring finger, then applied some accent dots using Milani Art of Silver and Snow Me White. I finished both nails with a coat of my Essie Matte About You top coat for some interest next to my super glittery index finger and pinkie nails.
For those I used my new gorgeous Sally Hansen Triple Shine Sparks Fly. I used three coats over a coat of my Sally Hansen Gray by Gray. I finished both nails with a coat of my Revlon Quick Dry top coat, which I am retiring soon! It chips like mad, so I replaced it with an essie top coat from Ulta. Hopefully it's an improvement. If you have any suggestions for a good top coat, please let me know in the comments! I have been on the hunt for a good one Forever, and keep getting disappointed.





In natural light.
I like this design, though I was mad that I smudged my snowflakes a bit when I got too impatient to apply my top coat. And then when I tried to fix it, I just smudged it more! So I basically had to step away from the nail art brush and live with it, painful as that was... I was also thrilled to get to use my new Sally Hansen Sparks Fly, which is a beautiful blue based glitter that was just perfect for this design. It's just so cool and wintry.

I will have a post up tomorrow, so this is technically not my last post of the year, but I just want to wish you a Happy New Year, and thank you all for reading my blog! I know I don't have thousands of readers, but the fact that anyone finds my ramblings interesting is awesome, so thank you! Hopefully my blog will grow even more in 2014, and I can meet some more awesome bloggers along the way.
Though 2014 hasn't even started and it's already big for I Heart Nail Art, because later this week -Jan 3rd.- I will be posting my first PR review! -Eek!- I'm very excited, and I hope you like it.

Ok, I'm done being a soppy mess, I swear. Thanks for reading! To check out my previous nail designs click here.
- xo Brittany 

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I Mustache You a Question...

Hello! Today I will be sharing my first nail design for December!
I've been doing a lot of Swatch & Reviews lately, which is fun, but I have missed doing designs. So when I had some free time last week I knew I had to do one. Especially because work is going to be crazy now that Christmas is right around the corner, and I don't know if I'll have time for designs in the coming weeks.

I mustache you a question... But I'm shaving it for later.
OK, no more mustache puns, I swear! But yes, while this isn't Movember, I couldn't resist creating some mustache nail art after I discovered these adorable stencils at a local store for only $1! I also bought some spider ones which I was going to use for Halloween, but didn't have time. I might create some nail art with them anyway, and just make it into something Gothic. I used to be goth during my awkward teen years, so maybe I could create some chic, spider, Gothic nail art... Maybe.

Anyway, for this mustache nail design, I decided to make facial hair a bit girly...HA! By using my dusty rose colored Milani A Rose My Lady as my base color. Then I used NYC Black Lace Creme for most of my mustaches. Of course I wanted a little sparkle, so I used my new obsession, Zoya Tomoko (Click here for swatches.) , to create a glitter 'stache on my ring fingers. I finished the design off with a coat of my Revlon Quick Dry top coat.
The awesome thing about the stencils is that they are self adhesive, so they won't slip on the nails, and they are also reusable! So I can have cute mustache nails anytime I want.




I really love this design, and actually got a few compliments on it.
It makes me think of my favorite fictional detective, Hercule Poirot. I just need a murder case, and some hot chocolate... Maybe just the hot chocolate will suffice.

Thanks for reading! I'd love to stay but I really Mustache...OK, now no more mustache puns...
To check out my previous nail designs click here.
- Happy Holidays, Brittany

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A Month in Mani's

A monthly round up of all my manicure looks: November 2013



It's that time again! I was a bit disappointed by how little I was able to paint my nails in November. It was kind of a hectic month, and I had so many ideas, and so little time. Hopefully this month I'll be able to accomplish more. 


My first design for November was my Wizard of Oz inspired skittle manicure. This was so much fun to make. I used quite a few polishes, but the main ones were Wet N Wild The Crown Jewel, Sally Hansen Lightening, Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Peach Fuzz, Milani Red Sparkle, and Sinful Colors Out of This World. The design was finished with a coat of Revlon Quick Dry top coat.


My first Swatch & Review for November was this gorgeous Zoya polish called Tomoko. I used four coats of Tomoko over a coat of white polish, then topped it off with a coat of Revlon Quick Dry top coat.


This look was made with three coats of O.P.I Alcatraz... Rocks and no top coat. Though if you follow my link below to the original post, I did apply my Revlon top coat for the last picture, to show how it effects the texture.


And lastly, I showed just how nerdy I am when I created this Harry Potter inspired skittle manicure using Sinful Colors Out of This World, Revlon Spanish Moss, NYC Sidewalkers, Pure Ice French Kiss, Sally Hansen Gilty Pleasure, Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby, NYC Black Lace Creme, NYC French White Tip, and Butter London Cheeky Chops. I finished the design off with a coat of Revlon Quick Dry top coat.

I have started posting my little interim manicures between my reviews and designs on my Instagram. I Don't really get to share them on my blog, so I figured I would add them to the Month in Mani's roster with a link back to my Instagram, if you would like to check it out.


I applied Hard Candy Sweet Tooth over Revlon Charming, then a coat of Essie Matte About You top coat.
(From my Instagram) 
Instagram

 

Thanks for reading! To check out last month's manicures click here
- xo Brittany 

What manicure was your favorite? What was your favorite manicure that you've done in November? Let me know in the comments!
My favorite manicure that I did in November would have to be the Harry Potter skittle design, that was really fun to make.

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You're a Wizard, Harry

Yes, I was inspired by the holy grail for book nerds like me, Harry Potter!
I have wanted to do a Harry Potter themed design for quite some time, so I figured I would finally give it a go. I have been an avid fan since I started reading the novels when I was a preteen, and I have re-read them multiple times. I've also seen all the movies - Though, I prefer the books.- , and I own all the corresponding video games. Told you I was a fan!
I just love the story, and the characters. My favorite character would have to be either Sirius Black, or Remus Lupin. Though, my favorite animal character has to be Hedwig. I was so mad when Hedwig died! Spoiler! :p



For my design I went with a skittle manicure, which is a different corresponding design on each nail.
(Click here to see my last skittle manicure.)
I decided to theme my design after the four houses of Hogwarts; Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff. And yes, I know I have five fingers and only four designs. So I honored my favorite feathered character, Hedwig.

For the houses, I looked up the Hogwarts crest and based my patterns accordingly, and obviously I used each houses signature colors.

For all of my nails, I used a base of white polish to help coverage.
To represent Slytherin on my thumbs, I used four coats -It's very thin.- of Sinful Colors Out of This World, then I applied some striping tape down the middle of my nail, painted two coats of Revlon Spanish Moss, then quickly removed the tape.
For Ravenclaw, I applied two coats of NYC Sidewalkers on my index fingers. Then I applied striping tape to create the wide band. After I applied two coats of Pure Ice French Kiss, I quickly removed the tape.
For the popular Gryffindor house, I applied three coats of Sally Hansen Gilty Pleasure on my middle finger nails, then marked off a square at the top of my nail using striping tape. I used a detailing nail art brush and painted in the square using Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby, and, again, quickly removed the tape. For the bottom square, I used the same brush and free-handed it.
I created Hedwig using NYC Black Lace Creme, and NYC French White Tip. I learned to create the owl a few years back from an awesome tutorial by Cutepolish. I think the tutorial is still on Youtube if you want to check it out. I would recommend it, and all of her videos. She makes the most amazing, adorable, designs.
Hufflepuff was the most time consuming design. To create it I applied a base of Butter London Cheeky Chops - It's almost gone!-, then applied striping tape diagonally across my nail, applied two coats of NYC Black Lace Creme, then removed the tape.
To finish off all the designs, I applied a coat of Relvon Quick Dry top coat.






Close up of Hedwig.
Close up of Slytherin House colors. Sorry about my nail, it had a bad break. :(
This design was so fun to make, and reminded me just how much I love the Harry Potter story. It may be time to break out the novels again...

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this design as much as I did. To check out my previous designs click here.
- xo Brittany

Who is your favorite character? Which house would you want the sorting hat to pick for you? Let me know in the comments! While Gryffindor is an obvious choice, I think I would pick Ravenclaw.

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The Wizard of Oz

I have another TV/Cinema inspired design today! I'm addicted now! I have even more planned, so I hope you like them.

For this design, I was inspired by the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. I actually never liked the movie when I was a kid, and hated when my mother would try to get me to watch it. But now that I'm older, wiser, and not a bratty teen, I truly love this movie. I've watched it quite a few times, and still have not tired of it. My favorite character would have to be the cowardly lion, the costume is just too cute. And yes, being the nerd that I am, I also own the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
I think another reason why I love The Wizard of Oz now is the Syfy miniseries Tin Man with Zooey Dechanel - I think that's how you spell her name. -. I LOVED that series, and currently own it on DVD. Obviously, since it is based on the classic movie, it inspired me to watch the original again.
And, side note, can I just say, the clothes the evil sister wears in Tin Man were Amazing! I wanted to be an evil queen just to wear them! Just, you know, minus being possessed by an ugly, creepy, witch... Spoilers!


I decided to do a Skittle manicure, - A different design on each nail.- so I could showcase different memorable parts from the movie.
I picked the places and characters that really resonated with me, and what I pictured instantly when I thought of The Wizard of Oz.


For my thumb, I used two coats of Sinful Colors Out of This World over a base coat of white polish to represent Tin Man. 
To represent the iconic ruby slippers, I painted a coat of Milani Rapid Cherry as my base, then two coats of Milani Red sparkle.
For my favorite character, The Cowardly Lion, I used a base coat of Sally Hansen Lightening, then four coats of Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Peach Fuzz to get the full furry effect. Like the Lion's fluffy mane.
Of course, when I think of The Wizard of Oz, I think of the yellow brick road. So I applied three coats of Sally Hansen Lightening for full opacity, than I used a fine detail nail art brush and painted on a brick pattern using NYC Black Lace Creme. 
And finally, to represent the beautiful Emerald City, I applied a coat of Avon Sea Breeze as my base, then four coats of Wet n Wild Emerald the Crown Jewel for a bold, glittery look.
I finished the whole manicure with a coat of Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat.




In Sunlight.
This design was super fun to do. I am really starting to like skittle manicures! Especially inspired ones, so don't be surprised if I get stuck on them for a bit... Like in the next few weeks...
I wish I applied a base coat of white underneath all the polishes to make them more vibrant, and to also save me from all the countless coats I had to apply. But I was being lazy, and it backfired.

Thanks for reading! To check out all my past designs click here.
- Brittany

Do you love The Wizard of Oz? Who is your favorite character? Am I the only one who loved the series Tin Man? Let me know in the comments!

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