Zoya Ziv and BM-322

Zoya Ziv and BM-322

I thought Ziv from Zoya was going to be a boring plain gold but it's got little flecks of darker burnished gold glitter. It reminds me of a golden Jessica Champagne Bubbles. I only needed two coats for coverage so no complaints on formula. It did take awhile to dry even with topcoat but Zoya tends to be fussy with drying for me. 

Ziv is from the Zoya Ornate Holiday Winter collection and is now available for purchase online. 

I decided to stamp over it using Bundle Monster plate BM-322 and Konad blue stamping polish. My stamping skills are rusty! 

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review by Zoya. 

A Topcoat (That Works!) For Nail Foils

A Topcoat (That Works!) For Nail Foils

I love nail foils. They're fun and easy and can be really eye catching. The only problem is that they are delicate and not many topcoats work with them. Actually, it's rare to find a topcoat that works with them so I wear them without one and get maybe a few hours wear before my manicure is destroyed. I found a solution that has been working for me - water based glossy clear varnish. 

This one to be exact. You can find this brand online here or on Amazon here but there are a few other brands that make a water based varnish. I went with this brand because it is non-toxic and US made. Please, please, please make sure that it is water based and that it is glossy. No need for matte here. I bought mine at a craft shop for about $7 and the bottle is huge. It's easily removed with acetone and if you get any on your skin it will wash off with soap and water. 

I filled an empty polish bottle about 70% full and added water to thin it a bit more. It's already thin but I wanted it a little bit thinner. Here is a bottle shot. I would say a 4 to 1 ratio of varnish and water is what I used. Use water to thin and only water. 

Here is Silver Crush over a silver foil polish. The little rough spots that you see are spots that I missed when smoothing the foil. I always miss spots so I make sure to match my base with the foil so it's not obvious in reality. I applied one thin coat of varnish and let it dry. It dries to the touch in about 10 minutes and it is completely dry (for me) in 20 minutes. When it is completely dry you can apply regular topcoat. It needs to be completely dry before applying normal topcoat. I have worn foils without adding topcoat over the varnish and have gotten great wear so I think the regular topcoat is optional. 

These photos were taken after wearing this for a day and a half. 

Here is what it looks like when I use topcoat without the varnish. Yuck! 

Here is a close up of the same foil with a coat of varnish over it. Shiny and really smooth! 

If you use acrylic paints for nail art this may be something to check out to preserve your creations without smearing. This also works for really adhering stones on the nail and keeping them from catching on things. The best one? It works extremely well at smoothing glitters that eat topcoat! Woo! It's really, really handy to have around! 

I hope you found this helpful! 

Misa Epiphany Stamped with BM-315

Misa Epiphany Stamped with BM-315

I removed any content about my Mom because she wasn't happy about being on the internet. She was pretty pissed actually. Why are Moms so good at the guilt and shame thing? Ouch. So lets pretend I never posted anything about her. Thank you!

I kept looking at Epiphany as I was wearing it because it reminded me of something. It was driving me crazy because I couldn't figure out why it felt familiar to me. I hate when that happens! You know that white and gold fabric that you see around the holidays that is usually used to decorate tables? I usually see that combination with table runners or placemats. This is what this gold reminds me of but in a more muted shade. I decided to stamp it using Bundle Monster plate BM-315 and white polish to kind of mimic that look. I like it - it's sweet looking. 

Elianto Purple Taupe with Red Angel RA-105

Elianto Purple Taupe with Red Angel RA-105

Have you entered the giveaway?

Elianto Purple Taupe is neither purple or taupe. It's a sparkly pink. I have no idea how it got its name. It's pretty but I'm not a fan of this manicure. Something keeps me from liking it. I used China Glaze Emotion to stamp the pattern from Red Angel plate RA-105. 

It's okay to go outside your comfort zone every once in awhile. That's what nail polish remover is for - ha! 

Green Holo with Red Angel RA107

Green Holo with Red Angel RA107

Don't forget about the giveaway!

These look like dinosaur eggs. I showed my Dad and he said they look like mold covered quail eggs. I do love my Dad and they way he views things. The base is China Glaze Laser Lime stamped with A-England Saint George using Red Angel plate RA-107. It's more holo in person and very vibrant. 

Can I just say that it's really, really hot here?! I kiss my air conditioner every day. 

Addendum: Jessica Cosmetcs Spring 2012 Awakening Collection

Addendum: Jessica Cosmetcs Spring 2012 Awakening Collection

I played a bit more with the polishes from the Jessica Awakening collection and wanted to show how I actually wore them. They all work really well for stamping and nail art. 

Flutter stamped with Sunrise using Red Angel plate RA-108. Let's ignore the smeared pinkie finger. Thank you. 

I bought a set of dotting tools. Finally! I'm going to put dots on everything! Here is Monarch as a base and Flutter and Soar dots. 

Here is Soar stamped with Bundle Monster plate BM-202 using a lilac metallic polish and purple glitter  for the dots. 

Finger Paints Circus Peanuts with Red Angel RA-114

Finger Paints Circus Peanuts with Red Angel RA-114

Don't forget about the raffle!

I'm not usually a huge fan of peach shades but sometimes I need to step outside my comfort zone. Circus Peanuts is from the Finger Paints Gumdrops and Lollipops collection. It has a surprisingly nice formula but I'm just not a fan of the color on me. I decided to stamp over it using Red Angel plate RA-114 with a coral polish and it looks more like the (nasty) circus peanuts candy. Well in an abstract kind of way. 

Finger Paints Circus Peanuts was sent to review but it can be had at Sally Beauty Supply.

Color Club Foils with Red Angel RA-108

Color Club Foils with Red Angel RA-108

I used Color Club Lumin-icecent and added China Glaze Snow Globe for some glimmer. I stamped with Red Angel plate RA-108 using Color Club Cold Metal. The Color Club Foiled collection is really great for stamping. 

China Glaze Fireside Glow with Red Angel Plate RA-113

China Glaze Fireside Glow with Red Angel Plate RA-113

Using the Red Angel Plates again. This time RA-113 which I think is an animal print but to me it looks like puzzle pieces. I used Orly Blue Suede to stamp. I do like blue and copper together. Fireside Glow was an Ulta exclusive for the 2011 holiday season and I don't think it's available any longer. You can get a similar look by using a copper and topping it with China Glaze Fairy Dust. Not a dupe mind you but something like it. 

Blurred to show the sparkle.

Essie Go Overboard with Red Angel Plate RA-103

Essie Go Overboard with Red Angel Plate RA-103

I'm really loving Essie Go Overboard. I think this is the fourth time I have worn it since I bought. That says a lot. Also, I am in love with the Red Angel Plates. They have some great designs that aren't overly cute or floral. I am a big fan of abstract designs and this set has a number of them. I'm glad I bought them - they are getting me to stamp again. I seem to go through cycles.

Here is Essie Go Overboard stamped using China Glaze DV8 from a design on plate RA-103. I'm a bit out of practice so any errors are all me and not the plate.

Green Lightbeams

Green Lightbeams

First, when I said three people donated I did not meant that in a negative way at all. The one con about the internet is that you cannot read tone. I also think it was one of those comments that sounded better in my head. A few people emailed me saying they gave to a local organization because they are more comfortable doing that and that is superb. My apologies if it came across as anything in a non-positive way because that was not my intent. My intent was was to bring awareness (even if it is a tiny amount) to a cause that gets lost in the whole pink ribbon campaign. This will teach me to think before I publish.

On to the polish.

I've been reading a few blogs that are doing (or have done) a 31 Day Challenge. I've been enjoying reading them and seeing what folks are doing. Some of them are really impressive! One challenge was to do a manicure inspired by a movie and I wondered what I would have done for that challenge. I figured I would have done The Matrix. So I did it. I used Glitter Gal Lizard Belly as a base and applied Green Lightbeams nail foil over it in parts. I think it's cool.

"Never send a human to do a machine's job." *sigh* I love Agent Smith.