Christmas Penguin using Born Pretty Acrylic Paints

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a cute Christmas penguin mani to share with you. I've been practicing my freehand skills and I have a long way to go but these didn't turn out too bad. For the penguin colors I used the Born Pretty Acrylic Colors Nail Art Kit.


A closer view to show more details of the penguin. I learned how to make snowflakes here.

The kit comes with 2 paint brushes, 12 colors and 2 palettes. I usually paint using an old coffee lid so it was nice to work with a more professional palette. The palette's are about 4 x 6.5 inches.

Overall this is a nice set and has a good selection of colors. I love working with acrylic paints because if you make a mistake you can wash it right off with water or alcohol. I wish I would have known about them when I first started working with nail art. I started off using real polish which is a pain to remove when you make a mistake. I think this would be great kit for a beginner or a more seasoned nail artist that wants a lot of color options. There are no pastels, besides yellow, but the paints can be mixed with white to lighten the colors. I used a pink I already had in my collection for the snowflakes.


So what do you think about freehand nail art? Have you tried any freehand designs?

Oh and I almost forgot. Tomorrow I will start a 10 day nail challenge. Feel free to join me if you like :)

~Sent to me for review~

Nicole by OPI Holiday Giveaway - Closed

The giveaway is now closed. Thanks for participating. I'll announce the winner soon!

Let's have a little fun with a giveaway! The winner will receive all 4 polishes from the Nicole by OPI Holiday 2011 Collection: Oran-ment for Each Other, Glitter in My Stocking, My Sleigh's in the Shop and Snowman of My Dreams.



Swatches are from my own personal set. You will receive new polishes!

Rules and How to Enter

1. This giveaway is open Internationally
2. You must follow me via Google Friend Connect
3. Optional 2 extra entries when you click my "like me" icon on Facebook
4. Must complete form below to enter
5. Winner must respond via email within 48 hours so that I can mail your prize :)

Ends December 9th at 6pm US Central Time

~Sponsored by OPI~

Deborah Lippman Lady Gaga Edge of Glory Franken

Hello beauties! I hope you're enjoying the Thanksgiving weekend so far. I've been having a ball shopping online for Christmas presents. It's a lot more relaxing than fighting through the feisty Holiday crowds. I've gotten most of my girls Christmas gifts and a few polish goodies for myself :)

Yesterday while browsing online I saw a swatch of Deborah Lippman's new Holographic Duo. I was wondering if it was a true holo although it looked like a flakie in pics. Since I didn't want to spend so much on the set I attempted to franken it.

I started out with a base of Wet N' Wild black creme.

To make the franken I added 1 part Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure with 2 parts Sinful Colors Grean Ocean. Throw in a couple of balls and shake. Super easy!

I layered 1 coat of the franken over black. I don't own the duo set but I think it turned out pretty good using the polishes I already own. I didn't have to spend anything and I have a hot new look for tonight. Here's a swatch of the actual set. According to pictures, the franken flashes more green and red/gold vs. the Lippman's blue and red/gold. Green ocean also has tiny glitter that is not found in the Lippmann but it's not very noticeable (or at least not to me).

The result appears more dense than the Lippman but clear polish can be added to thin things out a bit.

And that's it! A super easy franken. I hope you enjoyed :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you have a lot of fun planned for today! I was up late last night cooking and decided to remove my glitter mani. I went with Julep's Boris & Nicole, a reddened brown. Then stamped with China Glaze Hi-Tech. I used Revlon's base and topcoat because it's supposed to prevent chips and so far so good. I made it through at least 20 hand washings and 5 side dishes!

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the Holiday :)

NOTD: Jelly Sandwich

A quick post to share my NOTD. I got this idea from NailsandDriffs. Her mani is much prettier. You should go check it out!

I didn't have Hare A Positive so I used a red jelly franken and topped it off with Correction Tape and Pretty in Pink.

Gotta love a quick and easy mani!

Dr.'s REMEDY Jolly & Joy Holiday 2011 Collection - Swatches and Review

Today I want to share a new brand with you. I've seen a few swatches online but this was the first collection that really caught my eye. For the Holiday season Dr.'s REMEDY introduces the Jolly & Joy Collection. Here's what Dr.'s REMEDY has to say about their Holiday line:

Holiday cheer is contagious: the spirit is infectious, the charm is encapsulating. It's so divine, in fact, that you wish you could "bottle it up" - savor it, treasure it. Luckily, your friends at Dr.'s Remedy did just that this year with their holiday collection...five shades that are rich, riveting and radiant.

REVIVE Ruby Red - I'm not a big fan of red but this one is quite beautiful. A deep ruby red with red shimmer. The finish dulls a little when dry but nothing a good topcoat can't take care of. It reminds me of Butter London's Knees Up. I used 2 coats for full coverage.

More color accurate view.

ESSENTIAL Emerald - Dr.'s Remedy describes this a a classic tree-and plant-inspired gem of a shade with delicate glimmer and unparalleled amounts of glamour. I was surprised at how much I liked this one. It reminds me of Chanel Jade/Milani DressMaker but 2-3 shades darker. Two coats were all I needed.

A closer view of the shimmer.

PASSION Purple: A "bombshell-boysenberry" that applied with 2 coats. Another lovely shade.

RESOLUTION Red Glitter - copper, red and silver glitter that combines to create a shimmering sandy pink. I like it! Two coats to perfection.

SERENE Silver Glitter - My absolute favorite from the collection! A beautiful melody of silver, red and green glitter. I'm not sure how to describe this finish, it's almost a foil-glitter, meaning I don't think it would layer well. It's almost thick enough to stamp with....hmm, I just may try that :)

Closer view to show true color and texture.

Overall impression: I wasn't sure what to expect with Dr.'s REMEDY polishes but I must say that I am pleasantly surprised. The brush cap is larger than what I'm accustomed to but not totally uncomfortable and the brush itself is similar in size to China Glaze's. All of the polishes applied like butter. The glitters were not gritty at all and dried to a smooth finish. I do think they'll look better alone and are not the type of glitters designed to be layered. Both glitters provided full coverage with just two coats. My favorites from the collection are REVIVE Ruby Red, SERENE Silver Glitter and RESOLUTION Red Glitter!

Dr.'s REMEDY is offering the following special price on selected holiday shades. Purchase ESSENTIAL Emerald, RESOLUTION Red Glitter AND SERENE Silver Glitter for only $14 each while supplies last. Also, free shipping on orders of $50 or more with code: HOLIDAY thru 11/18/11.

Enlarge to view details of the offer.

Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish is available for $17 online at www.remedynails.com

Dr.'s REMEDY is a line of doctor-inspired cosmetics that is dedicated to using clean, hypoallergenic ingredients. The birth-child of two New York-based podiatrists. Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel. Dr.'s REMEDY proves quintessentially-p is perfect for any person looking to better the condition of her skin and nails. Dr.'s REMEDY is sold exclusively at www.remedynails.com or by calling 877-323-NAIL.

~Sent for Review~

NOTD: Pink Flowers

Just a quick to post to share my NOTD from the weekend. I was in a hurry and my right hand turned out better than the left. This is the pink version of a blue mani I did a few weeks ago.

WnW Black stamped with China Glaze Admire

I really like this glitter, Pretty in Pink. I'm going to try a jelly sandwich with it.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you're having a great week :)

NOTD: Betty Boop using Fab Ur Nails Image Plates

Good morning everyone! I hope you're enjoying your weekend so far. Sorry for my lack of posts lately. I've been busy with rotations for school and had a presentation and project due on Friday that kept me busy all week long.

This week I received my image plates from Fab Ur Nails Shop but didn't get a chance to play with them until last night (excuse the pink around the cuticles, I didn't notice it until after the pics, lol). Anyways, I purchased all 4 plates from the set and decided to try out Betty Boop first. I started with a layer of Sally Hansen Mousseline then stamped Betty on top. I outlined Betty with acrylic paint and applied Revlon Slipper glitter to add some spark. The acrylic paint was pretty easy to work with and I recommend it for outlining images. I used a toothpick to apply.

I took this one last night. Boooo for getting dark at 5pm.

Products Used

And that's my mani for today! Thanks for stopping by :)

~Mousseline was sent for review~

Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolors Holiday Collection Swatches, Fall 2011

Hello everyone! Tonight I have the Kardashian Kolors to share with you. There are 14 polishes to choose from and the collection features a combination of glitters, shimmers and cremes. I was really excited to try these out. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Hard-Kourt Fashionista - Dark brown chocolate 2 coater.
Khloe Had A Little Lam-Lam - Deep green with hints of blue. Much prettier than the grassier greens in my current collection. Luscious 1 coater.

All Kendall-ed Up - Bright fuchsia pink almost neon, 2 coats.

Sealed With A Kris - Crimson creme, shiny 3 coater.

It's All About the Glam - Milky white cream with white shimmer. Pretty 3 coater that goes on slightly thicker than Kim-pletely in Love.
Kim-pletely In Love - Pink base with tiny holographic shimmer. Surprisingly sheer but built up nicely. Four thin coats to become opaque.

My Empire...My Rules - Grey taupe opaque in 3 coats. Thinner than I expected but the formula allowed good application control.
Indirect light.

Kourt Is Red-y For A Pedi - Perfect bright cherry red 2 coater.
Listen To Your Momager! - Royal blue with light blue shimmer. Two coats to good management!
Kendall on The Katwalk - Blue and purple glitter in a blue base. There's actually more purple in the polish than what becomes apparent on the nail. The next photo is more color accurate.

More Color Accurate View

Follow Me On Glitter - Charcoal base with predominantly tiny silver glitter and sparse pink and green medium sized glitter. I like the unexpected burst of color. I used 3 coats but probably could have gotten away with 2.
Wear Something Spar-Kylie - Medium pink base with tiny pink glitter. Required 3 coats to become opaque.

Disco Dolls - bronzed golden glitter in a clear base with flecks of green and red medium sized glitter. Three coats to become opaque. Another favorite.
Rainbow in the S-Kylie. Dense multi-glitter packed with every color in the Holiday rainbow. Tiny pink, silver, green, gold and red glitter. Medium pink and silver glitter. Large green, red, yellow and silver glitter. This list is not all-inclusive, lol. One layer over Disco Dolls for something Spark-Kylie.

There are definitely some gems in this collection! I wonder if the Kardashian's assisted in designing the polishes because there is a good variety and a little something for everyone. My favorites are Khloe Had A Little Lam-Lam, Disco Dolls, Kendall On The Katwalk, My Empire Rules and Follow Me on Glitter.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality, with products featuring the Perfect Stroke brush for streak-free, even coverage. Kardashian Kolors will be available Holiday 2011 for $7.99 each ($11.00 CAD).

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

~Sent to me for Review~

Color Club Backstage Pass Collection Fall 2011, Swatches and Review

Today I have the the Color Club Backstage Pass Collection to share with you. The collection features 6 glitters for those that like a little bang to their polish!

It's a Hit - Large lilac hex glitter in a clear base. I tried to vary the coverage to show what it would look like with more or less glitter. One coat over Pucci-licious.

Take the Stage - gold glitter with sparse gold glitter flakies. You can see the flakes mainly on the middle finger. I applied one coat over Artsy Crafty.

Fame & Fortune - Large & medium flakies in a red base. One coat over Resort to Red.

Color accurate closer view.

Backstage Pass - Purple and Silver hex glitter in a clear base. One coat over Pucci-licious.
Wish Upon A Rock-Star - Multi colored round glitter (green, blue, red, purple, gold and silver) with large lilac hex glitter that matches the glitter in It's a Hit. I dabbed one coat over Take Me to Your Chateau.
Platinum Record -small, medium and large hex glitter in a clear base. I applied one coat over black to achieve the gradient look.
These glitters are not for the tame at heart and they will garner attention wherever you go! My favorites are Platinum Record, Take the Stage and Fame & Fortune. Wish Upon A Rock-Star reminds me of "Gems" but it doesn't have multi-colored large glitter. I used the dabbing method to apply all of the glitters because it gives you more control of where it falls on the nail. Fame & Fortune was surprisingly easy to apply. The only two I had problems with are Backstage Pass and It's a Hit but I think its due to the type of glitter used. The glitter in these two curled up and would not lay flat on the nails, so the end result was more 3D which is not my personal style. I think the other four are great and applied with minimum issues.


All Color Club products are made in the USA and are not tested on animals. Products are available at shopcolorclub.com.

~Sent to me for review~