Argyle Pattern Nails - #3 of the IG Totally Doable Nail Art Challenge in October

Heeey! So I missed yesterday's posting day for the next challenge theme...ooops! I actually had it finished and photographed, I just completely spaced on the posting. But I have it today, so we can pretend that I didn't forget, mmmkay?

 

 

 

Used:

 

O.P.I. - My Vampire Is Buff

O.P.I. - Incognito in Salsalito

Sally Hansen Insta - Dry - Chop Chop Copper

 

Nail art brushes

 

Argyle!!! I love me some soft cozy argyle socks in the winter time. I used to have a huge collection in high school. I was so happy to manage free hand argyle and even got a big approval from the mister. He's a fan of argyle socks too - definitely a keeper, right?!

 

P.s. - SH Chop Chop Copper is crazy gorgeous, and you need to get it quick. Full swatch/review coming soon (this week hopefully)!!

 

P.s.s. - Are you guys feeling single pics for nail art? Unintentionally I have only been taking one photo when I do nail art posts. If you all want more, I will be sure to take multiples.

 

O.P.I. DS Sapphire

Hey y'all! I have something super special to share today! O.P.I. Designer Series (DS for short) is an LE line of polish released every year in the fall. Older releases were holographic polishes and are now considered HTF (hard to find). You can find usually find them on EBay or Amazon, but will pay at least $20 for a bottle. I stumbled across a bottle of DS Sapphire (released in 2006) at my local grocery store during a fantastic sale on O.P.I. Can you believe I grabbed this baby for $5?!? Major score!

 

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

O.P.I. - DS Sapphire

DS Sapphire is a silvery blue linear holographic. The holo is really strong, despite my pics. Sadly my lights have problems with holos. One thing I noticed, and I didn't read anywhere else, is that it also has a very subtle purple duo chrome shift as well. You can see the purple flash on my pinkie nail in the first picture. Since this is a much older polish, it is not 3 free. It has all the nasty ingredients that are now considered to be toxic and carsinogenic! It definitely has that old polish smell! Formula was a bit sheer, but surprisingly smooth. I didn't have to use Aqua Base for application. 3 coats for shimmery holo goodness!

 

 

As a collector, I am over the moon to have this in my stash. Older DS's are quite coveted and I honestly never thought I would find one. Have you ever found a HTF polish?

 

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

Candy Corn Nails - #2 of the IG Totally Doable Nail Art Challenge in October

Hey y'all! Even though the day is almost over, aaand I have already posted once today (though it was just an info post), but look!!! I have candy corn nails!!!!

 

 

 

Used:

 

Zoya - Darcy

 

(Candy Corn Accent)

Zoya - Tomoko

Zoya - Beatrix

Zoya - Solange

 

Blue Painters tape

 

I love using Pixie Dust for nail art! It makes for a really fun accent design. Also, they are soooo easy to do tape mani's with! No bleeding through! Also, I have finally acquired Darcy. It has been on my wish list for ever! I also suspect it is very very similar to my favorite yellow, Julep Lexie. I may have to do a rare comparison post soon.

 

So what do you think about using Pixie Dust for nail art? Have you tried it yet?

Fall 2013 Fashion Color Trends

Hey y'all! How about a new seasonal series? Yeah? I am totally digging the idea of offering up my picks from the fall releases based off of the seasonal colors. Sounds super fun, right?

Every year, Pantone (the company that makes color for design purposes. I'm a huge pantone nerd.) picks a color of the year, and a corresponding color pallet that everyone in the fashion industry uses, from clothing to nail polish! Ever wonder why there are similar colors in mainstream seasonal collections? This is why. Emerald is the color for 2013, and the fall color pallet revolves around the rich jewel tone of Emerald.

Source

 

See some familiar colors? This season, the collections from Essie, O.P.I.. Zoya, China Glaze and even Sally Hansen have some amazing examples of these colors.

 

Fashion Friday posts will now be dedicated to seasonal trends, which colors I love, and those that aren't so great. So let's have some fun with color! (Fashion Friday collab posts with Camille will return when she is not so swamped with grad school.)

Mock Gold Leaf Pixie Dust Gradient & TheTotally Doable Halloween/October Nail Art Challenge

Hey y'all! Happy October 1st! I cannot believe how frickin fast this year is going! So last month, I totally slacked on the nail art, and as a little kick I decided to do an IG nail art challenge. This should be super fun since it has Halloween themed nails!!!! Super fun! If you are on IG, you need to follow Califonails for amazing nail art and monthly challenges!

 

  

October 1st - Gold
 

 

Used:

 

Zoya Pixie Dust - Solange

Zoya Pixie Dust - Tomoko

 

Make Up Sponge

 

For the gold theme, I wanted to recreate the look of gold leaf and use pixie dust for a gradient. The two pixies I have that are gold-ish weren't the right shade, so I mixed them! They mix really well! Now I want to experiment with the rest of the colors to see what I can come up with! Once I was satisfied with the color, I just sponged it onto my nails, going lighter the closer to my nail bed I got. I am super pleased with them! Yay!

 

I am really looking forward to doing another challenge and getting my nail art groove back!