Nail pictures and nail remover

In looking over the blog today I noticed my nail picture didn't give the polish justice.  So taking the idea from the China Glaze Facebook page, I decided to post pictures of the nail polish bottles to give a better idea of what it looks like.  This is the Be Brave I used on this weeks nails.  If you can't tell the glitter are pink strips that shine different colors in the light. Does this help?

Also I forgot to mention the polish remover I use.  It's Adios Professional Nail Polish Remover.  It works real well and the bottle pictured above is only $3 at Beauty Brands.  If you don't change your nail color that often, it will last a long time.  Also since this week's nails featured glitter, here's a little tip.  In the picture above is also a little finger bowl that I use when removing glitter polish.  I add some remover, enough to cover the bottom, and soak my nail in it for a few minutes.  Then I take a cotton pad with some remover on it and wipe it off.  By soaking it, it helps loosen the glitter making it easier, and cleaner to wipe off.  Glitter polish can be a pain to get off. 

Glitter nails!

I have been sporting these nail since Sunday, but I thought they might be a good start.  I really like these, the glitter is different and they have stayed on all week without chipping at all, which is great considering how much layering I had to do.

I used as a base coat CND's Stickey  Base Coat.  This about the best base coat I have found, although I also use Orly's Rubbered Base Coat and OPI's Base Coat.  My base color is China Glaze's Liquid Leather and the glitter polish is Orly's Be Brave (yes I mixed brands, nothing wrong with it).  The Be Brave cost a little more, I think $8.99 because it is a "specialty" polish, you know, glitter and all. 

After applying the base coat, I painted 2 coats of the Liquid Leather and let it dry completely, usually about 45 mins to an hour, but I have been known to use a hair dryer to speed up the process.  If you don't let it dry, when you go to apply the Be Brave, it will smear the Liquid Leather and you will end up doing it over.  When I applied the Be Brave, I kinda just put a little on my nail and just brushed the glitter where I wanted it. I did about 2 coats of the Be Brave, but you can put as little or as much on as you like.  When you get it the way you want it, let it dry about 15 mins and then apply China Glaze's Fast Forward Top Coat.  Then when that dries I apply OPI's Top Coat.  Be sure to coat the tip and under your nail to help prevent chipping.  Doing this I find helps your polish last at least a week to 10 days, depending what you do (hand wash dishes, work in the garden, etc). 

I think I spent about 2 to 2 1/2 hours on these nails, but I always watch TV when I do them, so it doesn't seem like it takes that long.  I am not sure what I will be doing next week, maybe a crackle.  But I am working on something for July 4th, if I come up with anything I will post it and see what you think.

Happy Painting! 

A girl with too much time on her hands

A few people I know are bloggers and I thought that it might be fun, but what to blog about?  Why not blog about my new obsession?  Not that's its too new, when I wasn't working for 2 years I became obsessed with finding decent nail polish that would stay one for more than 2 days and didn't cost me an arm and a leg.  Now I do admit that I spend more on nail polish than I thought I would but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.  Threw trial and error I think I have found some great polish that won't break you, unless you obsess about it like I do.  After finding the good polish, I got into experimenting on color combos, decals, crackle, glitter and much more.  So we have to come to what this blog is about.  Basically showing you that you don't have to spend all that money on people doing nails for you, you can do it at home yourself.  People always ask me where I get my nails done and assume that they are acrylic. With a little time and patience you can have great looking nails! 

So there are a few things to know.  I use 3 different kinds of nail polish:  OPI, China Glaze and Orly.  Orly is only at Sally Beauty Supply, OPI is only at Beauty Brands and you can find China Glaze at both.  If you shop at either of these places, I suggest you join their club.  If you frequently buy from them you get rewards, coupons in the mail and/or gift certificates.  They very in price, OPI is usually around $8 to $8.50, China Glaze is usually $5.99 to $6.99 and Orly is about the same.  Sally has special prices for club members and usually have sales on them, sometimes buy one get one.  Beauty Brands sometimes will have buy one get a base coat free or something else.  Again if you join the club they send you an ad with all the sales. I do my nails usually on Sunday nights, so I will try and post on Monday.  I will be sure to let you know everything I did and you will see how easy it really is. 

I will also post experiments I am trying and see if I can get your opinion on them.  And if you have questions feel free to ask.  I may not have all your answers but I will do what I can to help.

ENJOY!!!