Blue Moon

Hello ladies,

Today I created a cosmic manicure with Borghese Stellare Notte. The Blue Moon occurs when there are two full Moons in a single calendar month. What is on my nails is not wholly accurate to what can be observed in the heavens. Perhaps we could use an extra Blue Moon this year. That is your whimsy for the day.

With Konad pastel blue special polish, I stamped the Moon and stars design from image plate B22. I am really impressed with the plates I received from chez-delaney. I find the quality more consistent than the Bundle Monster set. The variety of images is inspiring. I placed blue holographic stars from Art Club to coordinate with the Blue Moon.

There seems to be a little green friend amidst the orange petals.

Look who came in for a landing! I am never alone in the garden.

The violet duochrome is brought out by the pink flowers.

The elusive groundhog plays peek-a-boo.

He ran up the hill after a gardener clogged nearby. He turned and looked right at me before departing. We will finish our game yet, fine sir.

Borghese Stellare Notte is a gorgeous duochrome. Reflecting green and violet purple, the polish looks like a beetle flying by. The application was simple. It took two coats for perfect opacity. This polish can still be found tucked into displays at drug stores or Ulta locations. I really wish Borghese would make Stellare Notte part of their core line.

For a chance to win a bottle of Borghese Stellare Notte along with a handmade pendant and beauty gift pack, please visit the Bathed, Perfumed and Polished Giveaway.

Design plate B22 was sent to me for consideration. For the full line of nail art stamping image plates, please visit chez-delaney.com. Would you like the opportunity to win eight stamping plates of your choice? Stop by the Pick Your Plates at Chez-Delaney Giveaway.

The blue holographic stars are new additions to the Art Club sprinkles line scheduled for fall release. These were sent to me for review.

Happy painting, ladies!

The four directions

Hello ladies,

I decided to create a four directions manicure. There are many spiritual traditions and belief systems that utilize this symbol. To me, it feels like a starting point. Being in the center is limitless. Paths open up. The four directions are before you.

The equal armed cross can also represent the four seasons and the four elements. Connect each point to form a wheel and then you have the circle of life. The familiar Christian image of the cross can also be seen. It fascinates me how symbols can appear across cultures, across time, all throughout human history. Since we don't paint on cave walls as much anymore, I might as well ornament my nails.

I started with Chainmail Charm by Diamond Cosmetics as the base. I can't think of a better color to represent the swirling cosmos than this charcoal holographic. I stamped the equal armed cross from fauxnad plate B22. I used Konad pastel green special polish since it echoed the green flickers of the holographic in sunlight. In the center, I placed a sparkling crystal.

The petals of the giant hibiscus feel like a bolt of silk.

Chainmail Charm is a masterful polish every holographic lover should own. Why doesn't Diamond Cosmetics have more holographics in their core line? I personally would like to see a dark green holo, an aubergine holo, and a true red holo. Many of the red holographics available lean a bit too much towards pink. I would be delighted to see a pin up red or a burgundy with holographic.

The application on this polish is excellent. It seems like it would be opaque in two coats. I used three for certainty in bright sun and the macro setting.

In respect to the theme of a nail polish blog, I hope I gave a useful synopsis of the four directions. I could have easily written ten pages!

The stamping design plate B22 was sent to me for consideration. It is available for purchase at chez-delaney.com. Keep an eye out for an upcoming giveaway sponsored by chez-delaney.

Chainmail Charm was sent to me for review. US residents can purchase this polish at diamondcosmetics.com. International readers, please see this post for a list of e-tailers. For a chance to win 12 polishes from Diamond Cosmetics plus a treatment product of your choice, stop by the contest post to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!