Liberty: Diamond Cosmetics Seafoam Spray

Hello ladies,

I hope American readers are having a stellar 4th of July! One of my favorite national treasures, the Statue of Liberty, is the focal point of today's patriotic manicure. She is a welcoming presence on our shores. Such a wonderful gift from the ancestors of our friends in France!

For the base color, I chose Diamond Cosmetics Seafoam Spray. I wanted a green with an aquatic feel that would also represent the patina on the Statue of Liberty. From image plate D08, I stamped the face and crown of Liberty in green Konad special polish. Because a patriotic US manicure cannot be wholly green, I added red, silver and blue stars from Art Club. The thin line French was created with Hologram, an Art Club striper. 

I adore Sweet Peas!

A pretty yellow lily.

A giant yellow lily!

I am showing three coats of Seafoam Spray worn over Diamond Cosmetics Super Base. As this shade has been sitting with my untried polishes, my bottle could have benefitted from a couple drops of  thinner. I wish I had worn Seafoam Spray ages ago! The color is beautiful! It's a pale mint green stirred with gold micro shimmer. Subtle on the nail, the shimmer adds both depth and sheen. If you are a lover of green polish, I recommend adding this color to your wish list.

Do you ladies have a favorite US monument or landmark? Whether you reside here or abroad, I am curious about places that call to you or seem like the heart or representation of America.

Seafoam Spray was provided for consideration. To purchase in the US, visit diamondcosmetics.com. International residents can find this shade at boozyshop.nl.

I purchased the D series image plates at chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Dragon's Pearl: Diamond Cosmetics 18K Gold

Hello ladies,

I wanted to create a tattoo style manicure. I imagined a dragon returning to his cave with a new pearl. Dragons, much like the keeper of this blog, adore treasure. In the dragon's world, even the Moon has been formed from a jewel. A bit of whimsy for you...when I met my friend Drew for dinner, I noticed he was wearing a Chinese dragon tee shirt that coordinated with my manicure. Magic is afoot. 

From image plate D25, I stamped the dragons in black Konad special polish. I accented the dragon's tail with miniature pearls from Born Pretty Store. I placed a ruby Moon in the sky. The tips were defined with an Art Club striper in Black Hologram. Preferring the thin line French to remain matte, I decided not to add a second layer of topcoat.

Diamond Cosmetics 18K Gold is a rich metallic. This warm toned gold is perfect for summer leading into fall. The formula is easily opaque in two thin coats. A careful application is required to avoid brushstrokes, but these lessen in appearance as the polish dries. The color glows on the nails like jewelry.  

I hope you enjoyed this treasure of a polish. Have you had any dragon sightings lately?

The polish was sent to me for review. US residents can purchase 18K Gold at diamondcosmetics.com. For international shipping, visit boozyshop.nl. 

I purchased image plate D25 from chez-delaney.com. The D series is a site exclusive.

Happy painting, ladies!

Cheeky bunny slippers: Diamond Cosmetics Razzmatazz

Hello ladies,

I had two dwarf rabbits as a child and I have been dreaming of getting a lop eared house bunny. There may be a new cheeky faced and fuzzy tailed member of my little household in the fall. Until then, I will have to be content with rabbit slippers. 

The look was created with Migi Nail Art pens. I began by drawing the half circle of the rabbit face and the outline of the ears. I used the brush to paint white faces and the pen to shade in the ears. I left the center oval of each ear empty of color and highlighted them with an Art Club striper in Malmsy, a deep pink foil. 

To create the noses and mouths, I layered black over a violet shimmer pen. I think it gives it more of a watercolor feel. The eyes were done with the Migi pen as well, but it may be worth experimenting with a dotting tool. I love how each of the bunnies has a different expression. My middle finger is jolly while my pinky looks a bit disgruntled. I used pink rhinestones to make them cheeky. 

Razzmatazz is a beautiful pink with a strong violet shimmer and subtle duochrome. I wore Razzmatazz for a couple days before creating the bunny nail art. I loved the reflection in the sun and the soft color change in lower light. The formula is sheer, yet builds well. I am wearing three coats over Super Base. If you are a pink lover, I recommend adding Razzmatazz to your collection.

I received some inspiration for this manicure from the lovely Agnes from Beauty Vibes. She created a look called Blushing Bunnies and I kept thinking about white rabbits with pink cheeks! Are there any other bunny manicures you believe I would enjoy? Feel free to share a link in the comments. Do you love bunnies as much as I do?

Products in this post were sent to me for review. Razzmatazz can be purchased in the US from diamondcosmetics.com and internationally from boozyshop.nl. The Gold Nail Art Pen Set #100 is available at miginailart.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

River of gumdrops: Diamond Cosmetics Orange Blush

Hello ladies,

The corner grocery store a few blocks from my apartment ordered too many gumdrops. I wonder if there was some type of mishap on the request form, a shipping error or an incredible warehouse sale that led to the pile up of tiny, clear tubs of gumdrops at the counter. The squishy, sugar coated rainbow has invaded the aisle of nuts and snacks. The gumdrops have taken over my nail art. I am certain the gumdrops are occupying the collective unconscious of my neighbors and perhaps their dreams as well. Gumdrops!

With white Konad special polish, I stamped the dot pattern from Bundle Monster plate BM209. I angled the design to create a subtle zig zag. Gumdrops are bouncy and wouldn't move in a straight line. With the Art Club sealer topcoat, I adhered a rainbow of gems across each nail. 

My right hand shown with my new friend, a baby grasshopper.

Nature's pom poms!

Orange Blush is a sheer jelly polish. Not a pure orange, it has a lovely pinkish hue that would make it skin flattering to almost everyone. The first day, I wore two coats over Super Base, which offers subtle whitening. I added two more coats on the second day, followed by the nail art. Orange Blush can be worn as a sheer or can be built up to a stronger tint. A whitening base or slipcover nude would be needed to make this color fully opaque. It's super pretty and glossy. I would recommend Orange Blush to cool tone ladies who want a juicy summer color.

I hope you like the manicure. May your dreams be filled with gumdrops, as mine are!

Orange Blush was sent to me for review. US residents can purchase this polish from diamondcosmetics.com. International shipping is available from boozyshop.nl.

Happy painting, ladies!

Astrological Portrait: Diamond Cosmetics Deep Blue Sea

Hello ladies,

In love with stargazing, I have longed to create an astrological portrait manicure. You will find all twelve signs of the zodiac represented in a sparkling blue heaven of color.

From image plate H32, I stamped the zodiac signs using a franken of Konad silver polish and China Glaze Millennium. If my right thumb were lined up with my left pinky, you would find the symbols have been aligned in the proper order. My thumb nails each show two astrological signs.

To create the starry tips, I alternated silver hologram stars from the Art Club Holiday gem wheel and rainbow jewels. The thin line French was formed using an Art Club striper in Crystal Glitter. 

There are various accents. I highlighted the clothing of the Twins, the skirt of the Virgin, and the stream from the Water Bearer with the Crystal Glitter striper. The Crab has silver moon legs and silver beads at the base of the main body. The Virgin wears a triangular gem on her dress. A Moon makes The Scorpion's tail. The Sea Goat has a pearl in his tail fin. The Water Bearer is beneath a silver crescent. Silver beads embellish the spiral of The Fish.  

The base color, Diamond Cosmetics Deep Blue Sea, is indeed blue despite any trickery from your monitor. I took pictures today amidst sun showers. The flowers are glistening with raindrops. 

A pink rose after the rain

Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo. 

Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus & Aries (on thumb).

Right hand: (Thumb) Libra & Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. 

The purple iris petals look like fabric for a ball gown.

My right hand. 

A flower ring as bright as the sun.

A gorgeous jelly polish flecked with turquoise glitter, Deep Blue Sea is the must have from the Diamond Cosmetics Caribbean Collection. Opaque in two coats, the color was easy to apply. I decided to wear this over a whitening base coat to make the blue really pop. The color is so lovely, I have worn it a couple times in the past two weeks. As with any jelly formula, I recommend wrapping the tips.

I hope you enjoyed the astrological portrait manicure. Let me know your Sun sign or any bit of your chart you choose to share in the comments. I am always curious. I am a Virgo with a Scorpio Moon and Leo Rising.

Deep Blue Sea was sent to me for review. US residents can purchase this shade at diamondcosmetics.com. International residents, look to boozyshop.nl for availability.

Image plate H32 was provided for my consideration. To view the full line of nail art stamping supplies, stop by chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!