Black Swan: Cheeky Monkey Filthy Madame

Hello ladies,

Ever since I watched the movie Black Swan, I have wanted to create a manicure inspired by the haunting visuals. I chose reoccurring themes from the movie to decorate my nails: ballerinas, feathers, a swan, and lilies. I attempted different ways of embellishing the tips with red and bone white crushed shell.

I chose white Konad special polish for stamping. On my pointer finger, the cascading feathers are from plate M77. I added a mirror gem and a white pearl. The ballerinas positioned on my middle finger and thumb are from S08. My pinky has lilies from M36. I adhered a white pearl and a small rhinestone to highlight the flowers. The plates mentioned above are from Konad.

From chez-delaney P19, I stamped the swan on my ring finger. I placed a clear crystal on the wing. I used a striper brush with China Glaze Millennium to highlight the feathers, water beneath the swan and the lily stems. It is tricky to create clean lines with a chrome polish. I would recommend experimenting with a fine silver glitter instead.

Feathers, a ballerina, a swan, a lily.

I chose red crushed shell to embellish the tips on my thumb and ring finger.

A howlite crystal skull.

On my rather elusive and seldom seen right hand, I blended red and bone white crushed shell on each tip.

My right pointer finger.

Cheeky Monkey Filthy Madam reminds me of a black pearl. In bright sun, the color appears deep charcoal grey. There is a wealth of micro shimmer adding luster to Filthy Madam. Silver and rainbow particles are stirred throughout. Holding the bottle, I can easily distinguish green and pink micro shimmer.

The formula has a pearl finish. There are subtle brushstrokes during application that dissipate once topcoat is added. I am wearing three coats, but I think ladies with shorter nails could get away with two. The polish dries quickly with a lovely sheen.

When examining the different typefaces printed around the bottle, my friend Emily said: Filthy Madam? What about Filthy Mademoiselle?. I think that's a wonderful name to add to the Cheeky Monkey catalog!

I hope you enjoyed my cinematic nail art. For another manicure exploring the movie Black Swan, check out Deniz's version. She really captures the dark and violent feel. Are there any other Black Swan manicures I should see?

How many of you ladies have seen Black Swan? What were your impressions? While I enjoyed the acting and found some of the images arresting, I felt the director could have been more restrained in letting the plot move more naturally and allowing the viewer to develop his or her own impressions. I knew how the movie was going to end within the first 10 minutes.

I also would have loved to have seen more original themes explored. The idea of ballerinas dealing with aggressive and predatory directors, overbearing mothers, competition among dancers, and anorexia has been examined. This isn't to say the movie wasn't worthwhile, but I think with fine tuning it could have been great.

Filthy Madam was offered to me for review. This shade can be purchased at cheekymonkeycosmetics.com.

Konad image plates M36, M77 and S08 were sent to me for review. You can shop the complete line of nail art stamping products at ocnailart.com.

Design plate P19 was provided for my consideration. Stop by chez-delaney.com to view the full assortment of nail art stamping plates.

Happy painting, ladies!

Modern floral

Hello ladies,

In home decor magazines, purple and brown is often showcased together as a design element. I translated this color scheme into a nail look and incorporated a modern floral.

With Konad violet pearl Princess polish, I stamped the flowers from plate M36. I positioned the design off center and mirrored the placement on my right hand. I added an amethyst jewel in the middle of each flower and used a lavender pearl and four silver beads to represent the buds.

I am showing two sets of photos of Nubar Moire. The first grouping was taken indoors under a natural lamp. The second were taken outdoors in full sun. The natural lamp photos are the most color accurate. A dusky shade, Moire is beige with a mauve undertone.

A piece of tumbled amethyst.

The full sun, along with the fall leaf background, adds warmth to Moire.

A ginkgo tree in Fairmount Park's Horticulture Center.

Two coats of Moire brings perfect opacity. This polish applied beautifully. I am really impressed with the application of all the colors I have tried from the Finest Silks Collection.

Moire is another shade that has a vintage feel. I enjoyed blending the old and the new with this look.

Moire was sent to me for review. This shade is part of the Finest Silks Collection, available at bynubar.com.

Konad plate M36 was provided for consideration. To explore the full line of Konad products, visit ocnailart.com. For the chance to win eight nail art stamping plates, stop by the Ladies' Choice of Eight Plates Giveaway to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!