White Raven: Color Club Snakeskin

Hello ladies,

The story of Branwen in the Welsh Mabinogion has always captivated me. Enslaved in an unsuitable, arranged marriage and mistreated as a foreign queen, Branwen trained a starling to speak. She sent it across the water to give word to her brother Bran to come to her aid. Branwen has been called white raven because of her fair complexion and association with birds.

I admire her tenacity in adverse conditions and her union with animals. The story is an allegory of the tragedy that can befall a people who do not respect female sovereignty and maintain the balance between men and women. It amazes me how themes we associate as being modern are often woven through old tales.

I stamped the bird from image plate T10 using white special polish. I added a silver teardrop to the wing to correspond with Branwen's longing for her homeland. The duochrome in Snakeskin creates additional reflection in sunlit photos. In life, the bird stamping is very crisp, as in the close up. I appreciate the subtlety of the tattoo stamping designs. The image could just as easily be seen as a jeweled paisley.

I am wearing two coats of Color Club Snakeskin. This is an absolutely gorgeous metallic. In some lights, it resembles steel. In others, a greenish duochrome is reflected. The presence of fine gold glitter makes the color appear like jewelry. I imagine this shade would flatter a variety of complexions, with both gold and silver to bring out warm and cool tones. Snakeskin is a polish well worth owning.

I hope you enjoyed the tale of Branwen and her affinity with white birds.

Snakeskin was sent to me for review. This shade is part of the Untamed Luxury Collection, available at victoriasnailsupply.com.

Image plate T10 was provided for my consideration. To view the full line of nail art stamping plates, please visit chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Tattoos and flowers: Nubar Sateen

Hello ladies,

I wanted to create a sensual and amorous manicure for Valentine's Day. I did a warm tone on tone look with red, copper, and gold. I had a romantic afternoon yesterday, so I was feeling inspired.

From plate T10, I stamped the tattoo design with a franken, combining Konad gold special polish with China Glaze 2030. I added dried flowers to each nail and embellished the centers with rhinestones. The flowers I chose are bright pink, but the rich background in union with the translucent petals makes them appear red. Adjacent to the moons of my nails, I placed copper and gold gems along with yellow and peach pearls.

A vampy burgundy, Sateen resembles the color of spilled wine. I painted three coats of the jelly formula for even, opaque coverage. This polish dries quickly and has amazing gloss. Sateen displays the kind of depth and finish that makes the surface seem wet hours after the manicure has cured.

As much as I enjoy experimenting with designs, it was pleasurable to create something that wholly fits me and expresses who I am. I love vampy shades. Pairing a deep burgundy with natural flowers, jewels and golden swirls felt right.

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

Image plate T10 was provided for my consideration. To shop the full line of nail art stamping plates, visit chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!