Flaming hearts: Nubar Pink Lily

Hello ladies,

The flaming heart is a heraldic symbol meaning ardent affection. Traditionally found on coats of arms, I decided to let it emblazon my nails.

I chose red Konad special polish to stamp the heart motif from design plate H10. Pink rhinestone hearts embellish the stamping. I used a Nubar nail art pen in Rubies to highlight the flames. A funky french was painted with two coats of the flakie polish, Nubar 2010, and one layer of the silver shimmer, Pixie Dust.

Pink Lily is a soft pastel blended with a pearl shimmer. Three coats will bring opacity. The color is a whitened, mod style pink. I received lots of compliments on this pale pink when walking about town.

I hope you enjoyed my heraldic manicure. It would make a pretty Valentine this Spring or another way to showcase your coat of arms.

Part of the Nubar Spring Garden Collection, Pink Lily was sent to me for review. Pixie Dust and 2010, also provided for review, are available for purchase at bynubar.com.

Image plate H10 was provided for my consideration. Please visit chez-delaney.com to view the full line of stamping nail art supplies.

Happy painting, ladies!

Snails!: Nubar Earthen

Hello ladies,

I am feeling at one with these tiny snails today. I am moving slowly, but am doing so while prettied up a bit. Don't these little snails look like they are on their way to a faery garden party? I hope they arrive in plenty of time for treats and festivities.

From image plate H20, I stamped the snails in brown Konad special polish. I added gold beads to the tips of their long antennae. If we were exploring anatomy, these would be the eyes. In the center of the spiral shell, I placed a tiny pearl.

The funky french was created by first applying two coats of the flakie polish Nubar 2010 followed by one coat of Dewdrop. This would be amazing over the full nail as well.

The warm tones from 2010 glow beneath the soft blues in Dewdrop.

The sunlight is catching the lovely pearl shimmer in the bottle of Earthen.

A pale grey with a tinge of beige, Earthen is stirred with white pearl shimmer. The polish appears like a creme formula until the light touches the shimmer, giving it a subtle luster.

Earthen applied beautifully. I needed three coats for opacity but I believe ladies with shorter nails would be satisfied with two coats. Dewdrop is a festive, glittery topping. The round glitter pieces are softly tinted in pale blue and green. It reminds me of a cool tone version of Nubar Tiara.

Are you ladies as charmed by these darling snails as I am? They make the slow route seem quite a pleasure.

The three polishes featured were sent for review. These are available for purchase at bynubar.com. Earthen and Dewdrop are part of the new Spring Garden Collection, promotionally priced at 39.95 for the set of nine polishes.

Image plate H20 was provided for my consideration. Visit chez-delaney.com to explore the full line of nail art stamping design plates.

Today is the last day to enter the Make It Fancy Giveaway! Head over to the giveaway post before the last time zone March 14th (this translates to 8 a.m. EST March 15th) for a chance to win 8 nail art stamping plates, the Gabrielle Faust Eye Shadow Collection, a ring from Ginger Kitty Designs and skin care from Reviva Labs. Best of luck!

Happy painting, ladies!

Blue roses, sunlit sky: H&M Bella's Choice

Hello ladies,

After experiencing the grey and icy weather of the past two days, I may have enticed the sun with my vibrant blue manicure. I walked to the park shortly before dusk and the clouds opened to form a circle around the sun. After I took my manicure photos, the grey consumed the light once more.

I stamped the rose duo from plate H10 with Konad blue special polish. I highlighted the leaves and stems with blue glitter, using a Migi nail art pen. I prettied up the blooms with iridescent circles from Bundle Monster and tiny blue pearls. With Nfu Oh #54, I painted a funky french at the tips.

H&M Bella's Choice is a bright blue creme. I really think there is some neon pigment in the formula. The color looks like an amped up version of For Audrey. The consistency of the polish is thin and fast drying. I used three coats for opacity. This color is super pretty. It was just what I needed as an antidote to the weekly onset of ice and snow.

Bella's Choice was a sweet gift from Nathalie at jellynat. Nfu Oh #54 was a present from Laura at Sawan. Such generous ladies in the blogging community!

Many thanks! I hope you enjoyed what I created with these much appreciated presents.

Design plate H10 was provided for my consideration. To explore the full line of nail art stamping plates, visit chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

The Bridge

Hello ladies,

Today I created a manicure using two shades from Color Club's new Untamed Luxury Collection. The finished manicure makes me think of the command bridge in a space ship. Calling to mind flashing buttons on a control panel, I am tempted to press the mirror gems to see what would happen. The shimmering grey of Ms. Hautie looks futuristic. The flakie glitter in Covered in Diamonds could be the view outside the window of the bridge. The Captain sees a glittering nebula ahead.

With a black Art Club striper, I painted an arch to form the french. I filled in the tips with Covered in Diamonds. The nail art wheel from the Boudoir Collection afforded me with small and large mirror gems with black and white borders. I alternated colors and placement of the smaller gems from nail to nail.

I painted three coats of Ms. Hautie for the best application. I found that with two coats the glitter looked slightly textural. The third coat evened the polish out beautifully. Ms. Hautie has a pearl finish. A little extra care when painting will minimize brushstrokes. I love the look of this polish. There is rainbow and hot pink micro shimmer in a silvery grey base.

Bolder than Nubar 2010 and Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure, Covered in Diamonds is my new accessory. It lit up my tips. The polish has a thick consistency, which is useful. The flakie glitter will apply directly to the nail without needing to fish pieces out of the bottle. Perfect! I recommend when applying Covered in Diamonds to gently run a finger along the free edge to tap any pieces that overhang back on the nail. I only needed to do this on one occasion, but it's worth being vigilant.

I am really excited to be sharing more of the Untamed Luxury Collection with you. The colors are gorgeous!

The polish and nail art items featured in this post were provided for review. Color Club Untamed Luxury is available for purchase at Victoria Nail Supply. I have seen the Boudoir Collection at amazon.com, but I will inquire about other sources. For a chance to win the Boudoir Collection nail art kit, please stop by the Art Club: Black, White and Bold Giveaway.

Happy painting, ladies!

The sea of stars

Hello ladies,

Happy 4th of July to all those celebrating! I wanted to create a starry manicure for the occasion. My thoughts wandered afar from patriotism to considering the movement of starlight over the ocean.

I began with Nubar Mali Blue as the base. With Konad white special polish, I stamped the star image from Bundle Monster plate BM14. I reversed the pattern to create a wave formation of stars. I layered one coat of 2010 over the turquoise glitter in Sky Sparkle. I then placed a star jewel from the Mirror Gem Wheel at the end of each trail. My tips are aglow.

Nubar 2010

Nubar Sky Sparkle

The fragrance of these lilies is exquisite.

Look who I met on the garden path! A baby bunny. She was so small I could easily have placed her in my palm. I wanted to give her kisses and put her in a teacup.

Mali Blue looked best with three coats on my long nails. The formula in all the polishes from the California Dreamin' Collection polishes is consistent. I believe two coats would be optimal for shorter nail lengths. The pearl finish showed brushstrokes during application and they softened as the color dried. I love the glow of these shades!

Nubar Mali Blue, Sky Sparkle, 2010 and the star crystals were sent to me for review. These products can be purchased at bynubar.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Summer Solstice

Hello ladies,

I have a cheerful solar inspired manicure to share with you today. I created this look with Nubar Mellow Yellow and 2010 to celebrate the Summer Solstice.

With Konad pastel orange special polish, I stamped the sun image from Bundle Monster plate BM01. I placed a golden rhinestone in the center of each sun. Considering the latitude and longitude lines on a globe, I striped a band with the fine brush in the 14K Nail Art Pen. I often think of my Australian friends experiencing very different weather! There are two coats of 2010 at the tips. The flakies are more visible in person than in photos. I love how 2010 makes my tips aglow.

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

I wish every shade of yellow applied as well as Mellow Yellow. The yellow pigment that seems to trouble every other maker of polish has been kept appropriately to task by Nubar. I used three coats over a clear base coat with no real problems. This is the first time I have ever been able to successfully apply yellow polish without a tinted ridge filling base coat.

The formula has a pearl finish. As the polish is being applied, brush strokes are visible. These soften once the polish dries. I love the almost incandescent sheen of Mellow Yellow. It's a gorgeous summer shade.

Nubar Mellow Yellow and the 14K Nail Art Pen were sent to me for review. Mellow Yellow is part of the California Dreamin' Collection. The Bejeweled Nail Art Pen Collection contains 14K and seven other gem shades. These products can be purchased at bynubar.com.

For a chance to win the California Dreamin' Collection and a summer fun gift pack, please visit the contest post to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!