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!

Purple Paisley: Cheeky Monkey Tease

Hello ladies,

Though still wearing my winter coat, I walk by the trees, dressing themselves in Spring flowers.

The daffodils are like little yellow lights along the park walkways. So lovely! I can't wait for the tulips to greet us.

With Konad violet pearl special polish, I stamped the paisley design from plate H6. I embellished the paisleys with comma rhinestones and applied white rainbow flowers as an accent. In the centers of the flowers, I added purple gems and pale lavender pearls.

A beautiful grey toned lavender, Tease applied perfectly. Opaque in two coats, this is shade is what I wish for in every pastel application. The color is soft, yet a little edgy.

I hope the purple paisleys and flowers brought a little bit of Spring your way.

Tease was sent to me for review. This color can be purchased from cheekymonkeycosmetics.com.

Image plate H6 was provided for my consideration. To view the full line of nail art stamping supplies, stop by chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Blue Geometry: Cheeky Monkey Get Wet

Hello ladies,

Even with the cool temperatures in Philadelphia, the skies have been showing the blues of Spring. I come in contact with students of various disciplines at the local cafe. I recently sat near a young man being tutored in Geometry. While the content of his lesson didn't remain in my mind, I was haunted by thoughts of squares and right angles. Today's manicure is about blue skies and mathematics.

From image plate T30, I stamped the squares in Konad blue special polish. I adhered clear crystals from Nubar, along with blue squares and hexagons from Bundle Monster. Very close in color to the base, the hexagons added subtle texture. I love creating tonal manicures!

A sheer jelly polish, Get Wet can also be layered for opacity. I started with two coats of a whitening base and sealed it with CND Air Dry. Next, I applied three coats of Get Wet. The polish has a high sheen. The dry time on this shade is on the slow side, but worth a little extra patience.

Despite being sheer, I found the formula easy to navigate. The polish smoothed over my nails with little need for clean up. If you have shorter nails, you may be able to go without the whitening base coat. I suggest experimenting!

The color is a pale blue with a greenish tint. Fans of China Glaze For Audrey would likely enjoy Get Wet. It's pretty, glossy and aptly named.

I hope you enjoyed the geometric shapes and the hints of Spring to come.

Get Wet was sent to me for review. You can purchase this shade at cheekymonkeycosmetics.com.

Image plate T30 was provided for my consideration. To shop the full line of stamping nail art supplies, visit chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

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!

Blue Phoenix, Blue Moon: Nubar Blue Hydrangea

Hello ladies,

I created a healing manicure for my sister, Claire. Yesterday, she was released from the hospital after a very delicate and rarely performed spinal surgery. The recovery will be long, necessitating many months of physical therapy. I am really thankful she has the opportunity to regain her health after so many trials and so much uncertainty. The image of the phoenix is in harmony with her experience. I worked with a blue palette, her favorite color.

From T02, I stamped the phoenix in blue Konad special polish. I placed a blue disc from Bundle Monster, a pale blue pearl and royal blue jewel to adorn the tail. Since my sister loves to watch the Moon rising over the creek near her home, I accentuated the curve of the design with a blue Moon rhinestone . If you are having trouble seeing the phoenix, note its head is turned with its beak pointing towards its wing.

Such a pretty shade! Blue Hydrangea is a sweet pastel with a glossy, pearl shimmer. I painted three coats for opacity, but those with more active length nails would find two suitable. For lovers of blue, this color is worth adding to your collection.

I hope you enjoyed my blue phoenix manicure. For my sister and those who are sisters of my heart, I am sure you will understand its significance.

Blue Hydrangea was sent to me for review. This polish can be found within the Spring Garden Collection, available for purchase at bynubar.com.

Image plate T02 was provided for my consideration. To view the full line of nail art stamping plates, visit chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Turtles!: Nubar Baby Sprout

Hello ladies,

Do you ever feel like time is moving beyond your reach? It's probably when you most need to invoke the spirit of the turtle and put the demands of life into perspective. How pleasant it would be to lounge on a sunlit log and watch the river waters go by!

From design plate H20, I stamped the the turtles with Konad green special polish. I used the striper brush from the Nubar Emeralds nail art pen to highlight the face, limbs and tail. It gave the design more depth while coordinating with the marquis jewel.

I have been really loving the pastel shimmers from the latest Nubar release. Baby Sprout is a soft green, reminiscent of a watercolor shade. This polish is opaque in three coats with decent application. I didn't need a whitening base coat, which is such a plus when working with a pastel.

These turtles were a joyful reminder for me to be patient and live peacefully in the moment.

Baby Sprout was sent to me for review. This shade is part of the upcoming Spring Garden Collection, soon to be released at bynubar.com.

Image plate H20 was provided for my consideration. You can shop the full line of nail art stamping plates at chez-delaney.com.

For a chance to win 8 nail art stamping plates of your choice plus a beauty gift pack of make up, jewelry and skin care items, stop by the Make It Fancy Giveaway! The giveaway closes in the last available time zone worldwide March 14th. One day left!

Happy painting, ladies!

Corn snake: Nubar Yellow Primrose

Hello ladies,

I adore corn snakes. I love their vibrant orange and gold coloring. Before exploring the woods and meadows, I visit the resident corn snake at the Rancocas Nature Center. I look forward to the days of warmth and sun ahead when I can greet my bright companion.

From plate H10, I stamped the snakes using Konad pastel orange special polish. I highlighted the pattern of scales using the fine brush in the Nubar 14K nail art pen from the Bejeweled Collection. I positioned the snakes at alternate angles on each hand. From a distance, it looks like a series of curving lines.

I love the expression of the snake in this design!

Pale with fine white shimmer, Yellow Primrose reminds me of a mod 1960s pastel. These almost white polishes with tints of color can be quite striking. I wish the sun were in attendance today, so I could show how skin flattering this shade is.

The application was workable, considering a yellow based pastel combines two potential formula issues in one polish. I managed to achieve opacity in three coats on long nails without first applying a whitening base. Nubar did a good job formulating Yellow Primrose.

I hope you were charmed by my corn snake manicure. I had such a great time putting this look together.

Yellow Primrose was sent to me for review. This polish is part of the Spring Garden Collection, soon to be released at bynubar.com.

Image plate H10 was provided for my consideration. To browse the full line of nail art stamping plates, visit chez-delaney.com. Would you like the opportunity to win eight nail art design plates of your choice along with a beauty gift pack? Visit the Make It Fancy Giveaway! to enter!

Happy painting, ladies!

Nubar Spring Garden Collection (tell me your picks)

Hello ladies,

I have news to share of the upcoming Nubar Spring Garden Collection. This is a pastel grouping with a sparkle topcoat called Dewdrop. I love the names of the colors. I'm most interested in trying Blue Hydrangea and Purple Aster. I am also really curious about Earthen, which looks like a pale taupe.

Are any of the colors catching your fancy? How do you feel about pastels?

Click to view the promotional photo full size.

The Spring Garden Collection

Take a leisurely stroll down the Earthen path through The Spring Garden,

the scent of Pink Lily in the air.

The fresh colors of early Spring abound,

with the soft green of the Baby Sprout,

gentle shade of Blue Hydrangea,

delicate Yellow Primrose,

silky Purple Aster,

fresh White Peony,

and the lively Honeysuckle,

each enhanced with the elegant sparkle of Dewdrop.

Always free of formaldehyde, phthalate and toluene,

the nail lacquers in nubar's The Spring Garden Collection are:

1. Pink Lily – vibrant pink creme

2. Earthen – subdued earthen grey creme

3. Baby Sprout – soft pastel green

4. Blue Hydrangea – muted pastel blue

5. White Peony – ivory creme

6. Yellow Primrose – delicate pale yellow

7. Purple Aster – dusty pastel purple

8. Honeysuckle – cheerful honeysuckle

9. Dewdrop – fine glitter top coat

Happy painting, ladies!