Sparkling steel

Hello ladies,

Today I have a layered look with NYC New York Color in Steele and Fantasy Makers Magical. I intended this to be a Halloween theme manicure, but the result bespeaks of steampunk to me. It has the quality of industrial metals sparked with the fantastical.  I imagine those Victorian inspired gowns made with parachute material and accented with clock pieces. 

Evil Angel had requested a picture of my ring. Here you go, lady!

It amazes me how within one step from the bright pink blooms was another bush finished flowering and producing rose hips. Roses have such an extended growing season.

The base of the look is NYC New York Color in Steele. This polish is from a recent holiday display with a red and silver theme. They are still in stock in my local CVS and Rite Aid. While I love the color, the frost formula is undesirable to me when worn alone. Brushstrokes are visible on the nail even with careful application. I would only use this polish for layering or as a base for an all over Konad design. I was able to achieve opacity in two coats.

Fantasy Makers by Wet and Wild is currently available in the Halloween aisle. Magical is a notable glitter top coat. It has a combination of coppery orange glitter, gold glitter as well as gold micro glitter in a clear base. I applied two coats over NYC Steele.  I experimented with this as a funky french but I didn't think it had the concentration of glitter to produce enough flash. It's perfect as a topcoat. Magical would be more befitting of the Halloween season over a black creme polish, but I do love to try new styles.

Happy painting, ladies!   

Steampunk manicure and a chance to win Molten Metal

Hello ladies,

First I will speak of the manicure, then talk of the contest will follow. Today I have for you N.Y.C. Metallic Nail Glossies in Molten Metal. Tiny silver glitter particles are suspended in a pale brown base. Molten Metal really does make me think of gear shifts and clockwork pieces. I can easily equate the color with the Victorian fantasy genre of Steampunk that is pervading literature, fashion and perfume of late. There is something about Molten Metal that is both industrial and fantastical. 

I added the scrolling pattern from Konad plate M07 in black special polish. The design reminds me of ironwork in grates, fences and doorways. It took all manner of restraint not to walk up the steps of a brownstone in my neighborhood and pose my hand before a grand door. Instead, I walked to Rittenhouse Square Park and commandeered a bit of fence. 

The first two photos are of Molten Metal taken with a piece of pyrite, also known as fool's gold. All of these pictures can be enlarged to full size by clicking on them. 

Onward to the contest! Between now and August 16, 2009, you can enter to win a new bottle of N.Y.C. Molten Metal. I purchased the bottle in December 2009. Molten Metal is no longer available in stores. A beloved color to me, I am offering my back up bottle as a thank you for such a personable welcome into the blogging community. I have been enjoying reading everyone's comments and seeing new followers appear on my blog. It's been such a delight for me!

To enter, become a follower or subscribe to painted Lady fingers e-mail subscription. Leave me a comment on this post and tell me about your favorite polish colors (pick any color of the rainbow!) and formulas (shimmer, creme, glitter, frost, matte, pearl, metallic). I will enter you to win Molten Metal.  If are subscribing via e-mail, please let me know in the comments so I am sure to be able to match your entry. Also, please add your e-mail address if you don't have a blog or would prefer to be notified privately. I will gladly ship the bottle to any location worldwide. If you already have Molten Metal, please consider entering the contest to give the bottle to a friend, relative or swap partner who would enjoy it as much as you do! 

Thanks so much! I hope you like the Steampunk manicure and my first contest.