Summer dresses: Color Club Splitting Image & High Society

Hello ladies,

During last week's heat wave, many Philadelphia ladies decided to meld with the temperatures by putting on their brightest floral dresses. It seemed like the whole city was a connection of fabric flowers on the vine. I appreciated the local effort to maintain a sense of beauty even in the oppressive heat. What is a lady to do but keep her parasol aloft at such times?   

I began with taupe as a base and chose the Art Club striper You're Golden to section the nail diagonally. I layered the blue shimmer fractured polish Splitting Image towards the tip. I picked dried flowers in hot pink, nude pink and burgundy to bloom along the gold shimmer. I featured more hot pink flowers on my right hand and the peachy tones on my left. To highlight the centers of the flowers, I used turquoise and pastel or hot pink gems. I also placed pink, blue and natural tone pearls. 

My right hand with more hot pink flowers. 

A morning glory with either pollen dust or pixie dust. 

High Society is a taupe creme. I applied three coats for evenness and opacity. I wore this polish for a couple days without nail art and received compliments. It's a classic shade that is simple and stylish.

Splitting Image has a versatile formula. A thinner coating will produce standard cracking. Adding a little more creates fine striations that reminds me of distressed denim. I would recommend trying Splitting Image over a pale blue. The light cobalt tone is really lovely. I have been really enjoying experimenting with the Fractured Collection. As much as I enjoy the look of the stronger effect produced through traditional layering, it's fun to see the variations when painted as a diagonal or French manicure.

If you are in a warm climate, I hope this manicure inspires you to put on a pretty, summer frock and move amongst the flowers.

The Color Club and Art Club items mentioned in this post were provided for review. High Society is from the Rebel Debutante Collection and Splitting Image can be found in the Fractured Collection. These shades can be purchased at victoriasnailsupply.com. Color Club/Forsythe has been revamping their company site. You can explore the product lines at cosmeticgroup.com.

Would you like the chance to win six crackle nail polishes? Stop by the Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Giveaway! to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!

Pinwheels: Nubar Marabout

Hello ladies,

On a windy day, I decided to create pinwheels for my nails. I added blue and copper embellishments to bring a sense of movement and playfulness to a classic taupe.

From design plate H10, I stamped the diamond pattern in Konad pastel blue special polish. I placed a copper gem in the center of each nail. Blue mirror diamonds were added in formation, alternating two and four per nail. These diamonds are tricky to place. They are composed of a light foil material that shifts easily. I advise adding small drops of topcoat to dry nails and adhering the diamonds. Follow with two coats of topcoat to thoroughly seal them.

I painted three coats of color for opacity, but I think two coats would suit more active length nails. The formula is superb, offering an effortless application.

I hope you enjoyed my pinwheels. A bit of whimsy for a winter day.

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

Design plate H10 was sent to me for consideration. Visit chez-delaney.com to browse the full line of nail art stamping materials.

Happy painting, ladies!

Morning glories: Color Club Positively Posh

Hello ladies,

I walked across the city this morning, through the aftermath of snow. People took turns navigating the tiny paths dug out in the sidewalks. Plows blocked traffic while trying to force snow into tiny mountains at street corners. I kept seeing the ghosts of flowers everywhere. An empty trellis called to me, telling me to be patient for the morning glories that would soon awaken.

I chose Konad pastel blue special polish to stamp the flowers from Born Pretty M11. I flipped the design to convey the topsy turvy climbing of morning glories. With an Art Club turquoise glitter striper, I highlighted the petals. Rainbow rhinestones and blue pearls embellish the flowers' centers.

I am wearing three coats of Positively Posh. I think two would easily suffice on more active length nails. This polish is a beautiful dark taupe with dusky purple undertones. One of the things I love about Color Club is their subtle variations on classic shades. The purple tint adds interest and makes this basic taupe a standout.

I hope the morning glories bring some joy to your day along with the promise of fair weather.

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

Image plate M11 was provided for consideration. It can be purchased as part of item #518, a 12 piece nail art stamping plate set. Readers of painted Lady fingers will receive a 10% off discount at bornprettystore.com. through March 31. Use the code DIANAK31.

Happy painting, ladies!

Antique flowers

Hello ladies,

I had a really beautiful dream about my grandmother. I dreamt that I opened a door to a room filled with a mix of her belongings and toys from my childhood. It was really fascinating to revisit the memories of her bedroom, to open mahogany drawers filled with her linens, to see the flowers she embroidered on doilies and table runners. There was a shelf with my dolls and stuffed animals as fresh and new as the day they were given to me as a child.

Keeping the memory of the dream with me throughout the day, I wanted to create a look with an antique feel. I started with Nubar Chiffon. I stamped the flowers from plate M31 in Konad white special polish. I placed a pearl in the center of each flower, and a mirror rhinestone and white rainbow heart at the top of the design.

Water lilies at Longwood Gardens

Nubar Chiffon was perfectly opaque in two coats. The application was wonderful. Chiffon is an on trend taupe for fall. It has a purple undertone that would make it work with a variety of palettes. It's a classic, neutral shade worth owning.

I hope you enjoyed my dreamlike manicure.

Nubar Chiffon was sent to me for review. This polish, from the Finest Silks Collection, can be purchased at bynubar.com.

The white rainbow hearts from Art Club Sprinkles. The pearls are part of the Bewitching Halloween Gems. These were provided for review and can be purchased at victoriasnailsupply.com.

Konad plate M31 was provided for consideration. To see the full assortment of Konad nail art stamping products, please visit ocnailart.com. Would you like the chance to win your choice of eight Konad image plates? Stop by the Ladies' Choice of Eight Plates Giveaway to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!

Mystic Lilac From The SH Xtreme Wear Fall 2010 Collection

By rmcandlelight
Mystic Lilac


'Mystic Lilac' looks like a greyed out purple/taupe to me.  It has this gorgeous pastel green microshimmer that really shines out in the sun.  What a great combo!  I love SH Xtreme's the price is right and this brand always comes up with some unique colors and combos.  Only applied 2 coats.
  

You can really see the green microshimmer in the bottle

 Oops! sorry for the dry cuticles

  Until next time please have a great nail polish day. (✿◠‿◠)

The Not-So-Grim-Reaper

Hello ladies,

Out of the murky gloom floats the Grim Reaper, his scythe raised, ready to escort you beyond this mortal sphere. Not yet having mastered appearing ghoulish and foreboding, this particular Grim Reaper is perhaps in training. Even armed with an otherworldly weapon, he is adorable!

I started with BB Couture Adam, then added the Not-So-Grim Reaper from image plate T29. I chose Konad white stamping polish for the ghostly gentlemen. An orange Moon hangs in the eerie sky. I used an Art Club striper in Penny Pincher to create fine tipping. Once we pass the Halloween season, Adam would look attractive with the tipping alone.

Prickly rose hips.

Fanciful peppers! Like little bells!

A banded agate sphere.

I have been watching the progression of this tree turning gold and orange.

Adam has a multitude of shimmer. I detect purple as well as copper in the mix. If you are looking for a noteworthy taupe this season, I recommend Adam. This is a gorgeous, understated polish. It took three coats for opacity. This shade applies beautifully and dries quickly.

I have been having a great time incorporating some non-traditional colors for Halloween manicures. I think the holiday can easily be celebrated outside the realm of bright orange and black.

Art Club Penny Pincher was sent to me for review. This striper is part of the Pretty Shiny Things Nail Art Kit and is available at victoriasnailsupply.com.

Image plate T29 was provided for my consideration. You can browse the full line of nail art stamping plates at chez-delaney.com.

BB Couture Adam was sent to me for review. This shade along with the balance of the Infamous Lovers Men's Collection can be purchased at overallbeauty.com. For the opportunity to win your choice of five polishes from Infamous Lovers Men's or Ladies', stop by Trick-or-Polish?: A Halloween Giveaway! to enter. The contest closes on October 18th, so don't delay!

Happy painting, ladies!

Porcelain flowers

Hello ladies,

Philadelphia has been beset by much needed rain. I spent the majority of the afternoon indoors. Something about being at home made me consider fine china place settings. Taupe and white form a modern palette. When I created this look, I imagined tiny flowers on porcelain.

From design plate H39, I stamped the flowers using Konad white pearl special polish. I added Marquis rhinestones to ornament the closed buds. I alternated positioning of pearls and rainbow crystals. When repeating a stamping design over ten nails, a slight change in gem placement can add movement.

A strand of amethyst over a violet purple scarf creates the backdrop.

I adore the retro label!

Russian sage at the Morris Arboretum.

Two coats of Posh Polish brought opacity. Application was tricky. The formula seemed a little thicker than I would have liked. I am always hesitant to add thinner to a new bottle of polish, especially my first time working with a brand. I used Nubar Diamont topcoat, which smoothed beautifully over the taupe creme, adding a glassy finish.

I am pleased with the final manicure. Posh Polish is a skin flattering taupe. There is a hint of purple in the base color. I was stopped by a woman who loved the shade and wanted to know the name of the polish. It was fun to say!

Posh Polish was sent to me for review. This shade can be purchased at eyeko.com.

Image plate H39 was sent to me for consideration. To see the full line of nail art stamping plates, please visit chez-delaney.com. Check under NEWS for more information about the Halloween contest and giveaway running through October 31st.

Happy painting, ladies!

Confetti Moonstruck

Good Morning,  I am drawn to neutral, taupey greige colors.  I have several of them, just to name a few Sephora by OPI Metro Chic and Chg Channelesque (see post on Channelsesque here)  From the bottle Confetti Moonstruck is a dupe to Metro Chic .  I am really impressed with these Confetti's.  Can't complain about the price tag at $1.99 and the formula on these are great!
                               Moonstruck

Only needed 2 coats

If you love these type colors I suggest you pick this one up ^_^

Can't wait to show you more from this brand!

Any thoughts?

♥♥♥ 

  

Until next time please have a great nail polish day.