Serenity And A Splash Of Orange

Hi Ladies, 

A little peace is not too much to ask for is it?  I don't think it is.  So grab it when you can. That's what I did with this manicure.  I used a serene blue polish by Little Black Dress called Serenity Pantone 2016, and added a marble accent on my ring finger using a few other colors by Little Black Dress.  

These are the polishes used for the accent nail. 

Ciao for now. 

I Said No No No: Polish By Little Black Dress

Hi Ladies,  I'm finally getting into the swing of things this school year.  Of course we're about a quarter in, but better late than never right?  In my desperate attempts to pull myself together,  I started wearing one manicure for two weeks at a time rather than my usual two manicures for one week.  And with no nail art!  Not a single stamp or rhinestone.   Not even glitter.  It's a travesty!   Although the world did not disintegrate, the cosmos was definitely unaligned.  Yeah, my head is still spinning.

What's been keeping me so busy, you ask?  Well, aside from my kids' usual extra-curricular activities, I've been wrapped up in senior year activities to get my oldest into college next year.  He's excited to go away and experience college life, and I'm excited to get another room. I might be more excited than he is.  The other thing that's taken up so much of my time is my latest nail polish collection.  It's called Back To Black, inspired by one of my favorite singers, Amy Winehouse.  This unadorned manicure showcases one of the polish sets from the collection.  For more pics and detail about the polish or the collection, visit the listing here.

Ciao Bellas!

Seche Vite, Still My All Time Must Have Top Coat

Hi Ladies,
You know by now, that I'm a diehard fan of Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat. I can't say enough great things about it. It's good for oily nails that chip easily (like mine).  It forms a solid coating that makes it more durable, and it makes your nails look like gels (I get that a lot). But most importantly for me, it dries super fast. This is important to me because I often paint my nails in the morning before I go to work and I really don't have time to wait for them to dry. After I shower and dress, I'll swipe on  two coats of polish, then top it off with one coat of Seche Vite. I don't have time to stop and wait so usually, I'm able to do my makeup and get out the door without damaging my fresh manicure. Of course I might have to ask one of my kids for help with my shoes, but that's it. And they're already used to seeing me drive with my fingers splayed out over the steering wheel, carefully maneuvering turns so I don't ding my manicure.

But, like all things in life, there's a down side. First, Seche Vite tends to pull back from the edge of  your nails after a day or two. This can be solved, for the most part, by being sure to wrap the tip of your nails with every coat of polish including the final coat of Seche Vite itself. The second issue really isn't an issue at all, but an asset.  In time, the formula tends to thicken in the bottle. This is actually a plus since a thicker coat helps you get that squishy gel effect.  Last, and probably the most important factor is that it contains toluene, which is what keeps the polish smooth and even when applied. Toluene is one of the 5 chemicals excluded from 5-free polishes, and there's much debate over it's harmful effects.


So, why do I still use Seche Vite? One of the conclusions about the harmful effects of the chemical toluene is that it's present in such small quantities in nail polish until it's not an issue. Also, much of the harmful effect in question deals with reproductive problems and birth defects, and I have no plans to have any more kids (two is enough for me).  Yes, there are other possible problems, but I don't think the amount of toluene in Seche Vite is enough to cause real harm.


All in all, the only thing that will deter me from using Seche Vite is if they stop making it. And then I'll try to sue to the company for taking away one of life's true essentials next to water, air and food.


Ciao for now!

Sneak Peak: Morgan Taylor 2016 Wrapped In Glamour Holiday Collection

Hi Ladies,
Today, I have another holiday collection for you to peruse. It's an 8 piece collection by Morgan Taylor called Wrapped in Glamour and it will be available at Sally's Beauty and Ulta in October.  I think the collection is perfect for the holidays, and it reminds me a little of O.P.I.s Breakfast at Tiffany's holiday collection in that the colors are classy and a bit on the sophisticated side. Yup, I think this one is a winner.  There's also a mini set that you can find at Sally's.

Ciao for now lovelies!

Sneak Peak: Back To Black Collection By Little Black Dress

Hi Ladies
I'm so glad to announce the latest collection by Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer.  It's called Back to Black, a collection of black based colors inspired by Amy Winehouse, and it will be available for sale mid October. Check the online shop www.etsy.com/shop/littleblackdressnail.  Let's take a look.

The collection includes 3 singles and 2 sets. The sets are dark based colors with coordinating holographic toppers. Here are the names.



I said no no no
I won't go go go
You know I'm no good
No greater love
No heart so true
What kind of *ery is this?
I told you I was trouble




I said no no no and I won't go go go set (available here)


The first set has a dark teal cream base color (not quite black) and a gray tone holographic topper. The dark cream, I said no no ,  applies smoothly and is opaque in two coats. The topper, I won't go go go , is a gray tone holographic polish.  Applied over the dark teal, the duo creates a midnight teal holo.

I told you I was trouble

This is a deep blue flakie polish that has flecks of green and blue.



No greater love and No love so true

This dark rosy set has a dark shimmery rose base color and a holographic pink topper.  The topper can be worn solo and is opaque in two or more coats.

 

You know I'm no good is a shimmering purple/blue polish that applies opaque in 2 coats.

What kind of *ery is this? (Available here)
This one might be my favorite.  It's a shimmering green/gold that sparkles and shines

If you simply can't wait for these to go on sale,  send an email to [email protected] for a special pre-release purchase.
Ciao Bellas!

A Midnight Design For Midnight Polish

Hi ladies,
I have to admit, I've been in a dark mood lately.  I want to say that I chose this manicure design because the color of the polish reminds me of a midnight sky, but truthfully, it reminds me of a charming little nighttime children's book by Adam Mansbach called Go The * To Sleep. Yes,  it's a children's book,  but not one you want to read to your child (although I've read it to mine... several times. My teenager, relax ) .  If you haven't read it, and want a laugh, get a copy.

What were we talking about?  Right, the nail polish. This polish is a newly released polish set by Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer.  The set includes a dark teal base color (appears black) and a holographic topper. More polishes in this collection will be available next week.

Ciao for now.

Sneak Peak: Orly Sunset Strip Holiday 2016 Collection

Hi ladies,
Orly went semi-nontraditional for their holiday collection this year. We're still seeing the typical red, green, and silver which is fine.  But they're of the standard variety. This collection has 6 colors including a red, green, silver, pink, purple, and blue.  I'm not giving a lot of description here because only a few colors appeal to me. But take a look for yourself.


The collection is due to come out right about....now.
Ciao Bellas!

Sneak Peak: China Glaze 2016 Seas And Greetings Holiday Collection

Hi cuties,
I am so happy to see that some polish companies are doing something a little different this year for the holidays. Who would have thought of a holiday beach theme collection? China Glaze, that's who.  I think I love the collection simply because its not typical. Who can resist names like Sand in my mistletoes, Let's Shellebrate, Eat Pink Be Merry, Partridge In A Palm Tree, Tis The Sea Sun, Good Tideings  and Twinkle twinkle little starfish. Kudos to you CG.


The collection of 12 polishes releases some time in October, and you'll be able to find them at my favorite beauty shop, Ulta. There's also several mini sets.
Ciao for now!

Photo downloaded from Pinterest