NOTD: Aztec Mermaid

Hey folks! So this manicure came out sort of by a terrible accident in my garage one night using a jar from the dollar store and a LOT of nail polish. Without going into the embarassing long version of that story these nails were born!

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I started off with two coats of Wet n Wild - The Crown is Mine then stamped a gradient using Sinful Colors - Endless Blue and Cult Nails - Riot and sealed with top coat. Then cue my later that night accident for the lovely orchid colored shading and you have my manicure! You can see the differences between some of the photos that you can see the orchid color and where you can't.

Needless to say, I LOVE this manicure! It looks absolutely stunning in the sun and the stamping is much more vibrant in person. No chips at all and wearing like iron I may leave this one on the rest of the week.


What is your worst nail polish snafu? Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by.

Categories: Cult Nails, Glitter, gradient, nail art, snafu, stamping, Wet n Wild

Girly Glitter Gradient

Happy Friday! I plan to spend this weekend poolside if it's the last thing I do! I created this manicure while binge watching The Mindy Project so this manicure is definitely inspired in part by Dr. Mindy Lahiri.

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I began with one coat of Zoya - Malia then sponged on a gradient using H&M - Come With Me and JulieG - Cabana Boy. Then I topped with a beautiful heart glitter combo and sealed with one coat of top coat.


I would love to know your thoughts on this manicure. Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend!

Categories: Glitter, gradient, H&M, Julie G, nail art, Zoya

NOTD: Mint Textured Stamping

I'm not entirely sure what inspired this manicure but I knew I wanted a super sparkly base with a pastel creme stamped over it. This is what was born.

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I started off with two coats of OPI - Alcatraz Rocks then used my Pueen plate to stamp on a coat of American Apparel - Office and then sealed with two thick coats of top coat.
This looked great in the sun and the mint shade really brightens up a dark manicure.

So what do you think of this combo? Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by!

Categories: Alcatraz Rocks, American, nail art, NOTD, Office, OPI, stamping

Funky Pastel Gradient

Happy Friday everyone! The weather has been fantastic lately but I have really been drawn to darker shades lately so I decided to incorporate the two with stamping!

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I started off with two coats of Wet n' Wild - Black Creme and using my Pueen stamping plate placed Julie G - Cabana Boy, Jesse's Girl - Julie G, and Zoya - Malia next to each other and scraped like normal to create a flawless evenly blended gradient image. stamped and added top coat.
Tell me what you think in the comments and have a fun weekend! 

Categories: gradient, nail art, pastel, stamping

Valentine's Day Nail Art - Part 2

So if you still haven't quite decided on how you will do your nails this Valentine's Day you still have time! If you haven't already, check out part 1.

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 Sweet and simple! I started out with two coats of white polish and added polka dots with black polish and a dotting tool and sealed with top coat. Then I used tape to apply three coats of a textured red polish for a slightly 3D look. 

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Even easier! I started with two coats of white polish then created a gradient with white, pink and red polish and added white glitter hearts and sealed with top coat.

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The easiest! I love this method for nail art because it looks so artistic. I started with two coats of white polish and then on a piece of plastic added large drops of black, pink,, and red polish close together in the shape of a heart. I then took a straw and slightly swirled the colors together and dipped my straw into the polish and at varying distances, blew the polish on to the nail. Once satisfied I cleaned up the cuticles and stray polish and sealed with top coat.

 

So what are you doing for Valentine's Day? How are you wearing your nails? Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by.

Categories: nail art, Valentine's Day 2014

Valentine's Day Nail Art - Part 1

Hate it or love it, it's coming! I have always loved Valentine's Day, it's annoying at times when you're single but you know...chocolate so how could I complain?

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I started with two coats of black on my pinky and index and two coats of white on my middle and ring finger. I added two coats of Mainstream Lacquer - Beware of the Plastics and then stamped gradient hearts on my two middle fingers with Spoiled by Wet n Wild - Fuzzy Dice and a no name bright purple and sealed with a coat of top coat.

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I started with two coats of Girly Bits - Bachelor's Button  and added one coat of Nail Pattern Boldness - Boop-a-Dupe. I used a striper and dotting tool with black and white polish to create the butterfly wing design and added a simple gold heart stud to my ring finger.

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I began with three coats of Glam Polish - Planet Purple and two coats of white polish on my ring finger and added top coat. I then used tape to create the heart and filled it in with Planet Purple and another coat of top coat.

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This one is my favorite! The heart is adorable so expect to see more of them!

Do you have any plans for Valentine's Day (even if with yourself)? Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by!

Categories: Girly Bits, Glam Polish, Mainstream Lacquer, nail art, Nail Pattern Boldness, stamping, Valentine's Day 2014

More Nail Art Featuring Carpe Noctem Cosmetics

Happy Friday everyone! For the very first time since moving here, we got some snow here in South Carolina. All of the hysteria over a couple inches of snow and ice was definitely hilarious to me coming from a place that can drop 5 inches of snow and no one blinks an eye. We are pretty much thawed out now and my kiddo off to school and she couldn't be happier!

Today I have some nail art featuring Carpe Noctem Cosmetics yet again!

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I started out with two coats of Carpe Noctem Cosmetics - Pro Amilo and sealed with a coat of top coat. Once dried, I added the purple feather decals from Born Pretty Store and sealed with one more helping of top coat.

I love how girly this manicure is and adding decals for nail art adds so much to a manicure with no mess or clean up.

What are your plans for the weekend? Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by!

Categories: Carpe Noctem Cosmetics, nail art

Seattle Seahawks Superbowl Nail Art

So, if you didn't know I lived in Seattle for 10+ years and it's pretty much home. If you've also been underneath a rock or don't watch or enjoy football for some bizarre reason the Seahawks won the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers(also a team I love, I know I know) and are going to the Superbowl for the second time in the franchise history!

So, in support of my team i've done a little nail art to give them some mojo to help them win their first Superbowl!

 

 I started with Deborah Lippmann - My Prerogative on my index, ring and pinky finger. 

I added two coats of American Apparel - Neon Green on the middle finger.

I used a dotting tool and alternated My Prerogative and Neon Green.

I added a large block of white polish on the middle finger and used a striper to add two lines using My Prerogative. 

Then I applied my Seahawks nail decal (purchased here) and sealed it all in with top coat.

I added the number 12 freehand (as you can clearly tell) using black and white polish with a striper.

The decals did NOT like the top coat that I was using for some reason so I recommend maybe using a non fast drying top coat. 

 But from a distance, who will know? And look at my Percy Harvin jersey!

For this version I started out with two coats of white polish on all nails. I then did a gradient using a sponge Neon Green and My Prerogative. Then I added the decal with no top coat this time around and done!

So who are you rooting for in the Superbowl? What is your favorite Superbowl party snack? Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by...and Go Hawks!

Categories: 12th man, nail art, Seattle Seahawks, Superbowl

Nail Art featuring Carpe Noctem Cosmetics

Hey everyone! So as part of my blogger resolutions for 2014 I decided to try to incorporate more nail art and you know, use some of the nail art tools i've purchased over the past couple years. I decided to do some stamping. If you haven't heard, there are new XL squishy stampers that blow every other stamper out of the water! It is soft, squishy, very large, picks up quite nicely and mold to your nail effortlessly. You can also stamp with no completely dry polish instead of waiting for drying.

 

I started off with two coats of Carpe Noctem - Taupey Tips and then stamped with Sinful Colors - Coffee and sealed with top coat.

There is still a bit of a learning curve for me and stamping. My ring and pinky came out the best. I can't wait to try more stamped manicures.

Tell me what you think in the comments and thanks for stopping by.

Categories: brown, Carpe Noctem Cosmetics, Coffee, Holographic, nail art, sinful colors, stamping, taupey tips

Dry Watermarble

I love water marble manicures but the clean up is atrocious! Luckily enough I found out about this method via Facebook and want to share it with you today.

I started of with a base of Colors by Llarowe -Tequila IV then added drops of Sinful Colors - Coffee, Loreal - Park Avenue Luncheon and a few more drops of Tequila and swirled it all around with a toothpick and sealed with top coat.

I will definitely be doing more of these especially since I don't have to worry about all of the cleanup! Tell me what you think in the comments and thanks for stopping by!

Categories: Coffee, Dry Watermarble, holo, nail art, Park Ave Luncheon, Tequila IV

Sparkles n' Studs

Happy Hump Day! Hope your week has been going well. I recently purchased China Glaze's I'm Not Lion from a blog sale with no idea that it's a texture polish. Unsure if it's supposed to be but it was love at first swatch. I wore it alone for four days then decided to try some nail art with it.

I started with two coats of I'm Not Lion on my index and pinky and two coats of Sinful Colors - Espionage on my middle and ring fingers. Then once dry I added tape in a 'V' shape on my middle and index fingers and added another thick coat of I'm Not Lion. Then added two square studs to the tops of the triangles. Simple right?

I got a lot of compliments on this manicure and it looks so holiday like right?  Tell me what you think in the comments and thanks for stopping by.

Categories: China Glaze, Espionage, I'm Not Lion, nail art, sinful colors

Sinful Colors - Cool Gray, Classified, and Roaring + Nail Art

Sinful Colors has released some brand new polishes exclusively at Walmart and I just couldn't resist! A while back ago, Sinful Colors was purchased by Revlon and i'm not sure of all the changes they've made but they have been releasing new shades left and right with a great formula and price point to match! I'd say a hefty chunk of my polish collection consists of Sinful Colors. So let's check them out.

 

Cool Gray is a cool toned blue based gray creme. It applied like butter and is practically a one coater but I applied two because, well, I always apply two coats. The formula was great and no issues with this baby.

 

Classified is a muted medium teal creme. The most color accurate photo of the bunch is the lower right photo. Formula is great, is also a one coater and my favorite of the bunch! This is two coats but again, can easily get away with one coat.

 

Roaring is a deep blue with a little green creme. The most color accurate photo of this bunch is the upper right photo. This polish is gorgeous and is tied for favorite with Classified. It is a one coater but I applied two. Formula is  like butter and this didn't stain (blues usually stain on me).

And because all of these polishes looked so great side by side I decided to do a gradient!

So there you have it! I don't know if these will be popping up at Rite Aid or Walgreens so catch them next time you are in Walmart if you see them, snatch them up! Let me know what you think in the comments and thanks for stopping by.

Categories: gradient, nail art, sinful colors

Abstract Floral Nail Art

Today I bring you some nail art! I know, twice in one week!

So I started with a base of Loreal's Park Ave Luncheon then used saran wrap to dab on China Glaze VII, Sinful Colors Cold Leather and Sinful Colors Get It On. Then using a stripping brush I made flowers, create a thin french tip and then added round gold studs to the middle. Then sealed it all up with top coat!

I really liked this mani! I got a lot of compliments and love the contrast of the colors. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Categories: nail art

Halloween Nail Art!

With Halloween right around the corner I decided to take a stab at a little nail art. I love nail art, not great at it, but I love it! So here are a few really easy ideas.

Simple Spooky Eyes! This is two coats of Zoya Purity added some red veins with a stripping brush and green googly eyes (purchased from Joann Fabrics). I attached the eyes on top of wet top coat. Very simple and it's cute the eyes moving all around. Great for a Halloween party.

Mike Wazowkski! This is two coats of Sinful Colors Innocent, black stripper for the smile and two blue googly eyes! Even easier and adorable! My daughter went crazy over this one.

Glow In The Dark! And if you're really strapped for time try a glow in the dark top coat! This is the best glow in the dark top coat i've found to date and it glows so brightly.

So there you have it. I would love to see your Halloween nail art! Email me your photos: vickermania@gmail.com and i'll post them on the blog. Hope to see your nail art and thanks for stopping by!

Categories: Halloween, nail art

Skylark Feathers NOTD

I purchased these cute feather nail details from Born Pretty Store and decided to finally try them and thought the pink feathers would look awesome with my new favorite orange cream polish.

I began with two coats of Sinful Colors -Skylark and sealed with topcoat and let dry completely.

There was a bit of a learning curve for me with these. I thought there were like the temporary tattoos you slapped on to look like a tough guy as a kid. However, when I applied them that way, they were backwards! It was nothing to take my tweezers or fingers and flip them over but it was just strange. I will say they do fine with placement and were simple enough to use. I did all five fingers in about 6 mintues and a cap full of water then waited abut 5 minutes until dry and sealed with top coat.

Quick and easy nail art with no clean up? Sign me up for more! Have you ever used nail decals? Please let me know in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by.

Categories: Cream, nail art, nail decals, Orange, sinful colors, Skylark

Cotton Candy Gradient

Last week I decided to go through my nail polish stash and take a quick inventory of all of my untried polishes. About a month previously I purged 43 polishes, however, you saw my vacation haul right? What I thought were around 80 untrieds turned out to be a whopping 112 untried polishes! Yikes!

So I more than likely will be lemming for a while until I get this under control. I must admit though, it is fun shopping your stash.

Today's manicure was created with three untried polishes. I was really in the mood for something pink and these colors were perfect.

 Love and Beauty - Coral: A not so coral to me pink crelly (more on this later).
Barielle - High Heels: A light pink creme polish.
Color Club - No name sticker (more on this later as well).

I began with one coat of High Heels and then went to sponge on Coral but it was so jelly like it made it difficult to sponge on. But with some work, I got it. Not my best gradient due to this issue. I smoothed on a coat of my mysterious Color Club and sealed with top coat.

If you shop at Ross they frequently have Color Club polishes in 6-8 packs with no names for 7.99 which is an incredible value considering these polishes usually run about $8 a pop. It's a bit annoying to have no name and search online but for the gorgeous polishes at that price point it's well worth the added effort.

Categories: Barielle, Color Club, F21, Glitter, gradient, Love and Beauty, nail art, pink

Neon Jawbreaker NOTD

I hope you had an awesome weekend as summer is coming to a close. This past weekend was tax free weekend and I did a little back to school shopping and caught up on some laundry, Greys Anatomy and sleep!

While I loved my Summer Escape manicure I decided to sponge the tips with Salon Perfect - Traffic Cone and then add on two coats of Maybelline's Polka Dots - Clearly Spotted. I instantly fell in love with this manicure and i'm actually STILL wearing it. It's bright and crazy distracting.

Thanks for stopping by!

Categories: Clearly Spotted, gradient, Maybelline, nail art, Neon, Salon Perfect, Summer Escape, Traffic Cone

NOTD inspired by Sparrow Nails

Today I bring to you a manicure inspired by Darcy of Sparrow Nails from a photo she posted on her instagram. I was blown away and immediately had to take a stab at it.

Sinful Colors - Candy Coated: Purple Creme
Sinful Colors - Why Not: Blue Creme
Sally Hansen - Mint Sorbet - Mint Creme

I used a dotting tool for the polka dots and used tape and sponged on my gradient on my accent nail. Easy Peasy.

Thanks for stopping by.

Categories: blue, gradient, green, inspired, nail art, purple, sally hansen, sinful colors

Wet n Wild Pop Art Craze NOTD

Today I have a manicure with three of the new Wet n' Wild Pop Art Craze polishes.

A Blank Canvas - White creme. Very streaky (more so than the WnW French Creme) and a bit thick. I used two coats.

Slowly and See - A bright aqua blue creme. This formula was fantastic and easy to work with.

Listening to Blue Reed - A bright blue creme, same as the former a great polish to work with.

I used my Pueen plate to stamp the design on my nails and sealed with a coat of Out The Door.

I really wish Wet n' Wild would come with more releases of their Wild Shine formula. It feels like we used to get a new collection each season of these babies and now it seems more like twice a year and it's such a bummer because they are always such great colors with a stellar formula.

Thanks for stopping by.

Categories: blue, light blue, nail art, Pueen, stamping, Wet n Wild

Barielle - Melon Smoothie + Stamping

I bought this polish in a set from TJ Maxx over the summer with nice springy peaches and pinks. The formula on this one was great a nice peachy milky jelly that applied like butter. This is three coats. There is still visible nail line but undies could fix that.

Then I decided to stamp over it with some nail plates I bought a few years ago on Amazon with Wet n' Wild French Creme.

Thanks for stopping by.

Categories: Barielle, jelly, nail art, Peach, stamping