Saturday, January 4, 2014

I challenge you to...a CHALLENGE!

I've never tried my hands (hehe!) at a blogger challenge before, but maybe now is a good time to start... it is  a new year, after all. And I just happen to like the subtitle of this challenge. :)  So today I have for you my take on the "fresh" mani.  Yes, I know it's a day late, but I worked 'til 6 last night and then had to pack up and drive to my parents' house in some mighty treacherous weather.
Side note: this also happens to be the first mani in a LONG time that I've even bothered to photograph & been excited to share on my blog, despite some imperfections.  The posts from this past week were all manis from months ago.



Using Zoya Godiva and L'Oreal Eiffel For You, I applied two easy coats each, then decided to add one extra coat of Godiva for maximum opacity and sparkle.  To me, these lovely nudes/neutrals classify as a "fresh" look.  I don't know, maybe I'm waaay off!  But alas I don't really know what Californails had in mind when she said "fresh."  So I'm using my imagination!

Please be kind - my cutes got trimmed against my will & I'm having a heck of a time reconditioning them. :(

What, you might be asking, is that fabulous stamping image?!  I know I always  ask myself as soon as I go to a blog and see what must be a stamp used in a mani.  This gem is from MoYou London's Pro Collection plate 04, stamped with Color Club Revvvolution.  Side note: they also have an XL plate with this script image for those of you with bigger nail beds.  Unfortunately, I'm not lucky enough to be blessed with 'em!  


Ok, this is an unconventional shot, and maybe it's not "okay" to do this on a polish blog, but I thought it might be fun to play with the exposure and make it look all softened out and glamorous, perhaps?  Oh, and check out all that silver microsparkle that becomes fabulously obvious in the bottle?!  Gosh I love Zoya's Pixie Dusts!  I scored this baby during one of their December flash promos.  :)  Pardon the fuzzy on my pinkie nail... Disclaimer: no fuzzes were harmed in the photographing of this mani.


 I purposely included this one to showcase the glorious Godiva sparkle!  So, so nice.  At first I was a bit dejected that it didn't have the golden crumpled tin foil look of Tomoko, but now that I have it on, I absolutely love it, as do my roommates and a couple friends. :)  Dry time is so nice and fast for the Pixies, compared to how long I have to wait to ensure my cremes don't bubble upon application of the second coat.  And it's especially nice that textures are supposed to be...well, textured!! lol  Can you tell how sick I am of bubbles in polish that is supposed to be smooth?!


Thank you for taking the time to peruse my humble blog, and feel free to jump in on the challenge with me!!! :D


11 comments:

  1. Wish I could join the challenge, but i'm not even done with the 31 days challenge that I started! These look great. Love godiva on you!

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    1. Wow, a 31 day challenge?! That is super ambitious & I applaud you! Which one is it? I've never tried to do one before, but this one seemed doable - the title even says so! LOL
      Thank you so much!! Yup, Godiva is lovely. :)

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  2. How, pray tell, we're your cutes snipped against your will? Were ya pinned down while someone came after you with some trimmers?! :D Another super cool lookin' mani, girlie :) These MoYou plates seem pretty fab! Not enough to make me want to start stamping (okay, maybe of I had a cool plate that I truly dug I'd be more willing to give it a shot...okay, now I'm actually thinking of buying a plate?!)... Well, maybe I kinda want to start stamping. lol. We'll see ;)

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    1. Hehe! I KNEW someone was going to want an explanation! I actually planned on mentioning that in the post with Anemone Gardens & the pics of my friends... if you look closely at the big photo of the two of them, you can discern we were in a nail salon. Janette thought it'd be a great idea to get mani/pedis and treat Annette for her bday... well, I didn't feel like I could say "no," and even if I'd tried to ask the manicurist in the moment, he probably wouldn't have understood me! lol
      Why thank you my sweet friend! :D WHOA whoa whoa; hold the phone - did you just say you maybe wanna start stamping?!?! If so, I would definitely say go with MoYou. They seriously have something for everyone and the plates are top quality. :) If you ever decide to place an order, let me know...I'd probably order another one or two & then we could split shipping costs. They do come direct from the UK only.

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  3. Oh la la, what a beautiful Skittelette!!! And I am awed that you joined a challenge and at your stamping skills!! I do have my Share of stamping plates as I was determined once to try to tackle that technique but I am a clutz at it. So for now they take up Space in my drawer and exist ignored ;-). I love your take on fresh: delicate and edgy - this is what comes to my mind when I see your interpretation!!!

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    1. Lol, I am still a bit awed myself that I joined a challenge!! Although I do wish it was one that was tied to a blog/several bloggers versus just Instagram and Twitter, since I use neither. (lack of a fancy smartphone)
      You are too kind... callin' my 'lil skittlette beautiful & complimenting my stamping! Seriously, you can do it too!! Just watch some YouTube tutorials (that's what started it all for me - the polish obsession & everything) and practice, practice, practice. I have complete faith in you!

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  4. Those nails are FAB Emily! Love the sparkle and of course you know me, LOVE the word look! You rock!

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    1. Awwwwww!! :D I was going back to follow up on another comment and much to my surprise, I have a couple brand-new comments from my bestie! :D Muchas gracias, chica!! Yes, the script image sold me on that particular plate. hehe
      Rest assured I WILL bring it the next time we have a "spa day." :)

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  5. by the way- you must use that stampy thingy on me!!!

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  6. You are such an artist! This is soooo cool! The colors you chose...everything....perfect.

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    1. Haha, I WISH I could say I'd done that script freehand, but alas, no... See what you can do with stamping plates?! ;) I greatly appreciate your very very kind praises of my color choices and artistic flairs though!

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