"Total Eclipse of a Star" Manicure

I'd had the urge to do justice to the holographic gold stars that saved my Neon Ombre manicure a few weeks ago. And perfectly enough, I'd just bought Nubar Blueberry, a deep blue jelly polish. Blue sky, gold stars... The rest of the plan just wrote itself. Here's my Shooting Star manicure.

And oh, what a happy coincidence that the cafe at my office had a makeshift karaoke stage set up. And so help me GAH, I was going to be a star!

Unfortunately, the little Booklet O' Songs was somewhat limited, so my trademark, go-to song was not there. Nor was my back-up. Nor was my back-up back-up. And when you come up empty like that, there's only one place to turn: Total Eclipse of the Heart.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef-X3yejnr0]

turnaround, Francesca

Manicure Mania, Pt. V: Neon Ombré

Sometimes you save the best for last.

We love ombré. We love neon. So why not put them together? Like two A-list celebrities who pair up to become an A+ couple, neon and ombre's powers combine to become exponentially more awesome!

My idea came from this ubiquitous Pinterest pin; I'm sure you have seen it.

I wanted to roll with the idea but clean it up a bit; make a more definitive neon spectrum. I tested my neons on a discarded piece of snail mail and developed the perfect order.

I knew I wanted my manicure to be as jaw-droppingly neon as possible, so I painted two coats of OPI Alpine Snow as a base. Then, I painted like so:

Then, I got over eager and was anxious to start my clean-up. And in doing so, I hit my right index finger on the edge of the counter and made a huge scrape. I stared at my nail in horror — what to do, what to do! Start that nail all over again? Or... disguise this boo boo?

I remembered I had some small holographic golden stars lying around in my Stash somewhere. If I arranged them in a charming way, it might work.

I think my mini-constellation added some character!

haveablindinglybrightweekend, Francesca

P.S. Special shout out (and sincere thank you) to Weston for designing my Mani Mania headers this whole week. xx

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EdmHSTwmWY]

Green Bling — Happy St. Patty's Day!

Tomorrow is St. Patty's Day!

Honestly, I am not quite sure why we celebrate this holiday or why we celebrate it on its designated day.  St. Patty's Day just appears to be a good day to socialize, wear green, and drink beer.....at least that's what I've heard (can't remember the last time I celebrated St. Patty's Day).

So, I am joining in the festivities this year with some fabulous green, blinged out nails!

This is my first 3D nail, and let me tell you, I have some serious reservations about 3D nails.  Mostly, they are just WAY too much for me, gaudy, and sometimes incredibly unsophisticated.  Not to harp on 3D nails too much, but I don't really think they are meant for working professionals in their late 20's, ya know?!

So, I am attempting a serious compromise here with a 3D ringer (if you don't remember what a "ringer" is, please read here).

These nails are still loud and gaudy, but much more toned down than most 3D nails I have seen.  Compromise.

Also, I would like to note that I will not be wearing these to work....they are only for the St. Patty's Day weekend.

First, I started with a base coat.  Then I painted one thick coat of Wet n' Wild Spoiled's I Only Eat Salad, which is surprisingly opaque and quite nice after just one coat.

Then I covered my nails in one coat of Milani Neon's Totally 80's, just for a brighter pop of green.

I have to say I am rather sad out Milani Neon's Totally 80's, which is not neon at all.  It's just a bright green, and I was really hoping for a neon green :(  Oh well.

Now for the 3D effect, you will need rhinestones, a toothpick, water, and your top coat.

Once your nails are completely dry, paint a top coat on one ring finger.  Then, while still wet, use a wet toothpick to carefully place the rhinestones on your ring finger.  Once all your rhinestones are in place, then coat the entire nail in another layer of top coat.  Make sure to let dry completely.

Super fun and perfect for a St. Patty's celebration!

Have fun with your green nails and beer and remember to be safe!

 -kissmeimirish, Varnish

Funfetti Glitter Mani

One of the world’s most simple joys is Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix.

It's not just plain ol' vanilla. I guarantee you that, in a blind taste test, I could detect the true Funfetti out of a selection of French vanilla, vanilla, white cake and yellow cake samples.

Funfetti is different. Funfetti is... special. There’s just something about that trademark treat when you bite or slice into it… pale, fluffy cake with cheerful dots of color.

Over the past decade or so, “cake batter,” “cupcake,” and "birthday" flavored and scented things have become increasingly popular. I've seen lotion, perfume, candles, frozen yogurt, ice cream and more, all made to smell like cake.

It occurred to me that, out of all the cakes you can make or buy, Funfetti is the epitome of all things cakey. And here's why.

Funfetti is cake-batter flavored cake. And it’s deliciousss.

I’m usually very strict about my cake… I like to bake from scratch BUT I make an exception from time to time for Funfetti. When I do whip some up, I compensate by making a homemade frosting; either rich milk chocolate, or an angelically pink vanilla.

It was with pink vanilla Funfetti cupcakes in mind that I crafted the glitter manicure you’re about to see.  I was also inspired by a recent purchase — Essie’s Matte About You. I’ve been contemplating matte top coats for a while now, and my online research confirmed that Essie’s formula creates the best matte finish.

I love when frosting completes the transformation from fresh and shiny to that final stage when it has “set” with a thin, slightly crisp, somewhat matte shell or crust. Toothsome! A matte top coat would be the perfect finishing touch.

Want more desserty nail trends? Help yourself! There's plenty to go around. And if you've got some desserty nails to share, send them to us! We'd love to post them.

definepolishment@gmail.com

xxo, GLOSS

Chevrons

A new tutorial. In the interest of time, because I am oooooooooh so tired, I am just giving it to you straight today.

Please insert witty and esoteric tidbits as you please....and forgive me as my brain is like soup at the moment (filled with psychobabble, perfectionism, and overwhelm).

First, cover nails in base coat.  Then paint nails in one, thick coat of Sinful Colors' Snow Me White, making sure you are free of streaks.

Let dry completely.  Then using tape, cut 10 small strips; one for each finger.  Using the corner of each strip, place at top of finger nail, making a triangle of sorts.

Then, using Savina's Coppersville, paint the remaining portion of your nail.  Let dry completely.

Once completely dry, gently and carefully remove tape from nails.

(This step looks so nice that you could end here.  Play with the colors a bit and have fun!  Continue to next step if you desire more....) 

Then using Milani's Nair Art in Art of Gold, carefully draw corresponding chevrons (Where the white meets the copper.  Or color A meets color B.)

(Practice with the nail art brush on a piece of paper first.  But I will say, this brush was fabulous and very easy to use!  Very impressed!)

Cover nails with top coat and marvel in your handiwork!

So many people have complimented me and these nails, often asking me "who did them?"  To which I graciously reply, "myself!"

But seriously, soooooo easy.  Try it out and let me know what you think!

XOXO, V