Mommies' Pedis

While we wait for more interview questions (see Facebook.com/MommiesManis), I thought I would share an awesome pedicure experience I had today.

Today, my (Nik's) momma-friend, Marybeth, came over for a weekly-ish play date. Two mommies, a 3 year-old, two 2 year-olds, two 1 year-olds, and an 8 month old all decided to enjoy the fresh air and play in the back yard.

While the kids played nicely, Mb and I thought we should take advantage and paint our toenails.

Polishes used: 

We were both feeling a little lazy so we opted to just paint over what we already had on our toes. Mb used Zoya- Nicole (win!) while I chose LynBDesigns - Sweet Nothing. But then, Spencer chose LynBDesigns - Set Fire to the Rain and Wet N Wild - On a Trip. Why not go big, right? Toe nails are an excellent canvas for creativity.

Zoya-Nicole is a metallic coral color with a little of a marigold shimmer. It's definitely a 2 to 3 coat polish if you don't have a base coat.

I reviewed the LynBDesigns polishes last week, and love them. They're totally bright and have smooth application and great coverage. The Wet N Wild is older, but I love it. It dries super quick and shiny. It's a gorgeous purple. 

Today's process was simple:

We attempted to be secretive about our application, but less than a minute in, our very willing toddler boys decided it was imperative they assist. Who needs fancy salons when you can get quality service in your own backyard? 

They did a fabulous job, no?

Complete with tiny bits of grass and dirt, because, well, textured polish is so in this year.

And, I got a lucky-mama bonus:

Under-the-toe and flip-flop service included!

Even Collin is fond of the job.

Not gonna lie, the most fun pedicures we've ever had.

Nik's Easter Stripes

I really had the intention of doing a themed mani more in line with the real meaning of Easter, but I couldn't find a stamp that I liked enough. Next time.

I really had a million ideas (give or take) for an Easter mani and couldn't decide, so my friend Candace helped me pick this one.

Base: Sally Hansen - French Tip
Thumb: Zoya - Portia
Pointer: a mix of white and a Wet N Wild Orange that the label was worn down and I couldn't read the name
Middle: Sinful Colors - Unicorn
Ring: Finger Paints - Tiffany Imposter
Pinky: Revlon - Lily

I used three coats of the white and let it dry completely. Then I ripped ten pieces if scotch tape and cut ten pieces if striping tape. I de-stickified the scotch tape on my palms because I find it keeps it from yanking off layers of base coat.

I securely attached the scotch tape over the bottom half of each nail at a diagonal, and then the striping tape parallel just above it.

I painted each tip and peeled off the tape before moving to the next.

I photographed my nails, then, after deliberation with Candace, decided to give them all one coat of Wet N Wild - Hallucinate for added sparkle. Used my Ol Trusty too coat - Nutri Nail. Then more photos.

Thoughts?

Savina Nail Color?

For the past few months, when I do my Sunday grocery shopping trips, I look at nail color. I almost always take a gander while shopping at Target or Wal-Mart, but generally... not at the grocery store. I actually didn't think about it at all, but one weekend I was grocery shopping and taking my dear sweet time and decided to go up and down every aisle just to prolong my trip and stay away from our house as long as I could without having to waste has going to another location.

Babbling...

I came across the very few polishes that they carry at the Hy-Vee closest to my house (the one across town a bit carries others, like Nabi, Sally Hansen, and a random handful of OPI). I had never heard of them, though I thought the name sounded pretty.

Savina.

They had a few pretty colors inspired by New Orleans, I guess, but I didn't buy any.

Two weeks ago, while shopping, after seeing them repeatedly, they were on sale. They were two for $2. I decided, what the heck, since I had saved nine dollars switching from a flat rate box to priority mail when sending my sister her birthday quilt, I would "splurge."

Brought them home and forgot about them until I was doing the holo series.

Today, I am sporting "Caribbean." It's a cobalt blue color. As I had never heard of the brand before I didn't know what to expect.

It went on like a dream. Full coverage in two coats though it was so close to perfect in one. I can't speak for the while line, so I don't know if that's typical or just a color thing. It dried very quick and highly glossy!

Of course, I totally forgot to use a base coat (fail) so we will see if it stains.

It smells a bit more than some of my polishes, though. Normally this would bother me, but I opened the window a bit since its s nice warm 34 degrees today.

And I waived my fingers close to my eye hoping to get it to water like crazy and get whatever has been stuck under my eyelid for three hours out. Didn't work. That's a totally different subject.

I tried to google and see if I could find any real info on it, but couldn't. The website listed on the bottom label apparently doesn't exist anymore? I thought it was kind of peculiar.

I then broke out one if my beloved glitter polishes (designed for/after my not so beloved Fergie... Yucky), Wet N Wild: Fergie Collection - Hollywood Walk of Fame, and did an accent nail.

This glitter is awesome. It's a clear base with a few tiny holographic micro glitters, tiny holographic bars (just a few), and various holographic stars in aqua, silver, gold, pink, and purple. I generally wear matte top coat over it, but left it today. I need to get another bottle though. Mine is half empty! I also need polish thinner be a use its starting to get a little thick.

Anyway, I used it and got two stars, which is a perfect amount I think, on each nail.

And it's pretty.

And I didn't get to clean up before taking photos because Collin was waking and I figured I would mar the manicure making lunch so I just took the photos quick.

The end- except photos.

Anyone else heard of the brand or tried it?

Hello, Holo! Part I

I have a topcoat I am very excited to share with you all. In fact, I am so excited about it that I became crazy indecisive about what to wear it over to show ya'll.

So indecisive, that I am going to show it to you in three parts.

So indecisive, I narrowed it down to... 30 color samples.

Did I mention I was excitedly indecisive.

What strikes me as a bit funny is that beyond this indecisiveness was the original inability to decide if I wanted to invest money in this type of polish to begin with.

I couldn't commit to purchasing holographic polishes. They're pretty popular, but I just couldn't do it. Partially because I was unsure they were my style, and partly because if I did like them s lot... I would want to splurge and get many colors, because, lets face it, I wouldn't be able to pick just one or two.

Remember, I had to narrow it down to 30.

Yeah. Problem.

Enter Mentality. Another indie brand by another husband/wife team (I love hearing that).

Mentality nail polish can be purchased here:
http://www.mentalitynailpolish.bigcartel.com/

A few things I love about this line: they INCLUDE shipping in the price and their labels are transparent. (I should note Chirality's are too and I love that!) I think transparent labels look classier and more professional.

Okay, much of Mentality's line is holographic colors.

But, they have a wicked awesome topcoat for the indecisive folk (or unsure about holographic folk) like me.

Unfortunately, the weather has been cold and dreary here so lighting stinks these last few days. The photos I took slightly show the holographic effect. The fact I took them with a phone probably doesn't help. But trust me, the holo effect is awesome. It's pretty intense when the lift hits it correctly. The closest photos I could get to demonstrating are under a light bulb and even they aren't the best.

I chose to show ten colors this post. I will do ten each in the next two as well. I did them diagonal with the top coat on the tips so you could see the difference between full color and with the slight silvering effect Holo has over the colors. I find that it silvers darker colors more than lighter colors, but you can totally tell either way what your base color is.

Again, the photos have a weird effect and so I must note that in real life, they are not quite this dramatically contrasted.

Well, that and I have never tried this half nail top coat technique and a few times I got it on a little too thick.

I didn't do clean up because it was nearly time to get Spencer lunch. I also marred the surface of a few nails due to my own impatience, and I didn't deal the entire manicure with top coat because I knew I would be taking it off shortly... for the other 20 colors I am going to try.

Left hand, thumb to pinky:
Sinful Colors - Folly
Zoya - Asia
Sinful Colors - Boogie Nights
Zoya - Arizona
Sinful Colors - Pull Over

Right hand, thumb to pinky:
Sinful Colors - Dream On
Wet N Wild - On a Trip
OPI - Tomorrow Never Dies
Sally Hansen - Pronto Purple
Revlon - Lily

I took the photos from multiple light sources in search of the most accurate photos. Stupid cloudy winter weather.

Over the taupe, Flossy, Flossy.

I broke a nail. Had to change my manicure. Darn!

I decided today would be a glitter day.

I started by picking out four different base colors to go with my Wet N Wild, Fergie collection, Flossy Flossy.

As a music artist, Fergie is lame. My opinion. I'm not a fan of her at all.

But she has some pretty polish colors. Flossy Flossy is one of three I own. It's got gold, mauve, and copper hex glitters and gold, mauve, blue, purple, aqua, green and copper micro glitters (or at least really small glitters).

I digress.

I decided to go with brown because I figured it would be most likely to complement whatever I wear tomorrow.

The brown I chose is one I have not used before. And shame on me, because its beautiful! I chose OPI - Over the Taupe.

It looks like yummy Swiss chocolate milk. I nearly left it as is, but reminded myself I was committed to glitter.

I used two coats OPI and one WNW. I used Hard Candy's Matte-ly in Love (matte top coat) on all but the ring finger and decided to leave that as a glossy accent nail.

This glitter went on awesome. I love the wider, flatter brush.

I took these photos before cleanup because the lighting in my house is starting to dim and Collin was starting to stir.

Anyone else love brown polish? Glitter?