Girly Nautical Nails

Summer is the perfect time for some nautical nails and lately I just can't get enough! Especially when they're cute and girly like these ones <3

Let's just get right to it because I'm SO excited to show you guys these!

I started with a base of Essie No Baggage Please and applied a layer of Seche Vite to protect my polish from the vinyls. Then I used Stick It! Nail Vinyls Wave Stencils and painted over it using China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle. I removed the vinyls and then added Stick It! Nail Vinyls Heart Anchor Vinyls to my middle and ring nails. Finally I sealed it all in with one more layer of Seche Vite and that was it!

Oh goodness I am just in LOVE with these! This is one of my all time favorite color combinations and I think it works so well with this design.

What do you guys think?

Thanks loves :) 

Don't Go Raining On My Minty Parade

Hey guys!

So,

I can't bring myself to take Cirque Julep off of my nails O.O For real though I've been wearing it for 3 days already. But I needed to move on with my polish, the struggles of being a nail blogger are totally REAL ;) So I decided why not just do a little art-ing over top? 

I love this "rainy day" look, it's so fun and super cute!

I started with a base of Cirque Colors Julep. When it was dry I used my raindrop vinyls from Snail Vinyls and created a gradient using Cirque Julep and China Glaze Turned Up Turquoise over it. When I was happy with my gradient I peeled off the vinyls and finished it off with a generous layer of Seche Vite. And that was it!

I love that this look is quite subtle but it has just enough oomph to be super stunning, especially out in the sunshine ;) 

What do you guys think? What polishes are you loving this summer?

Thanks loves :) 

Cirque Colors Julep

You guys ready for another stunner?

I'm  going to let you all in on a little secret first, this is my very FIRST Cirque polish. Yep, you read that right, before I picked this baby up I didn't own a single Cirque. Why? I don't have the slightest clue. Chalk it up to being cheap... not that they're expensive but I've had to keep myself on a tight budget for a while. But there was no way I was going to miss out on the beauty that is Cirque Julep. Mint has been a favorite color of mine for the summertime, it's so bright, cool and fun to wear. And OBVIOUSLY you know I love anything holographic ;) So what happens when the two meet and make a baby? Cirque Julep is born <3

Cirque Julep is a gorgeous bright mint holographic polish with what seems to be the slightest of gold shimmers. So minty and SO SPARKLY x.x The formula was really great, super smooth. I can't compare it to any other Cirques because well, I don't have any but so far I'm loving their formula. The only thing that really stuck out to me though was the smell... it smelled quite different from any other polish I own, I can't put a finger on what it is but it's a tad stronger then most polishes. It's so beautiful though so I didn't mind ;) Swatches below are two easy coats with top coat.

Cirque Julep is part of a collaboration with Nordstrom and it's limited edition so hurry up and grab yours before they're gone! I mean come on, who wouldn't want this pretty in their lives ;)

What do you guys think? Will you be grabbing Cirque Julep?

Thanks loves :) 

Cool Toned Mosaic

Hi guys! 

I haven't done too many mosaic designs, I don't know, the design itself just doesn't click with me for some reason. But I really wanted to give it another try and while this isn't my favorite design ever I'm still really proud of it! 

I started with a base of NYC Sidewalkers on my ring, China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle on my pinky and a blank slate on my middle and ring. I added two dots of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle on my index and one dot of NYC Sidewalkers on my pinky. I used some black acrylic paint to paint on the base for my mosaic design on my middle and ring nails. Then I used China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle, NYC Sidewalkers, and Wet n Wild Black Creme. I sealed everything in with some Seche Vite to finish off the design.

I'm really loving this black, gray, and mint color combination, so cool.... literally ;) I'm really happy with how this design came out, I think I'll definitely give mosaic nails a go again. 

What do you guys think?

Thanks loves :) 

Minty Gold Leopard Nails

Mmmm there's nothing like a good mint polish to really get you excited about doing some nail art. LOL but really mint is such a flattering polish color and I've just been obsessed with it lately so of course I had to incorporate it in some animal print nails!

I started with a base of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle on my index and pinky nails. On my middle and ring I used Sally Hansen Real Nail Polish Strips in the gold french tip design and placed them high to create a half moon. Then I sealed them in with the clear strips that came with the package to make sure they adhere to my nails nicely. Next I created the leopard print using TLLB Spiked Hot Chocolate and Wet n Wild Black Creme. I added a dotted outline to the half moons using China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle and added a dot of China Glaze Mingle With Kringle on my index and pinky nails. Finally I sealed everything in with a layer of Seche Vite and that was it.

I really feel like the mint compliments this gold so well. It adds the perfect amount of brightness and gives it such a sweet finish. 

What do you guys think?

Thanks loves :) 

Spot Gradient with Water Marble Overlay

MOAR GRADIENTS!

I really forgot how much I absolutely love doing gradient manis. I've got a really fun one to share with you guys today, it's reminiscent of my Summer Neon Gradient and Watermarble but this time with a much more cool toned twist! Keep reading to see what I came up with :) 

I started off with a base of Sinful Colors Snow Me White. Then I applied some liquid latex around my nails to protect the skin and added random blobs of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle, Sinful Colors Let's Talk, and TLLB Blue Ribbon Baby on a cosmetic sponge. I then lightly dabbed the sponge over all of my nails twice. I peeled off the liquid latex and added a layer of China Glaze Fairy Dust over each nail because it's Fairy Dust, duh. I then applied some more liquid latex around my nails for the water marble. I created the water marble with Sinful Colors Snow Me White and Maybelline Color Show Clear. I dipped each nail in, peeled off the liquid latex, and sealed them in with Seche Vite to finish the design off. 

Oh gosh I just LOVE these so much! They are so fun and the sparkle peeks through just enough when the sun shines. 

What do you guys think? Keep your eyes peeled on my instagram and youtube channel for video tutorials on this look! 

If you want a quick link to my YouTube video click HERE! Spoiler, this is a narrated video so you get to finally hear my super awkward voice!! ;) Give it a big thumbs up if you liked the video or think my voice is awkward as f@$* and if you like me then subscribe!!!

Thanks loves :) 

Turquiose Tie Dye

Let's get real right now. Like really real. I was SO SCARED of trying this tie dye design. Literally laugh all you want, I have no idea where this fear came from, I'm always ready to tackle a new design idea but for some reason this tie dye design scared me, I really didn't think I could do it. Some times I'm absolutely ridiculous ;) 

But I persevered through my absurd fear and created this fun and surprisingly easy turquiose tie dye design. Gosh, I'm so silly. 

Anyways I started out this design with a base of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle. When it was dry I took Sinful Colors Snow Me White and created the first swirl. I went back over that swirl with SMW using small horizontal lines. I made a swirl right next to the white one using China Glaze Turned Up Turquoise and the same technique. Finally used China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle to go back over the open space with small lines. I sealed everything in with a layer of Sech Vite and the design was finished. 

I so wish I tried out this design sooner! It's such a fun technique and I want to try out so many different color combinations!

What color combinations would you guys want to see? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks loves :) 

Find A Little Inspiration

Winter sucks.

There's really no way around it, it's cold, there's germs and it's light out for like an hour a day. Who gets any enjoyment out of that?!

I'm going to get real for a minute, hold on to your hats folks ;) I have seasonal depression. For those of you that don't know me I also have extreme anxiety which, surprisingly enough I've finally got under control with the help from my doctor. But as far as the seasonal depression goes, winter can get real hard on this girl. I find myself looking for ways to keep the blues away and one of my favorite things to do is look up inspirational quotes. Laugh all you want but I absolutely love them, they can brighten my day without fail. 

And that's why I love this plate from Bundle Monster's new Secret Garden set so much. It's filled with inspiring and warm words. Inspire, life, love, beauty and magic are just a few of the words you can find on this plate it's so beautiful! I created this look below and absolutely fell in love. Let's see if you guys feel the same.

I started off with a base of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle. When it dried I stamped over each nail first with Bundle Monster plate BM-703 and PMTG White Undies and then again with Bundle Monster plate BM-705 and WetnWild Black Creme. I sealed everything in with some Seche Vite to finish it off. 

I really really loved this design and I'm always looking for new ways to stay inspired and keep my head up in these harsh winter months. What do you guys do to keep the winter blues away?

I hope you liked this design, let me know in the comments what you think!

Thanks loves :)  

Mint and white striped

Hi guys!

I. AM. IN. LOVE <3 <3 

Oh gosh this may be one of my all time favorite manicures... like, ever. It's no secret that China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle is one of my favorite polishes, I never even thought to pair it up with some holographic sparkle, and white zebra print.... until now! Are you ready for some minty goodness?!

I started off with a base of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle. When it was dry I added a coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust. I sealed all of that in with some Seche Vite to speed up the drying process. Then I stamped over each nail with PMTG White Undies and Bundle Monster plate BM-223. Finally I sealed everything in with once more coat of Seche Vite and that was it. 

Mint. Mint EVERYTHING. I don't even know how to express how much I love this manicure. I may wear it for like.... ever ;) 

Just kidding! There will be a new design up soon!

Have you ever created a manicure that you never wanted to take off? Show me a picture in the comments so I can see!

Thanks loves :) 

Chevron Crazy with Vinyls from The Little LacquerBean

Hey guys!

So if you guys follow me on Instagram (@pinkandpolishednails) you might have seen a little while ago I posted about my decision to join the indie scene. Yup, you read that right I'm going to be making nail polish!! Woohoo!! It's been quite a while in the works but I'm excited to finally be able to say that I should be opening up shop in the middle of September! And not only will I be creating polish, I'm also going to be making nail vinyls. If you don't know what vinyls are, they are basically stickers that you can apply to your nails and use to create beautiful designs. I've actually used my mini chevron vinyls to create the design you'll see below. So let me know what you think :)

I started off with a base of Orly Decades Of Dysfunction. When my base was dry I applied my vinyls and used Lime Crime Parfait Day, China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle, and OPI You Don't Know Jacques! to create the chevrons. I topped it off with a generous coat of Essie Good To Go and the design was finished!

I'm so excited to finally be able to share all of the news with you guys, there's a lot of things that are going to be happening really soon! What do you think of the vinyls? Would you guys buy them??

Thanks loves :)

Pink Herringbone

I sure do love a good herringbone design!

So when I saw THIS design on the ever talented Sam from The Nailasaurus I knew I had to bust out the striping tape one more time! I have to confess, I absolutely hate striping tape. 9 times out of 10 I will free hand stripes over using striping tape. But this particular design needs those crisp lines that striping tape can create so I had to suck it up for the love of nail art! ;) 

I started off this design with a base of Essie Blanc on my middle and ring finger. Then I taped off one half of the nail and applied the striping tape. I painted over it using Ruby Wing Kitten Heels. I pulled the tape off and did the same thing on the other side. On the rest of my nails I started with a base of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle and added a layer of HITS Hefesto on top. I top coated everything with Essie Good To Go and the design was finished!

I really enjoyed wearing this design I actually kept it on for 6 days straight! The sweet color combination of the pink and mint coupled with the crisp lines make this one of my favorite designs to date! 

Thanks loves :) 

Zebra Half Moons

Freehand zebra print...

Not exactly my forte, I definitely need a lot more practice but I'm proud enough of these to show them to you guys :) Plus, I did some half moons using my current favorite color, CHina Glaze Too Yacht To Handle! ;)

Let's get started!

I started off with a base of Essie Blanc on all of my nails. When it dried I painted on the half moons with China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle. I created the zebra print using Wet'n'Wild Black Creme and outlined the half moons with Color Club Beyond. I added some Essie Good-To-Go and a rhinestone on each nail to finish the design.

I know I still need some practice with the stripes but overall I'm pretty proud of these zebras! And I quite like the contrast between the dark zebra print and the bright mint. 

So tell me guys, what's your favorite animal print?

Thanks loves :) 

Cartoon Nails with China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle

Hey guys!

Remember when I told you I was on the hunt for the perfect min polish?? Well..... I FOUND IT! And I'm never ever ever letting it go ;) China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle may be my absolute favorite color in the whole world, that's saying something since my favorite color is pink. CG TYTH is the perfect creamy, bordering on neon, mint polish with a beautiful formula. Check out the design I created using it! 

I started off with a base of China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle. When it dried I created the outline using Wet n Wild Black Creme and I added the "shine" with white acrylic paint. Finally I used NYC Matte Me Crazy for a flat finish! 

I'm so in love with these you guys have no idea! And definitely keep your eyes on the blog for some more China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle yumminess, I'm sure I'll be reaching for it quite often in the future!! :) 

What's your favorite polish?

Thanks loves :)