The longer version is that about a month ago, I made the lovely discovery that there are people just as obsessed with their manicure as I am - in many cases MORE obsessed. Since then I have been lurking & reading & working up the courage to put in my 2 cents. I've gleaned so much useful info in just a few weeks that I feel the urge to contribute what meager knowledge I have to share.
I know pretty much zero about blogs past reading them. I'd never seriously considered writing one myself before I realized there was a comminty for a subject I was actually interested in. But I like to think I'm a quick learner, so hopefully it won't be too long before this page starts to look like more than a grade-school experiment.
That said - on to the good stuff! The manicure. My current NOTD, although they're really more like NOTW because to this point I've only been doing them once a week. But that was before I purchased my first bottle of Seche Vite 2 weeks ago. Quickly followed by the purchase of a glass nail file - both on the recommendation of so many other bloggers. Hopefully if I continue to follow all the good advice I can get my nails looking as good as all of you other ladies. Right now I have problems with peeling & breaking on several specific nails (which you'll see below) but because I really cannot stand having short nails I instead have to deal with uneven nails. Before we get to the real manicure, I took some "naked" shots of my nails on Sunday, here's what I'm working with underneath it all:
I believe this was taken just under the ceiling light in my room + the camera's flash. My nails that grow properly I'm pretty happy with - my thumb & index finger not so much. The right hand is in similar shape but worse ... there's a pic of it painted below, you'll see. The next piece of advice I think I'll be taking is Biotin.
So then I did 2 coats of China Glaze Romantique Harmony - which was the first color of the collection I tried because purple is always my favorite - and then Konaded (is that a verb? If not I declare it to be one from now on) it with white special polish & plate m4 twice. You can see why one of my New Year's Resolutions is to learn & practice a cleaner paint job. Taken directly under the lamp.
I've mainly been lazy & resistant to learning to be neater because with a little peeling & scrubbing, most of the extra polish comes off. Well, at least that's what I thought before I started taking close-up gigantic shots of my manicure. Good enough to the naked eye, but at this range I notice quite a bit of excess polish still clinging on. This is under my full-spectrum lamp at work:
And hours later, a little cleaner but still little stubborn specks. This next one is taken outside; it was snowing, so bright-white but no direct sun. LOL I really need to pick one good spot to take the pics, I know, but I'm still kind of in the experimental phase as far as that goes.
Anyway, those are my nails, and they make me happy. Probably my #1 simple little pleasure. If you're still with me after this ridiculously long first post, thanks for reading.
~Colette
Beautifull!!!! You have given me a great idea for nail stamping!!!
ReplyDeleteI have that disk and i have used that flower with french manicure...but as you have stamping it's very nice and very fantasy!!!
Thanks for the links!!I put your blog on mine!!!
Astasia - thanks so much, I'm glad I was able to inspire you!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and am following.
ReplyDeleteI love your nails AND your writing style that's why I'm at your first post and plan to read them all. :)
Susie in northern NY
SUSIE - Thank you so much, hope you enjoy =)
ReplyDeleteHey I found your blog a few days ago and have since been reading all of the post backwards (it was odd occasionally, lol). Really enjoying it, and definitely gonna be a follower from now on! :-)
ReplyDeleteLol I did the same as Jen except saw your Youtube and started there ans went backwards there too lol :) Nice to see where it started.
ReplyDeleteWell, I just finished reading your blog from most recent post to the beginning. You are really an inspiration for me--about a month ago I started my own blog and I don't yet have any followers (well, my niece, but she really doesn't count), but your blog has given me hope that if I keep it up someday I might get a few here or there. I love how your nail length and skills have evolved over time. You rock!
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