NOTD: Formula X for Sephora Love Chemistry

Last week was a bit hectic, with the holiday & then a condensed work week, but while I took a few days off I'm not disappearing again!

This is another from my Formula X for Sephora train case that they sent me, and I think it is one of the shiniest things I have ever had on my nails!  The coppery pink & gold combination is one that I wasn't sure about until I had it on my nails, then I was in love:

And if Formula X is a little bit out of your price range, worry not - Maybelline Color Show has a really good dupe called Gilded Rose =)  I just gave that to a friend as a birthday gift, because it's such a great color regardless of which brand you go with.

Thanks for reading.

~Colette

NOTD: New Year's Super Blingy Ombre Glitter Mosaic + Tutorial

So far, we have already received nearly a foot more snow than we normally average in an entire winter.  And all that shoveling is what I'm blaming my lack of posting in January on ... winter doesn't appear to be letting up any time soon but I guess I'm not surprised ...  that's where the name Minne"snow"ta came from =)

Anyway, here is what I had on my nails for New Year's, just before I made a big chop (which if you haven't see on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc will be coming up in my next post).  The base color is just OPI Black Onyx; the glitter ombre is done with Martha Stewart glitter from Michaels in the colors Onyx, Sterling, Florentine Gold, Fire Opal, Garnet, Tourmaline, Kunzite, Charoite, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Verdalite & Olivine:

The overall ombre was a beautiful effect, although some nails the difference was very drastic, such as on the black/silver nail - some nails the difference was nearly invisible, such as on the red/orange nail:

Here's the tutorial:

This look was inspired from a design on Pinterest, and I did it my own way before I actually read up on the blog posts by the original creator.  That's how I usually do it unless I really can't figure out how to accomplish the effect, but after the fact I learned quite a lot from reading, watching, and even a few comments back and forth with Polish All The Nails.  So the next time I do a glitter mosaic - and there will definitely be a next time - I plan on using at least 2 coats of my base color, to give the glitter a deeper layer to be pressed into.  Also, I trimmed the overhanging glitter & then added a topcoat - I think I would topcoat to help the glitter stay in place, then trim, then more top coat to smooth everything out.  This wasn't horribly rough - and actually wore much better than I expected, only losing a few glitters by the time I took it off - but I think with practice I can get it even smoother!

This was a super fun manicure to wear, I kept in on a whole week & I got a LOT of compliments ... here's a look at it in motion:

Do you have the patience to do a look like this?  Maybe just as an accent nail would be enough for many LOL.

Thanks for reading.

~Colette

NOTD: Formula X for Sephora Atom + Eve

I was going to do something fancier for my company holiday party, but I ended up running a bit short on time & so I just went with a red glitter - because that's always a great Christmas choice =)  This is Formula X for Sephora Atom + Eve:

This was also I think the only time I can remember having a polish on at the same time as my mom - she chose it for her church choice holiday concert - looks a bit different on her short nails  but obviously still a gorgeous color:

Thanks for reading!

~Colette

NOTD: Hunger Games Catching Fire - Girl on Fire French Tips + Tutorial

I am a HUGE Hunger Games fan ... I didn't realize until after the fact how well the Harvest Waterfall would have worked out for the movie, so this is what I ended up wearing to go see the movie.  I started out with a base of OPI Alpine Snow, then a couple coats of Formula X for Sephora Spark, then topped that as a jelly sandwich with OPI Meet Me at the Bonfire.  Then I painted the flames with black acrylic paint:

Here's the tutorial:

Are you a Hunger Games fan?  Have you seen the movie and I'm guessing loved it?  Casting was so spot-on flawless, I think it was even better than the first one.  I can't wait for the next ones!  The last book is getting split into 2 movies if you didn't already know.

Thanks for reading =)

~Colette

NOTD: OPI Alcatraz ... Rocks

I really wasn't sure about the Liquid Sand polishes at first, but I've grown to like them - both on their own & glossy with a top coat.  This Liquid Sand color is from OPIs's San Francisco Collection, Alcatraz ... Rocks:

Here it is with top coat:

Which version is your favorite?  For me, glossy wins.

Thanks for reading =)

~Colette

NOTD: Zoya Pippa + Finger Paints Psychedelic Sunshine

I started off with just Zoya Pippa, which is part of the La-Di-Da Collection:

But I decided that while bright, it wasn't quite enough, so I added a coat of Finger Paints Psychedelic Sunshine to give it some sparkle:

I actually don't usually go quite this bright without like some black staamping to tone it down a bit, but it was a nice change of pace & I liked the combination quite a lot.

Thanks for reading.

~Colette

NOTD: Purple Swirl + Tutorial

I am SO stubborn. I'm aware of this. Usually it pays off in the end ... we'll hope one day that will be the case around here LOL.

I wasn't really very happy with this ... this.  Base color is Orly Charged Up, Swirled with Sally Hanson Be-Jeweled, swirled & then topped with Essie Shine of the Times ... and eventually Warpaint Mattify:

Here's the tutorial:



Thanks for reading =)

~Colette

NOTD: Girl on Fire Water Marble + Tutorial

This was my favorite design from Water Marble March, and I did in fact have it on my nails when I went to see the movie =)  & if you somehow still have not heard about the Hunger Games ... well, what rock have you been under LOL?

I started this manicure with a base of Orly Crush on You with a coat of the glitter Icing Pumpkin on top.  Since the colors I marbled with were mostly jellies, the glitter sparkled through a little & really brought the fire to life.  Marbling is done with Crush on You as well as Orly Ma Cherie & Liquid Vinyl - somehow although I had this on for around a week it appears I didn't get any natural lamp pictures but I think the rest do it pretty good justice:

Favorite flame-like nails:

And of course here is the tutorial:



Did you see the movie & have you read the books?  I try not to think too much about the next movie because it's so far off, but really I can't wait!

Thanks for reading.

~Colette