NOTD: Formula X for Sephora Freaky Like Freud

Next my nubbins were graced with Freaky Like Freud from the Brilliants collection of Formula X for Sephora:

Of course, something this sparkly and holographic and basically AWESOME, I had to do a polish in motion for:  

So, obviously I loved this polish, what do you think of this color?  It actually is a very pale lavender, although with all the holo sparkle it comes off silver; here's a comparison betweem it and Hubba Hubble (the actual silver from the Brilliants collection):

Thanks for reading =)

~Colette

NOTD: Anise Cosmic Kiss

After I chopped my nails I needed sparkles to make me feel better, so I wore a succession of really beautiful polishes, the first of which was Anise Cosmic Kiss - the Anise brand is available at DSW of all places:

The inner fire and subtle holo finish of this polish didn't show up like I wanted it to in pictures, so I did a Polish in Motion for it:

Sooo pretty!  I really enjoyed having this on my tiny nubbins.  They've since grown out of course, but I'm trying to keep them on the shorter side (for me) for a couple of reasons - one of which is in an effort to minimize breaks which is so far a fail; I think I could get a break at any length I am such a clutz LOL.

I've got such a backlog, both from earlier this year & from last year, I could probably do a post a day for the next year & not be caught up.  I don't know if I can actually follow through on that, but I plan to try!  Day two:  check!

Thanks for reading.

~Colette

New Year's Naked Nails Before & After

Yeah ... I don't think I'm even going to apologize this time.  You guys know the deal.  Trying (always trying) to get back into the swing of things.  So here we go.

Right after New Year's, after soaking off my Glitter Mosaic, I did probably the biggest chop I've ever done.  Now, like with any before and after part of making the after look really good is to make the before look really really bad - so we have the acetone-dried hands, after soaking off both glitter & patches - and the break that broke the rest of the way when the patch came off:

And then for the after, neatly-trimmed, buffed & moisturized nubbins:

I did record the soak & the hack, because I really wasn't sure at the time how bad the glitter was going to be coming off.  Turns out it was pretty easy (all things considered) but if you'd like to check it out here's the vid:

I can't promise I'll be posting regularly now, but I'm going to try.  If you want me on a more regular basis, consider following me on Instagram @mysimplelittlepleasures - it's such a quick, easy interface I manage to stay moderately active on there LOL.  Even if I don't have anything new I do Throwback Thursdays and have been including 15-second speed-tutorials for the manis that I'm throwing back to.

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: Christmas Reverse Waterfall + Tutorial

Busy holidays, and then busy with snow & cold, but things are getting back to normal & I'm only a few posts behind.  This was my Christmas manicure - I'd been wanting to try striping from the tip rather than the cuticle ever since I did my Harvest Waterfall Mani.  Base color for this attenpt is China Glaze White On White, then the waterfall is done with China Glaze  Red-Y and Willing, Goldie but Goodie, Tongue & Chic, & Gossip Over Gimlets - all from the Autumn Nights Collection:

Here's the tutorial:

I have 3 more posts to catch up with - my Super Blingy Ombre Glitter Mosaic, which was the last mani on my long nails, and then 2 "plain" manicures on my new short nubbins.  Then there'll be a nubbins tutorial up this weekend!

Thanks for reading =)

~Colette