Could It Be Magic...? Take Two

Quick post - Midtown Magic from my last post, mattified!

I'd been wearing MM for a day before these pictures, hence a bit of tip wear.  So, I added a coat of ELF Matte top coat.  Not sure how I feel about the end result to be honest...

I was hoping the glitter would show through a bit more.  And to be honest, I don't rate ELF's Matte top coat.  I've used it a couple of times now and at first is fine, but it seems to wear off if you wear it more than a few hours, and not just at the tips as you would expect, I mean the whole nail.  After a day or so you end up somewhere between matte and shiny.  Not so good!



Could It Be Magic...?

Just a quick swatch post today!

This is a gorgeous China Glaze polish that I picked up for a about £3 in a bargain bin, and I loooooove it!!  It's called Midtown Magic.

MM is a black/brown base with gold, red and green shimmery glittery goodness.  This is two coats with a top coat of Essie Good To Go. 

These pictures really don't do the polish justice!  I couldn't stop staring at my nails while I had this on, turning them different ways and watching the shimmer change from red to gold to green.  Just beautiful.  And such a bargain too!  *happy dance*

Glitter Gradient

Evening!

Today I have my first attempt at a glitter gradient!!  I think I need a bit of practice with this technique, this ended up a bit uneven!

For this look I started off with a coat of OPI Nail Envy followed by two coats of Rimmel Black Cab.  Then using small pieces of a makeup sponge, I applied Barry M Aqua Glitter.

For my first attempt, I don't think this is too bad!!  I'm going to have fun practising though :)

Half 'n' Half

After wanting them for aaaages, I finally bought some silver studs from the Born Pretty Store.  This is my first time using them and I looooove them! 

I started off with two coats of Barry M Mint Green.  Then using a striping brush I painted half of each nail with Barry M Teal.

Once this had dried, I placed the studs on one at a time by dotting some clear polish onto my nail with a small paintbrush, then picking up and pressing the stud into the polish with a toothpick which I made sticky by dipping in clear polish. 

I topped it all off with a coat of Essie Good To Go. 

My top coat ended up a tad bubbly around some of the studs, I think because I put quite a thick coat on to seal everything in.  I'll probably try a couple of thin coats next time. 

As well as these silver studs, I got some gold studs and square gold studs and I'm so looking forward to using them!!

Smell My Finger....nails

Hi!

Quick post today!  This is a scented polish from Revlon, Watermelon Fizz.  This is two coats of Watermelon Fizz over two coats of ELF Passion Pink, with a top coat of Essie Good To Go.

I was actually surprised at how much this smelled of watermelon!  That aside this is a gorgeous polish.  Could easily have left it at one coat, but I needed a bit more shimmer :)

An Impromptu Snack...

Evening!

Today I have my first glitter sandwich!  When I sat down to do my nails I had intended to try some gradient nails, but when that went to hell I decided on this mani instead! 

I started out with two coats of Barry M Mint Green.  Then I added a generous coat of Technic Carnival, another (thin) coat of Mint Green and finished off with a coat of Essie Good To Go. 

Et voila!!  My first glitter sandwich.  I'm really pleased with how this turned out :)

I'm ending with a close up of Carnival so you can see the Glittery Goodness up close :D I LOVE this polish.   As you can see from the pic it's a clear base with almost every size and colour of glitter you can imagine.  And it's sooo easy to apply!!  This is such a fun polish to wear - the name sums it up perfectly.

Drool.

Cracking Up

Hi!

More Nails Inc. this evening!  I seem to be developing a theme!  So, crackle top coats, I love 'em.  I think you can create really cool looking nails with relative ease.  Especially now there's such a variety, the colour combinations are endless :)

This crackle top coat was another of the Nails Inc. lucky dip. 

I started off with two coats of Nails Inc. Fitzrovia, a gorgeous pale pink with hot pink shimmer.  Then I layered on a coat of Nails Inc. Hoxton crackle top coat, and finished off with a coat of Essie Good To Go.

I love this colour combo :)  This crackle polish was so easy to use, cracking formula as always from Nails Inc. (pardon the pun!).

So, pictures of the right hand! Would you believe they came out better than my left hand?! I think it was probably because I wasn't as careful and painted on a thicker coat than I did on my left hand which ended up looking better.  Mental note made for next time!