Shall-Lounge’!!!

Yes, as in: CHALLENGE! lol

challenge [chal-inj]:
–– to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties

——————————————-

Michelle ^^^ in her pretty, strapless, summer garb requested a manicure inspired by her dress print. (Hot mama!)

—————————————————————————-

I started with a basic white nail. [China Glaze – White on White] And I truly wanted to just stop there. I love this chic look!!

But then I TOTALLY succeeded with a TAPE manicure!!!! [OPI- Windmillion] Can you believe it?!?! Shocked the mess out of me. I may even attempt another tape manicure again in the future.

Followed by a free hand design with acrylic paints and a black nail art striper.

So Michelle??? What do you think? How did I do??

my first love

Jun18 by Cheryl Cheryl

I remember so clearly the first time…

I was visiting Chicago in February 2001. Contemplating life. Contemplating moving.

I went to get a manicure on the referral of a friend. My nails were probably a good inch long above the free edge (a bit longer than they are now). I rarely let ANYONE touch my fingernails. I just didn’t trust them – still don’t. I HATE filing-happy manicurists in much the same way a lot of Black women hate shear-happy hairstylists, lol. My nails are natural! I feel like that abundance-of-filing-crap habit comes from doing acrylic or gel nails…and the like. So, NO, I do NOT want you weakening and splitting the shit out of my nails with your wretched emery board or buffing square. GO AWAY!

So this nail salon visit was RARE!

I took the train and got lost. After finally finding the correct building, I made my way to the elevator. My poor naïve soul happened to land an elevator ride with a young man reeking of weed. He was done. High as hell. And his half-opened eyelids ratted him out big time. In my wonderfully sheltered existence, I wasn’t aware at that time, weed is not the “drug” that makes folks dangerous. So my ignorance made me skeptical and worried. He kept looking at me so I was absolutely certain I was going to have to fight him or something. I was so relieved when the elevator dinged on “my” floor…

..but why did this dude get off right behind me????….. slowly…. and head in the same direction I went. OH NO!!! HE’S FOLLOWING ME!!!!! 😦

We both went into the nail salon. The manicurist spoke to him…. he had a seat…..

oh. -__- no harm was to befall me. smh.

I sat and waited as she polished the client before me who had this STUNNING polish on her nails. So, I queried, “What color is that?”

“I’m not really a waitress.”

“I’m sorry.” WTH?! These people are weirdos! I didn’t ask what she did for a living though. “No, I was asking what the name of that polish color was. I like it.”

Turning and facing me with a chuckle, “That’s the name of the polish. I’m Not Really A Waitress.” Then she AND the manicurist laughed.

Embarrassed and still slightly puzzled….. “Really????”

That was my introduction to the wonderful world of OPI. LOL.

Their polish naming is probably more popular than their actual polish for most folks. I have since been in an unfaltering love relationship with “I’m Not Really A Waitress” and OPI. It’s my favorite nail polish brand, barring none other that I’ve tried. My second favorite colors are “La Paz-itively Hot” for my toes, and “Cozu-melted in the Sun.”

My love hasn’t died.
My knowledge of weed…. well, now I understand. hahahahaha

OPI – “I’m Not Really A Waitress”

😉

ShowOff CopyCat

Jun15 by Cheryl Cheryl

I should probably refrain from trying to give myself a manicure while tipsy. It was fun, but not presentable. HAHA

I had to take off my first attempt this evening. LOL. And since I didn’t have a clue what to do with my nails after my failed efforts….. I copied Duana’s white polish.

I was trying not to be a complete copycat….. and then Chi Chi & Duana called me a showoff…..BUT I WASN’T!!!!!! I promise!

MANNNNNNNNNNN. Cannot win. Maybe next time.

~~~~

Oh my beloved dots… how I’ve missed you so.
This manicure made me so very happy. It was worth the name-calling. lmao.

China Glaze – “White On White”
& a slew of magical acrylic paint dots
Smile

Super Duper Wonderful Pretty Plaid

Jun13 by Cheryl Cheryl

Could NOT resist the green/pink plaid design by Lace: A Nail Art Blog. (top row, 2nd from left)

Apparently the majority of the great designs require this horizontal line thingy. I’m going to just have to keep practicing. It’s so much work. But eventually it’s going to be easy for me, and then y’all ain’t gon’ be able to tell me NOTHIN’!!!!! lol *cue Kanye music*(link) nuh unh you can’t tell me NOTHIN.

OPI – “Green-wich Village”
Essie – “Chastity”

As expected, I have some shaky stripes going on…. but at this rate, I may have super straight lines by Christmas. Smile . I attempted a silver glitter nail art striper on my left hand thumb nail, but decided it was too much and actually detracted from my love of the design. Sometimes less is more. A LOT of times, less is more.

Wardrobe

Jun12 by Cheryl Cheryl

I saw a striped design mani on my bloglovin’ feed today… BUT I CAN’T FIND THE MANI I’M COPYING!!!!!! Hers was incredible. She had horizontal stripes on all but an accent nail. And her lines were nice. I’m still practicing. LOL. So, I did more diagonal lines than horizontal.

I chose these colors because I picked out clothes for work in this color scheme. Smile It’s always cool matching……….. or at least complementing.

China Glaze – “Pelican Gray”
orange, black and white nail art stripers

Tartan

Jun11 by Cheryl Cheryl

Back to nail polish strips.

Let me just say: I really, truly love Sally Hansen products.

Now that that is out of the way. This product was trash. Hot burning, flaming, smoking trash.

I wanted so badly to have this argyle pattern on my nails. But it took FOREVER to apply this particular design. And maybe it was user error all day. Perhaps my nails are in the way now that they have grown out and made it more difficult to apply the polish strips.

But I don’t think so. The last time I used Sally Hansen strips my nails were even longer. (Houndstooth design). The diagonal white line in this design was printed in such a way that the strips kept tearing easily at the point where the line was printed. Sad smile . ALL BAD!

It took like 40 minutes to apply these suckers. I COULD HAVE JUST POLISHED A DESIGN BY HAND ON MY NAILS IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME! Applying a polish strip is supposed to cut DOWN on manicure time and potential error.

This application turned out sloppy. And I was disappointed in the flaws. But I did still love the design… wore them for three days – flaws and all.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects – “SWEET TART-AN”

I used them on my toenails too Smile . That was fun.

From afar, they still looked great! And maybe that’s all that really mattered anyway.

The Leopard Went Thataway

Jun6 by Cheryl Cheryl

Base = China Glaze – “Thataway”
Spots = Light Blue Acrylic Paint
Outline = Color Club “Black Hologram” Nail Art Liner

Thataway is a shimmering orangey coral. Pictures aren’t capturing its pizazz. But the leopard isn’t phased.

lol.

I Got Nothin’

Jun3 by Cheryl Cheryl

I like my nails this week.

They have come to this length where they don’t require a lot from me, but they give everything. They aren’t in my way, but they keep drawing my attention. For me, this is good nail life. Smile

Because of that, I can’t tell if it’s the nail polish color that is so incredible or if my nails just want to show off….. I can’t even bring myself to think of any design to decorate them.

After last week’s most complimented “Gargantuan Green Grape” manicure, with no design…. Once again…. I got nothin. Just pretty polish. lol.

China Glaze – “Electric Beat”

Hanes

May30 by Cheryl Cheryl

Light Green.

This color definitely looks like a pair of Hanes briefs I purchased in an assorted color pack of women’s underwear. LOL. At least in the bottle.

It’s a pretty pastel green. It took 3 coats to get this coverage. As big a fan as I am of OPI…. well, this one I would only recommend for Easter or something…maybe poolside. It looks great on my toenails. Perfect for summer sandals. It’s not a neon, but it does have it’s own allure, especially against my brown skin. It’s more vibrant than I could capture in the pictures. (Will have to try sunlight.)

I like the way it looks on my nails, but I’m sure this will be off my fingernails in WAY less time than those Cherries lacquer strips were. Because I have nail polish ADD.

By the way, those Sephora lacquer strips were NOT trying to come off. No chipping or peeling or ANYTHING. And I was working hard to get them to chip. Ultimately, I had to just get nail polish remover and remove them. So they are definitely long-lasting. They wore well.

OPI – “Gargantuan Green Grape”

Half Moons

May23 by Cheryl Cheryl

This was my half-way reputable attempt at the manicure phenomenon that is the “Half Moon.”

Umm, these are WAY harder than I thought. I’ll have to practice my reinforcement sticker placement. My half moons are ALL OVER THE PLACE. LOL. – But y’all know how I feel about “tape” manicures. “Hated them.” Still do.