Seche Ultra V

Jul22 by Cheryl Cheryl

My last manicure endured volumes of hardship (shampooing hair, washing dishes, bleach cleaning, hairstyling for a fashion show, cleaning and organizing) over the last 2 days, and resulted in chipping on my left thumbnail and my right ring fingernail. I can’t be sure that the Seche Ultra V topcoat wasn’t a superior barrier. So I started over. And I plan to chill out for the next few days. LOL.

China Glaze – “Electric Beat” & “First Mate”

The topcoat is simple to apply – just like your regular topcoat. After applying, cure the polish under the UV lamp for 3 minutes. (9 minutes total with Seche’s portable UV lamp – 3 minutes for each hand with 4 fingers, and then 3 minutes for the thumbs)

I love the way my nails feel after this process. It’s definitely a sleeker “gel nail” feel. So, all day I’m rubbing my fingers over my nails beds. LOL. My nails actually feel stronger too.

The shine is not any more brilliant than when using the regular Seche Vite Fast Drying Topcoat, in my opinion. And the drying time seems actually longer in that the regular Seche Vite top coat seems to dry rather immediately. (There are factors that affect that… if you have many thick layers of polish, it will definitely take more time to completely dry. I have watched the topcoat seeping through the layers and forming a “wrinkle” in the nail polish when the previous layers were thick and still rather wet…and then drying to a smooth finish. Craziest thing in the world to watch. haha)

Removal is the same for the Seche Ultra V topcoat as any other polish. There is no soaking required.

So, hopefully this time, I give the topcoat a fair chance. Last time I felt like I was looking for opportunities to use my nail tips as tools and just doing crazy things that directly impacted my nail tips. I gotta stop tripping and chill out. Smile

Whew!

Jul20 by Cheryl Cheryl

This manicure was hard work. It took some time to accomplish… and that was my goal.

I’m testing out Seche Vite UV topcoat… used alongside the companion mini/portable UV lamp. I wanted a manicure that was tedious, and one that I felt I would really enjoy viewing for the long haul. This fit the bill.

My aim is long-lasting shine, and chip free results. I’ll let you know how the topcoat holds up.

Penny Pumps

Jul19 by Cheryl Cheryl

Essie – “Penny Talk”

♫ What more can I say?!?!?!?♫ *Jay Z voice*

I LOVE this mirror metallic. love, love, love, love, love.

I purchased it with the specific intent to stamp it over black! It was everything I hoped for. Everything I dreamed it would be.

Coupled with my new Bundle Monster Plate (BM- 213), I couldn’t be more pleased.

♫ Oh I’m fancy, huh ♪… Winking smile . . . . nails done……

I ain’t scared of no Bundle Monster!!

Jul19 by Cheryl Cheryl

I am, however, a little overwhelmed. LOL

Within these 25 plates are so many wonderful options. I might be playing around practicing stamping a LOT…for a little while.

Here, I tested out stamping options with an OLDDDDDDD Wet ‘n’ Wild Pewter Metallic with Bundle Monster (BM-203) over China Glaze – “Trendsetter”.

Crushing Flowers

Jul16 by Cheryl Cheryl

Orly – “Crush On You”

I’m still searching for the perfect neon-ish tangerine color.

Sad to say, I still haven’t found the exact color I’m looking for… so I’m still on the hunt. (If you know of any, please let me know where I should look!! Pretty please!)
I started blending some colors since I have so many “oranges” in this color range right now….

IMG_3829[1]

…..but ultimately, I decided I’d try again to find the pre-made color, and polished with the pretty Orly color.

kate spade – new york

Jul15 by Cheryl Cheryl

My iPhone needs its own “case closet”. Like a shoe rack. Or a wardrobe.

I didn’t realize the extent of my foolishness until I received my new case in the mail… that I forgot I had ordered… because I already had 6 cases that I wasn’t using. And yes, I have had my new iPhone for approximately 3 (count them: one, two, three..) weeks.

But I NEEDED this case!!!

Okay, okay. I know “need” is relative.
This gave me the perfect motivation to try out this “border nails” nail trend in the process.

I started with China Glaze – “White On White”

I didn’t have a perfect color match to the case’s pink trim. So, I made my own. *shrugs*
I blended an even ratio (1:1) of Sinful Colors – “Boom Boom” & “24/7” and used a size “0” nail art brush to outline my nail.

I knew it was a completely successful manicure when the cashier at Whole Foods commented that she loved how my nails matched my phone! Nail art wins again :-).

Shelle’s too cute mani

Jul14 by Cheryl Cheryl

Just as I suspected normandlou’s Super Easy Flower Manicure was wanted. The Butterfly wanted it, but my sister chose the design and beat her to her manicure this week.

Turned out GREAT! (Thanks normandlou!!!)

Sinful Colors – “Beautiful Girl”
OPI – “Pedal Faster Suzi”

Mahjong

Jul13 by Cheryl Cheryl

I FINALLY settled on the center image from Konad plate – m8…after hours of polishing, stamping, removing, retrying, cleaning, repolishing, restamping, RE-removing….etc.. lol

But I couldn’t put it on all my nails because I realized I have no clue what this symbol means/says!!!!!

If you know what this says, LET ME KNOW!!!! Smile . I’d like to be “in the know” if I ever use this image again.

Anyway, it looks like tiles from my computer Mahjong game. And now I feel inspired to go play a round.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri – “Silver Sweep”

You know you wanna play too!

Blooming

Jul11 by Cheryl Cheryl

I feel like a florist. Smile

China Glaze – “Gothic Lolita”
Konad Plate – m9

Stamping Shortcuts

Jul10 by Cheryl Cheryl

A lot goes into stamping. It’s much more difficult than all the konad enthusiasts, nail polish bloggers, and tv commercials let on. I have much more respect for stampers now. For real.

I couldn’t keep the stamping straight (I tried so hard!) haha…so I had to add some tiny dots to try to distract… lol. I hope it worked.

OPI – “Tutti Fruiti Tonga”
Konad plate - m15 (white special polish)
white acrylic paint dots w/super small dotting tool

I think this is the most delicate design so far.

Now for the shortcut!

I realized that I would be using WAY too many paper towels, cotton squares and ENERGY at this pace. So, I came up with the idea to use an acetone soaked sponge to clean the stamper, scraper and plates…as I stamped.

The apex of this idea came from the Butterfly! She suggested I use a soapdish as the container to hold the sponge!!!!!! This child is a genius. GENIUS!! It’s the perfect shape and the shallow depth accommodates easy swipes of the plates and holder. No paper towel or cotton square waste! And when not in use, I can cover the top. SOLUTION!