Clean

Aug30 by Cheryl Cheryl

Good “old fashioned”, “classic” French manicure on the scene.

Can never go wrong with this.

gelish – “Sheek White” & “Little Princess”

My nails feel kinda happy right now. I’m going to try to keep them that way. Lol

Line and Shine

Nov29 by Cheryl Cheryl

China Glaze – “Hook And Line”
Essie – “Shine Of The Times”

The simplest combinations can be so perfect. I wish everything were this easy.

for a more neutral Viv

Jan14 by Cheryl Cheryl

I still decidedly HATE the Kiss Nail Art Stencils. Either that, or I just really don’t know how to use them yet.

After the last fiasco with the stencils, Viv encouraged me to try them again with a more neutral base. The results this time? Better than that horrible blue, but still needs marked improvement.

Since I altered the regular French manicure on this one, I’ll have to try another stencil with a “standard” French manicure and see if there is any redemption for these wack little “almost sticker” contraptions which do an incredible job of leading you to believe your nails will look amazing once you have these tiny nail art design tools. ALL LIES.

Nope, I’m still completely unimpressed…. so on to the photos:

Sinful Colors “Easy Going” tips &
OPI “Malaysian Mist”

I could have kept this French manicure variation for a little while. It was a nice little deviation from my “all bright everything” preference in polish these days. But the stencil and the silver wrecked it for me.

So, Viv?? do you still like these stupid stencils?? lol

To Shine or Not To Shine . . . . that is the question?!

Jan9 by Cheryl Cheryl

{click pics for link to original blogposts}

I first saw Erika’s “Chloe’s Nail’s” & PolishHoarder’s Valentine Nails. By the time I saw Rachel’s TopCoatIt post (which is insanely gorgeous)….. I had to get in on the “UNshining” process!!! Smile

They made matte gorgeous. And they inspired my current manicure. My previous hatred for matte has dissolved… I don’t know that I’m ready to go all the way matte…. but this is a definite start in that direction.

Revlon “FireFox” Matte Suede
w/ Seche Vite Top Coat “Frenched” tips

This is a very cheery (no, not cherry, though I guess it could also be classified as such) red with a glittery shimmer that gives the color a bit more dimension. It was thinner than I expected, so I used three coats to get my desired coverage. It doesn’t look like suede to me, but I do like it.

Definitely now going to purchase a mattifying topcoat and will be on the lookout for more matte polish to experiment with!!

Dre’s Holiday pick

Dec16 by Cheryl Cheryl

Yep, ‘tis the season. All things sparkly and shiny… red and green…. and gold. 🙂

Seems to me that the best folks to ask for nail polish suggestions are men! I was talking to my brother André as I was pondering over what color/design to adorn my nails… he sarcastically replied “that should be hard”…smh. I had to explain how difficult it is to choose when there are so many options. Then I asked for his suggestion…… Twinkle Lights with Black tips… (no he did NOT know the name of the polish. hahahahaha)

the result was quite nice! I would have been more surprised, but he actually has good taste. so……..

China Glaze “Twinkle Lights“ as a topcoat over “Passion” was the bow on the “holiday feel”. Like candy sprinkles on a sugar cookie in the shape of a Christmas Tree. The glitter was sparser than I would have liked, so I ended up using three coats. Nonetheless still festive. The topcoat alone would be adorable for little kiddie nails during the holiday.

Deviating from the widely held belief: This “Twinkle Lights” glitter is NOT of the devil. lol

I decided to use acrylic paint for the tips instead of polish because there would have been SIX layers of polish on the tips of my nails….. NO SIR!

China Glaze “Passion” w/ “Twinkle Lights” and black acrylic paint tips

I might have to ask André next time I can’t decide on a polish choice Smile .

French Newness

Dec12 by Cheryl Cheryl

It’s crazy when you do your nails yourself, you become straight impatient.

Another twist on that classic French.

I couldn’t wait to get off work to go home and try @boutique_nails’s design:

I saw the photo around lunchtime…. which meant I wasn’t going near home for a good 8 hours. smh. I wasn’t even anxious to remove the current design…. but testing out this new one was all I could think of!

FINALLY!!!!! home…. manicured Smile and loving it.

Essie “Sand Tropez” w/ white tips

The "Française"

Dec1 by Cheryl Cheryl

The French Manicure….

This has got to be the most classic “design” ever. Works for various nail lengths and types (acrylic, gel, natural). Matches everything…and is, weirdly, LOVED by so many men. (I would love for men to explain to me why they love it so.)

It’s refined and, when done well, “finishes” any hand beautifully.

Even, I, with my extreme love of color, can’t deny that the French….. is the crème de la crème.

It will never get old.

Not sure when or by whom it was created… but it’s incredible.

my nails at the beginning of growing back out

Mommie’s nails… she allows a french manicure, but no other color whatsoever
NYC Quick Color “Little Italy” & Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “Petal Pusher”

Angela’s gorgeous (and practical) American Shellac (CND)

Angela is a very successful and busy dentist (Healthy Smiles), and one of my dearest and closest friends. She washes her hands probably a billion times a day.

She introduced me to paraffin dips nearly 20 years ago. (Is there any question that she’s a REAL friend?! Smile ) Those things are amazing for moisturizing and soothing!

Shellac is a wise decision for her to maintain a finished look on her hands despite her total “manicure-hazardous” career. lol.

Though this is called an “American”…. it still looks really French to me. haha And is still so very classic and works well for any fashion look.

my nails growing out
NYC Nail Color “French Tip White” & “Love Letters”

I used to paint my white tips freehand, after a basecoat.
Now I take a page from the nail shop. I skip the basecoat, and I straighten the lines of my white tips with an acetone-dipped art brush. Mistake free every time. woo hoo!

The French Manicure will always be in my manicure rotation. Its beauty is timeless.