SWATCH
OPI Heart Throb
A lovely reader recently sent me an email expressing that she enjoys looking at my manicures, but finds some of them too extreme to be worn to a work environment. Although I respectively disagree (I thnk that the crazier the manicure, the better, hehe), I want to help her find some more subtle colors to wear. She specifically asked for me to name a polish that best matched the color that the women wear when selling jewelry in infomercials.
I went through my stash and came across an old polish I regularly used when all I knew was the French manicure. This is 5 coats of OPI’s Heart Throb. I avoid wearing this color because it is incredibly sheer, but after photographing the swatch, it’s not so bad. I love the fact that my hands look classy and clean - I am definitely ready to model some jewelry on TV!
—
How do you feel about this color? Keep in touch with me via Facebook! If you like what you see, you can get your own bottle of Heart Throb here.
YOU’RE A STUD!
Today I have a product from Born Pretty Store to share with you. I was generously provided with a bag of 4mm gold square studs for an honest review. The studs came in a small plastic packet, which I later poured into a small container for easier use. They are very light even though they are made of metal, so they do not bother me at all.
I was worried that these studs would snag on my clothes, but I have been wearing these all day with no problems at all - they are flat and the corners are rounded. Unlike other metal rhinestones, these do not get discolored after applying a top coat.
Application of these studs are incredibly easy. You do not need to use glue. A simple top coat adheres the studs firmly.
Each bag sells for less than $6 and with the coupon code MANDIEW21, you can enjoy a 10% discount off your entire purchase (+ free shipping worldwide).
Born Pretty Store sent me the product to review. I am in no way affiliated with this company. The opinions stated in this review are honest and my own.
—
I used OPI’s Mermaid’s Tears as the base color.
Questions? Keep in touch with me via Facebook! My giveaway for two OPI polishes is still open until tomorrow night at 9:00 PM PST.
Hello followers,
I am hosting a giveaway on my Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/mandiesmanicures) to show my appreciation to you all. There are two sets of the polishes up for two lucky winners! Be sure to enter before 3/28/2012, 9:00PM PST. If you are following me on tumblr, you get an extra entry. Be sure to leave an extra comment telling me your username. :)
Go to the photo to learn more about this giveaway. Good luck! <3
- mandie
EXOTIC
OPI Lincoln Park After Dark
Essie Shine of the Times
Konad plate m57
Konad Special Polish White
I had two math midterms last week, and as soon as I was done, I went straight to the mall to treat myself to a little somethin’. When I spotted the zebra knuckle ring, I KNEW I had to add it to my ring collection. ;) And of course, I did a matching manicure for the ring.
I love layering Essie’s Shine of the Times over dark, creme-finish polishes. The effect is incredible from various angles. You can see a swatch (layered over a black polish) of this beautiful flaky polish I posted a few months back here. This is definitely something you want to have handy in your polish collection for an instant eye-catching manicure. Get your own bottle here on Amazon!
—
Like what you see? Become a fan of mandie’s manicures on Facebook!
GO BEARS!
OPI Dating a Royal
China Glaze Happy Go Lucky
dried flowers, fimo clay
If you have not heard, prettynailswag is hosting a spring themed nail art contest here! I sat around looking through my nail polishes to find inspiration for a spring look, and then I thought, “What does spring mean to me?” And it hit me. This spring marks the last semester I will be attending Cal (UC Berkeley). I will be graduating this May with a Bachelors in mathematics - whew, exciting!
I found a cute little clay bear in my stash and went for it. It was the closest thing I could find that looked (sort of) like Oski, our beloved mascot. And the flowers? Of course, when I think of spring, I think of beautiful flowers blooming everywhere. :) Our school colors are blue and gold, so I was very lucky to have some at home for this manicure.
There you have it. To all of my fellow golden bears, roll on you bears! - mandie
—
I bought the dried flowers from Amazon for a very good deal. They are very easy to use, so if you’re interested in trying them out on your own nails, you can get some here.
Questions? Keep in touch with me via Facebook!
COOKIES & CREAM
OPI Alpine Snow
Nubar Black Polka Dot
I was so bummed the other day when I saw Tangled in my Web by Wet n’ Wild on eBay for over $30/bottle (it was taken off the shelves after Halloween 2011, so some people have been taking this as an opportunity to make some money). Thankfully I found another black glitter polish from Nubar for a better deal! This is my first bottle of Nubar polish and I absolutely love it.
I can’t believe how cool black glitter looks. Okay, yeah, I just love glitter polishes in general, but this is definitely something every polish-aholic needs to have in her collection. You can buy your bottle here on Amazon!
—
Have you entered in my giveaway yet? Ends 3/16/12!
SWATCH
OPI Skulls and Glossbones
This is four coats of OPI’s Skulls and Glossbones from the Pirates of the Caribbean 2011 collection. It is a creamy gray color, perfect for newspaper nails. Unfortunately, I could not get the prints to transfer without smearing, but luckily I took this picture prior to attempting nail art with newspapers so I can at least do a swatch post.
Get your bottle of Skulls and Glossbones here!
Now some updates: My second giveaway ends in less than 1 month, so don’t forget to enter for a chance to win nail products of your choice! Also, the Julep Maven program has a special offer for new members - you can get your first month’s box for 1 cent with coupon code COLOR2012. Be sure to snag your box while the code is still valid! And finally, click here to keep in touch with me via Facebook. :)
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
OPI Gargantuan Green Grape
OPI What’s With the Cattitude?
OPI Do You Lilac It?
China Glaze Second-Hand Silk
Adorée Lemon Meringue
Jade Sparkle Emerald, Blue Twilight, Meteorite Showers, Lunar Beach, Martian Sands
various colors of striping tape
I know spring isn’t going to be here for another month, but when I found these five beautiful pastel colors in my drawers, I couldn’t resist doing a springtime manicure. Also, I sincerely apologize that my watermark has been getting larger these past few weeks. Let’s just say I found some of my images being used improperly on the web (watermark removed, altered, etc.) and that makes me sad. I’ll try my best not to cover up the nails with my name though. :)
—
Get some striping tape for a good deal here!
NV Nail & Beauty Supply generously provided me with all the nail products (with the exception of the striping tapes) mentioned in this post. Click here to learn more about their shop.
