Author Archives: MonicawithRA

Summer Vibes Neon Gradient | #nailart #easynails

09 Tuesday Feb 2016

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Eeek! I finally succeeded in photographing neon nail polish! My skin tone came out a bit wonky but you can’t win it all with these pesky neon colors. I am really very happy with the polish capture, though.

Initially, I wanted to stamp a design on top but this neon gradient just looked so lovely on its own. I finally left well enough alone and I was thrilled. I wore this easy gradient nail art for almost four days with minimal chipping.

Gradients are generally an easy, arthritis-friendly, and pain-friendly nail art technique because there is no perfect way of doing it. That being said, neons are finicky and require a little more time and effort but it is so worth it!

If you are interested in the process I have linked a great tutorial from Ane Li below!

 

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2-IMG_0518Base: SinfulColors Whiteboard (no longer available)

Alternative polish: SinfulColors Snow Me White*

Gradient (cuticle to tip): Zoya Pippa, Color Club Wham! Pow!, Warhol

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Like what you see? Please consider supporting my content by donating through PayPal or Venmo: @Monica-Sengupta!

Transparent Liquid Container with Pump | Born Pretty Store In-Depth Review

07 Sunday Feb 2016

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Items provided for review.

I came across this cute pump container on the Born Pretty Store website one day and was keen to try it for my nail polish remover. Currently, I pour it into a little bowl but the liquid quickly evaporates and I waste a lot of expensive product (hello! Zoya Remover Plus). This bottle looked like it would solve my dilemma and keep a good amount of liquid for easy access without having to constantly refill it!

 

2-fullbottle_edited-1There are no size specifications on the website but I assume it holds at least two fluid ounces.  The flip lid securely fits over the push-down pump inside so even if the container falls, liquid does not spill. The one feature I appreciate the most is the straw attached to the pump. It reaches the bottom of the bottle so I do not waste product! The entire top screws on and off easily at refill time.

 

1-zoyabottle_edited-1A full pump releases enough liquid to saturate a cotton swap while four or five pumps wet a cotton ball. It is definitely quicker to soak the cotton ball directly from the remover bottle.

 

4-cottonbottle_edited-1

3-foodcoloring_edited-1This container costs $3.00 which makes it a steal. I sometimes notice cheap imitations come with broken springs and unmovable pumps. Even though this pump is a little stiff it is not unusable. I easily use it one-handed which is great while I paint my nails. It is also a lot more convinient to move than my 25 ounce bottle of remover.

Any liquid works so it is not exclusive to nail polish/art. I switch out the nail polish remover with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or water to fit my needs.

 

You can check out the item here and don’t forget to use my 10% off code if you place an order!

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Shimmer and Shine Double Stamping | Nail Art

06 Saturday Feb 2016

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I never got the hang of double stamping. The images never came out quite right. I cannonballed right in without thinking, tried two different patterns and never nailed the landing.

Today, I took a step back and tried something simpler. It took a little practice but I finally decided on the best look. I used the same pattern but simply positioned the second stamp higher than the first. And, while this is nothing special I think it is a huge accomplishment for me!

I hope you like it!

Metallic Double Stamping Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: Pahlish La Royale

Stamping: Pueen Cosmetics plate PUEEN45 (Love Elements collection), Zoya Goldie, Severine

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Birthday Stamping Decals! | Nail Art

02 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Nail Art

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My 25th birthday was less than ideal. Three days before it Saachi collapsed from a tumor pressing against her lungs. She was still in the hospital and because everyone was worried about her they forgot my day! My father remembered but he was the only one.

I’ve never been one for birthdays. My mom made a big to do over them. Dad and I were content with a few “happy birthdays” and a family dinner but anything afterwards we found unnecessary. And even though I was not one to make a big deal it would be nice if someone remembered…

 

My 26th birthday was amazing! I got “Happy Birthday’s” from all my social media outlets, my family texted and called and I even got presents! We rarely exchange gifts (even for major holidays) so I was completely taken aback. I taught a morning class so I was done with work at 9am and I took the best nap. ever.

My dad cooked my favorite dinner and bought me a cake!

We buy the same cake for every occasion (birthdays, pets birthdays, any sort of celebration). It is a simple strawberry cake from Fresh Fields (edit: Whole Foods). There are three layers of plain sponge separated by strawberries and fresh cream topped with whipped cream and almond slices. Mmmm!

And, because I was in such a good mood I painted my nails to mirror my happiness. I topped them with glitter and metallics and stars!

 

1-stamping decalBase: Zoya Charlotte

Glitter: KBShimmer Sand in My Stocking

Stamping: Pueen Cosmetics plate PUEEN44, Konad Stamping Black, Serum No.5 Fallen, Zoya Goldie & Severine

 

Orencia – Month Seven | Rheumatoid Arthritis & Nail Art

01 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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I have been on Orencia Abatacept for seven months. This is around the time we see the effects plateau. I took Orencia three times previously, both in subcutaneous and interveneous forms and each time I saw a dip in its effectiveness.

Orencia always works better than the other biologic medications. I feel less fatigued, painful and swollen. I also do not have any reactions to it which is a huge bonus.

And, even though this medication works best, the effects only last a couple of weeks. When I feel well, I wake up early and only need a short nap during the day but as the Orencia wears off I sleep later in the mornings and pass out for hours at a time during the afternoons. Sleeping is the best. I love napping but if I look back on the past five years I realize I spent more than half of it not awake! That’s a lot of time wasted…

When I go in for my infusion I am down for the count for a couple of days. I am not necessarily lethargic or painful, just a little out of it. Once the following week rolls around I snap back to attention, I have a bounce in my step and I feel “better”.

As the Orencia builds up in my system I do not think I will feel “better” immediately after each infusion but I shouldn’t feel worse. I still crave sleep and feel a noticeable dip in energy toward 3 or 4 pm. I am not sure if this is normal for seven months into this medication.

I sometimes feel like climbing after work but more often than not I just feel tired. The farther I have to drive (for work) the less likely I can do anything afterwards. I am usually too exhausted to even do my nails!

 

Regardless of my grievances, I prefer Orencia more than the other biologics but I wish it worked even better. But, I guess, beggars can’t be choosers!

Below, is the nail art I made for this month’s Orencia post. I hope you like it!

1-orenciadotsBase: Milani Power Periwinkle (old formula)

Dots: Zoya Crystal (un-matte), China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Pop Beauty Pacific Hoot, Glitter Gal Australia Bluemerang, Milani Blue Print (new formula)

Matte Top Coat: Essie Matte About You

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Splodge and Squish | Nail Art

25 Monday Jan 2016

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Some items provided for review.

Oh Winter Storm Jonas, how you have flared my rheumatoid arthritis. I am going to be all over the RA-friendly nail art techniques because of the aftermath (read: shoveling ourselves out of our houses) of the freak blizzard we had on the East Coast. As of now, we are still stranded on our street and just finished shoveling our driveways. Tomorrow we tackle the walkway to the mailbox!

One of the most RA-friendly nail art techniques is plastic bag marbling in which I place dots of polish on my nail then squish it around with a plastic baggie. I saw stamper-made marbling all over Instagram recently and gave it a go. It was interesting and fun but I liked the former technique better. When I used the stamper, the polish applied sheer and it took three “attempts” to build up the opacity; once it dried on the stamper I had to start the process all over again. Placing the polish directly to the nail was quicker, easier and just way more convenient.

Regardless, I will continue to play around with the stamper and see if I can come to enjoy it more!

Please check out my video tutorial for this look! I also demonstrate how to use the new design foils from the Born Pretty Store.

 

Bases: SinfulColors Whiteboard, Wet n Wild Black Creme

Details: Milani Vivid Violet, China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Picture Polish Serenity, Formula X Nails Platinum Prime

Foils: Born Pretty Store ($1.42/roll here)

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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Yellow Chevrons | Nail Art & Review

24 Sunday Jan 2016

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Some products provided for review.

I rarely make chevron nail art because I just don’t feel particularly inspired by them. However, I decided to give them a try because maybe I just needed to use them more and to fall in love.

The Born Pretty Store chevrons are pretty good. Though, I wish they were stickier and thicker. They were difficult to maneuver on the nail just because they were so small but otherwise performed as typical nail stickers. 

I hope you like the look I created!

 

1-chevronsBases: butter London Scuppered, Zoya Pippa

Gold Glitter: SinfulColors All About You

Chevron Stickers: Born Pretty Store ($1.59/roll here)

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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