Category Archives: Nail Art

#31DC2015 – Yellow Sugarspun Nails

03 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in Nail Art

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Check the sidebar for more information.

How could I go through this challenge without my favorite sugarspun technique?? I get the best results from basic cremes and right now I am obsessed with Zoya‘s Pippa. It has a pretty fantastic formula and is a great color.

I spiced the look up with a little glitter on top and I have to say, I love it! You can bet you’ll see the sugar-spin again!!

 

#31DC2015 - Yellow Sugar-Spun #NailArt | The Rite of AgingBase: Zoya Pippa, Louise

Glitter: Sephora by OPI Come to Pappa-razzi!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Bloglovin’ is the best way to keep up with me during the challenge!

#31DC2015 – Black and Orange Gradient

02 Wednesday Sep 2015

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The weather has been so sunny recently (albeit a bit humid) so I switched my photos and opted for natural light. However, this means I have to finish my nail art by about 6pm and the time will slowly inch earlier and earlier as the month progresses. I may return to my indoor lighting or take photos the next morning before work. Unfortunately, I may have some wear and tear on the tips. Ah well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there!

I cannot wait until I purchase my new camera! I have my eyes on the Canon Rebel t3i. I tried a friend’s and it was amazing. I instantly fell in love and crossed the Sony RX100 III off my list (okay, that’s a lie, it is still on my list as a basic not so basic point and shoot).

 

For today’s orange prompt I did a gradient. I love gradients but I especially love orange ones. Interestingly, as you may remember, I am not a fan of Halloween and never quite understood the orange and black color scheme. Regardless, I LOVE the combination on my nails..go figure!

I spiced things up with a little shimmer in between and I have to say I dig the final result. Do I seem more bubbly to you? I’m in a fantastic mood. I am back on the “good” meds. I exercise every day, nap less and am in better spirits. Also. I hate August. August is gone. YES.

And now I bring myself back from that tangent…

 

#31D2015 - Orange Gradient Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: Wet n Wild Black Creme, Urban Outfitters Westside

Gradient (from cuticles to tips): Wet n Wild Black Creme, Urban Outfitters Banana Hammock, Westside

Stud: Born Pretty Store

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin’ if you want to keep up with my looks this month!

31DC2015 – Red

01 Tuesday Sep 2015

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It is officially the start of the September 31-Day monthly challenge! I really hope I can keep up this year. I completed the challenge during my first year of blogging and during a time when my RA was at its worst…If I could get through the daily prompts then I can certainly manage them now…Right? Only time will tell!

 

For today’s prompt I decided to ease my way into the month with a simple glitter gradient. I spent the last few days re-arranging, de-cluttering and making sure my nail polish swatches were up to date. In the process I re-discovered a few old favorites! I blame it on the small bottles. When a company manufactures a travel/trial size of their bigger products I never hesitate purchasing the smaller version. It is especially difficult for me to get through polishes so the mini bottles are my best bet!

In actuality, this entire look features forgotten polishes: the glitter is from my favorite indie brand and the base is an old Milani…I’ve probably mentioned this multiple times  but I do not want to use any of my old Milani polishes! I am less than impressed with the new formulation and I never want to run out of the old ones I have left. Is that weird? Do you do that too? Let me know in the comments! 

I hope you like my simple nail art today. I have an entire month to build on my techniques and as it is, I probably will focus on RA-friendly looks anyways!

 

31dc15 - redBase: Milani Foxy Lady

Glitter: Serum no.5 Fallen

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Follow me on Bloglovin’. It’s the best way to keep up with me during the challenge!

It’s that Time of Year Again – the Annual 31-Day Challenge!

31 Monday Aug 2015

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One of my favorite times of the nail blogging year is back! The 2015 31-Day Challenge hosted by Sarah from Chalkboard Nails will take place throughout September! This was the first full monthly challenge I completed after I began blogging in August 2013. I am so excited to take on this month again and hopefully I will make it through!

There are four different banners to choose from (found on Sarah’s information post here and the FAQ page here). My personal favorite and the one I will feature in the sidebar is the one below. The sidebar image will post to the FAQ site.

Since Sarah does not plan to post directly to her blog but share her creations on IG, Cathy from More Nail Polish graciously made the Inlinkz codes for the bloggers to use on their sites (linked here).

And, don’t forget to hashtag #31DC2015 on all social media platforms to connect with others doing the challenge!

 

31dc2015-prompts-3

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Blue Green Gradient and Dotticure Nail Art

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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This look actually took me a couple of days. It was not labor intensive or particularly difficult but I felt like if I attempted the full look I would mess it up. I decided to leave the gradient for the evening and finished the dots today.

I hope you like the final result! I am very pleased with this. The dots came out exactly how I envisioned because a little practice never hurts!

 

Blue-Green Gradient Dotticure Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: SinfulColors Whiteboard

Gradient: American Apparel Parakeet, China Glaze UV Meant to Be

Dotticure: Color Club On the Rocks, Zoya Giovanna

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

A Purple and Green RA-friendly Waterfall

28 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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It has been one of those weeks. I was unmotivated, lethargic, but extremely restless. Half the time, I tried one of the many nail ideas flitting through my head but none of them looked right; the other half I just couldn’t bring myself to even try. Do you ever have those days? Weeks? Months, maybe? I wouldn’t call it depression, I thought it was more of a flare. My eyes were more dry than usual, the skin on my lips flaked off and I was uncharacteristically fatigued (even though my joint pain was minimal).

Regardless, I sat down and pushed through this strange phase and went with a quick, RA-friendly waterfall look. I had no particular feelings for this nail art (ah, motivation) but I did like how it came out. I hope you do too!

 

Purple & Green RA-friendly Waterfall #NailArt | The Rite of AgingBase: Formula X for Sephora Thrilling

Details: acrylic paints

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Bubblies Under the Sea with Born Pretty Store

21 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Reviews

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Some items provided for review.

 

A while ago I attempted the recently popular bubble nail art technique. You know, the one where you paint a blob on your nail, let it set for a few seconds, then absorb the middle pigment with a dry Q-tip? Well, the result turned out worse than when I tried the blobbicure so when I saw these neat bubble water decals on the Born Pretty Store website I did not even think twice about grabbing them. Get the same look without the hassle and stress? Can someone shout “RA-friendly”!

I had no complaints with these particular decals. They separated well from the backing paper. The decals are thin but sturdy and did not flip or crumple while I worked with them.

I could not decide between holo top coat or a matte one so I used both! This is definitely a simple look but I really dig it! I hope you do too!

 

Bubbly Water Decals Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBases: China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Glitter Gal Bluemerang over SinfulColors Whiteboard. I am not very keen on the Glitter Gal polishes. They were on sale at LLarowe for $1.50 and it appears they were for good reason. Bluemerang is extremely sheer and difficult to build to opacity. For my own sanity I applied two coats over Whiteboard.

Everything is topped with INM Northern Lights Silver and Essie Matte About You.

Decals: Born Pretty Store (one sheet retails for $1.64 here)

 

Don’t forget to use my 10% off coupon if you are interested in these or any of the website’s massive stock!

10% off code

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.