Category Archives: Nail Art

31DC2015 – Day 3: Water Spotting

03 Saturday Jan 2015

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While I love to water-marble, I have not attempted water-spotting too often. This is mostly due to not having the right materials. I used an old (probably like 3 years old) hairspray which, not surprisingly, did not work, I tried old perfume samples and got a massive headache, I even tried acetone which was way to strong. I heard rubbing alcohol works as well but had yet to try it.

I finally went and purchased another cheap generic hairspray from the drugstore and attempted the water-spot technique. Instead of breaking apart the polish the hairspray shrunk it into the center! Not exactly what I was going for, right? Time to clean up. I blew on the surface so the polish dried faster and instead the extra air pushed it apart! Too cool! I guess the hairspray had to be forced down to the surface of the water to work properly.

I hope you like it! I am kind of digging it myself!

 

Waterspotting | The Rite of AgingI started with 2 coats of Zoya Dream as my base.

I water-spotted with hairspray, Anise Make Waves and Emily de Molly Candy Coated.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Don’t forget to check out the other manicures below!

31DC2015 – Day 2: Tape Manicure

02 Friday Jan 2015

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I bought a 12-pack of striping tapes, from Amazon.com, for something like 5 dollars…maybe even less. They are not the best quality…but they work well enough for the typical tape manicure. Honestly, this is not my favorite technique. The tape is thin and small, cutting the pieces and applying them are tedious and very difficult for RA-ridden fingers.

This aside, if I do a nice base, I do like how it looks (it reminds me of the SkratchArt I did as a kid)…

I just had an “A-HA!” moment. The harsh lines! I don’t like the harsh lines. I prefer the abstract, fuzzy, undefined looks better than the straight, sharp, highlight every mistake looks. Of course, this is my personal preference. Maybe if I practiced the technique more I would like it better. Maybe not, after all, it would still be hard for my fingers to “grasp”. Teehee, see what I did there?

Anyways, I hope you like my creation. I just played around with different angles and I love how the ring finger turned out; not to mention, the cleanest.

Day 2: Tape Manicure | The Rite of Aging

I “water-marbled” my base with Barry M Key Lime, Cancun and Milani Power Periwinkle.

I applied the striping tape to two fingers at a time and applied a thick coat of Milani Black Swift before peeling off the strands. Does anyone else have trouble remembering in what order they appled the tapes??

I finished with a generous coat of Seche Vite.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Don’t forget to check out the other Day Two manicures below!

31DC2015 (The Crumpet’s Nail Tarts) Day 1: Follow a Tutorial

01 Thursday Jan 2015

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I am such a sucker for 31-day challenges. I do not know what it is but I cannot resist them! Debbie from The Crumpet is guiding her Nail Tarts through a beginning of the new year monthly challenge and I definitely wanted to hop in. I cannot make any promises about finishing this one on time but I will certainly try!

Fittingly, on Day One, we must follow a tutorial. I choose to follow the Nailasaurus’ Nimbus technique. I often use this technique as it is very RA-friendly. The technique itself does not require a lot of precision and the final look can be as defined or abstract as I want. The first time I did the nimbus technique I used a different tutorial (I now do not remember which) and since then I have always had trouble with the Q-tips coming apart after every two or three dabs.

After following Sammy’s steps I no longer have this problem. Sammy’s technique works nicely, and I have to say, I really love my design.

I hope you like it too!

 

Day 1: Follow a Tutorial | The Rite of Aging I started with 2 coats of Sinful Colors Snow Me White as my base.

I “nimbus-ed” starting with Julie G Peep Toe Pumps, Barry M Gelly Grapefruit, Milani Fast Fuchsia, and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Petal Pusher.

I sealed the design with Seche Vite top coat.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Check out the other nails below!

NAIL (December 2014) – New Year’s Eve

30 Tuesday Dec 2014

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I have stayed away from glitter toppers because the last time I wore them I had a terrible time taking them off. I couldn’t! I scrubbed and scrubbed, my cuticles turned raw and even after all that there were still glitter pieces stuck to my nail. Yikes! It was an overall bad, haunting experience and I have not quite gotten over it yet.

However, New Year’s still screams glitter and bright colors so I cheated and used a fun gold flaky topper instead!

I hope you like it!

 

DSCF2257_fotor-001I used 3 coats of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel So Cir-cute as my base.

I stamped with Pueen plate and OPI Lincoln Park After Dark.

I marbled without the water-marble with Zoya Maria Luisa. I don’t think the concentration would have varied that much if I applied the topper straight from the bottle (especially over the yellow base) but the technique is just so satisfying!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail Art: Holiday Sugar-Spin

29 Monday Dec 2014

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New Year’s is right around the corner! It is already 2015! We turned the century FIFTEEN years ago! I was born in a totally different millennia! I am going to turn a quarter of a century old…Does that all sound weird or is it just me?

I am not a night owl. I will be asleep before the clock strikes 12. Thinking about staying up until midnight makes me sleepy! Even so, I still want to celebrate and what better way than with a shimmery sugar-spun topped with glitter?? I feel pretty festive looking at these nails. Maybe I will stay up! Who am I kidding…no I won’t!

 

I hope you like it my manicure! Do you have plans for New Year’s?

 

New Year's Sugar-Spin | The Rite of AgingI started with 2 coats SpaRitual Howl and 1 coat Sephora by OPI 212-Sephora. This brown-base gold flaky polish is long gone but apparently there is an OPI dupe floating around in the universe!

I sugar-spun with Wet n Wild Burgandy Frost.

I used a toothpick to place glitter pieces from Sephora by OPI Come to Pappa-razzi.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Time to Spend Again…

26 Friday Dec 2014

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Affliate links.

…but for myself this time.

Christmas is over, I spent money on family, friends and pets…okay, mostly pets so it is time to do a little shopping for myself. At the beginning of a the new season I donate clothes I did not wear that year. This year I gave away most of my winter-wear because I had a very specific style which did not carry over this season.

 

I focused on cold-weather garments I could wear to work since I rarely socialize. I ended up with some holiday nondescript staples…and one Christmas sweater…but if I celebrate I need at least one, right?

 

_9244307Splendid Indigo Button Front Cotton Shirt Simple, professional and neutral. Great paired with fun accessories or bright pants and shoes (We can ignore the RA-unfriendly button part!)

 

_9337670_fotorNew Balance 420 Sneaker New Balance shoes are comfortable and sturdy but they look really thick against my scrawny ankles and less than defined calves. I prefer this style for it’s lean, sleek look which I can totally wear to work! The little plaid detailing is pretty cute too!

Nordstrom Plaid Cashmere Muffler Oversize plaid design. Scarf. That is all.

Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Convertible Crossbody Bag I’ve have been eye-ing these mini cross-body for a long time but never really have an occasion to purchase it. However, I am in the market for a new bag. I am of the philosophy I can spend more on accessories because they last a life-time (READ justifying LE 2012 Chanel sunglasses) and just cannot resist this bright color. I am such a sucker for bright accessories, okay, any accesories…!

 

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Equipment Sloan Star Pattern Cashmere Sweater A little pricey but a starry must!

kensie Panda Colorblock Crewneck Sweater Panda! I could not resist this adorable sweater. This image is very similar to the last Friends of the National Zoo logo.

Gibson Dolman Sleeve Open Cardigan I might not wear out this out to dinner but it would be great for relaxing at a friend’s house.

Stem Snood Collar Sweatshirt Because nobody can ever have enough non-gym sweatshirts!

 

_9736799_fotorIt is that time of year when I re-stock my everyday beauty products.

 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup I am not a foundation person. I do not like the feeling of product on my face. I would rather go out with bad skin than cover it with base. This being said, I L-O-V-E Vitalumiere. I only need a few dots across my entire face and neck. I barely detect it, it does not dry out my skin, it appears dewy without slippage and it masks minor imperfections. Better yet, one bottle lasted well over a year!

Chanel Lotion Douceur Gentle Hydrating Toner I love this toner for winter. It is moisturizing but does not break me out! It is a little too heavy for spring/summer for me but I have oily-combination skin. Full review linked here.

Ecriture de Chanel Automatic Liquid Eyeliner I have used this eyeliner for years. It is my go-to everyday liner. It is pigmented and very black. The color fades a little but I like that “lived-in” look. I use two twists for the perfect amount and while that sounds like a lot the pen lasts for ever. It is difficult to get a fine line because of the thick brush tip but since I prefer thicker lines I do not mind. It also does not flake even during a workout! (I do not usually take off my eye-makeup before going to the gym).

Lotta Luv Nerds Lipgloss How cute are these?? I wish I had seen these before because these are the perfect stocking stuffers for young girls just starting out in makeup. Perfect for “didn’t see this person at Christmas but will and still need a present”. They also sell Hershey chocolate flavored lip balms (linked here) but they’re sold out. Very reminiscent of Lip Smackers. What a throwback!

 

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How cute is this Topshop Christmas tree sweater? It is not overly Christmas-y but seasonal enough I feel spirited. I use any excuse to wear it but I am so bummed it is now 50% off!! Seriously, this is kind of annoying. I bought it a month ago right after Thanksgiving, but still, UGH!

 

Alright, so I cannot help but pick up something new to try. Why not, I just spent money on everyone else, why not get something for me while I am at it?

I heard some really good things about new to Nordstrom brand Charlotte Tillbury’s Fallen Angel but I have one (or two) too many neutral palettes to begin with! Or…should I stick with something tried and true in these Chanel Rouge Coco Shines? I am not a lip person but these lip balm/gloss hybrids are hydrating and provide a sheer dose of color!

 

What do you think of my end of 2014 choices? Do you splurge for yourself after the holidays too? What do you buy?

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail Art: Snowflakes Stick Better to Grass

25 Thursday Dec 2014

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I was feeling greens, gradients and snowflakes! I love the greens together but they were so bright they almost broke my camera! Haha, kidding! But just like any good green they stained like mad!

 

I hope you like today’s manicure! Sorry about my middle nail. Right after I top-coated I stood up and nicked my nail on the table!!

 

DSCF2277_fotorI started with 3 coats of China Glaze In the Limelight as my base. I am actually pretty impressed with the formula. It streaks but self-levels and becomes opaque in 3 coats.

I used a makeup sponge and Barry M Matte Cancun at the cuticles.

I stamped with Konad Special Polish White and plate 02 from the MoYou London Festive collection.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.