RA-Friendly Sponged Gradient and Flakie Nail Art

06 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Did You Know?

It was first believed exercise would exacerbate and quicken the progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Now, it is proven light exercise helps protects the joints and keeps the muscles from atrophying.

 

I am not going to lie. The most annoying comment I hear, from doctors to friends, is “exercise!”. It really is not as simple as that. I know exercise lessens my symptoms (I feel more limber and alert), however, sometimes activity worsens them. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you may remember blog posts here and there about my grievances about climbing and RA. It is such a fine line for me. I have to be very careful. I rarely climb for more than a couple of hours, I do not push myself and the minute I feel a “twinge” I stop. If I’ve done grocery shopping or done any housework I do not climb; even with a lengthy nap in between activities, it is way too much for me to handle.

 

But…now onto the nail art! I like using an eyeshadow sponge tip applicator with similar colors. It is more RA-friendly than using a makeup sponge and the uneven lines are masked better.

Why, oh why do I not use this flakie more??? This gorgeous topper was actually at the back of my cabinet! I managed o get my hands on it before the shade was discontinued. (Hah, maybe that’s why! Do you ever feel guilty using polishes you know you can no longer get? I especially feel that way about the old Milani polishes!) However, I do really like how this look came out. It reminds me of those fun thermal bath toys that would change from pink to purple when placed in warm water!

I hope you like it! (I completely forgot to take a sunlight picture so I had to settle for my usual indoor lighting)

 

Purple-Pink Sponge Gradient | The Rite of AgingI started with China Glaze Violet Vibes and Barry M Plum as my base.

I used generous coats of Nfu Oh Nfu 51 on the accent nails and sponged it on the tips of my index and pinky nails.

I stamped with Mundo de Unas Neon Pink and Pueen Cosmetics plate PUEEN 85. I usually stamp my right hand first then move to my dominant left. As I worked with MdU formula more it became more opaque. I am still learning this specialty polish but I like the gradient effect!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

RA-friendly Gradient Nail Art

04 Monday May 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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May is National Arthritis Month so, in honor, I will focus on RA-friendly looks! I have not decided yet if I will stick with one technique per week or vary them but stay tuned for simple, fast and most importantly, easy nail art!

 

Did you know? 

RA risk varies with geography!

 

I do not know whether this is true or not or how much research supports it but I have heard similar claims. Lower Vitamin D levels have been linked with higher RA risk. The farther a person gets from the equator the less sunlight and Vitamin D is absorbed into the body. This makes some sense but I have also heard people who live in cities are more likely to develop any time of autoimmune. Cities are chock-full of pollution, a number of debris and bacterias. And yes, I did grow up in Washington, DC!

 

Anyways, onto the nail art! Today I have a simple two color gradient with sponged neon glitter. This reminds me of ice cream and sprinkles! I hope you like it!

Brown Gradient and Sponged Glitter | The Rite of AgingI started with 2 coats of Barry M Lychee as my base. I protected it with a quick dry top coat. I found if I don’t do this the color peels up with the sponge.

I used a makeup sponge, Lychee and Milani Dark Coffee for the gradient.

I sponged China Glaze Let the Beat Drop on the tips.

I covered everything with a generous coat of INM Northern Lights.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Secondary Sjogren’s Syndrome

03 Sunday May 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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What is Sjogren’s Syndrome?

According to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, the disease is characterized by dry eyes and mouth which happens when a person’s white blood cells attack the body’s moisture-producing glands. As with all autoimmunes, Sjogren’s also affects other parts of the body.

 

 

Over the past year, I’ve had increasing issues with my eyes. They feel irritated, my vision is blurry, I cannot see at night and I do not tolerate contacts well or for very long. I have trouble focusing, my eyes tire very quickly and after a few minutes of speaking with someone they jump back a foot or so (if that makes any sense).

 

My rheumatologist told me I probably developed secondary Sjogren’s. This is a relatively common diagnosis in RA patients. Many symptoms are shared between these conditions with the addition of the systematic dryness. I visited the retinal specialist my doctor recommended and he agreed I suffered from severe dry eye. My long list of grievances were all explained by the uncontrolled RA symptoms.

 

As a result, I can no longer wear contacts. I risk injuring my eyes more than I already have. As a result of my dry eye there is not enough oxygen flow through contacts (even dailies) and I can contract a serious infection or even go blind. I am not the biggest fan of glasses. A better way to put it is, I hate glasses. I would totally risk all of the above if I tolerated contacts better.

The upside of this is I got to buy a new pair of specs! When I updated my last pair, a couple of years ago, the technician warned me they may break my glasses because the frame was too small for the appropriate lens. I told them it was okay and I would buy a new pair if necessary. In two years my power jumped from -7.00 to 9.25 (right eye) and -6.50 to 8.75 (left) so there was no way my current frames would make it. So, the upside is I got to buy a new set of glasses! Weee!

 

And…below is the nail art I created inspired by Sjogrens…hope you like it!

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I started with 2 coats of Barry M Lychee as my base.

I used bubble wrap with China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Pahlish Le Bijou du Roi, Milani Power Periwinkle and Zoya Dream until I was happy with the look.

I water spotted with China Glaze Can I Get an Untz Untz?

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Stamping Nail Art for the A2Z Series: W is for Wild

01 Friday May 2015

Posted by in Community, Nail Art

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Check the sidebar for more information.

I really wanted to participate in the recent A2Z prompts because they were really interesting; but we have long passed the W is for Wild prompt so I am playing a little catch up.

I wanted to do something simple so I tried marblized stamping and I’m really pleased with how this came out. I thought I would need more practice but I only had to re-do my nails once!

I hope you like it!

 

Metallic Marble Stamping | The Rite of AgingI started with 2 coats of Pahlish La Royale as my base.

I used Essie No Place Like Chrome, Zoya Goldie and Born Pretty Store stamping plate BP-19.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

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

Dry Brush and Stamped Nail Art for First Actemra Infusion

25 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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During my February monthly rheumatology appointment, my doctor tried to convince me to change medications. The Orencia hit its usual plateau and the inflammation slowly crept back in. I don’t really remember that doctor’s appointment. I don’t even know if I understood a word he said. I was so exhausted, foggy and painful nothing made sense. Life didn’t make sense. Well, if my biologic medication was no longer working it was a no-brainer to switch, right? Unfortunately, Saachi was still recovering from her emergency splenectomy (spleen and tumor removal) and would start chemo in the following weeks. With the cancer running rampant within her bloodstream I could not take the chance of getting any worse and not being able to care for my dog.

As the Orencia faded and the Actemra built up in my system there would be a period where I would feel worse of; mostly because my other medications were not doing enough on their own. I had to take care of Saachi. Reluctantly, my doctor agreed it was my call and we could wait.

I had a follow-up a couple of weeks after Saachi passed away and my doctor was still not pleased. I had more inflammation in my joints than in recent months. Something had to change. I had a little more wiggle room to try out new medication as my father was back in town so he could help me. I reluctantly decided to switch to IV form of Actemra.

Actemra is like any other TNF inhibitor. It suppresses the immune system at a specific spot. I was afraid my sinus infections would return. They were so debilitating. I could not care for my pets because my allergy to their dander set off these headaches. Since each biologic medications hits different points of the immune system there was an unlikely chance my sinus infections would return.

 

I tolerated the infusion well. It took about an hour since the technician wanted to make sure I did not have a reaction.

Even though I did not have any reactions during the IV I became very nauseous afterwards. The persistent nausea lasted about 24 hours but I still it intermittently. I did not notice a difference in my RA symptoms. I still felt painful and swollen.

 

Anyways, on to the nail art. I created a dry brush manicure topped with stamping. The infusion liquid is clear which is no fun for nail art so I landed on blue! I then stamped some molecules and bubbles.

 

Dry Brush and Stamped Nail Art | The Rite of AgingI started with Essie Mademoiselle as my base.

I dry brushed with a mix of Orly Sec n Dry, China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Milani Power Periwinkle and Sally Hansen Blue My Mind.

I stamped with Milani Black Swift, MoYou London plate 3 from the Scholar Collection, Essie No Place Like Chrome and Pueen Cosmetics plate PUEEN36.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Neon Glitter Accents – Born Pretty Store Review

25 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by in Community, Nail Art, Reviews

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With the exception of the Picasso Swirl and sugar-spun techniques, I rarely venture into 3D nail art. I decided to expand my horizons and try some nail art decorations from the Born Pretty Store. And, if I am going to experiment with something I am not really into why not make sure it is something I will use? Anything neon is my favorite so when I saw these fun neon rounds I quickly added them to my review pile! Sure, I could have tried out neon studs (like these) but those were way to 3D for me! Baby steps, right? (The below picture links to the product’s webpage).

 

DSCF5596

There are quite a few colors you can choose from, including a deep purple and blue to a neon pink and green! I decided to lay low and start with neon yellow since yellow goes with everything, right? Heh…

 

After seeing them on the website, I expected a hard round accent; like the larger glitter studs except maybe flatter. However, when I received them in the mail I was little skeptical. The individual pieces were static-y and clung to each other and the lid. I was thought these were going to be a thinner but just as sturdy version of regular studs but after seeing them they seemed more like smaller version of hole punched paper. Also, each separated piece was not entirely opaque (as you can see if the picture above).

 

Now, after using them, my skepticism vanished. I like the thin consistency of these pieces. I thought they were going to break and fall apart due to their flimsy look but they were a lot more sturdy than I gave them credit for. The opacity of the pieces also did not pose a problem! I used a toothpick dipped in top coat to pick up individual pieces and they lifted away from the pile smoothly and without problems.

See below the nail art I created with them!

 

Neon Watermarble with Glitter Accents | The Rite of Aging

 

 

These decorations are made from plastic so they are not particularly malleable. I had a lot of difficulty applying them flat. I have relatively prominent C-curves so the rounds stuck up at the edges. I used top coat to fill in the ridges and it sort of helped. I used 2 coats of top coat on top, as well, but the edges still stuck up. As a result, the circles on my index and middle finger fell off by the next morning (I created this look the evening before). It is definitely a bummer but not enough to deter me from using them again. I just have to play around with placement a little more.

 

I would highly recommend these accents if you, like me, don’t necessarily like 3D accents but still want to use decorations like them! These are thin but sturdy and come in great colors! Even if they may not last long on the nail, at $1.78 per tin, it’s still worth a try. BPS has a wide selection of nail art goodies so if you are interested in placing an order don’t forget to use my coupon code to get 10% off!

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Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Neon Splatter and Gradient Nail Art

21 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Nail Art

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It is the return of the neons!…and the lightbox! Today’s nail art consists of some old neons and some from the China Glaze collection. I realize I need more powerful white, daylight bulbs. The ones I have cast too much of a yellow tint and it’s hard to capture a good picture :(. I will try to take a sunlight picture tomorrow if the weather perks up!

I hope you like it!

 

Neon Splatter and Gradient Nail Art | The Rite of AgingI used Essie No Place Like Chrome and Sinful Colors Snow Me White as my bases.

I splattered with Color Club Pucci-licious, China Glaze UV Meant to Be and Violet Vibes.

I created with the gradient with Pop Beauty Pacific Hoot and China Glaze UV Meant to Be.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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