Tag Archives: China Glaze

Purple to Pink Gradient || Nail Art

01 Monday May 2017

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Contains some affiliate links.

 

I haven’t done a gradient in a very long time and I just felt like doing one! Pink and purple together are always a great and forgiving option. I mean that I can spend half as much time sponging the gradient when the colors complement each other! This is a great thing when I am feeling stiff from the RA.

Enjoy! I added double stamping because well…why not? Do you like the index finger or the others better? I can’t decide!

 

gradient2I actually forgot I had these China Glaze polishes in my stash since they were all the way in the back. After clean-up, though, I kind of remember why I don’t use them that often.

 

gradient3Though, these colors blended so well I am kind of mesmerized! I did use a transition color between the bright pink and dark purple and that really elevated this gradient to the next level.

 

gradient1Base: SinfulColors Snow Me White (to make the colors on top pop)

Gradient: China Glaze Purple Panic (pink), Caribbean Temptation (transition), Zoya Haven

Stamping: Pueen Cosmetics stamping plate PUEEN83, Konad Nail Art Stamping Polish – White, Color Club Nail Lacquer On the Rocks (silver)

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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Blue, Blue and Blue Dots | Nail Art

09 Monday May 2016

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Asymmetrical dotticures are my second favorite look (after sugar-spins). I like that there is no pattern so I do not have to painstakingly measure the area between dots. They do not have to be perfectly sized to their neighbors and the eye plays tricks so the nail always looks the same as the others.

I hope you like it!

 

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dots3Base: Glitter Gal Australia Bluemerang

Dots: SinfulColors Why Not, Midnight Blue, Milani Power Periwinkle, Blue Print, China Glaze Purple Panic

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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

Posted by in Nail Art, Video

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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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Green Autumn Leaves | Nail Art & Video Tutorial

28 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Video

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Next week I will take part in the Challenge Your Nail Art “12 Days of Christmas” extravaganza so I will not post any more autumnal looks. I realized I had done the typical fall colors and leaves nail art but I had completely ignored green! There are still remnants of green leaves and the grass remains vibrant so I decided to do a simple stamping and glitter look…with a video tutorial!

I hope you like it!

 

 

Green Leaves Stamping Nail Art & Video Tutorial | The Rite of AgingBase: Zoya Charlotte, Louise

Glitter: China Glaze Can I Get an Untz Untz?

Stamping: Pueen Cosmetics plate PUEEN76, Sephora by OPI I Come in Peas

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Icy Blue Stripes | Nail Art & Review

20 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Reviews

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Some products provided for review. All opinions are my own.

Some of you may remember that a few months ago I was all blue-d out. Yes, you read that right: blue-d out. All the looks I made in August were blue except for one and when I went into the 31-Day Challenge in September I was wholly uninspired by the color.

I filtered out it as much as possible to give myself a break and I finally decided to use it again. It was surprisingly easy to stay away from my favorite color. It is not only my go to in clothes and decorations but it is the hue I wear most often on my nails.

I also lay striping to the wayside but mostly because I do not like the technique. When I chose products to review from the Born Pretty Store I was immediately drawn to a striping tape holder. Maybe an actual holder, fashioned after a Scotch Tape dispenser might make the whole process easier!

 

Born Pretty Store Striping Tape Holder | The Rite of Aging

The striping tape comes out easily but it does not fit snugly into the canister so it constantly moves around inside. This affects the tape placed on the nail and continuously pulls it up. I have to use scissors to cut the tape as the mouth does not have ridges.

All this being said, the tape container keeps the striping tape from rolling back into itself and saves me the hassle of finding the end. I prefer this holder over a basic Scotch Tape one because it is closed, lightweight, and durable.

I expected more from this basic holder but looking at the website it is only advertised as a basic tape holder and that is what it is. As long as the end doesn’t stick back onto the roll I am happy!

 

Icy Blue Striping Tape Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: China Glaze UV Meant to Be

Glitter: SinfulColors Ice Dream

Sponged Top: Glitter Gal True Blue Aussie

Striping Tape: assorted colors bought from Amazon.com, BPS Striping Tape Holder ($1.59 here)

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#31DC2015 – Inspired By a Color…Combination Dotticure Nail Art

21 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in Community, Nail Art

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We are now on the home stretch of the 31-Day Challenge! I hope I finish as strong as I started!

How can I only choose one color for today’s prompt? I can’t! So, I created a dotticure with my favorite color combination: blue and orange. I know the colors are not typically found together but they go so well!

I hope you like it!

 

#31DC2015 - Inspired by a Color Dotticure Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: SpaRitual Running with Wolves

Dots: Milani Power Periwinkle, China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Pop Beauty Pacific Hoot, Color Club Wham! Pow!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Follow me on Bloglovin’ | Twitter | or Facebook to keep up with me during the challenge!