Tag: purple

OPI Designer Series Mystery

Today I have a simple swatch of OPI Designer Series (DS) Mystery. I was all primed and ready to put some serious gold dots on this baby…but after I got it on, I knew it didn’t need any fancy stuff.

OPI Designer Series (DS) Mystery (work / play / polish)

Pure Ice Purple Rain

Today I have another mani using polish from the Pure Ice Runway Trends release. There are 55 total shades in 5 different collections. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I’m the proud owner of 48 of them. I know, I know…that’s craziness. But they’re only $2 so why not? Plus, I’ve had great results with every single polish I’ve tried. So here’s today’s mani…

Pure Ice Purple Rain and Busted Half Moon Mani (work / play / polish)

PART 1: China Glaze Cirque Du Soleil Swatches & Review

Happy Saturday! Today I have six polishes from the China Glaze Cirque Du Soleil Collection – the cremes and a jelly (?) Tomorrow I’ll show you the glitters and shimmers. So let’s jump right in.

China Glaze Cirque Du Soleil Collection Part 1 (work / play / polish)

Escaping Reality is a hot pink creme. You can never have too many hot pink cremes! We’re only a few weeks into Fall and already it seems like ages since I’ve worn a color like this! Formula was great on this one. I used two coats and a coat of Seche Vite. Without the topcoat, it has a satiny, rubbery finish…which is cool…but I was on autopilot and mindlessly slathered on the topcoat!

China Glaze Cirque Du Soleil Escaping Reality (work / play / polish)

China Glaze Creative Fantasy

Okay…I’ve taken the easy road the last two days. But it’s tough to do intricate manis when Mr. Workplaypolish expects me to help him install the wainscoting in The Mani Cave. I’m like “What? I might break a nail?” I know resistance is futile. So last night we started installation. Can I say awe-some? I’m so excited about this development and can’t wait for you to see it next Wednesday.

In the meantime, I have a new polish from the China Glaze Cirque Du Soleil Collection, Creative Fantasy. I’ll review it on its own when I post swatches from the line. For now…suffice it to say it’s a cool purple jelly that I wore for three whole days! There’s no more ringing endorsement from a nail blogger than that!

China Glaze Creative Fantasy with I'm Not a Lion Tips (work / play / polish)

Sally Hansen Red-y Response

Today I have a quick, simple mani to share. I’ve spent all of my free time on The Mani Cave…which is cramping my mani routine! But I’m just so excited to finally get started on it! I’ll post Mani Cave updates every Wednesday, so be sure to check back then!

So back to the mani. Today I’m sporting Sally Hansen Red-y Response. I hadn’t jumped on the magnetic bandwagon until I tried China Glaze Sparks Will Fly. I was mesmerized with the formula, but wasn’t quite sure if it was a magnetic thing…or just really awesome polish. The only way to tell was to try a different magnetic. Alas, that brings us to today.

Sally Hansen Magnetic: Red-y Response (work / play / polish)

Beggar’s Night Mani: A-England Ophelia

Trick or Treat is tonight in my town…in freezing rain. But I’m counting my blessings knowing there are lots of little ones on the East Coast who endured Sandy and may not get to Trick or Treat at all this year. My thoughts are with you all.

So of course I had a mani planned for Beggar’s Night! Doesn’t everyone? I’m sure the neighborhood kids will really appreciate it too when they receive their candy with a well-manicured hand! No? You’re probably right…but one doesn’t need an excuse for a mani anyway! Today I’m using the final polish from my last A-England order, Ophelia, to create a classic matte/shiny French manicure pioneered by Erika at Chloe’s Nails. Erika has been on hiatus from her blog for some time now – but there’s lots of good inspiration there. She’s a genius with the scotch tape!

A-England Ophelia Matte/Shiny French (work / play / polish)

Sliding into Winter

While perusing decorating blogs (my other obsession), I came across a color palette that I really liked. The room used khaki and a purple-leaning taupe, coupled with bright and dark berry pieces. It had a wintery feel to it which is appropriate since it’s been frosty here in the midwest the last few days. Of course, we polish addicts equate color to polishes. And so, this gradient mani was born; composed of Essie Jazz (khaki), OPI You Don’t Know Jacques (taupe), Barry M Bright Purple (bright berry) and Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Pat on the Black (dark berry).

Winter Gradient: Essie Jazz, OPI You Don't Know Jacques, Barry M Bright Purple and Sally Hansen Pat on the Black (work / play / polish)