Another Gradient

Apparently I've been on a gradient kick lately. Here is one I did with a few of my China Glaze jelly neons.

I started with theBalm's Mellow Yellow, then China Glaze Shell-O, & You Drive Me Coconuts. I used a slightly dampened triangle makeup sponge..

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Gradient Pedicure

A quick look at my current pedicure.

It's a gradient with China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle, Color Club Power Play, & Sinful Colors 24/7

The black I used is Sinful Colors Black on Black. 

The stamp is from Bundle Monster BM03. I applied a single black rhinestone to the center of the image.

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KBShimmer Totally Tubular Inspired Nail Art

(**Press Samples**)

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! 

  Today I have a crazy busy manicure haha! I'm kind of calling this my "kitchen sink mani". I just couldn't stop doing things to my nails. The whole idea originated from my bottle of KBShimmer's Totally Tubular. I kept swirling it in my hands and being hypnotized by the amazing blend of colors and shapes. And so this mani was born, inspired by the beautiful colors in Totally Tubular. I will be sharing swatches of KBShimmer's full Summer collection very soon! 

 On my middle nail is Totally Tubular by KBShimmer. I will be reviewing the polish itself soon. For now, I really want to focus on this colorful nail art that got me through my days at the Mayo Clinic.

  So, as I mentioned above, the nail art itself was inspired by the colors in Totally Tubular. I loved the mix of Teals, Magentas and Blues. So, on all my nails but my middle nail I did a White base of Cult Nails Tempest. For my water marbled nails I used Bettina Aqua, Pink Bikini and Premium Wash. I then topped off my marbled nails with O.P.I Polka.com.

 For my gradient nails I used Bettina Picnic, Sparkle and Glitter Jean. I topped off my gradient nails in Aphrodite Lacquers V.I.P Room. I finished off the entire manicure by topping all of my nails off with some KBShimmer Clearly on Top and then some INM Northern Lights sparkle top coat.

 I CANNOT believe I forgot to take pics of my thumbs! I really loved how the marble pattern turned out on them. I had never been able to get a full flower design on my nails before! So, I'm so sorry, but here are some crappy cell pics of my thumb marbles. I think they were about Four days old at this point. 

 I loved wearing these nails. My days at the Mayo Clinic were really intensive, exhausting and not entirely successful.. But my nails were looking FIERCE the whole time. I got so many compliments from  people while I was there. It was nice to have the distraction of my colorful nails and hair while I was going through all that stuff. 

  Oh and some cool stuff happened right before the Mayo trip. I got to meet the awesome Kelly of vampyvarnish.com!! It was an awesome lunch meeting with my Florida beauties and Kelly. Thank you Courtney for the lovely photo!! From L to R: Steph of Imperfectly Painted, myself (goodness I need to do my roots soon!!), Maria of Cult Nails, Kelly of Vampy Varnish, Kari of Once Bitten and Courtney of Phyrra. 

Thank you all for stopping by today!! If you have any questions about Mayo, feel free to ask in the comments, I will try my best to answer them. I just didn't want to get into all that in the post itself. 

XO!

More about → KBShimmer Totally Tubular Inspired Nail Art

Twilight Gradient

Not like the movie Twilight, just in that this is reminiscent to the sky at dusk.

China Glaze Too Yacht to Handle

OPI Dating A Royal

Sinful Colors Black on Black

These pictures were after a days worth of wear, so that's why they are kind of dinged up if you look close.

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Feather Bright

Here is a bright, almost neon gradient look I worked up for an afternoon by the pool.

I used China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle, Color Club Power Play, & Orly Oh Cabana Boy for the gradient. Then the feather stamp is from Bundle Monster BM15 and I used Konad black polish for stamping. I freehanded the other swirl & dot details with a black striper polish.

Here is a swatch pic of just Too Yacht To Handle. It is a close cousin to For Audrey, but with a brighter kick. I can justify having both ;)

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Sation Candylandia Gradient Nail Art and an Update

(**Press Sample**)

Good afternoon everyone!! 

  Last night I took a little poll on the Facebook page to see what you guys were interested in seeing today. Out of all the options you guys voted for "a gradient", so a gradient it is :D! Many of you also suggested a Textured gradient, that will DEFINITELY be happening soon! Today's gradient features some lovely, awesome shades from Sation's Candylandia collection. For this gradient I was inspired by [THIS PAIR] of Black Milk Clothing leggings.

  Before I go onto the nail art I wanted to give you guys a little update on my visit to The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Not much happened as this was an initial consult visit. I did get scheduled to go back in June for about Four days of tests. It is going to be a long process, but I finally feel like I am at the right place, with the best doctors. I have not felt hopeful in a long time, this visit changed that for me.      

  The doctor who consulted with me was like no doctor I've ever spoken with before. He really inspired a lot of confidence in me and was very kind. He actually listened to what I had to say and showed legit concern. This is not something I want to be going through, but I am glad I am finally being treated by a great team of doctors at an amazing facility. 

  Now for a miss Muffin update: my poor kitty has a cold! But worry not, she has been to the Vet. She was given a shot of slow-release antibiotics. She is acting fine and active, eating etc, but I didn't want to bug her over the weekend as I could tell she felt "off". How 'bout that gradient!!? 

 This look started with a base of Sation's Love is in the Heir, which is a light, Greyed out Blue crelly. Using this shade as my base color mae all the difference when it came to building up my gradient. The light Blue tone really brought out the colors I was using to gradient over my light Blue shade. For the gradient I used colors from Sation's Candylandia collection. I went with Plenty of Frogs, Cast a Spill on You and Super Nail-tural Powers. I.LOVE.THIS.GRADIENT!!! I loved it SO much I didn't even do my signature coat of INM Northern lights!! WHAT?!! LTHP didn't put Northern Lights on a gradient?!!!!!! I know, I know haha... But just look at that shimmer from Cast a Spill on You(Blue) and Plenty of Frogs! 
 This was probably the easiest gradient I've ever done and I chuck that up to combination the base color and the formula of the shades I used to gradient. The shimmers really made the seams blend effortlessly and created such beautiful airbrushed-looking surfaces. Choosing the correct base color for gradients really does make a difference and I am just now learning this myself. I should film a tutorial on how I do my gradients, huh? I know everyone has their own way of doing them, and you guys have been asking for a while... I've just been a horrid Youtuber :(.

 Here is a shot of my base color Love is in the Heir. This shade comes from Sation's Marie Antoinette inspired collection. This shade is a soft, muted Blue with some slight Grey undertones and a subtle twinkling Silver sparkle. Finish-wise it is between a creme and a jelly, more jelly than creme. The formula was smooth, even and easy to work with. I used Three thin coats since I wanted to show you guys a swatch of this shade as well. Girls with longer nails, or those of you who are not a fan of "visible nail line (VNL)" might need a few more coats for full coverage. I really enjoy soft, dreamy shades like this one. Do you?

 I am SO sorry about the hiatus over the past week. I'm hoping to break that cycle of absences for a while. I have SO much nail polish to go through. I also got some new stamping plates, the Pueen sets! I had not gotten new stamping plates in like a year or so! I am SO excited about these Pueen plates though, they are ADORABLE!

 And just a quick reminder that Google reader will be going away on July 1st! I've set up shop over at Bloglovin. I just LOVE how easy it is to use and they also have an iPhone/Droid app! Make sure you are following LTHP on Bloglovin so you don't miss out!! Also, [HERE] is a full list on ways to keep up with the Let them have Polish! nonsese!

 I've really missed you guys so very much! I hope you guys liked this gradient! I kinda wanted to eat my nails when I wore it :)!

(**Press Sample**)

More about → Sation Candylandia Gradient Nail Art and an Update

Natalie's Koi Fish

These nails are inspired by this look from Natalie over at heartNAT. It's been pinned on my "nail art inspiration" board over on Pinterest for a while now. I don't have the same polishes she used, and I don't have the fancy koi fish image plate she has, but it's still pretty cool. :)

 The polishes I used were:

Base of Orly Decades of Dysfunction. Then I sponged on - L'Oreal Macaroon Me Madly, China Glaze Flirty Tankini & Passion For Petals, & Zoya Ziv.

Then 1 coat of Essie Shine of the Times for an extra "fish-scale" vibe.

Then stamped M.A.S.H 39 with Konad black

More about → Natalie's Koi Fish

Random Purple

I've still been lacking in the nail art department lately.... Just not a lot of inspiration floating around at my house these days. I've got a couple of swatches and product reviews coming up, so maybe that can distract me enough to climb out of my creative block.

 For this random look I did the other day I used the following things:

I did a gradient with Rimmel I Lilac You, Zoya Malia & Mira. Then stamped Konad m36 with China Glaze Millennium. Then one coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust for some tiny holographic glitters.

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Muffin Monday!! Sation Of Corset I'll Call You and Guillotine Grape

Gah it's so late!! 

  Sorry!! Muffin.. Muffin refused to pick me a polish this week lol. So I ended up going with two of the shades she rejected haha. I'm going to keep it short and sweet. It's pretty late and I'm pretty tired. That said, I LOVE this look! 

 My base shades are Sation's Of Corset I'll Call You and Guillotine Grape. For my gradients I used the same Two shades. Doing gradients with Of Corset I'll Call You was fantastic because it is a soft, squishy Pink. I've found that using jelly-like polishes on gradients makes them such a breeze! I topped my gradients with INM Northern Lights.  The stamps were done using China Glaze Passion. The stamp on on my ring finger is from Bundle Monster plate BM202 and the lace-y patterns are from BM323. I finished the whole look off with one final coat of SV.

 And here is a fun collage of Muffin's indecision haha!

Have a good night my darlings!! I will be back sometime tomorrow!!

(**Sation products provided for my consideration**)

More about → Muffin Monday!! Sation Of Corset I'll Call You and Guillotine Grape

Pink & Gold

Here I have a design that was quite simple but fun. The nails have a nice gold shimmer that is concentrated on the tips. I used Spoiled Uh, As If! & China Glaze White Cap as a gradient. Then I stamped the star (?) image from Bundle Monster BM311 with China Glaze 2030.

 

What do you think?

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Muffin Monday!! Julie G Dream in Pretty

Hello my lovelies and happy Muffin Monday!! 

  Sorry about today's post being so late. Muffin mad her pick yesterday. Muffin picked like a boss this week. I set up and Mr. LTHP lured her to the room and she made her pick on the first try. She went for an adorable color from the Julie G line by Jesse's Girl called Dream in Pretty. 

 For some reason I was feeling tropical so this is the look I came up with for Muffin's pretty pick.

 I started with a base of Two easy coats of Dream in Pretty. On my Middle and Ring fingernails I did some Sunset inspired gradients with Julie's Fave and Dream in Pretty. I topped my gradients off with Seche Vite followed by a thin, sparkly coat of INM Northern Lights. For the all the stamps I used a plate I got in a swap with a Dutch friend and Konad Black Special Polish. I do not know the brand of the plate but it was number SdP-71. I then went back and free-handed the Black ground under my Palm trees with Cult Nails Nevermore. I ended up really loving this look... And kinda wishing I was on a beach with a Corona in my hand...

 Here is a look at Muffin's pick, and my base color, Dream in Pretty. This is one of those pretty Lilac- Pink creme shades that I cannot get enough of. The formula on this shade was SO amazing. It has just the right amount of pigmentation and it is very self-leveling. I used Two coats for full opacity.

 The Julie G line by Jesse's Girl recently had an expansion of 27 colors and I kinda wish I had access to them.. Silly Florida not having Rite Aids :(... BUT, I keep hearing that the more we request on Ulta's FB that they carry Jesse's Girl the sooner they might do so!! So lets all go over to the Ulta FB page and ask for Jesse's Girl cosmetics at their stores!

Thanks for stopping by!!

(**Julie G nail color provided for my consideration**)

More about → Muffin Monday!! Julie G Dream in Pretty

Inspired by Young Wild and Polished

Another look inspired from a Pinterest find. This manicure from Young Wild and Polished.

I thought it was gorgeous and I just adore the color combination. 

 I don't have the exact polishes she used, so I used China Glaze Dance Baby, & For Audrey. Then Milani Orchida for the purple.

 3 color gradient sponge, and 2 different sizes of a dotting tool. Simple to recreate!

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Cloudy Day Tutorial

 Here is a gradient + stamping nail art design. 

I started with Zoya Kristen, painting my nails with one coat. 

Then I sponged on a gradient of Zoya Kristen, China Glaze Electric Beat, Sinful Colors Rainstorm, & Barielle Berry Blue. Cleaned up the cuticle areas, then stamped BM-312 with Konad Special White Polish.

Then Seche Vite topcoat.

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Green Gradient

Another gradient with a simple accent nail stamp. My stamp didn't transfer terribly well, but I liked that it added an antique/aged feel. I used OPI Jade is the New Black and AEngland Dragon, then Color Club Gingerbread Man and BM02.

 It's been gray and raining for days, I wish the sun had come out so I could take pictures of the holo goodness!

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Polished Perfectionist Flamingo Inspired

These nails were another pinterest find. Inspired by these from The Polished Perfectionist.

I didn't have the exact same polishes, I used Sinful Colors Beautiful Girl for the light coral and a franken for the darker. Then the image is the same from BM214 & Konad Special White Polish. My highlight polish along the feathers was Sally Hansen HD Byte.

Just a sponged gradient but it looks awesome!

More about → Polished Perfectionist Flamingo Inspired

Sponge and Stamp

These nails were directly inspired by Lachesis and Co. I used a slightly different teal polish because I don't have Turned Up Turquoise in my stash. I used Sinful Colors Savage.

Here is a photo progression of how I did these. 

Started with a base of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Lavender Cloud.

Sideways sponge gradient with SH LC and Sinful Colors Savage.

Stamp with BM12 and Konad Special Black polish.

Finish with Seche Vite topcoat.

More about → Sponge and Stamp