February Day 7: XOXO

L'Oréal Not a Cloud in Sight, Orly Instant Artist Crisp White, and Essie Matte About You were used to  create this look.

I'm not crazy about this look since writing with nail polish is a struggle for me, but at least I was able to fulfill this day of the challenge.

Glitter-licious, It's Hot Hot

Matte Glitter? Yes please. I used my favorite black polish for the base, Essie Licorice. Then it was a combo of Milani Teal and Hot Pink glitter topped off with Essie Matte About You top coat to finish off this look.

Papaya Nails

Clearly this is an older manicure because I have now gone back to square-shaped nails, but I knew I needed to try papayas out on my oval/almond nails before I changed it up again.

Papayas are my favorite fruit. However, my husband thinks they smell like feet and won't sit next to me on the rare occasion I eat some papaya. IMO, there is nothing like the refreshing, soft, cool, and sweet feeling of fresh papaya in my mouth.

So let's get down to the nitty-gritty on how I created this look:

1. I painted two coats of SinfulColors Hazard as the base.
2. Using the brush that came with the polish, I painted a thin layer of Ulta Cream on the Crop in an elongated oval in the center.
3. Topped it all off with Essie Matte About You.
4. Using a dotting tool and Essie Licorice, I made the "seeds."
5. With a dotting tool again and Seche Vite top coat, I randomly dotted on top of seeds to make them more shiny.

(To me, fresh cut papaya doesn't look really juicy but the seeds are slick and shiny.)

Inspired by Aubrey Hannah

I was inspired by Aubrey Hannah's for this manicure. I used SinfulColors Pink Forever with Essie Pure Pearlfection and Matte About You. Then for the accent finger, I used Essie Licorice with Matte About You and, with a thin nail art brush, I applied To Dry For top coat for the (zebra) stripes.

Aubrey Hannah has an Instagram account and a blog. Check it out!

A Study in Pink

Has anyone seen Sherlock? It's a modern version of Sherlock Holmes. In the first season, there is an episode named "A Study in Pink."

This is my study in pink because I was trying out some different looks over Orly Butterflies. I used Essie Matte About You and Shine of the Times and then Matte About You again.

Note: It is impossible to capture the matte flakie goodness that is this manicure. I recommend that everyone try it out for themselves in order to enjoy the full effect.

Shine of the Times

With Matte About You

With Matte About You

Orly Butterflies

This is a semi-sheer neon pink. Application was great. I added Essie Matte About You.

Two coats, no top coat

With Matte About You

Matte About Polka Dots

This was my very first time using Essie Matte About You. I painted two coats of OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, one coat of Matte About You, and then, using a dotting tool, used Lincoln Park After Dark again to make the dots on top.