Funky Leopard Friday!

Hello Lacquer Luvers! I hope everyone has had a fantastic week and you guys are looking forward to an awesome weekend. I personally haven't been feeling too well this week. I've had a horrible bit with teeth pain and nausea as well as not getting much sleep because I'm so uncomfortable but this will all be over in a few weeks! I needed to do something to perk me up and did this awesome design on my nails last night. I couldn't wait to share it with you guys. Are you ready?

The above photos were taken with my phone last night. The colors aren't as accurate as the below photos (which were taken this morning) but I hope you like the collage/tutorial I created for you! This manicure began with a base of Essie Grow Faster. I applied two coats of Zoya Kieko to my pinky, middle and thumb nails & two coats of Zoya Wednesday to my ring and index nails.

I used my Konad Special Stamping Polish in black along with Konad M57 image plate for the leopard print design. A dotting tool was dipped into Kieko and Wednesday to fill in some of the spaces of the print (I only did this to the left sides of my nails since I knew I would be covering the right side in black). I used Scotch tape and applied it to the left side of my nails and then applied one coat of Bettina Onix to the right side. This manicure was topped off with a coat of Essie Good To Go topcoat.

Leopard print never gets old to me and I love how it's so versatile. I love this color combination and guess what? The Zoya Fairies did, too! I shared pics from the first collage on my Instagram account (username: luvmylacquer) & they complimented the combo. That might not be a big deal to some people but in my little nail polish filled world it totally made my night! What do you guys think of this combo? Is it something you would wear? As always, I hope you all liked this post my dear Lacquer Luvers and I look forward to sharing my next post with you, xo!

~Jessica

Wild Thing! (neon gradient + animal print)

Hello Lacquer Luvers! I hope everyone's week is off to a lovely start and that you guys are all okay. I have a fun post to share with you all today. It's another one that reminds me of my childhood and the awesomeness that is Lisa Frank. I was totally obsessed with the animal print folders and trapper keepers. The vibrant colors and images always captivated my interest. Sooo, you wanna see what's on my nails today?

L-R: Bettina Matte, China Glaze Celtic Sun, Color Club The Lime Starts Here,
Ruby Kisses Orange You Jealous, Ruby Kisses Pink Hot Pants

To begin my manicure, I chose four colors I thought would work well as gradients along with my favorite white base.

I applied one coat of Milani Smoothe Base Coat then 2 coats of Bettina Matte (white).

Once Matte dried, I took a makeup sponge (I found them at Target) and began my gradients. I put a bit of the yellow on the back of an old magazine, picked it up with a sponge and applied it to the top of my pinky, middle & thumb fingers. I took another sponge and applied the orange to my ring and index fingers. I repeated this process three times until the polish reached an opacity to my liking. Using the same sponges (the opposite sides that were polish-less) I applied the green and pink to the corresponding nails. Again, this was done three times.

Next I used my Konad Special Stamping Polish in black along with Konad's M57 image plate and stamped on the cheetah/leopard print on my pinky, middle and thumb fingers. I used the zebra print image for my ring and index fingers. This manicure was topped off with a coat of Color Club's top coat.

(not sure why this photo is sideways)

I absolutely adore this mani! It's so vibrant and playful and reminds me of the good ol' days! At one point I gave up on gradients because no matter what I did they were just not turning out right but I'm happy to say I got my mojo back (though, these aren't the best). I wish I could have this design on my toes but my belly is getting way too big for me to do a pedi right now lol! So, what do you think lovelies? Is this something you would wear or a bit too loud for your taste? As always, I hope you all liked this post my dear Lacquer Luvers and I look forward to sharing my next post with you, xo!

~Jessica

Today I am a Gothic Lolita!

Hello Lacquer Luvers! I hope you all are having a fantastic Friday! In my post yesterday I asked which of the polishes Ty got me you all would like to see next on the blog. Today's post is of my first reader request which came from Ms. Lizzy O. who said she'd like to see Gothic Lolita and that it was on her wish list. I received another request for Sinful's Cinderella from Ms. Val Greeley so you can expect to see that one in my next post =).

Gothic Lolita is part of China Glaze's 12 pc. Electropop Collection. This beauty is a medium red-toned purple that has some red and blue shimmer in it. The shimmer is so fine that it only comes out to play in the right lighting but once it appears you can instantly see the depth it adds to this color.

My mani today began with a base of Essie Grow Faster. Next I applied two coats of Gothic Lolita. I've read a few reviews on this one, some said it was runny, others said it was a bit on the thick side. My bottle, however, did not have any of these issues. I felt that the formula was really great & application was effortless. All I needed was two coats to reach full opacity. I instantly fell in love with this color the second it reached my nails!

For nail art, I wanted to cater to this polish's name. At first, I googled Gothic Lolita and spent about an hour in amazement at the fashion (click on the "googled" link to see what I mean). If you know me personally, you know that Japan is on the top of my destination places I would like to visit. The Gothic Lolita style is definitely something I imagine that would be seen as street-wear over there. I then googled "Gothic Lolita purple" and found my inspiration pic (see below).

Photo credit: http://www.mechanicalbunny.com/oscmax/tripp-purple-petticoat-gothic-lolita-skirt-p-668.html

I used Konad's M57 image plate for the corset look. Nothing says gothic, to me, like black roses so I used image plate M73 from a set that I purchased over on BornPrettyStore.com. Both of these images were stamped onto my nails using Konad Special Stamping Polish in black. I used Scotch tape and WetNWild's Ebony Hates Chris for my black french tips. This manicure was topped with Essie's Good To Go topcoat.

I had a little accident where I bumped my middle finger and caused it to smudge & couldn't stand to look at it which is why I didn't post a close-up shot of my entire mani like I normally do. It's not really -that- bad but I just couldn't stand it lol! Otherwise, I'm loving this manicure. I think it would be perfect for a Gothic Lolita! What do you all think luvs? I'm really excited to show you all my next reader request color, Sinful Colors Cinderella, in my next post. As always, I hope you all liked this post my dear Lacquer Luvers and I look forward to sharing my next post with you, xo!

~Jessica

10 Day Challenge: Day 4

Hello Lacquer Luvers & welcome to Day 4 of the 10 Day Challenge! My apologies for posting so late luvs, today is Thanksgiving and I was busy spending the day with my son and sister at the beach! Yes, the beach! My hubby works out of town and since he was leaving this morning to head back to work, we had dinner as a family last night. This morning we got to spend the day sitting in the sun relaxing. It was fabulous!

Today's challenge calls for Animal Print nails. I admit, I did not have time before we left this morning to do a new mani for you all. I do, however, have not 1, but 3 animal print mani's for you today! These photos were taken previously but I hope you all like them either way.

Tiger print: This manicure began with base coat (not sure which I was using back then). I taped off the ring and index fingers, and put on two coats of Revlon Siren from their Fire & Ice Collection on all of my nails. Next, I stamped them with the tiger print design using image plate M57 by Konad with their special stamping polish in black. Next, I taped off my ring and index fingers and applied one coat of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Black Out. I used the tape to create the black tips on my pinky and middle fingers, too. I used a no-name silver nail art striper for the lines & topped this off with Seche Vite fast dry top coat.

Camo-Animal Print: I wanted to do a mani using camouflage colors and went for this. I really like how this one came out. This mani began with base coat & two coats of Essie Sew Psyched. I stamped on the leopard print using Chocolate by E.L.F. & Konad's image plate M57. I used tape & Chocolate for the brown french tips and China Glaze II to fill in the leopard spots. This was topped with fast dry top coat by Seche Vite.

Pink Cheetah: My last animal print mani for you all today is one of my favorites, pink cheetah! This mani was inspired by Tamira over at naudii beautii. She was telling me that her dream polish is a black base with pink sparkles. I thought that was a killer combo & layered one coat Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear VIP Pink over one coat of SHXW Black Out, ah-maziiiing! I taped off the tips and used SHXW Hot Magenta for my pink french tips. My accent nail is 2 coats of SHXW Hot Magenta, then the cheetah print from Konad's image plate M57 with their special stamping polish in black. The tip was taped off & I used Black out for the french.

What do you all think of animal print? Would you wear any of these mani's? Don't forget that  Ms. Kelly from Posh For Polish is doing this challenge with me so please go take a look at her animal print nails and let her know what you think! As always, I hope you all liked this post my dear Lacquer Luvers and I look forward to sharing tomorrow's post with you & HAPPY THANKSGIVING, xo!

~Jessica

10 Day Challenge: Day 1

Hello Lacquer Luvers! Before I share my post today with you all today, I just want to wish my son, Tyus, a very Happy 6th Birthday! <3

Today starts the 1st day of the 10 Day Challenge I will be doing with Kelly from Posh For Polish. Each day we will both be working together and showing our lovely readers our creations for the challenge! Today is Day 1: Pink Nails.

One of my most favorite pinks would have to be Zoya Barbie. Barbie is a soft baby pink full of hot pink shimmer. I really wish the sun was out when I took these pics, it was still early in the morning.

Today's mani begins with a base of OPI Nail Envy and 3 coats of Zoya Barbie. For nail art, I decided to use another great pink from Zoya, Areej. Areej is a nice warm fuchsia cream. She worked great for stamping on this leopard/cheetah print from Konad's image plate M57. This mani was topped off with a fast dry top coat from Seche Vite.

I really love this color combo & I'm glad the sun came out so that you girls could get a better color accurate picture of Barbie. What do you girls think of my pink mani? Lacquer Luvers, don't forget to check out Kelly's Pink Nails & again, Happy Birthday to my sweet son Tyus! As always, I hope you all liked this post my dear Lacquer Luvers and I look forward to sharing tomorrow's post with you, xo!

~Jessica

**Disclaimer - This challenge was created by Marketta at Pink Polish Addict. Please check out her blog as she is almost done with the challenge and has some amazing posts for you all to see!**