Red Nails for the #31DC2018Weekly

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It's the first week of the #31DC2018Weekly and we are starting it off with Red Nails.  Since it is the very first challenge prompt, I feel like I took it easy.  My creative juices aren't flowing at top speed just yet.  But even easy nail art is fun, right?  I did a simple double accent nail manicure using some pretty water decals for Week 1.

Violet Nails for the #31DC2017Weekly

Howdy!

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We are 6 weeks into the weekly version of the 31 Day Nail Art Challenge and so far I have been using a Zoya nail polish every week in my manicures.  I hope you are seeing some Zoya polish that you like because tomorrow starts their annual Earth Day sale which you can get all polishes for 50% off.  For my purple nails this week, I used a shifty Zoya as my base and some water slide decals from Born Pretty Store.  Let's take a look!

Green Nails for the #31DC2017Weekly

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So sorry that I missed posting last week for the challenge.  I was on vacation and didn't get a post prepared in time before I left.  So, today, you will get my green nails post from last week and tomorrow I will share the blue nails post for this week.  That is the beauty of this challenge, you have plenty of time to catch up.

Tassels and Fringe - Born Pretty Store

Hi all!

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Ready for some nail art?  I don't feel like I do as much nail art as I would like to.  Collection reviews take up a lot of time.  But today, I have a little easy nail art to share with you!  I was sent some adorable nail water slide decals from Born Pretty Store a while back and just had to show them off.  This set of decals reminds me so much of native american art and clothing designs.  Chevrons and fringe and tassels with brown and turquoise accents.

I started with a base of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in "Yummy Yams" and "White Out".  Then I cut out the designs I wanted from the sheet and placed them in water for approximately 30 seconds.  Once the paper backing was soaked, then decal slid right off.  I placed them each on the nail and smoothed out any bubble or wrinkles.  Then I added a glossy top coat and some tiny gold studs (also from BPS but I cannot find them on the site anymore).  

I really liked how these turned out.  I think that my favorite designs are the turquoise with fringe and the tassels.  But there are so many ways you can wear these decals.  They are a simple and easy way to get some very nice nail art on your nails.  I dig water slide decals!  Especially thin and clear ones like these.

Born Pretty Store has a ton of water slide decals to choose from.  Along with a huge selection of inexpensive nail art supplies.  If you want to save 10% off of your order, use my code 'AVAW10' at check out.  It is not an affiliate code, just a coupon.  Happy nail arting!

Smooches!

 - Amy McG aka McPolish

*decals provided for review, polishes purchased by me*

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Inspired by a Book for the #31DC2016Weekly

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Late again with the challenge post this week!  I am sorry.  But you can forgive me, right?  This week we are doing nail art inspired by a book.  Last year, I didn't even make it this far into the challenge.  But this was the book I would have chosen.  We all love George R. R. Martin's epic series, A Song of Ice and Fire.  I read the first book in the series, A Game of Thrones, last year after being completely addicted to the television series.  You must have been living under a rock for the past 5 years if you haven't heard of this show.  But the books are so amazing and totally worth the read.  I just finished the second book in the series, A Clash of Kings, this weekend and just could not stop myself from doing nails inspired by it.

A Clash of Kings is all about the war of the 5 kings and all of the major houses in Westeros fighting for the crown.  I used a set of nail water decals that I have had for a few years for this look.  They are the depiction of 5 major houses sigils.  House Stark is a dire wolf's head.  House Lannister is a roaring lion.  House Targaryen is a three headed dragon.  House Baratheon is a stag.  And House Greyjoy is a giant kraken.  I have each of these sigils on my five nails.  The background is a base of Zoya "Chantal" with butter London "All Hail the Queen" dabbed on top with a crumpled piece of plastic wrap.  I like it both with a glossy and matte top coat but the matte version just looks so cool.  It looks like the sigils were burnt into sparkling sandstone.  Love it!

Why it has taken me so long to use these decals and do some Game of Throne inspired nails is beyond me.  I do not believe the indie shop that made these decal is still open.  I got these as a gift from Indie500Nails a few years ago.  But you can stalk their Etsy shop and see if they come back (Tentacle Studios).  I love how this manicure turned out.  Do you?  And tell me your favorite character in the series (book or show).

Want to see what other ladies have chosen as their book inspiration?  Check out the #31DC2016Weekly tag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  Only 7 challenge prompts left!  We are in the home stretch :)


Thanks for stopping by!
 - Amy McG of House McPolish

*products were purchased by me or sent as a gift*

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Inspired by a Color for the #31DC2016Weekly

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We are in the final stretch of the challenge!  This is the part of the 31 Day Nail Art Challenge that I typically fizzle out.  For the last 10 days of the challenge, you are supposed to do manicure inspired by colors and movies and fashion.  It was always difficult for me to come up with something new and exciting every day.  Now that I am doing the challenge weekly, I will have more time to come up with cool nail art looks for these tougher prompts!  This week, we are doing manicures inspired by a color.  I chose a color of manicure that is classic and traditional.  My mani today is inspired by pinky nudes.  Pink toned nude polishes are so classic and work appropriate.  People may say they are boring but I love wearing them.  Plus, they can be jazzed up in so many ways.  So that is what I did...jazzed them up :)

I started with a base of a soft gradient of pinky nude cremes from Cirque Colors.  The darker pink is "Jane on Jane St." and the lighter pink is "Whitney".  They are both delicious creme colors with amazing formulas.  All of the Cirque Colors Metropolis Collection cremes are fantastic.

Next, I applied these cute water decals from Nicole Diary in a delicate black floral pattern.  I have been really impressed with the water decals from this brand.  They are so easy to apply and smooth onto the nail flawlessly.  They are super thin and even stretch a little to fit around even the curviest nail beds.  They don't wrinkle when you apply a glossy top coat either.  You should definitely check them out!

I did this mani on both a glossy top coat and then a satin matte top coat just to see which I liked best.  I like them both!  Which do you like best?

I am really happy with out this manicure turned out.  It is very delicate and girly but still appropriate for work.  I am excited to see what everyone else doing the challenge has come up with this week,  Be sure to check out the #31DC2016Weekly tag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to see more awesome nail art!  Have you been enjoying this weekly challenge?

Thanks for stopping by!

 - Amy 'McPolish' McG

*polish purchased by me and water decals sent by the maker/stockist for honest review*

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Teal holographic skittlette mani

Hey all!

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I have a quick little post tonight about my awesome #notd (nails of the day).  I just threw this together at the last minute and was very pleased with the results.  Usually, I would just share this on my Instagram page but I felt it was totally cool enough for it's own blog post.

The base is a beautiful blue leaning teal linear holographic from Dainty Digits Nail Polish called "As Blue As Neptune".  This was my first time reviewing/trying this brand and so far, I am a fan.  Just two coats and it was completely opaque, great formula.  My textured pinkie bling is Misslyn Satellite War which is a silver based texture with green and teal glitters sprinkled in.  This is one of my favorite textured polishes.  Thanks, Lotte, for sending it to me all the way from Germany!

Normally, I would have added some stamping and been done.  But I decided to try out some of water slide decals from KBShimmer.  These have a clear background with a silvery grey delicate design.  It looks raised but I don't feel any bumpiness when the top coat is applied.  These Silver Lacy Swirl Water Decals come in a single sheet which you can cut out the sizes you need for you nails.  I used it on four nails for this manicure and only used up 1/4 of the sheet.  (Obviously, my nails are small so if you have longer nails you will get less uses out of the sheet)

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this mani and it is the type of nail art I wear the most often.  Skittlette all the nails!  I just love them,  If you want to see more of my skittlette manicures, just check out my tag on Instagram #McSkittlette.  

I hope you have a lovely week!

- Amy McG aka McPolish

*products provided by the maker for honest review*

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Born Pretty Store - Artistic Vortex Water Decals

Hello there!

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Today, I have a fun and easy skittlette mani to share with you all using some polishes from P2 Cosmetics and water decals from Born Pretty Store.  As you are well aware, I love me some skittlette nails!  If you don't know what a skittlette mani is, head over the master her self, ChitChat Nails, for a great tutorial.  I always like to use a textured polish in my skittletes :)

For this simple mani, I used some water decals sent to me from Born Pretty Store.  I just loved the abstract nature of these swirly patterns and the colors felt very retro to me.  I chose polish colors that would compliment the colors in the decal designs.  The saturated teal creme is P2 "Hidden Mermaid" from the Volume Gloss line and the matte orange textured polish is P2 "Peach Icing" from the Crisp+color line.  I adore P2 polishes!  They are a German drug store brand are always impress me with their formulas.

The water decals are such an easy way to add a little extra something to your manicures.  If you can't hand paint but still want some fly nails, try a water decal.  All you need to do with soak the decal in water for approximately a minute, slide the paper backing off and place it on the nail.  Add a glossy top coat to seal it in and Ta Da!  Instant nail art.  Born Pretty Store has a ton of water decal to choose from.  This sheet of Artistic Vortex Pattern has several different patterns and is only $1.99.  

You can get many manicures out of this one pack.  Especially if you are just doing accent nails like I am.  If you want to try out this water decal sheet or any of the other numerous water decals, head over the Born Pretty Store and place an order.  They ship worldwide and I have a 10% off coupon code you can use at check out: AVAW10

Hope you have a great weekend!

 - Amy 'McPolish' McG

*decals provided by BPS for honest review*

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KBShimmer - Chilly Pepper and Winter Birds Decals

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I am stuck at the airport all day with a laptop and free WiFi...let's write some blog posts!  Today, I have a gorgeous creme polish from the KBShimmer Winter 2015 Collection to share with you.  Move over OPI because KBShimmer has released the most perfect red creme polish ever!  No lie.  Ever since KBShimmer started releasing plain creme polishes, we have all been waiting for "the red one."  Well, Christy did not disappoint because "Chilly Pepper" is fantastic!  The formula is amazingly rich and creamy.  It applies like a dream.  It makes me question why I don't wear red polish often.  It is the perfect color for the holidays but is such a classic, true red color that it is perfect for year round, too.  I used two easy coats topped with KBShimmer's quick dry top coat, Clearly on Top.  Perfection!  Do you agree?

I thought that this classic red paired nicely with some of KBShimmer's new winter water slide decals.  These cute little winter birds reminds me so much of my grandmother.  I'm sure they remind us all of our grandmothers because they are just so classic retro Christmas.  I used one of cardinals over KBShimmer "Eyes White Open" for this accent nail.  The water slide decals are super easy to use and come with clear instructions for application.  I just cut out the decal that I wanted, soaked it in water for 20 seconds then slide the decal off the paper backing.  You have a little bit of time to maneuver it on the nail before it adheres .  Then I topped it off with Clearly on Top to give it a shiny finish.  As you can see in the photo of the water slide decal packaging, you can get a full mani of birds or several accent nails out of one sheet.  Adorable, right?

The KBShimmer Winter 2015 Collection is available now.  Not only are there 14 new polishes but there are a number of new decals, vinyls and bath and body scents to stock up on.  Make sure to follow KBShimmer on their social media outlets to learn about upcoming Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.  

KBShimmer online store

KBShimmer social media (Facebook Twitter Instagram)

KBShimmer international shipping from Harlow & Co

Many thanks!

- Amy McG (McPolish)

*products provided by the maker for honest review*

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Cirque Colors - The Metropolis Collection for April 2015

Hello April!

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Today, I have two lovely creme polishes being released by Cirque Colors this month.  Cirque started releasing creme shades of polishes every month as part of their Metropolis Collection.  Each of the polishes are inspired by places around New York City.  For April, we have two brightly colored cremes that are perfect for not only spring, but transitioning into summer too!  The polishes released each month as part of the Metropolis Collection are not limited edition.  You will be able to get these polishes at any time until they retire the shade.  I really enjoy this type of monthly release.  We are always looking forward to new colors and our pocket books are not severely damaged but the release of a big collection all at once.  Want to see the pretty polishes!?!?

Water Decals from Born Pretty Store

Hey there!

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Today, I have some easy nail art to share with you.  Water decals are a quick and easy way to add a little fancy to your nails without having a lot of artistic skills like hand panting.  For this manicure, I used some water decals from Born Pretty Store.  These decals are very easy to use.  Just cut out the size that you want, remove the plastic and soak it in water.  I like to use this method because I can remove the paper backing and place the decal where ever I want it.  You can also place the decal side down on the nail and place a water soaked cotton ball on the paper backing until it slides off.  Just like a temporary tattoo for your skin.

I used a base of Beauty Woman "Victoria's Favorite" which is a European brand sold at T€di that my buddy Benigna sent me.  It is a lovely nude polish with a gorgeous golden shimmer.  I used one strip of the water decals and cut them into little piece to fit my nails.  One strip for each hand.  Then I topped it all off with HK Girl top coat.

As you can see, you can get a lot of manicures out of this one pack of water decals.  They all have a good tattoo type feel to them.  Here is the link to this specific pack of water decal (water decals XF 1461) but be sure to check out all the other water decals available at the Born Pretty Store.  You can get 10% off of your order by using the code AVAW10 at check out.

Thanks!

Amy McG aka McPolish

*Water decals provided for review by supplier*

31 Day Nail Art Challenge: Week 2 Roundup

Hey friends!

Yes!  I made it through another week of the #31dc2014!  I liked this week of prompts as they gave me a little more direction for nail art ideas.  Things are going to be getting challenging here in the last two weeks.  The prompts really require some imagination and creativity to produce meaningful nail art.  At least that is how I feel.  If you want to follow along with me each day, check out my Instagram account.  But let's get right into my creations for the second week of nail art craziness!

Click through for all the photos!

Week Long Gel Mani with Chevrons

What do you do when you get bored of a gel manicure that still looks flawless after 5 days? Add some nail art! This is a gel manicure that I wore for about a week when I was extremely busy. It's Gelish Rose Garden with some spectraflair added (the thought of wearing a plain creme for a week was too much, I had to franken). I then added chevron nail decals from Make It Stick Designs. If you've been reading my blog you probably have seen a lot of these nail decals from me, I'm a huge fan of them. They are so fast and easy to use with no mess or dry time, so they're my go-to when I want nail art and have no time to pull out my stamping plates!

These are the navy colored regular pattern nail chevrons. For application and an in-depth review of these decals please check out my review of the large pattern nail chevrons.

I thought a comparison of chevron sizes might be useful, so here is the regular chevron decals compared with the large pattern chevron decals. The regular chevrons have four thinner strips per decal and the large pattern have three thicker strips. They are both the same size and width, and fit nicely on wide nails (like mine). If you have very small or very narrow nails you probably want to go with the regular chevrons rather than the large patterns. 

I still can't believe I managed to wear the same color of polish for an entire week, even if I did add nail art! How long do you wear a manicure for before changing polishes? What's the longest you've gone?

I Have a Puzzling Manicure For You...

Today's manicure is a bit... puzzling. You see, I did this manicure a few weeks ago and I can't seem to piece it together. :)

Today I have more decals from the fabulous Make It Stick that were sent to me for review, this time it's puzzle pieces! I was the most excited about these decals because coming up on April 2nd is Autism Awareness day. Last year many bloggers celebrated with a blue manicure (the official autism awareness color) and puzzle pieces (the symbol of Autism Speaks, an autism awareness group). Last year I wore blue for awareness, but wasn't skilled enough to add a puzzle piece to my manicure.

I will be wearing blue (and posting blue) on April 2nd and I encourage everyone to join me! These decals are absolutely perfect for Autism Awareness Day and there's plenty of time to get them ordered before then. :)

Like other Make It Stick decals, these puzzle pieces are made of a thin flexible vinyl with adhesive backing that are easily applied to the nail like a regular sticker (except they stick securely, bend around the curve of your nails and stay put).

My base color was OPI Suzi and the 7 Dusseldorfs in Gelcolor, which I added the decals to and topped with regular polish topcoat. I didn't pay very much attention to placement and they are a bit crooked on my nails, but it's not noticeable in person.

One nice thing about these decals is that they are size matched, which means that there's 5 different sizes of puzzle pieces (perfect for my five fingers on each hand). If you are just using them one at a time for accent nails you can choose the size perfect for your nail.

What do you think? Are nail decals your thing or do you prefer paint your own nail art?

*Product(s) in this post provided to me for review*

St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Mani!

Do you ever have an idea for nail art that just doesn't translate well from your imagination to your nails? This was one of those manis for me. I think it turned out okay in the end, but it was a struggle every step of the way! For a St. Patrick's Day Mani I had the idea to do a rufian mani with a yellow base, green on top, and a shamrock on each nail. Clearly that isn't what I ended up with!

What you see here is a half-moon manicure with a base of Manglaze Nawsome Sauce. The yellow is one coat of Cult Nails Tempest (white base to cover the green) and two coats of Cult Nails Feel Me Up. I then added the awesome shamrocks compliments of Make It Stick nail decals. 

I wish I had either used less polish layers or waited longer for them to dry since the polish was very thick on the tips of my nails, and a bit uneven. I used Seche Vite to try to speed the drying time, then ended up with a matte top coat so smooth out the bumps.

The shamrocks are from Make It Stick (set of 50 available on Etsy for $5) were absolutely perfect for this mani! They're so much easier than getting out all of my stamping supplies (I'm not even positive that I have a shamrock on any of my stamping plates either). They are thin flexible vinyl decals with a sticky backing. They come on a small sheet similar to stickers. I simply peeled them off and placed them carefully in the center of my nails using my fingers, but tweezers can also be used to handle the decals. These can be placed on wet or dry polish, and if you use them on dry polish they can be re-positioned before you add top coat.

Overall not a failure, but certainly not my best work! What do you think? Do you have anything planned for St. Patrick's day?

*product(s) in this post provided to me for review.*

Make It Stick Nail Chevrons

Today I want to show you a couple of looks I achieved with nail decals from Make It Stick Designs. I first tried these nail decals when I got to know their creator, April, in a nail polish group on Facebook. April is a wonderful person and I love supporting small businesses so I had to give it a try! I was not disappointed. :)

The nail decals are made of a super thin adhesive vinyl material that sticks strongly to the nail and is flexible (so it stays on). If you are like me and get annoyed with anything bumpy on your nails this shouldn't annoy you. There is an almost unnoticeable bump at the edge of the decal with a single layer of top coat, but with two layers it wasn't noticeable at all.

For this mani I used Cult Nails Let Me Fly on four of my nails, added the decals to my thumb and ring finger as accent nails, then added a second accent by doing my pinky in Zoya Trixie. This is a skittlette style mani inspired by Marta of Chit Chat Nails that I actually entered in a contest she had on her blog earlier this year.

This is a long post so click read more to see more photos, 

another mani and read all about the nail decals!