DIY Manicure - Get Creative #2

Hola,

How goes it my fellow fashionistas? How has this lovely day treated you? It was rather cold in New York City but other than that, for me it was a pretty good day.

I have to tell you that I loved writing my last post "DIY Manicure - Get Creative," I'm thinking I'm going to do more of these as I do more manicures this summer. I'm ecstatic to let you all know that last week's mani with the pretty glitter lasted SEVEN days. Yes, that's a record for me. I only had to touch it up once but other than that, the manicure lasted until yesterday. Woop! :)

So after removing the polish last night, I figured I'd continue the creativity trend. I'm elated to say that the outcome was once again fabulous. So without further ado, check it out...

Note: I know last week I listed some of the products I use as far as strengtheners and top coats so I've included photos of these below as well in case you'd like to purchase them. Here goes:

I call it my "Blue Galaxy" manicure:

^^^

Rings: Purchased at H&M

Note: I simply adore the mid-finger ring look for this summer. It takes a bit of getting used because it feels like their falling off your finger. However, once you do get used to them, they give your hands and mani a very pretty and delicate look. I always go with gold because it goes better with my skin tone, but you can try silver as well. Whenever I get a manicure, I love wearing rings to spice up the look.

^^^

A Closer Look

Below are the products I used to get this look:

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"Millionails" base coat and nail strengthener by: Essie

* I just starting using this product so I will let you all know how good it is as far as strengthening goes in a future post. When I touched up my mani, I added another coat of this before applying the top coat.

^^^

Nail Color: "Blue Bombshell #335" by: Maybelline

* Needless to say apply two coats. This color is a bit on the matte side so you can use it either way, with or without the top coat for added shine. I went with the shine this time because of the next product I used...

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Confetti Polish in "Pixel Perfect" by: Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear line

* I happened to see this polish at Duane Reade one day and scooped it up. It's pretty fantastic. When applied over the right color, it gives your polish a very pretty and out of this world look (literally, hence the reason I call it "blue galaxy"). This polish was very easy to apply and all the little assorted confetti is easily scooped with the brush. With the blue, it reminds me of another galaxy with stars and dust all around. I love it! :)

^^^

Top Coat and Shine "Good To Go" by: Essie

* I adore this top coat. Not only does it add shine and seals the polish, but it also dries in an instant. I don't know about you, but once I'm done polishing my nails, it's really hard for me to stay still until they dry. I end up smudging at least one nail - Grrrr. This product is my savior. It dries instantly. Try it and give me feedback.

~ The End ~

So there you go my sweethearts. This week's manicure was another hit with the girls and I am beyond in love with it. I'm hoping that this one lasts just as or almost as long as last week's. I will let you know in my next "Get Creative" post. Well, what do you all think? Like it or nah? Will you try this look? Is it easy for you to get creative with your manicures or do you prefer to go to the nail salon? Also, are you all feeling the "mid-finger" ring look this season? Have you tried it? ... You all know the deal, comment below and give me your feedback or suggestions on some creative looks that you'd like to see me try. This will be fun but you have to click "comment" and let me know. Let's chat, share, debate... whatever you'd like to do, I'm game. Go! #engage

As always, thank you for stopping by my "Open Closet."

Hasta Luego,

Gracias,

AnnaCris <3

DIY Manicure - Get Creative

Hola,

Happy Friday night my loves! I hope that wherever you are and whatever you're doing, that you're having a fabulous time. I've chosen to stay in tonight as I try and alternate my weekends between going out and staying in. Tonight it's the latter.

Since I'm in, I figured I'd write a quick random post...

So on Tuesday night I decided to do my own manicure. I usually do them myself as I feel I do a much better job than when I have them done at the nail salon. The only difference is that I don't get the pampering I would get when someone else is massaging my hands, etc. Another reason I do them myself is because for whatever reason, when I have them done at the salon, the color starts chipping the very next day and that just gets on ALL my nerves! Grrrr! However, lately I have been taking the easy road and just having my nails done at the salon. This is out of pure laziness and impatience and nothing else.

Now back to Tuesday night... I was supposed to attend an event the following evening and so I threw all laziness out the window and got right down to it. I had recently bought a new nail color by Essie and several weeks ago I purchased the cutest glitter by OPI. I figured it was time to make use of both. BTW, I adore adding glitter to my manicures. I think glitter is fun, cute, girly and eye-catching. Anyway, I wanted to share the outcome as I've gotten many compliments from my "creativeness." ;) ...Check it:

I pretty much go through the whole process myself.

1. File nails (usually square shaped).
2. Cut any hang nails and excess dry skin.
3. Soak in warm water (I add a few drops of lemon juice to strengthen nails)
4. Push back cuticles (never cut).
5. Thoroughly wash my hands and scrub off any excess dead skin.
6. Apply lotion.
7. Dab a Q-tip with some nail polish remover (without acetone) and swipe each nail to remove excess oils.
8. Ready to polish...

^^^

- Base coat: "Millionails" - by: Essie (Strengthens nails)

- Nail Color: "After School Boy Blazer" - by: Essie (two coats)

- Glitter: "Be Awesome" - by: Nicole by OPI

- Top Coat: "Good To Go" - by: Essie (Shines, Dries Super Quick, Prolongs Polish)

- Rings: Purchased at H&M

^^^

A Closer Look

Above is a closer look. Just so you know, this glitter was a bit hard to scoop out of the bottle which in a way made it better to strategically place them on my nails. I could only get about two or three on the brush at a time so that kind of helped for me to place them around the nail. Allow this coat to dry before applying the top coat to seal the color. My nails are still intact on day three. Usually by now they've started to chip.

So there you have it ladies... What do you think? I'm in love with this look and I think I will try it again next time. How creative do you get with your nails? I tend to do all sorts of designs. Glitter, stripes, two different shades, polka dots and one time I even did cute little flowers. It takes time and practice but it's so much fun and kind of relaxing for me. The other thing is that I LOVE bright colors especially in the spring and summer months. Do you ever do your own nails or do you prefer going to a nail salon? If you go to the salon, do you ask your manicurist to get creative or do you just polish and go? You all know the deal... comment below and let's share our fabulousness with each other. I'd love to hear your routine and/or how creative you get nowadays with all the fun ideas for fun and pretty manis. Go ahead comment below. Go! #engage

As always, thank you for stopping my "Open Closet."

Hasta Luego,

Gracias,

AnnaCris <3