Murdered Out

Ok, so for those wondering WTF?! my title means, it means black on black- sometimes flat black, and is almost always used to refer to a car- black paint, black tint, black rims, black emblems, etc. I'm a dork, I know. I did it last night, but woke up and it was completely messed up, so I waited til after work so I could do it again before I posted it, so sorry for the delay, but nothing but the best for y'all! :)

I used OPI for Sephora What's a Tire Jack? Matte as a base, with Zoya Pinta applied with Konad Plate m65, with the moons masked off with dot labels. For the moon, I just used Seche Vite top coat to freehand the curve.

Racy Lacy

I decided for today's nails, I would jump on the lace nail bandwagon, and give it a whirl. Let me tell you, it's HARD. It's also VERY uncomfortable, because the edges are really rough. This would probably work best on artificial nails, were you could get the fit a lot better and all that jazz. I dunno, from a foot or more away they look kinda rad, but they're definitely not for up close viewing... at least not mine, anyway. It took forever though, so I decided to post it :-P


I used American Apparel Palm Springs as a base for all nails except the ring finger, where I used China Glaze Salsa. The lace was just some cheap lace edging I got at Wal-mart. Topped it off with 3 or so coats of Seche Vite top coat... I dunno, I lost count.

I dunno, all in all, not my favorite, but they can't all be winners. :-D

Greased Lightning...McQueen?

Hey all, today's nail post will be this evening, I was up til 4 am makin' this bad boy, and his accompanying cupcakes for a 5 year old's birthday!! :) It is my very first 'sculpted' cake, meaning I carved the shaped from a 3-layer rectangle shaped cake. I'm super pleased with how it turned out! :) Just thought I'd let y'all know so I didn't leave you hangin'. :-P At least now you have something to look at in the meantime, right? :)

the cupcakes:

Crimi-Nails

Something tells me I need to lay off the NCIS marathons... and CSI... and Criminal Minds... and... well you get the idea. I'm a crime show junkie. Today's nails are my simplest yet I think, but they're definitely one of my favorites. :-P

I used Sally Hansen All the White Stuff as a base, with a mix of Zoya Dakota, Zoya Angelina, and China Glaze Salsa to get a blood color.

All I did to get this look is dab my fingertip in the red paints, blot on paper til I saw clear prints, then press my fingertip on the white nail. :-P Easy crime scene. :-D

Electric Leopard

So for today, since it's still doom & gloom here in Las Vegas (we've gotten more rain -1.69" this week than we did ALL LAST YEAR!!!!), I wanted to do something über-bright and fun, so I dug out a design I did before I started the blog- apparently August 7th.. :-P August 7th. I like this design, and the brightness of the hot pink doesn't even begin to show in the photo, it's positively retina-searing. (which, in my book, is a good thing)

I used Sally Girl Way Cool as a base, with China Glaze Turned Up Turquoise and China Glaze Liquid Leather for the spots and tips. :-P Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat. :-)

Bonus picture:

Snow-capped mountains, not really what you think of when you think of the Las Vegas Strip, eh?

What Are You HUP...TO...3...4?

Happy Monday, everyone!!! Today's nails were a request a while back from reader Melissa T-S. She told me that her 25 year old son is 5th generation army, and she would LOVE to see camouflage nails... so, Melissa... and your son, I hope you see these!! :) (and like them!! :-P)


I used Sally Hansen Trendy Creme as a base. (this color is amazing- the most perfect avocado color- best of all- I got it at the Dollar Tree! :-P) For the rest of the camo colors, I mixed Zoya Envy with Sally Hansen Trendy Creme for the olive color, since Envy was too dark, used Nubar Milk Chocolate Creme for the brown, and China Glaze Liquid Leather for the black. I topped it all off with two coats of Essie Matte About You to make it matte and awesome. :-P

I really love these nails... and they're totally my dedication to all the troops working their asses off everywhere to make our world, our country, and our people safe. (and for their predecessors, who made it possible to live in a country where one can do something as frivolous as painting her nails every day and blogging about it)...

THANK YOU!!!

Below the Waves Their Voice is Song, Above the Waves It Sounds So Wrong!

No more nerd nails!! (at least for a while) I'm sure some of you are relieved!! :-P I guess this post COULD be considered nerdy, if not only the title, since it's a Harry Potter reference to the merpeople. Anyway... Ever since I bought Hard Candy Break Up, I've totally thought it looked like fish scales, so naturally, last night, when I decided to do a mermaid theme, I HAD to use it, and I have to say, even though there's only a bit here and there, it looks like the light is reflecting off of the scales!

I used:

Thumb:

Sally Hansen Envy Frost (got at Dollar Tree- can't find a link to purchase any online!!) :( as a base, with Hard Candy Break Up over it, http://www.artofbeauty.com/scrpt/scr.dll/Item?Item=1869&brand=2&d=Zoya_Nail_Polish_|_Suvi applied with Konad Plate m57 for the scale lines, Urban Outfitters Matte Nude 3 for the belly, and Zoya Dea for the belly button. Zoya Envy was used for the waist. :)

Index:

Sally Hansen Funky Frost (another Dollar Tree purchase- and no online link to be found) as a base, Hard Candy Break Up over it, then with Sinful Colors What's Your Name sponged on the tips and a bit on the sides. For the scales, I used China Glaze DV8 applied with Konad Plate m57. Next, I used Urban Outfitters Matte Nude 3 for the belly, Zoya Dea for the belly button, and China Glaze Metallic Muse for the waist, which was also outlined with China Glaze Liquid Leather.

Middle:

Zoya Juno as a base with Zoya Savita matte sponged on the tip and sides, and Hard Candy Break Up on top of that. For the scales, I applied Zoya Pippa with Konad Plate m57. Next, I used Urban Outfitters Matte Nude 3 for the belly, Zoya Dea for the belly button, and OPI Parlez Vous OPI? for the waist, outlined in China Glaze Liquid Leather.

Ring:

MAC Phosphor as a base, with Urban Outfitters Orange 2 sponged on the tip and sides, and Hard Candy Break Up over that. For the scales, I mixed China Glaze Salsa and Urban Outfitters Orange 2 on Konad Plate m57. Next, I used Urban Outfitters Matte Nude 3 for the belly, Zoya Dea for the belly button, and Urban Outfitters Orange 2 outlined in China Glaze Salsa for the waist.

Pinky:

Zoya Jo as a base, with American Apparel Mount Royal sponged on the tip and sides, and Hard Candy Break Up over that. Next, I used Urban Outfitters Matte Nude 3 for the belly, Zoya Dea for the belly button, for the scales, I used China Glaze Millennium applied with Konad Plate m57, then used American Apparel Mount Royal for the waist, with China Glaze Liquid Leather for the lines.

Everything was topped off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat. :)

American Apparel Polish UPDATE FROM AMERICAN APPAREL REP!!

This letter was received in response to my email to Nichole Williams of American Apparel setting the record straight:

"The reason for the recall is because after receiving a few reports of bottles breaking, we made the internal decision to do a voluntary recall of the bottles on both a retail and public level.

We chose this small US manufacturer to produce our nail polish because we support their business model and have a fondness for family who runs it. However, one of the realities of all manufacturing is first-run glitches. We worked all last week with the manufacturer to make the improvements necessary for the second run. Another reason we sought out a US-based company is so we would be able make changes and now, we can investigate what went wrong as quickly as possible. We still believe in the factory we're working with and the new polish will be in stores within the next two weeks.

We will offer an exchange of two new bottles or a $10 giftcard for anyone who brings in a unit from the original run or a receipt."

Hope this clears up any questions or concerns you've had!

I Hear It's Hot Down Under

Day 102

:-D So for years (since my first trip to vegas before I moved here in 2005, to be exact), I've had a love affair with the best thing to come out of Australia besides Heath Ledger, Australian male revue... the Thunder From Down Under! Don't get me wrong, I'm not usually big on the typical male stripper type, but something about the trifecta of ass, abs, and accent gets me every time. :-P Honestly, I think it's the accent most of all. Aussie accents never fail to make me swoon. These guys are always a fun show to watch, with backflips, stripping, dancing, and lots of grins, they definitely know how to make a gal feel special when you talk to 'em too. Today's nails are dedicated to those hunks from down under, even those that keep their clothes on for a living, though they aren't NEARLY as fun. ;) So next time you're in Vegas, send me an email, and we'll ALL go see some bare Aussie skin, it's definitely worth the cost of admission!! :-D

The nails:



I used Ultra Pro in Blue Blaze as a base, with American Apparel Cotton for the stars, etc, and China Glaze Salsa for the red. Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

A pic of me, Matty (left), and Dave (right). :-P Pardon my goofy hair, I have a bad habit of tucking it behind my big ol' ears.



Some pictures from the PG-13 show at the expo:

Nail Disco Animal

Getting so excited, I started painting nail wheels tonight in preparation for the event Wednesday at Beauty Bar! Tonight I wanted to use a polish that I've had since April, but haven't used yet- a Nubar Glitter that is super sparkly and pretty!

I used Nubar Green Silver Glitter as a base, with MAC Deep, Dark, Delicious for the zebra stripes. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Also, if you follow me on twitter, I mentioned being excited for an amazing 6-course meal that was upcoming. Today, I have the pics from the photoshoot! The food was created by Chef Frank Otte, an AMAZING chef who creates Haute Cuisine. Saturday night, he prepared the absolute best meal that has ever passed my lips. I don't say this lightly, he was so amazing at his craft that he managed to take items that I generally will NOT eat, (beets, brussel sprouts, peas) and transformed them into something that created nothing short of an 'o' face. He introduced me to foods I've never tried before (swordfish, juniper oil, creamy sauerkraut), which I will forever be grateful for. Seriously, how did I LIVE before creamy sauerkraut? Really? Anyway. Check out his website, Chef Frank Otte - Haute Cuisine, you won't regret it. (well, after seeing the photos you may, they're drool-inducing)

To the menu!

Course 1: Salad of micro greens, roasted beets, avocado, pear with toasted walnuts, shower of goat cheese, and balsamic beet reduction.

Course 2: Celery root soup with petit brioche croutons and scallion oil.

Course 3: Tar tar of wild Scottish salmon with basil and coriander, Persion cucumber carpaccio, Greek yogurt, dill oil, and avocado mousse.

Course 4: Sage and prosciutto wrapped Atlantic Swordfish "saltimbocca", with creamy sauerkraut, thyme roasted apple, and fingerling potatoes in Juniper oil.

Course 5: Roasted crepinette of game hen breast with herbs, cauliflower ragout, brussel sprouts, and pomegranate gastrique.

Course 6: Cabernet braised short ribs with handmade carrot gnocchi, English peas and gorgonzola sauce.

Dessert: Caramelized puff pastry "mille fuille" with chestnut pureé, fresh clementines, pomegranate syrup, and vanilla sauce.

I ate everything except one piece of the crepinette of game hen (not because I didn't like it, but because I was to the gills at that point! lol), and most of the peas. I was sooooo full I was in pain, but it was a good pain. lol My favorite dish was the Swordfish, it was beyond incredible. *yum*

Kitty Glitter Nail

I'm running out of animal prints to do in glitter! :-P I totally love this manicure, and it's one that I kinda want to keep for more than a day... I may, I may not. :-D Nubar makes the best glitters out of any polish brand I've used, They're freaking awesome, and glitter packed!

I used Nubar Petunia Sparkle as a base, with Nubar Violet Sparkle for the spots, outlined in American Apparel Hassid. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

RAWR!!

All That Glitters Isn Nail Gold

It's Gems, too! Sorry today's manicure is a quickie, I worked both jobs today- it was my first day of training at Apple!! 14 hrs of work+ bathing = not much time to do pretty nails.

However, I had these new polishes that I grabbed from Milani's latest and greatest (not officially set to release until Feb, but a few CVS stores have done a pre-release. These polishes are amaaaaaazing. Most of them (not the FX) are one-coat glitters (yes, you read that right!!)

This manicure is SOOOO reflective, but also SUPER thick, since I layered about 90 coats of the gold to get full coverage. :-P

I used Milani Gold FX as a base, with Milani Gems FX sponged on the tips. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Make Like a Tree Nail

Whew. Day two of 14 hour work days is done. I've worked 28 hours in the last 2 days. That's a lot, in case you were wondering. :-D I learned a lot of great stuff today, and my trainer is awesome though, so I'm stoked.

Yesterday's glitter manicure was surprisingly easy to remove, I used the cotton ball/tin foil technique, and it softened it enough that it mostly came off in one thick sheet. Today's manicure utilizes one of the new American Apparel polishes, I bought the rest of the collection after work yesterday. (I had a Groupon for $50 worth of American Apparel for $25! :)) I totally dig this color, it reminds me of split pea soup, and is very nearly a one-coater!

I used American Apparel MacArthur Park as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the leaf lines. Topped it all off with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.

Bedtime.

The Nail Multiplyin

Ok, I don't have either. I have a sore throat, but that's neither here nor there. Tomorrow I set out for the airport at 4:30 am. That's right, A. M. Ugh. I'm flying to San Francisco for one of my close friend's wedding. I fly into San Francisco at 6:30 a.m., then arrive back in Las Vegas around midnight. I'm going to be deaddddd. ANYWAY. The wedding tomorrow is my friend Jordan's. He and I go way back to my days as a educational software designer...he was my programmer! :) During our time working together, we developed a friendship, and he is one of the awesomest, nicest, most generous, caring people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I couldn't be happier for him. (his bride is a lucky gal!) One thing Jordan is not, however, is an awesome Dr. Mario player. (I corner the market on that) He and I have had battle upon battle, and I always win. (he blames it on the game and tells people that he beat me so badly I was in tears <----I let him have his lies out of pity) In honor of his wedding tomorrow (and since I won't be able to paint or post new nails tomorrow), I did Dr. Mario nails. On the thumb is Dr. Mario, on the index, middle, and ring fingers are the viruses and pills, and on the pinky is the purple and black checkerboard in the background, behind the bottle (? is it a pill bottle? a test tube?)

 I used American Apparel Hassid as a base, with American Apparel Manila for the yellow, Essie Foot Loose for the pink, Zoya Yummy for the blue, Barielle Grape Escape for the purple, Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud for the white, a mix of Barielle Choco Bar, American Apparel Cotton and Essie Vermillionaire for his hair, a mix of American Apparel Cotton and American Apparel Palm Springs for the skin tone. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Pitter Splatter Nail

I'm back! Sorry for the brief hiatus, I was sick all weekend. I even left my friend's wedding earlier than I wanted to and went and slept on the floor at the airport because I felt so rotten. Guess that's what I get for overdoing it. (work, blog, projects, etc) After sleeping all day yesterday and most of today as well, I'm feeling marginally better. Hating the hacking and sinus pressure, but I'll live.

Anyway, enough whining, moaning, and talk of lung butter. On to the nails!! ;-D Most of the colors I used in today's nail design are part of the new release of 12 colors by American Apparel (review to come in a few days), these colors are every bit as awesome as their previous releases. They even included a shimmer polish!

I used American Apparel California Trooper as a base, with American Apparel Raccoon for the dark brown, American Apparel Port for the wine color, American Apparel Trenchcoat for the yellowed khaki color, American Apparel Makeup for the pinky tan color, and BB Couture Kelly's Green for the avocado color (totally in love with this color!!). Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Disclosure: Several of the colors used in today's post were sent to me by the manufacturer for review.

Costumed Coral

Today's nail art started out being a possible holiday nail art idea, but ended up being something totally different. I liked it after I added the gold, but felt like it needed more, so I mentally scanned my nail polish collection to find a polish that would compliment both colors, and I came upon my Lotus Herbals Orange Alert, which was a gift from Chris when he came back from India, and happens to be one of my favorite polishes (and most rationed) in my entire collection. I can't get a proper picture of it, but it is the precise color of papaya flesh- that coral/orange/red combination, and I adore it. After adding the Orange Alert, it took on a look of coral and gold costume jewelry, not the original holiday look I was intending to make when I started! I actually like it better this way I think!!

I used American Apparel Berry as a base, with China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection and Lotus Herbals Orange Alert for the dots. Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Anyone else getting excited for Thanksgiving?!!?!??! I'm sooooo hungry! I want to brine my turkey this year (I've never tried it before), anyone have any good brining recipes or tips?

Stila Sale at Hautelook!!

Hey all! There is a Stila Cosmetics sale at Hautelook!

Also- because today is their 3-year anniversary, shipping is only $3!!!! (awesometastical!)

On sale are a few sets, some Barbie stuff, the Makeup Player, bronzer, lipglazes, lipglosses, mascaras, eyeshadows, eyeshadow duos, and brow powder.

Check it out!! :)

Raising the Bar

So, as you probably read, a few posts back, I did a nail art event at Beauty Bar last night! In honor of the night, I did Beauty Bar nails! The walls in Beauty Bar are painted with glitter, so I did stripes of all colors of glitter on all the nails, then added the Beauty Bar silhouette logo on my thumb! (I'll add pictures of the event tomorrow when I have more time)  I broke the middle finger nail, so I just chopped them all off. The middle one is soooo short, it hurts. :(

I used CND Green Scene as a base for the green, ALDO See You in Ibiza for the blue base, Orly Shine as a base for the silver, Orly Luxe for the gold base, Essie Foot Loose for the hot pink base, Essie Vermillionaire for the orange base, and Barielle Grape Escape for the purple base. For the glitters, I used Color Club Object of Envy for the green, Nubar Green Silver Glitter for the other half of the thumb. For the gold, I used Color Club Sultry Diva, the purple, Nubar Violet Sparkle, for the red, I used Milani Melt Down, for the blue, OPI Absolutely Alice, silver on the middle finger is NOX Twilight Disco Darling, Zoya Astra for the pink, OPI Extra-va-vaganza! for the orange, then Amour Rain Glitter for the pinky. For the logo, I used American Apparel Hassid. I then topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Sorry for the quick post tonight- I've been going out of my mind busy lately!

ZOYA wants 20,000 Fans!

We like our fans, well actually, we LOVE our fans.

We are a small, independent cosmetics company that understands and values the importance of each and every one of our customers. Zoya views our fans as ambassadors of our products. Your dedication and feedback via our social media outlets has helped shape us into the successful company we are today. We continue to grow with your input and support. During this holiday season we would like to show you our appreciation with an incredible offer to start off the new year.

Please, allow us to share our wonderful nail polish and treatment products with your like-minded friends! We are hoping for 20,000 "Likes" on facebook by January 3, 2011, and if we get them, we will provide a code for 3 free bottles* of Zoya Nail Polish to all fans and followers in the Continental US. Yes, we love our international followers too but due to international regulations and restrictions we can only offer this promotion domestically at this time.

“Like” ZOYA on facebook and make 2011 a year of nail polished perfection.


Here's what you need to do...

Not already following ZOYA on facebook?

Do you love nail polish? Then you should follow Zoya for daily updates, promotions and fun on facebook! Simply go to www.facebook.com/zoyanailpolish and press "Like"! With over 300 colors and treatments to choose from, there is always something for you and your fellow nail polish lovers to talk about. While you are at it, make sure to spread the word about Zoya to all of your friends.


Already following ZOYA on facebook?

You "Like" us - we LOVE you! You already know about the great giveaways and promotions we do! Don't keep Zoya to yourself! Spread the word! To help reach the 20,000 tell 4 friends (or more!) to like Zoya!


On January 3, 2011

...or sooner, when we hit the magic number of 20,000, Zoya will release the 3 FREE BOTTLES of Zoya Nail Polish code on facebook.