NOTD: Puttin' on the Glitz!

Hey guys! Today I'm bringing you a Nails + Whatnot first... I finally did it! I made my very first franken polish. For those that may not know what that is, I'll briefly explain. A franken is when you mix colors or add something like glitter to existing polishes to create an entirely new color. So basically, you're mashing parts and pieces together a la Dr. Frankenstein. Pretty simple, right?

Well, I stopped in at my local Kmart today in search of the Deborah Lippmann Ruby Red Slippers Dupe. Unfortunately, they didn't have it but they did have this little bottle of Fantasy Makers cosmetic glitter in Glitz in the Halloween display. Since it was only $2.99, I snatched it up figuring I'd figure out something fun to do with it later. It didn't take me long to find inspiration...

Ooooh, rainbow glitter goodness!

Back at home, I was scavenging through my drawer of misfit polishes (you know the ones you just don't like the way they look or they have weird formulas? Yeah, those.) and I came across a bottle of Wet-N-Wild Gray's Anatomy. Gorgeous in the bottle and kind of blah on the nails... I didn't like how transparent it was and it's not the strongest duochrome out there but I digress. I knew it would be given new life as the perfect base for my glitter!

This is some math I can get into!

I mixed roughly 1/8 teaspoon of the glitter and about half the bottle of the Gray's into an empty old Seche Vite bottle. Then I shook the bejeezus out of it to mix it all up and create this awesome holo polish. I think it came out great and there's more sparkle than you can shake a stick at!



I love it. A lot. The only thing I could find wrong with my formula is that the glitter makes it a top coat killer. I have on a thick coat of Seche Vite on top and it's still got a bit of a texture poking thru. I think a second coat of Seche will fix that but I haven't tried it so I'm not positive. But here it is on the nails:

Shimmer

Shine

Sparkle

Glitz!

And oh mah gah, is it just me, or does it look like Christmas lights when blurred? Also, I need a catchy name... "Puttin' on the Glitz" was the best I could come up with, lol. What do you guys think I should call it and have you tried making your own franken polishes? Tell me in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!
- Kim

NOTD: Inspired by Nail Art Express

One of my absolute favorite nail blogs is Nail Art Express. This girl has some serious talent and she comes up with the sweetest designs. (Anything with dainty florals or polka-dots and I'm sold!) I found the prettiest manicure in her gallery and I wanted to try my hand at it. My version is no where near as neat and crisp as hers but I like it just the same. (Click on the links above to see her gorgeous work and see all her other amazing designs.)



For this manicure, I used Wet n Wild Megalast in Private Viewing for my base color. It's a peachy tan color and very, very close to my skin tone. (Another new favorite nude!) Then for my designs, I used Sally Hansen Whirlwind White, Snappy Sorbet, and Rapid Red and Essie Little Brown Dress. Simple and sweet! I plan to invest in some dotting tools after this because sometimes, a toothpick just ain't enough. :oP




Thanks for reading!
-Kim