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Gridz Nails Inspired by Synthmode

A buddy of mine, Marco Barcena, recently launched Synthmode– a digital portal to all things tech, visual and audio production related.

Among the cool features on the site is the Gridz gallery filled with minimalist abstract art pieces. Naturally, when I saw a couple of the designs I was inclined to replicate a look on my nails.

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Grid-05 as seen on Synthmode.com.

To recreate a design inspired by a Grid I used a Essie’s Blanc ($8.50) as a base color and black striper polish to execute the dynamic shapes.

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What do you think of this look? Let me know in the comments below!

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NYFW Inspired Nails from Alice and Olivia, Essie

It was an enchanting night for those in attendance at Alice + Olivia’s Fall 2014 fairy tale themed presentation at New York Fashion Week. The ethereal detail and sophistication of the designer’s collection was reflected on the nails.

New York based nail artist, Simcha Whitehill, also known as Miss Pop Nails, teamed up with Essie and executed this tiara French tip and bejeweled half moon beauty. The nail team used Licorice ($8.50) and Good as Gold ($8.50).

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Photo Credit: @misspopnails, Instagram

To recreate the girly yet mysterious design, I used China Glaze’s Liquid Leather ($5.99) as a base and Elf Cosmetic’s Pot of Gold ($2.00) and a dotting tool to apply the perfectly placed dots.

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What do you think of this manicure? Let me know in the comments below!

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NYFW French Tip Nails Inspired by Essie

Simple, smart, and cool fashion choices were displayed at Rebecca Minkoff’s fall show at New York Fashion Week. The designer’s collection was filled with feminine and masculine elements that also showed up on the nails and created a bold twist on a classic French tip manicure.

Nail guru, Michelle Saunders, for Essie used Bahama Mama ($8.50) as a base and Midnight Cami ($8.50) on the tip for the runway look. I recreated the design using the same shimmery blue polish and instead made due with Essie’s Bordeaux.

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What do you think of this manicure? Let me know in the comments below!

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NYFW Inspired Negative Space Nail Art From Essie

At Opening Ceremony’s fall show, negative space nail art held its own. Naomi Yasuda for Essie created a design to harmonize with the designer’s collection inspired by Belgium.

I recreated the look using Scotch tape on a dried base coat.

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To match the original design which included Essie’s Aruba Blue ($8.50), I used  Wet ‘n Wild’s Save by the Blue ($2.29).

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What do you this of this design? Let me know in the comments below.

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NYFW Inspired Nail Art from Prabal Gurung

A sleek and minimalist nail art look made a statement at New York Fashion Week. The design originally executed by nail legend, Jin Soon Choi, was created for a collaboration between designer Prabal Gurung and Sally Hansen.

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Photo Credit: Rachel Adler, Beauty High

Much of Gurung’s Fall 2014 designs were inspired by the beauty of Nepal. The country’s rich color palette resonated in Sally Hansen’s newest limited edition polishes that were used to make the look. The collection will launch in September.

To recreate the chic look of a nude base and a thin burgundy striped I used Butter London’s Flawless Base Coat ($19) and Essie’s Bordeaux ($8.50).

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What do you think of this look? Let me know in the comments below. 

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5 Valentine’s Day Nail Art Ideas

While Valentine’s Day is meant to appreciate and acknowledge loved ones, the holiday is also an opportunity to love yourself a little bit more.

Here are five manicure ideas that will show off your inner confidence and big heart:

1. Perfectly pink digits with a negative space design that says you’re ready to try something new.

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2. Two hearts paired with metallic polish for the hopeless romantic with an edge.

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3. Plain white nails to embrace a blank slate filled with possibilities of love.

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4. A classic crimson base manicure with a plaid design for the bold lover.

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5. Glitzy nails for the Valentine that wants to show off her sweet side.

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What do you think of these Valentine’s Day designs? Let me know in the comments below!

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Essie’s Croc n Chic Nail Appliques

After reviewing Essie’s Steel the Way nail appliques I instantly fell in love with the design and easy application. If you are looking to get the most wear of the nail wraps, I recommend finishing off the manicure with a layer of top coat.

Here is a sample of Essie’s Croc n Chic nail decals.

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What do you think of the nail wraps? Let me know in the comments below!

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Nails of the Day: Glitzy Pastel Striped Nail Art

I recently added Essie’s Full Steam Ahead ($8.50) to my nail polish collection.

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The medium toned lilac bottled beauty inspired me to create a glitzy pastel striped nail art design.

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This is a little close-up of the rhinestone action happening on the glitter accent nail. I used Prism by China Glaze ($6) to compliment the sheer shimmer of Essie’s East Hampton Cottage ($8.50) base color.

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Here’s a Vine time lapse video of how the manicure was executed.

What do you think of this look? Let me know in the comments below!

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Nails of the Day: Gradient Negative Space Nail Art

Happy Grammy’s day! Contemporary chic meets absolute cuteness in today’s featured nail art.

I used Sugar Coat by Wet n Wild ($1.49) as a base color, added Oui! by Marc Jacobs ($18) as a gradient and layered a coat of Sparked by Wet n Wild ($4.70). To outline the accent nail I used Blanc by Essie ($8.50). I applied a nail accessory from Ocean Nails Supply in the center negative space and placed sequins from Jewelry Heist by Spoiled ($1.99) around the nail art ring.

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Here’s a time lapse video of the making of this manicure.

What do you think of this look? Let me know in the comment below!

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Jamberry Nails Review

After recently playing with Nailed Kit’s water slide nail art decals and Essie’s nail appliques, my love for vinyl nail stickers has definitely grown. So when Jill, a Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant, sent me over a sample of their nail wraps I got psyched and they didn’t disappoint.

Initially I was impressed with Jamberry Nails intricate and varied designs. I received six decals and chose to try them on as an accent.

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The application process called for a unique step after a routine nail cleaning and cuticle push. The nail wrap requires heat to soften the adhesive before you stick it on. I pointed my blow dryer on the wrap and used it on a low heat setting for about 5 seconds. It worked.

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I placed the wrap on my ring finger while it was still warm. I found it best to make sure the placement fit before pressing on the wrap to seal it on because the glue got pretty sticky. I used a rubber cuticle pusher to flatten out any bubbles that formed.

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I folded the leftover sticker and filed it off in a downward motion to get the right fit. While the included directions do not mention to seal the sticker with a top coat, I recommend applying a layer of it if you intend on wearing the wraps for a few days.

jamberry-nails-review-1This is a sample of Reminisce ($15). I paired it with Marc Jacobs’ 128 Nirvana ($18).

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This is Poised Plaid ($15). I paired it with Essie’s Blanc ($8.50).

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This is Wisteria ($15). I paired it with Marc Jacobs’ 122 Ultraviolet ($18).

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What do you think of Jamberry Nails? Let me know in the comments below!

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