Of half moons and striped French

There is still excitement abuzz about the newly launched maybelline polishes. I am eyeing quite a few other shades.

Meanwhile to entice us more Maybelline has sponsored a few contests to win some of the new polishes. And this is my entry to the contest hosted by http://www.newlove-makeup.com 

I have been thinking about trying something other than stamping. And I went through my stash of nail art stuff and picked a couple of things and ended up doing this. 

Base: maybelline colorshow blackout

Design: maybelline colorshow bold gold

I am totally in love with the mani. Simple. Chic. Completely wearable and classy.

Gonna try more of non stamping stuff when I have some time on my hands again. Surprisingly this didn't take much time to do either. 

Loving it!! Do you?

Neon Splash

Some days no matter how hard you try..painting nails and making a blog post is just not on the cards.

The other day I painted my nails a lovely purple and thot I'd try my hand at a stamping mani next day once my lil bub goes for an afternoon nap. But the mani had other plans...to ruin itself. by night the thumb was scratched..next morning the pointer went down and by noon the ring  finger nail got scraped too! 

So instead of doing a mani I got bugged and removed the whole thing and stubborn as I am I will put the same shade again and turn it pretty.

Till that happens enjoy this splash of neon bug that has got to me.

All I see is neon everywhere so much that its now starting to put me off! Every shop, indian/western, tv channels all have people sporting neon. So I just had to do a mani and get it out of my system. haha.

Colorbar: Pina Colada (see swatch here)

Miss Claire Bright pink

Base: L'oreal Macaron Noisette (see swatch here)

Topped with SV

You still got the neon craze?

Striping Tape Nail Art

Hello! Good Morning!

I've had fun these past couple of days enjoying the festivities and binging on the food!!

After going the blingy way I decided it was time to play with something spunky!

Zig-Zag Striping tape comes to my rescue.

Base is Loreal's Midnight Mistress from the new range.

See another mani using this shade here.

I wanted to go for a simple clean look and this did it for me.

Do you like doing manis with striping tapes? Its fun and super easy!!

NailSpa Experience!!! Festive Glitter Mani

How would you like to get pampered and bask in serene bliss and get your nails done at the same time?

I know I'd love to :D

This mani is the result of that! 

(and this post is pic heavy coz I couldnt resist uploading more pics)

NAILSPA EXPERIENCE –Style Salon & Spa, a fast-growing player in the nails & spa industry, which boasts of a new level of indulgence with lavish nails, eyelashes, pedicures and body care treatments enduring relaxation of body, mind & soul. NAILSPA EXPERIENCE’s offers 5 star services in nails like Acrylic/Gel glitter Nail extension, Pink & White Nail extension, Diamontee Nails, Bridal Nails etc for self sprucing. Whitening Facial, Body Wraps, Eyelash Extensions, Recliner Massaging Pedicures are some of the many enthralling offers that too can be experienced by visitors.

CHANEL, DIOR, INGLOT, OPI, CHINA GLAZE- these are the some quality brands that they use. There were around 11 different kinds of manicures and pedicures that the salon offers. The ambience is great with soft music and spacious.

One can relax without the 100 types of different machine sounds you'd hear in a beauty salon. They also offer rejuvenating body massages and different kinds of nail treatments for various nail problems like peeling/brittle nails, fungus, etc.

Nail art prices start at Rs500/-, nail extensions start at 1950/- (gel and acrylics). The place is open 7 days a week from 10.30am to 9.00pm. To see more services offered see their website here. 

Some pics of the place: 

Some samples of nail art done by their experienced technicians:

My experience at the spa was truly nice. I can be a bit finicky about hygiene in such places and I was pleased to see that all technicians and staff wore face masks, the instruments were clean and well maintained. The place was spick and span. I opted to do some nail art on my hands coz it feels really good to have someone do your nails :D (ahhhh..bliss!!)

Since the festive season is about to begin in India with the advent of Navratri (festival of 9 days of dance), followed by Durga puja and Diwali (Hindu New year), I thought it was befitting the season to have some bling on my nails. The technicians and staff suggested french glitter nails with some 3-D accent and I agreed to that. Must say I am pretty pleased with the result.

My nails were first prepped with a bit of cuticle pushing and filing. Then my hands were sanitized and cleaned before SoSo (the technician who did my nails) proceeded with the base coat. Artfully she applied loose small hex glitter in gold. She had a strict eye for detail and finish. 

After glitter was applied, she proceeded to do the accent nail on my ring finger with 3-D. I was a bit apprehensive of using acrylic on my nails but she patiently answered my questions and cleared my doubts about using it and its effects on my nails. Using acrylic powder she made and moulded the flower and leaves on my nails itself. Lastly she put a tiny crystal in the centre to complete the look. This nail art would have been priced at Rs.1200/- (as per the salon)

I love love love the whole effect. Glittery and oh-so-cute!!

I leave you to drool over some pics of the manicure.

I couldnt stop staring at this pretty accent nail!

Also if you'd like to visit the place: NailSpa Experience has some attractive offers going on for the festive season: 

Special Festive offer: French/Glitter Nail Extension + Get FREE Back Message and Back Bleach worth 1000/- all for just 2500/- only .Offer Valid from 9th October - 24th October 2012

I loved the whole experience. Do you like to get your nails done at a nailspa?

*Disclosure: Service offered by NailSpa Experience for review, free of cost. However this is an unbiased review based on my personal experience, and all opinions are my own.

L'oreal Color Riche: Macaron Noisette+ French manicure with a twist

Morning! or Rather Monday Morning! Sighhh!

In other news: my blog is at 791 followers!! Whoot! Whooot!!

Another piece of news: Have you seen the new range of L'oreal Color Riche Polishes?

From the brand: L’Oreal Paris has recently launched a new range of nail polishes called Color Riche Le Vernis with revolutionary nail technology to give perfect adherence, a smooth glide and a 7 day hold.  Additionally, the Diamond Reflexion Complex and high pigment concentration, gives you pure, intense color and brilliance like no other nail polish range. 

With 26 stunning shades, the L’Oreal Paris range has various bold hues that add spunk to your look, nude essential colours best suited for daily wear or a sophisticated look and dark, glamorous shades that are perfect for the alpha woman, each that will give you gorgeous, eye catching fingertips.

According to me: The range has some really nice shades with some very good smokey hues which are apt for fall season. Shades cover nice and sober as well as spunky and bright categories.

Here's a swatch of the shade: 102: Macaron Noisette

The name reminds me of:

Yeah you read my mind! Macarons!!! Yum Yum! The brand has been very creative with the names.

This shade: Macaron Noisette is a sheer nude beige with light golden shimmer which is only visible in a macro picture. The shimmer is very soft and not visible to naked eyes but gives the polish a nice sheen.

If you are looking for a nude polish, this one is really nice. Non streaky (*we need more polishes like these which are non streaky*). Goes opaque in 2 coats.

Dries pretty fast, I'd say less than 5 mins. Impressive.

The brush on these is surprisingly good, it has a slightly rounded tip at the edges and is flatter and wider then most Indian polishes I own. I really liked how the brush made the application really smooth.

Lasting power is also good: I have it on since 6 days now and there is no chipping, fading and tip wear is barely visible.

Price: Its a 5 ml bottle for Rs.225/-

Yes! Its tiny; at 2 coats per hand, this bottle may last me approx 3 uses at most.. and price-y if you ask me. For a 5 ml bottle at Rs.225/- this turns out pricey than OPI and China Glaze which retail in online stores between Rs.450-500/- for a 15 ml bottle. Do the math.

They Are Formaldehyde, DBP and Toluene free. 

I made a little french manicure with an twist.

I really liked how this mani came out. It's very formal, at the same very chic. It grabs attention and looks very sophisticated. I made a similar one last year with shades of blue.

Overall: I like the color a lot, finish is good, applies nicely and lasts long. Only a bit miffed about the price, but it is very good quality and 3free.

Like it?

*Polish sent by PR for review. However opinions are my own and for your benefit.

Happpy Holly-days!!!

Tis' the season to be jolly! lala-la-la-laaa-la-la-la

I loved the Santa Claus mani soo much I decided to do another christmas mani.

This is a quick post since I have to rush to office.

Colours used:

Base: Sponged Colorbar exclusive white and colorbar silver

French tips: Streetwear Gold Mirror

Holly leaves: Free hand with Sinful colors: Envy

Top coat: Glittery silver

Cherry: small red stickers

Happy Holidays!!

Oriental Express Art

Hi All,

Hope you are doing well. Well I am back from my holiday and full of fresh ideas and a "BIG" haul of nail stuff (post coming up soon after I sort out my bags). Meanwhile I wanted to put up this mani that I had while I was on my holiday. I didnt want to carry too much stuff to do my nails on my holiday as I knew my bags would be over-stuffed while returning. All I carried with me was a top coat and a few nail stickers. 

I already had on me this nude base with silver french tips that I left on for a few days and applied top coat after 2nd day so it lasted me another 2 days.

After 4 days I applied a few nail art stickers in black and white to create this classic oriental look.

This turned out to be quite eye-catching and I had people starring and following my hands. LOL!!
I did apply top coats every other day or after 2 days and this mani stuck with me for 8 days!! :o)

How did you like this?

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Spring time!

Any tips or comments on photography or nail art are welcome.