Elegant V-Tip French Manicure

Since, I destroyed my nails last week I have been really bummed and not really in the mood to do nail art.  But today, I decided that there is no reason I can't have pretty nubs.  So, for this weeks #whatruwearingwed nail art design I decided to do a really simple french tip design that works well with both short and long nails.

Materials
Base and top coat
1 - 3 shades of polish
Stripping tape

I started this look off with naked nubs.  However, if you'd like to create something more colorful you could start with a base color of your choosing.  You could also use a french pink base coat too. I do not typically go without a base coat but I decided since I was using light colors that I would be okay.  I know they're not very pretty right now but this is what happens when I don't keep up with my nail care routine.

1) Using my stripping tape I taped a v-shape at the tip of my nail. I allowed one side to go all the way to the tip of my nail and on the other side I lined it up with the previously laid strip but did not allow it to overlap into the space on the other side.
2) I decided to do a two toned tip and started with Color Club 'Gold Struck' (from the Gala Gems Mini collection sold exclusively through Birchbox).  I filled in the smaller side of the V and immediately removed the top tape.
3) I then used Color Club 'Heirloom Pearls' (also from the Gala Gems collection) and filled in the bottom portion of the V.  I then removed the second piece of tape.
4)  I performed a bit of clean up and added a top coat to make it nice and shiny.

This design is incredibly easy and can be used for just about any occasion.  The colors I used here would be great for a wedding or to match an elegant outfit.  You could spice up the colors and make a really interesting look for any festive season.  You can also dress it up by adding gems or studs, but I think I like this simple elegant look.

I hope you'll head over to my Facebook page and share your #whatruwearingwed manicure or use the mentioned hashtag on Instagram.  While your there like/follow me to see all the latest from my blog and elsewhere.  You can also follow me by clicking the 'Join this Site' icon on the top right handside of the screen or through Google+, Bloglovin, and/or Pinterest.  Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

Single Leaf Nail Art Design

This past week was so busy that I haven't been able to do much with my nails. About the only thing I had time for was an occasional lotion application. Halloween night turned out to be murder on my nails and I ended the evening with four broken. So, it's time to start over. I trimmed down all my nails. I think these are probably the shortest my nails have been since the beginning of the year.

This is the first nail art I've done in weeks but it feels like decades. I decided to do a fall inspired nail art design because it is the season and it's going quick.

Material

Base and top coat

Orange and brown polish

Makeup sponge

Glitter polish (optional)

Brown acrylic paint

Small thin brush

I started this design with China Glaze 'Stop That Train' (from the All A lard collection) and I accented with China Glaze 'Boundary of Memory' (from the Giver collection) on my ring finger.

Then with a makeup sponge I sponged the tips of my orange nails with China Glaze 'Lug Your Designer Baggage'. I choose this for its gold flecks. I feel it adds an interesting texture.

I then used brown acrylic paint and a small thin brush to draw leaf shapes on my orange/brown nails.

I performed some clean up and applied my favorite top coat. This is a really simple nail art design. Free handing the leaf shape is simple and allows beginners to practice without the design being too complicated. You can do the leaf pattern with or without the sponging and you can do it for an accent or as a full hand nail design. I hope you enjoyed this nail art design, thanks for stopping by, see you next time. 

Your Fellow Plebe,

Lucky Lacquer Indie Polish Swatches and Review with Bonus Interview

I am so excited about today's post because I finally got my first set of indie polish and I had an opportunity to interview their maker. I have been ogling beautiful indie polishes that are posted all over the Internet but have been reluctant to make the leap into the indie world.  An opportunity arouse that I couldn't refuse so I took the plunge.

I discovered Lucky Lacquers through Instagram and have been drooling over the lovely bright 5-free creme polishes for weeks . She ran a promotion that made it so much easier for me to cave, so I purchased the entire Fleur series.   I am not disappointed even a little with the quality, the color, or the service I have received with my Lucky Lacquer purchase.

Before I place my order, I contacted the owner, Aruna, and we communicated back and forth a bit before I finalized my order. She was always courteous with her responses and very quick with each communication. Her caring responses gave me the feeling that she really values her customers which made me confident with making the purchase.

My first surprise came when I received my purchase, it was so cutely packaged. Each bottle was boxed, and most had hand tied ribbons as well. I felt like I was receiving a gift! I almost didn't want to take the bottles out of their boxes but of course, I had to and couldn't resist using them for very long.

In addition to the adorable packaging the bottles themselves are slightly unique. What I like about Lucky Lacquer bottles is that the bottles are an interest rectangular shape that makes them different than most but are still easy to store and display. The the Lucky Lacquer logo labels are simple and chic and fit the bottles perfectly. These bottles are 12 ml bottles choke full of beautiful opaque goodness.

I'm sure by this point your on the edge of your seats waiting to see these lovely polishes, right?  So, on to the swathes...All the swatches you will see on this blog post are done with two coats, though some of these colors, especially the darker shades only really needed one coat. The photos are taken under 75w LED daylight bulbs and are not filtered. They are also shown without a top coat of any kind.

First up is the soft pink "Fleur Rose". This pink shade has a slightly coral hue against my skin tone. It is a very easy color to wear and is great for just about any occasion.

This gorgeous pink is "Spring Charm" it is both rich and warm and just makes me long for spring time.  It is so cheery and inviting, I want to wear it all the time.

Lovely, lovely "Lavender"! This is a beautiful medium tone purple that leans just a little on the deep side. I'm not a huge fan of purple shades but this really compliments my skin tone.

"Teal We Meet Again", this color is absolutely amazing! It is a deep teal green with the most fantastic formula. This was opaque with one coat but I applied two for good measure. I think this makes a great fall shade because of its richness.

This medium green shade is "Mint Daisy". To me it's kind of a hunter mint shade that is strangely warm (in a good way). This is a great color for the coming seasons and I already plan on featuring it in some of my holiday nail art designs.

This bright, pastel, neon green is "Bells of Ireland". Is this not just the most eye catching green you've ever seen? This is great for accenting a design or wearing on its own, it really is a gorgeous color.

Say hello to "Dahlia". This lovely polish is a purple shade that has pink tones to it. I consider this a fuchsia color. It is so pretty, especially in person.

This little cutie is perfectly named, "Sweet Pea". This is a light, neon pink with just a touch of peach. I wore this over the weekend and I got many, many compliments on how wonderful it is.

In most collections I have acquired there is one polish that surprises me. In this collection "Alpine Phlox" was the surprise. In the bottle this polish appears to be a soft grayish, pinkish, purple but when I applied it, it took on a whole different life. Against my skin this appears to be more of a soft pale pink. This is the most gentle color in the group and its just perfect. It's great for wearing to work, or family outings, or anytime really.

Saving my favorite for last, "Forget Me Not". This is an awesome light, neon blue. I've said it a gazillion times before and I'll say it again, I'm a sucker for blue  shades, and I am head over heels in love with this color. Like a few of the other shades in this collection I already instead to use this polish in upcoming holiday nail art designs.

So, there you have it the complete Lucky Lacquer Fleur series. If I was to use one word to describe this collection it would be, perfect! The formulas are rich and creamy, the opacities are strong, and the colors are phenomenal. I was also surprised at how quickly the polishes dried without the use of drying drops or top coats. They dried much quicker than other polishes I have experience with. I also really like the width of the applicator brush, it is nice and wide, and if there is one thing I have learned it is that a wide brush equals quicker application.  I am so impressed with my Lucky Lacquer polishes that it will be hard for me to look at name brand polishes the same.