Saturday Random Swatching: 8/31/2013

Good Day everybody :)  Do you have any fun plans for your long weekend? We haven't decided upon anything yet, but since it's Saturday I know one thing: it's random swatching time!! Let's get started.

Red: China Glaze Sacred Heart is called a neon, although for me there's nothing neon about it's hue. However, like a jelly neon it is not opaque on it's own and is best layered over white, which is the way I have swatched it for you today.  This is two coats of Sacred Heart over two coats of white.  I didn't think I was going to like this after my first swatch on a color wheel, but over white it is so beautiful.  It's just a bit of a deeper red, isn't it?  Just lovely.  I give it a B+ just because you do have to layer it quite a bit(just like a neon).

Pink: Color Club Blushing Rose is a delicate pastel pink and this swatch shows two coats.  This one didn't have the most fabulous formula because it was a bit streaky unfortunately.  However, it evened out for the most part after a couple coats.  I love the gentle color of Blushing Rose, but overall I give it a B.

Orange: Princessa Neon Orange is so smooth and vibrant and this isn't even layered over white.  Sorry I don't have the swatch of that to show you side-by-side, but I liked it so much this way it's how I ended up wearing it. This is three thin coats and I know Summer's almost over which means neon season is almost over, but wouldn't this one do well for Halloween too??  I think so! When I picked up these Princessa neons I wasn't too sure about their quality because they were so cheap and because I'd never heard of them, but I have enjoyed everyone of them so far.  If you see them(Ross/Marshalls perhaps) and you have a neon lover at your house, I think they're worth the price tag.  A

Yellow: Sinful Colors Unicorn is like a milky pastel yellow.  I actually was hoping I would love this one but in the end not so much which makes me sad because yellow is one of my favorite colors.  I think it was a combination of the milkiness of the color and the way you have to work to even this shade out that made me rate this one a little lower.  You are looking at two coats, but it needs three to be to the level of opacity I like.  However I didn't want push my luck with this formula :)  It receives a B-

Green: Barielle Positive ZEN-ergy does not need me to tell you how amazing it is.  Look at it's complexity and depth.  Wow I love this color!  I mean this dusty green on it's own, but with all that silver drenched throughout it just becomes spectacular.  You're looking at two coats, and the formula was not at all tricky.  You can find Barielle box sets at Marshalls from time to time at a really great clearance price.  Sometimes you have to take a few duds along with the treasures.  This one is a treasure.  A.

 Blue: Nicole by OPI It's Up To You is a very frosty blue that is almost a foil but not quite.  Frost/foils have their time and place- never my favorite formula, but I don't really hate them the way some people do.  I love you brilliant this polish shines, but I'm not blown away by it I suppose.  You're looking at two coats, and this was not at all difficult to apply.  I found this one in a clearance bin somewhere so I'm not sure if you can find it in their base set, but if you're into this shade I wish you the best of luck in finding it and making it your own.  As for me I give it an A-

Purple: Sation Paint Some Sugar On Me is, as you can see, not quite opaque in two coats.  I really wish it were, because this blurple jelly is just divine.  I love the silver microglitter throughout and the color is just so ambiguous- I love it.  I maybe have to find a good color to layer it over because the opacity just isn't doin' it for me.  Therefore, I rate this a B+ and I'll have to let you know what it looks like layered.  Still gorgeous though!

Neutral: Misa Spaced Out is a no-brainer for me.  Gray polish that has a gritty appearance due to the speckles of matte micro darker gray throughout- I mean this little darlin is right up my alley!  You're looking at two creamy coats and I recommend this color to you wholeheartedly :) A.

Glitter/Texture: Ulta Indigo-go Girl over Sally Hansen Berry Sweet ends up being a stellar combination, don't you think?  I usually don't stumble upon a color combination that I like as much as I like this one!  The glitter top coat in a clear jelly base is a violet/periwinkle multi glitter(medium hexes and microglitter) of the same color. Layered over this pinked-up maroon it is simply perfection for me.  A.

Featured Polish: Wet n Wild Caribbean Frost is a 99 cent polish that you can often find on sale for 69 cents- and just look at it!  I know frosts are not everyone's cup of tea, and for myself, I don't enjoy wearing colors this vibrant everyday, but it's my featured color because for the price it is extraordinary.  This color looks like a tropical oceanic green and you're looking at two coats.  This is gorgeous and Wet n Wild not only has a number of great polishes that are very budget-friendly, but their eye shadow sets are quite a bang for your buck as well.  Admittedly there are some polishes from this brand that I have been somewhat disappointed with, but that's the way it is with most brands- a few misses here and there, right? Do you think this polish is as bangin' as I do? A+ color of the week :)

There you have it.  Which was your favorite of the bunch?  Which would you rock? The above brands can be found at the following locations:
Wet n Wild: Walmart, Kmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens
Ulta: Ulta
Misa: transdesign.com
Sation: transdesign.com
Nicole by OPI: Target, Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens
Barielle: transdesign.com
Sinful Colors: Target, Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens
Princessa: Ross
Color Club: Ross, transdesign.com
China Glaze: Sally Beauty Supply, transdesign.com

Song of the Day: The Knife- Heartbeats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcv3v6XfEvM
*disclaimer- this link is provided for it's audio and not video content*

Over and out.

Neon French

Well hello there.  So glad you stopped by to see this crazy fun mani today.  So- always in the Summer neon polishes come out to play and I know the Summer is almost over so I wanted to play with some neon.  Here's what came of that adventure:

 Yes, neon can be obnoxious, but when it's only worn once in a blue moon I think it can be really fun and obviously youthful...maybe too youthful ;).  Remember, if you want to give this look a try- always apply your neon polishes over a coat or two of white opaque polish to really make the neon pop.  Had I applied the yellow directly over the green base polish- this look would not have achieved the wattage you see here.

Here is the base polish, Misa The Grass is Greener on My Side on it's own:

 You're looking at two coats and it's a bit opalescent isn't it- and it dries semi-matte.

Here is Princessa Neon Yellow on it's own:

You're looking at two coats of the yellow over two coats of white.  Sometimes that's what makes neons tricky is that you end up having a few more layers on your nails than you normally would so you just have to increase the drying time a bit.

So- are you a neon lover?  Can you rock some neon nails in the Summer? What about any other time of year?  I hope you're having a great day today so far and that you kick off your Labor Day weekend with a bang!

Song of the Day: Neon Indian- Polish Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo6ZaCTqxwM
*note- this link is provided for it's audio and not video content*

Over and out.

Avon Saturn Feature

Hellooooo :)  I had a massage today= I am in relaxville.  As a person living with multiple sclerosis it is important for me to increase and stimulate blood flow in my extremities which means I need to make massage a priority in my life.  However much of a necessity it is to my health, I can't help it if I enjoy it at the same time, right? :)  

Here's a fun, young look for you today.  It's featuring one of the polishes I showed you in last Saturday's swatch-a-thon: Avon Saturn which was that gorgeous mandarin orange holo/cosmic polish.  You can check that out here http://glimpsesofthemoon.blogspot.com/2013/08/saturday-random-swatching-8242013.html

I don't think I used a striping brush for this nail art- I think it was just a small detail brush.  Just have fun drawing lines in different directions and see what comes of it.  The yellow is just some basic yellow acrylic.  Then, just because, I added some orange acrylic on top of the yellow lines on the accent nail only.  What do you think?  Are you going to give this look a try?  These very graphic designs always look killer on the nail and I catch myself looking down at them all day.

If you ever give one of my designs a try, I hope you show me your finished product on my facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/GlimpsesOfTheMoon

Song of the Day: Purity Ring- Obedear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETbGpGJNVLM
*note- this link is provided for it's audio and not video content*

Have a great one ya'll

Over and out

Weekly Wrap-Up: 8/28/2013

Hello and Happy Hump Day everybody!  Time to roll some photos of what we've been up to this week. The main event was Bear's birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa's.  Here are the party people having the meal of Bear's choosing- BBQ.

Kids love it at Grandma's house because she has so many fun toys and lots of space to play outside.

Somebody got herself in a little bit of a predicament. She was not a happy lady!

Then this guy showed up.  Here he is showing off his serious ear strength and ability to keep that hat on his head.

Somebody's clearly excited to be at this party.  Actually that's the face of the party security guard blocking the escape route from a very hyper Bug.  The hat definitely makes you take him more seriously!

And then the savages attacked!

Cake time- surprise!!

Oh wait, you're going to take a picture of me?

Make a wish

Grandma and Missy Bee on the trampoline??

Then playing in the sprinklers and on the jungle gym.

So much fun!!

Lastly I had to get a picture of this the other night- how he fell asleep :)

Hope you're all having a great week as we are and we love you all to pieces :)  See you in another week!

Song of the Day: Tareq and Marsheaux- Play Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZfckzrycu0
*note- this link is provided for it's audio and not video content*

Over and out.

Three Petal Flowers Faux Tutorial

Hello gorgeous! How are you doin' this morning?  Do you need some nail art love this mornin? Well you came to the right place :)  Here's a super fun and easy look for you today.  This is kind of a faux tutorial because I didn't do a step-by-step picture tutorial, but I will explain to you what you need to do.  Let's get started.  All you need is three colors: a light cream for your base(I used Maybelline Bare Escape), and two bright colors to pop out from the nail.  I have used China Glaze Vertical Rush and Cross Iron 360.  Here's what the three petal mani looks like:

 As you can see I've reversed the colors on the ring finger- but basically you just paint one petal in the middle of each nail- kind of make a diamond but with curved edges on the sides- and then once that's dry do the same thing with the third color starting at the base of your first petal but aiming out to the side, and repeat to the other side.  I outlined each petal first with a detail brush and then filled it in before moving on to the next petal.  What do you think- sweet and simple right?  Oh, and it's best to pick shades for the flowers that are nearly one-coaters so your nail art doesn't need multiple coats and get too thick.  Wait a generous amount of time for these to dry so you don't drag the colors when you top coat- and then...top coat!

Here is Bare Escape on it's own:

Here is Vertical Rush:

And here is Cross Iron 360:

These colors are both from the China Glaze Ski Collection from quite a minute ago, but I found them for a couple bucks at Marshalls- you can often get good finds there.  All three of these polishes are shown at two coats and these last two semi-frosts were especially lovely.  Hope you enjoyed this look today and that you give it a try!  Lots of love to you and do something that takes courage today!

Song of the Day: Little Dragon- Shuffle a Dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD65vfuNhI8
*note- this link is provided for it's audio and not video content*

Over and out.

Celeb Sparkle and Pick-Me-Ups

Rise and Shine- Monday morning is here.  How are we going to jump start this new week? The answer is with some blingin' foil polish and a little pizzazz :)  At least that's how we get started in my world ;)  This is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Celeb City with some accent splash of color.  This would also look good with some bright orange and yellow splash as well.  

Here is Celeb City on it's own:

What are the ways you banish Monday blues? I usually don't have Monday blues because the kids are back at school and I can get a few things done and I get so happy about that.  But mine come along later in the week.  We all have to have our own personal pick-me-ups that lift our moods and hearts.  You're hear so chances are polish and nail art does that for you, but I'm sure there are lots of other things too!  More of mine are MirandaSings videos :) http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1OFDlfdRb6ma1ZGZd07gWA and new music discovery which is why I feature it on my blog just in case there are those of you out there that get a rush from finding new music.  Tell me in the comments what your pick-me-ups are!

Song of the Day: Polica- Dark Star
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6WgWCIkH9U

Over and out.

Lemon Confetti

Hey it's party time, party people!  It actually rained a bit today which always feels like a blessing in the Summer, what with all the forest fires.  On to the nail art.  The base polish for this manicure is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Lemon Zest and it is frosty and vibrant and begging to be played with.  It needed a little confetti and glitter for sure! Here's what I came up with:

Here is Lemon Zest on it's own:

Quick and easy today, ladies and gents :)  Hope you're having a fabulous day and that you push yourself to try something new!!

Song of the Day: Young Wonder- Flesh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHUQ5C_yMo4
*disclaimer- this link is provided for its audio and not video content*

Over and out

Saturday Random Swatching: 8/24/2013

Hello lovely readers and nail polish fanatics like myself :)  It's Saturday, and that means random swatch spam.  We're going to look at 10 random polishes and I'll tell you what I think of them and you can do the same.  Let's get started:

Red: China Glaze Infra Red is from their Hologlam collection.  This one isn't the most color-bending out of the group, but in the second picture with flash you can spot the holographic effect a little better.  This is really gorgeous on the nail, and I really enjoy the red/pink hue.  These have been out a minute so you can find them on sale at Sally's too.  How do you like holographics? This is two coats- and I didn't layer it over black in these pics, but that does help with the holographic effect sometimes if you want to try that.  A

(with flash)

Pink: Sinful Colors Over It is rather like a bubblegum pink but with a very faint shimmer and it is very bright.  Except for the shimmer, this color is all over the place and not very exciting and new- but the formula is nice.  This is two coats, and goes on easily.  A.

Orange: Avon Saturn is from their Cosmic collection which is a stab at a holographic formula, but they don't color bend all that much.  Still- they are gorgeous even if the effect isn't strong.  Look how gritty and delicious Saturn is with the silver running throughout.  This is two coats- I love it.  A

Yellow: Fingerpaints Lemon Sour is a creamy pale yellow that took a little effort to even out, but no more than most soft yellow polishes.  As you can see it got pretty well level after two coats.  I love pastel yellow polishes and this one is no exception.  A-

Green: Barielle Green Opal is a green/gold metallic and you're looking at two coats.  This one is really stunning on the nail and rather perfect for fall I think.  I love how the color shifts at different angles.  Definitely unique and stunning.  A

Blue: Julep Claire is a robin egg blue cream.  Bright, cheery, and very sky blue perfection.  This is two coats and holds up to Julep's great cream formula.  Love it.  A

Purple: Nicole by OPI Virtuous Violet is a gorgeous, vibrant faintly frosty violet.  It shines brilliantly and definitely packs a punch!  This is two coats and the formula was fabulous.  A

Natural: Wet n Wild Private Viewing is a gorgeous crelly(cream/jelly) nude.  It's not quite opaque in the two coats you see here.  That's kind of ok with a nude polish though because the look is meant to be very subtle.  I think I have other nude polishes that I like just a little better, but this one is still great for the price.  B+

Glitter: Ulta XOXO is coral pink jelly base packed with silver and holo glitters.  Can you see how gorgeous that is?  I know this color is not for everyone, but I think she's rather nice to bring out once in a while.  It does need to be layered, this one coat over Pure Ice Honey Do.  B+

Featured Polish: Cosmetic Arts TMNT Power is a ka-pow neon green.  This isn't even layered over white(which helps boost neons) but on it's own it is out of this world bright and creamy.  This is two coats and in a league of it's own.  By the way, TMNT Power is a name I gave it because it comes unnamed. Obviously this isn't an everyday kind of polish, but when you're looking for some neon to rock- I fully recommend this one.  A+

So that's it!  When I look back- there were no real losers in this bunch.  I hope you found this useful, entertaining, uplifting...or all three :) Hope you're having a great weekend! The featured polishes can be found at the following locations:

China Glaze: Sally Beauty Supply, transdesign.com
Sinful Colors: Walmart, Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens
Avon: avon.com
Fingerpaints: Sally Beauty Supply
Barielle: Nordstrom Rack, transdesign.com
Julep: julep.com
Nicole by OPI: Target, Walmart, Kmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens
Wet n Wild: Target, Walmart, Kmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens
Ulta: Ulta
Cosmetic Arts: Ross(occasionally)

Song of the Day: Purity Ring- Fineshrine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqw4wo8vdY8
*disclaimer- this link is provided for its audio and not video content*

Over and out.