Tuesday, January 8, 2013

All Hail the Nails


Meet Joan Blondell, a 1930's actress on big and little screens, who sported the manicure all women wanted. The classic fire engine red is a look many of us wear even today. I've been on my own personal manicure kick lately and it made me wonder, where this whole nail polish idea came from.


So I did a little digging and it seems some people believe, once nail polish was developed it was used in place of gloves to hide the grime under peoples finger nails. I'll admit, for a minute that sucked some of the sexiness out of manicures for me. In the end, I just can't keep myself away though. Playing with nail polish is just so fun.


After seeing so many amazing nail art pics on Pinterest, I couldn't help but be inspired to play with some of the polishes I currently have. Starry nights and flowery Degas inspired nail-scapes were my goal. I used two polishes I previously reviewed and still have in my arsenal, Nail Inc.'s Motcomb Steet Polish and Rimmel London's Lycra Pro Professional Finish in Peppermint. A Peppermint base coat with the Motcomb sponged on top was a quick and simple way to try something new.

What are all of you trying on your nails lately? Do you ever scope out Pinterest for nail inspiration?

10 comments:

  1. I'll admit I do my nails for both prettiness and to cover up the fact that they are pretty ugly. Not really dirty, but not nice and white/clear and amazing.

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  2. I usually keep my nails pretty short simply because I can't keep them particularly pretty otherwise. I can't seem to let them grow very long at all before I get grossed out. Plus, the realization that people were trying to hide the grime, reminded me of learning just how bad personal hygiene used to be; what with the whole not bathing and the perfumes, and the powders. That noxious blend of sweat, B.O. and sweetness makes the germ-o-phobe in me sort of gag. Toilet paper? Not in those days my friends. Not in those days. Oy. lol.

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  3. I get the same gag-reflex at the gym when guys wear a lot of body spray. I mean it's a gym... you're going to smell a little like B.O. Just shower when you're done and that's that

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  4. oooh I like the marbled effect on your nails! and the colors you used are super pretty! I like to stick with plain nails but only because I suck at nail art. haha.

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  5. While grime is pretty gross... I didn't expect polish to be a cover up. Learned something today!

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  6. I always wonder how all the people on Pinterest are able to do such detailed stuff with their nails. I can apply a coat of polish but replica of Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night complete with rhinestone appliques? On my right hand when I'm right handed? Um, no. Marbling I might be able to handle, though. That's a really cool effect you were able to achieve!

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  7. Thanks! I agree. I get simple stuff like stripes or color blocking. Just a little tape and you're in like Flynn. But a snowman with a face and a string of Christmas lights on each nail...how?? Marbling was super easy. I just used a really cheap make-up sponge.

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  8. I also learned the stuff that makes polish flexible enough to move with our nails these days, is explosive. We're living on the edge when we do our nails! ;D

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  9. I think these days, plain nails can make more of a statement simply because they're more rare (at least where I live). This was mega easy simply because it's relatively unstructured.

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  10. I'm back! ;) You might want to try tinted moisturizer instead of BB creams. If your skin is oily, the L'Oreal is the best one or an Asian BB cream. I had to use a brush for the L'Oreal and it didn't hurt at all.A lot of girls like the Maybelline BB Dreamfresh too. PS: I've got some easy nail art I've done on my blog too.

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