I'm Alive... ALIVE!!!

This is an experiment for false nails.
Fun, but labor-intensive. It shows
promise, though!!

Wow. Are you sitting down? You may not be ready for this... but...

I'm alive. And CREATIVE!

I know, I know... it's crazy! But I'm finally starting to feel a bit more human, and with that has come an absolute explosion of creativity. So, while I'm working on a new video (yea, the one I teased like 4 years ago...) I thought I'd share these fun pics!

This first one is a technique I'm playing with. I haven't seen it anywhere, and I know why- it's a pain in the tush! But it's showing some massive potential, so I'm playing with it.

At the base of all this? Magazine pictures. Seriously... more info to come if I can figure out a good process for it.

Yet another gradient technique!

I've been having a lot of fun playing with gradient techniques. I've basically decided that no one technique is right for everyone and every situation. So, I've been playing around, and I'm planning to do a series of videos using different methods for creating different color transitions. This one is simple, but I'm not sure this is the best polish for it.

Still, it's a lot of fun. I used a couple of polishes from Zoya's Irresistible collection that is out for summer 2013. (Expect a review of these polishes, they are PHENOMENAL!!) I'll play with this technique a bit more and see if I can figure it out enough to share with other people.

Another attempt at the magazine technique, and I'm in LOVE!

Finally,  I wanted to share this second nail I did tonight using the magazine technique. I used some polishes from Zoya's Summer Pixie Dust collection to add a bit of glam and bling, and I find this just so delicious! (Again, showcase of the polishes coming soon...)

Granted, it needs a bit more work and these wouldn't work at ALL for natural nails, this is a very intriguing look for me. I can totally see wearing these for a special night out, and I'm really having fun looking at my magazines picking out images!

Check this detail shot out...

The golden and orangey tones of Solange and Beatrix make this look almost gilded! There's also a definite depth
to the nail that is fascinating to me.

Also, keep in mind that these photos were taken at 4am in really cruddy light. I can't wait to share these with something decent. I was just so excited to have actual CONTENT again!

Thanks for keeping up with me while I've dealt with all this. I love you guys!

Polishes were provided by Zoya for evaluation.

See my disclosure statement for more information.

Zoya Pixie Dust Collection

Chances are, you've seen the Zoya Pixie Dust collection around the blogosphere. I've been trying to decide how I feel about them, and now that I have I wanted to share my findings with you. So sit back, it's gonna be a graphics-intensive blog today!

The Pixie Dust collection was intriguing from the very start for me. The press photos looked fascinating, but I wondered what they would be like in person. The reality is an interesting textured polish that is very difficult to describe but absolutely beautiful.

These polishes apply very easily, unlike some glitters which can leave you with patchy coverage. I used two thin coats for all of the photos in today's blog, and while Godiva is a bit sheer, they are all beautifully even and textured.

There's that word again- texture. I'm not sure quite how to describe it... it's almost like sand, very rough to the touch, but doesn't catch on your clothes or hair. The Pixie Dust polishes dry down to a beautifully matte finish, sparkling and beautiful. I honestly don't know how else to describe it... these polishes are truly something special.

As if they aren't gorgeous enough on their own, the Pixie Dust polishes have a secret. If you add a coat or two of thick top coat, you're left with a polish that's almost magical to view. The depth that shows when they're first applied returns and stays, and the finish almost glows with inner texture. I definitely prefer them with topcoat, and I could stare at these for days.

As always, the Zoya Pixie Dust polishes are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects. Polishes are available at Zoya.com for $9 each.

 So tell me- which Pixie Dust polish is your favorite?

Polishes were provided by the brand for consideration.

See my disclosure statement for more information.