Manicure Maniac: Ombre Nails

There are so many bloggers who do INCREDIBLE manicures. Their creativity, patience and extensive color combination's amaze me. Jenn, at The Looks for Less, does a series called 'Manicure Mondays' that I am obsessed with reading. She has used dead snake skin and actual feathers in her manicures and they looked amazing. Another Jenn, at The Stylish Housewife, has become manicure obsessed and has become the 'nail stamp' queen! Check them out (if you don't already!).

With that said I just want to document the 'cooler' things I do with my nails. If you follow me on Instagram you probably have realized how much I paint my nails. A lot. Three times a week sometimes. It is relaxing and therapeutic. It is also a way for me to justify my nail polish addiction. I have been wanting to try the Ombre look for awhile now. I first saw it on Lauren Conrad and then I saw Jenn's version. It was a toss up on the colors, Corals or Purples. I decided on Corals due to the fact that I am missing a purple needed for the perfect Ombre look. 

 Left to Right: Essie 'Silken Cord', OPI 'Cajun Shrimp, OPI 'Bright Lights, Big Color', Essie 'Tart Deco', OPI 'Royal Flush Blush'

 These two products are what MAKE my manicure. I use two coats of nail magic which has truly helped strengthen my nails. This is the longest my nails have EVER been. I let each coat dry completely before adding the color. It seals my nail and has helped eliminate chips. I then do 2 coats of color. Followed by one coat of Seche Vite (best. ever.). When using Seche I make sure to coat the edge of my nail and bring the polish around to wrap it underneath my nail (if that makes sense).

Have you tried the Ombre look?

Manicure Maniac

It is safe to say that Blogger's LOVE nail polish.

Everyone is trying out the latest color, getting creative with stamping, translating a trend, like Ombre, to their manicures and changing their polish daily. We include the color that we are wearing in our outfit posts. We HAD to know what polish the new Duchess wore when she got married. It is one of the cheapest ways to change a look, experiment with an over the top color/trend and express ourselves.

My friend AND AMAZING Hair Stylist, Jenny, had on the most gorgeous baby pink color when I got my hair done a few weeks ago. It was a mixture of colors and had the sheenest silvery shine and micro glitter (can you tell I am obsessed?). Since I couldn't get the color out of my head for 3+ weeks I went to my VAST nail polish collection to pull out a baby pink. AND I didn't have the most classic color in my collection. WHAT?!?! How does that even happen? In the last few years I have been drawn to nudes/taupe's/brownish black OR fun/funky/crazy colors and LOTS of glitter. So I have been looking everywhere to create Jenny's color.

(she has PROMISED to find out what colors she used the next time she goes to the salon to get them done. She used the shellac or gel too)

I found two colors that will satisfy my need in the time being.

I bought Essie's 'Fiji' and Sally Hansen's 'Champagne Toast'.

In the store I didn't think that I liked either by themselves. The Essie color seemed to bright for a baby pink and the Sally Hansen was too pearlescent. But together they make the perfect pair.

One Coat of Essie 'Fiji'

I actually LOVE the color by itself after seeing it on.

Two coats will make this color pop.

It helps bring out your tan! Perfect for my next pedicure!

Second coat with Sally Hansen 'Champagne Toast'

One coat of each color is perfect. Solid color and really pretty sheen that is hard to see in the pics.

I REFUSE to do my own nails without Seche Vite fast dry top coat. It is THE best on the market. My nails are dry in five minutes. And I mean DRY! I will never go back to anything else. I generally use their base coat but the store I buy it at has been sold out the last few times I have looked. I don't think that the base coat that you use really makes a difference. Sally Hansen has such great products that you cannot go wrong! I have used THREE bottles of the top coat in less than a year. GO buy it!

My first manicure post! FUN!

I wore work out clothes again. So I clearly didn't put on make up OR do my hair. Your comments on yesterday's W.I.W. post cracked me up. Hopefully my crazy antics keep bringing you back!

Hi Jenny Pooh!

Thanks for the inspiration.

XOXO