We’ve Moved!

Hello all!  I just wanted to let anyone who is still viewing my blog at http://www.topcoatit.wordpress.com know that it’s been moved!  I’m at http://www.topcoatit.com now.  Please update your bookmarks so you’re getting all the new posts!

Flashback: Battle of the Top Coats

Last year on this very day, I posted my Battle of the Top Coats experiment. It wasn’t a pretty mani, but it was functional. I learned a lot about what to look for in a top coat and how to properly apply them to get optimal protection of your mani and to keep yourself from ruining the design your just worked so hard on.

Not all top coats are created equally, so if you’re not thrilled with the one you’ve been using, try another one. Check out my comparison, don’t be afraid to ask questions and tell me your thoughts. Hopefully you’ll learn something useful too.

→Check out the Battle of the Top Coats←

Shameless Self Promotion

I’ve debated about posting this for a while now.  I pride myself in keeping my blog about nails only and I try to keep my personal information very private.  I just feel like I need to share the love.  I’ve lost 50 pounds this year and feel better about myself than I have in years!  I knew I was unhealthy.  I didn’t have health problems that required a doctor’s intervention, but I didn’t feel well.  My body ached, I had no energy, I wasn’t sleeping well.  I was just unhappy with my body.  I knew I had to fix it, but didn’t know how and was overwhelmed by all the different information out there.  My friend introduced me to this program and I’m sooo happy I decided to give it a try.  I’ve got my confidence and energy back and I have to tools to live a healthy lifestyle and instill those healthy habits in my daughter.  I didn’t want to sentence her to an unhealthy, overweight future.  I’m now a coach for this program and am looking forward to sharing with others who are ready to change their lives too.  Please use the contact tab at the top of the page to email me if you want to hear more.

*This program is currently only available in the USA.

Twinsie Tuesday: Triple Layer Experiment

This week is exactly as the title says, an experiment.  Layer three polishes and see what you end up with.  I started with the idea of doing three different shades of pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month, but bagged it because I just didn’t think it was going to work.

I started with OPI Pink Friday anyway.  Then decided to go with a couple different colors.  After Pink Friday, I added OPI Sea Ya Later Sailor a sheer shimmery blue then added OPI Sit Under the Apple Tree a sheer shimmery green.

You can still see the pink through both top layers in the finished product, but the top polish is definitely the predominant color.  On my ring finger, I again laid them out Ruffian style so you could see them each step of the way.

Notice in my pictures that my middle finger shows a little more green while my index finger is bluer.  Overall it looks like a soft yellow.

What do you think of my experiment?  Kind of like creating a Halloween potion, right? 😉

Be sure the check out all the other manis today:

Amanda of Amandalandish
Anna of Going to the Showing
Anne of Grape Fizz Nails
Ashley of Art Evolve
Brandi of The Collegiate Nail
Chelsea of Nailed Blog
ChiChi of I’m Just Me…ChiChi
Cordia of Seriously Swatched
Elizabeth of Did My Nails
Jenn of All That is Gorgeous
Jenna of I’m Still Thinking
Katherine of Haul of Fame
Maribeth of Obsessive Cosmetic Hoarders Unite!
Marisa of Polish Obsession
Meredith of Polish and Charms
Nory of Fierce Make Up and Nails
Sarah of See Sarah Swatch
Tara of Polishy of Truth

The Mummy Returns

The mummy returns!  I haven’t seen the movie, but it made me laugh anyway.  My mummy was one of my favorites last year so I decided to try it again.

2012’s mummy is slightly different than 2011’2 mummy, but you can tell they’re related.  Last time, I added the eyeballs after the fact, this year I did them before the striping.  I think doing them before makes them look like they are actually peeking out from behind the wrapped cloth.  I think my photos are markedly improved as well. 😉

For my mummy’s underbelly, I used Color Club Nouveau Vintage.  Can I just tell you, I have to look up how to spell nouveau every time I do a post using this polish.  I struggle with that word.  Anyway, my black stripe and the white stripes were done using nail art polishes (you know, the ones that come with the tiny little brushes already) and for my eyes I used whatever black and white polishes I had in reach.  I also did this with my left hand so I’m extraordinarily happy with the results being that it was done with my non-dominant hand.  Really, really easy design people.  Even those nail art virgins or fraidy cats out there could pull this off.  Give it a go!