Today's mani is another simple one; using just 2 base colors, 1 stamping design & color. I'm again using polishes I received in my September Cityscape collection from +Julep Maven. I was so excited about the colors in this collection that I had to use them immediately.

Today's mani is a very simple one, but oh so very awesome!!!  I absolutely LOVE the base color and the design I used.  I don't usually use these types of designs, but when I saw the polish, it just made me think of fire...so I just had to use a design that looks like flames.

I don't normally change my nails on the weekend, but I had some ripping and running to do today and refused to go out with my polish chipped and worn.  Sadly, quick chipping and tip wear is normal with matte polishes.  I decided to apply just one base color, Karmen by +Julep Maven from the September Cityscape Collection.  It is a STUNNER!!!  It makes me think of fall, when the leaves are changing and fire all at the same time.  It is a metallic red, with orange undertones and gorgeous gold shimmer that just makes this color pop.  I love everything about this polish; the formula, opacity, color and brush.

I am extremely pleased with how this chalkboard mani turned out!!!  I already had this mani on my to-do list, but I decided to apply this mani for 2 reasons.  The main reason being that I broke my pinky nail down to a nub and had to cut all my nails super short.  And the mani I planned to do needs longer nails...at least I thought so.  And the 2nd reason is that I was at Ulta last weekend and I saw that Revlon now has several chalkboard polish duos.  Basically a black polish on 1 end and a pastel polish on the other.  So, I decided to do it with polish I already have.

The chalkboard mani is very simple...you just need to paint your nails black, stamp or add a design and finally add a matte top coat.  But of course I had to make it more complicated.  I have purchased a great deal of polish over the past several months and wanted to compare some of the black polishes.  I ended up using 3 different black polishes, but all by the same brand...NANACOCO.  I mainly wanted to see if there was any difference; the 2 cream finishes were exactly the same but the 3rd has silver shimmer in it.  And, I didn't use my Dashica plates!!! I used one of the Cheeky plates from the latest collection they released this year.  Now that I have short nails, I can use any of my plates!!

• Base coat: +OPI Inc Nail Envy - original
• Base color 1: Glassy Black (with shimmer) by NANACOCO on my pinky's
• Base color 2: Love Black by NANACOCO in my middle fingers & thumbs
• Base color 3: Sexy Black by NANACOCO on my ring & index fingers
• Glitter Accent Nail: Chunky Holo Teal  by Kleancolor
• Top coat 1: +Julep Maven Matte top coat
• Stamp colors: Pastel Pink, Purple, Blue & Green all by Konad
• Top coat 2: IBD UV Top Coat cured under a 54 watt UV lamp for 5 minutes only on accent nails
• IP: Cheeky Jumbo Plate 4 - Top of the Class

I'm continuing on my nail art journey to try new things.  And for my current mani I did a Gelly sandwich!! I must say I'm very pleased with the outcome.  But I must warn you…if you do not have patience, DO NOT TRY IT!!!  Gelly polishes take forever & a day to dry.  And to accomplish a Gelly sandwich you will be applying at least 3 coats of the Gelly polish, plus glitter…not to mention the base & top coat.  So if you plan to attempt this make sure you have patience, nothing to do & nowhere to go.

I received the +Julep Maven Moisture Mask Trio in my August monthly subscription box and I was extremely excited about it because Julep creates some really great products for your hands and nails. The moisture mask trio has 3 separate masks; one for your hands, feet & nails.  Since I have never heard of a mask for your nails, I had to try that one first.

I have not read nor seen any reviews of this product so I decided to do a demo & review or the nail mask.    I will also be doing a demo and review of the hand and foot masks.  See below.



Polished At All Times...by Lo'Rain!!!

Here are my polish review and NOTD videos for the mani I am currently wearing.

• Base coat: +OPI Inc Nail Envy - original
• Base color 1: Date in the Moonlight by Essence
• Base color 2: Blue Suede Shoes by Sinful Shine 
• Accent Nail: Peacock Portrait by Finger Paints
• Striper: Platinum Silver by +ORLY 
• Top coat 1: Seche Vite Top Coat - I apply this before stamping, if I mess up I can remove the design without removing the base color
• Stamp colors: Date in the Moonlight by Essence (over Blue Suede Shoes) & Blue Suede Shoes by Sinful Shine (Date in the Moonlight)
• Top coat 2: IBD UV Top Coat cured under a 54 watt UV lamp for 5 minutes
• IP: Dashica Beauty Shop - Big SdP S

Polish Review & Application video:

I am trying to get caught up...so here are the videos for the polish review & NOTD.

• Base coat: +OPI Inc Nail Envy - original
• Base color 1: Indigo Illusion by Nubar 
• Base color 2: Wicked Star by +Revlon 
• Glitter: Mr. Right by KleanColor
• Top coat 1: Seche Vite Top Coat - I apply this before stamping, if I mess up I can remove the design without removing the base color
• Stamp colors: +Konad Nail Grey (mixed black & white) & Cosmic Fate by Color Club Halo Hues 2013
• Top coat 2: IBD UV Top Coat cured under a 54 watt UV lamp for 5 minutes
• IP: Dashica Beauty Shop - Big SdP U

Polish Review & Application video:





NOTD & Stamping Application video:



Polished At All Times...by Lo'Rain!!

I wanted to make sure to provide an update on the products I have been using from the +Exuviance Neostrata  skincare line.  I purchased the Performance Peel AP25 back in May and used it for 7 weeks.  It is a very easy product to apply yourself, so I recorded and posted this demo video on my YouTube channel.

Below is the application and removal demonstration video.  Hopefully this is helpful and feel free to ask me any questions.  I have discontinued using it for now, as you are supposed to use it for approximately 6 weeks, then stop for 2 - 3 months and then use again for another 6 weeks.

Sorry, I have been absent, but I have been pretty busy.  But I wanted to provide an update on the +Exuviance Neostrata  skincare line.  I posted this update video on my YouTube channel and for got to post it here.

I talk about the various products I am using in additions to how and when I use them.

Polished At All Times...by Lo'Rain!!!