Mani Monday: Classic French Manicure

Sometime, I just like a damn French manicure.

For this, I used Zoya Madison, and I'm glad I gave it a second chance. On my first application, I had extreme difficulty with self-leveling and streakiness in application, but it turns out I just needed to be a little more patient and wait a couple of minutes between coats. It turned out to be a really lovely sheer pink that I'm pleased to have in my collection. For the white, I used Essie Blanc, for its nice, thin consistency that wouldn't build up too much at the end of my nail.

The perfect edge comes from these nail stickers, which work really well. Purchased from this seller, they're quite sticky, so I like to stick them quickly to my skin before applying them to my nails to make sure my base color doesn't get removed. Usually, just to be on the safe side, I do the pink color one night and the tips the next.

Hope you all have a good week!

300: Revenge of the Blog

Guyssssssss, this is my 300th blog post! Did you think this post was going to be about that awful movie franchise? Then you obviously just found your way here recently. And have probably already departed.

As usual, I digress.

I know it's January here, I know, and I also know that means it'll be real cold for a real long time still. BUT, the magazines have gotten to me, and thoughts of spring nail trends keep popping into my head. Am I practically begging that goddamn groundhog to see its shadow on February 2nd with these thoughts? Probably. But I'm not stupid enough to believe a hibernating ball of fur can keep winter in Chicago from lasting until April. On to nail polish!

Via popsugar.com

As always, pastels will have their time. I love a good chalky green, but I feel petal pink and pale blue turning into a small obsession. Not at the same time, though. I made that mistake once and it looked like a baby shower on my hands. This gradient manicure from the Nanette Lepore Spring 2015 show definitely makes the list of nail looks to try in the coming weeks.

Short nails seem to be coming back around. Fine with me. I don't need any more painful hangnails.

Via popsugar.com

I'm also loving a double tipped French manicure. From the Sophie Theallet Spring 2015 show, I think the sheer base on this makes the whole look so chic, I absolutely cannot wait to try it. There's something about the delicate little pops of color on the nail tip that turn this into a can't-look-away design.

So that's what I'm most excited to jump into as we move through the endless Chicago winter. What nail looks will you take a stab at as we march toward spring (get it? March, spring? ha ha ha)?