Inspiration Wednesday- Eva So Bright

Sinful Colors Eva So Bright with gold stripes

I’ve noticed that a there’s been quite a bit of traffic to this blog coming from people who searched for Sinful Colors Eva So Bright.  It’s  definitely an appropriate color for the summer, so I can understand the interest.  Because of being inspired by my readers, I’ve decided to post these pictures I have of  the last time I wore Eva So Bright. The quality of the pictures isn’t ideal, which is part of why I hadn’t posted  them prior to this.  A lot of them have a misty quality to them.  Hopefully you’ll still get a good idea about Eva So Bright, which is a limited edition offering from Sinful Colors.  

Sinful Colors Eva So Bright with NOPI Not a Gold Bigger stripes, shade

 I wore Eva So Bright a while ago, when I got a craving for a bright, happy coral. I decided to add some decorative stripes to Eva So Bright using Nicole by OPI Not a Gold Bigger with a striping brush.   I really like the overall look of the mani. It’s bright and fun, with a bit of added sophistication. 

How does Eva So Bright compare to the classic color, OPI Cajun Shrimp? Judge for yourself, plus check out a bonus mani, after the jump!

Quick NOTD: OPI I Don't Give a Rotterdam with Zoya Nyx

OPI I Don't Give a Rotterdam with Zoya Nyx accent nail

Here's a quick post sharing a recent look I wore. As I shared in my original post about Zoya Nyx, I got Nyx because I wanted a color like OPI I Have a Herring Problem or Zoya Skylar. So when I ran across OPI I Don't Give a Rotterdam at one of my local nail supply places, I didn't hesitate to purchase it. I added an accent nail of Zoya Nyx on the ring finger and topcoated it generously. I really like this dusty blue combination on my nails.

Nail Art 4 Life~ OPI Metallic 4 Life with silver accent

OPI Metallic 4 Life with Wet n Wild Metallica based accent nail

Here's a manicure I sported recently with a couple of different techniques for the accent nail. I started with 3 coats of OPI Metallic 4 Life on most of my nails. I started with a  base of Wet n Wild Metallica on my two accent nails. Then, I added black accents with a different nail art technique for each middle finger. Because I wanted to have a similar glittery look on the accent nails, I topped it all off with a coat of Color Club Platinum Record, a silver hex glitter mix in a clear base. What were the 2 nail art techniques I used? To find out and find video tutorials for both, jump!

OPI Metallic 4 Life with black polish and silver glitter on the accent nail

Simple shimmer gradient

Gradient with OPI Congeniality is My Middle Name with Grape, Set, Match

Here's a quick post of a manicure I wore recently. I was trying to cover up the tipwear I had on OPI Congeniality is My Middle Name, a great berry pink shimmer. I thought about a few glitters, but ended up sponging the tips with OPI Grape, Set, Match, a purple shimmer.  I think the color combination works really well, although perhaps my pictures aren't the best.

Another view of the shimmery pink and purple gradient

Not a timeless love for me-OPI Romeo & Joliet

OPI Romeo & Joliet, sunlight

Here's a polish I picked up mainly because it's an OPI.  I found OPI Romeo & Joliet for $2 at a local Goodwill and it's the kind of color that I wouldn't bother with normally, what with it being a fairly typical red shimmer. It leans a bit towards the brown side and is very fall appropriate.  I suspect that it's very similar to the recently released OPI shade Germanicure, but I don't own that one to do a comparison. Anyway, a nice enough glowy autumn color, but not the kind of color I gravitate to.

OPI Romeo & Joliet, shade 

Edited in November of 2014 with an image from wearing the same shade. 

A beautiful mystery- OPI DS Magic with caviar accent

OPI DS Magic with caviar nail accent, sunlight

Derp....my mind apparently went missing when I published this post. The polish in my pictures is OPI DS Magic, not OPI DS Mystery as I initially stated. Somehow I got the idea in my head that the name was Mystery and I never actually looked at the label and checked before publishing! Again, excuse my brain fart!
For my segment on autism today, I just want to talk about how fitting a polish OPI DS Mystery is with the disorder. While professionals who work with autism know a lot about autism and are constantly working to learn more, the inner workings of an autistic brain largely remain a mystery.  However, just like the polish I'll be showing you today, autistic children tend to be really beautiful. I work with a lot of children, and think children are cute and are all lovely in their own way. However, something about autistic children makes them just gorgeous to me. I joke with coworkers that we'd be rich if we could figure out how to start a child modeling agency with our autistic students. :)

OPI DS Magic with OPI DS Extravagance accent on pointer, sunlight

My look today involves OPI DS Magic with 2 different kind of accent nails. On the right hand, I used OPI DS Extravagance on the pointer finger. On the left hand, I used Dollar Tree royal blue microbeads for a caviar bead accent.

Join me after the jump for more pictures!

Sensitive to texture featuring Orly Sweet Peacock

Orly Sweet Peacock skittle nails, sun

Even though I've already described how I don't like texture polishes, I decided to take some advice from Mary over at Swatch and Learn. She suggested that I try OPI Get Your Number, which is featured in this post and in my prior one. I can appreciate the beautiful color and gorgeous glitters in Get Your Number, but I still didn't like the matte texture finish.  That's why I added topcoat to my previous look. Once I had the topcoat on, I decided that Orly Sweet Peacock  and OPI Get Your Number worked so well together that I should do a skittle look with the 2.

Orly Sweet Peacock skittle nails featuring OPI Get Your Number on the pinky, sun

It's actually pretty appropriate that my first couple of posts about autism this year feature texture polish. Obviously, it's on trend with nail polish right now, but texture is also something those on the autism spectrum are very sensitive to.

People with autism can be very bothered by the sensation of things others would not notice at all, such as their socks or undershirt. They can also be particularly drawn to certain textures.  In early autism education, there is a good deal of emphasis on sensory activities. Teachers often use materials like shaving cream, rice, beans, or water to help satisfy the sensory needs of autistic children.

Join me after the jump to find out what this look included besides a textured polish!

April is Autism Awareness Month!

OPI Lights of Emerald City and Get Your Number layered over  Orly Sweet Peacock, sun

I'm going to wear only blue nails during April in support of those whose lives are touched by autism. Like last year, it kind of snuck up on me, so for now I have this manicure to share with you:

 

OPI Lights of Emerald City and Get Your Number layered over  Orly Sweet Peacock, shade

I started with 2 coats of Orly Sweet Peacock on all my nails. Then I added 2 coats of Get Your Number, the OPI Liquid Sand, over my ring and index finger. I added 1 coat of Lights of Emerald city on the other 2 fingers. The OPI glitter features white square glitter and smaller holo squares in a clear base. I think both of these worked really well with Sweet Peacock, gorgeous turquoise foil polish. 

OPI Lights of Emerald City and Get Your Number layered over  Orly Sweet Peacock, sun

Mermaid's Birthday nails! Island Girl Red Sun is a party in a bottle

Island Girl Red Sun over OPI Ink, natural light

Here's a look I sported on my nails recently. The layered dots on the accent finger really remind me of a mermaid's tail and the glitter makes me think of birthday confetti, so I called the look "Mermaid's Birthday."

 Red Sun is an awesome glitter polish from Island Girl brand. Island Girl is a polish brand that is found only in certain locations. As far as I know, Island Girl is only available in Hawaii and and Las Vegas.  I'm lucky that Esmeralda Pearlfinish's travels have taken her to both places. It's only because of Esme that I own any Island Girl polishes at all. Check out more pictures of this unique polish after the jump!

Neutral fishtail nails, featuring OPI Mermaid Tears

Fishtail braid nails, sunlight

So in my last post I shared my Dipping Dot-icure with Orly Decades of Dysfunction. That was nail art that I did on my dominant right hand. I did this fishtail design on my left, non-dominant hand. I had wanted to do a fishtail design since I first saw one on the Swatch and Learn blog, where Mary has a tutorial. I was afraid it would be too difficult for my non-dominant hand, which is why went with the dotticure for my right.

This manicure features the following polishes-Orly Decades of Dysfunction, China Glaze Foie Gras and Dress Me Up and OPI Mermaid Tears.  As I explained in my prior post, I love the color combination, and I prefer this design where all the colors play off each other equally.  I still really like the dot design as well.

I have a few more pics and notes, so join me after the jump!

4th of July Splatter Nails-the perils of polish

4th of July splatter, featuring OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls, Orly Crawford's Wine and Sally Hansen Blue Me Away, sunlight

I was visiting my friend in Los Angeles during the 4th of July, but that didn't stop me from breaking out some splatter nails. I used a base of OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls, then splattered with Orly Crawford's Wine and Sally Hansen Blue Me Away. I love the look, and the process led me to have an interesting experience! Find out the story, plus learn my splattering tip and check out more pictures, after the jump.

China Glaze Exotic Encounters comparison ombre

China Glaze Exotic Encounters on middle finger, with Essie Go Overboard on index, Orly Lucky Duck on ring, and OPI Mermaid's Tears on pinky

I've already posted about China Glaze Exotic Encounters and how much I love the color. However, like The Polishaholic, I felt like this color was a little familiar. There were a few colors in my collection that come to mind, so I went ahead and dug them out of my stash to do a comparison. I'm happy to say that Exotic Encounters is definitely unique among the colors I own.

It's different enough that once I got out the other two colors that came to mind, I realized that I should do a ombre manicure with them. I really like the result, and am kicking myself for not having done more ombre style manicures in the past. For my comparison ombre, I used the following colors:

Essie Go Overboard-pointer
China Glaze Exotic Encounters-middle
Orly Lucky Duck-ring
OPI Mermaid's Tears-pinky

To see another picture, plus to find out what other color is NOT a dupe for Exotic Encounters, join me after the jump.

China Glaze had Exotic Encounters Last Friday Night!

China Glaze Exotic Encounters, topped with OPI Last Friday Night and Nicole by OPI Iceberg Lotus

I'm not sure what's going on with my nail supply place. I stopped by Tuesday and they had the China Glaze On Safari collection but hadn't gotten the Summer Neon or Glitter Crackle collections yet. Maybe they just hadn't unpacked them yet? Anyway, I was immediately drawn to Exotic Encounters and the blue creme, Man Hunt. However, since the Polishaholic post about this collection mentioned that Man Hunt is similar to Ride the Waves in the Summer Neon collection, I'm going to wait until I can see the 2 colors together before I decide on which to purchase.

For this mani, I started with 2 coats of Exotic Encounters. Then I added 1 coat of OPI Last Friday Night to all but the ring finger. For the ring finger, I decided to do an accent nail with 1 coat of Nicole by OPI Iceberg Lotus instead. Overall, I'm really pleased with Exotic Encounters and with the outcome of my manicure. To hear my thoughts on Exotic Encounters, plus to see it with another color, keep reading!

??? Days of Blurple-purple lilies

Hmm, I'm having a hard time knowing where to start on this one. I did this manicure quite a while ago, and I think the color scheme is all wrong. It was a pretty look, but nobody actually figured out what it was supposed to be. To learn what I was going for, and see the original manicure that inspired it, join me after the jump.

OPI Pirouette My Whistle over Revlon Modern Grace

OPI Pirouette My Whistle over Revlon Modern Grace, sunlight

I just have a quick post for you today. Here is the OPI glitter Pirouette My Whistle over Revlon Modern Grace. Pirouette My Whistle is from the OPI Softshades New York Ballet collection. It's a clear base with white hex glitter and silver microglitter. Revlon Modern Grace is from their top speed line. It's a beautiful creme purple with a great formula. To learn a bit more about these polishes, and to see more pics, join me after the jump.

Zoya Zuza gets splattered by Pirates (of the Caribbean)

*Warning, if you are disturbed by uneven nails, skip this post*

Zoya Zuza splattered with OPI POC collection colors Skull and Glossbones, Planks a Lot and Mermaid's Tears

 I had some reservations about sharing this post because my nails aren't all even in the pictures. As I shared earlier, I've had a lot of nails break on me recently and I cut down all of them as a result. However, I decided that this mani was good enough to post for a couple of reasons. Find out what they are, after the jump!

Shattering some myths-OPI Turquoise Shatter over Color Club Factory Girl

OPI Turquoise Shatter over Color Club Factory Girl, sunlight

Just wanted to post these as I've done a lot of blue manis for Autism Awareness month, but haven't been timely with editing and posting them.

First, here are a couple of common myths about autism I'd like to debunk:

1. Vaccines-Autism is not caused by vaccines. The study that started that idea has been proven to be scientifically inaccurate to the point of embarrassment. I think part of the reason this myth is so powerful is because the age at which children begin to get more vaccinations coincides with the age at which they begin to be diagnosed. However, correlation does not equal causation, as a great science professor always told me.
2. Cures- There is no cure for autism. Period. There are many techniques that can be used that may vastly improve the functional capacity of someone on the spectrum, but there is no "cure." A healthy diet can definitely improve things for someone on the autism spectrum, as can things like speech therapy, occupational therapy and an autism-specific educational environment. All of these factors will be part our efforts to help those on the spectrum until we find a real cure.
3. Celebrity- Just because someone is a celebrity, doesn't mean they are a scientist. I'm sure Jenny McCarthy truly believes she cured her son through good nutrition. She didn't! Either her son is on the autism spectrum and became much more functional, but not cured, after she changed his diet, or he was misdiagnosed as autistic in the first place. Jenny is a big proponent of the "vaccines cause autism" camp and also claims she cured her son's autism, but she has no scientific training in medicine, psychiatry, neurology, or any other science to back up her claims. Anytime someone makes any claims about a disease, you should really question their evidence for those claims. Celebrities should be no exception.

OPI Turquoise Shatter over Color Club Factory Girl, sunlight

And now, onto the polish. I tried this look out last summer and loved it so much I knew I'd make it one of my looks for Autism Awareness Month.  I started with 2 coats of Color Club Factory Girl and then applied a coat of OPI Turquoise Shatter.  Loove! Since I adore both pastels and the color turquoise, I couldn't help going gaga for this look. It's very bright and cheerful, so I really enjoyed sporting this manicure again.

Comparison-Milani Gray Tux vs.OPI Metallic 4 Life

OPI Metallic 4 Life on wheel, Milani Gray Tux on right

I spotted this possible dupe last Monday when I stepped into Walgreens. Gray Tux immediately stood out from the other polishes in the display because it looked so much like OPI Metallic 4 Life from the Nicki Minaj collection.  After comparing the two on a nail wheel, I'm pretty confident in calling them dupes. Both are black jellies with silver regular and hex glitter.  Looking at them in person, I can't tell them apart. I feel pretty confident in calling them dupes!

OPI Metallic 4 Life on wheel, Milani Gray Tux on bottom

OPI Iberian Bisque- sheer beauty?

OPI Iberian Bisque, sunlight

The few times I've worn a sheer shade since beginning my polish obsession, I've ended up admiring and staring at my nails just as much as when I wear the flashiest colors. While I reached for OPI Iberian Bisque, I was looking to cleanse my palette with a nude after sporting a lot of bright shades. The long discontinued polish turned out to be much more sheer than I expected, but it was still a color I enjoyed wearing.  Is it just the big 3 fumes getting to me, or is Iberian Bisque a sheer delight? Judge for yourself after the jump!

OPI Give Me the Moon- This post is significant because

OPI Give Me the Moon, natural light

a) it's the last pic of my nails before they became nubbins

b) it's the subtlest color you'll ever see me wear

c) it reminded me of Wallace and Gromit

d) it's one of my best polish deals ever!

e) A,C, & D

OPI Give Me the Moon is a lovely grey purple shimmer. It's part of the core collection and is a work appropriate color that's still really interesting to look at because of the subtle way it shimmers in the light. But for a further explanation of these quiz answers and more pictures, join me after the jump.