Yes, they're real...

thank you, they're genetic and unattainable. While some things, like a Van Damme middle split may be, I don't believe lovely spike-ish nails to be. However, they may be inconvenient and inappropriate for one's lifestyle.

I could write a novel on my relationship with my nails and our trials and errors and the ridiculous things I've done to try and keep them in shape.

In my opinion, asking a nail fanatic who is trying to grow hers (or his) out if one's nails are natural is the highest of compliments. This is when I know I have succeeded ;)

I remembered Teas-y Does It is the last color I wore before our very painful break up :( 

Some pre-break spam.

Lynnderella Deep Blue Seeing (I think!?), a Milani white.

Sally Hansen Garnet Lapis Prism, OPI Black Onyx

Lynnderella Bride of Franken, OPI Mrs. O' Leary's BBQ

And in September:

Breaking up is hard to do.

Noticeably, they are the longest in this last picture and that of course compromises their strength. And while I did like the way they looked at the time, I have to admit looking at the picture, perhaps they were maybe about 3mm too long. I can their weak spots in the pic and that makes me sad :(

They've been growing back pretty well, but I still feel like I'm wearing nubs. 

What was your worst break? What finger was it on? Nail friends and myself seem to concur they happen on pointer and thumbs. Not surprisingly, these seem to be the most frequently used fingers.

Enchanting

This polish looks like magic in a bottle. I had to have it and I'm so anxiously awaiting the next Enchanted restock. It's over black here and I think that makes it look a bit more potent. I'm lazy, so that was a pain, but it only took took coats after that and it was just striking indoor and out. I don't think I've ever had more compliments...pic heavy.

Time to Pretend. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend, bottle. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend, bottle. Outdoor Light.

Htf Gem

It's been pretty quiet around here lately except that I got a new follower--HELLO!!! New follower and thank you :D YAY!!! I literally would wear the same polish as long as there was no chipping for four or five days in summer school, I just did not have time to change it. Sometimes I didn't have time to take a picture either, so I don't have a lot of pics right now.

I'm feeling really bummed about my physiology class right now, as I just generally feel like my brain isn't working.

But here's Brucci Black Emerald, a stunning duo/multichrome that goes from black to reddish brownish to blackened green and reddish green. Hard to capture and hard to describe, but gorgeous. Two coats over one coat of Sephora OPI Never Enough Shoes.

Indoor Sunlight.

Indoor Sunlight.

Outdoors.

Outdoors.

Indoor Sunlight. Who is that on the left? =^.^=

Lucky Me

What a day...I'm very tired, but it's been a good and productive day, so I'd thought I'd put up a polish I got by good fortune from a good polish friend (and as a gift from a thoughtful someone). 

It's more marvelous in real life--though imo--different than in pictures. I've already worn it four or five times despite the fact that it takes 18 hours (on me, at least) to dry to 100% hardness, even with my fastest drying topcoat. Is it just me, or have others noticed a relationship between long dry times, shrinkage, and long wear? 

While Scrangie shrank like heck on me, I can wear this beautiful baby for (shhhh, eek) five days, yes five...I know with no chipping and hardly any tip wear. By that time, I'm hardly tired of looking at my nails, either--with the color shifty and the interesting reddish undertone--why would I be? 

It took three coats and the third was a little thick/thin...but truly worth any trouble. Pic heavy and shows three different applications. I hope I won't be needing a backup ;)

PS. Ahhhh that last nail shot is so funky...my camera does not do great in low light, it always fuzzes out the focus :/

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Scrangie. Natural Light.

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Scrangie. Natural Light.

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Scrangie. Natural Light.

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Scrangie. Artificial Light (school edition!).

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Scrangie. Artificial Light.

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Scrangie. Bottle in natural Light.

another pretty from Enchanted

I haven't really seen swatches for this yet and don't have any, but it's way better in person than the few pics I've seen online and in the sun, holy jeez. Check out these bottle shots (in a stupid format I can't fix) of Enchanted February 2013. I'd love to see some swatches from others!

Enchanted Polish February 2013

Enchanted Polish February 2013

Enchanted Polish February 2013, holo detail.

Enchanted Polish February 2013

Doh...

I realize I only did four posts last month! Boo. Hoping for more this month despite holiday madness. 

Here's Nicole Just Busta Mauve, a Target exclusive. I would love to have the other glitter colors from this collection. See Scrangie's swatch of this, it's much better than mine. I probably should have used four coats and she may have...I only used three and there's some vnl. I think a dreaded four coats would have given a bit more depth and color here, as the polish was surprisingly sheer.

I found this to be a pretty awesome and different glitter. If I remember correctly it's a super concentrated fine tiny plum (I don't see mauve but I guess it could be dark mauve) and cobalt blue microglitter in a sheer base. I'm going to double check this though.

Double awesome is that even though it's a glitter, it has a duochrome effect. Yes! It shines warm plum, deep copper, and a strange sort of grey in different lighting. Amazing. Have you been tempted by any of the awesome Nicole colors lately? I love some of the holiday colors.

Just Busta Mauve. Natural Light.

Just Busta Mauve. Natural Light.

Just Busta Mauve, blurry sparkle. Natural Light.

Just Busta Mauve, close up. Natural Light.

Just Busta Mauve. Bottle shot. Natural Light.