It is still only January - My week in nails

Hi guys,

it is again that time of the week when I will tell you a little bit more about the manicures that I wore last week and posted on Instagram. If you stumbled across my blog for the first time, you can check me out on Instagram under username nailsby_judinka123 (http://instagram.com/nailsby_judinka123/). On my blog I like to talk about the manicures and what I used to create them. If you like what you see, make sure you follow me on Instagram for a new manicure idea every day. And now let's see what I wore on my nails last week.

Sunday - Grey as the weather outside

So, there is a reason why you see those cracks in my manicure!!! I have created my mani and then decided to go and shovel the snow that fell that day...however, I made a mistake not taking a picture of my manicure before doing so. So by the time I was done and ready to take few shots, I realized the nail polish on my nails has cracked...bummer!!!

Simple mani using China Glaze polishes and added silver striping polish from Kiss.

But I loved this mani too much just to let it go without posting it. For this mani I used 2 colors from China Glaze. When you look at these 2 polishes they are something that not many people would pick up because they do not look appealing at all. But once you have them on your nails, you do not want to take them off. I wore them so many times but this was the first time when I decided to pair them.

Love these ugly looking polishes. They look like nothing in the bottle but once you put them on your nails, they come alive - China Glaze Pelican Grey and Elephant Walk.

To make it look a bit more fancy I have lined the border with a silver sparkling striping polish. The end result was actually quite a surprise to me as well. If you see these polishes in your local stores or online, you should give them a go. Let's be honest, how many times did you pick them up and put them back on the shelf? Now it's the time to give them a chance ;)

Monday - Ladybug

I was inspired by some of stamping plates that have ladybugs on them; however, I did not feel like stamping (unusual, I know). So I went with simple polka dots and hand "painted" a ladybug on my ring finger.

Ladybugs are one of my favorite insects. Hand painted on my ring finger and simple polka dots for the wings.

For my base I used Sinful Colors and the black base on my ring finger is from Julep. For the wings I just draw a black line using striping nail art polish and added polka dots.

This red from Sinful Colors Sugar Sugar is almost a one coater. As a base for the ring finger I used Julep Cleopatra.

This mani just turned out to be so cute. What is your favorite insect? I have to say ladybugs are definitely one of my personal favorites.

Tuesday - neutral half moon manicure

As you can see this week I went for the simple manicures that did not take too much time. This mani was inspired by the chocolate manicure I wore last week; however, this time I went with half moons. My stripes used to create these half moons were from Born Pretty store.

I felt like wearing something simple yet almost reminding me of hot chocolate. To make it more interesting, I added triangle shaped studs.

For my base I used this stunning neutral brown nail polish from OPI and topped it with chocolate brown China Glaze polish.

If you can find it, make sure you get it. This chocolate brown from China Glaze's limited The Giver collection Community is a must have!!! For my base I used OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons.

To make it a lil bit more interesting I added triangle shaped studs in the middle of the nail. This manicure was simple yet pretty and I wore it for few days without any chips...

Wednesday - nails strips...an absolute fail!!!

I was so excited when I found these nail strips from Kiss on sale at my local drugstore and because I only wore dark colors this week I decided to switch it up for some color. But my excitement did not last for long :(

So pretty yet such a disappointment!!! You can see in the picture how they are separating from the nail. This mani lasted tops 5 minutes...then it peeled off :(

I wore nail strips before so I was expecting from these to behave the same way as the ones I have tried in the past. However, I got maybe 5 minutes out of this manicure. I was actually happy that I could at least take a picture. You can already see in the picture that the strips are separating and are not holding at all. By the time I was done photographing this mani, half of the strips completely peeled off!!!

I would not recommend this design from Kiss. If you see it, skip it. Not worth your money!!!

I don't like to bash products but this is really not worth your money even if it is on sale. From other strips I usually get at least few days of wear, but this was a complete fail and I would never recommend them to anybody. Please, don't take me wrong, I love Kiss nail art but this design is the worst nail art product that I have ever tried...and I did come across some really bad ones. I will definitely try other stuff from this brand, just not this design.

Thursday - time for some #tbt

So for Thursday I decided to post one of my older manicures. Here and there I go through my pictures on my phone and I found this picture that I have never posted on my Instagram and was sitting in my phone. First I wasn't sure if I should post it because of the bad condition of my nails and cuticles but then I thought to myself that it would be cool to show you all how much progress I have done since back then.

This is how my nails and cuticles looked 2 years ago...such a difference!!!

I took this picture approximately 2 years ago; shortly after Christmas. I remember it quite clearly because I got the gel light system with some gel nail polishes from my husband. So as a base for this mani I used this muddy green gel polish and then stamped with Maybelline Bold Gold over it.

Combined stamping using Bold Gold from Maybelline and gel polisj from 1Q32. This is such a good brand.

As you can see the condition of my nails and cuticles was quite sad but since I have discovered nail art I was able to get rid of nail biting (for most of the time) and my nails are growing and my cuticles are healing. Occasionally I bite my thumbs but I am getting much better and right now they are nice and long as well. However, I have a broken nail on my right pinky and it really hurts...not really sure how could I stand this kind of pain before.

Friday - Feeling girly

When I received my water decals and stickers from Pueen I saw this set of cute girly stickers and I immediately knew I want to create a manicure using them.

These stickers from Pueen a bit hard to work with but they are so cute and worth the trouble. I had so much fun creating this girly manicure.

For my base I used white polish from Julep and then dabbed over a neutral nail polish from OPI and an orange color (for some reason I cannot remember which one I used; blank blank blank short term memory). When the nail polishes dried, I placed these cute girly stickers on top of them.

As a base I used Julep's white nail polish and sponged OPI's Don't Bosa Nova Me Around and an orange polish over the white base.

My only note is that these stickers are a bit stiff so you have to be quite careful when you are peeling them off the plastic or you can easily tear them. These came in a set of 30 (I am not sure about the exact number of the stickers in the package) but they are all so pretty and fun.

Saturday - Japanese inspired nails

I was really getting tired of the grey weather and the dark colors in general so I went with some fun bright color with this manicure. When I was going through my nail polish collection, the Brazil collection from OPI caught my eyes :) So I picked this bright peach orange color called Where Did Suzi's Man-Go.

OPI Where Did Suzi's Man-Go from their Brazil collection. Added green striping polish from Shany and water decals from Born Pretty store.

To make it more fun I have added green striping polish from Shany and water decals from Born Pretty store. When I started to create this mani I did not have a clear direction so I was surprised when I came up with this Japanese looking manicure.

I tried to insert a picture of the bottle with the manicure but my computer just does not want to load it. So if you want to make sure you can see it, go to my Instagram page (username: nailsby_judinka123; direct link in the introduction part) and check it out there.

I hope you liked these manicures and if you re-create any of them, make sure to use #nailsby_judinka123. Stay warm and safe...we are expecting another snow storm tonight :( I wish this winter is already over.