China Glaze Snow

EDIT: To see the nail art I did on top of this polish click here

For my current manicure I started out with China Glaze Snow as a base for nail art.

Snow is a classic white creme from last year's holiday collection.

I applied three coats of Snow for these photos. I probably could have done two.

The formula was fine. I didn't have any issues applying it.

The polish looks a little uneven in these photos but I assure you it was not the formula's fault. It was instead mine as I rushed to get this done.

All photos are inside with artificial lighting.

No flash was used.

I have used quite a few whites in the past that have given me a lot of trouble. They are usually streaky and sheer. Not this one though. China Glaze Snow is a great staple white. Great for a base for nail art.

China Glaze Snow was from last year's holiday collection. I bought mine in a four piece set containing Snow, Mrs. Claus, Phat Santa, and Frosty. The four polishes came in a clear candy shaped container! Ah, I'm a sucker for cute packaging. China Glaze had all these  gift sets last year. I hope they have some this year too. I can't wait to see China Glaze's next holiday collection.

Anyways, back to the polish. You could track it done probably if you wish. However, China Glaze also makes a white called White Out that seems just as good if not the same polish in a different bottle. They are both white cremes but I'm not sure the formulas are the same.

I'll have the nail art I did up here soon! Thanks for reading! What's your favorite white creme? Or favorite basic? Leave a comment and let me know! :)

On To The Next Polish,

Katie

"My Stash" Page Updated!

If anyone wants to check it out I just updated "My Stash" Page. 

So if anyone wants to find out what I have, click here.

If you want to see a swatch and review of any of the polishes, request it by a comment or email me at ontothenextpolish@gmail.com.

Harry Potter Nail Art Take Two!

Hi! Today I have the second Harry Potter manicure I did. To see the first version click here.

Some of the nails are improvements of the last time and reused.

But sadly there are no pictures of Harry and Voldemort on my nails.

It's definitely darker and more cohesive in my opinion. Enjoy!

I started out with 2 coats (as of habit not because of opacity) of Wet 'n' Wild Black Creme.

Nail Art Breakdown!

•  Thumb: "HP" logo with the number '7' was done with a white twoway nail art pen purchased from ebay over the black.
•  Pointer: The lightning bolt was done with Zoya Trixie with a brush. Surrounding it, I put China Glaze Emerald Sparkle.
• Middle: Again like last time I did the Deathly Hallows symbol with a white nail art pen over the black base.
• Ring: I put the "Dark Mark" (Voldemort's mark) on my ring finger. To create it, I used Zoya Trixie for the skull with a brush. Wet 'n' Wild Black Creme was used for details. Then I applied China Glaze Emerald Sparkle with a brush to create the twisted snake. There is a tiny white dot on the snake's head for its eye. It's hard to see all the detail in the picture. The contrast of the dark green and black maybe?
• Pinky: Again I wrote "The End" with a white nail art pen. I also put a french tip with China Glaze Emerald Sparkle on this one.

I know this is an awkward picture but I think it helps show the dark mark clearer.

All pictures are in the sun and outside if you couldn't tell ;)

Wet 'n' Wild Black Creme is an amazing opaque in one coat black. It cost me $0.99 and I bought it at a Rite Aid.

China Glaze Emerald Sparkle is a great dark sparkly green.

I bought mine on Transdesign for $2.99

Zoya Trixie is a gorgeous silver foil with an excellent formula.

I got it off Zoya's website.

Close-up of thumb prior to clean up and touch ups.

I really like doing Harry Potter nail art so if you stick around you'll probably see more of it. Not that there is much reason to do it now after the premiere. But I enjoy it and that's all that matters. Oh and I'm trying out a new font.

Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to comment. :)

On To The Next Polish,

Katie

Harry Potter Nail Art TAKE ONE

Hi! Thanks for stopping by!

I have to mention that I'm a huge Harry Potter fan who was one of the crazy people to go to the midnight premiere! (I say that very lovingly!) Did any of you see the movie? What did you think? I enjoyed the film. I loved it. I've already seen it three times now! However, the books will always outdo the films in my opinion. I will never fully understand that there simply is not enough time to put everything in the films. I know it would be too long, but I would sit in a five hour film if that would be what it takes to fit all the details in.

Anyways on to the harry potter manicure!

You may notice that the title says "TAKE ONE". That's because I did two of them. The first will be shown today. (Edit: Here's the link to the second one.)

All pictures are inside with artificial lighting without flash.

This first one is actually the one I did for the premiere. I wasn't completely satisfied with it (that's why there is a take two!). I felt rushed because I did this with less than two hours to when I had to leave for it. Being the crazed fan that I am I was also dressing up for it during this time period to make matters worse.

Ok it wasn't that bad. I'm a little dramatic and love hyperbole! :D

It also doesn't help that it is late for me to be posting either!

Nail Art Breakdown:

• Thumb: HP logo in gold using Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Black Out (background), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Set The Stage (glitter), and Zoya Richelle for the HP letters. (close up below) I used a nail art brush as well.
• Index: Harry Potter's face (I was trying to do more of a potter puppet look so that's why his eyes are white-for his glasses-instead of green). I used Milani Day Dreaming (background), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Black Out (cloak, eyes, mouth), China Glaze Snow (eyes), nail art two way pen in black (hair), and H&M nail polish in Dazzling Nude (face and hands). I used a dotting tool too.
• Middle: The Deathly Hallows Symbol (done quite messily in my opinion) was created using China Glaze Happy Go Lucky (background), Petites Mango (sponged on in the middle), and L'oreal Red Hot Tamale (sponged on at the end). 
• Ring: Voldemort (again I wanted to do more of a cartoon version from Potter Puppet Pals). I used Milani Day Dreaming (background), China Glaze Snow (face and hands), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Black Out (cloak), nail art two way pen in black (dots for eyes but hard to see in photos), and Wet n Wild Red Red (eyes). I used a dotting tool and a nail art brush. I tried to put on his "snake" nose but it simply didn't work out.
• Pinky: "The END" I couldn't think of another idea and it seemed fitting as the movie for most seems like the end of Harry Potter anticipation. I used Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Black Out (background) and a two way nail art pen in white (for the letters).

Nail Polish Mini Reviews:

• Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Black Out: A good black but not the best. It takes two coats to be opaque. It costs $1.99 (where I live). A cheaper alternative for a $0.99 is Wet n Wild Black Creme which is in fact a better black. I got mine at CVS.
• Zoya Richelle: I love this gold. There is something very luxe about the look of this polish in my mind. I got it on Zoya's website.
• Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Set the Stage: A new release from this line. It's a sheer layering gold glitter that not only has gold micro glitter but hexagon gold glitter in it too. I like it! Worth the $1.99
• Milani Day Dreaming: A great light grey creme. I got it recently on ebay for about three dollars (including shipping!). It is discontinued but still able to get if you search around. Great formula too!
• China Glaze Snow: Opaque white creme with a great formula. This is the holiday version of the regular China Glaze white but it is no different. Not streaky at all. 
• H&M Dazzling Nude: A very small bottle that holds a great nude. I haven't used it yet as a full manicure but it looks like it will give me "manicure hands". 
• China Glaze Happy Go Lucky: A great bright yellow creme. It is still available and price varies depending on the retailer. I got mine on Transdesign for $2.99.
• Petites Mango: A great inexpensive orange in a small (comparatively) bottle. I got mine at walmart for about two dollars (I think). 
• L'oreal Red Hot Tamale: I don't like the name but it is a classic, bright, pinup red. It takes a few coats to become opaque.
• Wet n Wild Red Red: A basic medium toned blue red. This is an old nail polish though. I believe it is discontinued. As a basic, it is easily duped.
• Nail Art Two Way Pens (black and white): I really like my nail art pens. They were very cheap on ebay and come in handy when I don't want to use my brushes as much as I could. 

Do you like Harry Potter? Any crazed fans like me out there?

Did you enjoy the last film (if you've seen it)?

How did you think I did? Any suggestions? I think the Deathly Hallows symbol should have had thinner lines. The manicure doesn't seem very cohesive either.

Hope you stop by again for Take Two! I think I did a much better job. It's different but similar to this one.

Thanks for reading and dealing with my dramatics!

Leave A Comment if you'd like!

On  To The Next Polish,

Katie

Icings Charlie Sheen Nail Polish Collection

Recently Icings stores came out with three nail polishes with names reminiscent of Charlie Sheen phrases. It is not a collaboration but rather inspired by the crazy antics of Charlie Sheen. All three polishes are full of glitter but sheer. They look great layered but for these swatches they are on their own.

First up is Tiger's Blood. 

Indoors (4 coats)

In the Sun (4 coats)

Indoors (4 coats)

Tiger's Blood is a sheer red base loaded with gold glitter flakies.  This polish is awesome! I love the glitter. I know it is a dupe for Cult Nails Captivated, which I wanted to get instead but it is sold out and not coming back. The formula wasn't perfect but it wasn't bad. The pictures show what it looks like with 4 coats but for this polish I could have gotten away with 3. It was totally worth it for a polish this pretty. This is my favorite of the collection.

Next is Epic Winning. 

In the Sun (4 coats)

In the Sun (4 coats)

In the Sun (blurred intentionally) (4 coats)

Epic Winning is pure glitter. It contains navy and white holographic glitter. It is sheer as well. Formula is fine. It helps to wait in between coats but I never have the patience for that. If you wanted to layer it with less coats it would look great over any blue polish. This is my second favorite. It is a pain to remove but it certainly is winning.

Finally the last one is named Rockstar From Mars.

Inside (6 coats!)

Inside (6 coats!)

Rockstar From Mars is a very clear turquoise blue base with gold/yellow glitter. It looks amazing in the bottle but disappointing on the nail. It looks unique but it doesn't seem anywhere near opaque. I tried 7 coats after pictures but still not completely opaque. I don't mind doing a lot of coats in a manicure if it gets opaque. Honestly four coats for opaqueness doesn't lessen my opinion of a polish. But six coats and still not close to opaque annoys me. I did think it was sheer when I bought it though. I'm sure I'll like it as a layering polish though. 

Overall, I really like this collection. Rockstar from Mars was the only disappointment on its own. The other two I loved. All polishes would look great layered. Icings polishes are usually $4.50 but sometimes buy one get one half off (they were when I got mine). I love the names. I imagine if Charlie Sheen were a nail polish he would be full of glitter and sheer (just to annoy people to try to get him opaque). 

Thanks for reading!

On To The Next Polish,

Katie

Ombre Manicure

Hi! Today I have an ombre manicure to show you. Unfortunately these pictures are not the best quality.

I used Essie Borrowed & Blue and OPI Last Friday Night. Essie Borrowed & Blue is from their 2011 Wedding collection. It is nice to see a company produce a wedding collection that is not just pale sheer colors. OPI Last Friday Night is from the Katy Perry collection released this year.

Essie Borrowed & Blue is a very light blue. It is similar to Hard Candy Sky (from Walmart) except that the Essie is a creme while Sky has slight shimmer. Essie Borrowed & Blue applies great becoming opaque in two coats.

OPI Last Friday Night is very sheer. However, it is a great blue glitter with round glitter prismatic pieces. 

It looks great layered and good own its own. Confetti, available at CVS, has a blue very similar to this called Party Palace Blue. It might even be a dupe and at $1.99 the price is much lower than the OPI. 

I created this manicure by applying Last Friday Night first about halfway on my nails. Then I applied another coat of it further upward on my nail. I continued this process until I had the color I wanted on my tips. It is very easy to do and looks great. All you need is a base color and a sheer glitter. You can use matching colors for the glitter and base or switch it up. I'm going to try it with pink next.

Thanks for stopping by!

Striped Nail Art

Hello! Today I have an recent manicure to show you. 

This manicure was done using Petites Mango polish and a two way red nail art pen.  Excuse the random black spot on my middle finger. I think it is from the nail art pen. They were bought very cheap and I noticed recently that there are particles in my red pen (never noticed before). However, I haven't had any other issues. I can't complain because of the price I spent on them.

I love alternating stripes between nails whenever I do a striped manicure. I do not have pictures of the first time I did this sadly. 

This is not my original idea. This design was done by Jin Soon Choi in a Teen Vogue magazine from 2009 in black and white. I loved the manicure there and decided to create my own take on it.  Ever since, whenever I need a quick manicure with nail art I choose to do this design. 

Thank you for stopping by! Leave a comment if you like!

My Stash

As I mentioned before my stash is over 200 bottles. In perspective it is not that bad but to a non nail enthusiast it is certainly questionable! Let's get started!

I bought this four drawer organizer from Target. I don't think I have enough polish yet to get a Helmer so for now this will do. I like how the organizer can wheel around and move where I want it to easily. All my stuff is organized by drawer. My stash is kind of messy though. A few days ago I just added non slip material on the bottom (bought from Target) so it is a little neater than the pictures suggest now.

My last drawer contains my nail art supplies, remover pads, hand care items, and cuticle care.

I have nail art brushes, two way nail art pens, glitter, sally hansen nail art pens, and other nail art items in this drawer. You can see my favorite, but discontinued, hand cream in this drawer "True Blue Spa Glove Me Tender". I have three backups and don't know what I'm going to do when I run out. Any suggestions?

The next drawer houses treatments, untrieds, files, buffers, other nail care, and my index cards cataloguing all of my nail polish collection. Each polish has a number on the top of the bottle and it is all recorded on the index cards.

The 2nd drawer from the top houses my "safe" colors. Basically to organize my nail polishes I divided the colors in half. Those colors more salon-like such as red, pink, coral, metallics, white, etc. were placed in this drawer. 

The top drawer houses all the rest of my nail polishes. I would like to think of these nail polishes as the more crazy and wild ones. Here, I have blues, greens, purples, oranges, yellows, glitters, mattes, holographics, and more in this drawer. I usually tend to stick in this drawer when it comes to manicures unless some of the safer colors are used in my nail art.

Well, that is how I store my nail polish. I hope I didn't confuse you with my safe and crazy color drawers. At the time it seemed like a good idea and it stuck. How do you store your nail polish? Thanks for stopping by!

My Fourth of July Manicure

Hi! Today I have my Fourth of July Manicure from this year to show you!

This year I didn't really plan a manicure out. It was sort of spur of the moment. I started out with a blue and just added patriotic nail art. I don't feel like this manicure was top quality from me but  I liked the way it turned out though.

I started with a base of Essie Coat Azure. It is a medium dusty blue with shimmer. The formula on this one was top notch! It could have been a one coater but I believe I used two. I usually have no complaints  about Essie's formula and this one was exceptionally great.

Then I used two way nail art pens (bought from ebay) in red and white. With the white pen I tried to make swooping lines across my nails. With the red I tried to put stars on the corner. However, I feel like besides my thumb's star, the others remind me more of tiny flowers.

Thanks for stopping by! I'm going to try to post on a regular schedule this upcoming week. Hopefully, there will be a post on here every other day (maybe even every day)!

Preview: Charlie Sheen Collection

EDIT:For swatches and reviews of the full collection click here.


Recently I was able to score all of the polishes from the Icings Charlie Sheen Collection. First of all I cannot get over the names! It's probably because I got too wrapped up with Charlie Sheen in the media. These should be pretty easy to track down provided you live by an Icings store. However, I had to go to two stores because at one of them I could only find Rockstar from Mars. The other store was fully stocked though.


Anyways I only have pictures of Icings Tiger's Blood ready to post. I'm debating whether or not to split this collection up or to group all three polishes together. If anyone has an opinion one way or the other feel free to tell me.


Here's a preview of Icings Tiger's Blood. Full Review to come.

First Post! Nfu Oh 65 and 66

Hi! Welcome to my blog! Today I have Nfu Oh 65 with Nfu Oh 66 as french tips to show you!

Let's talk about there bottles! They are adorable! If I am going to spend more money on nail polish than usual I appreciate a good nail polish bottle. I paid $12.50 each for these, which is a bit much for me. They are holographic though, which makes it all worthwhile for me. Holographic is by far my favorite finish even thought the wear time is not the best. I got these at FabulouStreet.com (offers free shipping to the US!) Anyways, I love the Victorian style of these bottles. Oh and by the way I label all of my nail polishes with numbers so that is why they have labels! I just passed 200 bottles of nail polishes.

Before I show you swatches, I would like to tell my story about how I got into this crazy nail polish world.
A few years ago, nail polish was not a big deal to me. I did not know much about different brands, finishes, or that their were entire blogs dedicated to nails. In fact right before my interest in nails sparked, I believed that I only should wear "proper" colors such as red and pink. But one day I came across a blog naming Essie Sag Harbor a must-have. I don't know how it happened but thereafter I became determined to get my hands on that. I soon found out about online etailers and other nail blogs. From there it was a down hill spiral and the obsession grew. I love nail blogs and I have recently really wanted to start one. So here is my attempt! I don't know much about photography but I am continuing to learn and figure out the best way for swatches.


As I said, I have wanted to start a nail blog. In result I have quite a few pictures to post of older manicures and designs not up to par with my current skills. However, I think I will post most of those pictures because I think you will still enjoy them.


Anyways on to the polish! Today I will be showing you my swatches of Nfu Oh 65.

Nfu Oh 65 is a light blue linear holographic. With most holographics, the effect is stronger without a topcoat. It has the strongest holographic effect of the holos I have. I apparently got the "dud" ones, less holographic than before. Oh well, I still love the effect! The polish applies a little streaky and patchy but if you want to spend the extra cash you can get Nfu Oh's Aqua Base to help applying. However, you can achieve a nice manicure without it with a few coats. The photo above is 3 coats no topcoat.

This picture is intentionally blurred to accent the holographic effect.


I was eager to try out my other nail polish Nfu Oh 66 so I decided to put french tips on with it.

Nfu Oh 66 is a light green strong linear holographic. It applies the same as Nfu Oh 65. It has the same effect. Gosh, these polishes are so holographic it's unbelievable! My wallet is crying looking at the other holographics on stock on the website. I hope to get Nfu Oh 61 soon but that one has a strong tendency to be out of stock. Hopefully one day, I will have all or most of these Nfu Ohs. They are so awesome!


Thank you very much for checking out my blog! I promise other posts won't be this long. Leave a comment if you would like! : )