Cocktail Party Nails

A friend is having a nice cocktail Christmas party this Friday night, so I of course want to do my nails for the occasion. 

There are many ways I could go, but decided I wanted to do something simply, and a bit elegant, while still being a little festive. Black and glitter is always a perfect combo in these situations. 

I went with a thin coat of a sheer silvery holographic glitter, with black tips, and a little black squiggle Christmas Tree, with red glitter accents. (and threw a black snowflake on the thumb for good measure)

I've recently broken most of my nails, which is why they are all so short. And yes, my nails are a bit discolored. This is what happens when you are bad at caring for your nails and don't use a base coat...especially when wearing heavily pigmented reds & blues. I should know better, and I DO know better... I just rarely take the time. In person, the discoloration isn't very noticeable, so it'll be fine for the party. 

I did my nails so early, because lately I have been hard to please with my nails, so wanted to make sure I had enough time to redo them at least once. Luckily, I am pleased with these. 

First day of Snow!

Since I am new to living somewhere with actual seasons, yesterday was the first time I've had/gotten to drive in the snow.
So, to celebrate the first day of snow, yesterday I did a snowflake manicure.

Grays for winter days

I have been having a hard time lately picking polishes I am content with. I sometimes have been changing my polish multiple times a day. And haven't been posting because I wasn't happy with any of the results.
Finally though I was able to settle on a gray gradient a few days ago. I used striping tape to block each color.

Pretty Little Neutral Fishnet

Just wanted a simple, pretty paint job this go'round.

So I went the lazy route and used stamp plates.

All that Jazz

I dressed in a 20's style costume tonight, for a Halloween themed show at ComedySportz. I like dressing up, and like being realistic and authentic in my approach. Now, that doesn't mean I stick to EXACTLY was what worn in the 1920's, however, what I do wear and do is based in reality.
In the 20's, nail polish/enamel was just hitting shelves, and women could now lacquer their nails. It was all the rage to paint your nails leaving the moon & tips free of polish. And Red was THE color to use.

I wanted to pay tribute to this trend, but not do exactly this, I wanted it to coordinate more with my getup. 

My outfit is black and gold, and I was wearing a headdress with Peacock feathers. 

At the same time that nail polish was becoming en vogue, makeup was also becoming more mainstream. In previous generations, only "THOSE" type of women wore makeup, but the 20's saw women boldly wearing very thick & heavy eye makeup, typically in black or grey, but also surprisingly turquoise was a popular choice. SO... because I was using Peacock feathers, and turquoise was a popular choice in the 20's, I chose to paint my moons turquoise. 

I am a big fan of Art Deco, so painted the remaining portion of my nails in black with a geometric design in gold.  

It isn't true to what was worn int he 1920's, but it takes elements of what was popular at that time and does a modern twist with it. 

Here's my makeup that went with it... heavy black and grey around the eyes, except for the inner corners, I did a thick turquoise liner. 

And of course, a red lip. 

Official Halloween nails

Yes, I know it is a weird angle, but was feeling two lazy to take & post two pics, so I took two dozen pics before I was able to get a close-enough-to-good pic :) Yes, I realize the irony of this.
Anyways... I give you... Halloween nails!

Pre-Halloween Frankenstein nails

There are so many different ideas I have for Halloween nails, that I felt I needed to so some early, so I could try as many as I wanted. Next week for Halloween I'll do the more creepy crawly Halloweeny nails, but this week I wanted to do something cute. 

And what could possibly be cuter than a little Frankenstein? 

I love my googly-eyed little Frank!