Wardrobe Wednesday: DIY Color Block Nail Splash!

Readers & Readettes, HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!

I am having fun with all of my birthday gifts, a lot of which were makeup and nail color!

When it comes to nail color OPI is my favorite, next up is Nicole, thereafter is Sally Hansen Manicure.. what's ur favorite brand to splash!?

I decided to play around with the color and pinterest has a funny way of inspiring a bit of creativity, that and being seven months pregnant you only have so many options of what to make extra SWAG-tastic! :)

Shortly after all my colors were in, I decided to go with OPI navy ish color *swoon* is was a good call!  I did my own toes and everything... that was very hard with this little thing growing in my belly, haha!

The story continues, my toes still looked great after a week, but my finger nails were left to be desired, and I had to give a presentation at work on Monday... sooo what did I have fun doing?
A color block manicure!

It was fun and super easy.  Here is how I did it, and for the first time, I'd say it looks MARVELOUS! :)

First I picked a contrasting color for fun, I suppose you can vary the shades of a particular hue, I prefer the bold statement of hot pink and navy!

 I took off the 'ROAD HOUSE BLUES' that was old and unappealing,  I filed and shaped my nails, then applied two coats of the 'PINKALICIOUS' (by maybelline) around 3:30pm.  Usually I do a base coat from OPI, but I didn't know how this was going to turn out, so I decided against it.

 

Around 10:00pm I was finally getting in my bed...

SN: I suppose for those of you who don't like to sleep with wet nails, you could do about 8:00-8:30pm and sit with a blow dryer to dry them all the way.

 

I had all my supplies at bedside and began to color block!

 

I have scotch tape, 'ROAD HOUSE BLUES' & top coat by Nicole. 

 

Another SN: When deciding colors, you want to save the darker color for the top layer in order to ensure the true colors show.  For example, the pink wouldn't have shown on top of the navy, and for DIY, you have to consider the supplies and our ambidextrious-ness or lack there of!

 

These pictures indicate where I used the scotch tape to cover the pink and allow for a clean break between colors.  I painted two coats of the 'ROAD HOUSE BLUES' then waited about 30 minutes to pull off the tape.  Afterwhich I painted one coat of top coat, then fell asleep shortly thereafter.

 

 

 

 

This shot was taken prior to me falling asleep, about 5 mins after the top coat was applied.

The morning after on the way to work, I liked the contrast with my bold patterned wrap dress from the GAP.
 

If you are a DIY manicurist, this should be simple and fun.  If not, give it a whirl, it will be fun, make sure you have the remover handy just in case! 

Great FACE Friday - How did you do that?!

Good Day my followers and fellow bloggers! 
I am loving the winter break I have been on and believe me I am taking it all in!!!!!  My house is sparkling, I have been on lunch dates, lounged around in sweats on the sofa, spent all day on Pinterest and much more and My Face is Great!!

As I stroll about, through the streets of Minneapolis and surrounding Metro Area I am often asked how did you do that?!  First of all I admit, I was born with it... Surely I jest! haha.. I then tell them I do this, that, and the other. 

Well for those of you that have always wondered what it takes to get this great face... pay attention, take notes and put your seat belts on! The faces below were created by the steps to the right of themm; the products and a glimpse of action.

**Disclaimer:  I do not buy expensive makeup, I actually USE my makeup, and my hair was in the middle of drying and on my NERVES throughout these pics.  DON'T judge me!! ***

1. Face using Covergirl. 

First the top liquid powder, next the simply powder evenly distributed over entire face and under chin in order to prevent makeup lines..

2. Primer using Urban Decay. 

Some use a brush I use my finger, again evenly distributed over the entire eyelid.

3. Eyebrows using Covergirl. 

First brush with one end of the eyeliner pencil, next fill in with pencil, careful so its not too dark!

4. Eyebrows using Covergirl.

I use clear mascara to brush them into shape and they are secured for most of the day.

5.  Eyeshadow using Covergirl.

I suggest, and I always do, begin with a flesh tone color, I like shimmer, your choice.  Since this one is slightly darker than my tone, I apply this to the crease and below.

6. Eyeshadow using Maybelline.

 I am HUGE on blending, so of course I can't leave the top half of my eye bare.  This flesh tone is slightly lighter than my tone so I apply this to the crease and above.  I could stop here for a day look and skip ahead to steps 11 and 13.

7.  Color using Maybelline. 

This is typically how I add color to my eyes.  I decided to go with a purple. This purple is the lighter of the two I will use, so it will go in the middle.  I begin in the middle and make my way up.  Using this angled brush I am able to form an arch with the color that lines up with the arch of my eyebrow.

7. Shading with black using Covergirl. 

To shade in for more of a dramatic look I begin at the outside, again using the angled brush making my way up to align with my eyebrow.  This time I allow for a more narrow gap.  This is entirely up to the eye shape and amount of drama you want for your eyes. If I wanted to skip the purple and do this on the nude eye (after steps 5 & 6) I would go from a day look to a night look.

8. Blending using Covergirl & Maybelline. 

Using my brush by Sonia Kushak, I retreat to the flesh tone shadows from steps 5 & 6. 

The slightly darker is used to blend from the corner of my to the middle of the eye, the slightly lighter blending from right at my arch out to the end of my eyebrow.

9. Clean up with Covergirl.

Using the straight edge of the liquid powder, I clean up all excess eyeshadow.  I do a sweep under my eyes as well.

10. Adding depth using Physician's formula and Covergirl.

Using the biggest powder brush I have I use the Physician's formula on my cheeks (accenting my freckles :D) and a smaller powder brush to add the bronzer as a blush which creates a shadow for slimming my face.  I add this to my nose and forehead and under my chin as well.

11.  Eyeliner by Maybelline.

I LOVE eyeliner.  I like it heavy.  You don't have to use as much, but again the more eyeliner the more drama. I start at the beginning of my lashes and make my way out.  I make the line thicker as I go outward. 

12. Mascara by REVLON.
Mascara is something else I LOVE :).  First the grow luscious (all green) followed by the grow luscious plumping.  This gives the depth and length I want.   ALMOST DONE.... :D

13. Finally LIPS by Jordana and Blistex.

Blistex is my favorite lip balm, nothing special about that. :) I like Jordana because is nude and $1.50 at Walgreens.  I would not do a color on my lip with all of this eyeshadow, however skipping the purple, and lighten up on the black, you could pull of a red, coral, or berry. 

GREAT!!!! I'm done and ready to go. 

Your face is Great GIRL! "woo weew" (the hott mama whistle I couldn't do if I tried! haha)

Please comment your favorite steps and or anything you could add or change regarding my current process.  I would love to hear your suggestions!!!