Holographic Studded Nails (A BPS Review)

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Hello Loves.  Today's mani isn't exactly what I had in mind, but when I started adding these awesome holographic studs from Born Pretty Store to my nails, I just couldn't stop.  This is so outside of my comfort zone, but I love it!  lol

I started with a base of, you guessed it, Couture Little Black Dress.  I then planned to add a stud to each nail and then maybe pair it with some stamping, but the studs kind of took over.  I love the punk, yet girly feel of the final mani!

My photos didn't capture these studs in all of their glory.  They have a holographic finish, so they really light up.  This is just the non-work-appropriate mani I needed to lift my spirits.  ;)

If these studs aren't your style, Born Pretty has several others to choose from. Click here to check them out. Be sure to check out some of Born Pretty Store's other nail art items too!  Use code MANYX31 for 10% off and free shipping. 

~Michelle

*The studs featured in this post were provided by Born Pretty Store for my honest review.  This post uses Born Pretty Store Affiliate links.  Purchases through these links generate commissions that help fund this site.
 

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Simply Studded (A BPS Review)

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Hello Loves.  Today's mani is a simple one, but I absolutely love it.  I'm such a sucker for green and the green studs from the 3mm Crackle Leopard Mini Stud Wheel that Born Pretty Store sent me for review were the perfect accents.

I seriously adore these studs, which is crazy for me.  I'm not a huge fan of animal prints in general, but these don't really look like animal prints to me at all.  They remind me more of a marbled finish.  The black and gold and the black and white are the only two that could be animal print in my mind.  The wheel comes with 4 different colors in two different styles each - round and square.  I took a closeup of the 8 different studs.  They are 3mm studs, so they don't lay completely flat on my nails, but that's the curse of deep c-curves, I suppose.

The only down side to these studs is that they aren't reusable.  The finish is not acetone friendly, so they go from cute little speckled studs to plain silver studs during soak off.  Honestly, though, they're so affordable that it isn't a deterrent for me like it would be with some of my more expensive nail art pieces.

Back to the mani.  The base I chose for this mani is a new one-step gel called PurJoi that hasn't been released on the market yet, but is coming very soon.  The color is called Life.  Stay tuned for a full review of this line as soon as they officially launch.  The black for the accent nail is Couture Gel Polish in Little Black Dress.

Born Pretty Store has a large selection of stud wheels to choose from.  If these aren't quite your style, I'm sure at least one of their other wheels will tickle your fancy.  (Wow...I heard my grandmother in my head when I said that! lol)  Be sure to check out some of Born Pretty Store's other nail art items too!  Use code MANYX31 for 10% off and free shipping. 

~Michelle

*The studs featured in this post were provided by Born Pretty Store for my honest review.  This post uses Born Pretty Store and Amazon Affiliate links.  Purchases through these links generate commissions that help fund this site.
 

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Sultry, Studded Mani with IBD Just Gel Scarlett Obsession

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Hello Loves. A few months ago, I received a package from a friend with this little beauty inside: IBD Just Gel Scarlett Obsession. This one has been on my wish list for a while, so it was a pleasant surprise! Thanks Sarah Jane!  I couldn't resist pairing it with a little bit of stamping and a few studs and crystals.

This mani was inspired by Kim's masterpieces at Ten Little Canvases, though it's no where near as creative as her designs!  She has inspired me so much with her stud and crystal placement manicures.

Scarlett Obsession is a gorgeous, dark, seductive red shimmer that positively glows from within. Application was quite nice. The polish is densely pigmented and is opaque in two-three coats.

I then stamped the ring finger with this incredible script image from the Messy Mansion Scriptorium Plate (MM 24) in Mundo de Unas Black.  For the center accent nail, I created the design with the small golf leaf studs and tiny round studs from In The Nail Room and an SS6 crystal from Ebay.  I added gold leaf studs to the other nails as well to tie it all together.  I'm having so much fun with these super small studs from In The Nail Room.  They're just so versatile!

Want to see a close up of the stud and crystal accent nail?  I'm really pleased with how this one turned out.  :)  Sadly, it is so shiny and blingy that it freaked out my camera.  I couldn't get a crisp shot because the camera kept trying to focus on the light reflections.

What do you think of Scarlett Obsession?  Is it your kind of color?

~Michelle

*This post uses Amazon, Ebay and In The Nail Room affiliate links.  Purchases through these links generate commissions that help fund this site.

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Simple Glitz and Tear Drops with Couture Gel Polish

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Hello Loves.  I have a simple mani to show you today that I absolutely adore!  Sometimes I get carried away with the art and forget that an accent nail and a few simple studs can create a very elegant look.

I started with a base of Couture Paparazzi.  Paparazzi is a deep, slightly frosty, dark pink.  I didn't think I would love this color when I opened the bottle, but I was wrong!  It is such a classic pink!  It also was a dream to apply.  Unlike many frosty finishes, I didn't have any issues with streaking.

The accent nail is Couture Strapless Gown.  Strapless Gown is your basic sliver glitter.  I'm very happy with the application on this one.  Like most of the Couture glitters, it is quite thick so there's no fishing for glitter.  It is mostly opaque in three coats.

I topped it off with a few small round studs and these awesome teardrop studs.  I have no clue where I picked these up - they've been in my nail art stash for years.  Crazy to think I'm just now getting around to using them!

Here's another shot of the final manicure.  So simple, but sometimes simple makes the boldest statements, don't you think?

~Michelle

*The polishes featured in this post were provided by Couture Gel Nail Polish for my honest review.

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Simple Blue Flowers

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Hello loves.  I've been a bit under the weather with a nasty cold, so I opted for something simple this week.  Since this cold has me feeling a little blue, I decided on a deep blue base with frosty flowers.

For this mani, I started with a base of Couture Gel Nail Polish After Midnight.  I have swatched this one before, but I decided to take another swatch picture since the last one is from before I updated my light box and is rather dark.  I think this picture shows the color much better. :)

I then added a few simple flowers and dots in Couture Share My Yacht? with a nail art brush.  I topped them off with a few small silver studs.  Simple, yet effective.

As you may have noticed, I also updated my watermark.  It feels much cleaner than my previous mark.  :)

~Michelle

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