Art History & Nails: St. Mark's The Spot from the OPI Venice Collection

It is almost the weekend, are you ready?   This Thursday (night) brings the return of my Art History & Nails series! You may have seen the collection at your local Ulta, but in case you haven't, OPI has released a gorgeous new collection for Fall inspired by Venice.  I have picked up a few shades and plan on getting a few more, but the one I want to show you today is one of the limited edition shades. I am not sure exactly what that means in OPI world...but I did notice my Ulta display only had 3 each of the limited shades and 8 each of the other shades. They aren't more expensive or anything but if you want this shade, I suggest you hurry!   *(Update as of editing this post right before posting my Ulta sold out of this shade. RUN)*

This shade is very difficult to capture, so many of my pictures will have flash. This is OPI's St. Mark's The Spot ($9.50). It is a beautiful royal blue shimmer and it definitely needs two coats to get the perfect depth and richness. Dry time is average and I can get 6 days with minimum tip wear.  

  Now, having been to the Piazza San Marco (just the fancy Italian way of saying St. Mark's Square), I can say that this blue not only reminds me of the brilliant sky above the square but also of the water that floods in when the tide is high, and the beautiful lapis found in the church and the Doge's palace, which border the square.  

  This picture is from my Venice trip. Isn't the sky pretty? I spent a lot of time in this piazza and have many fond memories and stories, including eating some of the best gelato of my life while looking at this view.   

  This is a picture of the polish without flash. The shimmer isn't as apparent but it is still gorgeous! While not a complete Art History lesson with this particular post, Venice is a beautiful place full of art and culture and I am very glad to have had the opportunity to visit as well as glad that OPI has made a collection that is giving me such warm and fuzzy feelings while still being so on trend for Fall. What do you think of this color? Will you be picking up any of the shades from this collection?

Art History & Nails: Malevich

Hey everyone! 

I have something a little bit different for you today. Once upon a time long ago I started a nail blog called Impressionist Nails to coincide with PrettyPanda. I used to do my nails a lot more, but with grad school, I made PrettyPanda the priority when I could update. I've decided to do posts here on nail looks with the premise that I had planned for my nail blog: blog about nail looks and art history together. Having the seven million blogs I do is getting a bit much (exaggeration, but seriously though).

Art is something I am very passionate about. I just finished my Master's in Art Business and I look at my nails as mini-canvases when I have the time to paint them/wrap them/etc. So these posts will be a little mini art history lesson mixed with a nail look!

 My look this week is using nail wraps from SCRATCH. They started as a Kickstarter that turned into a cool nail biz and my brother introduced me to them because he is always on Kickstarter, so they are special to me.

This pattern is currently unavailable (okay, so I may hoard nail wraps until they are discontinued. It is an issue, I know), but easy to recreate with some striping tape and nail polish. Or you can pick up one of their other cool wraps! They often have sales and I like these wraps a lot! Instead of filing off the edges you can literally just pinch the excess off and it looks like the above. I think I did a decent job considering nail wraps are usually unbearable to apply. These took me all of ten minutes. Slap on a top coat and mine lasted for five days with no imperfections. 

 

After wearing these for a day, they began to remind me of cubist/abstract art, so I set about finding a bit of inspiration for this post. It didn't take long for Kazimir Malevich to pop into my mind. I saw an exhibit of his in London and the geometric shapes and minimalism stuck with me.

Suprematism with Blue Triangle and Black Square. Kazimir Malevich. 1915. Oil on canvas. 66.5 x 57 cm. Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 

Above is a typical Suprematist work for Malevich. Simple shapes, lots of blue, black, and white. Although there is a bit of Mondrian in the design of the nail wraps, I am focusing on the blue/black motif. 

Suprematism is an art movement founded by Malevich that focuses on geometric shapes and a limited color palette that is supposed to represent the purity of how it feels to create art instead of the actual drawing of natural or man-made objects.

Bring that up in conversation and see how fancy you look.

And that, Pandas, is your very mini art history tid-bit and a peep at my nail look this week. Cheerio!

What Would My Julep Custom Nail Polish Color Be? Mindy!

Hey Pandas!
I have a really exciting post for you today! I was contacted by Julep; they are looking for inspiration for a new nail polish color! I thought about it, and here is what I came up with!

(Picture credits to Fox.com, Lilly Pulitzer, and Pantone.com)
Julep has a ton of gorgeous colors that you can see HERE, and they are all named after strong, beautiful, passionate woman. Currently, though, they are missing a 'Mindy'.
My custom nail polish color is inspired both by Mindy Kaling and her alter-ego Mindy Lahiri on her show 'The Mindy Project'. Both Mindy's are smart, funny, and colorful, so I wanted my polish to reflect that.
My dream polish would be a vibrant hot pink cream polish with green and ocean blue shimmer running throughout. It would not be overwhelming glitter because after all, Mindy is a classy and professional OBGYN, but she still knows how to have fun with color in and out of the office.
The blue shimmer is also representative of the color of her scrubs on the show, as well as Danny Castellano's, because, well, we can't forget her cuter than cute love interest!
A pretty hot pink base with an unexpected pop of green and blue that positively glows in the sunlight would be the perfect 'Mindy' color, and for me as well!
I also want to invite you to enter the Julep New York Fashion Week Sweepstakes!! You can win a chance for you and your BFF to go to New York with a $5,000 shopping spree, a $500 Uber credit, and to attend a fashion show! If you enter via my referral link below, you'll be helping me win this as my custom color! A win-win!
Enter HERE!!!
Thanks everyone and good luck!!

A Royal Manicure!

Been curious about my swatches for Pitter Patter from Butter London?  The wait is over! 

 

See what happens when the mother and son duo of Pitter Patter and No More Waity, Katie collide on Impressionist Nails!

  

A Royal Manicure!

Been curious about my swatches for Pitter Patter from Butter London?   The wait is over!  

 

See what happens when the mother and son duo of Pitter Patter and No More Waity, Katie collide on Impressionist Nails!

   

Butter London Pitter Patter

I know posts like this are the reason I have a nail blog...BUT...I couldn't not show you all the amazingness that is Butter London Pitter Patter

Butter London Pitter Patter ($15) won't be around for long, as it was created to welcome the new Royal Baby into the world. Once again, congrats Will and Kate!
This purple polish is true fit for a king or queen and is luxe, metallic, and chic for the upcoming holiday season.
If you are like me and have to have anything Royal Family related, snap this one up! 

Swatches to come!

Butter London Pitter Patter

I know posts like this are the reason I have a nail blog...BUT...I couldn't not show you all the amazingness that is Butter London Pitter Patter

Butter London Pitter Patter ($15) won't be around for long, as it was created to welcome the new Royal Baby into the world. Once again, congrats Will and Kate!
This purple polish is true fit for a king or queen and is luxe, metallic, and chic for the upcoming holiday season.
If you are like me and have to have anything Royal Family related, snap this one up! 

Swatches to come!

SquareHue Serengeti Collection

Hey Pandas! Here is a little preview of what is going on over at Impressionist Nails! I received my first ever SquareHue box, called the Serengeti Collection and I couldn't be more thrilled with these specially curated polishes to start the Fall off right! 

 

I love the way they are presented, in their minimalist bottles with no frills. Polish for the polish lover!

 

 

The colors are Grassland Safari, a lovely cream chartreuse; Swahili Charm, a rich chocolate; and Savanna Sundowner, a metallic olive green.

 

For swatches and more info, see my nail blog: Impressionist Nails, or visit SquareHue.com

 

SquareHue Serengeti Collection

Hey Pandas!   Here is a little preview of what is going on over at Impressionist Nails!   I received my first ever SquareHue box, called the Serengeti Collection and I couldn't be more thrilled with these specially curated polishes to start the Fall off right!  

 

I love the way they are presented, in their minimalist bottles with no frills. Polish for the polish lover!

 

 

The colors are Grassland Safari, a lovely cream chartreuse; Swahili Charm, a rich chocolate; and Savanna Sundowner, a metallic olive green.

 

For swatches and more info, see my nail blog: Impressionist Nails, or visit SquareHue.com

 

First Date at the Golden Gate: Fall's Perfect Red

Even thought the collection launched in late-ish summer, O.P.I's San Francisco polish range sported a ton of cool fall-worthy polishes, with my favorite being First Date at the Golden Gate ($9) a deep cherry red. 

 If you are a nail girl, then you probably own a ton of red polishes, but if you don't...I highly suggest this one.  

 This cherry cream is to die for, applies smoothly, and lasted a whopping 7 days. Crazy. Read more and see more pictures over at Impressionist Nails! 

First Date at the Golden Gate: Fall's Perfect Red

Even thought the collection launched in late-ish summer, O.P.I's San Francisco polish range sported a ton of cool fall-worthy polishes, with my favorite being First Date at the Golden Gate ($9) a deep cherry red.  

  If you are a nail girl, then you probably own a ton of red polishes, but if you don't...I highly suggest this one.  

  This cherry cream is to die for, applies smoothly, and lasted a whopping 7 days. Crazy. Read more and see more pictures over at Impressionist Nails!  

Two New Awesome Green Nail Polishes

Here is what is going on over at Impressionist Nails! 

 Two of my new favorite polishes are making their debut on the blog! Nail Pattern Boldness Flipping Out Hard is a gorgeous matte glitter that is a dupe for the 'floam' nail and... L'Oreal New Money is an unexpected green that is the cheaper version of the very lust-worthy Estee Lauder Absinthe. Enjoy!  

Two New Awesome Green Nail Polishes

Here is what is going on over at Impressionist Nails!  

  Two of my new favorite polishes are making their debut on the blog!   Nail Pattern Boldness Flipping Out Hard is a gorgeous matte glitter that is a dupe for the 'floam' nail   and...   L'Oreal New Money is an unexpected green that is the cheaper version of the very lust-worthy Estee Lauder Absinthe.   Enjoy!    

Wild Wild West Nails with Hex Nail Jewelry

I'm pretty much open to putting anything on my nails, and Hex Nail Jewelry is one of the prettiest things to adorn them lately! 

 I created this modern cowgirl look with Hex Nail Jewelry Gold Horseshoe charm, picture pOlish Tiffany, PIXEL polish Two for Tea, and O.P.I Warm and Fozzy. See more pictures at Impressionist Nails! 

Wild Wild West Nails with Hex Nail Jewelry

I'm pretty much open to putting anything on my nails, and Hex Nail Jewelry is one of the prettiest things to adorn them lately!  

  I created this modern cowgirl look with Hex Nail Jewelry Gold Horseshoe charm, picture pOlish Tiffany, PIXEL polish Two for Tea, and O.P.I Warm and Fozzy. See more pictures at Impressionist Nails!  

Revlon Dazzle

Hi Pandas! Sorry for my extended absence, the stomach flu kept me down, but.... I found this Revlon Brilliant Strength nail color in Dazzle and was very impressed with how it held up on my nails! 

 I love the peachy/pink color, the glitter, and the brush!! To see more swatches, check out my full review on Impressionist Nails! Have you tried this formula? Love it or leave it? 

Revlon Dazzle

Hi Pandas!   Sorry for my extended absence, the stomach flu kept me down, but....   I found this Revlon Brilliant Strength nail color in Dazzle and was very impressed with how it held up on my nails!  

  I love the peachy/pink color, the glitter, and the brush!! To see more swatches, check out my full review on Impressionist Nails!   Have you tried this formula? Love it or leave it?  

Color Club: Almost Famous

While perusing Llarowe, I decided to finally try a Color Club polish. They are inexpensive and I have heard great things, so I picked up the bright yellow called 'Almost Famous', which I love. 

 In two, fairly thin coats, I got a marvelous lemon yellow color that is opaque and so fun for summer! To see more swatches and how I made a fun striped mani out of this, check out the post on Impressionist Nails! Are you a fan of Color Club polish? 

Color Club: Almost Famous

While perusing Llarowe, I decided to finally try a Color Club polish. They are inexpensive and I have heard great things, so I picked up the bright yellow called 'Almost Famous', which I love.  

  In two, fairly thin coats, I got a marvelous lemon yellow color that is opaque and so fun for summer! To see more swatches and how I made a fun striped mani out of this, check out the post on Impressionist Nails!   Are you a fan of Color Club polish?  

Franken Fun: Must Be A Weasley and PineGalaxy Nail Decals

Hey Pandas! You may remember that a while ago, I started to do 'Franken Tuesdays' to show off my handmade Franken Polishes. But, now that I am not keen on keeping a schedule for that, and have my very own nail blog that will soon start to handle all of my nail posts (Impressionist Nails) I have decided to call these posts Franken Fun! and they will be showcased here and in detail on my nail blog. I am actually really excited about this franken, mostly because it is named after some of my favorite people in Harry Potter (and we all know how much I like Harry Potter...) 

 'Must Be A Weasley' was inspired by Draco Malfoy's famous line to Ron Weasley, but is a franken that sums up the entire family. You can see it on all of my fingers by the ring (which is Chanel Dragon). It is a jelly red/orange glitterbomb packed with gold, red, and orange glitter. Not only Gryffindor colors, but very 'ginger' as well! 

 

I think they would approve right?

 

And I do have to mention PineGalaxy's awesome nail decals over on Etsy. On my ring finger is a Gryffindor one, but next time I will use a lighter polish, although I like the tonal quality of it. Her nail decals are so awesome, and she has great customer service!!

 

To see more photos of this franken, hop on over to Impressionist Nails! And many thanks if you do!