Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Sun Kissed and Konad Nail Stamping

I was pretty bored recently (surprise, surprise... funemployment) and decided to bust out my Konad stamping tools. I had never used them before, so I opted for a very discreet combo -- hot pink on an orange base. I picked out my Konad m57 plate for a leopard print design and watched a few tutorials on YouTube to refresh my memory. It was relatively easy -- I'll post a "how to" eventually... I just have to get better at it first. I was happy with the end result, as it is very subtle, and will definitely do this again in various color combos. Obviously, it's not a perfect application. I made the mistake of applying my top coat before the pink stamping polish was totally dry on my ring finger nail, so don't make that mistake and lose your whole design!

Despite this Sally Hansen polish being really cheap, it wears quite well and I've had about 5 chip-free days so far. I definitely think I can say that it is one of my favorite orange polishes that I own! Not too shabby for a polish I got in a sale for about 99 cents!

Colored Tips with OPI - You Don't Know Jacques! and Russian Navy

In preparation for the formal last week, I decided to spruce up my nails with a modern take on the french manicure using OPI's You Don't Know Jacques! and Russian Navy (which I have the matte version of -- that doesn't matter once you put a top coat on it). I really loved how this turned out and I can't wait to try it with more colors. I feel "chic" and "fashionable" with it on, like I have a little extra something making my outfits better. Isn't that sad? Add that to my long list of issues to talk to my fictional therapist about. But I digress... back to the basics: It's been about a week since I painted my nails and there have been NO, I repeat NO, chips. I think having that extra bit of polish on the end, which I added a couple hours after painting my nails with the base color, really helped reduce any chipping on the ends. I was previously disappointed with this taupe-y brown color, but I really enjoy it in this pairing. Excuse me while I go eat my words.

Essie - Mod Squad AKA Mob Square?

Now that I'm all into all sorts of colors for polish, it feels so strange and boring to rock red or pink on my nails. Luckily, Essie's Mod Squad (also known as Mob Square for some reason?) is not a boring pink at all. It's bright and really cute. Two quick coats and very little clean up. I love it! I got bored while watching TV, so I added a few dots on two fingers with a Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen. When I showed it off to Ryan and asked, "Like?" He responded, "Yeah, it looks good, except for the dot things." Can't please them all...