Think "Biggs"

Howdy,

I know I haven't gotten a post up in awhile, and honestly I don't know when the next one will go up, but this has been heavy on my heart for awhile...

Today's manicure is inspired a wonderful young man that has changed many lives and continues to be an inspiration to others.  On January 22nd of this year, a dear friend of mine lost her youngest brother in a tragic car accident.  The driver of the vehicle was drunk and lost control at high speed.  God's only mercy was that Brice "Biggs" Contreras, a passenger and not driver, was killed instantly and did not suffer.  I have experienced a great deal of death in my life, too much of it alcohol or poor choice related.  But this one was still extremely difficult, just in a different way.  I did not know Brice directly, but I felt like I knew him.  And, I know that he was starting down a very rewarding path when God took him home, but because of a young man's determination to drive under the influence I will never get to meet Brice in this life or see him become a great man that changes the world.  But my difficulties and grief arefor his family.  They have to find a way to make it through each day and he has two newborn nephews that will never feel his warm touch here on Earth.  His older nephew keeps asking when he'll be back from Heaven.  Tragedies such as these CAN and SHOULD be avoided.  If you drink, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not drive.  Nothing may happen, or you may make many people's worlds stop turning.

The base color of this inspired manicure, OPI DS Magic (which by the way applies beautifully and I adore), was actually given to me by Brice's mother and as soon as I saw it I knew that the first manicure I did with it had to honor Brice (and each after would remind me of him).  He loved the Dallas Mavericks and this blue just screams of Mav spirit.  The stamping is done with Orly Luxe faded into Orly Dazzle and Konad Image Plate m83.  I know the Mav's colors do not include gold, but hear me out (besides it's not obvious at all).  The pattern reminded me of both plants and fire.  So I used the gold and silver to be representative of it all.  Why plants and fire you ask?  Well, Brice was showing immense growth at the time of his death and he has caused immense growth in others.  Also, Brice had an inner fire that spread to those around him anytime he was around.  He was warm and caring, a friend to all.  How do I know this if I never actually met him myself, you ask?  Because I know people that knew him and he made a difference in them.

The world needs more people like Brice and fewer people driving drunk.  Please think before you get into a car under the influence or not, you are in control of a weapon that can end lives.  Please pay attention and be mindful.  Think "Biggs", because you're actions are bigger than yourself.  In April, Brice's family and many friends walked with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to raise funds and awareness.  They are in the process of creating a website for a foundation created in his memory, Think "Biggs".  Please check www.thinkbiggs.org periodically to see how you can help once the website is up and running.


 Thanks & Gig 'em!

Disappointing Changes

Howdy!

Sometimes, I REALLY hate change.  Like when you paint your nails and a color changes after you top coat... In one of my Julep Maven Mystery Boxes I received Taylor and Alicia.  I was feeling summery (because spring is practically non-existent here in Central Texas) the other day and thought that these colors would make a fabulous combination.  I was so thrilled with the base colors on my right hand and added OPI Pirouette My Whistle to my accent nails (ring finger and thumb).  Now I was super excited, but then I starting to topcoat.  And, WHOOSH!  Taylor became a deeper, brighter blue!  Though it was pretty, I was SO disappointed!  It definitely wasn't the color/look I was going for.  Notice the middle finger (topcoated) vs. the index finger (not topcoated) in the picture to the right.  In addition to the color change, the formula wasn't the best.  It was a little transparent and streaky to begin with.

 I decided to go against my unusual pattern habits and do my hands inversely (mainly because I LOVED Alicia, but was so disappointed in Taylor and didn't have time to start completely over lol).  I surprisingly enjoyed the inverse style of the manicure.  Maybe I'll do it again sometime ;)

So, have you ever had a polish change after topcoating or otherwise?

Thanks & Gig 'em!

P.S.  For another polish that changed on me, check out my Jubilee Post.

Get A Grip!

I am working on recovering the tutorials I shot from my camera – apparently it is not compatible with Windows 7, even after drivers run in compatibility mode are installed… grrr.  So, in the meantime I thought it might be nice to discuss our favorite and least favorite brushes and handles.  What do you think?
In this post I am only going to review six different brands’ brushes and handles:  butter LONDON, China Glaze, Essie, OPI, Orly, and Zoya.  I have more brands in my collection, but they are still in my untrieds and I didn’t have time to try them before this post (I’m supposed to be doing schoolwork, shhh, don’t tell my fiancé, lol). 

butter London’s brush seems on the narrow side at first glance, but it is wonderfully supple and fairly thick.  As you can see from the bottom picture the brush spreads out nicely and this is with very little pressure.  I enjoy the brush while painting my nails most definitely.  Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the handle.  It is very short and stubby.  Though not unmanageable, it is definitely not the most easily maneuvered.  To it’s credit, the ridges do help.  Of the six being reviewed, I would say that the brush is my second favorite, but the overall combo ranks number four on my list.


The China Glaze brush has a nice width and the handle is tied for the longest, making it much easier to maneuver.  The brush spreads, but not as extensively as the butter LONDON.  It is fairly soft, as well, allowing for nice contouring around the nail.  Even though the brush isn’t as supple as the butter LONDON the handle is longer and overall the combo make the polish easy to apply.  So, China Glaze rates number three.


The impression that the Essie brush is thin is, unfortunately, quite correct.  Thank goodness that Essie typically has great formula, because their brush and handle both leave something to be desired.  The brush is nicely springy, but just doesn’t have enough bristles to spread out over the nail.  This leads to me too often having to make more dips and swipes than I would like to cover a nail.  The handle is also stubby.  Not as stubby as butter LONDON’s, but it is smooth which makes it harder to hold on to.  Though this is one of my favorite brands of polish overall ever (the brand that started this all), the brush/handle ties for last place in this line up.

OPI has one of my favorite brushes of all time.  Truly.  It is wide, thick, springy, and supple - everything I look for in a brush.  This type of brush is a true joy for me.  I recognize that some may not like this brush's width, though.  I have wide nail beds, so I appreciate it.  If you have more narrow nails, you might try using the narrow side of the brush, or strategically placing your swipe so that you only need one ;)  The handle is among the longest so it is easy to maneuver.  I wish it had some texture or something, like butter LONDON or Orly (coming up next).  I would love that with all of the smooth brushes, honestly.  This is my overall favorite brush/handle combination (I wish it wore better for me! :( I know most people have great luck with OPI, but it just really struggles on my nails).

Orly has my favorite handle overall.  It may not be as long as the OPI and China Glaze handles, but it has a contoured and rubberized grip that makes it quite comfortable to hold and apply the polish.  The brush is on par with the China Glaze brush.  It is very similar in thickness, springiness, and suppleness.  But since the handle is so wonderful, Orly's combo ranks number two on my list overall.


Zoya's brush is on the thinner side and is abnormally short in my opinion.  It does spread out more so than the Essie, but is a little stiffer and SO short.  The handle is not much longer than the butter LONDON handle, but still shorter than the Essie handle.  Thankfully the shape provides an easily maneuverable.  It's about equally frustrating to me as Essie so it falls in the same spot.  Last.

I know that this long, but I hope that it is helpful for some of you.  As usual, feel free to leave comments and questions :)

Thanks & Gig 'em!

Jessica

Some Old NOTDs - Beware Pic HEAVY

I thought I would do a quick post with some of my previous manicures.  Not that any of them are very advanced, but would you like to see any of these made into tutorials or some tips on them?

My first attempt at nail art lol  Essie Sexy Divide and Essie Blanc

This was done with China Glaze Ruby Pumps and Essie Blanc.

China Glaze Stone Cold with Essie Play Date and Turquoise & Caicos

Essie Play Date, Bachelorette Bash,
Fruit Sangria, Blanc, and Orly Blue Collar.
Inspired by Creativenailart

China Glaze Fast Track stamped with
Orly Rose Radience and Konad plate m63
(one of my fave manis EVER)

Orly Goth and Forever Crimson

Tip to cuticle:  China Glaze Spontaneous, Orly Dazzle, Butter London Marrow

Sponged glitter gradient done with OPI Vampsterdam and Essie Carnival

OPI Extravagance stamped with Orly Luxe and Konad plate m36

Orly Steel Your Heart and Essie Tour de Finance
stamped with Orly Dazzle and Konad plate m3

Essie Eternal Optimist
stamped with China Glaze Unplugged and Konad plated m16

China Glaze Strawberry Fields
stamped with Orly Glitz and Konad plate m59

OPI DS Reserve (one of my fave colors)
stamped with Konad White Special Polish and Konad plate m71

OPI DS Reserve stamped with Orly Luxe and Konad plate m18

Pre-clean-up:  Essie Raise Awareness
stamped with Orly Steel Your Heart and Konad plate m63

Zoya Dannii with Butter London Henley Regatta
layered on the accent nail

What do you think?!