I was just a little bit speechless after I had finished this mani. As always, pics do not do it justice, but have tried to capture the sheer awesomeness of it anyway!
I have been a bit naughty recently and this week, I have ended up a few (edit: a lot) bottles better (edit: or worse) off. One of the gorgeous little things I picked up was Models Own Mermaid Tears, from the Splash collection of topcoats. Kinda wish I'd picked a couple more of them up now!
I started with two coats of L'Oreal The Black Swan and then went and dabbled this beauty over the top. Mermaid Tears is a cloudy purple blue base, PACKED with opalescent flakies. Appropriate seeing as my birthstone is opal (just trying to convince myself of a good reason why I bought it!). The flakes are iridescent on their own - layer them over black, and all of a sudden you are hit with shades of turquoise, royal blues and purples. I have been staring at my nails all day. Even in the middle of a very important meeting......
It is not a smooth finish by any means, even with two layers of topcoat, but the payoff is worth it. You have to dabble the flakies around a little to get a nice even distribution, but it isn't too painful. The photos below go a very little way in showing just how much they shimmer and glow in the light. Reminds me of those very glamorous kitchen worktops in black granite, with lots of sparkly bits in! My inner magpie is much appeased with these nails.
OPI Nail Envy as a base, 2 coats L'Oreal The Black Swan, 2 coats Models Own Mermaid Tears, 2 coats Sall
y Hansen Insta-Dri topcoat.
I have been a bit naughty recently and this week, I have ended up a few (edit: a lot) bottles better (edit: or worse) off. One of the gorgeous little things I picked up was Models Own Mermaid Tears, from the Splash collection of topcoats. Kinda wish I'd picked a couple more of them up now!
I started with two coats of L'Oreal The Black Swan and then went and dabbled this beauty over the top. Mermaid Tears is a cloudy purple blue base, PACKED with opalescent flakies. Appropriate seeing as my birthstone is opal (just trying to convince myself of a good reason why I bought it!). The flakes are iridescent on their own - layer them over black, and all of a sudden you are hit with shades of turquoise, royal blues and purples. I have been staring at my nails all day. Even in the middle of a very important meeting......
It is not a smooth finish by any means, even with two layers of topcoat, but the payoff is worth it. You have to dabble the flakies around a little to get a nice even distribution, but it isn't too painful. The photos below go a very little way in showing just how much they shimmer and glow in the light. Reminds me of those very glamorous kitchen worktops in black granite, with lots of sparkly bits in! My inner magpie is much appeased with these nails.
OPI Nail Envy as a base, 2 coats L'Oreal The Black Swan, 2 coats Models Own Mermaid Tears, 2 coats Sall
Amanda!! I don't know if I should hug you or just drool over these swatches! I've been lemming for all of the Model's Own splash collection since I saw them, now you've actually made me crazy for this! My inner magpie would love this also. Also, I know what you mean about the glitter lay-down. I have 'hot stuff' and its terribly snaggy even with top coats layered on but its stupidly pretty! :) xx
ReplyDeleteGet it, get it, you won't regret it! Listen to your internal magpie. "Stupidly pretty" is a perfect description, especially as I've been gazing at my nails all day, probably looking a bit intellectually challenged :-D
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