Chocolate is a lady's first true love.
And, maybe her second craving is for pretty polished nails!? Hmm...I don't know about the latter, but I'm pretty sure I'm correct in my opening statement.
Alright, I better start off with the punchline right away...else you might be wondering a bit too much about my sanity. You were already weren't you? Okay. Fair Enough. These nails are inspired by a chocolate bar packaging for the challenge prompt "Sweets". It's been too long since I joined up with the girls of Nail Crazies Unite. It's possible they've thought I left the tribe...hopefully I'm sweetening my status with this post.
Okay, you might be wondering - which came first? The chocolate bar inspired nail design or the decision to paint my nails with this interesting thermal polish sent to me by the sweet Andreea at Madam Glam? Neither. Hah! Fooled ya'. Actually, my nails began cloaked in a swampy deep green. Huh? Yeah, welcome to my life which has been rockier than usual of late, keeping me from posting all the crazy nail art ideas swimming around in my brain. Ahem. So the green was for St. Patrick's day...and, well no nail art for that holiday this year. Boo.
But -- there's nail art today!! Sad moment over.
Let's take a look at Lady's First, shall we?
On their website, this polish is described as a deep burgundy to classic red shade. I'm not sure exactly why I didn't experience it that way; for me, it has a raisin-brown to orange shift in colors. In view of others' photos showing it as a red shade, maybe my body just runs hotter than most. Nope, not gonna go there. ;)
As usual, I took a ton of photos in different lighting. I did find some of the burgundy color, but only a smidgen of the red. I know it's not my computer monitor - because these photos depict it just like my nails looked in real life. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed playing with this color changing polish, it worked like a charm.
Above: When I was indoors the polish stayed in a pretty transitional state with the cool color on my tips, and the warm color on my nail plate.
Below: Outside in the cold morning sunshine (yesterday), the solid cold color looks just like chocolate on my nails doesn't it?!
Above: A little play at the kitchen sink -- top photo shows a funky transition as the hot water was cooling off. Love those droplets on my middle fingers. Bottom left, started with cold fingers immediately after coming inside (hence I didn't even get a good focus -- oops). Bottom middle, after running hot water over my cold hands. Bottom right, after running cold water over my hands and letting things begin to warm up.
Below: A few more glimpses of the swatches in their natural transitional state.
Very fascinating, yes? And, since I'm at it here's a couple more....because I hear you saying, show them ALL!!
Above: Again, outside in the cool air, direct sunlight. I think I almost see the burgundy in this shot. But...I still have chocolate on my brain (maybe it's because I've been carrying around this chocolate bar with me for the last 24 hours...hmmm....).
Below: In the shade, I found the burgundy! Eureka! The cool blue light had a beautiful effect on the polish color!! Love!
Madam Glam calls their line of color changing polishes Chameleon Gels. This beauty really did behave like an exotic chameleon, changing with the slightest temperatures. It was really fun to wear...distracting, in a good way.
So. Back to the nail art. Just a bit of simple stamping to play up on the design of the tree from the chocolate bar wrapper. I've played with stamping on a thermal using one of the colors to produce a disappearing/appearing effect once before in my Science Is Girly post, remember? Yeah. I had to do it again.
Above: I had just gone outside in the cool air and all but my thumb has turned dark, hiding the stamping.
Below: Back inside, the leaves are visible over the lighter areas of my nails. Very fun!!
The color scheme reminds me so much of a Fall design. I will have to remember to bring out this polish again and try some more Fall colors with it. I think a turquoise or blue with some gold would be striking!
Polish Palette
Nail Prep
Base Coat: UNT - Ready for Takeoff (peel-off base coat)
Base Coat: Melody Susie - Base & Top Coat
Base Coat: Melody Susie - Base & Top Coat
Polish Color
Seal
Top Coat: Madam Glam - No Wipe Top Coat
Matt Top Coat: Gel Len (one photo)
Stamping PlateMatt Top Coat: Gel Len (one photo)
Uber Chic - UC 4-01
Stamping Polish
Clear Jelly Stamper - You Had Me At Chocolate (#31)
Stamper/Scraper
Clear Jelly Stamper - The Big Bling XL Clear Stamper and scraper
**PR Sample Product(s)
I saved my two favorite photos for last.
Above: Using some indirect lighting near a chilly window. This photo reminds me of a warm summer's sunset. The color transition captured is brilliant! Really feeling this shot!!
Below: I thought I'd give a matte top coat a try. Although, overall I preferred the glossy look with this design, but I do think the matte delivers the experience of chocolate the best here.
What do you say? Probably not the first color group to come to mind when thinking on the challenge prompt of Sweets, is it? That word conjures up colorful candies...like jelly beans at this time of year.
As a matter of fact, I wasn't thinking of joining this prompt because I can no longer eat sugar for health reasons. Sadly. It is difficult, to say the least, as EVERY ONE of my teeth is a sweet tooth! So, in my house there is a shelf with an invisible sign that reads, "In case of emergency...". Because c'mon...ladies, the chocolate cravings are REAL!!
So, all in all, I'm glad this polish and this chocolate bar came into my house about the same time. It made for a little extra fun putting together this post. Now, if you'll excuse me...I so deserve to open up that package....I just *need* a little bite...
Mmmmm.....
Mmmm, mmmm......
Till Next Time,
Take a peek at the other talented ladies nail arts for this prompt with the links below.