Blue and Green Ikat Nails

Kate's Nails 

Ok, I finally caved and gave in to the Ikat trend.  I really like Ikat prints, but thought they would be way too hard to do on my nails, so I never tried.  But after seeing a bunch of really cute ones this week, I decided to give it a go.  Come to find out, ikat is super easy to do on your nails!  You really can't mess it up.  Now I'm already planning other color combinations to try :)

Polishes Used:

Confetti Lonesome Dove

OPI Don't Mess With OPI

Ulta Blue Streak

China Glaze Liquid Leather

January Birchbox

January Birchbox

It's time for this month's review of the products I received in my Birchbox.  There were some really great products this month.  If you're wondering what a Birchbox is, or if you want to see previous Birchbox posts, click HERE.

Harvey Prince Skinny Chic:  

Finally! I perfume from a Birchbox that I can actually enjoy!  This "zesty blend of apple, mint, and lotus blossom" is really fresh and light.  This is a scent that you could wear every day.  It claims that it helps fight cravings, but I didn't see that effect (or maybe I was just extra hungry today.. who knows?).  

(Full size - $21-55)

LASHEM Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum:

The card and the Birchbox website claim that I got the Gel Serum, but the actual sample I received is the Double Trouble Mascara.  It's a pretty decent mascara.  The sample sized brush is tough to use, but the full sized product is probably much easier to handle.  

(Full Size for the Gel Serum - $69.99)

Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo:

I have blonde and oily hair, so I use a daily clarifying shampoo every time I wash my hair.  So I was excited to get a large sample of this shampoo.  However, when I used it, it felt like I was putting glue in my hair.  It didn't lather well at all, and left my hair feeling stringy.  For a clarifying shampoo, I felt like I left more residue in my hair than any regular shampoo!  It also had a pretty unpleasant scent.  Too bad.

(Full Size - $32)

theBalm cosmetics Hot Mama:

This is a two-in-one blush and highlighter.  It gives a nice, subtle glow, and it flattering to my skin tone.  This could be used every day, or to amp up your regular makeup routine a bit.

(Full Size - $20)

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream:

This moisturizer provides your face with light, non-greasy hydration.  I was very pleased with this product.  I noticed that my skin felt just as good at the end of the day as it did at the beginning!

(Full Size - $42)

If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox (or giving a subscription as a gift!) you can use my referral link here: https://www.birchbox.com?raf=xdgbr

Hot Water Music Nails

Cara's Nails

I have another band inspired mani for you today. This one is in honor of Hot Water Music who I will be seeing live in just a few short hours. This is easily one of my favorite bands of all time (Chuck if you only knew). I used a sponge gradient of Zoya Kelly and Wet N Wild Eboni Hates Chris. I created the HWM logo using white acrylic paint. 

Recent Polish Purchases

Kate's Nails 

I've picked up a few new polishes in the last month or so, and I haven't had the chance to try them all out yet.  So I decided to do some swatches so I could see what these colors looked like on my nails.

First up is Julep's Otte.  This is from the December Julep Maven box (thanks for sharing, Cara!).  It is a warm nude color that leans more to the yellow side of nude.  It's not the most flattering for my skin, but I like it anyway.  This would make a nice base for some nail art!

Next we have Revlon's Enamor.  I have been on the lookout for a while for a "pretty" pink.  Essie has some gorgeous ones, but I wanted something that would only take one or two coats (and in my experience, Essies require 3-4).  I stumbled across this Revlon polish at CVS, and I'm really happy with it.  Two coats gets you full coverage.  My camera has a hard time with pinks, though.  This one is much warmer in real life.

Up next is Ulta's Tutu Cute.  I saw this one on a blog a while ago (can't remember where), and added it to my list of wanted polishes.  I picked it up a few times at Ulta, but never bought it.  Until last week, that is.  I'm pretty happy with this one.  It's similar in color and formula to Spoiled's 2 Weeks Sober (which I use in my Ravens nail art).

Lastly is Maybelline Color Show's Impeccable Greys.  I love grey polishes, and this dark grey is a winner.   It looks a bit muddy in the picture, but it's super smooth in person.  I'll be wearing this one a lot, I'm sure!

Baltimore Ravens Nails - AFC Championship - Baltimore Skyline

Kate's Nails 

Hard to believe that we're at this point again - an AFC Championship against the New England Patriots.  The winner of this game is headed to the Super Bowl!  Last year it came down to one (horribly missed) field goal.  Here's hoping for a better outcome this year!

For my nails this week, I painted the Baltimore city skyline.  My camera had a really hard time capturing these, but you get the idea.  Let's hope the Ravens can bring a win back to Baltimore!

Polishes Used:

Spoiled 2 Weeks Sober

Sonia Kashuk Chocoholic

Milani White on the Spot

Black Acrylic Paint

Striped Concrete

Cara's Nails

I was trying out a different color combo for today's manicure. My base coat is two coats of Ulta Concrete Evidence. This is a color I sought out for what felt like forever and then never actually wore! I really like the color and it covers really well so it will definitely being making its way into my regular polish rotation. I chose polishes with a little sparkle for the striping which I applied with a thin striping brush. I used Essie Jamaican Me Crazy, Orly Halleys Comet, and a no name copper from Cos Bar. Halleys Comet is easily one of my all time most favorite polishes! It just has such a beautiful shimmer! The Cos Bar copper is a deal I picked up from the Target clearance rack.

Color Combo

Cara's Nails

I am on a search for new inspiration! Today's manicure inspiration comes from this little bird decal that I see every single day. The color combination is unique but fun. I honestly cannot believe I have never thought of this before!!

I used 2 coats of Ulta Professional Joined at the Hippo as my main dark blue color. The bird accents nail is a combo of Butter London Slapper, Wet n' Wild On a Trip, Zoya Dana and OPI Don't Talk Bach to Me.