Flakies

This is kind of a part 3 to my recent posts on Sparkles (here and here), because Flakies are kind of sparkly as well.

I've noticed that online there appears to be heaps of different Flakies available, particularly in Europe (the nail polish centre of the world).  In Straya (aka Australia), not so much.

I have managed to find two:  Australis' Crystal Colour Top Coat - Speck-tacular, and Chi Chi's Crystal Top Coat.

Initially, I tried it over a shimmery blue, using Ulta3's Hollywood (scroll down towards the end here), thinking that I didn't want to be boring and put it on the usual black background.  This worked OK (the pics aren't fab because I didn't really take the time to paint Hollywood on nicely), but I wanted more.

With high hopes of creating an Opal type look, I tried it on top of Revlon's Cloud. Instead, I got a very subtle occasional shimmer if I held my nails in a certain light (here).  Fail.

In rating both types of Flakies, Australis' Crystal Top Coat had lots of big and small Flakies, but took a while to dry and once tried was kind of tacky to the touch.  Chi Chi's Speck-tacular had smaller Flakies, but dried much quicker and had a nice solid finish.

It looks like I will have to try these over top of black, but before I do, can anyone suggest another colour I could use underneath?

NN

Some recent nail creations

Yes, I know, my fingers are shocking. Wonky, dry skin hangy bits and artwork is uneven at best.  But you know what?  I'm having fun anyway - and that's what this is all about. 

Here are a few recent nail creations I want to share.

A combination of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear and Rimmel 60 Seconds products (I'll add the exact shades if requested).  I did the stripes freehand, but discovered later that the way you do this properly is with scotch tape.

Half-moons (with the aid of this tutorial) with Rimmel 60 Seconds - Star Studded and Bluetiful.

I was trying for the mood ring type of look here (see this tutorial at All Lacquered Up).  I think I used Rimmel 60 Seconds - Black Out, Purple Reign, Green with Envy and Star Studded as the shimmery top coat.  A colleague suggested it reminded her of mother of pearl (very flattered!).

Trying out my new Jordana Glitters #1 - for this look I used Revlon - Black Star as the base and Jordana Glitters - Blue Bash.

Trying out my new Jordana Glitters #2 - Rimmel - Sky High base with Jordana Glitters - Blue Bash, Magenta Magic and Lunar Lights.

Trying out my new Jordana Glitters #3 - L-R:  Lunar Lights, Magenta Magic, Blue Bash, Red Flash over top of Revlon - Silver Dollar base.

 

Trying out my new Jordana Glitters #4 - Celestial, Pixie Pink, Gold Glam, LA City Nights over top of Revlon - Silver Dollar base.

Skittles (I'll explain this later) - Rimmel 60 Seconds Instyle Coral and Bonsai . . .

. . . and with Jordana Glitters - Magenta Magic top coat.

Rimmel 60 Seconds - Purple Reign with Chi Chi - Crystal Top Coat.

First time Flakies!  (I luv luv luv Flakies - almost like opal flecks/fire).  This look uses Ulta3 - Hollywood base with Chi Chi - Crystal Top Coat.

So as you can see, I've been busy.

And FYI - I don't have photoshop or anything similar so I can't do much with my pics.  I also don't have a hoovey doovey camera - just a point and shoot - so pretty much WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get).
I am currently trying out Revlon - Cloud as a base, and Chi Chi - Crystal Top Coat, and I will add these photos soon once I've cleaned up my fingers.  With this look, I am trying to create an Opal look.  Stay tuned!

NN