NOTD - Rare Species (but I'm bored now!)

So it started life like this, 8 days ago (although this picture wasn't taken that long ago as you can tell from the tip wear!). It's a Nails Inc varnish in "Melrose Avenue" from The Hills Collection.

Then I got bored as I invariably do, but I didn't have time to do a total changeover before I went out on Saturday evening, so I decided to "Konad" my manicure.  I went with the leopard print, because I thought it looked quite funky. Now I know this would not be to everyone's taste, but I like it.  I've had lots of compliments about it too.  Its not the best Konad job I've ever done, but you know what its like. When time is of the essence, you just have to make a decision and live with it.

  Finally, after 8 days of wear on my base colour, it's beginning to look a little tatty.  I can't complain about its longevity!  But I'm certainly due for a change.

Konad. You know, I think its love!

Well, after much faff I got my (official) Konad kit together and started experimenting! (Pics courtesy of The Boy, who is a very patient man and puts up with me and my craziness. Thank You! x)

First attempt; I'm a Tiger, hear me roar - I already had on the InStyle/Nails Inc colour in Beach (a lovely vibrant coral) on my nails and I was desperate to try out the M57 plate. This includes some animal prints and a fishnet pattern, all of which I was dying to try. I used Special Konad polish in white and began stamping.  You can see from the pic that I made a mess of a few nails, but on the whole I was pleased with the result. Not bad for a first go!

Second attempt; - Boudoir - for my second experiment I chose the Nails Inc/Diet Coke shade in London, mainly as I wanted a colour that was almost flesh tone, to show of the fishnet pattern.  I used a dark purple Special Konad polish, but to be honest its so dark, you'd think it was black.  This pic was taken before a slight clean up operation around the nails and obviously, I made a slight cock up on the little finger (mainly), but not so bad I wanted to take it all off and start again. Imperfection I can live with and do on a daily basis. This is my (current) favourite!

Third attempt; Girlie Vamp - I went with a base colour of Blackest Black by Revlon and the Konad Special polish in white to create this look.  You know, I think this is my least favourite of them all.  Nic thinks its because its too girlie for me and she's probably right. In her words, I like the vampy look (yeah, that's vampy not trampy!!).  I cant remember what plate this is. But I found that the designs on the french tip plates are quite wide and I have quite a small nail bed.  As you can see from the pic, the bow just about fitted on my little finger, so for me the design was a little obscured. I will try and get pretty hands, elegant fingers and wide nail beds in my next life!

Fourth attempt; Game for anything! - This is how I look this evening. Yeah, I know its lazy, but I painted over the whole design above with Rimmel Black Pearl. Then as I was hard pushed for time, I used the Konad Special white polish and the M57 plate (I love this one!!).  It looks a bit like a Zebra.Simple and quite striking.  I think that I'm getting the hang of it.  Hopefully I'll have another go over the Bank Holiday weekend, when I have a little more time to play about.  Need a few jolts of creative inspiration, so feel free to suggest some ideas/colour combos to me.

Right enough post bathtime blogging..  I'm off to dry this hair before it turns into a crazy 70's afro ;o)

Ebay/Konad Trauma.

So I've been excitedly awaiting the arrival of my Konad kit, ordered from Ebay on the 20th April. It finally arrived yesterday (bloody volcanoes!) and to my utter disappointment they were very obviously fake!! Totally gutted.  The Boy has contacted the Ebay seller and will post more when I know the outcome.

Suffice to say I'm not happy with being ripped off with counterfeit goods and as this is the first experience I have had with this kind of thing, its particularly annoying .

 Note to self:  if something looks too good to be true on Ebay, it usually is!!