Sophistifunk with Zoya Sophisticates

I thought I'd already published this post, but the nail art only made it to Instagram...oops!

The nail art today walks the line between sophisticated and completely gaudy. So I've dubbed it "sophistifunk" (in honor of Outkast). Makes sense for the collection from Zoya I'm reviewing today - Sophisticates.

I used Tabitha and Gal from Sophisticates for the colors in this look. Then, over Gal I used a black from Konad to stamp the reptilian pattern with the Winstonia W101 plate. Finally, I cut and laid this small gold chain around the edges of the stamped nails to top off the gaud. I'm really curious about everyones' opinions on this...gaudy or nah?

Regardless of how you feel about the nail art look, the Sophisticates collection has a color for everyone, so let's take a look at the swatches.

Zoya - Beth

Beth (2 coats) is definitely unique and sophisticated. It's a pretty mauve with a rose gold shimmer.

Zoya - Elaine

Elaine (2 coats) is a cool, dark chocolate brown. It's silky smooth, like most of the cremes in this collection.

Zoya - Gal

Gal (2 coats) is a metallic, almost like a tarnished green silver. There are flecks of gold sprinkled throughout as well.

Zoya - Hadley

Hadley (2 coats) is a smooth and super dark teal denim creme.

Zoya - Hera

Hera (2 coats) is a cheerful yet muted medium rosy creme. When I say "medium", I mean it's not too light, not too dark.

Zoya - Joni

Joni (2 coats) leaves the rosy realm that Hera inhabits, leaning more deep mauve. Like the others, the creme is super smooth.

Zoya - McKenna 

McKenna (2 coats) is a medium cool nude with a slight pearl finish. VERY slight, but there nonetheless. (You can see it best in the vertical lines along my ring finger in the image.)

Zoya - Mona

Mona (2 coats) is a beautiful, rich, dark maroon creme.

Zoya - Padma

Padma (2 coats) is the darker sister of Hera. It's a little more of a red-tinged dark rosy creme.

Zoya - Presley

Presley (2 coats) might be a new favorite neutral for me. It's a light-medium mauve creme. I thought it would look terrible on me, but its softness was stunning after all.

Zoya - Tabitha

Tabitha (2 coats) inspired the nail art for Sophisticates. Its dark, forest green metallic finish reminded me of dragon scales, so the sophistifunk nail art was born.

Zoya - Yvonne

Finally, Yvonne (2 coats) is a dark, brickish red creme polish.

Regardless of how you feel about the nail art, Sophisticates should definitely spike interested in some. Whether you're a creme addict or a metallic junkie, there's a color for everyone. Pick up your favorite from Zoya.com here!

The products in this post were given for review purposes. The reviews are based entirely on my experience with the products and were in no way influenced by anyone.

OPI Fifty Shades of Grey Collection - Review, Swatches and Sultry Nail Art

This Valentine's Day, every single woman between the ages of 18 and 65 will be in the movie theater, eagerly awaiting the release of one of this year's most anticipated films...Fifty Shades of Grey. I feel terrible for the staff that has to clean up the seats after the showings.

This controversial film is based on the trilogy series of the same name. I tried my best to read it, and a little ways into the first book, I could honestly say I was enjoying it. Then he gave her the contract, and I had to shut it down. It was too awkward to sit in bed and read those words. So, I won't be paying for the movie either.

What I would be happy paying for however is the OPI collection released for the movie premiere. This collection only contains 6 shades, and after organizing them in my stash, I realized I didn't have many greys, so it was the perfect addition!

I was really looking forward to the nail art for the collection. I'd seen Fleury Rose's ripped tights nail art and knew I needed to recreate it...with a few racy additions.

I added the sexy lip bite and suggestive chains in honor of the adult content Fifty Shades of Grey is all about. Everything was done freehand, as usual. All the colors used (except the black and white detailing) are from the OPI Fifty Shades of Grey Collection, so let's see them on their own.

OPI - Cement the Deal

Cement the Deal (2 coats) is a cool, medium grey creme shade. It's a little darker than my picture shows. It was the base for the lip-biting nail art on my thumb.

Gold Chain Born Pretty Store Review

Remember my chain nail art tutorial? Well that's a 2D look that you can get with any two colors.

But if you want the true chain effect and you really want it to pop off your nail, then you might consider getting an actual chain to attach to your nails!

Born Pretty Store (BPS) offers several varieties of chains, and today I'm reviewing the 1.6mm gold chain for you!

This chain is 100cm long (about 40 inches), and quite small (1.6mm), running at $2.99 (and their always-free shipping). Use my coupon code, C10X31, for 10% off!

The chain comes in a teeny ziplock bag, but it doesn't come out all tangled like necklaces tend to be.

To apply it to your nails, I recommend using a dab of nail glue, at least on the ends of the chain. To place it, apply it to still-wet nails (I prefer to apply it to the top coat layer rather than the polish layer) so you can position it properly. When it has dried, to being almost tacky, carefully lift the each end with tweezers and dab a bit of nail glue. This will keep your chain in its position, but you can always use more glue if you plan on roughing up the design. And let's face it...this kind of look is begging to be roughed up a little. Rawr!

I'm obsessed with letting the chains hang off my nails in different ways like I've done for this look. It's odd, and not necessarily appropriate for all occassions, but damn...it's awesome!

The colors I used for this look included Sun of a Peach (China Glaze) and Stranger Tides (OPI) with lines of Black Onyx (also OPI). I also did some cutouts of my bare nail.

Which finger do you like the most? How would you wear chains? I've seen some fabulous designs, including Sammy's looks, Lexi's take, and Whitney's! I have another review of a silver look coming soon too.

Thanks BPS for the chains!

Pick your's up here, and don't forget to use the coupon code for 10% off.

 

These products were sent to me by Born Pretty Store. The reviews are based entirely on my experience with the products and were in no way influenced by anyone.

On Beauty High: Chain Nail Art Tutorial

Stop by Beauty High today to see my newest tutorial for these racy chained up nails in my guest post, How to Get Chain Nail Art At Home!

The color I used is from the new China Glaze Sunsational collection, called Highlight of My Summer. 

I used a striping brush for the look on my left hand, but on my right hand, I had trouble getting the same detail with a brush, so I used a black nail art pen. It worked wonderfully!

Get the full tutorial in the link above, and hang around for more to come. 

I've also included the tutorial here!