I have seen this manicure a bunch of times so I decided to give it a go. For the matte, I used Knock Out Cosmetics’ Flatte Black. And I used Chanel’s Black Satin for the rest. I feel a little guilty about using Chanel, but in my defense, it was a gift (from me to me, cause I deserve it).
It is official. The Old Gray Lady endorses black nail polish. And not just any black, ten different shades of black. The New York Times reports that indie nail polish company Strange Beautiful is launching the Dickensian Volume — a set of 10 deceivingly dark and metallic shades.
I can’t figure out where to buy this on the internet; otherwise, I would link to it. But it is probably for the best as I am trying to stop buying everything I blog about. So for now I will stick to my current favorite black nail polish.
Sophistique Noir is hosting a blog event on August 1st — the theme is hats.
I was so excited to hear about this, I rushed out and got a manicure to match a few of the hats I’m going to blog about.
Here is a teaser. My manicurist was afraid my nails looked too “Halloweeny.” Perfect! We are off to a good start. Check back on August 1st to see the hats. And join in on the fun at Sophistique Noir.
Quick blurb on the pictured hat — it is very old and in disrepair; I will not be blogging about this one. I would like to get it fixed at some point though; it has a lot of potential.
These nails are hot off the presses.
Somewhat difficult to get used to the white nails, but cool effect.
Here’s how to do it.
1. Get some newspapers;
2. cut into strips;
3. dip finger in alcohol, preferably absinthe (you can actually use any alcohol);
4. press strip onto nail;
5. pull off slowly;
6. oooh and ahh;
7. repeat steps 3-6;
8. apply top coat so the print doesn’t smudge; and
9. make yourself a Death in the Afternoon.
Tiny top hat tip — Eperdu
Source — Passion Nail Art
Today is the first day of Sophistique Noir‘s Red & Black Week. So, it was time for a manicure and some outfit pics. And then off to the bookstore.
The three-strand black jet bracelet is by Disce Mori. It is subtlety spooky (there is a mouse bone on the clasp, bwahaha). But it is fancy and lovely enough to wear on just about any occasion. The red bracelet is from the bottom of the jewelery box. It is just tinfoil encased in red plastic. The black dress is a Suzabelle dress that was on sale at a local shop.
The bag (it’s black and red, but hard to see the red in the pic here) is based on the novels/manga series about a school-aged girl named Haruhi who has magic powers. The story has also been adapted for television — ”The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.“
This little guy was sitting in the garden. Aww. Maybe a sign of good luck? He’s a crazy bone.
Sephora by OPI Chic Print Cosmic Stars
After seeing stars on Sophistique Noir‘s nails, Siouxsie decided she needed stars too.
So Siouxsie tried Sephora’s nail decals, and is now hooked.
They took a little getting used to at first. But they have been on for days, and are still going strong. Well, most of them are. Two were removed after gardening. But those nails were painted black, and look just fine with the rest.
Black and white nails with black and white striped tights.
Close up of the black and white triangles.
Jet bracelet: Disce Mori/Julia deVille; dress: Piazza Sempione; boots: Fluevog; skull ring: my drawer; striped tights: my drawer; black rubber bracelet: Hot Topic
Dear Siouxsie,
I recently found myself at a local drugstore, filling a prescription, when a display for Sally Hansen’s Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color caught my eye. Now, I haven’t tried anything from the Sally Hansen brand since I was a babygoth, but something about the very cheap price ($3), the impulse purchase placement, and the color I had been looking for anyway (#37 Wet Cement) did its magic on me, and before I knew it, I had purchased a bottle.
I returned home and promptly applied the SHHANXWNC to my fingertips. No base coat, no top coat, just pure SHHANXWNC. I noticed that it went on a little thicker than most polishes, and that it took longer do dry. I didn’t think much of this.
It has now been a solid week, and I can’t help but notice that there isn’t even a tiny chip in thepolish. I had an average week of going to work, running errands, giving the dog a bath, and flailing around to Sisters of Mercy…. normally by now, my polish would be completely chipped off in a number of places. But I haven’t touched it up or anything, and it’s good as new.
My questions for you:
1. Will my nails always be this color from now on?
2. What the hell have I put on my hands?Seriously, it’s getting a little weird.
Yours,
Amelie Nocturneps…. upon closer examination – by which I mean, with a magnifying glass – there is the tiniest little sliver of a chip on my right index finger’s nail. It’s still creepy, though.
Dear Amelie –
First, I want to put your mind at ease. All Sally Hansen’s nail polishes are Big 3 free. So even if the polish stays on forever, you don’t have to worry about dangers from dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toulene. Second, gray goes with everything. An article on the gray nail polish trend in O, the Oprah Magazine states: ”We’re in a time of big changes in the world, and [basics like] gray represent stability. Gray nail polish also suggests uniqueness; wearing it, you’re making a statement about being a bit offbeat.” (Source) That sounds pretty great.
The condition may be permanent, but it could be much worse. Thankfully, you didn’t try an earthtone. Gray would look good with some skull nail decals (pictured). Or, you could make your own buy biohazard decals to put on your nails. The biohazard stickers would look cool and warn people of the dangers of Sally Hansen.
Siouxsie encourages you to keep using Wet Cement. Embrace the gray. Siouxsie, however, will probably go with Flirt.
ADDED:
Biohazard Nail Decals -- Yay!!!
Siouxsie is addicted. Nail polish, and some painter’s tape from now on.
Mug — By artist T. Trove
Book — Meat Cake
Nails — MAC Black As Night; Illamasqua DWS and Muse
Cardigan — Miss Ferriday
Very busy with work, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to spend a lot of time trying to recreate a triangle manicure.
Items needed: Two different colors of nail polish (Siouxsie used Illamasqua’s Phallic and Snap); patience; and blue painter masking tape.
Blue Painter Tape
Plus Illamasqua Nail Polish
Equals FABULOUS
UPDATED:
Tiny Top Hat Tip to Berny
