Friday, May 28, 2010

Weekend Funnies



Kaz - I'm trying really hard to tell my Marvels from my DCs - see?




Congrats to my adopted home city of Melbourne, who today got the Guinness World Record for most people dressed as Superheroes in one place!

These are some of the cuties there today -

Photo: Alex Coppel


Ian McKellen's in the hizzouse, bwoi!



I don't watch Idol (Aussie or US versions) so it took me a while to hear about this, but please load the vid, then skip to 4:15 and
kneel to your queen!


Weekend Funnies



Kaz - I'm trying really hard to tell my Marvels from my DCs - see?




Congrats to my adopted home city of Melbourne, who today got the Guinness World Record for most people dressed as Superheroes in one place!

These are some of the cuties there today -

Photo: Alex Coppel


Ian McKellen's in the hizzouse, bwoi!



I don't watch Idol (Aussie or US versions) so it took me a while to hear about this, but please load the vid, then skip to 4:15 and
kneel to your queen!


New Gumleaf Mafi-ettes





With all the upheavals the last couple of months, I have completely failed in my Godmotherly duties and am behind the times with mentioning new members of our Australian polish bloggers community!

Luckily Kaz over at Pretty Random has been on top of things and recruited some new members.

So welcome to -

Sunglasses After Dark (who is soon to be in Australia)
Meg Is A Nail Geek
Less Than A Queen
Bec's Beauty Buzz
Konad-licious
Love Vulcanella

So update your lists, all current Mafia members!
Isn't it nice to see the Aussie bloggers coming to the party?

If you're an Australian blogger who features polish and would like to join the circle, just contact one of our members - we'll
coo-ee! each other ;)

New Gumleaf Mafi-ettes





With all the upheavals the last couple of months, I have completely failed in my Godmotherly duties and am behind the times with mentioning new members of our Australian polish bloggers community!

Luckily Kaz over at Pretty Random has been on top of things and recruited some new members.

So welcome to -

Sunglasses After Dark (who is soon to be in Australia)
Meg Is A Nail Geek
Less Than A Queen
Bec's Beauty Buzz
Konad-licious
Love Vulcanella

So update your lists, all current Mafia members!
Isn't it nice to see the Aussie bloggers coming to the party?

If you're an Australian blogger who features polish and would like to join the circle, just contact one of our members - we'll
coo-ee! each other ;)

Monday, May 24, 2010

Nubar Night Sparkle

I seem to be coming down with something.
I'm hoping it's Disco Fever, Bouzouki Fever, or even the dreaded Bieber Fever, but it's feeling more like a cold or flu.

My eyeballs feel like they're independent of the rest of my skull. It's rather weird.
I bet people would pay assloads to feel like this voluntarily, but I have work in the morning and I really don't have time for a Flu or LSD freakout right now.

So anyway, as I can't seem to blink in unison I'll just leave you to enjoy the pretty pictures of one of the best, most sophisticated glitters (yes, you can get sophisticated glitters!) on the market - Nubar's Night Sparkle...






Oh hey - who brought the pink elephants?

Nubar Night Sparkle

I seem to be coming down with something.
I'm hoping it's Disco Fever, Bouzouki Fever, or even the dreaded Bieber Fever, but it's feeling more like a cold or flu.

My eyeballs feel like they're independent of the rest of my skull. It's rather weird.
I bet people would pay assloads to feel like this voluntarily, but I have work in the morning and I really don't have time for a Flu or LSD freakout right now.

So anyway, as I can't seem to blink in unison I'll just leave you to enjoy the pretty pictures of one of the best, most sophisticated glitters (yes, you can get sophisticated glitters!) on the market - Nubar's Night Sparkle...






Oh hey - who brought the pink elephants?

Friday, May 21, 2010

Weekend Funnies

Ah, the weekend! It's a glorious autumn Saturday morning. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, the leaves are falling. And I have to go to work. Ugh.
Here's this week's funnies and a few of my favourite music mash-ups to cheer me up...



100% passion. 100% danger. 100% cotton.





The Clash vs Stevie Wonder -



The Prodigy vs Dee-Lite -

Groove Is In The Girls from Andy Dunproofin on Vimeo.



Weekend Funnies

Ah, the weekend! It's a glorious autumn Saturday morning. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, the leaves are falling. And I have to go to work. Ugh.
Here's this week's funnies and a few of my favourite music mash-ups to cheer me up...



100% passion. 100% danger. 100% cotton.





The Clash vs Stevie Wonder -



The Prodigy vs Dee-Lite -

Groove Is In The Girls from Andy Dunproofin on Vimeo.



Thursday, May 20, 2010

Nail Art Using 2 Colors on the brush

Nail Art Using 2 Colors on the brush

Nubar Hyacinth Sparkle

Heigh-ho, here's some more of my Nubar Sparkles collection!

Hyacinth is a lovely lavender glitter, but like most of the Sparkles collection, I would recommend you put at least one layer of a similar colour underneath this before applying, or you may have to do 4 coats to reach bottle colour...

I have to admit this is not one of the most exciting colours of the collection, but that's kind of like saying you don't really dig Mr November in a Sexiest Firefighters Calendar. That doesn't mean you would kick him out of bed ;)


Hm. For some reason my camera decided to make this blue-ish in fluoro light. Weird.
Anyhoo - this is still a really lovely glitter. Add a few more points if you like lavender :)

I'm hoping that by the time I've posted my backlog of swatches, my nubbins will have grown out enough for me to photograph. At the mo all my nails are down to the bed. They're quite cute, but much harder to put polish on. I spend a lot more time cleaning up the ends of my fingers especially - polish everywhere!

Nubar Hyacinth Sparkle

Heigh-ho, here's some more of my Nubar Sparkles collection!

Hyacinth is a lovely lavender glitter, but like most of the Sparkles collection, I would recommend you put at least one layer of a similar colour underneath this before applying, or you may have to do 4 coats to reach bottle colour...

I have to admit this is not one of the most exciting colours of the collection, but that's kind of like saying you don't really dig Mr November in a Sexiest Firefighters Calendar. That doesn't mean you would kick him out of bed ;)


Hm. For some reason my camera decided to make this blue-ish in fluoro light. Weird.
Anyhoo - this is still a really lovely glitter. Add a few more points if you like lavender :)

I'm hoping that by the time I've posted my backlog of swatches, my nubbins will have grown out enough for me to photograph. At the mo all my nails are down to the bed. They're quite cute, but much harder to put polish on. I spend a lot more time cleaning up the ends of my fingers especially - polish everywhere!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Nail Art Rising in Europe

Tokyo Nail Expo 2009 - A model shows off her nails, matching her colorful clothing.
After celebrities including Rihanna were spotted wearing elaborate nail art on the red carpet and following reports in various beauty media outlets, this phenomenon previously associated with Japanese beauty trends, European beauty fairs such as the Mondial Spa & Beauté in Paris are now including nail art in their programs.
Longer, 1980s-inspired nails appeared on several runways this season (and Gareth Pugh's show even featured small chains on acrylic nails), and judging from beauty fairs' lineups, nail art usually reserved for the likes of the Tokyo Nail Expo is preparing to enter the mainstream.
For the first time this year, Paris-based Mondial Spa & Beauté (opening March 13) will run an exhibition for nail art and organize a nail art contest under the motto Glam & Rock. Professionals will be invited to take part in the competition, offering their false nail creations live on stage in front of a trade audience.
There will also be a special presentation by nail artist Luc Tuison (of ABC Nailstore), who will introduce the 'stiletto nail,' a technique to make hands look leaner through longer nails, similar to the effect stilettos have on legs.
Other trends dealt with at the event include the medical spa (a fusion between beauty spa and medical practice), sustainable products, LED light in anti-aging, and caramel waxing.

Nail Art Rising in Europe

Tokyo Nail Expo 2009 - A model shows off her nails, matching her colorful clothing.
After celebrities including Rihanna were spotted wearing elaborate nail art on the red carpet and following reports in various beauty media outlets, this phenomenon previously associated with Japanese beauty trends, European beauty fairs such as the Mondial Spa & Beauté in Paris are now including nail art in their programs.
Longer, 1980s-inspired nails appeared on several runways this season (and Gareth Pugh's show even featured small chains on acrylic nails), and judging from beauty fairs' lineups, nail art usually reserved for the likes of the Tokyo Nail Expo is preparing to enter the mainstream.
For the first time this year, Paris-based Mondial Spa & Beauté (opening March 13) will run an exhibition for nail art and organize a nail art contest under the motto Glam & Rock. Professionals will be invited to take part in the competition, offering their false nail creations live on stage in front of a trade audience.
There will also be a special presentation by nail artist Luc Tuison (of ABC Nailstore), who will introduce the 'stiletto nail,' a technique to make hands look leaner through longer nails, similar to the effect stilettos have on legs.
Other trends dealt with at the event include the medical spa (a fusion between beauty spa and medical practice), sustainable products, LED light in anti-aging, and caramel waxing.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

BYS Black Satin


Oh my freaking gawd! If I have to move again in my life it will be too soon.
I'm now firmly ensconced at my friend's house with her 6 cats (she added another one 2 days ago) and wondering how my life has come down to this.
London better be worth it - that's all I'm sayin'...

Anyhoo - let's try to get back to the nails, shall we?
Fashion Addict's Director David sent me BYS's Black Satin quite a while ago, and I'm only just getting round to posting the pics.

Sadly, these nails are now non-existent. I have nub-nubs on all my fingers, thanks to the move. The dream is over. Someone light a candle. Sing a dirge. Slap a Bieber.


I have to say, Black Satin is the best black I've ever tried. Great application - hardly any cleanup. Opaque in one coat, but I used two just to make sure. And plenty glossy on it's own, but in this case I used some BYS UV Top Coat David also sent me...


I've never been able to wear black before on it's own - it just seemed to look gagworthy with my skin. Made the cuticles look really red and florid. But no problemo with this one! I wore it on it's own for a couple of days and it just looked so glam and glossy - so unlike the usual black polish that gets a bad rep.

You CAN rock black polish and not look like a reject from a Twilight convention! Just make your application clean, your topcoat glossy and all will be well.

Now, although the UV Top Coat is indeed glossy, just be careful because the packaging declares it to be "quick drying", but it is NOT a fast dry topcoat (as I found out the hard way :)

I also had no UV light, so I couldn't test out it's glow-in-the-dark qualities. But I assume it looks something like Kelis, here...


Who wants to hit the local disco to find out for sure??

BYS Black Satin


Oh my freaking gawd! If I have to move again in my life it will be too soon.
I'm now firmly ensconced at my friend's house with her 6 cats (she added another one 2 days ago) and wondering how my life has come down to this.
London better be worth it - that's all I'm sayin'...

Anyhoo - let's try to get back to the nails, shall we?
Fashion Addict's Director David sent me BYS's Black Satin quite a while ago, and I'm only just getting round to posting the pics.

Sadly, these nails are now non-existent. I have nub-nubs on all my fingers, thanks to the move. The dream is over. Someone light a candle. Sing a dirge. Slap a Bieber.


I have to say, Black Satin is the best black I've ever tried. Great application - hardly any cleanup. Opaque in one coat, but I used two just to make sure. And plenty glossy on it's own, but in this case I used some BYS UV Top Coat David also sent me...


I've never been able to wear black before on it's own - it just seemed to look gagworthy with my skin. Made the cuticles look really red and florid. But no problemo with this one! I wore it on it's own for a couple of days and it just looked so glam and glossy - so unlike the usual black polish that gets a bad rep.

You CAN rock black polish and not look like a reject from a Twilight convention! Just make your application clean, your topcoat glossy and all will be well.

Now, although the UV Top Coat is indeed glossy, just be careful because the packaging declares it to be "quick drying", but it is NOT a fast dry topcoat (as I found out the hard way :)

I also had no UV light, so I couldn't test out it's glow-in-the-dark qualities. But I assume it looks something like Kelis, here...


Who wants to hit the local disco to find out for sure??

Monday, May 17, 2010

Wanted: Nail Art Submissions

We are looking for submissions from the professional nail art community that would be interested in sharing their most popular nail art design and would like to promote their salon. Submissions should include step-by-step instructions with photos or a voice narrated video. For information on how and where to send your submissions, use our contact form.

Note: This is not a competition and all submissions will be posted.

If you are a nail art suppler, trade school or any other resource to the nail art industry, please contact us for possible inclusion to our resource page.

Wanted: Nail Art Submissions

We are looking for submissions from the professional nail art community that would be interested in sharing their most popular nail art design and would like to promote their salon. Submissions should include step-by-step instructions with photos or a voice narrated video. For information on how and where to send your submissions, use our contact form.

Note: This is not a competition and all submissions will be posted.

If you are a nail art suppler, trade school or any other resource to the nail art industry, please contact us for possible inclusion to our resource page.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Bear With Me...


Hi guys !
Well the move has happened and I'm now squeezed into one small bedroom at my friend's house and can barely get to the bed at the mo, let alone my stash! Just give me a while to get things back on an even keel and I'll be right with you. In the meantime, this should keep you amused...

Ticky, ticky, ticky - weee! Ticky, ticky, ticky - weee!

Bear With Me...


Hi guys !
Well the move has happened and I'm now squeezed into one small bedroom at my friend's house and can barely get to the bed at the mo, let alone my stash! Just give me a while to get things back on an even keel and I'll be right with you. In the meantime, this should keep you amused...

Ticky, ticky, ticky - weee! Ticky, ticky, ticky - weee!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

What Your Nail Polish Color Says About You

Do you think that the color you choose to paint on your nails is merely a reflection of a color you think is pretty? Well, perhaps you should think again.

When you see someone with bright red nail polish, you make a judgment about that person. It may be consciously or subconsciously, but a judgment is made, nonetheless. What about when you see someone wearing black nail polish? I think you see my point.

So, before you give yourself a manicure (or have a professional do it for you), think about what impression you want to make on people. Here's a run-down of what different nail colors say about the wearer.
Variety of nail polish colors (image source: www.losgatosobserver.com)
Variety of nail polish colors

Your Nail Polish Color Palette

Fire-engine Red: You're sassy, self-assured, and not afraid to be dramatic. Bright red is a bold, look-at-me color that is a symbol for passion, fire, and confidence. You love the spotlight, and you take charge of situations.

Hot Pink: You're spunky and energetic. Pink is a color that is associated specifically with women, and hot pink lets you show your spunk and spice.

Pale Pink: Painting your nails pale pink is a subtle expression. You are likely quiet, or at least you don't want to stand out, and youthful. Pale pink is not significantly different from the color of your nails (if you're Caucasian), but you still want to show your soft side.

Black: Painting your nails black is a classic symbol of anti-establishment. It doesn't mean you are depressed or going goth, but it's a way of rebelling against the norm and showing some of the darkness in your personality.

Navy Blue: This is a color of sophistication and authority. Wearing this color on your nails tells people to listen up, because you're in charge.

Aqua (Light) Blue: You're showing the youthful and calm side of your personality when you paint your nails a light blue. Aqua is a cool color, a nonchalant color.

French manicure: You are glamorous and professional. You don't need a whole new color; your nails look good as they are, and you simply emphasize and define yourself.

Magenta: A combination of the reds, pinks, and purples, magenta is feminine but not flashy. You are vibrant and youthful, but you don't need to be the center of attention at all times.

Orange: This color is bright and vibrant, for people who want attention drawn to them. It also symbolizes autumn and the changing seasons: a time of brightness and change.

Dark Brown: A dark and rich color, this shade of brown indicates boldness and authority. You like your nails like you like your men. Just kidding.

Maroon: Maroon is a warm color, a combo of red and purple, retaining the authority of red and the confidence of purple. It's a mature, sophisticated color that, when worn on your nails, invites respect.

Coffee-colored: You are earthy and energetic. Tan and light brown are earth tones, cool colors that bring you closer to Mother Nature.

Green: This color invokes images of vigor and the environment. Going "green" in your nail polish exudes earthiness and spunk.

Deep purple: Purple is the color of royalty. Wearing it on your nails shows you have a confident personality, and you're not afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Lavender: You are graceful and collected. A combination of pink and purple, lavender is feminine and confident without the youthfulness of pure pink.
What does your nail polish color say about you? (image source: www.stargazer-products.com)
What does your nail polish color say about you?

What Your Nail Polish Color Says About You

Do you think that the color you choose to paint on your nails is merely a reflection of a color you think is pretty? Well, perhaps you should think again.

When you see someone with bright red nail polish, you make a judgment about that person. It may be consciously or subconsciously, but a judgment is made, nonetheless. What about when you see someone wearing black nail polish? I think you see my point.

So, before you give yourself a manicure (or have a professional do it for you), think about what impression you want to make on people. Here's a run-down of what different nail colors say about the wearer.
Variety of nail polish colors (image source: www.losgatosobserver.com)
Variety of nail polish colors

Your Nail Polish Color Palette

Fire-engine Red: You're sassy, self-assured, and not afraid to be dramatic. Bright red is a bold, look-at-me color that is a symbol for passion, fire, and confidence. You love the spotlight, and you take charge of situations.

Hot Pink: You're spunky and energetic. Pink is a color that is associated specifically with women, and hot pink lets you show your spunk and spice.

Pale Pink: Painting your nails pale pink is a subtle expression. You are likely quiet, or at least you don't want to stand out, and youthful. Pale pink is not significantly different from the color of your nails (if you're Caucasian), but you still want to show your soft side.

Black: Painting your nails black is a classic symbol of anti-establishment. It doesn't mean you are depressed or going goth, but it's a way of rebelling against the norm and showing some of the darkness in your personality.

Navy Blue: This is a color of sophistication and authority. Wearing this color on your nails tells people to listen up, because you're in charge.

Aqua (Light) Blue: You're showing the youthful and calm side of your personality when you paint your nails a light blue. Aqua is a cool color, a nonchalant color.

French manicure: You are glamorous and professional. You don't need a whole new color; your nails look good as they are, and you simply emphasize and define yourself.

Magenta: A combination of the reds, pinks, and purples, magenta is feminine but not flashy. You are vibrant and youthful, but you don't need to be the center of attention at all times.

Orange: This color is bright and vibrant, for people who want attention drawn to them. It also symbolizes autumn and the changing seasons: a time of brightness and change.

Dark Brown: A dark and rich color, this shade of brown indicates boldness and authority. You like your nails like you like your men. Just kidding.

Maroon: Maroon is a warm color, a combo of red and purple, retaining the authority of red and the confidence of purple. It's a mature, sophisticated color that, when worn on your nails, invites respect.

Coffee-colored: You are earthy and energetic. Tan and light brown are earth tones, cool colors that bring you closer to Mother Nature.

Green: This color invokes images of vigor and the environment. Going "green" in your nail polish exudes earthiness and spunk.

Deep purple: Purple is the color of royalty. Wearing it on your nails shows you have a confident personality, and you're not afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Lavender: You are graceful and collected. A combination of pink and purple, lavender is feminine and confident without the youthfulness of pure pink.
What does your nail polish color say about you? (image source: www.stargazer-products.com)
What does your nail polish color say about you?

Weekend Funnies

In the middle of moving. Kill me now...

Watch the tiger on the left...



This one's for Kaz - PUNCH DANCE!



Well everyone is hailing this as the successor to the Snuggie, so here t'is -



2 more days to go in the house. Cleaning starts in earnest tomorrow.
Pray for me...

Weekend Funnies

In the middle of moving. Kill me now...

Watch the tiger on the left...



This one's for Kaz - PUNCH DANCE!



Well everyone is hailing this as the successor to the Snuggie, so here t'is -



2 more days to go in the house. Cleaning starts in earnest tomorrow.
Pray for me...

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

New Updated Site Design

We finally decided to update our blogs look and feel with a new template and layout. Please feel free to send us any feedback you may have by using our Contact link above and let us know what information, techniques, videos or widgets on the site you would like to see us add in the future.

Thanks,
Brenda~

New Updated Site Design

We finally decided to update our blogs look and feel with a new template and layout. Please feel free to send us any feedback you may have by using our Contact link above and let us know what information, techniques, videos or widgets on the site you would like to see us add in the future.

Thanks,
Brenda~

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Help! Melbourne peeps!


My sofa still hasn't sold and I have to be out of my rental property at the end of Monday!
It's been re-listed on ebay for 99c.
I'm absolutely desperate, here - I need it gone. I have no way to store or transport it.

Anyone in Melbourne want a sofa for a dollar? Anyone?

Help! Melbourne peeps!


My sofa still hasn't sold and I have to be out of my rental property at the end of Monday!
It's been re-listed on ebay for 99c.
I'm absolutely desperate, here - I need it gone. I have no way to store or transport it.

Anyone in Melbourne want a sofa for a dollar? Anyone?

Monday, May 3, 2010

The REAL MWCILTRMND Monday


LOL OK - here's the real thing


Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!


Today's hunk-a-spunk is actor Ian Somerhalder, currently seen in "The Vampire Diaries" as bad, bad, naughty fang boy Damon Salvatore.



Now, I know someone requested him but I can't for the life of me find the email or comment, so whoever you are - this is for you!


As you can see, the man basically makes a living smoldering.
In fact, I'm just gonna start calling him "Smolderhalder".

When you catch him in just the right light, he looks a bit like Rob Lowe, too -


Or in some cases, Barry Gibb...

Yeah...let's forget about that one.


It's hard to make "Ehn!" sexy, but somehow he manages...


Smolderhalder as an over the shoulder boulder holder.


He wouldn't get out of bed for less than $10,000, but $5000 eventually got him to the floor...


"Cabaret" got that much more interesting when Sally Bowles developed a 5 o'clock shadow...

The REAL MWCILTRMND Monday


LOL OK - here's the real thing


Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!


Today's hunk-a-spunk is actor Ian Somerhalder, currently seen in "The Vampire Diaries" as bad, bad, naughty fang boy Damon Salvatore.



Now, I know someone requested him but I can't for the life of me find the email or comment, so whoever you are - this is for you!


As you can see, the man basically makes a living smoldering.
In fact, I'm just gonna start calling him "Smolderhalder".

When you catch him in just the right light, he looks a bit like Rob Lowe, too -


Or in some cases, Barry Gibb...

Yeah...let's forget about that one.


It's hard to make "Ehn!" sexy, but somehow he manages...


Smolderhalder as an over the shoulder boulder holder.


He wouldn't get out of bed for less than $10,000, but $5000 eventually got him to the floor...


"Cabaret" got that much more interesting when Sally Bowles developed a 5 o'clock shadow...