Thursday, July 15, 2010

Seashells and peach pearls

Hello ladies,

With the return of the sun today, I could not resist creating a summer manicure with seashells and pearls. I am wearing Tropical Fantasy from Diamond Cosmetics. This polish is a joy inspiring shade, reminiscent of an orange creamsicle. In addition to the sweetness, there are tiny flecks of gold shimmer that interplay beautifully with the light.

I stamped the seashell pattern from Bundle Monster plate BM09. I chose Konad special polish in white. I rested a peach pearl at the hinge of each shell. This would be so much fun for a beach excursion.










I found myself entertained watching a bee balance on a flower the same size as it's own body.

I love how this white butterfly blends into the pink and soft cream of these blossoms.

Application of Tropical Dream was a little tricky, but workable. The polish seemed thicker than the usual Diamond Cosmetics formula. I used three coats, but it may have been opaque in two if I had paused and added polish thinner. I definitely recommend the color, but I would test the polish first and see if it needs to be thinned. Otherwise, paint carefully and all will be well.

I hope you enjoyed the summer look today!

Tropical Dream was sent to me for review. US residents can purchase this polish at diamondcosmetics.com. For those looking to buy Diamond Cosmetics internationally, you can use this reference. For a chance to win a total of 12 polishes and a treatment product, visit the Ladies' Choice of Diamonds Anniversary Giveaway.

Happy painting, ladies!

30 comments:

  1. Oh, this is wonderful! It reminds me of Botticelli.

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  2. Really gorgeous summery mani. I searched high and low for a seashell design on a plate. Finally found one on a Chez Delaney plate (H20).

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  3. This is really pretty! Too bad we can't see the shimmer in these photos. :( And I can imagine wearing it to the beach like you said, except I'd be scared that the pearls would fall off in the salty water! :P

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  4. Jean: Thank you! I think your comment is among my blog favorites. <3

    Millie: Thanks! There are some plates from Chez Delaney on their way to me. I couldn't be more excited! I love the variety of designs on her plates. :)

    aoana: Thank you! *curtseys*

    Joan: Thank you! The shimmer is subtle. I can see a gold flash in the pictures where my hand is sideways. I can see it on the nail and in the bottle. We're basically looking at a creamy orange/peach with a little gold. The polish is kind of like if a cream formula and a shimmer had pretty offspring. I hope that helps. :)

    I've never tested the pearls in saltwater. I change my manicures so often though. I wouldn't mind if the sea took a pearl or two. ;)

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  5. That is extremely cute and summery.
    You are such an inspiration. I'll have to start using my Konads again.

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  6. This is fabulous! The pearl really ties it together.

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  7. This is a really cute mani! Can you tell me where you buy your Chez Delaney plates? Someone told me eBay but I did a search, I came up empty handed. Thanks!

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  8. Very pretty. Would look lovely with a sundress and a hat of course. Keep the sun off of your face.

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  9. Very cute mani for a day at the beach!

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  10. Oooh I love this one! So cute and perfect for summer. It makes me think of what a Florida mermaid would wear :D
    -Lisa

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  11. Pretty! I'm glad you used this one, I thought it looked like a seashell too and then I tried using it and it looked horrible. I think I'll try it again with placement at the top like yours, when I tried it I put them at the bottom. Thanks for the idea!

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  12. Your pictures are so wonderful to look at. Not only are your nail designs lovely and creative, but the nature shots of the bee and the moth/butterfly are wonderful.

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  13. Tropical Dream is so pretty! The design goes perfectly with it.

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  14. those are awesome! I love anything with shells on them. maybe you can do them in pale blue with gold foil shells one day:) Is there a polish that mimics gold foil? good job,have a great weekend xoxo

    http://venuslovesvirgo.blogspot.com/

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  15. Oh wow I love that design! I'm slowly becoming convinced that I need the BundleMonster plates!

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  16. Polish Pig: Thanks so much! I'm so glad you like the look. You do lovely work with stamping. I am in a serious stamping phase right now. :)

    Freshie: Thank you! I love accenting with those little pearls! <3

    Brenda: Thanks! Just in case...this particular shell design is from Bundle Monster, but Chez-Delaney has many more. The Chez-Delaney site is http://www.chez-delaney.com. I recently added this link to my merchant list in my left sidebar. You can click the link there if you'd like. I hope this helps. :)

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  17. Lucy: Thanks so much! This manicure was accented by a sun dress, a gauzy scarf and a parasol. <3

    1xellus1: Thank you! *curtseys*

    cupcakequeen22: Thanks so much! I will be doing more beach manicures in the coming weeks. :)

    Lisa: Ooh, thank you! I think I need to do some blue nails for mermaids too. :)

    Jessica: Thanks! I'm happy to be of help. I really hesitated with how to place these shells. I found when the curve at the top echoed the shape of the cuticle, it seemed the most natural. :)

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  18. Skulda: Thanks so much! You are so dear! Insects and animals seem to love posing for me. <3

    Serena: Thank you! Tropical Dream is the perfect summer color. It would be lovely for a pedicure as well. :)

    VenusinVirgo: I wish there was a perfect gold foil stamping color. China Glaze makes a collection called Khrome that is reported to be really useful for bold, metallic stamping. I have some of the colors and I misplaced them. I am hoping I come across them soon. Otherwise I may repurchase and give the few that I bought away once they reappear. :)

    bellebathandbeyond: Thanks! I highly recommend the Bundle Monster pack. There is so much variety! <3

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  19. aww it`s deffinitely looks so summery! I love summer mani and yours are great!

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  20. You should have advertised M.A.C.'s To The Beach collection with those nails!

    :o)

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  22. How pretty! I always enjoy your flowers as well!

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  23. My first thought was Mac," to the beach" collection. They have some pretty eye and lip shades. Your nails look beautiful and yummy(makes me also think of orange sherbet),and I love the sea shells.

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  24. Very elegant and summery! It also looks a bit classical to me...perhaps a nice manicure for a Roman lady enjoying the beach. :)

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  25. I love the seashell design! It kind of makes me think of the classics and of old hotels, as well, and I think it's ambiguous enough that it could be stamped in a non-seashell context.

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  26. I haven't visited your blog in quite a while. My coworker was talking about nail stamping two days ago, and yesterday a Konad booth opened up in my local mall. This reminded me of your blog. I purchased a single plate, stamper, scraper, and Konad Special Nail Polish in white. After practicing a few times I was able to get the hang of it. It's nothing special, but I have my nails painted OPI's "Light My Sapphire" as a background with two white stars on each nail. I love it! Thanks for being the original inspiring force in what is sure to become an obsession!

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  27. WHOA! This look is growing on me! I cannot see myself wearing orange...but it looks niiice!

    <33 Rena

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  28. This is gorgeous! I love the seashell pattern! ^^ And it's a really nice and unique twist using orange instead of sea-inspired colors to go with the pattern. c:

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