Accessorize 'Aztec' and Models Own 'Ibiza Mix' nails

I just don't know how I feel about this Accessorize nail varnish - it's not easy to apply, doesn't cover very well and I'm always massively disappointed when I put the first coat on as it comes out initially a really weird sewage green colour. However when it's on and it's on properly, it is a really nice purple and green duochrome that reminds me of an oil slick. It also has microglitter pigments in it which pick up the light and shimmer as you move your fingers! It seems prone to chipping though, which is disappointing.

Models Own 'Ibiza Mix' is a fantastic glitter polish and layering it over 'Aztec' creates a stunning look full of bling and depth. If anything, it's a little heavy for me (I'm not a massive fan of dark nails) but the duochrome looks so fab under the co-ordinating glitter that I'm willing to forgo it this once! It applies really easily and every stroke has loads of glittery bits in it, of all different shapes, sizes and colours. Next time I'll layer it over a lighter colour and see if I prefer it.

So here we go, first we have Aztec on it's own, and then with Ibiza Mix on top. No flash used in these photos. It's pretty hard to capture on camera but you can kind of see the green hues of Aztec in this first photo.

 

Next, with a flash...

 

Do you prefer Aztec with Ibiza Mix over the top or does it work on its own? Should Ibiza Mix be reserved for lighter base colours or does it work on a darker one?

Nail of the Week - Glitter gradient

I love this look, it's so simple and easy that anyone can do it. All you need is your nail varnishes! I used a base coat/top coat from Barry M, No. 17 Fast Finish in 'Moonstruck' and Models Own Glitter in 'Juicy Jules' (now possible one of my favourite nail varnishes out of my collection!). 'Moonstruck' is a lovely chrome silver and 'Juicy Jules' is a small glittery holochromatic white/iridescent polish.

The inspiration for this look came from various places; I've seen it done a lot recently on blogs and since my first attempt many months ago was so terrible I wanted to see if I could do it better. Secondly, I was in town today looking specifically for a silver chrome nail varnish and when I saw the new Models Own stand in my local Boots had buy one get one half price on nail varnishes, I couldn't resist 'Juicy Jules' to go with it. For my second nail varnish I picked up one that's been on my lust list since I found out about it and I can't wait to play with it - Yep, the Models Own Hed Kandi 'Ibiza Mix'. Eee! I'll do a post with that soon, trust me!

Anyway, on with the pictures. I'm afraid they really don't do the finished nails any justice, I was hoping for sun so I could get some sparkly pictures but alas it's been rainy and overcast all day. If it's nicer tomorrow I'll take some better pictures and update this post. Better pictures at the bottom which actually show you the glittery gradient!

It's so easy to do. All I did was a base coat in 'Moonstruck', then I painted a (thick with polish) line across the top of my nail in 'Juicy Jules' and wipe the excess polish off onto the inside of the bottle. Then I dragged the line down a bit so that it faded out and there was more polish at the top than the bottom. Wait for it to dry and whack a top coat on to smooth it out and voila! Beautiful, shimmery nails.

'Juicy Jules' would look fantastic over pretty much any colour, and I can't wait til Christmas turns up so I can layer it over icy blues and reds and greens! I think 'Moonstruck' would work really well for water marbling, which is something else I plan to try. What do you think?

Updated pictures:

These photos show rather better the act of gradienting the glitter and how it's done. They also show the massive amount of tip wear and chipping on my thumb and index finger - I'm fairly disappointed with that but it's so easy to fix that if I can be bothered I can restore my nails in no time!