Nailed It: Opi Nail Lacquer Liquid Sand Collection - Can't Let Go

When I visited my suking Nail to Toe nail spa a few months back and was browsing through their nail polish collection, their super-efficient front desk manager Jenny suggested trying out a color from Opi's Liquid Sand Collection. I looked for the Liquid Sand Collection nail polish swatches, and found that this collection has a rough matte, glittery finish. I was hesitant to try it because I always wanted my nails to have a smooth finish, but I'm glad I decided to try it!

- Chiaroscuro : light and dark -

*Chiaroscuro (English pronunciation: /kiˌɑːrəˈskjʊəroʊ/; Italian: [kjarosˈkuːro]; Italian for light-dark) in art is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition. It is also a technical term used by artists and art historians for using contrasts of light to achieve a sense of volume in modelling three-dimensional objects such as the human body.[1] Similar effects in the lighting of cinema and photography are also often called chiaroscuro.* (source)

I took these photos of my hands - nope, make that my nails, hehe - late last year, as it was my first time having matte nails and I planned on blogging about it then (but as you guys know, the blogging part was delayed. Hehe.). :) But the pictures turned out to be more artistic than for 'technical' review, so here they are:

[ I love matte nails. But I haven't found the perfect gray shade yet.]

- Nailed It: Orly's Mysterious Curse -

I've been veering away from my usual reds/browns nail polishes these past few months, and trying out colors that I don't usually choose. I rarely choose blue nail polishes 'coz I think I'm not fair enough to carry blue polish, but this one I really liked!

[ Orly Nail Laquer in Mysterious Curse - Source ]

- Nailed It: Wet 'n Wild's Megalast Nail Color -

I love going to a nail spa for my 'me-time'. Aside from the free internet and relaxing spa music, nothing beats the feeling of having someone pamper your hands and feet - and take out entirely lahat ng dry skin ko sa toenails! Kung ako lang, di ko abot ang toenails ko - at sasakit lang ng bongga ang likod ko! And malamang sugat-sugat ang sides ng kuko ko kakasnip ko ala-Edward Scissorhands with the nipper! (fine, old school nga ako. Hehe.)

Sometimes, I do get tired of salon nail polish colors... so I set out to find colors I really like, then ask my suking ateng manicurista to apply it after my usual cleaning. I went through a gray nail color phase late last year and amassed different shades of gray nail polish... but I couldn't resist picking up this pretty color from Wet 'n Wild's Megalast line aptly called Haze of Love.