A Year's Challenge: Week 3 - Color Block Mani

I had no idea what color blocking was before this challenge! I googled it and after reading a couple articles and searching images, I had somewhat of an idea. So here is my interpretation of a color block mani, inspired by this photo of Rihanna (photo from teenvogue.com):

Left hand, natural light.

Right hand, natural light.

To create this look I used lots of tiny slivers of masking tape (any low-adhesive tape would work though), small paint brushes, patience, and the following colors:

• Essie - Case Study (base)
• Revlon - Plum Seduction (fuschia)
• Borghese - Capri Coral (orange)

I might have taken the term color blocking a bit literally! I like how it turned out though and I learned something about current fashion trends in the process! :D

To check out the details of "A Year's Challenge" and see how others participating in the challenge interpreted the Color Block manicure, go here.

My Polish Collection Swatches: Part 1, Nail Wheel 109

The numbers in the first photo correspond to the list, which indicates the brand, polish name, line/collection/edition (if applicable), and bottle number. Oh yeah, and FYI, the little red marks above each swatch are how I keep track of the number of coats I used to achieve the resulting color.

Indoors w/flash, wht b/g.

Nail Wheel 109

1. Sally Hansen (SH) Radiant 01 - Lacquer Shine*
2. SH Gleaming 06 - Lacquer Shine*
3. SH Bright 02 -  Lacquer Shine*
4. Essie After Sex 468 
5. Essie  Wild Thing 583
6. Essie  Licorice 56
7. Essie Soiree Mauve 329
8. Revlon Winter Mist - Mini
9. Revlon Cherries in the Snow - Mini
10. Revlon Pink Ice - Mini
11. SH Coral Creme 022 - Hard as Wraps*
12. SH Berry Frost 015 - Hard as Wraps*
13. SH Reflective Rose 16 - Maximum Growth*
14. SH Pure Putty 28 - Maximum Growth*
15. SH Practical Plum 13 -  Maximum Growth*
16. SH  Imagine Coral 48 -  Maximum Growth*
17. SH Vibrant 05 -  Lacquer Shine*
18. SH Luminous 02 -  Lacquer Shine*

Indoors w/flash, black b/g.

Outside (late afternoon), natural light.

Leave a comment if you want to see a full swatched manicure review of any of these  polishes featured  in this series! ! 

* = Discontinued

** = Discontinued and hard to find (HTF)

*** = Discontinued for ages and VERY HTF

My Polish Collection Swatches: Part 1, Nail Wheel 103

The numbers in the first photo correspond to the list, which indicates the brand, polish name, line/collection/edition (if applicable), and bottle number.

Outdoors, natural light, white background

Nail Wheel 103

1. Essie Pink is Powerful 619
2. Maybelline Go Go Green 900 - Express Finish
3. Maybelline Blushing Bride 40 - Express Finish
4. Mary Kay Shock Wave 9V17 - 2000 Watts line**
5. Mary Kay Light Speed AA06 - 2000 Watts line**
6. Mary Kay Lightning 9X16 - 2000 Watts line**
7. L'Oreal Vintage Red 309***
8. Estee Lauder Pink Clouds 60 - Pure Color
9. Estee Lauder Frozen Fantasy 69 - Pure Color
10. Essie Van D'Go 710
11. Essie Topless & Barefoot 744
12. Essie The Cove Copper 605
13. Essie Super Bossa Nova 859
14. Essie Sugar Daddy - mini
15. Essie Sand Tropez 745
16. Essie Rock Candy - mini
17. Essie Pretty Edgy 725
18. Essie Poor Lil' Rich Girl 496

Indoors w/flash, black background

Indoors w/flash, white background

Again, if you would like me to do a full swatch/manicure with any of these colors, just post a comment letting me know which one you would like to see featured in an upcoming blog!

* = Discontinued

** = Discontinued and hard to find (HTF)

*** = Discontinued for ages and VERY HTF

My Polish Collection Swatches: Part 1, Nail Wheel 102

The numbers correspond to the list, which indicates the brand, polish name, line/collection/edition (if applicable), and bottle number.

Outdoors, natural light, white background

Nail Wheel 102

1. China Glaze Nude 827
2. China Glaze Moonlight 622
3. Essie   Neo Whimsical 706
4. Essie Mademoiselle 384
5. Essie Jag-U-Are 581
6. Essie  Case Study 765
7. Essie Be Right Bag 568
8. e.l.f. Royal Purple 90324
9. e.l.f.  Light Pink 1504
10. e.l.f.  Fire Coral 90511
11. Covergirl Chili Pepper 500- Nail Slicks**
12. Covergirl  Candy Apple 550- Boundless Color**
13. Covergirl  Cabernet 360- Nail Slicks**
14. Covergirl  Blue You 573- Boundless Color**
15. China Glaze Scarlet 039
16. China Glaze Salsa 105
17. China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint 867
18. China Glaze Poetic 687- Romantique Collection*

Indoors w/flash, white background

Indoors w/flash, black background

* = Discontinued

** = Discontinued and hard to find (HTF)

*** = Discontinued for ages and VERY HTF

Again, if you would like me to do a full swatch/manicure with any of these colors, just post a comment letting me know which one you would like to see featured in an upcoming blog!