Magazine Nail 2.0

Hello! Some of you may remember my post from last year on how to stamp your nails using magazine pictures (HERE). Below is a new and improved method. ENJOY!

Project Time: 30 minutes

What you will need:
-Magazine page
-Scissors
-Clear Polish
-Cup of water
-Tweezers
-Nail File
-Polish Remover
-Q-Tips
1. Cut pattern from magazine into the shape of your nail.

2. Brush a clear coat of polish onto the piece of pattern.

3. Once the pattern is completely dry, drop it into a cup of water. Make sure the pattern side is facing upward. The clear polish creates a barrier that will keep the top dry. Let the pattern sit in the water for 3-5 minutes.

4. Use your tweezers to remove the pattern from the water. Place it downward into the palm of your hand and GENTLY remove the layer of wet paper.  You should now have a thin layer of color and clear polish.

5. Paint a thin coat of clear polish onto the nail that you are placing the pattern on.

6. Place the pattern onto the wet nail and GENTLY slide into place. The pattern can easily tear at this point, so please be gentle.

7. Fold down any access pattern on the tip of the nail and gently file away. Use a Q-tip and polish remover to clean pattern from your skin or cuticles.

8. Brush a coat of clear polish over the nail and WALLAH you're FINITO!

I would LOVE to see your magazine manicure, so please send your pics to davida@oddballdsgn.com or tag me on Instagram: @Graphchic. Enjoy :) 

Upcoming OPI Collections

In conjunction with Sony Picture's re-release of Spiderman (The Amazing Spider-Man), OPI has created an awesome line of  iridescent, vibrant satin and metallic shades.  Including a metallic shatter. I must say, I am definitely OVER the shatter phenomenon. The shades are: Shatter the Scales Your Web or Mine? (frosty warm medium pink), Call Me Gwen-Ever (Orange),  Into the Night (Deep Metallic Blue), My Boyfriend Scales Walls (Not Quite white, but the brightest gray), Number One Nemesis (A deep greenish-grey shimmer) and Just Spotted the Lizard (A metallic mix of golden-green chrome with blue, aqua/teal and pure green duochrome).

This collection is set to release early next Month (May 2012).

OPI is releasing a romantic collection in celebration of Vintage Minnie Mouse. How cute are these. The shades ares:  Nothin’ Mousie ‘bout It (pink sparkle with heart shapes), The Color of Minnie (fuchsia pink), I’m All Ears (Hot Pink), and If You Moust You Moust (pink).

This collection is set to release this Summer (June 1, 2012)

OPI is taking us through a tour of Germany as they set to release this gorgeous array of creamy neutrals and rich jewel tones this Fall. This collection seems like a perfect blend of subtleness, style, and edge. I'm exciting for this collection. The shades are: My Very First Knackwurst, Don't Pretzel My Buttons, Berlin There Done That, Dont Talk Bach to Me, Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!, Schnapps Out of It, Suzi & The 7 Dusseldorfs, Every Month is Oktoberfest, Unfor-greta-bly Blue, Deutsch You Want Me Baby, Danke-Shiny Red, German-icure by OPI.

Which collections and colors are you ready to try?

What I'm Lovin' is BACK!

Oh how I've missed compiling some of my favorite items to share with you viewers. I've gotten a few emails requesting that I continue to showcase my favorites. So without further ado, I bring you my lastest list of MUST HAVES...Enjoy.

1. Revlon Whimsical: I spotted this milky mix of baby blue and copper & pink glitter and immediately thought of Deborah Lippmann's Glitter in The Air. The polish is very opaque, so I pair it with a baby blue base. For $3.75 vs $18, it was definitely worth it.

2. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle: To liven and brighten my face this is my go-to item. I especially love this on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, and brow bone. A lot of my highlighting powders tend to be a little heavy. This MSF is light enough to highlight naturally.

3. MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel: I like to mix a couple of these bronzing drops into my tinted moisturizer for a pretty golden sheen. 

4. Physicians Formula Happy Boosting Blush in Rose: I'm a sucker for adorable packaging so I just had to have this item. This is my very 1st product from them and I am impressed with the pigmentation. This mixture of light & dark pink, and muave give the cheeks a light pink highlighting sheen. It's faint aroma of flowers is what's supposed to cause a sense of happiness, but I didn't notice a change in mood. Overall this is a great daytime blush.

5. Philosophy Falling in Love Perfume: Sweetness in a bottle perfectly describes this fragrance. It's one of my favorite daytime perfumes.

6. OPI Fly: This was my favorite color from the Nicki Minaj's OPI Collection. A true turquoise polish is a must have for the spring.

7. MAC Viva Glam Nicki: Another one of my favorites out of all of the Viva Glam shades. This shade is the most perfect shade of pink.

8. MAC Kissable Lipcolor in Scandelicious: I own other MKLs, but this by far is my absolute favorite. This BOLD and true to color Fuschia is perfect for a lovely night out. The formula is not as glossy as a lipgloss and it has the staying power of a lipstick.

9. Rabito iPhone case: A phone cover this adorable makes every call, email, or text a happy one :0) It comes with a detachable bushy tail that acts as a stand.

(Top to Bottom: Mac Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel, MAC Viva Glam Nicki, MAC Kissable Color in Scandelicious, MSF Soft & Gentle) (Side: Physicians Formula in Rose)

curlBOX: For natural and curly hair

Yahhh another monthly addiction...Curlbox is an exclusive, affordable and effortless way to experience new products for curly hair. Although I truly believe the best way to get results from products is consistant use, this CurlBox may be on to something great. For $25 a month you will receive 5-7 hair samples of hair care products for natural and or curly tresses.

I've finally started seeing results from the brand that I use (Aphogee), so I have no personal need for the curlBOX. However I think it is an awesome concept for women looking for the right hair products.
Check out Curlbox at http://www.curlbox.com/

Cover Showcase: Get the Look

With Wife Extraordinaire Returns Part 2 being released this month, I wanted to showcase the makeup look that I did on cover model, Feven.

Face: MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC45
Cheek: MAC Blush in Pinch Me
Lips: NYX Lip Pencil in Fuchsia, Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Fuchsia
Eyes: MAC Paintpot in Blackground. MAC Pigment in Naked.
Brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud

Miss Piggy for MAC

Miss Piggy has become quite the businesswoman and Beauty Icon over the years. She has her own polish with OPI and now she has collaborated with MAC in what they call "The World's Most Perfectly Pink Eye Shadow." This adorable collection launched today and is available online only.

Her collection includes an eye shadow in Miss Piggy Pink (frosty midtone blue pink), lashes, and an Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapid Black.

I already own the Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapid Black and it is my least favorite eye liner from MAC. It's great if you like a subtle liner or cat eye. It applies very faintly. If you like a more intense liner then I would suggest MAC's Superslick Liquid Eye Liner. Below is a swatch of both to compare.

(Top: Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapid Black - 2 swipes. Bottom: Superslick Eye Liner in On The Hunt - 1 swipe)

Gold Digger Nails

I took NARS Bad Influence and SEPHORA by OPI Only Gold For Me to create Gold Digging Nails.

1. Start with a base coat.
2. Apply 2 coats of NARS Bad Influence.
3. Once dry, apply a full coat of SEPHORA OPI Only Gold for Me.
4. Once dry, apply another coat of SEPHORA OPI Only Gold for Me on the tips of the nail. Apply enough coats to intensify the glitter on the tips. This gives you the digging for gold effect.
5. Apply a clear top coat.

A dupe color to NARS Bad Influence is OPI You Don't Know Jacques. They are pretty much the exact same color.

NARS Danmari Blush Palette

I almost fell out of my chair when I stumbled across this beauty on Sephora.com. A 6 NARS cheek set for $65.00 was an absolute steal. NARS blush is normally .16oz, this palette contains blush sizes as .12oz.

(Top Row: Hungry Heart Duo (1), Orgasm, Desire)
(Bottom Row: Casino, ,Super Orgasm, Sin)

This palette has one highlight, contour/bronzer, and 4 blush colors. All are super pigmented and perfect for the holidays. NARS Orgasm has been on my wishlist for so long. I'm glad I waited because this palette has Orgasm and SUPER Orgasm.

Hungry Heart: Is a highlighting shade made of champagne and tiny flecks of gold shimmer.
Orgasm: Peachy Pink with gold shimmer.
Desire: True Barbie Hot pink (matte)

Casino: Dark Brown with gold shimmer
Super Orgasm: Peachy Pink (but more pink) with big gold glitter
Sin: Beautiful Mauve/Rose with gold shimmer

Overall I LOVE this palette, I give it 5 stars. I think it will make a great Holiday gift for make-up lovers. Check it out on Sephora HERE. I had to wait a couple of days for the item to restock. So be sure to check back if it is sold out.

Beauty Brands Pair up with Breast Cancer Research Foundation for BC Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Every year, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation partners with a variety of companies to produce special products to encourage the public to shop pink for the cure. Below are some of the most adorable items on sale this month.


Clarisonic Skincare Brush - BCA Pink: With every Pink Clarisonic purchase, Sephora will make a donation to help fund the fight against breast cancer.
BUY NOW

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Pink Ribbon Collection. The set features Pink Lip Color and Bellini High Shimmer Lip Gloss
With each purchase, $10 will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®
BUY NOW
 
 

Dogeared 'Give Better - Wish for a Cure' Necklace:
Dogeared will donate a percentage of net profits from every necklace purchased toward fighting breast cancer, supporting groundbreaking efforts by top experts in cancer research.
BUY NOW

 

Sonia Kashuk Breast Cancer Awareness Proudly Pink Brush set - 6 piece set:
BUY NOW

Movado 'Small Bold - Breast Cancer Awareness' Watch (Limited Edition):
Movado will donate $50 from every watch purchased to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, up to a maximum donation of $15,000.
BUY NOW

Upcoming OPI Muppets Holiday Collection

As an 80's baby, I'm sure you can understand my everlasting love for the Muppets. When I saw the preview for the new Muppet movie I instantly had a nostalgic flashback of the days when I watched Muppet Babies on Saturday mornings.

In collaboration with the upcoming Muppets movie, OPI will be releasing a beautiful and sparkly collection for the Holidays.

Polish Titles: Fresh Frog of Bel-Air, Excuse Moi, Gettin’ Miss Piggy With It, Gone Gonzo, Rainbow Connection, Divine Swine, Designer de Better, Warm & Fozzie, Meep-Meep-Meep, Animal-istic, Pepe’s Purple Passion and Wocka Wocka

This collection is set to release on November 23.

Get the Look with Model DaJion

It was a pleasure shooting beautiful model DaJoin for an upcoming book cover. Here is the make-up look that we went for.

Eye shadow: Inglot Cosmetics #450, MAC Pigment in Heritage Rouge (Pro Shade), MAC Saddle
Brow: MAC Stud
Lips: MAC Lipstick in Diva, MAC Lipglass in Clear
Face: MAC Studio Fix in NC50, MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC50

Habitually Fly **SALE**

Habitually Fly is having an awesome sale on their "Go BIG or Go Home" Earring selections, now through Friday at midnight. If you have been watching VHI's Basketball Wives then you would love their collection. Click here to shop the sale.

 

Viewers Appreciation Contest!!!

Diaryofagraphchic has reached over 3,500 views!!! Woohoo so I'd like to conduct another contest just to show my appreciation. To stay within the theme of one of my most popular post (Magazine Nail tutorial), I will be giving away 2 sets of Bebe Nail Polish Kits.

Contest Guidelines:

1. You MUST be following my blog through Google. Sign-up in the 1st box on the left.

2. Simply list 3 of your favorite nail polish brands and colors in the comments box below.

3. You MUST include your name and email within your comment.

3. Winners will be chosen through a generator.

4. Previous winners and followers outside of the USA are welcome to participate.

The first winner will receive this kit

And the 2nd Winner will receive this color kit

Contest Ends on Thursday, July 14

Thank you for participating & viewing!! Good LUCK :0)

Greetings from Dominique. My last contest winner

Habitually Fly Haul

I stumbled across an adorable accessory boutique the other day, www.habituallyfly.com, and I must say I instantly fell in love with a lot of the pieces. I purchased a pair of earrings and a vintage pendant-linked necklace to feed my bow and spike addiction :0) Aside from having uniques pieces, the online store also has great prices and FREE shipping.

Upcoming MAC Collection: OBSESSIONS

9 lucky beauty bloggers had the opportunity to collaborate with MAC to create a lipglass and eyeshadow of their choice. How DOPE is that! This collection will be online only and sold on the MAC website between June 21-August 21. I am loving every single lipglass color.

Get the Look: Doll Face



( computer screenshot)

It was such an honor shooting with one of the most adorable fashion lines to date, Chocolate Couture. And carrying out the baby doll theme was such a blast. Above is one of the make-up looks.



Products Used:

FACE
-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW35
-Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in #4 Dark
-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Medium Deep
-MAC Iridescent Press Powder

EYES
-MAC Eye Shadow in Too Dolly
-MAC Eye Shadow in Saddle
-MAC Naked Pigment
-MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder
-MAC Brow Pencil in  Stud (Brows)

LIP
-NYX Lip Pencil in Fucshia
-Maybelline ColorSensation in Fuschia Fever
-MAC Lip Glass in Pink Poodle
CHEEKS
-MAC Blush in Fleur Power
-MAC Blush in Dollymix