A Gradient?

First, a quick announcement!  My Facebook page is at 541 likes!  As soon as I hit 600 likes, I'm going to host another giveaway!  I've been holding onto this little prize for a LOOOOOOOONG time.  Like a seriously long time.  Like, I bought this prize before I even wrote my first blog post.  So, this is what you'll win- the PERFECT ingredients for a gorgeous jelly sandwich!

OPI My Pointe Exactly, Dollish Polish Domo Arigato Mr. Robato, and Essie Matte About You!

Now, get the word out so we can get this giveaway started!  You can click here to head to my Facebook page, or click in the Facebook box on the right.

Ok, on to today's business.  As I've mentioned before, I wear soak off gels (SOGs) pretty much all the time now.  I've realized that nothing will help my nails grow and stay healthy, so I instead rely on the strength the SOGs give my nails to keep them long.  Normally, I really like my nubbins since I do so much with my hands, but I really wanted to give longer nails a shot without using anything too fake.  Sadly, my skin, nails, and hair are exceedingly dry due to my pretty severe hypothyroidism.  I've had to deal with other issues that hypothyroidism brings along such as fatigue, excessive weight gain, and mood swings, so weak nails was no surprise.  Luckily, I finally have my thyroid levels pretty well under control, and I've been working my arse off to lose the weight I gained during law school.  So far, I'm down a total of 48 pounds with only 10 left to hit my original goal!  However, I have had the damnedest time getting my skin, hair, and nails to cooperate!  Long story short, you'll be seeing a lot of manis with gel polish underneath for a while.  I also plan to start mixing my own gel colors, too, so definitely keep an eye out for those as well!

That diatribe above is to say that, today, we're going to take a look at the gel base mani I've worn under all of my polishes this week!  I've had it on since last Saturday, which is why you've seen so many reds this week.  I used one coat of Red Carpet Manicure Red Carpet Reddy and two coats of Progel Flaming Poker.  

Red Carpet Reddy is a bright red creme.  I love the brush on the RCM polishes because they are shorter than standard brushes making the polish easier to control.  Progel Flaming Poker is a red based polish with red glitters.  It also applied well and had a nice brush.

I love the shimmer in Flaming Poker!  I think this will be a winner for Christmas for sure!

It reminds me of China Glaze Ruby Red Pumps.

Next, I topped it off with a gradient done with Dollish Polish the Many Shades of Mr. Grey.

MSMG is a clear based polish with black and gunmetal silver hexes.  I can't speak to its application since I only did a gradient.  This polish is 100% bling.  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I know I need to keep working on my gradients, so bear with me as I continue practicing.

Check out the closeup.  This whole mani just screams "look at me!"

If you're into soak off gels, you can purchase RCM and Progel at Ulta.  You can purchase Dollish Polish at her shop, Llarowe, and Overall Beauty.  She had a restock this morning, and there are still several polishes available, including the Many Shades of Mr. Grey, so go snag it now before it's gone!  Check on her Facebook and blog for updates and news on new shades and restocks.

What's your most bling-tastic polish?  The Many Shades of Mr. Grey is a contender, but I have a feeling it will get beaten out by Lynnderella Shape Shifter.