Naked November

No, that title doesn't imply that I'm moving to a nudist colony.  Nope, not me.  Just my nails.  It makes me so sad to do it, but I'm going to be taking a month away from painting my nails.  Last summer, my nails were great.  They grew long and strong and had minimal breaks.  I attributed that to using Rejuvacote.  Unfortunately, something in my body chemistry has decided that it no longer wants to play well with Rejuvacote.  My C-curve was becoming less pronounced.  My nails were separating from the skin underneath.  My nails were peeling.  And worse yet, I started to develop bubbles in between the sheets of my nails, which then cause my nails to peel in the middle instead of at the edges.  You'll see what I'm talking about in the photos below.  Another problem I have is that I'm a notorious polish picker.  Apparently, bubbles in your nails + picking off polish = losing several sheets of nail when normally my picking doesn't take off any layers.  So my solution?  To try and go a month without wearing polish.  Please note that everyone's body chemistry is different.  What doesn't work for me may work great for you and vice versa.  My routine isn't the gospel, so do what's right for you!  

I do plan to swatch new stuff once they get in respectable shape, but I won't have any polish on my nails for longer than it takes to get photos.  In the meantime, I'll be dredging up some wicked old photos from last summer, so my reviews may not be that great as it's been a long time since I've applied these polishes.  I'll do my best to accurately portray them, though!  Ok, let's take a look at my routine for this month and then discuss a few giveaways.

Here are my nails currently.  The damage is mostly prominent on my thumb and pinkie on my left hand and my index, middle, ring, and pinkie on my right hand.  There is an example of the bubbles I mentioned above on my thumb of my left hand.  I've INTENTIONALLY left them dry without adding lotion or cuticle oil so you guys can see exactly what they look like in real non-blog life.  I am embarrassed about the state of my nails, so please don't leave any not-so-nice comments, mkay?  I'm well aware that they are a hot freaking mess.

Until the damage grows out, I'll be keeping them cropped low.  The longer I allow them to get while this damaged, the more chance of getting really bad breaks below the quick.  To help curb peeling issues, I'll be using my glass files and sealing the free edge with the shine part of my three-way buffer.  For more information on that, check out Loodie Loodie Loodie's tutorials on how to correctly file your nails.

Glass file for home from Sephora; mini glass file for purse from Model City Polish; three-way buffer from Sally's.

Next up, I'm going to be moisturizing the crap out of my hands and nails.  They are so dry and brittle that they are in desperate need of some TLC, especially now that winter has finally arrived.  Below are some of the items I'll use to help keep my hands moisturized.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser; 365 Days of Color Sunny's Hand Cream, Sunny's Cuticle Balm, and Sunny's Cuticle Oil; Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter; Northern Star Polish Tangerine Honeysuckle Cuticle Oil; Model City Polish Candy Corn Cuticle Oil.

I've also got some random things I'm using to try and boost growth and help with moisture and strength.  Check them out below.

CVS 5000 mcg Biotin (two pills in the morning); plenty of water throughout the day; 365 Days of Color Sunny's Sugar Scrub; Julep Pomegranate Body Scrub; Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover.

So, there you have it!  I'll be showing you guys my progress every Monday through November.  In order to help me get through this month without going crazy, I'm going to hold a giveaway.  This giveaway is a participation giveaway not a like this like that one.  I'm asking that you guys take a photo of your naked nails every day, starting tomorrow, until the end of the month.  I want you to post those photos publicly every night on either Facebook or Instagram and tag it #nopolishnovember #nakednovember @blueeyedlawyer.  If you do it every day starting tomorrow, 11/5/2013, for this month, you'll be in the running to win a very special prize that will be a secret until I announce the winner at the end of the month!  You will be on the honor system.  Please don't disappoint me by cheating.  As Mr. Darcy says, "My good opinion once lost is lost forever."  I know I can't make sure you're all going naked all the time, but that is the goal and spirit of this giveaway.  Be honest and be honorable!  And good luck to everyone as we embark on this scary world that is naked nails.

Second giveaway information - yes, the Depression Awareness giveaway has ended.  HOWEVER, I am currently waiting for confirmation from I Need a Lighthouse on who has donated.  Tomorrow, I will be submitting the donations that were sent to my paypal account.  I'll have photos of that up on my Facebook page.  I appreciate your patience while I wait to get that confirmation in.  Trust me, you guys will be the first to know who the winners are as soon as they're announced!

1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway Prize 5

We're almost to decision day, everyone!  Please make sure that you've entered through the rafflecopter widget, which can be found here.  Today's post will be all about prize 5.  All polishes in this prize were either purchased by me or donated for the giveaway and not for review.  Also, I just wanted to say that all swatches come from my own personal stash.  Everything in the giveaway is brand spankin new!

Here's prize 5 again:

Prize Five

Sponsored by Wishes of a Blue-Eyed Girl, Liquid Lacquer, Polished 10, and Sharla Sells Avon.

LA Girl 3D Purple Effect, LA Girl 3D 3D Silver, Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer Birthday Wishes, Julep Hailee, Liquid Lacquer Teal Tails, Liquid Lacquer Washed Ashore, Liquid Lacquer Stick a Fork in Me, Revlon Heavenly, Avon Eclipse, Avon Super Nova, and Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil.

I only have 3 to show you tonight, the three Liquid Lacquers!  This set is a trio created specially for this giveaway.  Based on the beach, there are two linear holos and one glitter topper.  Let's check it out!

Bottle shots:

Teal Tails

Teal tails is a sea foam green linear holo that flashes teal.  As you'll be able to tell in the photos, it's a real chameleon.  Outside in the sun, it's a vibrant teal, but inside it's a soft sea foam.

Application was like a typical holo.  You have to be swift as you're painting each nail, or you may start to bald or drag.  Otherwise, the consistency was nice and only needed two to three coats for full opacity.

 Indoor lighting.

Dry time was average.  The holo is more noticeable in person than in the photos.


Stick a Fork in Me

I don't really do nudes often.  They don't look right with my skin tone, and I like vibrant and bright colors better.  However, as soon as I saw Stick a Fork in Me in person, it was love.  Fork is a nude linear holo with an orange flash.  Did you see that?  Orange.  Flash.  I've never seen any other nude holos with orange.  It works really well with the theme, too, as it reminds me of sunburned skin from too many hours on the beach.

Again, application was typical to a holo.  I didn't use an Aqua Base, though, but it didn't effect application or performance.

The orange flash is just gorgeous.  I couldn't stop staring at my nails when I wore this beauty.  Seriously unique and so in love!


Washed Ashore

Washed Ashore is a clear glitter topcoat that has teal, blue, gold, and caramel hexes and dots.

Washed ashore is the perfect glitter topper for these two holos.  Over Fork, it reminds me of the waves crashing on the beach, chock full of foam, bubbles, seashells, and other sea creatures.

Application was easy, the glitters were easy to get out of the bottle and easy to place.  Just a great and easy experience all around.

Over Teal Tails, it takes on a whole new look.  It reminds me of looking down into the ocean and seeing all the stuff floating in the sea.

You can purchase Liquid Lacquers at her store here.  Follow Melissa on Facebook and Instagram for news and updates!