Day 1 - 3 of the Challenge

To jump right in with Day 1 of the challenge, I started the challenge on October 1st [31 days in the month and 31 days to the challenge, perfection] so I'm gonna have to back track a bit.  The first day was originally posted on FB but then I decided "why the H not?" and started this lovely blog you're viewing now.  Anywhos, onto to the pics.  So I'm re-starting with Day 1 for completeness sake and to have everything in one place so, here we go.

Day 1 the challenge was Red nails.  Tough, right? Well, it wasn't hard to find red polish, just difficult to decide which one to use!  I chose Bordeaux by Essie.  It was a spur-of-the-moment buy and I got it at Walgreen's the night before the start of this whole thing.  I bought quite a bit more polish [which I'm sure we'll see late] but, like I said, it's a new obsession and it warrants attention.

I took pictures of Days 1 and 2 before I fully understood that the general "on" setting on the camera wouldn't turn me immediately into Ansel Adams so we'll just have to deal.  Hopefully, the following days will be better.

Natural light out on my porch [view of the river, not pertinent but def awesome]
Bordeaux by Essie

Another view
Bordeaux by Essie

The red nails were kind of plain with no fun stamps or anything but I thought the red was too beautiful to cover.

Day 2 was a little different.  It was Orange nails and I used ORANGE.  I used an orange that can only be described as day-glo.  You turned out the lights and my nails shone the way.  Traffic cones would be jealous of this orange.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that they were B-right.  And them being bright doesn't actually translate well in these pics.  Like I said, I have a camera that will take great pictures but operator error def played a role here.

Here is what I used:
Alpine Snow Matte by OPI (base coat)
Sun Worshipper by China Glaze and witch stamp on accent nail using
       Bundle Monster (BM) plate (#?) and Konad special Black Polish
All covered by 1 coat of Seche Vite Fast Dry Top (SV)

I'm pretty sure that orange won't be used much again...it's a little too much for me.  I might try it for TN game day when I'm in Knoxville later this month but only if the challenge allows.   I opted for the witch because Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and I'm so excited that it's right around the corner  because that means Fall is here too! Football, brisk breezes, beautiful foliage.  Mmmm....okay, pics.

Inside w/flash

Natural light w/o flash

Me trying to get a good close-up pic of the witch and it not working well 

With Day 3, I have finally figured out how to best use my camera [well, at least a little better] thanks to my wonderful brother, Sammers.  I asked him what the best setting to use would be and he said, "Uh, macro?".  I'll tell you, that kid is a genius.  I think the pics are a little better anyway.

So today the challenge was Yellow nails.  While yellow usually makes people look jaundiced, sickly, and next to death, I actually think the yellow I picked with the gold glitter worked rather well.  Especially considering I had an accent nail that I painted to resemble candy corn! Hello, Halloween candy.  I've missed you.  Here are the pics of Day 3 and here is what I used...

Two coats of Electric by Revlon on all nails [except the accent]
One coat of Set the Stage (gold glitter) by Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear
One coat of SV

Accent nail:
White on White by China Glaze (two coats)
Used scotch tape to tape off for the yellow (Electric by Revlon)
Coat of SV
Taped off for tip (Cross Iron 360 by China Glaze)
Final top coat of SV

And yes, it was quite a bit of work, but I'm supremely happy with the turnout.  However, let's pretend not to notice how outrageously dry my hands are...it happens this time of year.  I moisturize but I have to wash my hands so much at work that all my good work is negated.  Oh, and also, with the closer up pics you can totally see my poor cuticles.  I didn't realize how bad they were until looking at these pics! I'll work on it, folks.  Promise.

Outside in natural light - the sparklies don't really translate well here...much nicer IRL

One of my candy corn accent nails...
It's been a rough day at work, let's not try to dwell too much on the wear and tear at the tip.  

More natural light. Pictures will only get better, folks.  I promise.

That's the end of the first 3 days...what did you think?  Oh yeah, here is the challenge...

Feel free to be creative right along with me! Let's hope I can keep up w/painting my nails every night...and learning to take better pics...oh yeah, and working my crazy busy residency.

Hope every one has a blessed day and I'll see you again tomorrow!