China Glaze: Turned Up Turquoise and Your Touch

Hi all! I hope your week is off to a good start. I went to Sally Beauty this weekend and added a couple new colors to my collection. The China Glaze polishes were 2 for $11, so I got a couple AND used my birthday coupon. I already had 2 China Glaze polishes, from the Hologlam collection, but I have not used them.

First up is Turned Up Turquoise, a green turquoise with microshimmer that dries matte (that was surprising). My camera could not capture the true color of the polish, but let me tell you, it is greener than the picture shows.

Dallas Cowboys Nail Art, Part II

Hi all! I decided to try Cowboys nail art once again, since today is their last game of the regular season...and I wanted to surprise Chris with it.

Here is the final result.

New York Color Long Wearing Enamel: Broadway Burgundy Frost

Hi all! I hope you are all having a good weekend so far! I'm very happy, given that the PlayStation Network is finally up and running again. I was able to play Destiny this morning, which was great because it was still a little early and people weren't up yet ;)

I have something new for you today. I decided to try one of my never-worn colors, Broadway Burgundy Frost from New York Color's Long Wearing Enamel line. Well, let me tell you, I really like this color. Despite the name, Broadway Burgundy Frost is neither burgundy nor frosty. It is a red jelly with red microglitter.

New York Color: Fashion Queen 2014 Fall Collection

Hi all! I have a new post for you today, swatches of the NYC Fashion Queen 2014 Fall Collection. It's a little late, given that fall is well over, but I hadn't really used any of the colors (I did use Crown Gold for UCLA nail art). I loved them all, and I'm disappointed that it took me this long to try them out!

FingerPaints: Where Art Renoir?

Hi all! I'm sorry, I was gone again away, this time longer. The reason for this is that I spent (spend) a lot of my time playing Destiny. Chris bought a PS4 and the game a couple months ago. I had never played a video game before, so I was addicted. I've honestly been playing more than Chris himself; I don't think he's too thrilled about that haha.

I've been interpreting at work a lot lately - lots of sick kiddos. I'm pretty sure I caught the stomach bug that's been going around during one of my interpreting sessions. I had to leave work early on Friday because the body ache and nausea were too much to handle. This is a little bit of a bummer, since my birthday is in a couple days. We didn't get to celebrate this weekend, but I'm sure we're doing something tomorrow - if my headache is gone.

On to polish. I went to Sally Beauty a couple weeks ago and left with a new bottle of polish. I'd been looking for a black polish with glitter - any color - and I found Where Art Renoir?, a black shade with silver microglitter. I had to have it, and I especially loved the name.

FingerPaints: Titian Tints

Hi all! I have something new for you tonight. As I've said before, I'm going for something other than cremes, so I decided to go with one of my latest purchases from Sally Beauty, a FingerPaints color.

Here is Titian Tint, a rosy-copper shade with a metallic finish.

Nail Art: Tribeca Silver + Through the Grapevine

Hi all! I have something new for you today. I feel like I haven't done any nail art recently, so I decided to try something out tonight. The colors I chose for this look were New York Color Tribeca Silver and Wet n Wild Through the Grapevine.

This is the final result.

SinfulColors: Black on Black + All About You

Hi all! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families! Chris and I didn't get to do much since he worked, so we're saving our turkey for Sunday. A little late, but we'll get to have our Thanksgiving meal.

I have a new post for you tonight. I decided to go with black and gold again. I've been using Wet n Wild's Black Creme recently, especially since it is very shiny. For tonight's manicure, I used SinfulColors Black on Black on Black, followed by All About You.

Here is the final result.

Update + my fur baby had surgery

Hi all! Again, I'm sorry it's been a little while since I last posted.

I know I haven't been blogging very long, but I kinda lost sight of why I started Nails with Nessa. Lately, instead of "Oh, I wonder what I'll post tonight," I've been thinking something more along the lines of, "I have to post tonight." I think I just have to keep in mind that I started this as a fun project, and that I enjoy share my experiences while learning from others. I did try some nail art this weekend - UCLA again - so I'll post about it soon!

On another note, my Lady just had surgery. It was originally scheduled for last Wednesday, but Dr. N postponed it. Lady had a couple mast cell tumors, and was prescribed prednisone to shrink them - that way it'd be easier to get margins. Anyway, she had surgery yesterday and is home now. I took today off to stay with her, and it was a tough day. She hates her cone, is in a lot of pain, and isn't really eating. Not to mention, I managed to hurt her while trying NOT to hurt her. I feel incredibly helpless, and I'm starting to wonder if we did the right thing. I know things seem pretty difficult right now, but I'm trying to remember that it was for her health. I guess it doesn't really help knowing that what we thought was a wart on her eyelid is actually a mast cell tumor, apart from the fact that she's got one around her neck, and another one that is starting to grow on the right side of her body. The tumors that were removed were sent to the lab, so we're expecting a pathology report next week.

I can't wait for her to recover and to see her happy once again.


Do you have pets? If so, have they ever needed surgery (something besides spaying/neutering?) Did you feel helpless as you saw your fur baby in pain, as I do now? Let me know, because I'd love some reassurance. Thank you!

Wet n Wild: Halloween 2014 Limited Edition Collection: Happy Hour Hop

Hi all! I have something new for you tonight. I know it's been a little while since I last posted, but this week was a little busy. I decided to start running again (for the millionth time), and I've been going to the gym and running on the treadmill, but I hate it. I hate nothing more than running on a treadmill. It's boring, it's repetitive, and it's draining. I think it's a mental thing. Anyway, the weather in Kansas is below freezing right now and I decided to run outside a few times. Let me tell you, it is hard, especially when it's windy and you're running headwind. I really couldn't have picked a better time to start (cue the sarcasm), especially twice a day.

On to nail polish. Tonight I went with Happy Hour Hop from this year's Wet n Wild Halloween collection, a shimmery royal purple with gold flakes. I used 3 coats in the picture below.

Black and Gold

Hi all! After last night, I still wasn't completely sold on Purple Pizzazz Frost. This morning, as luck would have it, the purple color started to peel off my thumb. Well, this was a great reason to remove the color and go for another bottle, or two.

I went with Masked Beauty from the FingerPaints Masquerade Affair collection, and Black Creme, a Wild Shine shade from Wet n Wild. I was called to work today (it's my day off), and I didn't have too much time. I went with something ultra simple: an accent nail with a different color.

This is the final result.

NYC Long Wearing Enamel: Purple Pizzazz Frost

Hi all! I know it's been a little while, nearly 2 weeks, since my last post! I am really sorry for that. I had previously been using Chris' camera, a Sony Cybershot, for the blog, but I was constantly frustrated with it. I felt that the colors were always off, and there was no automatic macro setting; as long as I zoomed in, I would have macro.

That really bothered me, so I chose to buy a Sony Alpha a500 Mirrorless camera. It's a compact system camera, so I can manually adjust many of the settings. I am still figuring it out, so I don't think my pictures will be the best at the moment, but I hope I can learn more about my camera and hopefully take a photography class!

Anyway, onto the main subject of this post. Tonight I have Purple Pizzazz Frost from New York Color. It is a purple color with blue microshimmer.

Through the Grapevine + Matte Me Crazy

Hi all! I decided to try something a little different for tonight's post. My main color was Through the Grapevine by Wet n Wild from the Megalast line. I have used this color before, and it is one I really love.

These are the nail polishes I used for tonight's look.

Lexington Lilac, Through the Grapevine, Pink Bling, Matte Me Crazy

SinfulColors: Peppered Amazon

Hi all! Tonight I wanted something on the brighter side, not a fall shade, so I went with a color I've only used once, Peppered Amazon by SinfulColors.

Peppered Amazon is a Shamrock green with silver shimmer. I used two coats in the picture below.

Pit Bull Awareness Day!

Hi all! I have a something new for you. Today is Pit Bull Awareness Day. It is a day to appreciate the dogs who are a part of our family! I decided to try nail art for the occasion.

Here is the final result.

Wet n Wild: Wild Shine Summer Festival Collection - Gyp-Sea Green

Hi all! I have something for you tonight. Wet n Wild released a limited edition collection, Wild Shine Summer Festival. I'd already used Spitfire and Ferris-Wheel Romance, and tonight I decided to use Gyp-Sea Green.

Gyp-Sea Green is a mountain meadow/keppel jelly.

Wet n Wild Fast Dry: Buffy the Violet Slayer

Hi all! I have a something new for you. A while back, I bought a Wet n Wild Fast Dry color, Buffy the Violet Slayer. I have loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a very, very long time, and I had to have this nail polish.

Buffy the Violet Slayer is a purple/violet shade with (micro?)shimmer. I thought it appropriate to add the "B" from the BtVS logo using French White Creme from the Wet n Wild Wild Shine line. It's so far to the left because I thought I wouldn't have enough room...lol.

UCLA Football Nail Art

Hi all! I have some new nail art for you today! I'd been wanting to try UCLA nail art for some time now, but I was a little intimidated. I finally got around to it today, since we played -and beat- Cal today! (I went to ONE football game when I was a student. I cared more about soccer back then.) Well, I started last night and I almost gave up, but the idea of giving up was far worse than trying and getting it wrong.

This is the final result. It's not too terrible, right?

I used the following colors for my UCLA nail art.

SinfulColors Twilight Twinkles and Let's Meet
NYC Quick Dry Crown Gold
NYC Long Wearing Enamel Boat Basin
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Cinnamon
Wet n Wild French White Creme.

FingerPaints: Are You Gogh-ing My Way?

Hi all! I have a new post for you today. I took a little trip to Sally Beauty today to see if they had any good nail polishes on clearance, but I saw nothing that piqued my interest. However, I did take a look at the FingerPaints display and I fell in love with Are You Gogh-ing My Way? by FingerPaints.

It was Monet Money again. I had to have it, since I LOVE Vincent van Gogh. I've loved his art since the 4th grade, and his tragic life story always struck me. I've been watching Doctor Who for a while now and one of my favorite episodes is Vincent and the Doctor. (I liked Amy in this episode, though I'm generally NOT a fan.) Anyway, I saw this color and it seemed to be a perfect fall shade.

Are You Gogh-ing My Way? is a lovely China rose creme. I used two coats.

SinfulColors Under 18 + Wet n Wild Black Creme

Hi all! I have another post for you tonight. I decided to use SinfulColors Under 18, which I first swatched a couple weeks ago. I acquired this red-orange shimmery polish during one of Walgreens SinfulColors sale. I feel like I keep stumbling upon colors I haven't seen before, which is why I always buy in twos or threes when there's a sale.

Here is Under 18 once again. My nails are a bit shorter than the last time I used it.

SinfulColors: Gold Medal

Hi all! I have a new post for you today. I convinced Chris that I needed to go to Walgreens (SinfulColors sale!), and I treated myself to a new color, SinfulColors Gold Medal.

Gold Medal is a soft gold metallic polish. It is part of Mirror Metallics 2013 Collection.

Milani #1 Hottest Pink + Wet n Wild Black Creme Nail Art

Hi all! I have a new post for you today. I used another untried, #1 Hottest Pink from Milani, which I combined with Black Creme from the Wild Shine line by Wet n Wild.

Here is #1 Hottest Pink by itself. It is a bright pink with microshimmer.

The formula for #1 Hottest Pink was a little difficult to work with. It was very runny, runnier than I expected, so I continually flooded my cuticles. It was a little sheer after one coat, so I applied a second. I liked the brush, which was thin and long. Normally, a brush like this gives me better control, but since the polish was so runny, I had a slightly harder time.

SinfulColors: Why Not

Hi all! I have a new post for you tonight. I've been a little busy, plus I get tired really early, and I get cranky if I don't get to bed by a certain time. I feel like an old woman.

I decided to try an untried color tonight, SinfulColors Why Not, a cyan creme.

Mani Monday

Hi all! I have something new for you today! I decided that I will try new nail art quite regularly, especially with nail polish I don't use very often. Tonight, I decided to go with two unused colors, Caught with My Khakis Down from Sephora by OPI, and Pink Promenade Creme by New York Color.

I started off with Caught with My Khakis Down, which is apparently a khaki green creme. I swear, I thought it looked like gray. Seriously, I had it stashed with the other gray in my collection, NYC Sidewalkers. Chris also thought it was gray. I bought this when I went a little crazy in Kansas City.

FingerPaints Nail Art: Masked Beauty + Queen for a Night

Hi all! I have a new post for you, and I did some nail art! This time it's just regular (is there such a thing?) nail art, and not sports-related.

I'd been itching to try something with the FingerPaints Masquerade Affair collection. I hadn't had a chance to use it, but tonight was the night.

Nina Ultra Pro: Mariachi

Hi all! I have a new post for you. Considering that today is October 3rd, I had to honor this special day by wearing pink, even though it's not Wednesday.

I chose Nina Ultra Pro Mariachi, a folly-colored jelly. I've only used this polish once, when I did the post on my manicure routine a couple months ago. It is really bright, and I think it flatters my skin tone. Not gonna lie, I bought this because of the name. I'm Mexican and I love mariachi music! I used 2 coats in the picture.

Revlon ColorStay: Fall Mood

Hi all! I have a new swatch for you, Fall Mood from Revlon's ColorStay line. The line has been discontinued (and replaced with the Gel Envy line), and I picked this one up when Target had them on clearance.

Here is Fall Mood, a copper-bronze-gold shade with a metallic foil finish and tiny little silver flecks.

Nicole by OPI: What's the Mitch-uation?

Hi all! I have a new mani for you! Last night I used Wet n Wild Haze of Love, but unfortunately, it started chipping bright and early. I was not thrilled, as I just started using the Revlon No Chip Top Coat. It didn't even last a full day! Not to mention, Haze of Love also bled onto the brush - like with Copper Elements, so that made application a tiny bit hard.

Tonight, I have for you What's the Mitch-uation from the Modern Family collection by Nicole by OPI. I think it was released sometime last year. This made me very happy, as Modern Family is one of my favorite shows. My favorite character is Gloria. As a fellow Latina woman, I relate to her on many levels, and she's hilarious. I found this blue-leaning purple shimmer nail polish at TJ Maxx, and it was a steal.

Wet n Wild Megalast: Haze of Love

Hi all! I am so, so, incredibly sorry for not posting! Ever since I started work, I've been going to bed by 9-10pm. I like to get my 8 hours of sleep, especially since I'm waking up at 4:55am to make to the gym. It's been tiring, but great. I am seriously an old lady though. If I'm not in bed by 10:30 at the latest, I get cranky.

Just a little update: Work has been exciting. The best part is when I get to translate for parents who don't speak very much English. It's very rewarding to be able to help them understand what is happening with their children's health.

Anyway, I have a new mani for you. I bought Wet n Wild's Haze of Love from their Megalast line at Walgreens this past week. It is a burgundy creme, and seems to be a great choice for fall. I used 2 coats in the picture below.

FingerPaints mani: Copper Elements

Hi all! Here is my next mani, Copper Elements by FingerPaints. It's office-friendly, right?

Copper Elements is a rusty orange polish with shimmer.

SinfulColors Haul

Hi all! It's been a little while since I last posted - I apologize. I have a few new swatches, thanks to the sale at Walgreens. SinfulColors polishes were half off -normally $1.99, sale $0.99. I was able to find a few colors that screamed my name, and I am really pleased with them.

First up is Tokyo Pearl, a white polish with a frosty finish. I used three coats in the picture below.

Spoiled by Wet n Wild: 2 Weeks Sober

Hi all! It's been a few days since I last posted. I've been a bit busy. I started a new job yesterday as an assistant/translator at a doctor's office, and I'm really excited about it! I used SinfulColors Vacation Time, a pastel pink creme, for my first day. I didn't get a picture of it because I did it in a hurry. It didn't self-level and I skipped my top coat, so it just didn't look pretty.

Today, I decided to go with a color I hadn't tried yet, 2 Weeks Sober from Spoiled by Wet n Wild. It is a French lilac creme. I figured it's office-friendly and a good fall shade.

FingerPaints: Masquerade Affair Collection - Fall 2014, Part II

Hi all! A few days ago, I showed you two of the polishes from the FingerPaints Masquerade Affair Collection, Masked Beauty and Queen for a Night. Well, a couple days ago, I picked up the other half of the collection.

I have here for you Ball Gown Glamour and Dance Til Dawn.

Ball Gown Glamour, Dance Til Dawn

New Haul: So Maybe I went a little crazy

Hi all! Sorry I haven't posted the last couple of days. As I last mentioned, Chris is sick, and I've been babying him A LOT. I cooked caldo de pollo for him, a Mexican version of chicken soup - which is my favorite thing when it's cold or I'm sick.

Anyway, we went on a little trip to Kansas City today because there's no Kmart or Big Lots in Lawrence. I went a little crazy and bought a few things.

Wet n Wild Fast Dry: SaGreena the Teenage Witch

Hi all (again)! I did a simple mani today, using Wet n Wild Fast Dry SaGreena the Teenage Witch.

I picked up SaGreena the Teenage Witch a couple months ago, but hadn't used it till now. I'm pretty excited about fall, because there's a whole new range of colors to wear, and so many collections are coming out! I do miss summer and its bright shades though.

SaGreena is a really pretty emerald green with a (micro)shimmer finish, perhaps even a frost finish. (I am still trying to differentiate between these types, so bear with me :))

2 coats

New York Color Quick Dry: A Series - Spring Street + Sidewalkers

Hi all! Here is the next part of my NYC Quick Dry series, and I have the last two colors.

First, I have Spring Street. It is a bright, red-orange creme - kinda reminds me of Wet n Wild's Spitfire, but not as glossy.

3 coats, no top coat

I liked the formula. It was a little on the runnier side, but manageable. It was sheer with one coat, so I added a second. It was still a little streaky, and I added a third coat. Dry time was average, not as quick as I would have liked.

New York Color Quick Dry: A Series - High Line Green

Hi all! The next part of my review series is here. I have NYC Quick Dry High Line Green.

High Line Green is a yellow-toned green creme. It is vibrant and a perfect summer color.

2 coats, no top coat

FingerPaints: Masquerade Affair Collection - Fall 2014

Hi all! I have a couple new swatches for you! It's been a little while since I've done this, as my last couple of posts have been about my NYC Quick Dry stash.

I went to Sally Beauty and found their new fall collection for, Masquerade Affair. I decided to buy just the ones I really wanted, so I went with Masked Beauty and Queen for a Night.

Masked Beauty, Queen for a Night

I first tried on Queen for a Night, a gorgeous blue shimmer/sapphire blue.

2 coats, no top coat

I saw Queen for a Night and I HAD to have it! It has a lot of greenish flecks in addition to the shimmery base. It was very easy to work with, dry time was average. I used 2 coats. I had no issues with staining.

New York Color Quick Dry: A Series - Manhattan

Hi all! The next part of this series is NYC Quick Dry Manhattan.

Manhattan is a deep, red-based plum creme.

2 coats, no top coat

New York Color Quick Dry: A Series - Tribeca Silver

Hi all! The next color in my series is NYC Quick Dry Tribeca Silver.

Tribeca Silver is a metallic silver. It is very shiny and sparkly.

3 coats, no top coat

Nina Ultra Pro: Plum of the Earth

Hi all! I have here a new mani!

Though summer isn't *technically* over, I've seen everyone already going for the darker colors.

I used Nina Ultra Pro Plum of the Earth for the first time, and I love it! It is a pretty purple/plum creme that is perfect for fall.

New York Color Quick Dry: A Series - Precious Peacock

Hi all! I have here the next polish in my NYC quick Dry series, Precious Peacock. Sorry for not posting for a few days - one of my best friends was visiting from L.A. and Chris and I took him all around Kansas City.

Precious Peacock is a dark blue-green - almost looks emerald green - polish with a metallic finish.

5 coats (except index finger)

New York Color Quick Dry: A Series - Central Park

Hi all! Today I have Central Park in my NYC Quick Dry series.

Central Park is a pink-beige-peach frost polish. It's pretty neutral, with a little bit of shimmer to give it a kick.

3 coats, no top coat

New York Color Quick Dry: A Series - Columbus Circle Crimson

Hi all! So last week I promised you a series of reviews on the New York Color Quick Dry polishes I own.

I decided to start with Columbus Circle Crimson, a deep red creme.

2 coats, no top coat

Wet n Wild Summer Festival Collection: Spitfire Review

Hi all! I have a new manicure for you and this time, it's a regular mani.

Summer's not over and we still have time to wear bright colors. I decided to go with Spitfire from Wet n Wild's latest summer collection, Summer Festival.

2 coats of Spitfire

Werder Bremen Nail Art

Hey all! I have more nail art - another sports team. This time it's for my favorite soccer team, Werder Bremen from Bremen, Germany. Today marked their return to regular season soccer and I could not have been happier, even though the game ended 2:2 against Hertha Berlin.

The colors I used were NYC Quick Dry High Line Green and Wet n Wild French White Creme.

I didn't take very many pictures; I did this pretty late at night and I was focused on finishing it and going to bed. It was really easy to do.

For the diamond, I cut a diamond out of painter's tape, place it on my nail, and traced along the edges with my little brush.

The heart is pretty self-explanatory - I just cut out a heart, place it on my nail and painted it, then applied a coat of Nina Ultra Pro.

This is the final result.

I messed up the W a little, and the entire design isn't centered on my nail, but I'm not too bothered by it.

Overall, I'm actually pleased with it.

Sporting Kansas City + Nail Art, Again

Hi all! I didn't get to rock my Cowboys nail art very long. There was another autograph session with Sporting KC players. This time it was with Graham Zusi (USMNT, #19; SKC, #8) and Toni Dovale (#9). It took place in Kansas City once again, at a Price Shopper.

I forgot this was happening, until Chris reminded me a few hours before we were supposed to leave. I had to shower, get ready, AND do my Sporting KC and US nail art! Needless to say, it was a rushed morning/early afternoon.

It was a mani under pressure. I didn't have the time to make mistakes, so I had to be very careful. It actually turned out well. I didn't get a picture of the whole manicure, and in case you haven't seen it, this is what it looks like.

The only difference was that instead of a 5, I had a 19, and I had a 9 on my thumb.

Dallas Cowboys Nail Art

Hey guys! I have a new mani for you! I tried something new last night, and I wasn't too pleased with the way it turned out. I thought about changing it, but since it started peeling off, I had to. I blame this on my Nina Ultra Pro Super Dry Top Coat, and I will review it soon.

I'd been wanting to try Dallas Cowboys nail art for a while, since Chris is a massive fan. I decided to try it tonight and I am quite proud of the way it turned out. Here is how I did it.

I used three colors: NYC Quick Dry Tribeca Silver, Wet n Wild French White Creme, and Sinful Colors New Wave.

After applying my base coat, I painted my nails with my base colors.