Time to take down the tree, turn off the twinkling lights and say goodbye to another year.  I’m in a bit of a holiday hangover, I don’t want it to be over.  I enjoyed the prepping, the festivities, the family and fun!  Since I’m not quite over Christmas vacation or ready to deal with reality and responsibility I thought I might as well relive it and share my holiday mani’s!

Come Christmas Eve I was so busy wrapping and prepping I still had my leftover holiday party nails, which were def chipping.  So I quickly did this!  In retrospect I wish I would of allowed myself more time and more creativity but c’est la vie!  I knew I wanted red so I used OPI The Spy Who Loved Me from the fall/holiday Bond collection.  I then used Konad White to stamp the argyle print from plate m60.  It was quick and somewhat messy but it was holiday-tastic!

Speaking of those leftover holiday party nails for the office party and annual Nutcracker outing I used Essie Beyond Cozy and China Glaze Winter Holly on my ring and thumb.  Again, I was pressed for time and these were opaque in one thick coat and super short dry time.  Essie’s Beyond Cozy I already knew was going to be a holiday lifesaver, check out quick and easy party hair and nails to see why!

Then came that week in between Christmas and New Years where I was SUPER lazy!  Luckily I was gifted and OPI mini set so I did a simple shimmery red with an accent nail in China Glaze Glitter All The Way.  I would of left this on for new years but I found myself with some extra time on my hands and my sister gifted me the Ciate Sequin Nails Kit so I thought… if there’s ever a time for full on sequin nails, its NYE!

The Ciate set was pretty quick and easy to use.  They provide you with Ciate Sequin Glitter Grip that you use as a base and top coat basically.  First do 2 coats of the grip letting the first coat dry completely and immediately after the second when its still wet dip your nail in the “sequin” (aka glitter).  The dip coats the nail pretty well then just pat it down with your finger and follow with another coat of Sequin Glitter Grip.  They also provided a little brush to sweep off the extra glitter but I found it unnecessary.  I just used my fingers as I was patting down the glitter.

I was pretty pleased with how they turned out, perfectly matched my sequined leggings for my NYE look!  As the night went on some of the sequin def came off especially against my satin lined clutch every time I reached in there.  Maybe a couple extra coats of top coat would of helped.  I got decently annoyed of them the next day and manually chipped it off most my nails purposely leaving an accent nail haha.  The set is great for a special night out or event and the kit gives you PLENTY to do this again and again.

Nothing completes a holiday manicure like some bling!  The rings and bracelets are all mark. which you can find on my eboutique at http://ahessinger.mymarkstore.com.  This holiday season I wore those Sparks Fly Bracelets and Just Your Luxe Ring to death!  They just matched everything and gave just the right amount of festive!  Hope you had a fantastic holiday and are having better luck jump back into reality!