MMM: Simple Gradient/Ombre Manicure with Essie, Julep, and Sinful Colors

From l-r: essie ridge filling base coat, Sinful Colors in Easy Going (300), Julep  Nail Vernis in Kelly, Hayden, Alicia,
and Sasha, essie luxeffects in Set in Stones, Julep Nail Vernis in Oscar, and Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat (picture taken without flash)

Picture taken with flash

I'm not going to lie, I had been rocking the pink sparkly zebra print Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips for about 2 weeks. I just couldn't make myself remove something so pretty, especially since there were practically no chips and it was still as shiny as the first day I applied them. Truth is, my toes needed attention, so since my fingers were going to get messed up while trying to remove the paint on my toes, I went ahead and resolved to give my fingernails a fresh coat of paint as well.

The mani I loved to much to remove. It will be missed :(

It was around 10:30 pm when I started the whole process, and since I had to wake up early for the Nordstrom Beauty Bash (stay tuned for more on that), I knew that I couldn't do anything too intricate (plus the hubby started asking "Are you finished yet" almost as soon as I pulled out the polishes). After examining my ever expanding collection of nail varnishes, I noticed that I had just the right combination of shades to do a simple gradient/ombre manicure. I have a relatively short nail bed, so trying to fit a combination of colors on one nail is just not an option, plus time (and my fam) just wouldn't allow that. So I started with my favorite base coat (essie ridge filling base coat), and then starting at my pinky, applied varying shades in a complimentary color family, going from pale, creamy pink (Sinful Colors Easy Going and Julep Kelly), to cantaloupe (Julep Hayden), to salmon (Julep Alicia), to coral (Julep Sasha). I couldn't stop there; I always like to have a little extra sparkle, so on my accent nails (left ring finger and right pointer) I added a layer of silver, multi-sized glitter (essie luxeffects Set in Stones) and then a layer of gold glitter (Julep Oscar). I topped it all off with my HG top coat, the cult favorite, Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat. I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with the results!

The final results! This is my left hand and the right looks slightly different because the pointer finger is covered in glitter. I'm holding my favorite cuticle oil from Julep...

So, yeah, I may have used more bottles of polish to achieve a single manicure than the average woman, but I NEVER claimed to be average :) What do you think of this easy rendition of the gradient/ombre trend? Will you be trying it? What color family would you like to see done? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS-This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to click on the links provided, AND make a purchase, I will receive a small commission :) And if you're interested in signing up for the monthly Julep Maven Subscription (which I HIGHLY recommend) here's my referral link: HTTP://JULEP.COM/?R=18536523