Monday, July 27, 2015

Work Appropriate Nails- Baby Boomers

Baby Boomer Gradient Nails Work Appropriate

It's been so long! Too much has happened and I don't know where to start. You might guess from the title though- I got a job! I went to my interviews a couple weeks ago and thought they went well. One called me back for a second interview and both promised to let me know something by the end of the week. In the meantime my grandma died so I got on a plane to go back home in the middle of the week not knowing what would happen with my job search. The day after I went back to CA both places offered me jobs so I got to pick the offer I liked better (yay). I had a great week hanging out with my husband and seeing family. Even though it wasn't the best circumstance for a trip back it was amazing to get to see everyone. Then it started getting really crazy. I flew back to Oregon on Tuesday night and started my new job Wednesday morning. Then I promptly came down with a horrific stomach flu and had to call in sick on my second day of work. If I thought job searching was stressful it's nothing compared to trying to find a place to live. Very few places here seem to be pet friendly and the ones that are are booked up through next year! The kitty is non-negotiable so the search continues. The hardest part, though, is being without my husband. He's still working a couple more weeks back in CA and waiting for me to find us a place to move into. He's the logical one who said it would be crazy for us both to quit our jobs at the same time and I know he's right, but yuck! I'm not one of those people who can happily go weeks at a time without seeing my boys (husband and cat). I'm ready for this all to be settled!

Baby Boomer Gradient Nails Work Appropriate

After that super long ramble let's talk about these nails. I've seen these baby boomer nails online recently (mostly in acrylics though) and wanted to try them. Apparently no one knows why they're called baby boomers, but it's basically a nude base with white gradient tips. I feel like it's a slightly more fun version of a french tip. All my good nude polishes were back in Oregon when I painted these so I dug through my remaining stash and found Set the Nude from Ulta. I don't know if my bottle has changed colors because I feel like this used to be skin toned, but now it looks really grey. It perfectly matches the drab grey fence at the apartment I'm leaving behind. I sponged on white tips with a damp makeup sponge and LA Colors White polish. I wasn't sure what the dress code was for my new job yet, so I wanted something safe to start with. I was quite pleased to find out there is no dress code and I'm now happily wearing neon nails which I'll show you soon. These interview/work nails were fun and all but I was ready for some color!

Baby Boomer Gradient Nails Work Appropriate

Do you have a stressful moving or new job story? I'd love to hear it. Help me feel better about my crazy life choices by telling me this will all be worth it in the end.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Interview Appropriate Nails- French Pink and Subtle Stamping

Work or Interview Appropriate Nails Nina Ultra Pro French Pink with Feather Stamping

It's been a few days since I checked in, and I've been quite busy with my job search. Since my last post I've had one interview and I have two more scheduled for tomorrow and a job fair later in the week. Wish me luck! Even though I know I'll do fine I get super nervous any time I have to talk to people in the outside world for "official" purposes. It's weird, because I'm fine interacting with people in normal circumstances, but add in the word interview and suddenly I'm a wreck. I'm glad that I have blogging to keep myself somewhat distracted.

I think these are going to be my favorite interview nails of all time. Or at least they'll be really hard to beat. I LOVE this shade from Nina Ultra Pro. It's so feminine and perfectly understated. And because it's realllly hard for me to have plain nails with no decoration I added a stamped feather (you know, to symbolize how I'm flying away to bigger and better things). The feather blends in at a distance and my last interviewer didn't seem to notice at all so I'd say it's a pass.

Work or Interview Appropriate Nails Nina Ultra Pro French Pink with Feather Stamping

The last time I used French Pink from Nina Ultra Pro I did three coats for more opaque coverage, but this time I only did two. I actually like the faintly visible nail line and think it looks like a very subtle and classy french manicure without the effort of actually painting on the tips. 

The stamping is Bundle Monster plate BM-419 with Mundo de Unas white stamping polish.

Work or Interview Appropriate Nails Nina Ultra Pro French Pink with Feather Stamping

I'm hoping this is my lucky feather!

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Interview Appropriate Nails- CBL Blonde Ambition

Interview Appropriate Nails CBL Colors By Llarowe Blonde Ambition Super Holo

What a week! I've been taking job hunting very seriously. Since I arrived a week and two days ago I've submitted 22 applications and registered at a temp agency. I've been starting to get a few emails and calls. So far it's just been to submit more information or take assessments, but it's something. I know I couldn't honestly expect to land a great job my first week, but when you get used to living in the world of nail polish where every sparkly and amazing thing is possible it kind of messes with your sense of reality.

For the first installment of interview appropriate nails I have for you Blonde Ambition from Colors by Llarowe. I like this one because it's very subtle indoors- a nice subdued nude color with just a hint of shimmer. I don't think any interviewers would find this to be distracting or noteworthy.

Interview Appropriate Nails CBL Colors By Llarowe Blonde Ambition Super Holo

But then you go outside and BAM! It's like a completely different polish! The holo...ohhhh the holo! My brain can't even word right now.. too distracted.. by shinies... and rainbows.

Interview Appropriate Nails CBL Colors By Llarowe Blonde Ambition Super Holo

 I feel like it's my little secret. I can have super fun nails and still look appropriate for interviews. Definitely the best of both worlds.

Interview Appropriate Nails CBL Colors By Llarowe Blonde Ambition Super Holo

And here's a macro, because holo! This is two coats by itself. Blonde Ambition has a good formula- maybe just a tiny bit on the thick side, but nothing a few drops of thinner couldn't fix right up. The coverage and holo payoff is phenomenal as you can see. 

Interview Appropriate Nails CBL Colors By Llarowe Blonde Ambition Super Holo

I wore this to an interview a few months ago, so I'd say it's my go-to polish for serious jobby type stuff since it's back on my nails this week. Do you have a favorite polish for when your nails have to be serious but you can't quite commit to boring colors?