Going for the Gold

I've seen metallics, especially metallic patterns around a lot lately - gold used instead of the classic white for the tip of a french manicure, stick-on metallic patterns not only advertised by Kim Kardashian but also now apparently being sold by the likes of Essie, and also those polishes that are actually made out of metal* and come with a magnet to help users create unique patterns in the pigments on their nails.

I saw Cathy try out the whole magnetic nail design thing and, honestly, it seemed too complicated to me. Wait 'til your nails are damp: not 100% dry, but not wet; hold the magnet close to the nails, but obviously don't touch the nails with the magnet; hold it there for (what seems like) a pretty long time, without moving, etc. I don't enjoy following so many rules when I'm being creative with my nails.

On the other hand, something that I do enjoy is coupons. I recently had one for a couple of bucks off a Covergirl nail polish and I picked up number 230, Golden Opportunity, and used it to create the two mainis below.

Golden moons on an opaque white background.

Thick golden stripes on a charcoal background. I was sort of going for a "picture frame" look, 
but I drew the frame first and then painted the picture on top. Also I like the "frame" much better when it's just on the sides, to use optical illusion to elongate the nail, not make it seem weird and square and stubby.

I love the way this polish layers, giving me a way to create different looks based on how many coats I use and how thick each coat is. Even though (or maybe because?) I can be a perfectionist about symmetry and making sure my hands match each other, I find it easier to freehand like this than to use a tool like the magnet polish to introduce patterns onto my nails.

I have not tried the stick-on patters yet (although I did buy some for Kendra because the USPS does not let you mail packages containing nail polish), mostly because I like to do things on the cheap and they seem pretty expensive to me. So even Essie adding a line probably won't change my mind on this issue.

Below is a picture of the polishes I used in these pictures, in case you are interested. Also I realize I am in need of a good top coat and also maybe a good base coat, because I do a lot of things like dishes (okay maybe not a lot, but enough) and showering that mess up my nailscapes. Any suggestions, friends?

Sinful Colors 101: Snow Me White - Covergirl 230: Golden Opportunity - Color Club 968: Status Update

Edit: Twins! Olga was doing golden cuticles over super-trendy cactus green at the same time I was doing my faux picture frames yesterday. Here's a shot of her nails:

Yay! Maybe I will try a green and gold mani sometime soon.

*I did not research this statement. Please correct me if I'm wrong about how magnets work.