Tuesday, January 11, 2011

My First Franken: Purple Pepper

I've been planning to try frankening since I first learned about it and have been collecting stuff to do it almost as long, but it wasn't until late last month that I gave it a go. Thanks to the holidays and vacation and such I'm only getting around to posting about it now.

My idea was to take Milani Hi-Res (which was one of my earliest NOTD posts back in May of 2010) and "pump it up". In addition to Hi-Res, I used Wet 'n' Wild Fantasy Makers silver holo glitter I picked up last Halloween, Revlon Natural (a.k.a. clear) of unknown age, and purple holo glitter I bought at Jo Ann Fabrics & Crafts some time ago.



I poured some Hi-Res into an empty Wet 'n' Wild Wild Shine bottle, added some silver holo glitter (using an adorable little funnel I found at Sally Beauty in a set of three), added some purple holo glitter, and topped off the bottle with the Revlon clear before adding a couple balls (stainless steel, obtained from a MUA nail board friend) and shake, shake, shaking it.







I couldn't wait to try it on, so I put two coats of it on my thumb over the Orly Winter Wonderland I happened to be wearing at the time then added top coat since it was a bit gritty on its own.







I did eventually manage to stop looking at the pretty sparkles long enough to try swatching it on its own. I used three coats of color plus two coats of top coat to smooth it out.





I'm mostly happy with how this turned out, even though it's not all that different than the polish I used as a base. I'm undecided on the purple glitter; I think maybe I should have used more of it so it wouldn't look so fleck-y. I do love the way the holo flashes even in room light (Michigan was having an all clouds all the time period when I had this one on, so I didn't get any sun pictures of it).

I'm also pleased to report that nearly three weeks later it still looks the way it did when I made it; neither of the glitters I used melted or settled or bled. The pack looks like this in case some of you are near a Jo Ann and want to keep an eye out for it:



I'm looking forward to playing with those other colors of glitter the next time Mr. Karen goes out of town (he's not at all fond of the smell of polish so I try to keep it away from his nose).

39 comments:

  1. this came out beautifully!!! will definitely have to check JoAnn's for glitta.

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  2. This is GORGEOUS! What a pretty franken!

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  3. Oh now this is really pretty!

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  4. WoW! gorgeous! I have yet to do this, but looks fun.

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  5. I would have nver thought of doing this but it looks so pretty!

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  6. Wow it's gorgeous, well done! I love the holo glitter samples, you could make some beautiful polishes from them :)

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  7. Gorgeous does not begin to describe that polish. If I saw it in a store I would buy it in a heartbeat.

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  8. What a gorgeous polish!!
    I just love it!!

    I'd die for this pack of glitters!

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  9. I'm so happy you finally frankened...awesome. :0

    This polish was a franken success, gorgeous and very unique! :):) Woo Hoo!

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  10. ooooh! i loooove that franken! im heading to JoAnns on Thursday so im gunna be on the look out for that pack of glitter :)

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  11. Good job! I really like this one. I need to find some of that glitter.

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  12. That's such an awesome franken! You did a great job. :D

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  13. Holy crap! I've been looking for glitters like that!

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  14. You wanted to pump up the Milani and I think you did. It's just a bit more glittery and pretty than the Milani.

    Oh, those glitters are yowza! I'm looking forward to what you franken next. :)

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  15. GORGEOUS! You have to franken with the other glitters! AHHH. :)

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  16. What a successful first franken! It's gorgeous. You did a wonderful job.

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  17. Excellent franken. Once you start....you'll be hooked. LOL

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  18. So pretty! I'm so impressed how it turned out and it was your first time :)

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  19. I think it's an absolute success, that glitter pack looks awesome!!

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  20. Very pretty. Can't imagine using Milani for frankens - they are like gold dust over here!

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  21. Stunning! This always looks like so much fun!

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  22. Wow you did a great job! I love how it turned out :)

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  23. I LOVE it! I have the exact same glitter pack for frankening. I found my on overstock.com. I used it for one fraken, but you've inspired me to do some more.

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  24. Wow, that's gorgeous! I want to try this.

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  25. Oooh that's really pretty! I'm not normally a glitter-fan but that one is gorgeous!

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  26. This is absolutely beautiful! It came out so well. I can't wait to franken one of my own. Very creative and fun!

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  27. That is so pretty and fun!! I love it!!

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  28. That sounds like a lot of fun :) And loooks vety good. I would be tempted to add some more purple glitter (looks like it's a lot in a bottle, but not that much on your nails)

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  29. Great franken, and a very fitting name!

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  30. Your franken is gorgeous! I just started frankening myself and I was so intimidated by it haha but I get a little more comfortable with it each time I make one. I can't wait to see what else you come up with using the glitters!

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  31. This is stunning. I am definitely going to check out Jo Ann's for those glitters! You should do a whole collection with the remaining packets!

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  32. loved it!!
    this is really great for the first franken. waiting for the others :) i would definitely buy if i find a polish like this :)

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  33. This is BEAUTIFUL !! I wish there were stuff here like those :( I can never find glitters here :(

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Thank you for reading and commenting! I greatly appreciate knowing I'm not just talking to myself here. :) I'm moderating most comments now due to the spate of spammers who claim to be looking for sexy times.