Calling All Creatives – Jump Back Ball Manicure Ideas Needed
I’ve never done a meme before but, if I did the “Things you don’t know about me” one, I would share that I never went to my prom. I know, it’s not earth shattering but considering that prom was such a big deal at my school, I did feel like quite the oddball for skipping out.
Truth be told, I was just too focused on school and activities to care about having a boyfriend. And going with a guy friend seemed pointless. Instead I road-tripped with a friend whose boyfriend was in college, to visit a mutual friend at my future college, University of Cincinnati. Hitting up campus parties and making out with random, hot college men was definitely more fun.
Anyway, since I never went to a high school prom, I like to think of Playhouse Square’s annual Jump Back Ball as adult prom. You may remember that I attended for the first time last year and it was an absolute blast. JBB is one of the biggest and best benefits in Cleveland and it’s this Saturday.
That’s where you come in. I’m having the worst time trying to decide on a manicure concept and I’m desperate for your help.
At this point, I have nearly everything figured out. The dress, shoes, jewelry, hair and even pedicure but my manicure has me completely stumped.
I was very lucky to find this Adrianna Papell foil dress on my first outing with Shibani and Jen (and it was on sale!). Shibani (aka Cleveland’s own Tim Gunn) told me I should make emerald my accent color. It is the Pantone Color of the Year after all. Considering my love of all things green, that wasn’t a hard sell. Though finding emerald shoes right now is near impossible so emerald and sapphire are my accent colors.
I found a gorgeous vintage brooch at Sweet Lorain that I’ve attached to a comb to hold one side of my hair back. Adding in some random costume jewelry and sparkly blue shoes from 6pm.com, my look is almost complete. A pedicure with China Glaze Jitterbug rounds it all out. Now what do I do with my hands??
Side swept hair inspiration
So with my ensemble “almost” finished, I’d love to hear your ideas for my manicure. I don’t want to do anything too complicated. An accent nail or two, sure. But nothing uber time consuming or requiring steady hands. Obviously I need to stick to my established color palette and the bottles below are just examples, not the actual colors I want to use.
So should I do a straight up, one color manicure? An accent nail? A funky French tip? Moon manicure? Incorporate nail stickers to accentuate the lace pattern in my dress? Use the L’Oreal Nail Lingerie as an overlay on one/multiple nails? As you can see, I’m confuzzled. HALP!!!
ps. If you leave your email in the comment and I select your idea, I’ll send you a gift as a thank you.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
I would do most nails with the silver lace appliques that’s most similar to your dress with an accent nail on each hand in an emerald that is similar to your jewelry. That way your hands will be a reflection of the rest of you!
I would keep the nails simple. A cream color, either the blue of your shoes or plain black. The rest of you will be so glitzy and fabulous that I think you should keep the nails chic and simple this time!
Lincoln Park After Dark!!! Something dark and brooding, with just a hint of color.
What about a lace nail applique on one accent nail, different finger on each hand, with nude hue like Essie Sand Tropez on the rest. Makes the accent stand out but the rest look natural.
I like the idea of blue nails with one accent on each hand in green.
I say a super blackened emerald. Or a glossy black with Pure Ice “heartbreaker” layered on top
I agree with Andi. I nude with lace nail lingerie (like the Sally Hansen one) would look great. Or if you want to do something a bit more interesting, how about a navy blue nail with a silver french tip? I think it would look really cool to have the silver be mirror-like, but that might compete with the dress. I also think just a blue-silver sparkle like Zoya Feifei or Crystale would be easy and incorporate your colors nicely!
Good to see you back, by the way!
Emerald Fitzgerald with silver nail art as an accent nail! I love doing a coordinated mani/pedi from the same collection. The finishes of Emerald and Jitterbug would compliment each other and it would be in keeping with your accent color.
The dress reminds me very much of Art Deco. And, since its in the State, which opened in 1921, I’m thinking a chevron design (or half moon but with a triangular moon) featuring your blue and green. Perhaps one nail as an accent with silver glitter or foil… Have fun. It’s a great event!!
Do a black sand textured color, with a silver accent nail. Or silver glitter polish with the green accent nail.
Or Orly “Royal Navy” with a silver accent nail.
I’d do moon manicure with matte blue nail and shiny black accent, and I’d also do all 10 nails the same.
I agree with the poster above about something like Lincoln Park After Dark.
Your dress reminds me a lot of one I saw in an article about 1930′s fashion. (If I find the article, I’ll link to it in another comment.) Anyway, half moon manis were really popular then so I suggest a half moon mani using a dark emerald green cream and a light silver for the moon part. While half-moon manis seem fancy, they’re still really simple and chic!
leah [@] leahvoice [.] com
Rescue beauty lounge recycle to match jewelry or ikb 2012 to match shoes…or used both one color as an accent
You have a lot going on in the way of shine. I would keep nails simple – nude with dark grey tips or moons. I’m also in love with Zoya’s pixi dust polishes – those may work as well. Hope you have a fantastic time!!
Thanks for asking for ideas. How about an accent nail with real lace overlay? I just googled and there are some youtube tutorials. If that’s too over the top, I’d say go with one of your favorite greens. If you like the idea of an accent nail or half moon go with it. I’ve followed your blog so long, I know you love green! This is a perfect time to have green nails! Please post a photo of whatever you decide to do as long as you are happy with it. Have fun!
What about a sapphire to emerald gradient with a silver sparkle accent nail? I would use shimmery jewel tones with silver under tones like China Glaze “Cherish” for the green and Nubar “Indigo Ocean.” Then do the accent nail in Orly “Shine” with Essie “Set in Stones” over the top. Flashy, I know, but you are nail blogger! Your nails should be your best accessory
Well I think a funky french, make the whole nail
green with the Butter London nail polish I think the best finish is a nice green creme ,put some glossy topcoat and then make the tips matte. And in just one of the ring finger a tiny tiny rhinestone or tiny tiny decoration in the silver grey you want to use ( edge-ways).
it need to look chic.
Since your dress has such a distinct pattern, I would keep the nails plain and simple. I would also go with an emerald color to tie the hair comb in with the rest of the ensemble. But don’t pick one that’s too dark. You want people to be able to tell that you’re wearing green nail polish. Good luck and I hope you have an amazing time.
Use a pretty emerald green polish and stamp it with a lacy look using a silver foil polish or vice versa. Have fun!!
What about something using the new China Glaze Tranzitions polishes? They have a few shades in your color palette and you can play around with the top coat to add effects to certain nails.
http://obsessivecosmetichoardersunite.blogspot.com/2012/12/china-glaze-tranzitions-press-release.html
I’m from the Nails as Jewelry school, love Art Deco. Go with silver foil, like Zoya Trixie. One one hand, do an accent nail in emerald/deep teal, like the new Zoya Chinoiserie Fantasy, tho I have Color Club Emerald Depths, which is a great dupe, that I got for a song. On the other hand, accent nail in deep sapphire blue, like Zoya Song, Indigo, or Ibiza. Add shiny topcoat, and you will shine like a star! Have fun!
I think you should keep it simple! You can never go wrong with Nars Zulu but a dark creme like OPI Here Today, Aragon Tomorrow with a matte top coat and glossy french tips would be nice as well. Dramatic yet subtle!!
I share Virginia’s sentiments — it’s great to see you back, you’ve been missed!
I don’t really have a clear idea of a style, but I think that if you choose to do an accent nail or French, you should stick to just green or blue for that nail instead of using both. And congrats on getting your “prom”.
You’re wearing so much shiny, I would go with a green shimmer and maybe matte a couple of nails for a twist. Have fun at your adult prom!
I’m thinking to coordinate with the vintage appeal of your dress and hair style, you should do a Half Moon manicure with a silver foil polish (like Zoya Trixie) with NARS Zulu.
How about Chanel Black Pearl? Glad to see your posting
I would go with the same design on all 10 nails but something striking such as using a sapphire and emerald color in a French manicure design. It pulls in both colors, fits the Art Deco style of your dress but isn’t so overwhelming it competes with your outfit. Silver tips wold also work win either color. Have fun!
I wouldn’t go for lace appliqu
I read that you want to stay in the chosen colour families, but I would opt for a splash of colour to counter all those cold, broody colours! I’d go with a classic bluetoned red. It would also match the flair and feel of the dress. You could do an accent nail in silver foil.
I saw keep ‘em simple. Your dress is GORGEOUS, so don’t draw attention away from it.
I like the blue polish best.
Since your dress is that foil silver color, you will want to keep it the center of attention. I would go with a dark gunmetal gray on all the nails and then foil silver French tip. Keep the colors limited to your shoes and accessories
I’d do a sapphire or emerald glitter nail polish, with an accent nail filled with different sizes rhinestones
I would do a glowy-green nail. Deep & rich, but not dark. Simple, but eye catching. That dress is so very beautiful, I wouldn’t do anything to distract from it. Also, if you have silver shoes, I think they would look awesome with this outfit.
Have fun! I’m sure you’ll be stunning no matter what nail color/design you choose.
Your dress is soooo cute!!! I think funky french tip nails would be cute. Maybe grey nails with green tips so you can tie in those green hues
Your dress is gorgeous and lace. Personally I would pick a lovely nail color with no extras that might detract from the dress.Have a great time!!
I think you need to dig out your China Glaze Emerald Sparkle for a one color mani. It will go great with the Jitterbug pedi. I feel like accent nails are so last year.
PS – Could we get an update on the blog’s status? Way back when you said you were back and going to be blogging full time again and then crickets. Not saying you need to share your personal life, but just wondering if we could expect a comeback.
i think a navy creme/jelly or shimmer would be your best bet. All of your jewelry seems green and your silver dress is very busy so simple navy nails would balance everything out. Maybe opi yoga-ta or nars midnight express!
My go-to is OPI’s Yoga-ta Get This Blue. It would bring out the blue of your shoes, and it wouldn’t clash with your emerald brooch being that it is also jewel-toned.
(Original if possible) Nars Zulu (dk. green jelly)…high gloss topcoat. Accent nail, Zoya trixie (silver) w/half moon Zulu.
The dress and the look are so fancy and pretty!
I thought of 3 different options which I like:
-keep it simple- black cream.
-have some contrast- with a matte bronze, like Orly’s Glam Rock,
-Mac’s Mean & Green- saw it when I opened my polish drawer, put it near your image, and thought it would look great! You can match your lipstick to the pink-purple in it
Have fun!
If it were me – I’d totally go for straight up emerald nails! Simple, yet they’ll pack a punch and look fab! That way the lace on your dress can stand out on its’ own, the emerald nails will highlight your gorgeous hairpiece, and your shoes will be their own unique pop of color. Love it.
If you were feeling up to something more intricate than just one simple fabulous emerald color, a subtle moon mani in two different emerald shades would look so cool. Using a foil for one and a glitter for the other (moon/full nail)…or matte for one…the possibilities are endless!
Good luck – you’re going to look fabulous no matter what
I love Maureen’s suggestions of the chevron moon manicure. Only I’m thinking: emerald nail, silver chevron moon. No other accents. You have too many other beautiful details in your dress and accessories to go too crazy with the nails.
Sapphire or emerald creme with a silver half-moon. Maaaybe with a fine line of glitter on the half-moon. Elegant but with a twist in your color palette.
PS I am IN LOVE with your ensemble!!! Please post pictures
You should go with a foily silver base (i.e. Butter London Diamond Geezer) and add a couple swipes of a chunky emerald glitter (i.e. Kleancolor Green with Envy) just at the tips for a gradiented glitter look. Fancy look, simple execution. (And I know you didn’t ask, buy go with a smoky gunmetal/dark emerald eye makeup look!)
I love Jessica’s idea! For me, sinceyou already have a lot going on, I’d wear BL Jack the Lad, with a silver glitter accent nail. Have a great time!
Do a mixed mani ala Chit Chat Nails…unified base with glitter pinky, stamped or sticker accents on next two fingers, contrast color on index finger. You can get it all in :). Have a great time!
I’m glad you are blogging again!
Do you have the Fleck Effects Nail polish by Zoya? Maybe using a dark jewel-toned base (i.e. OPI Light My Sapphire or Russian Navy) and topping it with Zoya Opal, would make it look like your vintage brooch attached to the comb. (or perhaps a darker base colour?) Have fun!
Another option would be use a nice blue that matches your shoe colour as a base and do a sparkly green emerald gradient at the base of the nail (I have seen this tutorial from lucysstash.com/2012/11/foil-gradient-over-zoya-gloss-collection.html and it SEEMS easy-ish…)
P.S The dress is beautiful!!!!
If it were me, I’d do an emerald green polish with a silver glitter gradient. Just a little something to set it off. All nails the same.
I was thinking the same as Leisel, only add a saphire accent nail with the same glitter gradient. That way, the entire outfit and accessories are incorperated.
Maybe a moon manicure with jitterbug as the moon and an emerald or sapphire polish? Or a sapphire or emerald polish with a silver accent nail? I love moon manicures but an accent nail mani is much easier and faster. lately I’ve been loving doing an accent nail with my ring finger and ding the opposite colors on each hand. for example, blue with a purple accent nail on one hand and purple with a blue accent nail on the other. its fun.
I think the two china glaze glitter nail polishes would look cute together or do a moon manicure; that would be nice too.
I would just do a solid one color mani of either emerald or sapphire or the silver that matches dress. The lace on the dress makes it busy, adding jewelry and hair piece makes more. So less is more on your hands especially if you wear a bracelet. I myself would just wear a clear polish natural nail because the dress is so captivating.