the verdigris mani

verdigris, n. a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate.

I’ve been wanting to collaborate with indie Cambridge nail salon Wet Paint Nail Spa for a while. Michelle, the owner, is a seriously talented nail technician, with the curiosity and creativity displayed by the best artists in every medium. I’ll definitely be featuring more of her work in the future. If you are in the Boston area I cannot recommend this salon highly enough, the other technicians are wonderful as well.

verdigris manicure theseventhsphinx

I asked her to create a look inspired by my snakeskin clutch and makeup bag and she designed this incredible verdigris manicure, mimicking oxidized copper and at the same time reminding me of gorgeous reptilian eyes. I love every shade of copper…really all warm metallics (as evidenced by my recent eyeshadow post), and could not be more pleased with how it turned out.

verdigris manicure theseventhsphinx

verdigris manicure theseventhsphinx

This is two coats of acrylic paint (paint! Not nail polish, painted on with a paint brush! Which I will not be trying at home.) dusted with a glittery green pigment from CND. Topcoat and basecoat from DazzleDry, both of which I am so impressed with (really quick drying) and plan to pick up immediately.

verdigris manicure theseventhsphinx

Longtime readers will remember my beloved python clutch. The teal one above is from the same Etsy shop, linmade.

verdigris manicure theseventhsphinx

Like the tarnished silver of the amber ring with this tarnished copper manicure. I’d been wanting my nails painted for weeks (they are often bare but I crave the decoration once in a while) and now it’s a constant, beautiful distraction.

Freshwater pearl ring from Pearl Paradise, which is having their Mother’s Day sale at the moment…

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on the nails: the lizard look

I still only do my nails rarely, so far, even after acquiring no small amount of nail stuff. I am quite slow, and need a large chunk of time, and just want to take it all off if I’m dissatisfied with the results. Stamping especially is not for the faint of heart. I find it can be meditative, though, provided I am more or less qualified to do what I’ve set out to do. I have to concentrate enough that I can’t really focus on anything else, such that I seem genuinely to have nothing in my head except for the abstract sense of attentiveness.  And even if it doesn’t turn out, who cares?

If it does turn out, I can stare at it all the time/it distracts me (and begins to become intolerable as soon as it begins to chip).

I admit it is sometimes a strained relationship.

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This is OPI Jade is the New Black (really like this on its own) over a base coat of OPI Nail Envy, layered with the Pueen10 plate  snakeskin motif stamped in China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini. OPI RapiDry between coats.

It is bordering on questionable how much I’m into snakeskin right now.