Since last summer, I’ve been very open-minded to the beauty and fashion suggestions from all the experts in my life. I figure I trust their taste and I work in a creative industry, so why not go a little wild? Shave a lock of hair off? Count me in. Frizzy ’70s curls and pink eyeshadow? Sign me up. Chartreuse mini skirt, knee-high boots and ’60s/’70s print top? Of course! So when celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival asked me if I was ready for major nails, I said, “Hell, yeah.”
Tracylee — the brand ambassador for Sally Hansen nail products — has been jazzing up my stubby nails since 2010. But when she’s not slumming it with me, she’s doing nails for glossy magazine shoots and celebrities including Mariah Carey, M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj. Tracylee was the one who introduced me to gorgeous “Impossible” singer Shontelle Layne, who wound up wearing Wendy Brandes jewelry with her fierce Tracylee manicure.
Shontelle flaunts fabulous fingers and a spiked bra. Click for original post.
I’ve always joked to Tracylee that some day I’d try the dagger-like nails favored by the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna, so when she told me the time had come to give it a whirl, I immediately acquiesced. She then asked me to email her some images as inspiration for the nail art, and I sent photos of the interior of the 13th-century Gothic chapel Saint-Chapelle in Paris.
Sainte-Chapelle. Click for source.
I sent some other medieval and medieval-inspired images as well.
I liked the vines and berries.
I always like memento mori.
Here’s the result!
Voila!
These are gel nails, and Tracylee assures me I’ll get used to them quickly, just like Peter Griffin got used to his acrylic nails in Family Guy.
Click to watch clip.
More photos soon! Right now I need to scratch FitzRoy the cat with my new claws. Get ready for a taste of your own medicine, cat!
UPDATED TO ADD: I added my manicure to Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday post, of course. I encourage all the Visible ladies to check out my birth-year necklaces while you’re visiting my blog — flaunt your age, wimmins!
yowza! I fear your fingers, in a good way : > Thanks for sharing the shock and awesome with Visible Monday.
You crack me up — the Family Guy clip is high-larious. Shontelle looks amazing in that pic even without a head. And your nails are individual works of art. Tracylee is pretty amazing.
I don’t know how long it would last on my hands…but those are really cool!
Ohhhh, Sainte-Chapelle is my favourite place in Paris. But your picture is the “downstairs”, no? I love the upstairs: it is like standing in the most scintillating jewellery box. I think the only experience I had that was more beautiful was in Hakone, Japan. My ipad is not letting me post links butnif you google Hakone stained glass sculpture there are fabulous pictures on Flickr. It’s like being inside a kaleidoscope.
Like FitzRoy is worried! Ha! Tracylee is an Artiste. You and I have similar stubbies, I need to know how you’re coping with the gels.
Fiiiierce! You gotta just jump on things that inspire you, especially if it’s something non-permanent. Hair grows, nails can be changed, make up taken off. Love seeing your explorations, they’re always so much fun.
Stacy, you & Wendy both crack ME up!! lol Thanks all for the sweetness!!!
I love them. You look almost as good as Peter from Family Guy. Almost. I’m off to check out this visible Monday caper, sounds fun.
I love your openness to all this fabulous experimentation and especially your reports back on the experiences. Fantastic inspiration images, and I like how each nail is different. Happy scritching!
These images are great! Peter Griffin with acrylics is too much! I agree with @Megan Mae, these things can be changed!
Those medieval images remind me of our trip to the Morgan (?) Library to look at those old texts. They were beautiful, weren’t they?
I love your new nails! How are you adjusting to them?
So far, so good!
Be still my heart – your nails are too wickedly wonderful.
Those nails are crazy and creative but something I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing in public. Sort of like “stripper” nails, ha!
Isn’t that blue in the church the most beautiful color?
Your nails are really the coolest! I’ve never tried gel nails. I did acrylics once and they drove me nuts as they were so heavy. I think they are much better now. The designs are most excellent.
I was really amazed by the new art made by Tracylee! It looks like there’s a gem on the nails! It adds beauty and elegance of an individual..
I’ve wanted to do really crazy things with my nails for years! Darn conservative job….
I was laughing imagining my having these nails at my old Lehman Brothers job!
OOPS! Please ignore my previous, unfinished comment! I was TRYING to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE these nails! I’ve been DYING to have this shape! I’m TRYING to grow my nails this length/shape, but sadly I have SUPER SHORT weak and stumpy nails! After seeing yours tho, I just may have to try gel! Thanks for the inspiration as always! 😉
PS…just emailed you!
Your nails are even more awesome in person!
I think they look great, my fave is the sparkly one on your middle finger.
Marti