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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

ABC Challenge: X is for Xenopeltidae (Sunbeam Snakes)


Howdy, everyone!  We've reached one of the most challenging letters of the alphabet in the ABC Challenge this week; 'X'.  This was a tough, tough letter.  Very polishes start with X, E-X, yes, but just X?  Not so much and certainly nothing I have in my stash qualifies.  I did some internet searching and was lucky enough to find this guy:


 Meet Xenopeltis unicolor, the Sunbeam Snake.  Xenopeltidae are a species of snake that lives in Indo-Asian countries and kill their prey by constriction (non-venomous).  Their most distinguishing feature is their shiny, iridescent scales which give that "oil slick" look.  I'm kind of a weirdo in that I like reptiles.  I used to have a ball python named Methos and I used to catch lizards out at my family's farm pond when I was little.  So, a manicure inspired by a snake seemed appropriate.


I started with 2 coats of Essie's Case Study followed by stripes of China Glaze in Kalahari Kiss on the sides of my nails.  I thought I had a stamping plate with a snakeskin pattern, but it turns out I don't.  Instead, I used my dotting tool to create the pattern.  I dotted first with China Glaze in Mahogany Magic for the base color of the scales.  I went back in on top of the MM scales with Sally Hansen's Nail Prisms in Turquoise Opal, Coral Amber, and Amber Ruby and Max Factor's Fantasy Fire.  It may seem silly to use all those fabulous polishes for dots, but I knew they'd give a great flash of color and I wasn't disappointed!


The more I look at this mani, the more it grows on me.  These aren't normally colors I'd put together, but that's the fun of being inspired by something, right?


Please take some time to check out the other participants in the challenge.  You can find them via the thumbnails below.  I can't wait to see what they came up with for this most challenging letter! 

Thanks for reading :)


25 comments:

  1. I don't care much for snakes, but that one is kind of pretty. You did a great job of representing it on your nails! Your mani looks fabulous!

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  2. Oh, Natalie...this is right up my alley! I LOVE what you did with these shimmery dots! And NO.... you are not weird about reptiles. LOL. To the contrary: they are soooo cool. When my kids were growing up, we had lots of these guys around the house!

    As for the whole thing about these not being colors you'd ordinarily have pulled together, I think that's what makes it such a surprisingly fun mani. When we take beautiful but disparate things, and combine them, how CAN the result be anything but unique and amazing?

    Great job, darlin'!<3

    L

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    1. Thanks, Lisa. I know not everyone is into snakes, but they really are fascinating animals. Glad to know there's another reptile fan in our midst ;)

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  3. This is pretty damned cool! I love the colors - they actually work well together. I have to try this!

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  4. What an incredible snake :O!!! Your nails do resemble him!/her??

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    1. He is pretty cute, doncha think? Thanks, Jenni!

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  5. Oh. My. Goodness!!!! I'm sorry Lisa, Natalie wins X week!!! It's incredible that you found that (very cool looking) snake!! I wouldn't have thought of googling, lol. And the mani is gorgeous!! I can't wait for a chance to try this!!

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  6. Wow a holographic snake!! Snakes terrify me but I gotta admit this one looks pretty amazing. Great job with your mani it looks really awesome!

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    1. As soon as I saw those rainbow scales, I knew THIS was a snake for a nail polish challenge :) Thank you!

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  7. These must looks amazing IRL! Must shine like crazy!
    Well done!!

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    1. I wish it had been sunny here in Chicago that day cuz those dots were rockin' in the sun! Thanks!

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  8. What an awesome idea!! Snakes creep me out, but this is an gorgeous mani! Fantastic job!

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    1. I know snakes aren't everyone's favorite, but you've gotta admit, those are some pretty holo scales there lol Thanks, Meredith!

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  9. This is so cool. I love snakes.

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  10. What a great idea! I usually don't like snakes, but this one is holographic!!! :D

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    1. I think he should be a nail polish mascot lol Thanks, Cristina!

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  11. Oh wow, that's a really pretty mani and what a fabulous idea! I love that little guy's scales =)

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