Pearls Before Swine » Cristina de la Madera

Black Lace Nails

Els Van Schoor — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:08:47 +0000

Done by Gabriela Cambula at Nail Couture 43. The hardest part of this look is the transparent black bit. Gabriela applied a semi-transparent black top coat on two third of the nail, to create this silk and lace stocking impression.

Picture by Cristina de la Madera.

High Brow Tutorial

Els Van Schoor — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 21:24:43 +0000

The era of my life before my make-up education was, when I look back at it, a dark and uncivilized time. Imagine me, with wild brows, no fresh eyeshadow base, no skin-toned pencil in the water line and no Touche Éclat whatsoever. The more I built up my experience with make-up, the more I enjoy the simple tricks that make a major difference. Especially when it comes to daily, rise and shine make-up. People compliment me quite often about the strong appearance and the nice shape of my brows. Also, one cannot deny the fact that brows are anywhere these days. Every tutorial producing creature, pinner, blogger or journalist has to mention the importance of the perfect styling of this bit of facial hair from time to time. For these reasons, I decided to compose a make-up tutorial about brows and some simple steps to open up your glance. Enjoy it and please feel free to ask me any questions that pop into your mind.

Golden Nails

Els Van Schoor — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 17:36:36 +0000

Done by Gabriella Cambula at Nail Couture 43. I was looking for a match with my new golden ring with lapis lazuli stone. The ring is made and given to me by my husband, Pieter Nulens, for our 4th wedding anniversary and our being together for 7 years. Lapis is a deep blue semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. This oval cut stone is mottled with brassy pyrite, which gives the impression of a subtle golden glitter veil. It was this golden glitter that inspired me to ask for a yellow golden ring to sustain it. Hence the golden nails. The shape of the nails is specified as “squoval”, its an horrible term, but inescapably correct.

Picture by Cristina de la Madera.

Art Deco yellow Nails

Els Van Schoor — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:29:08 +0000

Done by Gabriella Cambula at Nail Couture 43. I love the combination of the Art Nouveau like patterns, combined with the strange, somewhat futuristic yellow. Gabriella created this look by using water decals by Bourjois. This technique is in fact similar to the temporary tattoos for kids, whereby you apply water on the top side of the decal, to transfer it to the nail on the underside.

Image by Cristina de la Madera

Ice cold Winter Nails

Els Van Schoor — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 09:03:33 +0000

Done by Gabriella Cambula at Nail Couture 43. These nails match my white furry wrist warmers perfectly. Gabriella created this look by applying a hologram-like faceted nail art transfer foil before applying the top coat.

Image by Cristina de la Madera

I’m wearing white furry wrist warmers, available on ebay. The powder pink sweater you see in the background is H&M.