New Year 2013 mani in luxe Black & Gold
The days following Christmas and right before New Year’s Eve found me in a bit of a dilemma; what to wear on my nails to usher in 2013. First World Problems, I know.
I wanted something unique, but not outrageous. Age appropriate, but not ageing. Sophisticated, sexy, unique & fun – all at the same time. My last criteria, was that it had to be easy to execute, as I had a family lunch planned for New Year’s day to still prepare for, and my time was rather limited. Oh yeah … I wanted to post something I hadn’t shown yet on the blog. When I factored in that I would be wearing black & gold, the solution hit me immediately:
OPI’s ‘Black Spotted’ layered over ‘Goldeneye’ from the Skyfall Collection (previously reviewed here) with Cirque Colors ‘Au’ (previously reviewed here) layered over a-england’s ‘Camelot’ (previously reviewed here) on the accent fingers. Black & Gold, but done in non-traditional manner with an edgy twist for interest and exactly the statement I was searching for to represent the gilded promise of the New Year. Plus, it looked really cool.
*Please note that OPI’s ‘Black Spotted’ was a limited edition France exclusive released last summer – I’m so grateful to my Fairy Lélie of The Purple Fairy Book for snagging this original beauty for me! ♥
All swatches are with a-england’s The Knight Base Coat and The Shield Top Coat.
For all fingers except the ring finger: I applied 3 thin coats of ‘Goldeneye’ followed by an really thin layer of ‘Black Spotted’. It should be noted that you need to play with ‘Black Spotted’ in order to get the proportions right; too thick a coat and the effect is almost non-existent, too scant and the look becomes runny & diluted. I found the best way was to wipe the brush against the neck of the bottle until it seemed just this side of dry – you could always apply a touch more if needed.
The ring finger: 2 coats of ‘Camelot’ followed by 1 coat of ‘Au’
OPI’s Black Spotted (France exclusive) & Goldeneye (Skyfall Collection)
a-england ‘Camelot’ & Cirque Colors ‘Au’
New Year 2013 mani
New Year 2013 mani
New Year 2013 mani – macro
Final thoughts: I really wish my photos could show you what I saw; how ‘Goldeneye’s’ luxe hue totally gleamed under the undulating waves of ‘Black Spotted’, and looked almost multi-dimensional. The infinite blackness of ‘Camelot’ – and if you don’t own this already, you absolutely should as it’s the most incredible black shade available: creamy, glossy, a possible 1-coater & completely non-staining – enhancing each & every single 23k gold flake of ‘Au’ … absolutely stunning, but in a totally understated way. Yes, everything about my New Year mani is what I’m hoping 2013 will be: brilliant but with a touch of mystery, unique different from what came before, and filled with the promise of prosperity!
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
What a creative mani, Eugenia!! It would definitely have caught everyone’s eye I’m sure
I hope you had a fabulous New Year, and I can’t wait to see what 2013 brings for you!! Best wishes, my dear xoxo!
Thanks, Toya my friend! I had a beautiful New Year’s – marred only by my dog who wasn’t feeling well (long story – but he’s fine now) but filled with family & warmth! Hope your celebrations were spectacular & that this year brings you all that you desire! xx
Daaaaaaaaaamn, Eugenia. As if they weren’t gorgeous enough on their own, you had to combine them all together! AMAZING. I also love the sneaky shot of the Veuve in the background – love Madame Clicquot’s champagne!
LOL!! Thanks, Liz….figures you would appreciate every little nuance! And yeah…the Veuve…..!!!
Dearest Eugenia,
I’m sooo behind my blog-reading and I’ve just seen this post only because my stats showed me some visits coming from here. I’m really happy to have been with you at the turn of the year, however remotely.
I wish you all the best for this new year, may it bring you all the good things you deserve, and may you alway bathe in beauty and love <3
You have such a poetic turn of phrase, my friend – I adore it! Happy New Year to you as well, and here’s to everything good coming your way!xx
It’s really too bad Black Spotted wasn’t released here; I would love to have it in my stash
. Ah well, I just have to enjoy it through the pictures! I didn’t really have a special NYE manicure this year because I put on Zoya Aurora late night/early morning on the 29th and it was WAY too pretty to take off the next day for something more NYE. I still have it on–I think it has to qualify as a new favorite, or at least a top 50 polish (I know the big thing is to do your top 20 at the end of each year but I don’t think I could EVER pick just 20!).
Anyways, I took a standardized test this evening and it seems to have zapped my brain, so I’ll just say: happy new year!
No matter that you didn’t do anything specific for New Year’s; you still got good mileage out of the shade you were wearing – and it makes you happy! The reason I didn’t do a top anything to cap of 2012, is because apart from the fact that I review more than nail polish, I literally fall in love with so many products that I couldn’t possibly choose – it would be like a top 200 for me, lol!
Happy New Year to you & your loved ones too, Julia! xx
Love the combo of gold and black this time of year. It’s a fun variation from the pure gold, pure silver glitter that seems so popular (which I love, too, but this is a bit more unique)
I think so too, Catherine – glad you liked my version! It felt appropriate for the day, but still wearable and unique!
I love this! The accent nail really pops, and I wonder if the new Layla bubble effect polishes would replicate the Black Spotted look?
Thanks, Kristina! I don’t really have access to Layla polishes, so I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to help you out there – sorry!
Oh, maybe I’ll have to check it out then, they just went up on nail polish canada dot you know what
Thanks for the heads up!
I’ll have some Veuve Clicquot! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you, my beautiful & talented friend! Would that we could drain that bottle together! xx
Veuve cliquot for the win! Happy new year
LOL!! How right you are, Danisha! Happy New Year to you too!
I went full out 5 year old on my NYE manicure. OPI “Alpine Snow” with China Glaze “It’s a tra-peze” layered over the top. I was trying to get a confetti effect going!
Well, if there’s anytime to go nuts & have fun with your mani, then New Year’s Eve is that day!
Truly worthy for a beauty blogger queen! So original and amazing. Thank you for including in this artwork my dear Camelot. Happy 2013! xoxo
Adina, you honour me with your praise — thank YOU! Camelot is a dream to apply and looks absolutely perfect on any nail length! A wondrous 2013 for you as well! xx
This is beautiful! I love how Spotted looks over the gold! =)
Thanks so much! I’ve found that for Black Spotted to stand out properly, you need to find a vivid contrasting colour to layer it over, or else it just looks kind of muddy
Happy New Year Eugenia, I wish you all the best and that you keep sharing your lovely reviews and products! And what a beautiful way to start 2013, I love this! It seems like the nail polish is melting to reveal the gold underneath.
Happy New Year to you as well, Sonia! You put it so excellently: the coat of Black Spotted does give that effect, it’s true!
Lovely! So classy
Awww….thanks so much & glad you liked it!
Lovely. I really, really, like the simple accent ring finger with the 18K flake…I am in love with the 2 brands I have of this Zoya (Guilty) and OPI – (Man with Golden Gun)
Thanks! I don’t own the Zoya, but I’ve read others being quite satisfied with it as well. From the 2 gold flake I do own, OPI & Cirque, I must say that ‘Au’ from Cirque colors gives more flakes and slightly larger too, than the OPI. Still, they’re so much fun to apply!
Your nails look amazing!! Happy New Year Eugenia!
Thanks so much, Marisa! Happy, Happy New Year to you too! xx
GORGEOUS! I don’t know how long I can hold my no buy… another month to go.
Awwww….I wish you continued strength then!
Glad you liked the combination, though! 
I love Black and gold together. Looks Lovely:)
Thanks, Sara! Happy you liked it!
Wow, stunning combination, black and gold are classic together, but I love how you took it and made it very modern. I adore OPI Black Spotted, wish it was available everywhere.
Thanks, Sian! Apparently OPI Black Spotted was not made available to the North American market because of an unapproved ingredient, but that’s not substantiated. I agree thought – I wish it was more readily available too!
Love Love Love a-england ‘Camelot’ & Cirque Colors ‘Au’ Gorgeous!
I couldn’t agree more, Joanna! Absolutely phenomenal nail polish brands!
Love this mani! I fell in love with it when you shared the sneak peak on Instagram! Hope you have a wonderful and healthy new year!
Thanks twice then, Nory! Hope 2013 is a wonderful year for you and your loved ones as well! xx