I started this blog on Deccember 12th 2012. It was not meant as anything else but a space for me to document my nail art creations. It also felt better to remove a manicure I spent hours on the next day knowing I had taken pictures of it and published it.
I did not do much to promote my blog, I followed nail blogs and commented when I saw something I liked. But suddenly I started getting visitors, and even followers! I had a big break when
Lucy posted a link to my blog on her facebook page, I was so starstruck, I had been looking up to Lucy since day one, I still am!
Some quick stats:
- Total pageviews: 72 231
- Month with most views: November - 11 787
- Most popular posts:
What I am most in awe over is my following on Instagram, 3 238 followers! I can't believe it, how can so many people like my nail art so much? It's just crazy, lol!
Now, on to the fun part, a review of this years manicures!
It all started with a manicure and cuticles so horrible I'm embarrassed it's published online! But This is a blog of the good the bad, the ugly, and with room for improvement, so here you go, my very first manicure ever posted on this blog!
I think I had seen a manicure like this online, and wanted to recreate it, obviously it did not turn out like the inspiration, but I was pretty proud of it, lol!
Then I discovered stamping and ordered my first Bundle Monster set, luckily, I also discovered clean up brushes and cuticle cream!
My nail shape was still bad, but I had horrible peeling nails and struggled to grow them out.
In February my nail shape was starting to improve, and I did my ver first skittle manicure, I still really like the concept of this manicure, maybe I'll have to re-create it sometime!
At the end of February I joined my very first nail art challenge, "The Laid Back 31DC", which really helped me improve greatly! It pushed me to try new techniques and do things I never thought I would be able to do!
This is a saran wrap manicure for the 31DC, and I really like the combination of the colors I used.
The 31DC took my water marbling virginity...
I still think water marbles are really hard to do, and it's so messy I have only done them a couple of times!
April was a pretty good month, I tried lots of new techniques. I freehanded swirls for the first time, did roses for the first time, tried textured polish for the first time, and won my very first nail art contest!
This is one of my favorite manicures I have ever done, I love floral manicures, and I really like how the daisies on my ring finger came out!
This was the manicure that secured me victory in a nail art contest, and it is also the first
tutorial I made!
I still think this is the coolest manicure I have ever done, I mean come on, rhinestone tetris! What could be better?!
Another one of my favorite manicures, "Inspired by me", and I love it so much because it really is so
me. I love knitting, pink, purple and nail art!
In May I also tried the one stroke technique for the first time.
My second attemt at water marble, and check out my nail shape looking all pretty and square! In June I discovered Duri Rejuvacote, which has completely revolutionized my nails <3
I did my first of very few proper swatch posts in June, and it is actually the most popular post of my entire blog!
My second splatter manicure, which helped me win another nail art contest! Splatter manicures are so cool, but clean up is such a pain! Which is why I haven't done more of them :p
Another one of my favorite manicures, I was in love with mint, pink and chevrons this summer!
In July I also realized I had to organize my ever growing nail polish collection, finally gave in and bought a Helmer (which is already starting to become quite full...)
In August I did my most intricate freehand nail art so far, which was really not that complicated at all, lol, but it turned out pretty cool!
Also in August, my nails reached perfection!
Perfect length, perfect shape <3
Since my nails were so long, I could finally try the famous "
Louboutin manicure"!
This design inspired by a dress from "Dancing with the stars" resulted in my second
tutorial.
This is the most complicated freehand nail art I have ever done, it did not turn out perfect, but I still love it!
In November I encountered TBNB (the big nail break) and had to go on a little hiatus to let my nails grow back again... When I returned we were already in mid December and I did one of my favorite christmas manicures!
I think my improvement this year is pretty obvious, I hope you think so too! ;)
What's in store for 2014? Where will I take this blog?
I have no idea, I don't really have ambitions to run a huge nail art blog, I don't think I have time to do more than I already am doing. I don't want to get stuck in a rut though, so my one new years resolution for Polished Elegance is to participate in more challenges! And use my "
Lucky Dip" more often ;)
I hope you have enjoyed this journey with me so far, and will continue to follow me into 2014. Thank you so much for you support and AMAZING comments, it means so much, and I don't think I would have kept this blog this long if it hadn't been for the response I've been getting from you.
THANK YOU!
i really LOVED this post! you improved so much during one year, i hope i will be there sometime :)
ReplyDeleteOh honey, I love this blog post! You improved tremendously! But I still like your first ever mani :) Happy 1 year blogiversary ):
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! I can't wait to see what you do this year and on! =)
ReplyDeleteThis was such a great post to see! You've improved so much over this year :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you'd only been at this one year, your nail art and photography make it seem you've been at it much longer. Keep up the beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations Lisa!! :D You have grown so much and its a pleasure to see your new nail art adventurous! :) I'm a huge supposter of yours and hope 2014 is a great year to you! :) Kisses,
ReplyDeleteCristina
I never realised you've only been blogging for a year! I love posts like these, and your improvement is amazing. Keep it up :D
ReplyDeleteYou've had a great year Lisa! Great work!
ReplyDelete