Sunday, September 30, 2012

e.l.f 28

e.l.f 28 is a polish that I found at Target. From what I understand it is a Target exclusive and so is the rest of the Fall "Python" Collection. ("28" is on the bottom of the bottle and is the only indication of the polish name.)

28 is a black polish with a shimmer that goes from pink to blue to purple depending on the light. The pictures do not do it justice...especially since you can only see the blue shimmer. I found it to have an even consistency, however the brush was rather small.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Girly Fishtails

This is my second trying out the fishtail/chevron nail art design. I used Chalkboard Nails' video tutorial for a "Candy-Colored Fishtail Manicure". As you see in the video, you just use the brush that comes in the nail polish bottle, and though there may be some clean-up needed, it is a simple technique that I can even execute on my dominant hand as seen below.

I used OPI Pink-ing of You, Sonia Kashuk Smoke and Mirrors, and Essie Lapiz of Luxury.
My dominant hand in natural light
My non-dominant hand in artificial light
My non-dominant hand in natural light

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Mini Interlocking Dots

Using an Interlocking Dot tutorial by @slacquerr on Instagram, I tried out this popular nail design. I modified it a little bit into what I am calling "Mini Interlocking Dots" and could not get enough of it. I was remarkably time consuming but not really complicated. It is important to have a good dotting tool so that the dots are uniform.

I used Essie Turquoise & Caicos and Lapiz of Luxury.

I would love to do this manicure again in all types of combinations. In fact, I just thought up one right now. Stay tuned!

I did the regular-sized interlocking dots on my thumbs so here is a comparison.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Soft Glitzy Pink

I create this soft pink and glitzy look, I painted two coats of OPI Pedal Faster Suzi and one coat each of Essie Shine of the Times and Nicole by OPI Here Kim's the Sun.

In the sunlight pictures, it looks like I have little bubbles in the pink but that is really Here Kim's the Sun. In the shade picture, Here Kim's the Sun is pretty much the only glitter that you see. 
Sunlight

Sunlight

Shade

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Purple Jelly

Using Ulta Duty Free Shopping Spree, Nicole by OPI Rainbow in the S-Kylie, and two coats of OPI Passion on top, I created a cotton candy and confetti inspired jelly sandwich.

I love the way it looks in the picture, and that glitter is so pretty in the bottle but there is just something about it that I can't stand once it is on my nails. -_-

Friday, September 21, 2012

Paris Inspired Bridal Shower

I recently went to a Paris themed bridal shower so I decided to paint my nails to fit the occasion.

On both my thumbs I painted a pink base (Essie Delicacy) and three lines of black polka dots (Essie Licorice).

Left Hand: Essie Delicacy as the base. Index Finger: OPI Pirouette My Whistle; Middle: Julep Kate; Ring: Orly Instant Artist Jet Black; Pinky: Julep Kate.

Right Hand: Essie Delicacy as the base except for my ring finger. Index Finger: OPI Pirouette My Whistle; Middle: Julep Kate; Ring: Base is Sonia Kashuk Smoke and Mirrors and Cina sqaure rhinestones; Pinkie: Julep Kate.


Left Hand
Right Hand and Thumb

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Vintage Abstract Roses

This is my first time trying to paint vintage roses, they turned into abstract vintage roses instead.

For the base color I used Essie Turquoise & Caicos, for the stripes I used Orly Instant Artist Crisp White, for the leaves I used Ulta Limelight, and for the roses I used Ulta Sun-Sational, Cream of the Crop, and OPI Pink-ing of You.

As you can see, my right hand has a more simple design as it is my dominant hand and I can't draw straight stripes with my left hand.
Left Hand
Left Hand
Right Hand

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sweet Summer Gradient

This has become one of my most beloved manicures. Sadly, I smudged almost every finger the same day I did it but at least I got this photo before that happened.

For the base I used Ulta Sun-Sational (You remember that gorgeous cheery yellow I'm sure.), SinfulColors Hazard, and Orly Butterflies for the gradient and then Cina orange rhinestones.

I did take me a while to blend all of the colors together and my best tip is to be patient. Also, someone on Instagram asked me how I was able to use Orly Butterflies because it is so sheer. Well the answer is that I just went over it two-three times to really make the colors pop.

I have a little gradient tutorial and there are lots of YouTube videos for gradients as well.

Louboutin Nails

I used Essence Nude It! for the main color and OPI I'm Not Really a Waitress for these Louboutin inspired nails.

In order to create this look, all you need to do is have a main color that you use to paint the top of your nail (that's what I'm going to call the part that I normally paint) and then use a red polish to paint the underside of your nail tip. You will need to have nails long enough that extend past your fingertip to really have the full effect. Word of caution: I advise using a small nail art brush to apply the red. Even doing that, I got red all over my fingers and cleanup was a pain.

On the plus side, I was finally able to use my only nude polish in my collection, Essence Nude It! I bought it before Essence came out with their new bottle shape an size which was too bad because the brush on the older tiny bottle was so small it took me forever to paint my nails. I love the color though, in fact, I should get more nudes as soon as I can because I think they are so sophisticated and understated. Also, please pardon my bad job of cleaning the polish off my cuticles...that's the result of painting and cleaning up my nails in a dimly lit room.

ChinaGlaze Frostbite

Frostbite it a vibrant shimmery blue that is smooth and opaque in two coats. I believe something must be wrong with my bottle of Frostbite because it has a horrible smell. To be frank, it smells like a skunk. My other ChinaGlaze polishes do not have the same odor. Nevertheless, this color is too gorgeous to pass up so I just lean back when I use this polish.

Pretty in Pink Jelly

Once I created this delicate soft pink jelly sandwich, I knew that if I was going to do my own nails for my wedding I would recreate this manicure. I absolutely love it for a sweet, demure bridal look. It had me thinking that I might do this instead of my scheduled gel French manicure...but I think I will stick to my gel manicure for my wedding because it will last longer.

To create this look, I used two coats of OPI Passion, Essie A Cut Above and OPI Pirouette My Whistle (the glitters), and one coat of OPU Passion to seal it in. 

Another thought: I should really get into the at-home gel manicures. I've been wanting to for a while but I would only see basic reds, pinks, whites, and blues. Now that I have seen a greater variety of colors I'm thinking of saving up for a kit.
This was taken before I added the final coat of OPI Passion and I adore this look to.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Ulta Sun-Sational

I am loving Ulta polishes. Sun-Sational is a bright yellow polish with a smooth consistency. This is two coats and is completely opaque.

Vintage Polka Dots

Here I used Ulta Cream of the Crop as the base and OPI Pedal Faster Suzi! as the polka dots. Then I added Essie A Cut Above for a gradient glitter tip.