Saran/Cling Wrap

Here is my first try at Saran or Cling Wrap nails. It is super easy, and I didn't have to worry about being neat. I used Chelsea King's YouTube video here. I used Ciaté Big Yellow Taxi and SinfulColors Pink Forever, then I added Essie Pure Pearlfection.

The basic idea of saran or cling wrap nails: 1. Paint your base color and let it dry (or let it dry a little bit...I wasn't that patient); 2. Paint your second color over that; and then 3. Lightly dab wadded up cling wrap over the nail to remove the top layer of polish in some places.

Classy Stripes and Dots

I was inspired by @cynfulnails on Instagram and Sammy at her blog here. For my middle and ring finger, I painted two coats of Butter London Nail Foundation, let it dry, applied stripes of nail tape, painted over the whole nail with Essie Licorice, and then pulled the nail tape off gently while the polish was still wet. For my index and pinky fingers, I used Barielle Love for the base (it is a pearly white) and Essie Licorice for the polka dots.

Lavalicious

I used Barielle Hidden Hideaway and Essie Shine of the Times. It glows red/orange and occasionally green. I could not stop looking at this! Most of the time the middle of each nail reflects orangey red and the sides reflect green...I think it's because of the curve of my nails.

Everyone should try layering a flakie polish like Shine of the Times over a dark polish just so they can experience this gorgeousness.

Barielle Hidden Hideaway

Barielle Hidden Hideaway is a very dark purple with purple/red shimmer. It looks almost black unless it is in direct sunlight like in this picture. The orange of the sunset made it look a little more red here though.

Electric Blue Combo

One of my favorite things to do when it comes to nail art is combining two designs. For this manicure, I did a gradient and polka dots. I used my Sonia Kashuk Smoke and Mirrors base with Essie Butler Please as the gradient, then I added silver polka dots...which blended in with Smoke and Mirrors as I got closer to the cuticle.

Sonia Kashuk Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors is a gorgeous and smooth silver that glistens like a thousand suns and is impossible to photograph. Is that convincing enough?!?! This was full coverage in one coat. I found the Sonia Kashuk line at Target and they were about $8-9. I want more of this brand because the line is very pretty.

Dark and Light - Gradients and Feathers

I was inspired by Kaitlin Ferland at The Daily Polish for this mix of light and dark. I used black polish for the index and pinky finger and have determined that I think black looks more sinister on oval/almond shaped nails. Then I did a blue-purple-pink gradient over a white base and layered a sheer pink over that to tone down the colors a bit. Then I tried my hand at drawing feathers.

Note: Why do my nails look so short in photos? They are actually pretty long...longer than how long I would let them get when I had square shaped nails.

I used Essie Licorice, Julep Kate, Ulta Blue Streak, Barielle Grape Escape, Orly Butterflies, OPI Passion, and Orly Instant Artist Jet Black.

Hand Crocheted Coffee Cozies

My handmade to-go coffee cozies are now on sale! I love them for my hot lattes and coffees, which is a must for me during the winter months. Plus, they make really nice gifts for friends, family, and coworkers. If you place your order before Saturday, December 8th, they are $9. If you buy two or more they are $8 each. Shipping to the contiguous United States is free, and if you would like them shipped elsewhere the price of shipping will be passed to you with no mark-up.

Email me at pearlyswirled@gmail.com to buy and please be PayPal ready. I have two of the cozies labeled 8, 9, 10, and 11. Any questions? Ask below or through email.