Two posts in one day? Look at me go! It is only because today is the last day of January (can you believe it!) and I still have one more wallpaper nail art to go. This one is my vision for a child's bedroom.
I started out with two coats of Cult Nails Tempest and a gradient of Orly Melodious Harmony (yellow), China Glaze Pack Lightly (peach) and China Glaze Dashboard Dreamer (blue). I purchased three from the China Glaze Road Trip Collection, and I am kinda obsessed with them. You will see them all featured very soon.
Next I stamped with Messy Mansion MM38 and Cult Nails Tempest. I don't know why I used it instead of my Konad White. Maybe it was because it was right there on the top of the desk instead of in my Melmer. It ended up being a little too sheer, which means another subtle stamping. I think I have overdone those this week.
I have very mixed feelings about this one. I think if the white was a stark stamper, I would love it but, as it is, I am a bit ambiguous about it. Thanks for looking and commenting!
Another wallpaper inspired manicure! One more yet to come. Let's enjoy this one though.
I started with two coats of Butter London Aston. Such a pretty orange leaning peach.
Next I double stamped with black, silver And Chez Delany Floral 009.
I ended up really liking this, especially because it gives the illusion of being random.
Don't forget to check out the other wallpaper inspired nail art. Thanks for looking and commenting!
This is going to be a quick little post as I have Four manicures to post in three days! This is my second wallpaper inspired mani for The Nail Challenge Collaborative. Two more coming soon!
I really hate using a flash pic as my intro, but the stamping on this one was very shy for the camera!
I started with three coats of Orly Naughty. I could have gotten away with two, but added a third because I knew it would deepen the color. I purchased this oxblood red a couple of years ago around Halloween. I was looking for a dried blood/scabish looking red creme. I tested so many, but they were all too bright, fresh bloodish. This one though was what I was looking for. Really nice formula too!
Next I stamped with Born Pretty Store BP-17. I was sent this for review and I absolutely LOVE it, both the patterns and the quality. One of the things I really like about this plate is that the images are BIG. Big enough for long nails and big enough to get variety in the stamping over multiple nails. Since receiving this to review, I have already purchased several more! Those top too images would be great for lead lighting, but I used the bottom right image. You can find this plate (and many more) HERE. Feel free to use my discount code to the right.
I stamped with Julep Maryam. It is an oh so gorgeous maroon filled with gold shimmer. It is a one coater, so I knew it would be good for stamping, which it is if you don't use colors that are so close to one another!
I was going for one of those wallpapers where it has a design that is actually a different texture rather than a different color and for that, I feel like this succeeded. I just wish you could see the stamping better in my pics. IRL it looked more like my flash pics all the time.
This was the best non-flash pic I could get and shows how I feel about the whole thing. Two of my favorites are embodied in this mani, a dark, vampy color and subtle stamping.
Thanks for looking and commenting!
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I happen to live in one of the coldest states in the continental United States, Minnesota. This is the worst time of the year for me. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years hare over and now comes the long cold stretch until Spring Break, but even then it is still cold. So it is natural, if emotionally torturous, that my mind turns to spring at this time, which is reflected in my nail art.
It has been so long since I have shown nail art on Bria's nails. Mostly that is because she broke several nails and they are so skinny that if you reduce the length, there is hardly any room for any art.
The theme for these came from The Crumpet Nail Tarts Pick-n-Mix 52 week challenge. It is "three shades of green/yellow". I started with a gradient of Sally Hansen Lightening, Lickety Split Lime and Julep Payton. I have never tried the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri for a gradient, but if they all behave like these two, I will have to try more!. They give really good coverage, so you do not have to sponge as many layers, and it dries quickly so you don't have to wait as long between layers. Brilliant!
After the gradient was fully dry, I used striping tape tape to create vertical stripes with Finger Paints Black Expressionism. I don't know why, but I love vertical stripes on my nails. Maybe it is because it makes you nails look longer. You can see more vertical stripes HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.
Finally I added some little flowers layered with Black Expressionism, China Glaze In the Rough and more Sally Hansen Lightening in the center. As you can see, Bria loved these! Unfortunately she has started a new work study at a local college deli, which means she is washing dishes a lot. The result is that this only lasted a couple of days. She is going to have to go polishless for awhile :(
Thanks for looking and commenting. Don't forget to check out the other Tarts nail art!
I am sneaking in an Adventures in Stamping post at the last moment, so I am going to make this quick. The theme was "over blue". Simple enough, right?
I ended up being so happy with these! My favorite polish (well one of them) stamped with a favorite color and stamp. They ended up being pure elegance, IMHO.
I started with two coats of Girly Bits Cu Blue. Thank goodness this one is still in stock! If they ever decide to discontinue it, I will have to stock up, it is just that gorgeous! It is a cobalt blue filled with copper shimmer. It is hiding a bit in my pics.
Next I stamped with MoYou Pro 06 and Revlon Copper Penny. This is another that I would have to stock up on if it was discontinued. It is one of my favorite stamping polishes, right up there with black and gold.
You can see my comparison of Cu Blue to Lapis Lazuli HERE. It really feels like the gorgeous stone on my nails.
You can purchase Girly Bits Cu Blue HERE or check the international sellers HERE.
You know the mood rock had to come out for this! As always, thanks for looking and commenting. My readers make my day!
This month's prompt for The Nail Challenge Collaborative is wallpaper. To be honest, I hate wallpaper. When we moved into our house, the kitchen was wallpapered, the entry way, the spare room, even the bathroom! You know it all came down. Don't get me wrong, there are pretty ones out there, but it has been my experience that, unless applied correctly, wallpaper is nothing but trouble. Seams buckle. Most of them you can't wash. They get discolored and they are difficult to replace...at least more difficult than throwing up a new layer of paint. I like change, so paint is the way to go for me. But wallpapering my nails? That I can get into!
The stamp I chose to use (you will see it later) reminded me of something you might find in a library in an old castle or a country kitchen. Just seemed appropriate. It is a bit difficult to see because I used a darker base, but believe me, it is gorgeous!
I started out with two coats of CDB Laquer Hidden Oak. It is a gorgeous forest green with scattered holo particles. My idea of a perfect Christmas green! I have a thing for green polish, so I was so happy to add this to my stash during a preChristmas sale.
Next I stamped with Messy Mansion MM16 and Finger Paints Black Expressionism. I love this plate! So baroquey. Yes spell check, I know that is not officially a word, but it is appropriate. I'm using it.
Finally I added purple for the grapes. I can't remember what I used and I didn't write it down. Dooh! They look a little blue in my pics, but they really are purple.
There you have it, my first wallpaper inspired manicure. Three more on their way before the end of the month! Don't forget to check out what the other talent came up with! Thanks for looking and commenting!
Quick! Barielle is having another daily special and this one is amazing!
Get all five of these lovelies for $9.95. This includes shipping! Less than $2 each! This only lasts today though, so hurry over to Barielle HERE to get it!
Now I have something to tell you. I am doing what I never thought I would ever do....I am going back to school! And for something I never thought I would do.....Nail Technician. I feel like such a cliche. I took some time, though, to decide if it was really what I wanted. Just because I like doing my own nails does not necessarily mean I would want to do others. I started with doing my sister's nails. Once a week for several months. My sister is a good critic. And if I can do her nails in the front seat of her car, I should be able to do anyone's anywhere, right?
My biggest concern has been time. I can easily spend hours doing my own nails. Doing Bonnie's every week gave me the opportunity to increase my skills and speed. But the real test came at Christmas time. Bonnie was having a Christmas party with friends and asked if I would do manicures for those that wanted them as her Christmas present to them. It started out as only three girls. By the end of the night it was seven. There were all kinds of personalities and I had so much fun. A lot of work, but still fun. Seven manicures in a little over three hours. I did not do any cuticle care, but I still think I did good time! Here is a group pic I got with five of the ladies. (Two had left by the time I got around to pictures).
I prepared about 10 looks and brought everything needed with me. I had samples on a nail wheel so people could choose. Three people chose designs, but wanted different colors and we worked it all out. The red green and gold plaid was changed into a teal and copper plaid. I think that one was my favorite. Everyone had something different. So much fun!
So, here I am, days away from starting this new chapter in my life, nervous and excited all at the same time. I don't know if it is the best financial choice for me, but I have big plans. Eventually I would like to have my own salon suite for natural nail care and provide low-to-no cost manicures for women reentering the workforce. This is what really gets me excited. It means further education in non-profit, but not right now. One step at a time, right. Some days I feel I am too old to try and change my life so dramatically, but if not now.....Boy, I am one big cliche these days!
Thanks for looking and commenting!.
Long time no see! As I have said before, my life is kind of crazy right now. For me, once I am out of the habit of blogging, it is hard to return. It takes a lot of time and work and I just have not been up to it. I hope to return with some regularity now in 2015. Today I start with a review of Born Pretty stamping plate BP-18.
I started with two coats of my new favorite blue, Julep Paula. Julep describes it as a "Persian blue with gold microshimmer". I don't know about Persian, but it one of those gorgeous blues that borders on neon and the gold shimmer often flashes pink, giving it a rose gold hue. If blues are your thing, this is a must have for your collection!
Next I stamped with the top middle image from Born Pretty stamping plate BP-18 and Julep Soleil, described as a "rose gold chrome". I love this image, having a weak spot for reverse images. It stamped well, even with a polish that is not a stamping polish. Can't wait to try it with a true stamping polish! But it is not the only image that I like on this plate! I can see me using every one of these images! Just a few images for you.
Yep, I love me some swirlies! Born Pretty Store has a whole line of their own stamping plates along with tons of others, qgirl, QA series and more. Watch for a couple more of the Born Pretty plates to be featured here. In the meantime, you can use my Born Pretty code below for 10% off all purchases!
Thanks again for looking and commenting!
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