More Polka Dots

Revamping a boring manicure is natural for those of us who have hoards of nail polish;) We paint our nails and enjoy the minimalism and simplicity of one color for about a day or two, then we start to get bored. Not that our current manicure isn't beautiful, it just doesn't capture our attention the way it did when it was first painted. With all the new textures, finishes, and topcoats you can add no one should ever get genuinely bored with doing their nails.

I recently painted my nails with SinfulColors Easy Going, an uber pale, pinky-peach, cream polish. Well, as it would go, I wore it for a day and then I needed to use another polish (or two) on it. In my defense, they were calling my name. If they stopped calling my name and looking so pretty, I wouldn't have to succumb to their bribery. Initially I added some polka dots as an accent nail, but it still wasn't enough. Then I spotted Barielle Buddha-Ful and realized that the flakies (which shift teal) would be perfect. See...

Awww...my opalescent nails with polka dot accents are so cute. I think they're perfect for spring.

Polishes Used: SinfulColors Easy Going, Diamond Cosmetics Don't Teal My Heart Away, Barielle Buddha-ful

Spring Polka Dots

Along with the Pantone Color of the Year, emerald, PINK is making a huge statement this year. Pink on nails is no exception. Many collections include varied shades, textures, and finishes of pinky polishes. Other than the stripe manicure featured yesterday, polka dots are another fabulous way to transition manicures from season to season. Besides, what classy lady doesn't love cute polka dots???

Polishes used: Barielle Eli's Magic and SinfulColors Easy Going
Nail art tip: Use a bobby pin for dots instead of buying dotting tools:)

Valentine's Manicure--Take 4

This one really requires no explanation, it speaks for itself...

Valentine's Manicure #4

Xs and Os liven up this manicure as does the glittery pink heart.  Classy and themed enough without being in-your-face.  This is a very simple look to achieve, just pick your favorite polishes and go!

Nail polishes used to create this manicure: SinfulColors Easy Going, Barielle Gold Digger and Cherry Blossom Sparkler

Valentine's Manicure--Take 3

Bouquets of beautiful fragrant flowers, shades of pink, a hint of sparkle, and romantic prints all characterize Valentine's Day.  I tried to pull all of these together in my next themed manicure.

Valentine's Manicure #3

I love a good watercolor manicure.  Unfortunately this one almost did not happen because I kept messing up! I saved this manicure by starting all over and creating an accent nail (a Kate-Belle-Kate jelly sandwich).  In the end I like how this turned out.  I love how soft and floral this manicure feels.  Watercolor manicures are perfect for spring and lovely enough for the upcoming holiday.  

Nail polishes used to create this manicure: Zoya Blogger Collection (Belle, Coraline, Kate) and SinfulColors Easy Going

Pink Week

This week has been deemed "Pink Week."  My posts will feature a pink-ish polish that has not yet gained its due recognition:)  This is the LAST of my current "Pink Week" posts.  


On Wednesday I featured Sinful Colors Easy Going as my pink polish.  Today I'm going to share my all time favorite mani that I have done with this beauty.  Behold the chic. girly, elegance...

Glitter + Pink = <3


Yes, you may say "pink manicure with an accent nail, big deal."  It WAS a big deal.  I could not stop oogling my beautiful fingers.  The bonus was that this manicure lasted a whole week and there was barely any tip wear!  Words cannot describe how stunning this was in person!

Pink Week: Sinful Colors Easy Going

This week has been deemed "Pink Week."  My posts will feature a pink-ish polish that has not yet gained its due recognition:) 


The truth is, this polish has not been neglected.  Although it has not received its recognition in its own post, I have used it in other manicures.  Meet Sinful Colors Easy Going...

Easy Going is a milky whitened peachy pink.  In this picture she looks like a pale pink-toned white.  In different lighting (and against different skin tones) the presence of the pink and it's orangey/peachy undertones changes.  One of my favorite manicures (which I will share with you later this week was done with this beauty!).  


The Verdict:
This polish builds up nicely, although it is very streaky in its first coat.  At times I have a love-hate relationship with this beauty.  As my skintone changes with seasons, I have found certain times when I do not like how this color looks on me.  But I do LOVE it in the spring (as you will see on Friday!).


Sinful Colors nail polishes can be found at pharmacies such as Walgreens, RiteAid, etc. and sell for $1.99.

Hand-painted Lace Tutorial

Many of you remember this post featuring  my hand-painted lace manicure.  I have received a few requests for a tutorial on this manicure so I put one together the other day.  This post does contain MANY PICTURES and the tutorial will be mostly picture with little commentary. Tutorial, go!

When I originally posted this manicure it was done with greigey taupe and white.  While this is my favorite combination for this manicure, this can be replicated with anything from neutrals, to bold hues and beyond.  For this tutorial I changed the colors for 2 reasons:

1. it's easier to see black & the contrast would be picked up better on my camera

2. I used a french manicure brush (see above) and I wanted to show you that you can do this with everyday items you have at home.  This is a manicure EVERYONE can do, not just the person with 1 million nail art tools:)

This is what you will need:

-base/background color

-another color of polish to create your "lace"

-small old makeup brush or paintbrush (mine was from this brush kit with for $1.99)

-skewer, toothpick, or pin to make the fine lines

-topcoat

 Optional:
-basecoat

-remover pen for cleanup

***I apologize for any blurry pictures, I was having trouble focusing my camera in macro***

Step 1: Prep your nails, use your basecoat, etc. Let dry completely. 

Step 2: Paint your nails in your base color.  I used Sinful Colors Easy Going ($1.99).  Make sure you achieve the desired opacity in as few coats as possible.  I used 2 coats. Let dry completely.(I apologize for my chipped nails--this mani was old)

Step 3: Get your fine brush.  Unscrew the lid of your layering polish and scrape the polish off the brush onto your brush.  My layering polish was Sinful Colors Black on Black ($1.99).

Step 4: Pick which finger you are accenting with this design (if you were REALLY ambitious you could do this to all your nails...) and draw a backwards slight "c" shape on your nail.

Step 5: Draw another line closer to your cuticle with the same shape.

Step 6: Starting near the middle, but not exactly centered, draw a backwards "j" shape.

Step 7: On the left side of your nail make another backwards "c" shape.

Step 8: On the opposite side (the right) make a "c" shape following the curve of your "j" you made in step 6.

Step 9: Your last stroke with your fine brush will be by making an "n" shape at the tip.

Step 10: Put your fine brush in remover to remove the polish and pick up your skewer/toothpick/pin.  Pick polish up off of the brush and onto the very tip of your implement.

Step 11: Begin in the middle and draw squares, "t" shapes, lines, or "x" shapes.

Step 12: Continue doing this between the thick lines in the center of your nail.

Step 13: Continue making these fine lines on one side of your nail, then the other.

Step 14: Make your fine lines between your backwards "c" shaped lines. *You can stop here and skip to step 16 if you are looking for a half-moon lace manicure.*

Step 15: Make the remaining hatch marks on your lunula (the semicircle area near you cuticle where you paint contrasting colors for a half-moon manicure)

Step 16: After it completely dries. Finish with your favorite topcoat.  This not only helps your manicure to last longer but it also tends to even out the texture.

Voila!

There is absolutely no right or wrong way to do this design.  Make it your own by changing the design to suit your taste.  And it's better than nail strips because you can do the colors you want.  I would LOVE to see what you come up with!  If you end up doing this link, facebook, or email me your picture! I cannot wait to see where you take this:)