Halloween Nail Art Compilation

Halloween is just 10 days away and many people might still be looking for that perfect Halloween manicure to either compliment their attire or enhance their costume. I thought it might be fun to create a link up that has a bunch of these manicures to share and to inspire others. I was going to use a link up tool that has thumbnails, however mine is not working so here is the next best thing. Please leave your link and feel free to add the link up to your blog as well!

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Halloween Nail Art

A Tell Tale Manicure

It's no secret that Halloween is not my favorite holiday. I have never enjoyed being scared and I have always been on the squeamish side. However, I have always loved the creepy, insanity and darkness of some classic literature. I have shown this in some of my past Halloween inspired manicures including Jabberwocky and The Raven. This time I bring you another Edgar Allan Poe classic, The Tell Tale Heart. It's a short story about a character who is rather insane and paranoid after committing a crime. If you have never read it, here it is in its glory.

I included EKG lines to show the beating heart, blood spatter and smear, the words "like the sound a watch makes," and a heart of course. I apologize for the smearing that occurred when I added my topcoat :-(

Polishes used: Zoya Jacqueline, Livingston, Pepper, Claire, Harley, and Dot

Here are some other Halloween inspired manicures (& enter your own while you're at it leave a comment and I will vote for you!):
http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/halloween-nail-art-challenge/

We're Not in Kansas Anymore...

Yesterday's post inspired me to try my hand at some nail art. I mentioned that Oswin reminded me of Dorothy's ruby slippers so I decided to channel that into a Dorothy manicure. I almost tried to choose something about each character and showcase that in each nail, but I quickly realized I had bitten off more than I could chew. Truth be told, this was my third attempt at this manicure! I was pretty pleased with the result. This might make a great Halloween manicure if you're going as Dorothy...or just drench your tips in Oswin:)

Polishes used: Zoya Oswin, Darcy, Purity, Rocky, and Song

What have you been inspired by lately?

Once Upon a Midnight Dreary...

Yes, lovelies, I created a manicure inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's well-known poem, The Raven. I think this is a very classy way to wear "Halloween Nails" without being too grotesque or juvenile. If you've never read this poem (or the Tell Tale Heart) it is a great, seasonal read. In the poem the mysterious bird repeats "nevermore" as the narrator wrestles with himself. I chose to focus on the eerie message of the raven and use the bird's words as inspiration. Since I am no expert in the field of nail art, I chose to keep it as simple as possible. Here is my take on this haunting poem...

I have to admit, I really love this look despite it having no semblance of a bird. Maybe some day when I have a steadier hand I will be able to create a silhouette of a raven. Until then, this is as good as it gets. I think I will have to recreate this for Halloween, perhaps replacing Dahlia with Dhara:)

Polishes used: Zoya Purity, Dahlia, and Claudine (CONFESSION: I used a Sharpie to write the word "Nevermore")

Sugar Skull Inspired

This manicure draws inspiration from the Mexican holiday el Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). This early November celebration somehow makes death and dying a beautiful celebration full of bright colors and flowers. Sugar skulls personify these festivities to me. Here is my festive, colorful rendition...

This manicure was fun and very random. It is one of those things that you probably cannot recreate because you just made it up as you went. The whimsy of this is that no two will be the same (my two hands looked different). While this looks complex, it was rather simple in its execution.

What do you think about this bright, festive manicure?

Spooky Trees

Today's festive fall manicure is simple and straightforward. I love seeing autumn trees covered with colorful leaves, however that beauty does not last forever. Eventually the leaves fall off, giving way to trees that beckon toward the winter sky. These spooky trees were the inspiration for my manicure.

While this may not be my most favorite manicure, I really loved the combination of essie Bobbing for Baubles and Bad Ass Polish Dusk. It also made me rekindle my love for essie Bobbing for Baubles. Dusk adds some light and beauty to the manicure while creating mystery and intrigue.

Do you have a favorite topper that adds more character to manicures, like Dusk did for this manicure?

Time Warp Challenge--Day 4

Today's challenge is...

Lights, camera, action!

This one was hard for me. I'm not sure why it was so hard for me to think of a nostalgic movie, song, or piece of literature.  I reflected on what I listened to, read, and watched growing up but I could not come up with any ideas I liked. Then, while I least expected it, inspiration struck.  I remembered reading a certain poem over and over because of the nonsensical gibberish in it.  It was introduced to us kids by my dad (who is the best story teller ever) and my sister and I became obsessed.  So without further ado, I introduce you to my friend...

...the Jabberwocky!

The poem, by Lewis Carroll, was originally from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There however, I was unaware of this until I was in high school and reading Through the Looking-Glass.  As the many years have passed, my sister and I still know the words to this wonderous poem and although it is full of nonsense words, you can still make sense of it as the words used are imitations of words.  It's my favorite poem ever.  Now on with more manicure pictures...

My nails say "...and with it's head he went galumphing back." This are the last lines in the fifth stanza and since I painted the Jabberwocky it was only fitting to slay him as painting him sure did the same to me:)

In Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There Alice comes across a book written in what seems like a different language language. She soon realizes that everything is written backwards, so Alice holds a mirror to the book and reads the reflected verse of "Jabberwocky."  Because of this, I included some shots with a mirror just for fun;)

I know it's kind of a mess (and that many of you probably dislike it), but I love this manicure.  It was SO time consuming, but I love the result!  It would be PERFECT for Halloween!

Polishes used: OPI Skull and Glossbones

What movie, song, or piece of literature would you have chosen?