NCLA Nail Wraps in It Don't Matter (& a brief tutorial)

Press Samples

I was contacted by NailPolishCanada.com to test and review NCLA Nail Wraps. I was so excited to try out another brand of nail wraps/polish strips. Everyone is pressed for time in this day and age and NCLA Nail Wraps are a saving grace. When you want to have killer nail art but either don't have the time or skill to execute it, NCLA Nail Wraps come to the rescue.

Here is a brief tutorial on how to apply the NCLA Nail Wraps:
Each kit comes with 2 sheets of 22 wraps (good for 3-4 applications), a NCLA nail file, easy-to-follow directions. 

This kit is called It Don't Matter and features a variety of black and white geometric designs. The images below match the instructions described below.

1. Apply a base coat to clean nails.
2. Choose the size and design that you would like to wear. Peel the chosen strip off of the backing.
3. Line the curved side up with your cuticle. Stretch the strip and smooth out the bubbles.
4. File off the excess in a downward motion using the included file.
5. Apply a top coat to seal and protect your nail wrap.

The result...

The Verdict:
These are a time saver. They are quite durable. These are beautiful without the painstaking work of creating these designs as nail art. NCLA Nail Wraps can be worn as a full manicure or as accent nails. The wraps come in a variety of sizes. I have VERY small fingers so it made it somewhat difficult to wear this as a full mani. I don't know if there are strips small enough for my pinkies. That being said, these can be cut so they can be the appropriate size.  I would definitely recommend these to anyone and everyone. Go pick some out today!

There are 29 different designs to choose from on NailPolishCanada.com and they retail for $16.00 for one set.

Polishes used: Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein (base coat), Barielle Ultra Speed Dry Manicure Extender (top coat), essie Barefoot in Blue

V-gap Tutorial

Many of you have seen the progression of my success in emulating the v-gap manicure.  My first try was done with one polish and painstakingly cut scotch tape strips.  My second attempt was again with one polish color, but it was free-handed.  My latest attempt was accomplished with 2 polish colors (which helps with the contrast & makes it look cleaner) and a nail art brush.  In the end, do whatever works best for you.  Here are the instructions and photo-tutorial from my latest attempt.

V-Gap Manicure Tutorial 

This is what you will need:

-base/background color

-another color of polish to create your design

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

-topcoat

 Optional:
-basecoat

-remover pen for cleanup

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

Step 2: Paint your nails in your base color.  I used Zoya Jules ($8 from zoya.com).  Make sure you achieve the desired opacity in as few coats as possible.  I used 2 coats. Let dry completely.

Step 3: Get your fine brush.  Unscrew the lid of your layering polish (I used Zoya Vanessa) and scrape the polish off the brush onto your brush. Pick which finger you are doing first and draw 2 parallel lines down the middle of your nail.  Make sure the lines are close together and make sure lines do not go the entire length of the nail.  The lines should only take up about 3/4 the length of the nail.

Step 4: At the ends of the lines you just created, continue the line to the "corners" of your nail.  You are finished with the nail art brush and you can clean it (or "line" the rest of your nails before proceeding to Step 5).

Step 5: With the same color you "lined" your nail with, and the brush from the bottle of polish, paint down each side of the nail carefully in one steady stroke.  If your polish is not a one-coater then you should wait a couple of minutes before applying another coat to each side of the nail.

Step 6:  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.

The result:

There is absolutely no right or wrong way to do create this design, do whatever you're most comfprtable with & what works for you. 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:)

Tribal Print Tutorial Using Zoya Kristen

So all week my nails have been sporting Zoya Kristen.  Zoya's website describes Kristen as "a gull gray nail polish with a mild bluish hue."  She's gorgeous and is my go-to polish for the winter to spring transition.  See how beautiful she is:

This picture was not taken today, it was taken the last time I wore Kristen.  Earlier this month I painted my tips with this delicate blue on a bright sunny day.  Today is a grey cloudy January day:-\  But the perfect day to show you a fun tutorial.

Donna Karan's Spring 2012 dresses were all completely stunning.  But the ones that stood out to me the most were the monochromatic tribal prints, as seen below.

Retrieved from http://www.socialbliss.com/assets/user_images/pic_42_1333906795.jpg

In all honesty, I'm a sucker for anything black and white.  So naturally these tribal prints inspired me.  As I just said, I LOVE monochromatic color palettes especially black & white.  However, I thought it may look rather harsh against my pale wintery skin.  Instead, I decided to use blue & white, to soften the entire concept.  Here we go!

Tribal Print Tutorial 

This is what you will need:

-base/background color

-another color of polish to create your design

-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.  Also the coloring is off, but only so you can see the steps better.***

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

Step 2: Paint your nails in your base color.  I used Zoya Kristen ($8 from zoya.com).  Make sure you achieve the desired opacity in as few coats as possible.  I used 2 coats. Let dry completely.

Step 3: Get your fine brush.  Unscrew the lid of your layering polish and scrape the polish off the brush onto your brush. Pick which finger you are accenting with this design (if you were REALLY ambitious you could do this to all your nails...) and draw 2 parallel lines on the left side of your nail.

Step 4: Between the lines you just created, add smaller lines to create a ladder-like design.  Do not place them too close together or you will be unable to finish the design.

Step 5: Within the squares that you just created when painting the ladder, you're going to paint forward and backward "L" shapes.  Make sure the "L" shapes touch the left most line on your finger.

 Step 6: In the middle of your nail paint a wide white line separating the left side that you just painted from the right side.

Step 7: On the right side of your nail you are going to paint a boxy looking zig-zag. 

Step 8: On the far right side of your nail make upside-down "T" shapes.  The bottom of the "T" shape should fit in the boxy zig-zag pattern.

Step 9: Finally, next to the wide line in the middle add some dots.  I added mine to the left side of my nail.  We have now painted your nail from left to right.  If you are left handed or painting your right hand you may find it easier to do it in the opposite direction.
 

Step 10:  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:)

The sun came out for a picture!

***Please stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway featuring some gorgeous Zoya polishes!***

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:)

Mermaid Manicure Tutorial

I've been asked a few times about creating a tutorial for my "Mermaid Manicure." This tutorial was done with photographs, so this post is very picture heavy!  I apologize for those of you who would rather just have the word directions, but some of you may (or may not) learn from the pictures:)

This is what you will need:

-base/background color

-glitter polish or another color

-sponge applicator (like the cheap-o things you get with eye shadows & never use)

-topcoat (I guess this is optional, but it will help your mani to last longer & will smooth it out)

 Optional:
-basecoat

-remover pen for cleanup

 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 Open Seas ($1.99).  Make sure you achieve the desired opacity in as few coats as possible.  I used 2 coats. Let dry completely.




Step 3:  Get your sponge applicator.  (I got mine in this kit for $1.99 for the sole purpose of destroying it with polish)  Unscrew the lid of your layering polish and scrape the polish off the brush onto your applicator.  My layering polish was Sinful Colors Nail Junkie ($1.99).







Step 4:  Lightly dab polish onto your nail (at the tip, the left or right corner, one side, or your nail bed).  As you dab polish concentrate on one part of the nail, I did the tip, and lightly fade it out before getting more polish.

Step 5: Wait between layers for polish to dry or it will become tacky and get indents in it.





  


Step 6: Continue adding layers until the desired darkness/concentration of layering polish is achieved.  Do not forget to "fade" while using your sponge applicator.

*Some people swear by sponging a thin layer on 3/4 of the nail, wait for it to dry.  Sponge polish on 1/2 the nail, wait for it to dry. Sponge on last 1/4. See illustration below*







 Step 7: Finish with your favorite topcoat.  This not only helps your manicure to last longer but it also tends to mask any minor flaws in your sponging.





Here is the illustration I created on how to sponge.  Keep in mind that you can create a gradient by using polishes of slightly different colors, just like in the picture.

Let me know what other tutorials you would like to see.  I can always give a manicure a shot, even if it doesn't turn out perfectly;)