Sunday, June 30, 2013

I Love Marbling

There are a lot of nail art designs and techniques that I love to do. Marbling is way up there on that list and there are many different marbling techniques. I must say, though, that when I'm in a lazy mood (which happens quite often) but I still want an eye-catching manicure, cling wrap marbling is my favorite right now. It's super super simple and quick but it has such a unique finish!

I used all Funky Fingers colors for this because... well, because I'm a little obsessed with them. They don't have the best formula or application, but the colors are just killer. For the base of my marble, I used NYC French White Tip because my first color, Like Clockwork, is a neon yellow-orange. Once Like Clockwork had dried, I applied a thick coat of Aloha and used wadded up cling wrap to take off some of the color. Afterwards, I used the same cling wrap to dab on a little bit of Riot to add some contrast. Lastly, I slapped on some China Glaze Fairy Dust because I can. Ha ha. I just love that glitter and I want to put it on EVERYTHING!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Diagonal French Stripes

Anyone that's been reading this blog long enough knows that I have a major love for Sally Hansen Celeb City. It's my favorite silver and probably my favorite polish. So, when I sat down to do my nails today, I grabbed it since I haven't used it in a while.Then, I looked over and saw another color that I've been obsessed with for a little while now; Funky Fingers Power Play. Every day for the last week, I've had to force myself to use something other than that color. I'm trying to vary things up here, ya know?

Well, I decided to use Celeb City and Power Play today. Since I had a neon, and a shimmery foil, I wanted something dark to balance things out. So I also grabbed Sally Hansen Black Out.

I could not be happier with this manicure. I think these three colors look fantastic together. It's great to see Celeb City and Power Play together in one manicure. :) I'm a happy girl.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Neon Mess

Funny story about this manicure. I was bored. I turned on Netflix and pulled out a bunch of nail polish. I saw four neon Art Club polishes and decided to play with them. I striped my nails with them over and over, alternating colors, until I had completely painted my nails. (By the way, that takes a while with nail polish with a striping brush.) I looked at it when I was done, and realized that it was kinda cool and marble-like. I decided to keep it on mostly because it took me forever but also because it was late. I slapped on some China Glaze Fairy Dust, then Seche Vite, and went to bed. 

The next day, when I looked at my nails, I hated them! I hated them for several hours, actually. But, maybe 12 hours after painting my nails, I started to like them. The effect was just so unique. There are so many techniques for nail marbling but none of them achieve a look like this. Later, I looked at the photographs that I took and it looks even better in the pictures than in real life.

 It's amazing how sometimes a mess can turn out to be something you love.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Bruins?

Now...I don't like hockey. I actually can't stand hockey. Living in the Detroit area, though, I hear about hockey ALL THE TIME. Also, my little sister in Tennessee is now a Bruins fan and, like any Bostonian (though she isn't one), she is getting pretty serious about her hockey.

Well, while talking to her on the phone today and looking for a nail art idea. She suggested hockey nails. Rather, she said, "Do Bruins nails." I didn't have any better ideas, so I went with it.

The only colors I used were Butter London The Full Monty, Sally Hansen Black Out, and NYC French White Tip. Now, tool-wise, I used several nail art brushes, toothpicks, dotting tools, etc. It took quite a while, but I kinda like it.

This isn't something I would usually do because, as I said, I hate hockey. Little sis wanted it, though, so I was perfectly fine with doing it. It looks...hockey-chic. ;)

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Neon 90s

Any of my friends can tell you that I love the 90s. 90s music is my favorite and most of my favorite television shows are from the 90s, too. One of those shows is Saved by the Bell. Since it's on Netflix, I've been watching a lot of it lately. One thing I especially love is the bright colors and funky patterns in the intro. That's what inspired this manicure!

The base colors are Julep Charlie and Funky Fingers Power Play. The designs are done Charlie, Power Play, Zoya Wednesday, Art Club Purple Rain, Art Club Neon Green, and Art Club Technicolor Doll.

I love this design! It's so bright, so cheerful, so exciting, so... 90s!


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Pink Lemonade

It's been five days since my last post and I feel awful. It's been a bad combination of lack of inspiration and laziness. I had the hardest time coming up with ideas and when I did, I just wasn't impressed with my work enough to blog about it.

I'm back now, though, and I have a super cute manicure to share!

This is Julep Charlie and Sally Hansen Twisted Pink topped with China Glaze Fairy Dust. The pink lemon wheels are fimo slices that came from a little set I got as a gift. I have no idea where they came from or what brand they are, though. I just attached them with a little bit of glue!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Rainbow Dots!

After the last few days I've had at work, I needed to do something bright, cheery, and hopeful with my nails. Rainbows came to mind and so did polka dots. There is just something about seeing polka dots that makes me happy.


So. Here's everything that I used for the polka dots; Art Club Red, OPI A Roll in the Hague (orange), Julep Charlie (yellow), NYC High Line Green, Julep Ally (blue), and OPI Purple With a Purpose. The base is NYC French White Tip. I topped it all with China Glaze Fairy Dust.

It's bright, colorful, glittery...polka-dotty? I love it.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Holo Gradient

This is actually a manicure I did almost a week ago. I needed something subtle for work but I wanted something with some sparkle. There's no sparkle quite like holographic sparkle.

The base color is OPI Berlin There Done That. I like that it's a nice neutral but still unique. The gradient is done in both that color and Butter London Trustafarian. I love these colors together. It's such a lovely sparkly combination.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Just a Quickie: Me and the Girls


 
Me: Sally Hansen Black Out with Art Club, Venice, Malibu, and Hollywood

Heather: ORLY Fancy Fuchsia and Sally Hansen Man-go Team!

Trisha: Pure Ice Iced Merlot and Art Club White

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Just a Quickie: Ombre Stamping




Thumb: Wet n Wild Disturbia
Other fingers: Disturbia lightened with white
Stamping: Sally Hansen Silver Sweep BM-206

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

It's-a me, Mario!

I don't know about you guys, but I love classic Super Mario Brothers games. Newer games are great but there's something about the originals that just can't be beat. Hubby and I are both big fans of classic video games and Mario & Luigi are tops, for me. Well, this morning I randomly got a hankering to listen to the Super Mario Brothers theme song. Naturally, my next thought was SMB manicure time!


The main colors I used were Julep Olivia, Sally Hansen Blue Me Awayy, Wet n Wild Private Viewing, and NYC High Line Green and I just adjusted those colors with other polishes for some parts. The detail work is done in Art Club Black and Art Club White. I used so many tools for this including dotting tools, paint brushes, nail art brushes, and even toothpicks.

I'm SOO happy with this manicure! It took forever but it was well worth it!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Animal! Animal!

The other day, at work, we somehow ended up in a discussion about The Muppets. I think most people are familiar with The Muppets and most of us have a favorite. My favorite has ALWAYS been Animal. I don't know what it is. He's so fuzzy, and loud, and wild, and fun!

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to do an Animal inspired manicure.

I used Sally Hansen Twisted Pink as a base. On every nail but my ring finger, I used a fuchsia flocking powder. I made Animal's face with Art Club Black, Art Club White, and OPI Deutsch You Want Me Baby.

I love using flocking powder on my nails. It took me a while to get used to it, but now I love it. Fluffy nails are cool.
Look how fluffy!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Iron Man!

I wanted to do a super-hero themed manicure but couldn't decide on a hero. So, I asked hubby who his favorite super-hero is. Without hesitation he responded with Iron Man. I was glad to hear it. Not only would Iron Man be my favorite, if I had to choose, but I love Iron Man's color scheme. I instantly knew what I wanted to do!

I did a base of Butter London The Full Monty on all of my nails. I did a gradient on all but my ring finger with The Full Monty, OPI Deutsch You Want Me Baby, and Art Club Red. Iron Man's face is done in Art Club Red with Sally Hansen Silver Sweep for the eyes and Art Club Black for the mouth. Very simple but still awesome!