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    31 Day Challenge, Gradient, Uncategorised

    31DC2013 Day 30: Inspired by a Tutorial

    30th September 2013
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    Today’s inspiration comes from Storm and Stars who created this nail look a while back for Blog Fest. Click here to see her post with the tutorial. I went through a phase where I was completely obsessed with chevrons so when I was searching for an inspiring tutorial for today’s nails, this look reignited that flame in me. I immediately pulled out my funky scissors and scotch tape and set to work!

    I chose a different colour scheme than you’ll see in the original and added a glitter accent nail because GLITTER! I’m really really in love with these nails, it’s a very simple technique for such a striking look and although it’s quite time consuming to do the whole hand, it would make an excellent accent nail in any mani.

    To see how this is done, hop over to Storm and Stars HERE for an amazing tutorial.
    The colours I used for the gradient are Barry M Guava, NYC Blue Sky and Essie Navigate Her. The glitter on my ring finger is H+M Jo Is In The House applied over Navigate Her.
    My top coat is No7 Stay Perfect.

    Day 30: Inspired by a Tutorial 2012
    Day 30: Inspired by a Tutorial 2011
    See what’s coming next in the 31 Day Challenge 2013!

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    31 Day Challenge, Galaxy, Uncategorised

    31DC2013 Day 19: Galaxies

    19th September 2013
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    I made a huge effort to stay away from the pastel galaxy nails today but I just kept getting drawn back. I tried a few variations with dark colours and I didn’t like any of them as much as I did the pastels so I just stuck with my favourite colour combination – pink, blue and purple!

    I started with a base of Barry M White followed by a coat of No7 Stay Perfect Top Coat to dry it off.
    I placed scotch tape on the sides of my nails to mark off the white ‘frame’ and then created the galaxy by sponging on the different colours. There’s a full galaxy tutorial here.
    The colours I used for the galaxy are Barry M Prickly Pear, NYC Raindrop and NYC MoMa. I painted over them in a coat of Calvin Klein Blue Wants to be a Millionaire and added the star details using acrylic paint with a nail art brush and dotting tool.
    It’s all topped off with a coat of Essence Better Than Gel Nails High Gloss Top Sealer.

    Day 19: Galaxies 2012
    Day 19: Galaxies 2011
    See what’s coming next in the 31 Day Challenge 2013!

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    31 Day Challenge, Uncategorised

    31DC2013 Day 18: Half Moons

    18th September 2013
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    For my half moon nails I’ve gone back to that old favourite, black and gold! I was trying to figure out ways to spice it up – maybe adding a gradient, a waterfall, some glitter – but then I thought why mess with the proven formula? I do love half moons. I think they’re very, um… sexy, especially in any combination that includes red, black or nude. I mean there’s a reason it’s Dita Von Teese’s nail art of choice!

    I used NYC Full Metal Jacket as my base colour followed by a coat of No7 Stay Perfect Top Coat to dry it quickly. Next I used hole reinforcers to mark off the half moon and painted over the rest of the nail in W7 Black. Then I topped it all off with another two coats of Stay Perfect Top Coat.
    I wrote a full tutorial for half moon nails here.

    Day 18: Half Moons 2012
    Day 18: Half Moons 2011
    See what’s coming next in the 31 Day Challenge 2013!

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    Uncategorised

    31DC2013 Day 12: Stripes

    12th September 2013
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    Today’s nails were created with a ‘bit of this, bit of that’ attitude! I knew I wanted white pinstripes but I didn’t want a plain colour underneath so after checking galaxy and gradient off the list, I ended up settling on Saran Wrap nails. Or something of the sort. I’ve never really understood the concept and the methods I looked up seem to vary! I decided to just blob out some colours on to a sheet of plastic, lay saran wrap (or cling film to us Brits) flat on top to smush the colours together and attempt to transfer the resulting marble pattern on to my nails. It was okay for a first go and it makes a nice base for the stripes but I definitely need a little more practice.

    31DC2013 Day 12: Stripes

    31DC2013 Day 12: Stripes

    For this nail art, I used a base coat of NYC Raindrop then used the Raindrop, NYC Blue Sky and Sally Hansen Water Color in the saran wrap method I metioned above. I used one coat of Sally Hansen Dries Instantly to dry that quickly.
    When it was completely dry, I stuck some striping tape in a uniform pinstripe pattern on my nails and painted over it in BK Matte White before removing it immediately.
    Finally I topped it with two more coats of Sally Hansen Dries Instantly.

    31DC2013 Day 12: Stripes

    31DC2013 Day 12: Stripes
    Day 12: Stripes 2012
    Day 12: Stripes 2011
    See what’s coming next in the 31 Day Challenge 2013!
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    31 Day Challenge, Freehand, Uncategorised

    31DC2013 Day 8: Metallic Nails

    8th September 2013
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    I was really struggling with ideas for today’s Metallic Nails prompt but when I came across NYC Full Metal Jacket I knew it was the one! And of course, what else would I pair it with other than black?!
    Since my Great Gatsby inspired manicure I’ve been itching to try something similar and I’m so pleased with the result. I’ve been on such a freehand kick this weekend – trying lots of new things and pushing my own boundaries when it comes to freehand nail art. I’ve really surprised myself with what I can actually do! 

    I used A-England Lancelot as my base colour then freehanded the details in NYC Full Metal Jacket with a nail art brush. It’s all topped off with two coats of Sally Hansen Dries Instantly.

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    31 Day Challenge, Galaxy, Studs, Uncategorised

    31DC2013 Day 4: Green Nails

    4th September 2013
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    My green polish for day 4 of the challenge is NYC’s Blue Sky. I spotted this shade when I was in Superdrug recently to pick up my second bottle of NYC Raindrop which is my favourite polish that I’ve purchased all year!
    Blue Sky is a weird name for a green polish huh? I actually began to question my eyesight when I saw the name, but this polish is definitely green! I would describe it as a very vibrant mint green as there is definitely a pastel tone about it but it’s bright at the same time. 
    I couldn’t resist adding the pastel galaxy nail accent! I’m still completely obsessed with this nail art and slide it in to my manicures every chance I get!

    My base colour is NYC Blue Sky and I added some 2mm pastel blue studs from Born Pretty Store. I created the galaxy nail with NYC Raindrop, NYC Lavender Cupcake, NYC Lexington Yellow, a coat of Calvin Klein Blue Wants to Be a Millionaire and white acrylic paint for the details. 
    It’s all finished off with a coat of Sally Hansen Dries Instantly.

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    Glitter, Studs, Swatch, Uncategorised

    Nail Lacquer UK Sticks and Stones Blue

    30th August 2013
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    Not too long ago, AJ from Nail Lacquer UK got in touch to see if I’d be interested in trying out a few of her polishes and I of course jumped at the chance to review some Indies from a UK based maker. There are so many amazing glitters in her store that it took me a while to decide on just a few but I asked if I could try Sticks and Stones Blue and Dog Days. I’m so happy to see a UK indie maker with such an amazing selection. The best part is that I can buy up as many bottles as I want without insane shipping or import costs! 
    Another sweet little detail I want to mention is that each polish comes with a little handmade charm themed to suit the polish. You can either keep these round the bottle or clip them on to a charm bracelet (or anywhere else you want to wear them) with the lobster clasp. I’m currently rocking on one my purse! How’s that for a loving touch?
    Today I have a swatch of Sticks and Stones Blue to share. This polish is a classic black and white, bar and hex glitter with some lavender and blue additions with extra squares. There’s a really good amount of glitter in the bottle – I only had to use one coat for this swatch. I’m really impressed with this polish and I really can’t wait to try Dog Days too. Nail Lacquer UK polishes can be purchased in AJ’s Etsy store. Mini bottles are £3.50 and the full sizes range from £5.50-£7.50.

    My base colour is NYC Raindrop and I used one coat of Nail Lacquer UK Sticks and Stones Blue.
    For the accent nails I use striping tape to mark off some racing stripes, then painted Barry M Matt White straight down the middle and NYC Lavender Cupcake at the sides. I added a pastel purple stud from Born Pretty Store.


    It’s all topped off with 2 coats of Sally Hansen Dries Instantly.

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