Back online!!

So in my little hiatus from the blog world I completed my first 31 day challenge and then promptly lost half of those pics when my phone went hay-wire (WHY didn't I back everything up!?) Needless to say I became a bit unmotivated...

BUT! I did/do miss it so hopes of making amends I've posted the pics that actually still exist and survived the failing of my iPhone; I also want to begin a 31 Day challenge anew (dare I try again??). 

Day 28: Inspired by a flag (Nigeria)

Day 20: Watermarbled

Day 19: Galaxies

                           

These are just some of my fave nail designs from 2013 that didn't really get any press:

                                  


                                  
                   
                   
                                 
 

31 Day Challenge, Days Fourteen and Fifteen: Delicately Printed Flowers

So when i began my nails for this design i realized that this was not only a lovely flower design but also very delicate looking. I used Julep's Oxygen Treatment as the base, it's the perfect jelly pink. Also helps to prevent pesky yellowing that comes with excessive polishing.

31 Day Challenge, Day Seven: Black & White

So here you will see everything I used to make this look possible, I remember the days when all I used was one bottle of polish... Sigh Lol.

The colors I used are Essie- "Blanc", Essie- "Licorice", stamping polish Konad- "Black" and "White" with my lovely Bundle Monster Plates. Once I stamped my middle and ring fingers I felt everything was unfinished soooo I freehanded the half moons.

Happy polishing!

31 Day Challenge, Day Five: Blue

So I've been dying to do the nail outline (I have no clue what the official name is) for some time but i forgot until i was reminded recently ^_^. Here's my blue, I used Essie- "Mesmerize" and my Bundle Monster plate you'll see below. A relatively easy design, I first painted my nails the base color and then outlined them free hand.

I also tried a new cleanup technique where I used Aquafor (you can use any oil based product) to coat my cuticles before I started polishing to cut down on my clean up process. You are moisturizing your nails AND helping them look neater allll in one. Just try not to get the oil based product on your nails or you will have a hard time painting over it!

Happy painting!

The actual shine of nails

The actual shade of blue

Green Machine!

So I want to start off by saying I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE this color by Julep (Fiona- Boho Glam), I also LOVE Julep. Because I have so many polishes it just helps to get my polishes mailed to me randomly monthly. Check out Julep

The application if this polish is perfection, it's smooth and absolutely even.

From Bundle Monster 2012 

China Glaze- "Flyin' High" and "Heli-yum"

Season's Greetings!

Ok, I know I'm a lil bit past the "season" BUT the "season" is what inspired my two following Bundle Monster designs. I adore nail stamping, I don't know what other type of nail art provides the same level of versatility and ease!

Glitter: Shine Vs. Matte

So I'm trying to get into glitter, mainly because this whole matte glitter trend is really wowing me right now. But I didn't want to totally discount the joys of glitter with shine, after all it is the original way to go! So for my shine glitter example I used one coat of OPI: "Big Apple Red" which is a great jelly red and then two coats of OPI: "Be-Claus I Said So". For the kisses I used Bundle Monster 02.

  

 

I tried to take pics of this glitter in different lights but I still feel the overall shine of this polish wasn't represented 100% by the camera.

VS.

Next I used a matte glitter that I've been dying to use since the first time I saw it, Amy's Nail Boutique: "Pink Lemonade".

 My amateur palm tree is my attempt at free-hand designs... I really have to brush up on my free hand skills! Thanks for reading and Happy Bloggin'!

Stamping Leaves a Great First Impression!

Every time I think I have a favorite nail design style I discover something new and decide instantly that THIS must be the greatest thing ever. At least until tomorrow when I see something else that grabs my attention. Thats what happened with nail stamping, so many options, so easily done and only so many fingers!