Nails of the Day - Ocean Waves

A girlfriend commented that my last manicure reminded her of waves more than of clouds and suddenly my mind went into obsession-mode. I couldn't stop thinking about how freaking pretty that would be!  So, I busted out my sponges and fan brush and got to work.  The result is something that I'm disappointed doesn't capture completely on camera.  I love this look!

I started with a layer or two of OPI Nail Envy then sponged a layer of  LA Colors BCC 656 (white) onto the nail from the tip to about 3 quarters down. Next came a layer of grey (Sinful Colors Slate) that was sponged down about halfway down the nail.  Sinful Colors Mint Apple was sponged throughout the grey and a little further into the white. I repeated the colors (white, grey, green) until I'd built up enough color that it was opaque but had maintained the white at the bottom to look like the wave touching shore. I came in with a fan brush and Orly Sparkling Garbage to dab in some glitter without covering up the detail before topping each nail with 2 coats of Seche Vite.

Normally, I don't prefer individual finger pictures but I couldn't get my camera to cooperate to show you the detail without it.  Sorry!

Index

Middle

Ring

Pinky

Thumb

 

Nails of the Day - Fall Inspired Gradient

Southern California is gearing up for some 90+ degree temperatures this weekend and it feels like everyone is wishing for fall to come and cool things down. I am loving all the fall manicures being posted! If doing my nails is my grand gesture to the Lords of Autumnal Coolness, it is a sacrifice I'm willing to make. ESPECIALLY when I have seasonal cookie inspiration!

Mr Husband made my favorite cookies in the universe this week: pumpkin chocolate chip! They're so dense, moist and full of pumpkin spice.  My Julep September Maven box had a the perfect compliment to such a rich treat.

  

I started off with a base of Julep Candace (one coat for the accent nails and two for the others). On the accent nails, I put down one coat of LynnBDesigns Millie.  After that dried, I sponged Julep Zoe from the tip to about halfway down and Julep Hilary just at the tip of all the nails.

The cookie was promptly consumed after this photo

Reverse-Gradient Redux

Rachel inspired me to revisit a prior mani that I loved.  I am so excited and proud of the results! My nails have clearly grown longer/stronger and my clean-up skills have definitely improved.

Have I mentioned how much I love this look?

May 30, 2013

April 11, 2013

Do you have any progress photos of either your nail growth or of improved nail art?

Challenge - Striping - Reverse Gradient

Striping is one of my favorite polish techniques because it is so universal. I popped my head into r/redditlaqueristas for a bit of inspiration and immediately decided the reverse gradient striping needed to happen. I'm shocked at how relatively simple it was!

My collection still needs some work so I ended up using my Magnetic polish for the blue but I love how it looks not magnetized!

All in all, this was a simple and really awesome look!

Challenge - A Time Before History

Forgive my tardiness, I'm pretty 'tardy.

I decided to gather my inspiration from SCIENCE. Mainly because science is the coolest!  The first thing I thought of when I read the inspiration was the Big Bang. We all know what that means: Galaxy Nails time!!

In more of a dramatic lighting

In whatever lighting lets you see
my messy palm best.

I'm not 100% in love with them, but for a first attempt I'm really proud! The thumb design is supposed to be an illustration of the proton particle collision that allowed the detection of the Higgs boson particle.  That shit ain't easy to translate on nails.  That could be because the Higgs particle completely baffles me in a way I'm not ashamed to admit.

Polishes:
Rimmel Black Satin
Rimmel Rags to Riches
Revlon Strawberry Sizzle
Sinful Colors Let's Meet
Sinful Colors Love Nails
China Glaze Fairy Dust
Love & Beauty Earl Grey
Love & Beauty Lava Glitter
Ulta Purple Haze

I think I've got them all listed but I know I wasn't keeping track.