Navy and Pink Dot Gradient

I've taken a little vacation from doing my nails. I've got some exciting things going on, I'm in the beginning stages of learning how to scuba dive and am seriously considering becoming a certified nail technician this summer. Oh, and I played Halo for the first time last night!

But you know I'll always have time for my nails. So yesterday I did a nice little dot gradient.

This was actually my first time doing a dot gradient and I really love the look of it.

I started out with two coats of Maybelline Color Show Navy Narcissist.

This is such a beautiful metallic blue. But I was looking for more than just a pretty polish job, so I got out my Sinful Colors Easy Going. 

Easy Going is actually a very light pink, but in my pictures it looks like a white polish. It's not though!

I just took one of my medium sized dotting tools and put the dots close together at the top of my nail. Each row after I put the dots further and further away. I switched to the small side of the dotting tool on the third row.

These nails are super cute and so easy to do if you have a dotting tool! If not, you can get a set for super cheap on ebay, mine was less than $2.

I've got some fun nails planned for New Year's Eve tomorrow, so make sure you stop by and see them before you bring in the New Year!

French and Pinstripes

I took a well needed break from doing my nails yesterday and enjoyed a quiet day home with my family!

I got lots of clothes and some cash (I'm sure most of which will be spent on nail polish), so overall it was a pretty good Christmas!

Today I decided to do a black french manicure with pink pinstripes underneath. Pink and black is definitely one of my favorite color combos, it's simple, classy, and girly. 

I started these babies out with two coats of Julep Kate. Then I freehanded the stripes with Stripe Rite Pink.

I did the black tips with Sinful Colors Time Off. This striper polish has been a necessity for so many of my nailart designs and it was so cheap!

I enhanced this picture and it ended up looking kind of cartoon-y, but I like it! Pinstripe nails always remind me of the circus for some reason, so I think the cartoon-ish look goes well with these nails.

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and got what they wanted!

Christmas Eve Water Marble

I've made it to the last day of Nail-mas! I thought this challenge was going to be, well, challenging, but because I've been on break it's actually been really easy and really fun for me.

I've tried to do water marbling a couple of times, but it never turns out very good for me, so I decided to give it a whirl today.

They're far from perfect, but definitely the best water marble I've done so far.

I used all Revlon polishes, which I think was part of the reason for my success. The 3 polishes used were Revlon Gray Suede, Revlon Posh, and Revlon Raven Red. 

As a base, I used Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Golden.

I was going to use this polish in my water marble design but it was so thick that it wouldn't spread in the water.

I did still use it to add some dots as an accent to my nails!

I looooove the way my middle finger turned out! I'd definitely recommend clicking that picture so you can see it better.

Thanks for following my 10 Days of Nail-mas!

Merry Christmas to all and to all good night !

Ugly Christmas Sweater Nails- Day 9

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve!! I can't even believe it. And I can't believe how successful my 10 Days of Nail-mas has been.

To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do today's nails, but my friend told me I should do them, so I rose to the challenge.

Ugly sweater nails! I'm really glad I decided (and was encouraged) to do these because I think they turned out super cute.

As my base, I did two coats of Rimmel London Stiletto Red. I've realized that I've painted my nails red quite a few times during this challenge, but not ever really green!

To do the designs, I used Sally Hansen French Manicure Natural White since it has a thinner striper like brush.

Here's my awkward hand picture so I can show off my thumb nail to you all! My mom told me that it was her favorite nail, so I knew I couldn't leave it out.

Also, I really surprised myself that I was even able to do a poinsettia. Turns out it's just a bunch of diamonds around a dot!

I hope everyone's enjoying their holiday and keeping warm in ugly sweaters. I know I am ;)

Stop in tomorrow to see my last design for my 10 Days of Nail-mas!

Santa's Jacket- Day 8

For today's nails I got to try out a technique that I've been wanting to do for quite a while. 

A velvet manicure. 

When I first saw velvet manicures, I have to admit I was kinda grossed out. But they've really grown on me.

To get this look, you have to buy flocking powder. I got a pack of 5 different colors at Michael's for $5!  This is a great deal considering Ciate sells one vial of powder and a polish for $20. Yikes!

This look is very easy to achieve, you don't have to be a nail expert by any means to do this manicure.

First, you paint on a coat of polish. I used Rimmel London Stiletto Red. Then after it dries you do a second coat and dunk your nails into the flocking powder while it's still wet. Then you just gently push down on your nails to secure the powder. 

To clean up the powder around my nails, I just used a small brush to wipe it all away.

To make these a little more Christmasy, I decided to add a belt and a buckle to them to make them look like Santa's jacket.

The polish was a little difficult going on over the flocking powder, but you can't see the bumps and bruises in person.

These nails were really fun and easy to do. I can't stop petting my nails either!

Wrapped Up With A Pretty Pink Bow- Day 7

It's a funny coincidence that for today's nails I did a cute little Christmas bow and now I'm actually wrapping up presents for Christmas!

Yes, I finally did my Christmas shopping. 4 days before Christmas. I put the pro in procrastinator!

This is actually my first time ever doing a bow on my nails, and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

These were done with two coats of Revlon Raven Red. Then using Sally Hansen Extreme Wear Golden, I did the saran wrap technique.

They looked pretty like this but I felt like they needed more to them!

So I painted on the bow with Stripe Rite Pink and outlined it with Sinful Colors Time Off to add to the detail.

I really love these nails and I'm sad that I only get to keep them for a day!

Oh well, can't let them ruin my 10 days of Nail-mas!

Star of Bethlehem- Day 6

Okay, so I have to admit upfront that I'm cheating today. But it's for a good reason!

I wasn't able to do my nails today but it's because I went sailing with my dad and brother and then went to my best friend's cousin's engagement party!

I tried to do my nails when I finally got home, but they turned out awful, so I'm using a magnetic polish manicure I did a while ago for my post.

I'm calling it the Star of Bethlehem, or rather the stars!

It really is a pretty polish though isn't it? If you're wondering what it is, it's Sinful Colors Sinfully Magnetic Charge it Up.

I got this pretty baby on sale on Black Friday for less than $2.

This is what the polish looks like before you hold the magnet over it. I realize this picture's kinda blurry but I like that you can see the blue pigments in it. (If you can't see them, click the picture to view it bigger).

This polish was really easy to use. You just have to hold the magnet over your second coat for about 20-30 seconds and presto, a beautiful design!

I'm sorry for cheating on my 10 Days of Nail-mas, I hope you'll all forgive me!

Stop back in tomorrow for some fresh Christmas Nails.

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

Day 5! Halfway done with my 10 Days of Nail-mas. It's been going by quickly.

Christmas is sneaking up on me! I need to go and do my shopping.

Today I decided to do pink snowflakes! Because I love pink and I thought they'd be fun.

I started out with two coats of Love & Beauty Royal.

Still my favorite navy and I don't care what anyone says!

Next I just freehanded the snowflakes using Stripe Right Pink.

I'm really happy with how they turned out! I think they're super cute and festive. I also really like how the navy and pink compliment each other. 

My thumb nail is definitely my favorite.

Your traditional snowflake (Well, half of it anyways).

See you all again tomorrow :)

Christmas Lights- Day 4

Today's nails got done twice. The first time I used a striper polish and glitter polish for the lights.

My nails did not turn out cute! So I went back and did 'em the right way.

I started these out with two coats of Sinful Colors Easy Going.

Then I added a coat of topcoat and some thread. Yes I said thread. Like what you use for sewing.

I saw it in a tutorial (not sure where from) and it looked so clean so I decided to try it out.

I sealed them in with another coat of topcoat. Then I used a q-tip to dot on the lights.

For the lights, I used Rimmel London Stiletto Red and Revlon Posh.

Cute and festive, right?!

Christmas Trees- Day 3

Day 3 already? I'm like one-thirds of the way done with my 10 days of Nail-mas!

Painting my nails is a lot more enjoyable when I've actually got free time to do them. On to the Christmas nails:

Aren't they just precious? 

These are simple and look great. I started out with two coats of Revlon Gray Suede (I know, I use this polish an insane amount). 

Then using scotch tape, I taped off little triangles. I used the crinkle cut side of the tape so my trees would look more like the real deal. Then I painted on Revlon Posh and Milani Gold.

The stars were done with a nailart brush and some Julep Blake.

Here's a bonus picture of my feeble attempt to decorate my apartment before I leave:

Gotta love Lamb Chop!!

See you all tomorrow ;)

Candy Cane Nails- Day 2

Has anyone started delving into the Christmas candy yet? So far I've been good and avoiding it (okay, except for one of those chocolate coins they were giving away for free at the bookstore) but I'm heading home tomorrow and I have a feeling I'll soon be stuffing myself with candy!

Today I decided to do some candy cane nails, because really, it wouldn't be Christmas without candy canes!

For this manicure I started out with two coats of Julep Kate.

Then with a nail art brush I painted on the red stripes with Rimmel London Stiletto Red. 

I went over them with Sephora Be-Claus I Said So to give them that extra little sparkle.

Yum! They look tasty, don't they? 

They're making me crave those those peppermint puffs. You know, the soft candies that melt in your mouth.

Definitely going to have to buy some of those peppermint puffs now. See I'm already falling victim to Christmas candy!

Also, I would just like to say that I love getting comments on posts, whether they're anonymous or not, because then I know people are actually reading my posts! Especially while I'm doing my 10 Days of Nail-mas, I would love to hear feedback from you! :)

10 Days of Christmas- Day 1

I've decided to try and do 10 days of Christmas nails. It's not going to be easy making myself paint my nails every single day, but I'm sure in the end it'll be worth it. Hopefully I'll be able to do all 10 days!

Today, I did a quilted nail technique. It's not exactly argyle, but it reminds me of argyle, so that's what I've been calling it.

In general, I would always say click the picture to view it bigger, but in this case, don't!

My ring finger nail is really the only one that turned out good. The other ones are pretty much a hot mess.

See, this nail turned out purdy! 

Anyways, I applied one coat of Revlon Posh and then using striping tape via this technique, added a coat of Rimmel London Stiletto Red.

I think I had either left the tape on too long or not long enough on my other nails and that's why they turned out so messy. Or maybe I just didn't get the striping tape flat enough.

I definitely want to try this technique again and see if I'm able to perfect it.

Stay tuned for more Christmas themed nails!

Mermaids in December

So I realize it's 50 degrees outside, and that Christmas is less than 2 weeks away, but I've been wanting to do mermaid nails for a while and I do live in Florida so they're appropriate any time of the year, right?

Right.

Speaking of right, this is my right hand and I think it turned out better than my left... again!

My mom always used to say she thought I was supposed to be left handed because I hold pencils/pens weird, so maybe her theory's correct and it's just now showing!

As you can see, I used a ton of polishes for this design, but the base is Julep Daphne.

The other polishes I used were Relvon Gray Suede,  Maybelline Color Show Amethyst Ablaze, Maybelline Color Show Navy Narcissist, Julep Susie, Sally Hansen Extreme Wear Golden, and a dark green shimmery E.l.f. polish that's nameless.

My left hand wasn't bad I had just made the 'scales' smaller.

I love the way these nails look but they take a good while to do which is why I only did them as accents nails.

This is the tutorial I followed if you're interested in how to do these.

Well off to study! Thanks for stopping by.

Gold Glittery Cheetah

I've had quite the lazy Sunday. But I did manage to make it to the gym AND paint my nails!

This isn't the first time I've done cheetah nails and if you're looking for a step-by-step tutorial of how to do them, go here.

I'm sad about the smudginess from my topcoat, but they're still pretty, right?

I started out with two coats of Revlon's Gray Suede. For the spots, I used Milani Art of Gold. And for the outlines I used Sinful Colors Time Off.

This was one of those rare occasions that my right hand turned out better than my left. 

My left hand wasn't all too bad though:

I originally just did gold polish for the spots but they didn't have enough of a pop so I decided to use my sparkly fun Milani :)

Well back to lounging!

Sam's Sunny Flowers

This week has been rough! It was the last week of classes for the semester and my professors really laid down the work.

I was so busy that I only painted my nails once this week. What!

Today I'm going to show you some nails I did a while ago for my roommate Sam.

(I would recommend clicking on these pictures so you can see her nails better. Sam's hands didn't want to bend and pose the way mine normally do for my pictures!)

Her favorite color is yellow so I started out with two coats of Julep Blake.

I freehanded the flowers with So Easy Stripe Rite Hot Pink and Sinful Colors Time Off. 

I wasn't really feeling the whole uniform each nail looks the same, so I tried to scatter the flowers around on each nail.

Sam and I were both happy with how they turned out and she said she got complimented on them several times!

I need to get back into regular nail painting and posting.

I've been thinking about doing 10 days of Christmas nails because my last final is on the 15th. I'm thinking that might be a sign. We'll see if I'm up for the challenge!