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.