Category: Nail Art

Posted on

Silver Stamped Snowflakes.

 

IMG_1465

Last month, I made my first ever Born Pretty Store purchase, after dawdling about the idea for a while. I was in awe over all their options for stamping plates. I’m totally in awe of all the stamping I’ve seen around. I haven’t stamped in a while–almost a year! So I decided to order some fun plates with images I could never create freehand. One of my favorite plates I ordered was a collection of sweater-style winter prints. So when they arrived the other day, I knew I had to use them–immediately!

I stamped these nails at 7am, before having to get ready for work so they’re not perfect. But for my first time stamping in a long while, I’m really proud of how I did.

IMG_1466

The polishes I used for this manicure:

  • China Glaze Frostbite (applied over undies of China Glaze I Sea the Point)
  • Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Celeb City — stamping.
  • ACO by Ardene Style Icon –gorgeous chunky silver and holo glitter.
  • Born Pretty Stamping Plate ID #6457 (Lace Snowflake Pattern).
  • Seche Vite Quick Dry Top Coat.

IMG_1463

IMG_1464

IMG_1477

This is about as close to a Christmas Manicure as I’ve gotten so far this year, but I really love this sweater print. I’m already collecting a whole bunch of designs in my head I want to do for Christmas this year, so I have a feeling once December hits, there will be a lot of Christmas/Holiday manicures to share. There are also a few I did last year that I’m really itching to recreate and see how things have improved.

What Christmas manicures are you itching to do?

Posted on

More Chevron Moons, and my new favourite nail art pen!

IMG_1447

I have a serious obsession right now with chevron moons. They’ve replaced regular half moon manicures as my favorite I-don’t-know-what-to-paint-on-my-nails designs. I have given up on trying to do the perfect tape manicure, but I have to say I’m really happy with how my freehand lines are coming along. Definitely a HUGE improvement from when I first started. Plus with my new Essence Nail Art tattoo pen, it’s so much easier to draw on thin lines as opposed to using my stripers! Plus I find the polish doesn’t gunk up the same way that my stripers do.

IMG_1484

IMG_1440

The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • Orly Decades of Dysfunction — off white base colour.
  • OPI My Dog Sled is a Hybrid — chevron moon.
  • Essence Nail Art Tattoo Pen
  • Seche Vite Rapid Dry Top Coat.

Seriously, I’m in love with this nail art pen. I bought a couple Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens years ago, but never really got into using them. However, I’m absolutely in love with this Essence Pen so I think I’m going to have to bring them back out and give them another try now that I know what technique to use to get nice lines. And it makes creating freehand lines such a breeze! Since most of the designs I create are freehand, that is a big help to me!

IMG_1442

IMG_1443

IMG_1445

IMG_1441

So what do you think of my chevron moons? Like I said, I’m so in love with chevron moons right now–more so than any other kind. It’s a great, easy way to add something else to an otherwise plain manicure–in a short amount of time!

Also I just have to make a shout out to @mynailpolish_addiction on Instagram who twinned me with an awesome (and sparkly!) chevron moon mani and Starbuck Gingerbread latte! Jessica is actually the sweetest ever, we’ve become great friends since meeting through Instagram! You must check out her nail art because the girl is fantastic and SO talented!

**I purchase the Essence Nail Art Tattoo pen on my own accord, and have not be compensate for my comments in any way.**
Posted on

Another round of Bestie Twin nails and pretty herringbone nails.

IMG_1425

 

 

I’ve been having a blast doing Bestie Twin Nails with all the fellow girls I’ve been meeting on Instagram, so today I’m going to share another fun #bestietwinnails I got to do with one of my fellow nail girlies, @bene_loves. I’ve been dying to do a herringbone designs on my nails for a while, and I’m so excited she joined me in on it! We decided on the colours Dark Purple, Light Purple and Dark Pink then went to work creating our designs. (To check out what polishes she used for her design, just click on her name and check out her Instagram. She’s amazingly talented!)

IMG_1390

IMG_1392

 

IMG_1413

For my manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure I Lilac You — my favorite light purple!
  • China Glaze Grape Juice — dark purple.
  • Essence Color and Go Girls Night — dark pink.
  • LA Colors Art Deco Striping Polish — black.
  • Seche Vite Rapid Dry Top Coat.

Oh my god, can I just say how freaking much I love this design! Like I said I’ve been really wanting to give the herringbone design a try, but last time I tried my striper was not my friend and I got frustrated and gave up. So glad I didn’t give up this time, because WOW! I used the tutorial by @DiamondNailArt which was a huge hope in getting this right. =) I still had a couple issues with my striper gunking up on me while I was doing this (hate that!) I think the next time I try this manicure, I’m going to use my Essence Nail Art Tattoo pen which I just picked up! I bet I could create a much smaller herringbone pattern.

IMG_1412

Oh look! My nails match my scarf! =)

What do you think of this Herringbone design? I’m so in love with it! I’m definitely already thinking up a whole variety of different designs… I can definitely see me doing another one using Christmas colours! Because Christmas is quickly approaching, and now that Remembrance Day is over, I’m already planning my Christmas manicures!

Posted on

#itonlytakesone

IMG_1406

 

 

If you’re hanging around Instagram, you may have noticed an whole bunch of happy face manicures popping up on your feed. @ohmygoshpolish has ignited a movement by encouraging her fellow nail girls to create these manicures to raise awareness and take a stand against bullying, hashtagging the manicures with #itonlytakesone.

Bullying is an issue that hits home with me–like so many, I’ve experienced my share of bullying. In junior high, that bullying came in the form of girls “innocently” teasing me about my weight. Unfortunately the taunts I heard influenced my poor body image, which eventually spiraled into a serious eating disorder that I’ve dealt with for the majority of my teenage and adult years. Thankfully I’ve embraced recovery, but I still struggle with the effects of that bullying daily, even 16 years later. I doubt those girls thought what they were doing was serious, but bullying is: what you say has consequences, and bullying is never okay. Ever. In today’s society, with the prevalence of smart phones and social media, bullying is at an all time high–it’s easy to break someone down when you have the protection of a screen. That’s why it’s important that when we see it happening, we take a stand against it.

One person can (and does) make a difference.

 

IMG_1405

 

For my #itonlytakesone manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Sinful Colors Snow Me White.
  • Essence Nail Art Tattoo Pen (black)
  • Essie Watermelon (pink accents)
  • Seche Vite Quick Dry Top Coat.

IMG_1407

IMG_1408

You can check out Bystander Revolution for more information–They have some great videos that I think everyone should take a minute to watch. And if you’re on Instagram, I encourage you to create your own #itonlytakesone manicure, and show that you will stand up against bullying. =)

Posted on

Poppy nails in honor of Remembrance Day.

IMG_1293(1)

Today, November 11th, is Remembrance Day and in honor of that I did a special manicure.

I grew up as part of a military family — both past and present generations have served in the Air Force, Army and Navy. I even have a Great Uncle who was held prisoner in a POW camp during WW2.  Because of that I’ve always made sure to take the time to stop, reflect, and remember those who have fought so hard to defend our freedom–those who came, those who didn’t, and those who were forever changed all in the name of Peace and Freedom. I wanted to do a simple Poppy manicure in memory and remembrance, and I think they came out perfectly.

IMG_1294

 

The polishes I used for this manicure were:

  • ACO by Ardene Day Dreamer — base color.
  • ACO by Ardene Strawberry Fields — red.
  • Mariposa Black.
  • OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls — white.
  • Seche Vite fast dry top coat.

IMG_1301

IMG_1303

IMG_1372

 

So what do you think of these Poppy Nails in honor of Remembrance Day?How do you mark the day? I went to my local Remembrance Day services this morning with my father (who is retired from the Air Force) and the boyfriend and it was amazing to see everyone gathering together to pay tribute.