Monday, June 25, 2012

blue zebra

my first attempt at zebra print! what do you think? zebra, like leopard is an easy to-do design and all it takes is some practice. just remember, it's all in the wrist and doesn't have to perfect. 


step 1: paint the base color. i used two coats of lapiz of luxury by essie.

step 2: after the base is completely dry, using a black two-way nail stripping pen, alternate sides and interlock the stripes. i followed a video by Andrea from obsessedwnails blog

step 3: wait about 5 minutes for the black to dry then apply one coat of Seche Vite dry fast top coat. 

click HERE to see the video i followed to create this design. 

Friday, June 15, 2012

gold striper

i finally decided to use stripe tape that i bought from ebay months ago. for this design i used, essie's who's the boss from their 2012 wedding collection and splash of grenade (purple).


step 1: paint two coat's of each color. i like to paint one coat on all ten nails first, then go back to the nail i started from to apply the second coat. this allows some time to let the first coat dry.

step 2: using gold stripe tape, press the end of the tape firmly on the nail, roll it up the nail and cut the end of the tape right before the nail ends (as close to the nail tip as possible). Please note that for the ring finger instead of stripe tape, i drew one straight line down the middle of the nail using gold glitter nail polish. 

step 3: complete the look with one coat of Seche Vite dry fast top coat. this clear nail polish will have your nails dry in 10 minutes!

stripe tape is an easy and fun way to get creative with your nails making lines and abstract shapes. you can find it on ebay for .99 cents or less. 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

mango gradient

after countless times of seeing gradient nails i attempted my own. but instead of the blue and purple gradient i've seen, i opted for a summer shade and thus the mango gradient was created! before beginning your manicure you will need three complimentary nail colors, a makeup sponge and a clear top coat.



step 1: pick you base color. i used essie's action and painted three coats because the color comes out very sheer and matte.

step 2: when the the base color is completely dry, on a flat surface (i used a business card), paint a generous amount of the two colors (aka a dot or two) right next to each other and make sure they're just about touching. i used essie's carousel coral and fiesta. using a toothpick or dotting tool, swirl the two colors together. the mix of the two colors determines the graduation. the more you blend the shades, the longer the graduation.

step 3: using a makeup sponge, dab it directly down on the nail polish to grab the colors. make sure to face the sponge with the lighter color facing the cuticle and the darker color toward the tip so that the colors blend from lightest (at cuticle) to darkest (at tip).

step 4: dab the sponge directly down on your nail pressing from left to right or right to left. either way will work to apply the colors on the nail and off the sponge. 

step 5: repeat steps 2-4 a second or third time until you are satisfied with the gradient color effect. 

step 6: apply a clear base coat. this will blend all colors and even out the surface.

if you want to see this step by step via video watch winter rose's gradient nail tutorial  on you tube. it was a great help to get me started and achieve mango gradient nails.