Friday, October 26, 2012

matte leopard

i'm excited to announce that i finally got my hands on essie's matte about you a matte finish top coat! this allows me to transform any nail polish into a matte color. i decided on this design so that you can see the contract of a shiny top coat versus a matte top coat.


tools:
dotting tool
essie baubing for baubles
essie matte about you
clear nail polish

step 1: paint two coats of essie- bobbing for baubles on all nails.

step 2: paint essie- matte about you on the desired nails you want to have a matte finish.

step 3: on the shiny nails, using a dotting tool, draw leopard print using essie- matte about you.

step 4: on the matte nails, using a dotting tool, draw leopard print using a shiny clear nail polish. 

TIP: be sure to do this in bright light since it will be hard to see the design you are painting due to the opacity of the clear and matte for the leopard print design.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

reverse french

i finally decided to implement studs into a nail design. too impatient to wait for ebay to send my order, i purchased a stud set from kiss. also seen here was my attempt at a reverse french which is similar to a half moon but upside down.


tools:
kiss metallic nail art studs
tweezer
essie chinchilly
essie smokin' hot
page preforators 
seche vite fast dry top coat 

step 1: paint the pinky, ring and index finger with two coats of essie- chinchilly.

step 2: paint the ring and thumb finger with two coats of essie- smokin' hot.

step 3: paint one coat of seche vite fast dry top coat on each nail. 

step 4: when the nails are completely dry, cut the page preforators in half and place a half on to each nail, oval part facing down so it looks like a "U". firmly press down the edges of the tape so there are no bubbles or gaps to avoid polish from seeping underneath the tape as you paint.

step 5: after the preferators are set in place, paint the top part of the nail in the opposite color. paint pinky, ring and index finger in smokin' hot and ring and thumb finger in chinchilly. 

step 6: paint one coat of seche vite fast dry top coat on each nail and allow 10 minutes to dry.

step 7: apply the studs of your choice using a tweezer to pick up the stud and to place onto the nail. after carefully placing the stud in the desired place, press the stud down firmly using the tweezer. 

step 8: finish it off with one coat of seche vite fast dry top coat!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

matthew williamson #lfw

ombre treatments and embellishments drew my attention to the matthew williamson collection at the london fashion week show. the collection was inspired by his love of India and the festivals of color, "Holi Festival".




step 1: begin by painting two coats of essie- lapiz of luxury.

step 2: paint one coat of seche vite fast dry top coat and allow 10 minutes to dry completely. 

step 3: using the gradient technique seen here apply using (from lightest to darkest- cuticle to tip) new york color in lavender cupcake, essie- play date, lapiz of luxury and bobbing for baubles.

step 4: repeat the gradient technique until you are satisfied with the color. 

TIP: free hand with the sponge by dabbing in access color to achieve your desired look. 

step 5: using the sponge, adjust the darkest color at the tip, essie- bobbing for baubles so that you have a french tip, half moon shape.

step 6: go over the tip with a dark blue glitter, essie- stroke of brilliance. 

step 7: wait about 5 minutes before applying your top coat so that you do not risk moving the glitter at tip all over your nail.