gradient tape

mixing one of my favorites, ombre/gradient and a beginners technique, stripe tape, the gradient tape manicure was created! i've seen this design in several colors all throughout the web so this week i put my stripe tape to use and did my own version in purple. 

tools: two contrasting but complimentary nail polish colors, stripe tape and a makeup sponge. 

step 1: paint two coats of light purple, i used essie- lilacism.

step 2: once the base is completely dry, cut several pieces of stripe tape then place the strips on the nails intersecting with each other. make sure to flatten the edges of the tape so there are no bubbles or gaps on the tape to avoid polish from seeping underneath the tape as you paint. 

step 3: once strips are secure around the edges of the nails, using a makeup sponge to create a gradient design, paint on a dark purple, i used essie- sexy divide. the gradient method can be seen here from one of my earlier posts.

step 4: apply one coat of seche vite fast dry top coat. this will blend all colors and even out the surface.

triangle spears

this week i wanted to do a design that was clean and simple, easy to teach but still made a statement. since i had planned to see batman: the dark knight, i put these colors together. catwoman maybe? replicate the look by following the steps below: 

step 1: pick two complimentary but contrasting colors. i used essie- lilicasm (light purple) and sexy divine (dark purple). 

step 2: paint two coats of essie- lilacism. 

TIP: to speed up the waiting time between base color and design, especially when using a tape product. paint a coat of seche vite fast dry top coat. this is a great buy; nail polish dries in 10-15 minutes.

step 3: cut two pieces of tape for each nail. apply both pieces of tape on the nail creating a V stencil in the middle of the nail where you will apply your second nail polish color. make sure to flatten the edges of the tape so that no bubbles or gaps seep underneath the tape as you paint. 

step 4: paint the stenciled area in essie- sexy dive. one moderate coat will be needed.

step 5: slowly remove the tape while nail polish is still wet. 

step 6: complete the look with one top coat of seche vite fast dry top coat. 

glitter tips

for the first time in years i bought a revlon nail polish. i am currently obsessed with the color mint, if you can't already tell from the colors i used for this blog. i bought revlon nail enamel in 'minted'. the color doesn't seem to last as long as essie does so i opted to do a gradient glitter on the tips.

step 1: for the base i painted 2 coats of essie's lilacism and on the ring and middle fingers i painted revlon's minted. 

step 2: after letting the base completely dry, i painted a strip of clear nailpolish on the nail tip. directly below, i painted another clear strip and dabbed my finger on it smearing the polish so that there was less clear polish below the highest clear strip which would hence produce the gradient affect.

step 3: i dipped my finger nail in a loose silver glitter pod.

step 4: after about a minute or two i let cold water run on my hands to remove the excess glitter and cleaned up with a flat q-tip dipped in nail polish remover.

purple tux and bow

im so proud of myself- i painted my first bow! i started this by using essie's lilacism as a base and essie's smoking hot for the tips, dots and bow. to make the tips i used scotch tape and for the dots and bows i used a dotting tool.