Retro Snowflakes

Hello Lovelies! It's officially December, the beginning of the winter and holiday season. I've decided to participate in this months Weekly Nail Art Challenge (#wnac2015) from Instagram. The first prompt is snowflakes, a staple nail art design of the season. I have seen some gorgeous snowflake manis recently, but I wanted to do something a little different. This is what I came up with for my snowflake design...

Materials I used:

Basecoat - SuperChic Lacquer "Bring it On!"

Polishes - Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear "Black Out," Revlon Top Speed "Metallic," China Glaze "Thistle Do Nicely," & "Capacity to See Beyond"

Makeup sponge

Small brush

Dotting tools

Topcoat - SuperChic Lacquer "Marvel"

I began with a solid black base.
 

I then used a small piece of a makeup sponge to sponge silver over some areas of my nails. 

Using a small brush, I painted the prongs of my snowflake. Using a medium dotting tool, and dotted the ends of the prongs. Switching to a slightly smaller dotting tool I dotted black in the center of each previous dot. I repeated this in a second color. Lastly, using a very small dotting tool and both colors I filled in the voids around the flakes.
 

As usual, I performed a bit of cleanup with acetone and a brush and applied a layer of glossy topcoat.
 

Many of you know I love retro styles so it's safe to say I love this design. The bright colors really pop against the black.
 

I'm hoping to complete many Christmas and winter themed manis this season but it this the season. I should be able to finish the WNAC in the very least. I do feel like I'm off to a good start. I hope you enjoyed this nail art design, thanks for stopping by, see you next time. 

Your Fellow Plebe,

Black and White Interlock

Hello Lovelies!  This week's Nail Art Nation prompt is black and white.  Since you can't have one without the other, I thought an interlocking design would be perfect for this prompt.  I have done this pattern once before Interlocking Dot Nail Art, and it is relatively easy to create...

Materials I used:
Basecoat - SuperChic Lacquer 'Bring it On!'
White polish - Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear 'White On'
Black polish - Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear 'Black Out'
Quick drying topcoat - SuperChic Lacquer 'Marvel'
Scotch tape
Dotting tools
Holo topper - Dream Polish 'Dream Dust'

I began with a white canvas.  When doing an overlapping design it is best to start with the lightest color or the thinnest polish for your base.  Of course, I don't recommend using a thin polish for an overlapping design, but sometimes you have a polish that you just have to use.  I topped this with a quick drying topcoat.

When the base color was dry, I taped off half of my nail at an angle, painted it black, and immediately removed the tape.  Using a medium/large dotting tool I interlocked the black and white by placing black dots on the edge of the black overlapping into the white, and likewise with the white.  Switching to a smaller size dotting tool I placed a dot of each color in line with the previous dot.  Lastly, I did that with an even smaller dotting tool, filling in any voided area but still keeping it in line with the other dots.  I repeated this pattern on all my nails, but alternated the black and the white on each nail.

After a bit of clean up with acetone and a brush, I topped it  with a holo topcoat.  Dream Polish Gem Glam topcoat also happens to be a quick drying topcoat, so no need to apply another topcoat.

And here is a macro shot so that you can see that holo bling, I only added one coat because I wanted a very subtle holo affect.  More coats would have increased the holo factor but I like it just like this...



I really enjoy creating the interlocking design because it seems so complex, yet is very easy.  This design is perfect for a beginner, and requires only basic tools.  I hope you enjoyed this nail art design, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

 

Watercolour Fall Foliage

Hello Lovelies!  Today, I have a very easy, yet very pretty DIY watercolour mani for you.  I created these for this week's WNAC, this month's theme is elegant and this week's prompt is watercolour.  I think some of the most elegant nail art designs are simple and subdued, that is why I went with this design...

Materials I used:
Basecoat - SuperChic Lacquer "Bring it On!"
Base polish - China Glaze "Don't Honk Your Thorn!"
Sharpies in red, brown, orange, and yellow
91% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
Small plastic or glass container, such as a shot glass or paint pallet
Small brushes
Brown polish - Color Club "Fondue for Two"
Topcoat - New York Color matte topcoat

I started with my favorite nude polish for a base color, China Glaze "Don't Honk Your Thorn!"  I opted for a nude base because I wanted my colors to be subdued, not too bright.  If you want your watercolour to turn out brighter, I would recommend a white base color.

I had to make my own watercolour because I don't own any.  I've seen many nail artist use Sharpies to make their own waercolours and I've used Sharpies to create watercolour nail art before but with a different technique (Sharpie Gradientish Stripes). For this nail art, I used the more conventional method.  Using a glass or plastic container, color the bottom with a Sharpie (I started using a shot glass, but switched to a plastic paint palette by the second color).  Then pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol into the container.  Use a brush to mix the Sharpie ink and the alcohol together.  For more opaque colors use as little rubbing alcohol as possible for less opaque colors add more rubbing alcohol.

I blobbed on my watercolours in random areas of my nail.  Continuing the process with various fall colors until I was satisfied with the layers and coverage.

Then using a thin brush and dark brown polish I painted thin trees and tree limbs to give the appearance of Autumn trees.

I cleaned my cuticles with rubbing alcohol and a brush, and applied a matte topcoat.

It has been a while since I have fallen madly in love with one of my nail art design, but this is a keeper.  I love the fall colors, I love matte texture, and I love the subtle, yet eye catching colors.  I feel this nail art design has a simplistic elegant feel to it.  How about you?  Do you think this is elegant?  If not what qualities do you feel a nail art design needs to be deemed elegant?

Whether or not you think this is elegant, I hope you enjoyed this nail art design.  I highly recommend you try creating your own watercolours using Sharpies.  It's easy to do and a great way to add some interesting color and texture to your nail art.  Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

 

 

Glitter Rhinestone - Lady Queen Beauty Review

Hello Lovelies!  I was recently contacted by Lady Queen Beauty and asked if I would like to review their product.  They have so many wonderful nail art products and accessories that I couldn't resist.  One of the items I choose to review were these gorgeous Multi Colored Rhinestones.

These Multi Colored Rhinestones Item # NA0285 come in a wheel and include two sizes of gems in just about every color of the rainbow.

The Rhinestones have a 3D shape and a nice iridescent appearance that make them shine like jewels.  These stones also have a somewhat metallic finish which makes them very opaque (in other words you cannot see through them).
 

I decided to use these Multi Colored Rhinestones  to create a French tip nail art design.  Using a binder hole reinforcement dot I created a deep French tip, by placing the reinforcement dot approximately 1/3 from the tip of my nail.  I then filled in the tip with black polish and immediately removed the reinforcement dot to prevent the polish from pulling.  I used Sinful Colors "Black on Black" because this is my go to black polish.

I then used the Multi Colored Rhinestones along the smile line of the French tip I just painted.  I used three larger stones in the middle and a smaller stone on either side.  I applied these stones by applying a topcoat and pressing the stones into the topcoat while it was still wet.  I then applied another layer of topcoat over the stones to seal them in place.

I prefer the topcoat method for applying stones and studs because I change my nail art often and I find it easier to remove the studs without damaging my nails.  If you intend to wear a manicure with studs for an extended period of time, I would recommend using nail glue to apply the studs instead of the topcoat method.  I would also recommend using nail glue if you are using a significantly large gem or charm, because the topcoat will not hold them for long.

I highly recommend you checkout the gorgeous and very economically priced nail art items that Lady Queen Beauty has to offer.  They offer the latest in Nail Art Trends, not to mention Daily Deals and Hot Sales, in addition to their already great priced items.  They also offer free shipping on top of their great prices.  You can earn points for purchases, product reviews and photo/video uploads to their site, that you can redeem on future purchases.  If that's not enough and you want more, you can also use my coupon code: QJXS15 for 15% off!  It really doesn't get any better than that.

I hope you enjoyed this nail art design and found the review useful.  Be sure to use my coupon code when you make a purchase with Lady Queen Beauty.  Thank you for stopping by, see you next time.

 

Your Fellow Plebe,

 

Mustache-icure

Hello Lovelies!  I have been having a difficult time staying motivated with nail art, so I decided to pick up a challenge for November.  For this month I thought I would give the Instagram #WNAC2015 a shot.  The over all theme is elegant, followed by weekly prompts.  This week's prompt is Movember.

No that's not a typo, Movember aka No Shave November is a movement to help support male wellness, encouraging men to exercise, eat healthy, and get regular checkups.  The primary goal of Movember is to bring about awareness of prostate and testicular cancer.  Many men show their support by vowing not to shave for the month of November, many growing elaborate moustaches in the process.  For (most) women growing a moustache is not really achievable so instead we create moustache nail art.  This was what I created...

Materials I used:
Basecoat - SuperChic Lacquer "Bring It On!"
Polishes - OPI "You're so Vain-illa", "Icebergers and Fries", "My Voice is a Little Norse", and Sinful Colors "Black on Black"
Medium/small dotting tool
Small detail brush
Topcoat - New York Color matte topcoat

I started with an off white on my pointer and mid finger, black on my ring finger and thumb, and added a glitter polish to my pinky.

For my moustaches I decided to try to go for a handlebar style stache.  Surprisingly, this is the first time I have ever done a moustache of any kind on my nails, however, it is relatively easy.  Start by placing two dots side by side with a dotting tool.  Then using a small brush, create a tail to either side of the dots.  I created a pattern of four to five moustaches on each finger and added sparkly dots between them to add a touch of elegance.

I did the same pattern over the black base as I did over the off white.  I simply changed the colors of the moustaches.

I performed my usual clean up with gentle acetone and a brush, and this time I added a matte topcoat.  I have never applied a matte topcoat over a glitter polish but I thought the affect was pretty interesting, almost stone like.

My goal with this manicure was to make it both masculine, since it is for Movemeber, yet incorporate a little bit of elegance so that it fit the theme of the WNAC.  I'm not quite sure I met the criteria of my goals, but I think I came pretty close.  What do you think?  Either way I hope you enjoyed this nail art design, thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

 

   

Sugar Spun Candy Corn Nails

Hello Lovelies!  We are officially one week into October, which means that Halloween is only three weeks away! Many of you already know that Halloween is my favorite holiday ever! For many people Halloween is all about the candy and goodies, so I decided to represent with the most iconic Halloween candy of all, candy corn.  Personally, I don't like candy corn but I love the colors and everybody thinks Halloween when they see them.  Last year I created a gradient candy corn design, so this year I wanted to try something a little different...

Materials I used:
Basecoat - SuperChic Lacquer "Bring It On!"
Polishes - Sinful Colors "Black on Black", Butter London "East End" & "Brick Lane"
Scotch tape
Toothpick
Topcoat - SuperChic Lacquer "Marvel"

I began with a black base polish topped with a quick drying topcoat.

Once dry, I prepped my finger by placing two pieces of scotch tape to create a triangular shape on my finger.  Using my Uber Mat as a work surface, I placed three dots of polish in white, orange, and yellow.  In order to create a sugar spun design the polish needs to thicken enough to become stringy.  When you are able to pull the polish up with a toothpick its ready for spinning.  Stir the polish a bit with the toothpick to speed up the process a bit.  When the polish is ready, simply pull strings of polish across the nail until you are satisfied with the coverage,  I repeated this process with each color.

When finished spinning, remove the tapes.  Clean up with gentle acetone and a brush if necessary.  I chose not to apply any topcoat over this, because I didn't want to ruin the textured affect.  If you choose to use a topcoat be sure to allow ample time for the design to dry, otherwise it will run when you apply the topcoat.

Even though I don't like the taste of candy corn I love this look, and it was incredibly easy to create.

I hope you enjoyed this quick simple Halloween nail art design too.  Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

 



Geometric Confetti

Hello Lovelies!  I decided before I get to deep into fall color and nail art that I would do something a little lighter and brighter.  These are what I am referring to as Geometric Confetti nails...

Materials I used:
Basecoat - SuperChic Lacquer "Bring It On!"
Base Color - Mango Bunny "Baby Cakes"
Shape Polishes - China Glaze "In a Lily Bit," "One Track Mind," & "Capacity to See Beyond"
Uber Chic Beauty Mat
Scissors and Heart-shaped hole punch
Topcoat - SuperChic Lacquer "Marvel"

Originally, when I was planning this nail art design I was just going to hand paint the shapes over my base color.  After, I got my new mat, I decided to go a different route.  To create this nail art design, I first painted three rectangles of polish on the mat.  (Of course, if you do not have an Uber Chic mat, a plastic bag works equally well for this.)  Once it was dry I peeled it from the mat, and cut it into various shapes and sizes with scissors and a heart-shaped hole punch.  I then applied two coats of polish on my nails and placed the shapes randomly onto the wet polish.

I repeated this process on all my nails.  I had a few problem areas that occurred when I tried to remove the access shape from the nail.

I touched up the problem areas using a small detail brush and the appropriate polish.

I finished off this nail art design like I typically do by performing a close clean up with gentle acetone and a brush, and topped of the design with a glossy topcoat.  A topcoat for a design such as this is important because it helps the overlaid pieces stay in place, and helps prevent them from peeling up.

This was a very quick and easy nail art design, that is bright and colorful.  I really like the crelly base, Mango Bunny's "Baby Cakes," is very light but the hex glitters provide a really nice pop of color.

I hope you too enjoyed this nail art design.  Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,