Rainbow Gradient with Nail Foils

OMG it worked this time.  My last post (which was way too long ago) was a total nail fail but it was supposed to look like this.  I wanted to re-create it because I knew it was going to be awesome and I was right.  Totally awesome!

I started with all the gradients first and then let them dry.  Then I applied the foil glue using a fan brush but this time much less generously.  Then when it dried I used the dotted holographic foil from Born Pretty Store and there you have it.  I'm sure you're all wondering what polish I used and since it's a lot, I'm going to just make a list going from pinky to thumb.  I know you can't see my thumb but it's a yellow, coral, pink combo. Here they are:

Zoya Malia
Color Club Lavendarling
Color Club Hydrangea Kiss
Orly Snowcone
Color Club Blue-ming
Pop Loud Lime
Sinful Unicorn
Zoya Pippa
Jesse's Girl Julie G All Things Girly
Julep Reese

So there you have it.  Now I say this all the time, but this time I mean it...I am swatching and trying to come up with great nail art to keep the blog going.  I actually did swatch a few colors and I just haven't posted them because looking back at them, I thought they were really bad.  I had two chipped nails and so they were super short and just gross.  lol So keep coming back.  I know I'm trying to. (:

Total Nail Fail w. Foils

Heeeeyyy!  I hate to even show you all my disappointing mani today but it's all I have.  The idea in my head was much better than the actual execution.

I started with a super fun and perfect pastel vertical gradient over all my nails.  Sadly I didn't take a photo of it because I had smudged some beyond repair.  It wasn't supposed to matter though because I was going to put the foils over it.  I brushed on the foil glue with a fan brush which was supposed to leave some space open to show the colors behind the silver foil.  Weeelllll, that didn't happen.  Apparently I brushed on too much glue so when I applied the foils, there were hardly any breaks for the rainbow to show through.  Trust that I will be re-creating this mani in the near future...like, probably this week because I know that the outcome will be some much better.  Trial and error, People!  lol

Is this really the worst mani?  Up my spirits and tell me it's not (even if that's a lie...lol) in the comments below.  (:

Circle Gradient Tutorial

So I had a really great response to the Metallic Circle Gradient mani I did a few days ago and I was asked to do a tutorial for it.  I was hesitant at first because I've never done one, but after a few video fails I decided to go with a photo tutorial.  Feel free to share the photo on Pinterest or Facebook, wherever you want.  I did it all for you!  ♥

The reason I call it a circle gradient is because when the three primary colors I used blend together, it looks like a color wheel in my opinion.  If you look closely, or if you try this yourself, you will be able to see the secondary colors (green, purple, and orange) show up and even more so after a nice top coat.  Let's get started!

STEP 1:
Choose a yellow.  I chose Kleancolor Metallic Yellow.
STEP 2:
Choose a pink (or red if you like).  I chose Kleancolor Metallic Pink.
STEP 3:
Choose a blue.  I chose Kleancolor Metallic Jungle.
STEP 4:
Grab a triangle sponge.  You may want to cut it in half so you don't waste the whole thing.
STEP 5:
Grab some tape to make clean up a breeze.  You can use any tape you like but I like clear Scotch tape.
STEP 6:
Prep your nail with one coat of your yellow polish.  You can sponge over your bare nail, but the yellow makes the colors really pop and you can use less product.
STEP 7:
Use your tape to cover the exposed skin around your nail.  This will keep the polish off your skin.
STEP 8:
Paint all three colors, slightly overlapping, onto the sponge.  You can put them in any order you like.  A little trick I use is to lightly dampen the sponge before adding the polish.  Since it's already wet it won't soak up as much polish thus saving you product.
STEP 9:
Dab the sponge on your dry nail and push down gently to help the colors blend better.  Repeat steps 8 and 9 until you are happy with the color saturation.
STEP 10: (not shown)
While the polish still a little wet, apply your top coat and then carefully remove the tape.  If any polish did seep through and get on your skin, clean it up with a cotton swab or clean up brush and some acetone.  And there you have it.  Your very own color wheel at your fingertips...literally.  At this point you can add some glitter or stamp a pretty design over it or you can just leave it as is.  I think it will be gorgeous anyway.  (:

I hope this was super helpful and that you all enjoy recreating this mani.  If you do attempt this design, I'd love for you to share it on my Facebook page or tag me on Instagram.  Have fun!

Kleancolor Metallics Circle Gradient

My original intention for today was to use my Kleancolor Techno High metallic minis for stamping because they are known for being amazing stamping polishes, but then I decided to do something even better.  A "circle gradient".

I didn't really know what else to call it but since I applied them on the sponge in a circle pattern, that's what it became.  Like I said all of the colors are Kleancolor.  I started with a base color of Metallic Yellow and let that dry.  Then on the applied Metallic Yellow, Metallic Pink, and Metallic Jungle (teal) on the sponge and then I went to town.  I rotated the sponge to have each nail a little different.  I really love how these colors worked together.  If you look closely you can see where the secondary colors are coming through a bit.  Maybe if I had smooshed the sponge down a little more, I would have made a more prominent rainbow.

As if that weren't enough I just HAD to add some glitter.  I used Girly Bits Jini Goes Indie just for fun.

So what do you think?  Is this a super fun mani?  It sure does look like I'm prepping for Spring. (:

7 Days of Halloween - Day 3

I am super excited about this mani.  I was going to post it before I left for vacation but I decided to hold on to it for this series.  I really love how it came out and it was totally not planned.  I just kept adding until I was happy and I am so happy.

The gradient I used was supposed to look like a dusky, nightfall behind the graveyard.  The purple is Color Club Eternal Beauty and the black is Color Club Beyond.  For the moon (yes I know it looks more like a sun but whatever) I just used a dotting tool and some yellow, orange, and pink cremes all swirled together to make it happen.  Then I just used a striper brush and black creme polish in random shapes for the headstones and crosses.  I thought this mani kind of looked like an old, creepy graveyard or those headstones you see in old westerns.  lol I don't know what I'm saying.  Just ignore me.

So let me know what you think about this mani in the comments below.  Thanks for stopping in.  (:

31DC2013 - Gradient

OMG this was the worst challenge day for me to complete.  I mean it's just a gradient, but I had the hardest time.  I did a complete mani using a gradient set and it looked like crap.  Then I took it off and did another gradient (same one you're about to see) but it wouldn't cooperate so I took it off and tried again.  All was well from there.  I guess the third time's a charm, right?

This is the mani that gave me so much trouble.  UNNECESSARY!  Anyway I do love how it eventually turned out.  Glitter gradients are always so fun and pretty.  I think this one looks like princess nails.  I used two coats of my favorite pink polish, OPI Sweet Memories.  I don't even like pink and I can't get enough of this one.  IDK man.  It's definitely a jelly which makes it even better and yes it shows the whites of my nails, but if you know me, you know I kinda like that.  It's like cleavage for your nails.  lol

After the pink was dry I dabbed on L.A.Colors Color Craze Sparkling Diamond (which you say layered over my yellow mani) starting at the cuticle and dragging it about half way up the nail.  Then I added Ulta Starstruck which is an amazing silver holo glitter.  It doesn't take much to make an impact.  I only used a light touch though because it's very dense and I didn't want to overwhelm the mani.

Again I love how this mani turned out.  I will definitely be doing it again soon after the challenge is over.  What's your take on glitter gradients?  Let me know in the comments below.

Textured Gradient with Stamping

Good Evening Readers!  Thanks for checking in tonight.  I have a really cool gradient to show you and I even stamped over it.  (:

This is my textured gradient using OPI Jinx from the Bond Girls collection and Claire's Paradise that I showed you all the other day.  I really just can't get enough of how gorgeous that purple is and that's why I keep featuring it on the blog.  I promise I'll stop soon.  lol

I haven't done a gradient in awhile because I ran out of sponges but I finally purchased some today and I was ready to gradient everything.  I really love how these two colors work together.  At first sponge I didn't think they would make it because I could clearly see the line between the two.  Obviously that line was blurred and created a really beautiful gradient.

I wanted to use three colors but I also didn't want to go crazy since I was planning on stamping over it.

This is the gradient stamped with a striped design from Bundle Monster plate bm-207.  I think it came out looking more like zebra than the actual design suggests which I'm not crazy about.  I just don't like zebra print unless it's on a real zebra.  lol  Then again it's not the worst design because I think the textured gradient makes up for it.  (:

On my left hand I used the same gradient but a geometric type stamp and that looks pretty cool too.  I put them on all crooked or else I'd show you.  lol

I plan on doing more gradients in the upcoming weeks because I've been having withdraws so if there is any color combo you'd like to see, textured or not, let me know in the comments below or you can hit me up on my Facebook page.  Don't forget to hit the "Like" button while you're there.  ;)

Mint Mani for Talia Joy

Hey Everyone!  Today is going to be a short post but meaningful.  The inspiration for today's mint manis comes from Talia Joy's last instagram post which was a mint mani using popBeauty Mint Magic.  While I don't have that color, I do have a pretty mint of my own.

First I used two coats of Green With Envy by Maybelline Color Show.  I did a gradient with Julep Oscar and then added some larger gold glitters from Milani Jewel FX Gold and a few white square glitters from OPI Lights of Emerald City.  Also if you notice there is a gold ribbon on my ring finger.  Well, the gold awareness ribbon is for children with cancer.  Seeing as how Talia was only 13 and diagnosed with not one, but two types of cancer I thought it was appropriate to show it.  I don't think it dons on a lot of people that anyone, even children, can become terminally ill.

To show your support for Talia and her family and friends, show off your mani through the inlinkz below or even Instagram and Facebook.  Just use #mintmanisfortaliajoy and #taliaslegacy so they are seen.

A Girl Obsessed w/ Glitter and Gradients

Hi Everyone!  Did you all enjoy your Monday?  I actually had a pretty good day considering I was completely bogged down with a huge project at work.  I also had to go in at 6am...ugh!  So you can only imagine how tired I am.  Aside from that though, I am really excited to show you this mani.  I feel like it's super fun and flirty and has a lot of my favorite things in nail art.

Here I have my glitter, gradient, stamping, star mani...all of my favorite things.  lol  I started with a base color of pastel yellow and then used a shimmery coral color to gradient my pinky, ring, and thumb fingers.  On my middle and pointer fingers I used 4 different polishes to stamp random stars which I thought was gonna look bad but actually turned out pretty cute.

The glitter topper is the main reason I'm so in love with this mani.  It is A Girl Obsessed Fruity Pebbles.  I'm not sure if you all heard about it maybe a month or two ago but she, the maker, wasn't happy with how the polish turned out because the glitter she bought was starting to break down in the base.  She had already mixed so many bottles and decided to sell them on HER ETSY SHOP as a Limited Edition polish.  I tried so hard to get my hands on a bottle and I just didn't make it in time.  They were sold out in seconds.

Well I just received a swap from an amazing lady and nail polish enthusiast, Jen from Jen's Nail Files and she included this in it eventhough I didn't ask for it.  I am so thankful because in the week I've had it, I've already worn it twice on two different manis.  lol I just love rainbow glitter.  I'll definitely do a proper swatch/review post on this polish in the near future but I couldn't go another day without showing you all this mani.

WHAT I USED:
Sinful Colors Unicorn - yellow
Sinful Colors Luminary - coral
A Girl Obsessed Fruity Pebbles - glitter
Bundle Monster plate bm-206

So that's all for this night!  Have a good one! (:

Rainbow Gradient?! Yes, Please!

Yes you read it right!  I have a full on rainbow on my nails tonight.  I have been wanting to do a vertical gradient for awhile but I didn't just want to do the same colors on each nail so I decided to use them all.  I mean, why not?!  Rainbows are fun!

Here it is!  It's super bright and I love it.  I think it's so fun and quirky...like me!  I don't really think I need to explain how I did it seeing as how almost everyone knows how to create a gradient by now.  I didn't do the sponge method though.  I just did it using the polish brushes.

As you can see some of the colors didn't blend as well as I had hoped like neon green and teal blue on my middle finger, but whatever!  You can't tell me that it looks bad.  lol  I did this entire mani over a white base if you were wondering how they all got so bright.  I had too since three of them are jellies.

Are you ready for the list of polishes I used?  It's long.  There are ten of them.  The reason for there being ten is that I used all these same polishes on my toes (which you will see below so if you don't like feet then don't read any further than the polish list) for an ombrè pedicure. 

WHAT I USED:
Orly Oh Cabana Boy - pink
popBeauty Ablaze - neon orange
OPI Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? - orange
Spoiled Did I Dye It Too Blonde? - yellow
China Glaze I'm With the Lifeguard - lighter neon green
China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada - darker neon green
butterLONDON Slapper - teal
China Glaze Blue Sparrow - blue
China Glaze Creative Fantasy - darker purple
China Glaze Señorita Bonita  - lighter purple

Next is my pedi pic...look away if you aren't a foot person (who really is a foot person though).  I promise they aren't bad.  (:

Thanks for checking in tonight.  I had so much fun doing this mani and you better believe I'm going to stamp over this.  lol

Leopard Print and Gradient Mani

Hey Guys!  I'm back from the dead.  lol No actually I'm finally moved in and unpacked in my new place.  We had issues with our internet when we moved in as well so we were bored out or our minds for 5 days.  I also broke most of my nails when we were moving the furniture and all so now that my nubs are a little more grown out, I knew I could finally make some manis happen.

I was going through my stash trying to find a fun color to wear that I haven't worn in a long time so I chose essence Choose Me.  Perfect name, right?!  Since my Melmer drawers are in such disarray from the car ride over (all the bottles tipped over and are all mixed up now), this little guy made his way up to the front of the drawer and so he was "The Chosen One".

So here it is...the finished product!  I thought I would mix it up and do some leopard print and a gradient.  On my ring and middle fingers I used China Glaze Four Leaf Clover and OPI Designer...de Better! to create the leopard print.

On my pinky, pointer, and thumb I used Designer...de Better! to create the gradient.  I didn't use a sponge like I normally would because I really didn't feel like making a mess tonight and also being covered in silver shimmer.  I just did it using the brush which I haven't done in a super long time.  I forgot how much I liked that effect.

I love how the whole mani sparkles and is super shiny.  My favorites are the ones that blind you in a good way.  lol

Well I am so happy to be back blogging and to be all settled in my place.  There shall be lots of fun manis coming soon.  Night!!

Crumpet's Nail Tarts Present The April Tri-Polish Challenge

So here we are again for the Tri-Polish Challenge hosted by The Crumpet.  I'm gonna be honest.  I almost forgot about the challenge.  I didn't even realize it was the 3rd week of April already.  Gosh!  How time flies!

The colors for April are pink, orange, and turquoise.  I chose Zoya Kimber (pink), popBeauty Ablaze (orange), and Zoya Zuza (turquoise).  I'm totally loving my color combo so I can't wait to get the rest of these manis done.

This is my favorite mani I've done in a long time.  I usually get really excited about my gradients...when they come out good anyway.  This one came out amazing.

First I did the gradient on all my nails and then used some striping tape to create a lazer effect or I guess more of a starburst.  Then I used a thick coat of Zuza to try and cover the gradient.  You can still see some bald spots, but whatever.  I also didn't want to cover it up completely so I thought a cross print would be fun on my middle and pointer fingers.

I really love the contrast of the colors and how the crosses seem to jump off the nail.  Super cool!  Now I can't wait to brainstorm my next Tri-Polish mani for Thursday.