31 Day Challenge - Day 10: Gradient Technique

 - Bam! Take THAT, super difficult gradient technique! IN YO FACE! -

For today's challenge I revisited one of my favorite looks with this blue to purple gradient. As much as I love this look, I'm always a little anxious when it comes time to paint. 

This technique can be tricky, polish that is too thick can create strong lines instead of the faded look, and polish that is too thin causes the two colors to overblend. This means a lot of trial and error when it comes to picking out the right polishes, but I have found that the two China Glaze polishes For Audrey and Beach Cruise-r play together very nicely to create a perfect fade!

Polishes used: China Glaze - For Audrey and Beach Cruise-R, O.P.I - Pirouette My Whistle

If you are going to be trying this technique, I do have a few tips to help you along the way:

First, use wax paper to pre-mix your colors. Paint a strip of each color side by side, then use a dotting tool or toothpick to mix them slightly in the middle. 

Next, wet a makeup wedge and ring it out, leaving it damp. Dip the wedge in the polish on the wax paper and pat straight down on the nail, moving up and down slightly. 

Repeat as necessary and finish with a quick dry top coat. 
Once you add the top coat, you will notice how well the colors will blend together!

31 Day Challenge - Day 09: Rainbow

- Rainbow Dotticure -

When I accepted this 31 day challenge, (I say that as if someone actually challenged me, but I like to think the universe was challenging me by having such a challenge exist) I had NO idea just what a challenge day 9 would be. 

I did my nails no less that 4 times trying to come up with a design for today that I was happy with. My first attempt at splatter nails failed miserably. Polish, polish everywhere. More on that someday in the future if I ever decide to post a few out takes...

After much heartache, a few shed tears, and possibly a bald spot, I finally decided on this simple dotted rainbow manicure... 

Sinful Colors - Aquamarine, Revlon - Posh, China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky, China Glaze - Papaya Punch, WetNWild - Everybody Loves Redmond

31 Day Challenge - Day 07: Black & White

- High Contrast Sugar Spun Nails -

For the black and white theme, I decided to try a technique that is new to me. I've heard lots about sugar spun nails, and honestly thought they would be perfect for day 7. I love the way my nails seem to pop with the white on black.

Polishes used: China Glaze - White on White, Orly - Liquid Vinyl

Sugar spun nails consist of using a dotting tool or toothpick to drag very tiny strands of goopy polish from side to side across the fingernail, which makes it extremely time consuming, but the end result is well worth it. 

I quickly found that there is a bit of a learning curve with this one, it took a bit of trial and error to get the strands to be the right consistancy, but once I got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing from there!

31 Day Challenge - Day 05: Blue

My Balloon Gone Wild

I felt like today's theme needed a little bit of extra oomph after yesterday's plain colored mani, so here we are with my balloon in the sky look.

I started by painting all the nails with a Orly - Snowcone. After they were dry to the touch, I sponged on a few white clouds using China Glaze -Snow, and added the red balloon and black string with a bit of acrylic paint I had lying around.

As you can see, I need quite a bit of practice with my brushwork. Let's just use our imaginations and pretend it's not all funky looking, alright? Pretty please?

Polishes used: Orly-Snowcone, China Glaze-Snow

To give you a few different views of the colors, the first picture was taken outdoors in direct sunlight and picture two was taken indoors.

31 Day Challenge - Day 03: Yellow

Before I get to debuting day 3, let me first just say that I blame this manicure completely for giving me a hefty dose of Spring fever today, while in reality it's a snowy, blustery 2 degrees outside. At least for the time being I can look down at my cheery nails and imagine I'm sprawled out on warm sandy beach somewhere with a drink in my hand, so that  gives me a miniscule amount of comfort. 

Now let's get down to business...

 2 Coats of China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky

In all fairness, I really think yellow polishes have a habit of getingt the shaft from a lot of people, myself included. I think this polish changed that for me. This is 2 coats of China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky with Seche Vite on top. 

There is another China Glaze polish called Sunshine Pop that is extremely similar in color, however that polish has a shimmery sheen to it, while this is just pure yellow color. Personally, I prefer the pure brightness of this shade. 

I will definitely be working this color into the rotation more often once Summer hits!

31 Day Challenge - Day 02: Orange

Orange Gradient Topped Off With 3d Fruit Slices

The theme of the day is orange, and what better way to represent than with a bit of fruit on my nails? I started out by painting the entire nail in China Glaze Peachy Keen, then used the sponge technique to create a gradient by adding in CG Papaya Punch and High Hopes. 

Once dry, I dipped a dotting dool in topcoat and used the tip to pick up the orange slices and place them randomly on each nail. Finished with Seche Vite and viola, here we have day 2!

 

Polishes used: China Glaze Peachy Keen, Papaya Punch, and High Hopes

Swatch Alert - China Glaze Atlantis

China Glaze Atlantis is an amazing mix of blue/green holographic micro glitters that will make you feel like your fingernails belong on a magical mermaid of the sea. Ah-Maze-Ing. The picture does not do justice for just how much it shines in bright light. China Glaze Atlantis is a must add to your polish collection, but get it while you can, it's becoming more and more difficult to find!

31 Day Challenge - Day 11: Polka Dots

- Pink On Pink Polkas -

Not too much to be said on today's challenge. I think the pics speak for themselves!

Polishes used: China Glaze - Something Sweet & All Laced Up