31 Day Challenge - Day 12: Stripes

 -Anchor's Away -

The theme of the day is stripes, and while painting, I totally fell in love with this navy and white striped manicure with glittery heart accent nail. I seem to recall seeing a few different variations on this design before, but I am not exactly sure where it originated.

Polishes Used: China Glaze - First Mate, White on White, and Ruby Pumps

In my attempts to simplify the process, it turns out I more than likely ended up making it way more difficult than it had to be. Thanks to my shaky hands, I had to figure out a way to get straight lines, which can be difficult for even the steadiest of digits to freehand. After a little brainstorming, I decided to paint a piece of Scotch tape with white nail polish and cut it into strips of the desired width, then place the stripes directly on the nails.

When it came time to add the heart, I of course had to think of a way to make that more time consuming as well, because everyone knows if it's one thing I have plenty of, it's time.
After laboriously adding the stripes, I couldn't bear the thought of a shaky hand sending it all to hell in a handbasket, so I used a dotting tool to paint the heart on Scotch tape as well, then cut around the design with a pair of nail scissors and put my home made decal in place.

There you have it, after a bunch of unnecessary steps, I'm all finished with day 12!

31 Day Challenge - Day 11: Polka Dots

- Pink on Pink Polkas -

I put those dotting tools to good use again today with this simple but adorable pink on pink polka dot manicure. I love the clean look of this, and it was so easy to do! All you really need are a few complimentary polish colors, a large dotting tool and a steady hand, and then there you have it!

Polishes used: China Glaze - Something Sweet & Happy Go Lucky

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!

Indie Alert - Carnival In Rio by KraftyGurlDesigns

- Birthday Party of 5 -

If my fingernails were celebrating a birthday, this is definitely what they would wear for their big night out on the town. I feel like confetti just fell from the sky and landed perfectly in all the right spots with this Indie polish from KraftyGurlDesigns. It's a party on my hands and you're invited!

1 coat of Carnival In Rio over Essie - A Crewed Interest

Carnival in Rio by KraftyGurlDesigns is a mix of yellow, teal, and hot pink glitters suspended in a clear base. I found that the glitters were super easy to place as desired just by manipulating the brush strokes, which is important if you are anything like me and find that you are super particular about the placement of glitter on each of your fingernails. 

The colors are bright and vibrant, and the glitter is solvent resistant so there is no risk of bleeding or fading either. I layered the glitter over Essie's A Crewed Interest, but in my opinion this glitter would also look fantastic and really pop with a black or white base. I just love it!

Carnival In Rio retails for $6.50 and is available through KraftyGurlDesigns on Etsy.