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. 

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 08: Metallic

- Metallic Madness -

While today's theme may seem simple in theory, you wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find a nail polish that keeps its perfect metallic sheen when dry. In a momentary fit of rage, I debated working a bit on tin foil into my manicure, but thought that might constitute as cheating, so I continued the search for metallic polish.

Waaaaay down deep in the bottom of my nail polish bin, I found the perfect polish! Of course it's a lesser known brand called Magicolor Cosmetics that I must have picked up somewhere along the way in my travels, and I have no idea where it came from, or how to go about purchasing any more should I run out. This means I must use it sparingly, but I love you all enough to use some of it today.

If you happen to randomly find the brand and pick it up, I must warn you that the formula was a bit on the streaky side and also takes a veeeeery long time to dry. Seche Vite does not play well with it either, it seemed to make it more goopy as opposed to having the quick dry effect it has on most polishes. Be prepared to spend a lot of time sitting perfectly still until this one dries completely. 

I finished the look off with a bit of metallic striping tape, and there we have it, day 8 down!